Swan & Dolphin Resort Fee Increase

[OKW Lover]

I see a note on the DIS home page that the Swan/Dolphin resort fee was increased to $12.

One of the reasons I don't stay there is simply because there is an extra fee. Why don't they just include it in the price of the resort, or charge individually for the features that you actually use?

 

[lsenquiz]

I had not heard this and actually have two pending reservation for the dolphin. However, I do not think this is a reason not to stay there. You just need to factor it into the room price when you make your decision. Even with the resort fee I think the swan/ dolphin is an incredible value for it's location. Plus with me I know if I stay at a moderate I will pay the $10 a day for Internet and if I stay at a value I will pay for Internet and a fridge which is $20 a day. Both these are included in dolphin.

 

[lissiesmum]

I just came back a few days ago from staying at the Dolphin...at check in they asked me if I would be using the internet, or if I needed water or would be making phone calls from my room. When I answered no, they said I wouldn't be charged the resort fee if I didn't want to use it. But, that said, even if I was charged and didn't use it, I would still stay there. With my teacher discount, I saved over $300 a night over staying garden view at the Poly. I'll pay the $12 a day fee over $300 extra a day anytime! The Dolphin/Swan is beautiful, lush and is my new favorite resort!

 

[TDC Nala]

Even with the resort fee at $12 it will be cheaper (with a discount) than Disney-operated resorts in the Epcot resort area. I have an upcoming trip there and it is because I want to be staying in that area for Star Wars Weekend and don't have enough DVC points to cover it. I have a $159 rate at the Dolphin for 2 nights. Even with the extra $24 in resort fee I could not stay at the nearby Disney resorts for that. (It's still cheaper even including the cost to get myself to the Dolphin from the airport. I am switching to Kidani for the last 2 days so I get DME back to the airport)

To my knowledge the resort fee is mandatory. They don't let you out of it unless you are a Starwood Platinum member. So it is interesting that there are reports they will let people out of it.

 

[lissiesmum]

To my knowledge the resort fee is mandatory. They don't let you out of it unless you are a Starwood Platinum member. So it is interesting that there are reports they will let people out of it.

I thought it was mandatory as well...I was pleasantly surprised when I was offered the option! They also give you a $5 a day credit towards food within the hotel if you opt out of housekeeping services!

 

[TDC Nala]

They also give you a $5 a day credit towards food within the hotel if you opt out of housekeeping services!

Now that I know about...as I am only staying 2 nights I plan to do it.

 

[rie'smom]

$12 is not a big deal. You get a deluxe room in a prime location for 1/2 of what a WDW room in that area costs. The fee includes internet and 2 bottles of water.

 

[Belle83]

I see a note on the DIS home page that the Swan/Dolphin resort fee was increased to $12.

One of the reasons I don't stay there is simply because there is an extra fee. Why don't they just include it in the price of the resort, or charge individually for the features that you actually use?

When I was checking out hotels for our upcoming trip, I noticed many of the non-disney hotels charged a 'resort' fee. It's a way to get people to check the place out with a lower rate without violating some kind of advertising law I suppose. I don't mind the extra fee too much. If we were staying at a disney hotel it would have been $10/day for internet, and we probably would have paid that some/most days. Even with a $12 resort fee, our rate is cheaper or the same as staying at a disney moderate. (We paid $129/night excluding taxes).

I have heard of people checking out without paying the resort fee or parking fee, because whoever checked them out didn't charge it.

The housekeeping thing is news to me, I will have to ask! I would much rather have the $5/day.

 

[si-am]

Isn't there a parking fee too? I wouldn't mind the resort fee... or the parking fee... but paying them both starts to negate any "great rate" you might find here.

 

[rie'smom]

Isn't there a parking fee too? I wouldn't mind the resort fee... or the parking fee... but paying them both starts to negate any "great rate" you might find here.

self Parking is $11 per day fee and the resort fee this is how it plays out:

Sept 4-10

Beach Club 1 room garden view- $2340.00 (345.00/night)

Swan -1 standard room - $1223.25 (172.33/night)
parking fee @$11- 66.00
resort fee @12 72.00
Total- 1361.25

Savings of $978.75 for the week so I'd say the fees would in no way negate savings. Note that both resort rates were without discount codes applied.

 

[jlcd]

Isn't there a parking fee too? I wouldn't mind the resort fee... or the parking fee... but paying them both starts to negate any "great rate" you might find here.

Just got back from our first stay at the Dolphin the week before Easter. We had the government rate and even with the parking and resort fees added in, we came out cheaper than a Disney moderate. Yes, it would be easier if they just added the charges into the rate, but since they don't, just add them in yourself and see what works best. No need to rule out a stay here just because of the fees.

 

[TaraPA]

The resort fee doesn't bother me one bit. DH travels weekly for work & I see his bills - most non-Disney hotels do charge an extra resort fee, or fees for internet, health club, etc. The Swan & Dolphin continue to be an excellent value over Disney Deluxe (and sometimes mods) resorts in the heart of the Epcot Resort area!