dreamflight99
<font color=deeppink>Princess of THIS Castle!<br><
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2001
- Messages
- 3,388
Jennasis said:
Truly, this is not the best idea. A better solution would be for your sister to alert Concierge on the day of your impending arrival, and leave an envelope with a room key inside (she can give you the extra keys when she sees you the following day). If she alerts concierge to your expected time of arrival, and informs them you will be coming by the concierge counter to pick~up this envelope--that's all there is to it. You can keep the "wake up my sister in the dead of night" as a back-up plan.
It's just not the best idea to traipse through the halls at an early morning hour, and bang on her door. You may possibly disturb other sleeping guests, etc. Just pick-up the room key in a letter awaiting you at the concierge desk. Simple, fast and effortless. 
Lesley~I can not imagine why your DH does not wish to give this resort a "try" especially considering the savings. I have never understood the lack of "Disney" feel, since the resort uses the same transportation system, offers views of the same fireworks shows (better views than the Disney Counterparts as they do not have as many floors as these resorts), and better perks when it comes to the beds (heavenly), and pools (open 24/7, movies), and choice of restaurants...etc. These are incredible properties...and if he sticks to his guns over the lack of a meal plan, and seeing "disney" employees...he's leaving room for all the rest of the people who do not care about these minor issues. FTR...the gift shop has DISNEY employees working there, so he could always stop in and loiter a while if he is feeling the lack of the "Disney" feel.
Ericafny~long~time, no see! I'm so happy to read you are visiting the Dolphin (my second home!). You will love it for all the reasons I do, and find it difficult to reserve any other location. Enjoy!!! I look forward to reading your report.
AndyMcV~Great job of listing all the reasons behind visiting the WDW Dolphin or Swan. I will always recall your initial stay, as you were so excited for months prior! You were upgraded, and the "buzz" from that entire trip stayed with you for months (years) afterward.
It was an amazing time, and the Club level at the Swan (with MAMA T and others) was the BEST on PROPERTY~! Those were the days... 
It's still pretty amazing, and there is no place I'd rather be when staying at WDW. I just LOVE the perks associated with these two properties. DisneyDotty~Yes, since the rooms without balconies do not have windows which open--I insist on a fan to help circulate the inside air. In most SPG properties, requesting a fan is not a problem, and one is delivered within moments of asking (even across Europe). Yet, for some reason--the Dolphin/Swan do not willingly offer fans for the room. They have brought them when I insisted, after much ado about nothing. But, since that time--I have simply stopped by the closest Target and purchased one on the way to the resort property. At approx $10 for a large box floor fan, it's a bargain--and no brainer. I merely leave the fan behind when done (or leave it in storage if we intend to return again in a reasonable time frame). We left boogie boards there for a year, and they were still there when we returned...lol. The A/C is usually not a problem, unless there was a glitch in the system while your DH was there ( but, as dent373355 remarked, it happens at every resort hotel, including Disney properties).
dent373355~The entrance and long walks can be avoided via a system of short cuts & by-passes, once you get to know the property.
QueenOfCelts~The PBH can "override" the system at your request by the central main if the suggestion by rie'smom fails to produce satisfactory results, as I do this every time I stay there. I've used the BP process many times, as well as removed the fuse in the sensor. Also, at the Dolphin, the maintenance arrive and remove the fuse just as a poster wrote. It's the only way to override the system in place. Once this is done...the room is icy cold!! So cold we could almost HANG MEAT in ours..and needed the feather duvets for the top of the beds!! ^_^
dwheatl~most all S.Cali is in the midst of a heat~wave, and our neighbors reported the only cool spots are northern coastal areas (Pismo, San Francisco, etc) where the temps are still 70. Some areas are well over 100!!
As HappyMommywrote...it's better to relax and sweat in WDW, than at home (especially in humid states...where you already experience the same type of conditions!). And, as dwheatlwrote, even laundry is FUN at WDW...LOL.
The thought of the icy cool water pounding on my head from the waterfall of the grotto pool...is a nice thought indeed!! To everyone traveling to this wonderful place soon---ENJOY!! And, be sure to bring your DDE card, and triple AAA card too! This should all be loads of fun! ^_^
TTFN...DF99
Thanks for the nice comment. Yes our inital stay at the Swan was amazing. I will never forget it. Now THAT was magical. 
I have been posting again 
If that's the case, I don't foresee it coming back anytime soon.
ENJOY!!!! 
