Pre-Trip One La-ast Ti-ime (Another Swolphin Sandwich!) (This time with POINTS!)

As I promised in my last TR (I know every mile will be worth my while) here is a full, official PTR for our next trip! This time it's just me (Bee, 29), and my wife (M, who will turn 29 during the trip).

Obviously I couldn't settle on a title. The biggest reason we're going now is our APs expire in August and we won't renew until at least mid-2019, so we want to go "one last time" before they expire. Yes, it's a Hamilton reference.



The reason for the second title is: after briefly straying from our favorite not-Disney Disney resorts, we are going back to the Swolphin (the Swan, to be precise)! We are also taking two days in the middle of our trip to visit M's parents, brother, and CAT (Frisky!) in Jacksonville, hence the "Sandwich" part of the equation.

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Sleepy Frisky​

And of course, the POINTS! Since we travel often, for both business and pleasure, we have acquired a fair number of airline and hotel points. We were able to book 2/4 flight segments completely with Southwest points, and the other 2 segments with previous travel credits from a trip we cancelled. We found a great deal at the Swan using part points and part dollars, so it basically works out to paying for two nights and getting one night free with points.

I feel like that was an excessively wordy introductory post, so I will write more trip specifics (dates, ADRs, FPs, and the like) in the next post. Until then, if you'd like to learn what kind of travelers we are, feel free to read some of my old TRs (linked in my signature). Hint: we are not rope-droppers, we are not park commandos, we do not have kids, we like to make time for nice meals, and we can DRINK. ;)
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Because some time has passed I feel a little more comfortable posting about this. A few weeks ago there was a fire at work and everyone escaped, but we had to leave behind personal property because we had to get out quickly. Unfortunately my purse and wallet were in the building and my Annual Pass and Tables in Wonderland cards were both inside. I am just now getting around to replacing things (credit cards, drivers license, etc.), and I called Disney today to make sure I know what to do what I get there. The CM I spoke with was super nice and helpful and said to just show my ID at Guest Services. She also changed the address associated with those two cards because our old address was still in their system for both. So here's hoping it's not difficult to replace them, and here's hoping maaaaaaaybe a sympathetic CM will waive the Tables replacement fee. If not, I probably just won't replace it because I don't think we'll get $50 worth of discounts on this little trip and this would be the last trip with that card anyway.

In other news, I definitely got the best possible deal at the Swan for both parts of the Sandwich! I always check the site every few days leading up the trip because often lower rates are released closer to the stay, but the rates have only gone up, and the points and cash offer I used to book the first two nights is no longer available for those dates. :joyfull:

19 days to go!!
 
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krisri18

Well-Known Member
Because some time has passed I feel a little more comfortable posting about this. A few weeks ago there was a fire at work and everyone escaped, but we had to leave behind personal property because we had to get out quickly. Unfortunately my purse and wallet were in the building and my Annual Pass and Tables in Wonderland cards were both inside. I am just now getting around to replacing things (credit cards, drivers license, etc.), and I called Disney today to make sure I know what to do what I get there. The CM I spoke with was super nice and helpful and said to just show my ID at Guest Services. She also changed the address associated with those two cards because our old address was still in their system for both. So here's hoping it's not difficult to replace them, and here's hoping maaaaaaaybe a sympathetic CM will waive the Tables replacement fee. If not, I probably just won't replace it because I don't think we'll get $50 worth of discounts on this little trip and this would be the last trip with that card anyway.

In other news, I definitely got the best possible deal at the Swan for both parts of the Sandwich! I always check the site every few days leading up the trip because often lower rates are released closer to the stay, but the rates have only gone up, and the points and cash offer I used to book the first two nights is no longer available for those dates. :joyfull:

19 days to go!!
Liking but not liking all at once. Glad you're all ok!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So glad that nobody was hurt in the fire!! It is a pain to get everything replaced, but I'm sending you some extra pixie dust that things will go smoothly.
Thank you! I think everything either is on its way or I received it this week. Except for my DL because I have to go in person.

Liking but not liking all at once. Glad you're all ok!
Thank you! Me too!!

