We braved the 4th!!! AND the rain...and the crowds??? 7/1-7/8 BOOKED NEXT TRIP!!!!

[kent285]

Nikki!! You're killing me....please tell me the rain finally stopped!!

 

[Nermel9]

LOL, I know exactly what you mean about the GF! I love it, I think it is so beautiful, I always wanted to stay there one day...until I actually went inside last November, to see the Gingerbread house! I kept thinking, I don't belong in here, I'm going to get yelled at! Which was stupid, because all the CM's were very nice, but I felt so out of place!

The fireworks cruise looked amazing!!! I love the videos, and how they used EP was part of it!

 

[tinkerbell60]

Yes, the captain's name was Mike. He was from Philadelphia (I think). A few days later we were at the pool at the CR, and he stopped by to say hello - I was surprised he remembered all of our names - it was impessive!

We were underwhelmed at TRex too - we ate there our last day. The food was good, but over-priced. The inside was cute, but somehow I expected "more". I am glad we ate there, but we will probably not go back either.

As for the GF - we did stay there once. It was very nice, the CMs were very pleasant, but I think it is just over-rated. I thought the rooms were more spacious at the Poly. We were in the Boca Chica building and it was a trek to both transportation and the food court. Again, glad to have done it once, but probably will not go back.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Nikki!! You're killing me....please tell me the rain finally stopped!!

Not even close! The worst is yet to come.......

LOL, I know exactly what you mean about the GF! I love it, I think it is so beautiful, I always wanted to stay there one day...until I actually went inside last November, to see the Gingerbread house! I kept thinking, I don't belong in here, I'm going to get yelled at! Which was stupid, because all the CM's were very nice, but I felt so out of place!

The fireworks cruise looked amazing!!! I love the videos, and how they used EP was part of it!

Haha! Exactly! Even the outfits the CMs where there...MUCH too fancy!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Swalphin....

Has anyone ever stayed there before? I have always poo-pooed the swalphin! It's not really disney! It's ugly, blah blah. But in thinking about this potential Food and Wine trip in 2011, I would LOVE to stay at an Epcot resort. Of course, if I had all the money in the world, I'd pick Beach Club or Boardwalk but with the teacher discount, I could stay at the Swalphin for less than HALF what the other two would costs. I just can't see paying that much when another option is so much cheaper!

SO, has anyone ever stayed at either the Swan or the Dolphin. Which do you prefer and why? Which is closer walking distance to IG? (Are they both kind of far because they are on the total other side of Crescent Lake?) Tell me everything I need to know about them!

 

[Soopafly]

Hey Nikki!

That amount of rain sucks but I guess it helps keep crowds down during a busy time of the year so silver linings eh

Very jealous that you got to do the fireworks cruise but happy for you for doing it. Was that the first time you had done it?

I can't recommend any deluxe resort in Epcot because we are only trying deluxe for the first time in Sept and that's in the Mk lol but I can highly recommend Caribbean beach. That was our first hotel stay in Orlando and although it's big, it's still really pretty and the music is nice when you walk around. Old port royal is also great for the shop and food court. Don't now if you have already stayed there but thought I would add my two cents.

 

[Stefy]

Aw man I missed three updates! Love them all.

Looks like a great day in AK, love all the pics, esp the Tink one, sooo cool

What was that dessert called that you ate in T-Rex, looks really good, but a little scary at the same time

Your Cruise looked like lots of fun, the EWP and fireworks went very well together and how nice of your Captain to take you anywhere you wanted/on a tour

Never stayed at the Swalphin, but looked into it v briefly for my parents (when we had the idea of getting married in Disney), it looks really lovely inside and the restaurants are supposed to be very good. If you get great discounts staying here then I would defo go for it. Maybe check out the Sticky on the resort forum and read what others say about it

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31128449#post31128449

For some reason a 2010 one hasn't been opened/made

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Hey Nikki!

That amount of rain sucks but I guess it helps keep crowds down during a busy time of the year so silver linings eh

Very jealous that you got to do the fireworks cruise but happy for you for doing it. Was that the first time you had done it?

I can't recommend any deluxe resort in Epcot because we are only trying deluxe for the first time in Sept and that's in the Mk lol but I can highly recommend Caribbean beach. That was our first hotel stay in Orlando and although it's big, it's still really pretty and the music is nice when you walk around. Old port royal is also great for the shop and food court. Don't now if you have already stayed there but thought I would add my two cents.

Silver linings! Yes!

Yeah, this was the first time we did the cruise and it was great! I would never have done it except for the fact that it was just the perfect way to watch the special fireworks show without being in the crowds of the MK!

We've stayed at CBR twice and we love it!

Aw man I missed three updates! Love them all.

Looks like a great day in AK, love all the pics, esp the Tink one, sooo cool

What was that dessert called that you ate in T-Rex, looks really good, but a little scary at the same time

Your Cruise looked like lots of fun, the EWP and fireworks went very well together and how nice of your Captain to take you anywhere you wanted/on a tour

Never stayed at the Swalphin, but looked into it v briefly for my parents (when we had the idea of getting married in Disney), it looks really lovely inside and the restaurants are supposed to be very good. If you get great discounts staying here then I would defo go for it. Maybe check out the Sticky on the resort forum and read what others say about it

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31128449#post31128449

For some reason a 2010 one hasn't been opened/made

Thanks for the link!

