Day 1 at the Dolphin - A Great Beginning

[nealh303]

We survived our 14-hour drive with our 3-children and arrived at the Dolphin at 11:30 Friday a.m. We took a chance of checking in early. We asked for an upgrade (balcony and/or view) and were requested to pay an additional $20/day. We declined - though still thrilled with being at the hotel. Come to find out - we were upgraded to Club Level (can't express how happy we are and thankful we are to that special someone - Mr. Swan/Dolphin).

We are in the central sections - steps away from the club & elevator. Enjoyed the refreshments from 5-7:00 before dinner on the boardwalk.

First impressions - the hotel is beautiful and the location is to "die for". The size of the room is very comfortable to fit our family of 5 - with the extra roll-away bed (which DD has reported was quite comfortable).

Best Moment (beside the upgrade of course) - lunch at Tubbi's. I forgot to use my Disney Club card to get the 20% off. When I remembered it was too late for the cashier to give me the refund (she had already gone through a few transactions). SHe was very apologetic and about 5-minute later greated us with two "free deserts" as compensation. Also, a "welcome to the dolphin" call from Mr. Swan Dolphin. Hope to meet him in person today!

What a fabulous start -. I will try to write a short note every couple of days - we are here 15-days.

 

[libmil]

Sounds like your off to a great start....
Have a wonderful time and tell S/D we all say "Hey" and we miss his stories........(climbing up inside the giant Dolphin) Maybe he could submit them through someone else.......


HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!inkbounc

 

[Tracy M]

This sounds so exciting......great to hear you're off to a "magical" start!

My family will be at the Dolphin in Novemeber for what I hope will be an equally "magical" vacation! Please keep the information coming

Thumbs up on the upgrade....Way to go Mr. S/D!

 

[stephcm]

I'm fairly new to these boards, and am curious as to who (what?) Mr. Swan/Dolphin is??? Is he a real person? Sounds like the fairy godfather of the S/D, lol!
Anyway, if that is the case, should I be asking him to help me out for our August trip? We are going to WDW with my inlaws. My sister in law, who has lupus among other health problems, has NEVER been to WDW and will be celebrating her 50th birthday here. We are footing the bill for most of their trip, since they could NEVER afford it and this is something that my dh feels strongly about doing.
Anyway, if I click my heels together 3 times, will Mr. S/D appear to help me with an upgrade, maybe?? We are paying the $99 teacher rate for 4 nights at the Swan - August 15 - 19.
Thanks again, guys. These boards are AWESOME!!!!

 

[Kitty 34]

How exciting to get firsthand info from you, Nealh303!!!
The Club Level sounds great!

Stephcm, Mr. SwanDolphin is very real and very nice and knows how to take care of his DISers!!! We got the $99/night Teacher's Rate too and ended up with a beautiful room in the West Wing near the pools!! We were upgraded to a balcony. You'd think we'd never been on a balcony before-I think most of our Dolphin pictures are views from there!!!

 

[GailT]

Glad to hear that your trip has started off to a magical journey. Thanks for taking the time out to let us know how things are going. Now I feel inclined to buy a laptop or at least rent one so I can check in.

 

[PooooohBear]

Thanks for the info! We can't wait for our stay at the Dolphin!! We'll be there Jul 28-Aug 6.

 

[gm]

we were there 2 weeks and we stayed in the club level central section too. thanks to mr. swandolphin for making our stay the most magical ever. Everyone was so friendly there including tubbies. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[glo]

stephcm, Yes Mr SwanDolphin is a real person. He frequents these boards and is directly responsible for instituting the teacher, nurse and AP rates at the Swan and Dolphin resorts. He does not post on the boards as much as he used to, but he does lurk alot. He is a very kind person.

nealh303 I am so glad you are enjoying your stay at the Dolphin. That is an incredible upgrade!! WOW!!! Have a great time and let us know how it all went!!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Glo - other than please - what wonderfully magic words might i use to upgrade our teacher rate rooms on Veteran's Day weekend to a room with a view? So many people have mentioned how Mr. S/D has made it possible for them to enjoy an even better view. Trust me, i am thrilled with the rate we have - just asking how it might be possible! Thanks. Caroline

 

[DWDreams]

Hi all,

I feel somewhat awkward even asking this, gosh I hate to grovel lol, but who is Mr. SwanDolphin and how does he go about helping some here?

I have ressies for the Dolphin, standard view, 08/10 - 08/19, I've read the faq, signed up for the preferred guest, etc.. but would love to find out about someone who sounds like he holds the bag 'o pixie dust so to speak lol!

Soooooo, is there like some secret handshake or what?

 

[mom on the run]

Please also tell me how to get a hold of Mr Swan/Dolphins bag of pixie dust? have been reading these boards for about 6 months now in anticipation of our Sept 15-22 visit to the Doplhin and would love to make this vacation the best my children could possiby get !! Please MR Swan/Dolphin- I'll even grovel and beg if necessary-LOL. Spread a little dust my way or at least towards my children.inkbounc

 

[Poohlovr]

There really is no "getting hold of Mr SwanDolphin". He lurks on here when he can (not as often as he used to be here ) and posts on the only on the very rare occasion ( ).
He does, when he can, try to see the DISers have an enjoyable stay, and will frequently do this without you ever knowing about it .
Unfortunately, there are times when he can't do much about a preffered view, balcony or whatever, as people pay extra for these rooms and if they are booked during your visit, that's that.
And sometimes. he's just not around to do it. He does seem to take a few business trips and really seems to like to vacation and travel---a lot --without us DIS-ers! Can you imagine???
I agree with the above advice to join the Preferred Guest program (www.PreferredGuest.com) as your membership card frequently comes with a card for a free upgrade. Also, there are a lot of chances to earn free nights (I will earn two free nights next month!).
No matter what your room view, I am sure you will enjoy the Dolphin.

 

[Kitty 34]

I can't imagine Mr. SwanDolphin wanting to get away from us DISers!!!! Heh Heh!!!

 

[able]

I can't wait! We leave in 3 weeks for the Dolphin! 10 people, 2 rooms at the government rate! Without the special rate we wouldn't be staying in a first class hotel. We chose the Dolphin for our children ages 3, 6 and 9. The decor is so fun and whimsical they'll be in heaven!

 

[Boots]

Great day one trip report!!!

 

[FlounderFish]

OK, Mr. Swan/Dolphin, if you're lurking out there, I absolutely must have an upgrade july 21-31--I'M YOUR #1 FAN!!!!

XOXOXOX
Flounder

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

I've never heard of Mr. Dolphin.
Has anyone gotten a picture of him to post?