So sorry to hear about the fire! Glad to hear that everyone got out okay. That must have been scary!
Thank you! In the moment there was no time to be scared because we just had to get out. It was only later that I had my “holy [redacted since this is a family forum]!” moment. The scariest thing was that I was teaching and we had to get seven kids (ages 11-14) out.
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
When I was working on replacing my stuff I forgot about my Disney Rewards card! I called yesterday and requested a replacement card, which should arrive by May 15.

M also went to Target for some discounted gift cards yesterday! Between the Chase rewards and the gift cards we'll have a lot of food covered.

15 days!
 

Figgy1

Well-Known Member
Primavera Kitchen

Frittata di Asparagi: Asparagus Frittata, Mixed Greens and Citrus Dressing

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(Glad to see something other than a veggie ravioli of some kind)

Taste of Marrakesh

Fried Cauliflower with Capers, Garlic Parsley and Chili Ranch Sauce

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Florida Fresh

Key Lime Tart with Toasted Meringue

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Fleur de Lys

Tarte à la Tomate Provençale: Provencal Tomato Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Pastry Crust

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Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop

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And don't worry, OF COURSE I couldn't forget...

The Honey Bee-stro

Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Puree, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey Blistered Grapes and Sunflower Brittle

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Local Wildflower Honey-Mascarpone Cheesecake with Orange Blossom Honey Ice Cream garnished with Fennel Pollen Meringue Kisses

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SIGN. ME. UP.
Note to self never read one of your TRs before meal time
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I missed my single digit dance day yesterday, so here's an 8-day dance!

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It's time to actually think about what to pack, and, I don't know, maybe start packing??? The last month has been a strange one dealing with the aftermath of the fire so I haven't really had time to get excited about the trip. Well, excitement begins NOW!! :joyfull:

Sorry about the fire, it's good everyone got out.

All the food, I can't wait :)
Thank you. Yes, I'm so grateful everyone got out with no life-threatening injuries.

My goodness! So glad you are are safe from that fire~! replacing stuff is such a pain in the butt!
Thank you. So glad to be alive! It's certainly a pain and I am dreading going to the DMV later this week!
 

dizfan917

Well-Known Member
I'm a little embarrassed that I don't know this, but how do I go about getting a Rewards Redemption Card? It will be my first time receiving one. I think Kevin and I might leave everyone else behind and use it to Brunch at the Contemporary once again!! I assume it's just through the website where I pay the bill?

Thanks for any advice.

Have HUNCHBACK rehearsals started yet? Are you singing "Topsy, Turvey" in your sleep?! :geek:
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I'm a little embarrassed that I don't know this, but how do I go about getting a Rewards Redemption Card? It will be my first time receiving one. I think Kevin and I might leave everyone else behind and use it to Brunch at the Contemporary once again!! I assume it's just through the website where I pay the bill?

Thanks for any advice.

Have HUNCHBACK rehearsals started yet? Are you singing "Topsy, Turvey" in your sleep?! :geek:
On the bill pay website, on the right side there is a box that says “rewards” and a number (the number of reward dollars you have) and a link that says “redeem rewards” or something like that. Click that and then it will give you the option to have a card mailed to you. Or you can call the main customer service number on your credit card and ask for one to be mailed. Either way it takes about a week to receive the new card. You can load the new rewards on to the card online each month when your statement comes out (as long as you have at least $10 in new rewards), or you can wait to add all the new rewards right before your trip. If you forget to add the new rewards before the trip (like I did once!) or even if you forget your card or don’t have one in the first place, you can go to guest services in the parks or Disney Springs.

Rehearsals start after we get back! I’m so excited!
 

bee

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
That's so bad I can't even sympathy like it!
Thank you! First I took a bus to the DMV I usually go to which is 2.5 miles north of us. Their system has been down since yesterday and they didn't know when it would be back. They said I could wait or go to another location. I went to the Dunkin Donuts next door for coffee and came back 30 minutes later, and the system was still down and they were sending everyone away.

So I took an Uber ride to the next-closest one, which is 5.5 miles south from home and 8 miles total from the first DMV. Their system was NOT down and it was actually relatively quick once I got there. I took a bus home. If there is a silver lining it's that I learned this DMV is way nicer and more efficient than the one I usually go to, so M and I will go there in the future even though it's a little farther away.

Safe travels and have a magical vacation if I don't see you post before you leave.
Thank you!! :joyfull:
 

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