Are There Any Other Canadians Who Like The Swan/Dolphin Resorts?

[AndyMcV]

Just curious.

In 2003 my DW got us booked at the Swan for $179/night with club level priviledges. She had CAA at the time which got us the price. We knew very little about the S/D at the time. I actually thought this was a Disney resort. We fell in love with the S/D and our kids loved it. We were back in 2005 and are planning a trip to the Dolphin next June. With the rates and the SPG program we are finding it really difficult to consider a Disney resort.

Anyone else big fans?

Andy

[michelle1]

We stayed there 2 years ago on a nurses rate of $99/night and loved it! The price is why we chose it but after staying there we would pay more because of the location. We have stayed at several Disney resorts and have enjoyed all of them but some of them seem so far from the parks and we don't want to pay $300/night to be on the boardwalk or monorail so the swan/dolphin is a good option. The last 2 years we have gone with the disney resorts to take advantage of the free dining but we do plan on going back to the Dolphin....we miss those beds!!

[grover]

wow..99.00 a night--that is awesome!

[OntFamily]

I've stayed at Swan/Dolphin twice, and other Disney resorts numerous times.

S/D has a great location (similar to Beach Club/Boardwalk). However, their price is much lower (I've stayed there at no charge, using Starwood points).

To me, I'm not sure what it is, but S/D doesn't have the Disney feel. It's the same as staying at any other Sheraton/Westin, with the exception it is close to Disney Parks.


We prefer Disney resorts (however, personal taste is very unique to each person).

[tgropp]

True, it does not have that Disney feel but the pool area and location at a moderate Disney resort price for a Deluxe resort hotel makes up for it. The location is out of this world for the price.

[princess pooh]

I love the Swan and Dolphin! We like the Epcot area and the discounts are great.

[wdw-ocd]

It looks like a great place but I've never been able to find rates like $99/night. Lucky you!
Sorry, but what's the SPG program? Also, do you know if the special nurse's/teacher's rate works for Canadians too?

Thanks!

[trivial]

Never been, but I saw their exteriors when we stayed at the BoardWalk and thought they were... well, ugly. And after staying at the BoardWalk (on DVC points), I'm not overly keen on staying anywhere else! :) Nice location, though. I had checked their prices previously, just for fun, and never found anything like the low prices mentioned.

[belle1627]

Loved the location, LOVED the heavenly beds, but felt like I was staying in any hotel. :goodvibes

[AndyMcV]

It looks like a great place but I've never been able to find rates like $99/night. Lucky you! Sorry, but what's the SPG program? Also, do you know if the special nurse's/teacher's rate works for Canadians too? Thanks!

Hi Jackie

The SPG program is the Starwood Preferred Guest program. Honestly it's the best program for gaining points towards Disney like things for us Canadians. In my opinion. When you stay at Starwood properties (Sheraton, Weston, and a bunch of others) you get SPG points. The Swan and Dolphin are Sheraton and Westin properties so you can use these points accumulated points for room upgrades and free nights.

The best thing is that it's free to join. Just go to www.spg.com and sign up. There are 3 levels regular, gold and platinum. Each one has it's perks and point accumulation rates. Again they're all free. For us it has worked out wonderfully. On our last trip we used our points to upgrade our room to a club level room at the Dolphin. We now have approximately 50,000 points for our next trip. With SPG you can use 40,000 points for 4 free nights and get the 5th night free bonus. How great is that 5 free nights at the Swan or Dolphin!

We ended up getting the Starwood MasterCard too. You get 5,000 free points when you sign up and 5,000 free points on your first stay at a Starwood property. You get a point for every $2 spent. The best thing to do is stay at a Starwood hotel and pay with your MC then you get tonnes of points.

The nice thing about the gold SPG is that when you walk into a Starwood property you are automatically upgraded without even asking. Really nice. This happened with my family of 4 on our last trip in 2005. At the Sheraton Gateway hotel at Pearson. We walked in got our room keys and the front desk person just mentioned "I've upgraded you to our club floor. We hope you enjoy our club lounge.". Very nice.

Hope this helps.
Andy

PS. As far as I know they honour Canadian Nurses and Teachers as well. You just have to show proof that you are a Teacher or a Nurse.

[AndyMcV]

...To me, I'm not sure what it is, but S/D doesn't have the Disney feel.... We prefer Disney resorts (however, personal taste is very unique to each person).

