jimmiej
I invented the Naked Segway Tour
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2000
- Messages
- 8,395
This was our 6th trip to WDW(5th in last 8 years). We've gotten into a cycle of going every 2 years-this seems to be about right for us. We've stayed on Disney property the last 4 times(wouldn't have it any other way!).
Participants: Jimmie(me)-42 year old middle school band director, Rhonda(DW)-41 year old church financial secretary, Alisa(DD#1)-19 year old sophomore at Univ. of Texas at Austin, Amy(DD#2)-16 year old HS junior.
I started planning this trip about a year ago. We had planned to stay at Caribbean Beach, but when I found out about the teacher discount at the Swan/Dolphin, we jumped at the chance to stay a deluxe resort. I used priceline for our air & got a great deal-$154 pp/rt from Austin. I never found a lower price after I bought those tix.
Made our ressies at the Swan for 7 nights/8 days. When I started to put together our itinerary, I realized I need one more day to really do this trip right. I called the Swan & was able to add an additional day on the front end. DW & I both agreed 8 nights/9days was perfect!
Day 1(travel)-We left home about 7 am for a 10 o'clock flight from Austin to Orlando via St. Louis. I've been asked why I like to use Austin instead of San Antonio to fly out of. SA is closer by about 25 miles. Two reasons: Austin is cheaper & it's a smaller/easier to get around airport.
Our flights were fine albeit a little bumpy. Arrived at MCO about 4:45 pm. Our first downer occured when our driver from yourride was not at the baggage claim(I had used Tiffany last trip with good results, wanted to support disboards sponsor this trip so I decided on yourride). While my family waited on our luggage to come around, I walked around looking for our driver. There were alot of drivers with signs, but none with my name. After 20-25 minutes, I called the phone # for yourride. I got Rabbit. Within 5 minutes he was there with a new driver. The original driver showed up finally & it wasn't a pleasant conversation between he & Rabbit! In defense of yourride, the rest of our trip & return trip were excellent(we had Roger). It was raining hard when we left the airport, but by the time we got to Publix for groceries, it had stopped raining. Little did we know, rain would play a big part in our trip.
Check in at the Swan was quick & easy. I had upgraded to a water view when I made the original ressie. I also sent in a room request fax 5 days prior to arrival. Two problems: Our view, while good, was not water but tree tops & part of the Boardwalk(DW & I decided not to press the issue since the view was still ok). Also, they never got my fax. I think I sent it to the wrong #. The only thing of real significance was a request for a balcony-not a big deal. Our room in general was good-clean, in good repair. I will say however, the Swan decor is garish(as the Unofficial Guide says). The Swan Dolphin is a beautiful resort with the beach & grotto pool. I know many people like the location also, but it takes 15-20 minutes to walk to Epcot & MGM. In the rain or summer sun, that can be taxing.
We had dinner at the ESPN Club on the Boardwalk(good food, noisy) & did a little shopping before retiring for the night.
Participants: Jimmie(me)-42 year old middle school band director, Rhonda(DW)-41 year old church financial secretary, Alisa(DD#1)-19 year old sophomore at Univ. of Texas at Austin, Amy(DD#2)-16 year old HS junior.
I started planning this trip about a year ago. We had planned to stay at Caribbean Beach, but when I found out about the teacher discount at the Swan/Dolphin, we jumped at the chance to stay a deluxe resort. I used priceline for our air & got a great deal-$154 pp/rt from Austin. I never found a lower price after I bought those tix.
Made our ressies at the Swan for 7 nights/8 days. When I started to put together our itinerary, I realized I need one more day to really do this trip right. I called the Swan & was able to add an additional day on the front end. DW & I both agreed 8 nights/9days was perfect!
Day 1(travel)-We left home about 7 am for a 10 o'clock flight from Austin to Orlando via St. Louis. I've been asked why I like to use Austin instead of San Antonio to fly out of. SA is closer by about 25 miles. Two reasons: Austin is cheaper & it's a smaller/easier to get around airport.
Our flights were fine albeit a little bumpy. Arrived at MCO about 4:45 pm. Our first downer occured when our driver from yourride was not at the baggage claim(I had used Tiffany last trip with good results, wanted to support disboards sponsor this trip so I decided on yourride). While my family waited on our luggage to come around, I walked around looking for our driver. There were alot of drivers with signs, but none with my name. After 20-25 minutes, I called the phone # for yourride. I got Rabbit. Within 5 minutes he was there with a new driver. The original driver showed up finally & it wasn't a pleasant conversation between he & Rabbit! In defense of yourride, the rest of our trip & return trip were excellent(we had Roger). It was raining hard when we left the airport, but by the time we got to Publix for groceries, it had stopped raining. Little did we know, rain would play a big part in our trip.
Check in at the Swan was quick & easy. I had upgraded to a water view when I made the original ressie. I also sent in a room request fax 5 days prior to arrival. Two problems: Our view, while good, was not water but tree tops & part of the Boardwalk(DW & I decided not to press the issue since the view was still ok). Also, they never got my fax. I think I sent it to the wrong #. The only thing of real significance was a request for a balcony-not a big deal. Our room in general was good-clean, in good repair. I will say however, the Swan decor is garish(as the Unofficial Guide says). The Swan Dolphin is a beautiful resort with the beach & grotto pool. I know many people like the location also, but it takes 15-20 minutes to walk to Epcot & MGM. In the rain or summer sun, that can be taxing.
We had dinner at the ESPN Club on the Boardwalk(good food, noisy) & did a little shopping before retiring for the night.