The dessert was this:
Ice Age Indulgence - Layers of ice cream sandwiches, fudge sauce, whipped cream and Heath Bar Crunch $8.99



Are you guys both at home DISing at the same time?! Haha!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Yes, the captain's name was Mike. He was from Philadelphia (I think). A few days later we were at the pool at the CR, and he stopped by to say hello - I was surprised he remembered all of our names - it was impessive!

We were underwhelmed at TRex too - we ate there our last day. The food was good, but over-priced. The inside was cute, but somehow I expected "more". I am glad we ate there, but we will probably not go back either.

As for the GF - we did stay there once. It was very nice, the CMs were very pleasant, but I think it is just over-rated. I thought the rooms were more spacious at the Poly. We were in the Boca Chica building and it was a trek to both transportation and the food court. Again, glad to have done it once, but probably will not go back.

Hey Wendy!

Oh good! I remembered correctly! Yes, Mike was great!

Glad you felt the same way about TRex and it wasn't just us. I'm sure I wouldn't REALLY get in trouble or break something at GF but the theme is just not comfortable and welcoming to me like the Poly or WL.

 

[disneybarbie]

About the Swan/Dolphin.. I've not stayed at either, but have been inside for a meal once (think it was a place called Garden Grove?) and I'm often around that part of WDW during our trips as I've stayed at Boardwalk, Beach Club & Yacht Club! We often get off the buses at the Swan & then walk over to the Boardwalk, that only takes 4-5 minutes

They look like nice hotels... not disney-themed, a bit more like 'business people' hotels... but close to Epcot and the Studios - you could walk to either in about 15 minutes or there's the Friend-ships

You could spend an evening or two at the Boardwalk (and Jellyrolls!)... plus it'll also be easy to stroll back to after eating & drinking at the F&WF in Epcot

I don't think you can do Magical Express though? I'm not 100% sure though..


Emma x

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

About the Swan/Dolphin.. I've not stayed at either, but have been inside for a meal once (think it was a place called Garden Grove?) and I'm often around that part of WDW during our trips as I've stayed at Boardwalk, Beach Club & Yacht Club! We often get off the buses at the Swan & then walk over to the Boardwalk, that only takes 4-5 minutes

They look like nice hotels... not disney-themed, a bit more like 'business people' hotels... but close to Epcot and the Studios - you could walk to either in about 15 minutes or there's the Friend-ships

You could spend an evening or two at the Boardwalk (and Jellyrolls!)... plus it'll also be easy to stroll back to after eating & drinking at the F&WF in Epcot

I don't think you can do Magical Express though? I'm not 100% sure though..


Emma x

Thanks for the mini-Swan/Dolphin review Emma! You are right about Magical Express, which is definitely a con. The restaurants do look great, but as this is a short trip for F & W, we probably will be having most of our "meals" at the stands in WS! And I don't think we'll have time for Jellyrolls on our next trip either. (We did do it on THIS trips so stay tuned!)

Is the walk much further than Beach Club/Boardwalk? It seems like, even though it's right there, it's sooo much further!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Just got all caught up! So fun Oh, and the Swalphin has GREAT teacher rates!!! Just so you know

 

[disneybarbie]

Is the walk much further than Beach Club/Boardwalk? It seems like, even though it's right there, it's sooo much further!

it's maybe 5 minutes further walk to Epcot than BW/Y&B - but closer to DHS than the Y&B!

Also, the Swan is the first stop on the bus route (some buses do loops to S/d,BW,Y&B) ... so your bus journeys to & from MK, AK & DTD won't be bad.
I've heard the Teacher discounts at S&D are really good... apparently they have the best beds on property too, according to WDW Today!

PS - love the Lou Mongello sightings/trivia you & your sister have had!! He was the one podcaster Verity & I didn't get to meet last December, I hope I do one day - he seems like a genuinely nice guy, and as obsessed with WDW as we all are hehe!


Emma x

 

[hannymom]

i'm getting a late start on this trip report, but i am already caught up.
just wanted to put my vote in for the dolphin. we used the teacher rate 2 summers ago, and yes, it rained every day on our trip also. i am a disney nut, having stayed at almost every resort atleast once.... and i would still highly recommend the dolphin. the location is fantastic. we walked back from epcot one night after illuminations, stopped and got a pizza on the boardwalk and just soaked in the atmosphere. i just kept thinking how nice it was to be able to walk back to our resort instead of waiting in long lines to get on a bus or monorail. and the teacher rate is hard to pass up

 

[dolfinjuls]

Love the updates! Your AK day seemed to be so nice and relaxing! I loved your tank top, too...the colors really popped w/ the macaws! haha

The fireworks looked amazing! And very cool how they brought out the flags and stars!