It's funny, and you're totally right it is unique to each person. We really like the S/D and our kids equate the S/D with Disney. For us it has that total Disney feel. The resort is REALLY nice with the location, restaurants, pool and the staff members are fantastic. We met 2 castmembers; Mama T and Thabo and wow talk about personalities. They made our stays truely "magical" and that is very Disney like. :)

Sorry you didn't find it the same. Maybe next time. :goodvibes

[deany]

Since there are special rates for nurses, do you think there will be special rates for lab technologists? I think we work equally as hard in our hospital?:)

Seriously, I hadn't really considered the S/D but after reading this thread I think I will. The location would be great. Anyone know how the buses are?

[tgropp]

They share buses with the Beach/Yacht Club and the Boardwalk. You also get early/extra hours etc.

[AndyMcV]

Since there are special rates for nurses, do you think there will be special rates for lab technologists? I think we work equally as hard in our hospital?:)

Seriously, I hadn't really considered the S/D but after reading this thread I think I will. The location would be great. Anyone know how the buses are?

You really can't go wrong with these resorts. They are really really nice. For the price of a Disney moderate resort, for us, it wins hands down. Here are a few things that stick in my head from the 2 times that we've stayed there...

- The S/D are the first bus pickups before going to the BC/YC/BWI. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. The boats seemed to come every few minutes. Not a long wait at all.
- The Grotto pool is huge and really nice. It includes a huge waterfall and a waterslide.
- A tonne of great restaurants right in the resort itself.
- Camp Dolphin and an arcade for the kids
- the Mandarin Spa
- laundry facilities, guest concierge desk and a Disney services desk, car rental desk
- being able to walk along a sandy beach right at the resort
- being able to see the Epcot fireworks from your room or from the beach or anywhere on the S/D property
- the really good milkshakes from the Dolphin Fountain
- being a 2-5 minute walk to the Disney Boardwalk and the BC/YC
- Beaches and Cream (at the BC)
- the trademarked "Heavenly Beds" are truely heavenly
- the rooms are nice and big
- being able to take a bus or boat ride to the parks. Our kids loved the boats and the castmembers that manned them.
- the thought of paying under or just over $200 per night and being on Disney property in a deluxe resort right beside Epcot and MGM. Right in the middle of the magic.

I'm sure I'll think of lots more after I post this. :)

We are pretty particular when staying at hotels and we find the Swan and Dolphin a really great place to stay while at WDW.

Andy

[teanbean]

For years we stayed at the Boardwalk villas. My husband had a conference at the S/D four years ago and we stayed there. All of us absolutely love it. It's our new favorite. We love the location!!! :) :)

[wdw-ocd]

Hi Jackie

The SPG program is the Starwood Preferred Guest program. Honestly it's the best program for gaining points towards Disney like things for us Canadians. In my opinion. When you stay at Starwood properties (Sheraton, Weston, and a bunch of others) you get SPG points. The Swan and Dolphin are Sheraton and Westin properties so you can use these points accumulated points for room upgrades and free nights.

The best thing is that it's free to join. Just go to www.spg.com and sign up. There are 3 levels regular, gold and platinum. Each one has it's perks and point accumulation rates. Again they're all free. For us it has worked out wonderfully. On our last trip we used our points to upgrade our room to a club level room at the Dolphin. We now have approximately 50,000 points for our next trip. With SPG you can use 40,000 points for 4 free nights and get the 5th night free bonus. How great is that 5 free nights at the Swan or Dolphin!

We ended up getting the Starwood MasterCard too. You get 5,000 free points when you sign up and 5,000 free points on your first stay at a Starwood property. You get a point for every $2 spent. The best thing to do is stay at a Starwood hotel and pay with your MC then you get tonnes of points.

The nice thing about the gold SPG is that when you walk into a Starwood property you are automatically upgraded without even asking. Really nice. This happened with my family of 4 on our last trip in 2005. At the Sheraton Gateway hotel at Pearson. We walked in got our room keys and the front desk person just mentioned "I've upgraded you to our club floor. We hope you enjoy our club lounge.". Very nice.

Hope this helps.
Andy

PS. As far as I know they honour Canadian Nurses and Teachers as well. You just have to show proof that you are a Teacher or a Nurse.



Wow! Thanks for all of the great information. I'll definitely have to check into it! :goodvibes

[Disney Daniel]

My family has stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and really love the resort. The location is fantastic, as are the pool, grounds, rooms and dining choices.

Can't wait to return to the Swan in April.:goodvibes

[yxe dad]

The best thing is that it's free to join. Just go to www.spg.com and sign up.



Thanks for the info, I just joined!!!