The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ April 2012 ~ Please read post #1

[RachelTori]

Currently booked at POP! for Dec 2-10 but I am seriously considering booking the S/D. I am figuring the time we spend traveling on buses would be worth the extra money on the room. (We LOVE epcot, and the boardwalk/boardwalk restaurants) We are on a budget, about $4k budget which is kinda small for a week+ at Disney for 3.

ANyone have any tips on getting the best resort rate? Is it the Entertainment book? Anyone have a general idea what a good rate is for a standard room? I currently have a 30% pin attached to my name so, I'm really needing to justify the extra expense for s/d.

Check the "offers" page: http://swandolphin.com/offers/ There could be something there that will work for your trip. (If not, check back from time to time. )

Do you have AAA, are you a nurse, teacher, or do you work for the Government? There are usually discounts available if you qualify.

You might also call the Swan/Dolphin direct and ask for the lowest rate available for your dates. They may have something you haven't found in your searches (1-888-828-8850).

If you can't afford to stay there the entire trip, how about a split stay? Disney makes it pretty easy to change resorts.

LOL! That was our wedding day! The ceremony was supposed to be on Luau Beach at the Poly, but Disney moved us into the Poly lobby. We had a wonderful time despite all the rain. The next day the weather cleared & we honeymooned at the Swan.

Sounds like we'd enjoy it so I think we'll book our tickets. Thanks for your responses everyone!

If a rainy wedding day means good luck for the marriage, you and your husband are definitely all set!!

There's a group of us who will be there for the Classic. Please join us if you'd like: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2852869 (We are anxiously awaiting Epcot's paid events and seminars schedule!)

We did one of the Classic's seminars last year -- the Wine Blending -- and are booked again! The total cost with tax is $45, but I feel it is well worth it. The seminars are not conducted by a Vendor, but by the wonderful Swan Dolphin staff.

http://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/

 

[Dan Murphy]

New www.restaurant.com discount code, GRADS. 60% off normal $10 for $25 certificates, net $4 for $25.

http://www2.restaurant.com/consumer...=1&prti=3801&et_cid=19908644&et_rid=174593207

 

[gumbo1009]

ANyone have any tips on getting the best resort rate? Is it the Entertainment book? Anyone have a general idea what a good rate is for a standard room? I currently have a 30% pin attached to my name so, I'm really needing to justify the extra expense for s/d.

Be sure to check Orbitz as well - I got a room at the Dolphin for less than $100 per night (downside: I did have to pay in advance, which may be an issue for some folks).

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Be sure to check Orbitz as well - I got a room at the Dolphin for less than $100 per night (downside: I did have to pay in advance, which may be an issue for some folks).

Wow! Great rate!

 

[SRUAlmn]

The teacher and nurse rates are amazing if you qualify. We are staying in a 2 bedroom grand suite with the teacher rate + a stay connected rate for the second bedroom, and I was when I saw the retail value (rack rate) of our room! The total with tax and resort fees should have been a little over $13,000 and we are paying less than 1/3 of that!

 

[ctnurse]

Check the "offers" page: http://swandolphin.com/offers/ There could be something there that will work for your trip. (If not, check back from time to time. )

Do you have AAA, are you a nurse, teacher, or do you work for the Government? There are usually discounts available if you qualify.

You might also call the Swan/Dolphin direct and ask for the lowest rate available for your dates. They may have something you haven't found in your searches (1-888-828-8850).

If you can't afford to stay there the entire trip, how about a split stay? Disney makes it pretty easy to change resorts.





If a rainy wedding day means good luck for the marriage, you and your husband are definitely all set!!

There's a group of us who will be there for the Classic. Please join us if you'd like: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2852869 (We are anxiously awaiting Epcot's paid events and seminars schedule!)

We did one of the Classic's seminars last year -- the Wine Blending -- and are booked again! The total cost with tax is $45, but I feel it is well worth it. The seminars are not conducted by a Vendor, but by the wonderful Swan Dolphin staff.

http://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/

Has anyone else done any of the seminars? We will be there that weekend and they sound like a lot of fun. How long do they last? Of course still can't decide on the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[RachelTori]

Has anyone else done any of the seminars? We will be there that weekend and they sound like a lot of fun. How long do they last? Of course still can't decide on the Swan or Dolphin.

Me again! I know there are others who did the seminars - hopefully someone else will post soon! When I did the Wine Blending last year, Deb & Debra, from Allears were seated across the aisle from me. Deb gave the seminar a glowing review on allears.net!

The seminars all start at 4:30 and last one hour. The most you could do would be one Friday; one Saturday. When the seminar is over, it's time to head out to the Causeway (or to the Swan ballroom if it's pouring rain!) for the Food & Wine!

If you look at the seminar choices and who will be leading them, these are the creme de la creme of Swan/Dolphin food & beverage service and they really know their stuff!

OK, now someone else who went last year -- time to give ctnurse your reviews!

 

[OurLittleFamily]

I just want to sub to this list to keep an eye on things. We are planning a trip for January and we're debating between here and Port Orleans French Quarter. We're coming down for the marathon, so this seems like it would be a good location for the race.

