Best ever Swan/Dolphin Rate??

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

Can anyone tell me what is the best rate you have ever found for the Swan/Dolphin. Not including points because we've never stayed there.

We've stayed at WL and this Dec will stay at POFQ. We are trying to pick a resort for Summer 2004 and have so far decided on AKL, but the pics of the Grotto pool look awesome so I haven't voted that one out yet.

 

[sugermouse]

This past July we paid $147 a night at the Dolphin.

 

[Cantw8]

me too, $147 at the Dolphin for this November

 

[swilphil]

In July 2003, we stayed at the Dolphin for $129, but that was before renovations were done. In Nov./Dec. 2003 they had $99/night room, but that may have been for AP holders. I do know people have gotten rooms for around $80-90 on Hotwire and/or Priceline. I've never wanted to take the risk of getting a Downtown Disney hotel instead. Plus I feel safer with a 1-week cancellation policy.

We love the S/D for the location and all that a deluxe resort has to offer.

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

I know you can't book Swan/Dolphin through WDTC so I thought you couldn't book an AP rate??? Is this not true???

 

[stoudt6]

Sept 2003 We paid $99 a night they ran a late summer special.We even had free upgrade to Balcony with few view of Epcot Ball and Fireworks. By far the best Hotel I styaed in!

 

[4khansen]

We did the Priceline route this summer and received the Dolphin for $69! July 21-24, 2004. On top of that, when we arrived we nicely requested a balcony and they obliged if we were willing to wait until it was cleaned...... just an hour later we had a great balcony room overlooking the Swan and boat launch -- at no extra cost, too!

 

[Sammy]

Sept. 03: $129 Gov't rate. Got upgraded at check-in to an 8th floor balcony room overlooking BC/YC, Spaceship Earth, and the canal. Absolutely beautiful view; awesome hotel. The kids still talk about being able to watch the fireworks from the room and they say was their best WDW vacation ever.

Sammy

 

[ozziewags]

My best rate was $129 for a Club Level Jr. Suite at Christmas 2000. (pre-renovations)

 

[jimmiej]

I had a $129 teacher rate for this past June. Ended up canceling to stay at Contemporary.

 

[Bill From PA]

4khansen,

Did you just luck out with your bid or is there some way to 'groove' the request so other resorts in the area wouldn't qualify or accept? We're thinking of this approach for the first week in Jan., and congrats, I'm jealous!

Bill From PA

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We always get the govt. rate of like $149 at the swan. My dh questioned about the ap rate, they said its a few dollars more than the govt. rate. We were offered a rate of $99 over the internet. If you sign up for their e mails you might get offered the rate. I know they have a receipe club rate, I never got that one though. I wouldnt want to risk the priceline stuff etc. Yes, the grotto pool is awesome. My ds like the swan better than the akl. Go figure. Well we did have a bad experience at the akl so that probably figured into it. Its not so distantly located as AKL. You are literally right in the middle of everything, perfect location. The swan is the 1st bus stop so that was a plus too. For our next trip we will do the swan or poly.

 

[plutosmyfav]

This probably doesn't count, but I won the Swan on Hotwire for $109 per night last December. I'd stay there every trip if I could get that rate!!!!!!

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by luvmarypoppins
We were offered a rate of $99 over the internet. If you sign up for their e mails you might get offered the rate. I know they have a receipe club rate, I never got that one though.

I am signed up for the recipe club, and we were offered the $99 rate a few times between summer 2003 and maybe Feb. 2004. I still get the recipes, but no discount. I wonder if they are just selling their rooms to Hotwire/Priceline instead of offering these rates. There have been threads in the past that tell you how to bid to get Swan/Dolphin on these sites. You can also look at betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com. It seems like the info. changes fairly often, and I think you have to be willing to settle for a Downtown Disney hotel.

 

[patsal]

Hotwire July 2004 $89.00

 

[travelin' tigger]

Back in Feb 2003 people were getting the Dolphin for $70 on Priceline so I thought I'd give it a try and WON!! Was bidding on 3 nights, but afterward wanted to get my last 3 nights there too. Emailed or called Priceline (don't remember now) and was offered $111/ night which I grabbed. It ended up averaging $100/night including fees!!

Wish that rate would come up again!!

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

Through Priceline or Hotwire, how do you know that you are getting the Swan/Dolphin not another hotel such as one in the DTD area???

 

[travelin' tigger]

I'd been following Biddingfortravel.com and BetterBidding.com and they helped alot. Hotwire and Priceline list the amenities for each hotel/resort so you can get an idea of what you're getting, but I was willing to gamble!!!

 

[4khansen]

Of course with Priceline you are not sure of which hotel, just what level. Since I only bid for Resort level hotels you are sure to get something that would be reasonably nice.

The other resort choices that have come up are the Gaylord Palms WDW Hilton, Swan, etc. Check www.biddingfortravel.com they have a more information regarding all the hotels that come up at what star ratings in that general area.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Winnie Pooh Fan
Can anyone tell me what is the best rate you have ever found for the Swan/Dolphin. Not including points because we've never stayed there.

We've stayed at WL and this Dec will stay at POFQ. We are trying to pick a resort for Summer 2004 and have so far decided on AKL, but the pics of the Grotto pool look awesome so I haven't voted that one out yet.

Hi,

We got a Labor Day rate of $99 plus taxes and fees that was open to the public for anyone that was arriving and departing between specific dates during the end of Aug 2003 through mid Sept 2003. Our dates fit.

This year they had/have a $139 a night rate advertised that is open to the general public for Sept. 2004.