BlueFairy said:
BTW, DH's company had asked that he try to keep food costs down, another reason we were banking on Tubbis. Are the Dolphin Fountain and the pool bar good options for quick counter service food at lunchtime for him?
ETA:
Just sent this question to S/D via a form on the dining section of their website. We'll see about a response:
"My husband is attending a the SANS 2006 meeting there 2/24 - 3/3/06. Our infant daughter and I will be staying at the Dolphin with him for vacation during this time. I understand that Tubbi's has been closed. Can you tell me where I will be able to buy fruit, yogurt, cold cereals and such, quick counter service lunch and dinners, refillable mugs, and also use a microwave for heating baby food and bottles during our stay? We are VERY concerned about the effect this unadvertised closure will have on our enjoyment of the trip and on our dining budget.
Thank you."
EXCELLENT email inquiry!! BTW, I do not find your idea for requesting club level as excessive at all (especially in this situation). Call the resort, and speak with a front desk manager. Be very direct and concise, but also pleasant. Explain everything you have detailed here. Please, kindly let me know of their response.
losnow~As Blondie replied, it's not too far, but it is significant if you have trouble walking (due to any variety of reasons). The boats are also air conditioned, and much more comfortable and less-taxing on the heart, during the VERY hot weather which will be arriving in WDW soon.
I would walk to the BW first, where you can SEE Epcot...before deciding if you wished to "try it" or just hop on the friendship boat.
Hope this helps.
There is a nice gazebo overlooking the water to rest in about 1/2 of the way between the resorts and park, also...there are plenty of benches all along the path. Take it slowly, and it's not too far. At night, it's a wonderful walk back (just a slow stroll is perfect), with all the lights of the hotels and boardwalk gleaming off the reflective surface of the lake. It's my favorite thing to do...close the park (stay in a restaurant until after the park has closed and everyone has left), and stroll with security to the gates (where they LOCK it UP behind us). Times such as these make for fabulous memories.
CaptHook~Congrats on your recent reservation! Yes, as Blondie reported...we too find it DELUXE in every aspect. In many, we actually PREFER it to WDW resorts. We have stayed in every WDW DELUXE resort on property (w/exception to the AKL). The Swan/Dolphin meet/exceed the standards of all the Disney properties.
As for family visiting you and taking the boat to the parks--poses no ethics problem at all (but, it's nice to see you care).
Guests are permitted/welcomed to have visitors from other areas, resorts, etc.--and these guests may use the hotel facilities as well (pool, restaurants and transportation) within reason. This means, not 100 guests...lol. Although, the hotel would make exceptions for family reunions, etc.
MUGS...~They will HAVE to refill them at the FOUNTAIN, I'm sure.
They already do this on occasion, and I've had no problem refilling mine while waiting for ice cream sundaes.
luvdmouse~Who ever you spoke with when you called, misinformed you. Did you by chance write down and/or record this associates name? I would be interested in passing this information on to someone accountable. For this oversight, I sincerely apologize. The hotel CAN and WILL most certainly DO SOMETHING for your family, and two brothers. Please, wait until you arrive at the property and inquire in person at the front desk. Along with the free refills of soda *(which due to the closure of Tubbi's will be available at the Fountain, so I'm told), you will be able to obtain a complimentary refridgerator to use for keeping beverages stocked in your room, along with other assistance.
**PLEASE: DO not PANIC about Tubbi's, as there will be an alternative offered (I'm assured). This is terrible...yes, but an inconvenience born of corporate ignorance. They always put the CART before the HORSE. I usually don't mind, as long as the cart is ELECTRIC/MOTORIZED!! LOL.
This will be straightened-out soon, and we will all be breathing a little easier. It's nice to see people so passionate about TUBBI'S...it will always be one of our favorite spots.
Blondie...it's truly so nice to see you here! You are still an endless book of WDW info (including the Swan and Dolphin)...and so generous & kind with your help. Seems like old times.
TTFN...TGIF...enjoy the weekend!
DF99
And now Tubbi's will be closed when we are there the 3rd week of March...so much for the refillable mugs!
trip next week, though I had a bit of a health scare with my 15 y.o. son this morning and ended in the ER. He's not out of the woods just yet, but with hope and a prayer he'll be fine by the time we leave. Then I get a call that my 93 y.o. grandmother is back in the hospital again (COPD) with difficulty breathing. God bless her, she's a fighter, but one of these days I'm afraid she's going to give in. I feel like I'm going to see the grim reaper in my rearview mirror every time I get in my car! 
It seems like the last three times we had a WDW trip planned, someone was either sick or dying. Enough is enough already! 
I definitely need my Diet Coke in the morning and now I'm freaking out about breakfasts. What a pain in the patootie.