 

[SCPP]

Now that is a room with a view.

From our center balcony at the Swan

 

[patty57]

Wow...awesome view!

 

[LexiC123]

Now that is a room with a view.

From our center balcony at the Swan

Great view! Hope you're enjoying your stay.

 

[SingingMom]

After missing two summers of the Dolphin - last year we went on a cruise to Bermuda for our 25th anniversary, and this summer we just returned from an Adventures by Disney tour to London and Paris (simply wonderful!!!), we decided we missed our beloved Dolphin! Totally out of the box, we are returning in JANUARY for 8 nights!! Will be very interesting to see what we think of the weather, since we have done five straight blistery hot Junes!

DD doesn't return for the Spring semester of college until late January, so we thought we'd try a time when most are already back at school and we can leisurely stroll the parks.

What type of clothes do you pack for January?

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....What type of clothes do you pack for January?

Almost everything to take care of temps from a bone chilling high 30's to a summer-like low 80's. My Dec trips have had both on the same trip, Jan is about the same at Dec, though a bit chillier. Dressing in layers is quite common.

That upper 30 or lower 40 temp is not like your NJ or my Chicago temp. That feels not bad to us at home during the winter, but at WDW, that temp goes to your bones.

 

[SingingMom]

Almost everything to take care of temps from a bone chilling high 30's to a summer-like low 80's. My Dec trips have had both on the same trip, Jan is about the same at Dec, though a bit chillier. Dressing in layers is quite common.

That upper 30 or lower 40 temp is not like your NJ or my Chicago temp. That feels not bad to us at home during the winter, but at WDW, that temp goes to your bones.

Why is that, Dan? Is it because it's not what we "expect" for Florida?

I hope it won't be too cold! lol We won't mind missing "pool weather" for one trip, but I would hate to be miserablely freezing. lol Do they keep any of the holiday decorations up into mid January?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have had trips where it was 55-75 and just perfect. But when it is chilly, even like 50, with no sun (evening), breeze coming off water everywhere at WDW, and oftentime just standing or walking in the chill (at home, you are generally in some place, in a car, or walking to and from a warm place). You are outside a lot at WDW.

 

[Mouseteacher]

After missing two summers of the Dolphin - last year we went on a cruise to Bermuda for our 25th anniversary, and this summer we just returned from an Adventures by Disney tour to London and Paris (simply wonderful!!!), we decided we missed our beloved Dolphin! Totally out of the box, we are returning in JANUARY for 8 nights!! Will be very interesting to see what we think of the weather, since we have done five straight blistery hot Junes!

DD doesn't return for the Spring semester of college until late January, so we thought we'd try a time when most are already back at school and we can leisurely stroll the parks.

What type of clothes do you pack for January?

I was in WDW Dec. 26-Jan. 1 a few years ago. I must have had a brain crunch as I didn't check what the weather could be in winter. It was quite cold most of the days we were there. I ended purchasing 3 sweatshirts including a hoodie to serve as a jacket to layer I was so cold. At night, I really wished I had my gloves, winter coat and a hat for my ears. It didn't turn to low 70s until New Years Eve. I, too, have only experienced Disney during the summer months or April or October so Dec/Jan were a weather surprise.

 

[love~disney]

Just booked our room for June 2013!! I am so pumped!!!

 

[onelilspark]

Why is that, Dan? Is it because it's not what we "expect" for Florida?

I hope it won't be too cold! lol We won't mind missing "pool weather" for one trip, but I would hate to be miserablely freezing. lol Do they keep any of the holiday decorations up into mid January?

I have had trips where it was 55-75 and just perfect. But when it is chilly, even like 50, with no sun (evening), breeze coming off water everywhere at WDW, and oftentime just standing or walking in the chill (at home, you are generally in some place, in a car, or walking to and from a warm place). You are outside a lot at WDW.

That's exactly it! You're normally inside or if you're outside, you're not spending all your time outdoors!

The biggest tip I can give is to bring gloves. It's amazing how much that helps. (Don't let my location fool you, I've only recently moved from Upstate NY.)

 

[MBELSANTI]

The Swan bakery contacted me back and although they can do an cake with Eagle Scout design, they said they cannot do the Scout Mickey. Do you think it is because they are not part of Disney so they won't do characters?


Also another question is we have to be at DHS at 7:45am on Weds and Thursday morning of our trip for DS to take his class. Does boat transportation run at that time? TIA!

 

[SingingMom]

I was in WDW Dec. 26-Jan. 1 a few years ago. I must have had a brain crunch as I didn't check what the weather could be in winter. It was quite cold most of the days we were there. I ended purchasing 3 sweatshirts including a hoodie to serve as a jacket to layer I was so cold. At night, I really wished I had my gloves, winter coat and a hat for my ears. It didn't turn to low 70s until New Years Eve. I, too, have only experienced Disney during the summer months or April or October so Dec/Jan were a weather surprise.

Thanks for the responses! I guess we will pack for layering and include gloves and scarves!