The *NEW* SWAN & DOLPHIN RESORT Thread ~ April 2009 ~ Please read Post #1!

[Zuzu03]

Hang in there, Zuzu!

We go AS SOON as school lets out in June - DD attends Catholic school, and they tend to get out a little earlier than the public schools.

The crowds have been different each time we've come, but the closer we get to Fourth of July, you can just FEEL the crowds getting larger! We head back North by July 1st..

Thanks! I don't even want to think about how fast those 25 years will probably fly by!

We were going to go over the 4th, but the crowd levels spooked us. Hopefully by the time we arrive on the 8th things will start to clear out. We've had so many snow days this winter, we're not getting out until the
24th of June at the earliest!!! Although they've promised the seniors they will graduate on the 18th - hope so as DD is counting the days!

 

[Needafix]

Thanks! I don't even want to think about how fast those 25 years will probably fly by!

We were going to go over the 4th, but the crowd levels spooked us. Hopefully by the time we arrive on the 8th things will start to clear out. We've had so many snow days this winter, we're not getting out until the
24th of June at the earliest!!! Although they've promised the seniors they will graduate on the 18th - hope so as DD is counting the days!

Zuzu, I'm with you. But I'm hoping to retire in 17 years! Wow, that sounds like a lot in writing! My teacher friend and I will be there on the 7th and also hoping, but not expecting, crowds to have cleared out.

 

[Zuzu03]

Zuzu, I'm with you. But I'm hoping to retire in 17 years! Wow, that sounds like a lot in writing! My teacher friend and I will be there on the 7th and also hoping, but not expecting, crowds to have cleared out.

My DH keeps telling me that I'll never be able to retire - my student loans are so astronomical (and my Disney obsession doesn't help)! I'll be that ancient French teacher that everybody hates but who won't go away! HAHA - poor kids!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hang in there, Zuzu!

We go AS SOON as school lets out in June - DD attends Catholic school, and they tend to get out a little earlier than the public schools.

Catholic school educator here!

To keep on topic: gotta love the teacher rate at the S/D. I remember my first stay in 2002, the rate was $99 a night. I couldn't believe it so called the resort to confirm.

 

[Meteora]

You are right, anyway you slice it, you'll have a bit of a walk and a wait with the park emptying and EMH at MK. I'd suggest taking the monorail. Watch Illuminations near the entrance from Future World and walk out toward the monorail. If you aren't in a rush, take it easy. You will probably have a wait at the monorail to the TTC, but if you aren't in a rush, then it shouldn't be bad. You could even by some pastries earlier in the night and enjoy them while you are waiting in line for the monorail.

Thanks for the suggestion! It'll be interesting to see how long the parents last at EMH...my guess is they're done by 1 am, maybe even earlier. But my sister and I intend to capitalize.

Zuzu, I feel your pain--everyone in my family has either worked in or attended school for years. My parents are probably finally retiring this year, but I'm headed right into their footsteps, as I'm going to be a school psychologist!

 

[SingingMom]

My DH keeps telling me that I'll never be able to retire - my student loans are so astronomical (and my Disney obsession doesn't help)! I'll be that ancient French teacher that everybody hates but who won't go away! HAHA - poor kids!

Catholic school educator here!

To keep on topic: gotta love the teacher rate at the S/D. I remember my first stay in 2002, the rate was $99 a night. I couldn't believe it so called the resort to confirm.

Zuzu - you will not beat DD's French teacher.... She's in her 80's - still wears a full habit, and still as spunky as spry as ever!

Mouseteacher - "retired" Catholic school librarian, music teacher, Liturgy coordinator here. I think our teacher's rate was $109 the first time.

I think the July crowds are worst during Fourth of July weekend...
Dolphin is hoping with dance and cheering competitions around that time, too! Makes for fun people watching in the lobby, with my Dolphin Lobby Bar espresso martini....

 

[Needafix]

Zuzu - you will not beat DD's French teacher.... She's in her 80's - still wears a full habit, and still as spunky as spry as ever!

Mouseteacher - "retired" Catholic school librarian, music teacher, Liturgy coordinator here. I think our teacher's rate was $109 the first time.

I think the July crowds are worst during Fourth of July weekend...
Dolphin is hoping with dance and cheering competitions around that time, too! Makes for fun people watching in the lobby, with my Dolphin Lobby Bar espresso martini....

Bring em on....besides the great rate, we picked the Dolphin for it's location, people watching, food and drinks. For two special ed teachers who deal mostly with behavioral issues all we want to do is sit back with a drink in our hands and laugh at the world around us. Even a bunch of cheerleaders won't bother us because we won't care!!!

Teachers are not very well respected in our community, so it's an amazing feeling to be at the Dolphin and feel someone appreciates our hard work.

 

[Piper]

OK teachers....don't hate me............I'm retiring in 3 months and 4 days (but who's counting!)

