NancyIL said:
Both National and Alamo are at the Dolphin, so I rent with the one that's cheapest!
YES...me too! I get the discount codes from Mary's site at www.Mousesaver.com~! Alamo was less expensive each time this past summer. Please, say hello to MELISSA for me, she's been the regular at the counter for the past 13 years!
DolphinboyThere are also about $6.oo in TOLLS on the way to/from the AP also (if I recall correctly). So...this brings you even closer to the TOWN CAR price. BUT..it's also nice to have a rental car for the day too...as you can keep it overnight and park it ($7.00), perhaps go get groceries, etc.--if you want to pick-up some snacks for your stay.
Gail~That sure is a nice Areo bed (the one with the bedding, etc). What a FAB idea, as they run about $100.00. Therefore, for the cost of renting a rollaway for four eves, you could purchase and own an aerobed! Also, many companies which sell these online, would also SHIP to the SWAN or DOLPHIN, saving you space/luggage on the plane. When it comes time to leave, you could use the box it arrived in--and the business office--to ship it back to your home! ^_^
j_rgonz~Sorry you had so many problems.
We have never experienced anything such as you described all the years we have visited and stayed at the WDW Dolphin. Which only proves, different strokes for different folks.
The boardwalk is about a 5 minute walk (to the convenience store where they have a little grocery section). Tubbi's is closed, but they do have the STORE/GROCERY section open. They have everything from bottles of juice to litres of soda & 6-packs available too. They sell full-sized bags of chips, as well as everything from cup-a-noodle, and canned soup to pop-tarts. It's pretty well-stocked.
You very well may have experienced the same problems over at POFQ, as there are no child changing station/tables in the bathrooms either, and the size of the baths are tiny, (rooms too). The food courts there are also crowded with chairs and tables, etc., clogging the way. I have also been onboard the Wonder and the Magic several times, and can't imagine the difficulties you experienced there with the wheelchair (as we had a wheelchair-bound guest at our table this past summer on our 7-eve Western Magic cruise, and she told us it was HELL getting around the ship/room).
Perhaps, next time you visit WDW--you'll have a better time. Many people love the Dolphin/Swan, and continue to visit year after year. I'm one of those people, and will continue to return time and again. There have been reports over the years of similar problems with just about every resort on Disney property. If the service and treatment was consistently poor--no one would return. Therefore, inferior experiences DO occur, but they are usually extenuating and not the norm.
orlandomama~They've been telling me the same thing over the phone for years. I've never had any problem when I'm there in person.
The cabs are never the same rate, and never a SET/FIXED rate. I called for a cab from a train station in NY to Kennedy, and the company told me about $50. Ended up costing me $120!!! So...with traffic, time of day, etc---you never really know, (all are contingent factors in the price of your travel).
You are MUCH better off taking a town car from the Dolphin to MCO. It's a lot farther than you think, and could even cost more than the prices quoted. The cab from the AKL to the Dolphin should not be much more than $10 as they are relatively close and there is not much traffic on that road. Just relax and enjoy the things you are planning to do. As for the things you have little/no control over...just smile and let it slide.
TTFN...DF99
Blondie!!~Thanks for the awesome pictures!! I LOVE looking at the scenes from the Swan...looking over the water, etc. My worries disappear just LOOKING at them.
Thanks for sharing!