 

[MissJanice]

and the teacher rate is hard to pass up

It is really good! We haven't stayed there, but I did see that they charge for parking! That would irritate me since I would be driving, so that would totally conteract the free parking at the park...or do you even get free parking at the parks when you stay at "swalfin"?

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Just got all caught up! So fun Oh, and the Swalphin has GREAT teacher rates!!! Just so you know

Yay!! Yes, I know about the rates, although when I put in the code from mousesavers (TEACH) it said it wasn't right. That's the main reason I'd want to stay there...

it's maybe 5 minutes further walk to Epcot than BW/Y&B - but closer to DHS than the Y&B!

Also, the Swan is the first stop on the bus route (some buses do loops to S/d,BW,Y&B) ... so your bus journeys to & from MK, AK & DTD won't be bad.
I've heard the Teacher discounts at S&D are really good... apparently they have the best beds on property too, according to WDW Today!

PS - love the Lou Mongello sightings/trivia you & your sister have had!! He was the one podcaster Verity & I didn't get to meet last December, I hope I do one day - he seems like a genuinely nice guy, and as obsessed with WDW as we all are hehe!


Emma x

Thanks for the info. Yes, Lou is totally obsessed! Maybe a little TOO obsessed, if that's possible. I periodically have to take breaks from listening to his podcasts because he just gets too crazy!

i'm getting a late start on this trip report, but i am already caught up.
just wanted to put my vote in for the dolphin. we used the teacher rate 2 summers ago, and yes, it rained every day on our trip also. i am a disney nut, having stayed at almost every resort atleast once.... and i would still highly recommend the dolphin. the location is fantastic. we walked back from epcot one night after illuminations, stopped and got a pizza on the boardwalk and just soaked in the atmosphere. i just kept thinking how nice it was to be able to walk back to our resort instead of waiting in long lines to get on a bus or monorail. and the teacher rate is hard to pass up

Thanks so much for your thoughts on the Dolphin! Much appreciated! Is the Dolphin closer than the Swan or are they pretty much the same? Do you walk to them clockwise or counterclockwise? Which was is faster?

Love the updates! Your AK day seemed to be so nice and relaxing! I loved your tank top, too...the colors really popped w/ the macaws! haha

The fireworks looked amazing! And very cool how they brought out the flags and stars!

Haha, yes I coordinated my outfit to match the macaws!! J/K but I DID purposely pick that outfit for AK...it just felt like an AK outfit to me! The tank is from Old Navy and I went a little nuts trying to find a pair of yellow shorts to go with it just days before leaving! So I reeeeally appreciate you noticing the effort I put into my outfits to match the top and bottom AND to match the park I'm at! It's subtle but it's there!

It is really good! We haven't stayed there, but I did see that they charge for parking! That would irritate me since I would be driving, so that would totally conteract the free parking at the park...or do you even get free parking at the parks when you stay at "swalfin"?

I think I read you DO get free parking at the parks, just show your room key. You also get EMH just not ME or ability to charge to your room. The ME thing is really a bummer...I guess we'd have to rent a car or get a taxi or something....

 

[podsnel]

Swalphin....

Has anyone ever stayed there before? I have always poo-pooed the swalphin! It's not really disney! It's ugly, blah blah. But in thinking about this potential Food and Wine trip in 2011, I would LOVE to stay at an Epcot resort. Of course, if I had all the money in the world, I'd pick Beach Club or Boardwalk but with the teacher discount, I could stay at the Swalphin for less than HALF what the other two would costs. I just can't see paying that much when another option is so much cheaper!

SO, has anyone ever stayed at either the Swan or the Dolphin. Which do you prefer and why? Which is closer walking distance to IG? (Are they both kind of far because they are on the total other side of Crescent Lake?) Tell me everything I need to know about them!

You should ask Kara(jeboo)- she stayed there with her daughter last year. I think there are some hidden charges on their rate. Why don't you rent points from someone and stay at BCV? Or BWV? A studio in September is REALLY cheap- it would be 15 or 16 points a night- at $10 a point. You don't pay tax, it's already been taken care of with dues. So $150 or $160 a night. Just a thought....

I LOVED your fireworks pic/video!! So happy your cruise was sucha success!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

You should ask Kara(jeboo)- she stayed there with her daughter last year. I think there are some hidden charges on their rate. Why don't you rent points from someone and stay at BCV? Or BWV? A studio in September is REALLY cheap- it would be 15 or 16 points a night- at $10 a point. You don't pay tax, it's already been taken care of with dues. So $150 or $160 a night. Just a thought....

I LOVED your fireworks pic/video!! So happy your cruise was sucha success!

I have no idea how to do that!! I would LOVE to stay at Beach Club but I really don't want to spend over $300 a night! If I could get it for $200 or less, I definitely would but I have no idea how it works! I even just tried to look on the DVC boards but it's very confusing! I don't know anything about points!

 

[disneybarbie]

Don't know if this site may help explain it a little more!

DVC owners have a certain number of points each year (e.g. 200) and (for example) as week in a studio might cost 80 points... if the DVC member has 'left over' points, they might want to rent them to someone else for $x per point.
I sort of understand DVC from my parents' membership.. but it can seem very confusing at times!