$10 Dolphin Resort Fee Now Mandatory!

[DVC California]

We just returned from a stay at the Dolphin and the $10 Resort fee was invoiced as $9.39 Resort Fee + $0.61 Tax- Resort Fee.

I asked for it to be waived but the Front Desk said that it was only waived for SPG Platinum. (I'm SPG Gold )

The little room key holder they hand out still list the fee as $8.00 and reads as follows:

All Accomodations Include a Resort Service Fee

To better serve your needs and decrease your incremental expenses, an $8 resort services fee will be posted daily to your guest room account.
This fee automatically provides the most commonly requested items and services for our guests at a fraction of the actual cost.
Valued at $16.25 per day, the resort services fee includes:

• Daily Newspaper Delivery
• Up to 60 minutes free local telephone calls, toll free and credit card access calls
• In-room coffee
• Unlimited access to the resort's health club facilities

The only service we used was the local calls to connect our laptop for internet dial up. We were able to get our drinks/coffee and newpapers at the Club Level lounge. I did look into the Health Club but after a day of walking through the parks, my "dogs were barking" and I never considered doing a work out.

Steve

Jumped back in to add that I noticed that SPG raised the upgrade from 750 to 1000 points! SPG also raised the stays/nights needed to get to Platinum.

 

[JetMom]

pewing--

Your signature says that you are a nursemom, well I am a teachermom and we stayed at the Dolphinn to SAVE money.

The Dolphin, with the teacher rate, was $45/night cheaper than the 2 rooms we would need at the All-Star to house our family of 5. It was also $30/night cheaper than POR.

Therefore, if I stayed at the All-Star, I would not be able to "eat all I want"

I am sorry if my budget concerns offend you, but that's life for most of us.

 

[welovedis]

My impression was that the OP was stating that first she was told it could be waived and then told it was mandatory. She even said she would still stay there because the rate was very good, but felt she was misled about the fee being mandatory, that's all. No one is saying the resort is not worth the cost, just that she felt it would have been better to say upfront that it is definitely mandatory and couldn't be waived.

$80 is $80 is $80 and the other posters are right in saying that $80 makes a big difference in many people's budgets. Is she getting a great rate-yes, did she feel misled-yes. Hopefully when you arrive, OP, they will take it off if you explain the situation. If not then at least you are planning ahead for the additional cost. Good Luck!

 

[DNBois]

I am totally with you - we all want to make the most of our money and some people don't understand this I suppose. And PEWING - most of our complaints, if you have read some of them, revolve around the fact that we were not informed of this fee. When my husband and I booked on Sunday we were informed that this would be optional if we were to make use of these services; two days later, it is mandatory. If it was clearly stated as mandatory when we made the initial reservation, I would not even have posted this thread. If you also happen to notice, on the main "Disney Resort" forum page, the rate is NOW clearly stated as $139 a night and up so there must have been other complaints.

 

[DNBois]

Thanks so much for sticking up for us folks - glad you understand. . .we are going for eight nights at the beginning of May and will try to have the fee waived - will let you know how I make out. Thanks - at least some of us understand what the term "on a budget" mean

 

[Trekker]

Please get back on topic and stop taking pot shots at each other.....

You all should be able to each others point of view on this. Just because you do not agree does not make anyone wrong.....

 

[JetMom]

hanging head in shame


sorry

 

[welovedis]

Just expressing my opinion and not trying to take potshots at anyone.

 

[pewing]

Originally posted by Trekker
Please get back on topic and stop taking pot shots at each other.....

You all should be able to each others point of view on this. Just because you do not agree does not make anyone wrong.....

Thank you. I love the information provided on these boards, but some of the personal 'attacks' I can do without

We are all on a budget. If not...I would be signing up for the GF Concierge and NOT spending time on these boards trying to stretch my Disney Dollars. We all try to get the best we can for hard earned money, but I don't think that gives us permission to be unkind to one another or overly demanding.

No need responding...I will be removing myself from this thread. I've read enough...


Have a magical day

 

[hentob]

First, let me state that I love, LOVE (!) the Swan!!! I have no problem paying the resort fee, b/c I enjoy the newspaper and enjoy coffee. My questions is--we have 3 children (4,3,3) and would like to stay in the Swan with them, but will be getting two connecting rooms. Will we have to pay $10 on both rooms, even though we don't need two papers, two coffee makers, etc? No biggie if we have to, I still love the Swan!

Hentob

 

[JetMom]

hentob - you should give the Dolphin a try! All 5 of you can stay in one room. We Loved it w)our 3 who were 9, 7, and 3.g

 

[Trekker]

I just called and spoke with both reservations and the front desk at the Dolphin - here is what they told me:

Reservations said the $10. resort fee is mandatory and cannot be waived.

I asked about the fact that we get connecting rooms with the kids in one and DW and I in the other - do I have to pay the fee on both rooms.

Her answer was yes - that her hands are tied and when making the reservation it was mandatory.

I stated that was unfair as we would not use any more of these amenities than if we were in one room.

She responded that she had heard of the front desk handling this type of situation.

I thanked her and asked to be connected to the front desk.

The woman at the front desk confirmed that at checkin the resort fee can be waived if you choose not to use any of those amenities.

I then mentioned about 2 connecting rooms and she stated without hesitation that I would not have to pay this on both rooms.

I do not mind paying this on one room as I use the coffee, read the paper, use the internet.

Oh! BTW - reservations told me the reason the fee went up $2 is that they now have high-speed internet access in the rooms - YAAHOO! no more dial up connections!

Talking to the S&D is starting to sound like talking to WDTC & CRO, you cannot get the same answer from 2 people.

Hope this helps.

 

[dreamflight99]

*ORIGINALLY POSTED BY TREKKER:

"Oh! BTW - reservations told me the reason the fee went up $2 is that they now have high-speed internet access in the rooms - YAAHOO! no more dial up connections!" DITTO!!!! I've been waiting for this! Free internet access for up to 60 minutes at a stretch! I merely log-off/on again if I need additional time!


"The woman at the front desk confirmed that at checkin the resort fee can be waived if you choose not to use any of those amenities." I Thought as much.

It's still a heck of a deal, as I just expended $14 for 14 phone calls (or "attempted" phone calls trying to log-on) at a pricey property. I'm Platinum SPG, and have had the fee at the Dolphin waived for some time now. When I was gold, I would pay the fee, as we always used the amenities. BUT, if you are NOT going to use the amenities, then by ALL MEANS, request the fee be waived. It absolutely makes no sense paying for something you neither desire/use.

Thanks a million, Trekker--for calling and shedding some light on the issue. I'm still estactic about the HSI access the resort implemented since last August! YAHOO!

 

[DNBois]

Thanks so much Trekker -

I also apologize for getting a little snippy - I just always feel like I have to defend those of use who have to count every penny. Thanks for looking into this for us - I have to say I am so glad I signed up on these forums as they provide the best information on everything Disney. THANKS AGAIN!!!