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

[NancyIL]

Do you know approx how much it would cost for a taxi? I remember the wait for a bus to return seemed endless in years past, but that was in June.

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Nope, because I'm too cheap to take a taxi!

 

[mikegood2]

Do you know approx how much it would cost for a taxi? I remember the wait for a bus to return seemed endless in years past, but that was in June.

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I'd also be interested in the cost of a taxi. Based on our experience, also in June, a visit to DTD may not be worth the hassle. The bus to DTD was fine, it was the return, so maybe catching a taxi back could be an alternative.

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[Dan Murphy]

The Swan and Dolphin share a bus with the Boardwalk to the theme parks. The Downtown Disney bus usually goes to all 5 Epcot resorts.

On my trip in Dec, it was always just S and D, no BW. That was for MK, I never did make it to AK.

 

[SingingMom]

I'd also be interested in the cost of a taxi. Based on our experience, also in June, a visit to DTD may not be worth the hassle. The bus to DTD was fine, it was the return, so maybe catching a taxi back could be an alternative.

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That is what I'm thinking. It was actually a little creepy waiting so long for the bus back. I've never felt "uneasy" in WDW before, but that night I was not comfortable.

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[Mouseteacher]

The Swan and Dolphin share a bus with the Boardwalk to the theme parks. The Downtown Disney bus usually goes to all 5 Epcot resorts.

We took the bus to DTD on our late July trip and we too stopped at all 5 Epcot resorts plus a water park. The trip was long and the bus was very crowded on both to and from. The wait for the bus back was quite long.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Good morning Karen - so good to see you posting!!!
Have to admit that I do rent a car, and drive to DD. Find it so much easier to park after taking the bus a few times. I agree that it is a long wait to get the bus back to the Dolphin.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Good morning Karen - so good to see you posting!!!
Have to admit that I do rent a car, and drive to DD. Find it so much easier to park after taking the bus a few times. I agree that it is a long wait to get the bus back to the Dolphin.

Hi, Caroline! I do check in here often but post when I have something to contribute. I will definitely take a taxi next time we choose to go to DTD. The night we went it was extremely crowded. We just walked from the Marketplace to the West End. Stopping in shops was not pleasant due to the crowds...World of Disney was packed! Most years we skip DTD but last July my DSs and DD-in-law wanted to go so off we went. DH was smart and stayed back at the Swan. LOL

We have made tentative plans to return in mid-July to the Swan. I hope all is well with you and your family. School year is flying by!

PS: wearing the beautiful knit scarf you made for me on these very frigid days.

 

[Mouseteacher]

That is what I'm thinking. It was actually a little creepy waiting so long for the bus back. I've never felt "uneasy" in WDW before, but that night I was not comfortable.

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I have to agree with you. It definitely has a different feel than waiting for the bus at any of the parks.

 

[mikegood2]

I made the mistake of opening one of the newer FP+ threads and it's made me a little bit nervous about or trip in June. I know that most of the details, including when they will implement it, are up in the air but it looks like it could be installed in the next few months.

What impact do you think it could have on the SD? Do you think the SD will get most of the perks that the Disney resorts will get?

 

[cindym]

I too am concerned about the F+ being available to the Dolphin. We will have two little ones with us and we really will need to use FP. I might have to change to another hotel if F+ isn't available. I really want to stay at the Dolphin though! Of course no one really knows for sure how F+ is going to work, it is all speculation until Disney rolls it out.

 

[Marthasor]

I too am concerned about the F+ being available to the Dolphin. We will have two little ones with us and we really will need to use FP. I might have to change to another hotel if F+ isn't available. I really want to stay at the Dolphin though! Of course no one really knows for sure how F+ is going to work, it is all speculation until Disney rolls it out.

From what I've read, every Disney park ticket holder will still be able to utilize FP. The only remarkable difference may be Disney resort guests will be able to pre-select FP opportunities prior to arrival.

 

[Dan Murphy]

My own opinion, for whatever that is worth, is that S/D will share in any changes coming up. They share in almost every Disney on-site benefit now, other than the Magical Express and the bill back to your hotel account for Disney purchases (more an accounting headache I would say).

 

[lovingthemouse]

Has anyone used the spg cash and pts program?
Considering it for a few nights at the beginning of our spring vacation. I normally use the teacher rate, but saw that the AARP rate is less, by a few dollars. When you combine that with the cash/pts promotion, it turns out to be 4000 pts plus $60. per night.

Since you are prepaying this, what are the chances that the teacher/AARP rates will come down by mid-April? Or, is this a better deal?

Appreciate the feedback - never had this issue in all our trips.

 

[LexiC123]

Has anyone used the spg cash and pts program?
Considering it for a few nights at the beginning of our spring vacation. I normally use the teacher rate, but saw that the AARP rate is less, by a few dollars. When you combine that with the cash/pts promotion, it turns out to be 4000 pts plus $60. per night.

Since you are prepaying this, what are the chances that the teacher/AARP rates will come down by mid-April? Or, is this a better deal?

Appreciate the feedback - never had this issue in all our trips.

I'm curious about this, too...I can never even get Cash & Points to come up as an option for the Swan on the Westin website. My April rate is $224/night, which isn't bad, but much higher than I'm used to paying in the fall.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Lexi - i went on the spg site - checked off 3 options - teach1, aarp and cash/pts. The cash/pts option came up. Hesitant to wait too long to make the ressies since i don't know how long this will be available.

 

[LexiC123]

Lexi - i went on the spg site - checked off 3 options - teach1, aarp and cash/pts. The cash/pts option came up. Hesitant to wait too long to make the ressies since i don't know how long this will be available.

Thanks for the information! So you made two separate reservations (cash/points and AARP), or were you able to combine the two?

 

[lovingthemouse]

Have not made them yet - was waiting for some feedback. What it said on the spg site was either the AARP rate of $215. or cash/pts 4000 plus $60 USD.

 

[RachelTori]

Have not made them yet - was waiting for some feedback. What it said on the spg site was either the AARP rate of $215. or cash/pts 4000 plus $60 USD.

Since Cash & Points is so hard to come by these days at Swan & Dolphin, if you have the points -- you should definitely book Cash & Points. You still have the same cancellation window as a regular reservation (I believe 6 days prior to check-in).

 

[TaraPA]

In my 10+ years staying at S/D I have never come across cash+points for my dates....until now! I was playing around with dates for an April stay & lo & behold, I could do cash & points! Of course, the group wants to stay elsewhere.....grrrrr

 

[phillytwins]

Hi Tara and fellow S/D fans!
We are headed back to the World next month. After two stays at the Dolphin, we are going to try the Swan for the first time. I can't wait!

A couple of questions -- any recommendations for dinner in the Swan or Dolphin (or in Boardwalk area) that my 8 year olds would like?
How much is a cab ride from Swan to Contemporary?

Tara - Enjoy planning your upcoming trips!