I'm going to the Dolphin in early December. Can't wait to go when it is not school vacation time!!!

 

[Needafix]

OK teachers....don't hate me............I'm retiring in 3 months and 4 days (but who's counting!)

I'm going to the Dolphin in early December. Can't wait to go when it is not school vacation time!!!

 

[Zuzu03]

OK teachers....don't hate me............I'm retiring in 3 months and 4 days (but who's counting!)

I'm going to the Dolphin in early December. Can't wait to go when it is not school vacation time!!!

That's awesome! Congratulations! We don't hate you, we bow down to you for sticking it out!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Does anyone know what is going on during Dec 3rd -Dec 11th, I'm trying to get a room at Swan or Dolphin but its not giving me any rooms.

 

[Zuzu03]

Zuzu - you will not beat DD's French teacher.... She's in her 80's - still wears a full habit, and still as spunky as spry as ever!
Mouseteacher - "retired" Catholic school librarian, music teacher, Liturgy coordinator here. I think our teacher's rate was $109 the first time.

I think the July crowds are worst during Fourth of July weekend...
Dolphin is hoping with dance and cheering competitions around that time, too! Makes for fun people watching in the lobby, with my Dolphin Lobby Bar espresso martini....

That's so cute!

 

[Needafix]

Does anyone know what is going on during Dec 3rd -Dec 11th, I'm trying to get a room at Swan or Dolphin but its not giving me any rooms.

I believe they often block off lots of rooms when companies plan on conventions, then open up rooms as the time gets closer and they realize they don't need that many rooms. I've often found S/D totally booked only to have plenty of rooms available as the date got closer. I've also found the website to say there are no rooms available only to find out there are if I call. Sometimes it's just a matter of one day in your trip not being available, but customer service is able to see something the computer can't and find something that is.

 

[SingingMom]

I believe they often block off lots of rooms when companies plan on conventions, then open up rooms as the time gets closer and they realize they don't need that many rooms. I've often found S/D totally booked only to have plenty of rooms available as the date got closer. I've also found the website to say there are no rooms available only to find out there are if I call. Sometimes it's just a matter of one day in your trip not being available, but customer service is able to see something the computer can't and find something that is.

Exactly! One year, we decided to come in a day earlier... nothing open at the Dolphin, so we were thinking of trying the Swan for one night and then heading over for the remaining 8 nights at the Dolphin. After two phone calls, I was booking the one night at the Swan and the reservationist said, "Um, no problem if you want to, but why not just add the night to the Dolphin reservation?" When I told him it wasn't available, he said, "Well, it is now!" My advice is to always "keep trying"!

 

[LexiC123]

Does anyone know what is going on during Dec 3rd -Dec 11th, I'm trying to get a room at Swan or Dolphin but its not giving me any rooms.

I know Major League Baseball's winter meetings are being held there from December 6-9th.

Maybe a phone call would turn up rooms that aren't available via the internet.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

thank you everyone. I have to cancel our May trip and trying to reschedule it for the first week of December.

 

[lovingthemouse]

So nice to see so many other teachers here too, or admins or "about to be retirees." I, too, look forward to the "non-school vacations" like many of you.
I do get to take 23 of my middle schoolers to WDW during April vacation, so I consider myself lucky.

Love the Dolphin teacher rates - in fact, I was able to get 2 rooms for the end of May at $149 for part of my family. We always feel we are in the middle of the "magic" when we stay at the Dolphin. It seems like a world unto itself with the wonderful beach and Grotto pool.

 

[Zuzu03]

I tried going back through the thread to find the answer but I didn't find what I was looking for so I'll ask again. I'm taking the family to WD this summer and I never knew the Swan/Dolphin offered a teacher's discount. How does that work? Will I just have to show my school badge, pay stub, etc. when we check-in?

Yes, that's right! Although I didn't have to last time. Tell them when you book it that you are a teacher or education support staff and you'll get that rate. It's awesome!!!

 

[lovingthemouse]

First of all, welcome! You must call ahead and reserve your room requesting the teacher discount. If it is available during your stay, they will give you the price and then add in the resort tax etc.. They may tell you that it is not available for every night of your stay, but when this has happened to me, I have made the reservation and then called back every Friday, when it seems that empty rooms are put back into the reservation system. I have been fortunate each time, since I had made my reservations in advance.
Actually, it is both the Swan and the Dolphin who offer this discount, as well as Nurse's and Government discounts.
I always bring a copy of my pay stub, or my teacher ID card.

 

[lovingthemouse]

If you are an SPG member, it is free to join, they usually note on your reservations that you are eligible for the teacher's discount. I do remind them of this but they also mention that it was noted on previous reservations.
Usually after the first or second time you stay there, they no longer ask for your teacher proof, but I have it, just in case.