DDP @ Swan & Dolphin

[pinkerbell]

A friend who I was helping plan a trip has just done a 180 and changed her entire vacation from a value resort to the dolphin, for what she said is about the same price? If she can stay at what the site says is a Deluxe Resort for the same price as a value.. I want to also Can she also get the dining plan? and other perks like DME etc? SOme ?s may be for another board, but trying to get the most of my post

 

[docusmc1]

You CANNOT get the DDP or DME if you stay at the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[pinkerbell]

You CANNOT get the DDP or DME if you stay at the Swan or Dolphin.

that's a big ut oh for them, Thanks for the info

 

[PrincessTiffany]

that's a big ut oh for them, Thanks for the info

The pp is correct. Sway & Dolphin are not Disney owned properties and do not participate in the DDP or ME.

 

[princess aleya]

A friend who I was helping plan a trip has just done a 180 and changed her entire vacation from a value resort to the dolphin, for what she said is about the same price? If she can stay at what the site says is a Deluxe Resort for the same price as a value.. I want to also Can she also get the dining plan? and other perks like DME etc? SOme ?s may be for another board, but trying to get the most of my post

Sorry, you can't use the DP at the Swan or Dolphin.

 

[ccgirl]

In addition to not being able to get the DDP, you cannot charge to your room. There is a $10 room fee each night and, if you have a car, there is also a $10 parking fee each night regardless if you move your car or not. They do not participate in ME so you will need to pay $$ to get from the airport to the hotel one way or another. You can use WDW transportation once you get there though.

 

[elainesj]

that's why I haven't chosen to stay at Swan and Dolphin. No ME really adds to the cost for us. when we were doing a quick budget trip, we were planning to stay at the comfort inn right outside the gates...but no ME added a LOT to the costs as well as travel within the world. So it was value resorts for us.

also free dining was a huge moneysaver for us.

 

[pinkerbell]

In addition to not being able to get the DDP, you cannot charge to your room. There is a $10 room fee each night and, if you have a car, there is also a $10 parking fee each night regardless if you move your car or not. They do not participate in ME so you will need to pay $$ to get from the airport to the hotel one way or another. You can use WDW transportation once you get there though.

What is the $10 room fee each night for?

If you have a car and pay the $10 fee, do you get to park in the Theme Park parking lots for free?

Thanks for all the info on the difference between staing in a Disney Property and a Non-disney, this really changes things. If you know of any others I would apprectiate it?
thanks
pink

 

[pinkerbell]

thanks for all the info disboarders! There's a lot of differences.. and they are not good
Is there somewhere that lists them all in one place?

 

[TDC Nala]

In addition to not being able to get the DDP, you cannot charge to your room.

You can charge to your room within the Swan and Dolphin resorts. You cannot from the parks or anywhere outside the Swan/Dolphin resort complex.

The Swan and Dolphin participate in Extra Magic Hours and are serviced by regular Disney transportation (that can be good or bad). You have seen all the differences here. $10 per night mandatory resort fee (supposedly includes in-room internet, and use of the gym/health center). Self-parking fee. DME does not service the Swan or Dolphin so if you stay there, you must arrange transportation to and from the airport. The Disney Dining Plan is not available.

If you have a car and pay the $10 fee, do you get to park in the Theme Park parking lots for free?

I don't think you do. I think you have to be staying at a Disney resort for that.

The differences are not all bad. On the other hand a deluxe room within walking distance of two parks can be had for sometimes less than half the price of a Disney deluxe resort room. Sometimes, it is even possible to get them for less than the cost of a Disney value resort. The Swan and Dolphin often give discounts for nurses, teachers, military personnel and state/federal government employees. Internet is included in the resort fee which you have to pay anyway, and it's wireless. You can't get wireless in Disney resort rooms and you have to pay for wired connections unless you are a DVC member there. It's a small thing, but you have access to a lot more TV channels in Swan/Dolphin rooms (because they're not Disney-owned they're apparently able to run other than Disney-operated channels) and you can still see Stacey if you want to. If you sign up for the Starwood rewards program, you can earn points toward free stays. I have a friend who is Starwood platinum and is upgraded regularly to suites.

And they serve Starbucks coffee (although they don't have an outlet there for specialty drinks) and not the crap the Disney resorts serve.

 

[Seahunt]

If you have a car and pay the $10 fee, do you get to park in the Theme Park parking lots for free?

I don't think you do. I think you have to be staying at a Disney resort for that.

I'm confused about this as well. The Swan Dolphin website makes no mention of getting free parking, and I'm not sure if this info is still valid, but both mousesavers and allears say that you DO get free parking at the parks :

When staying at the Swan and Dolphin you can participate in the Extra Magic Hours program, you get free parking at the theme parks (just show your room key) and you can get package delivery from the theme parks to the hotel.

http://www.mousesavers.com/swandolphin.html

A stay at the Swan (Dolphin) includes WDW transportation to all Disney attractions, free parking at the theme parks, guaranteed park admission, package delivery to your hotel from the parks, same day dining reservations, preferred tee times, access to theme park Extra Magic Hours, and access to guest services.

http://allears.net/acc/faq_dol.htm

http://allears.net/acc/faq_swan.htm

DH & I last stayed at the Swan way before they even implemented any parking charge (we parked in self parking = free back then), so I'm not much help.

 

[TDC Nala]

I never stay there with a car and am an annual passholder anyway, so the parking at the parks thing has not been relevant - I am really not sure if you can park in the parks with a Swan/Dolphin key. Wouldn't be surprised if you could, as they also do Extra Magic Hours.

 

[pinkerbell]

Thanks for all the info seem like right now it wouldnt meet out needs, but good to know for the future


1. we get free dining
2. we want the dining plan regardless
3.we rent a car (@Car Care Center)
4. i arrive ahead of hubby w/luggage and 2 small kids so must have DME
5. I like to charge to the room on the keycard and see all charges at the end of the stay (and during)
6. We have a wireless card so already utilize the interenet

The larger rooms and the nicer accomodations really peak my interest though and we may do something like this should we have a shorter stay (also have an AP) and just do a quick trip w/no car or free dining) and when the kids are older

thanks for all the help

 

[ccgirl]

What is the $10 room fee each night for?

If you have a car and pay the $10 fee, do you get to park in the Theme Park parking lots for free?

Thanks for all the info on the difference between staing in a Disney Property and a Non-disney, this really changes things. If you know of any others I would apprectiate it?
thanks
pink

The $10 mandatory room fee is for internet service, use of Disney transportation, and two bottles of water a day.

Yes, you get to park in the theme park lots for free.

Even with those fees you are still paying much less than the price for the Deluxe WDW resorts for a superb location. You can walk to both Epcot and DHS.

They have a nice AAA discount as well.

 

[pinkerbell]

bumping up for a friend to see

 

[TDC Nala]

Should be noted that this post is nearly a year old, and the mandatory resort fee at the Swan/Dolphin is now $14 per night. Don't know if the parking fee has gone up also.

 

[pinkerbell]

bumping up again for someone to find

 

[Li Li]

Just as some extra info, you get two water bottles per day as part of that $14 fee. Also, two packets of Starbucks coffee for in-room coffee maker. No cool towel animals, but oh well. Still liked being close to so many things...Boardwalk, Epcot, DHS

 

[michelleiada]

IMO, If the DDP and ME are not important to you then this is a great way to stay on site in a deluxe accommodation, for less than the cost of a Disney moderate. The Swan and Dolphin are beautiful hotels in the heart of WDW, walking distance to two parks, with the Boardwalk entertainment just a short stroll away. You still get the benefit of Disney transportation and EMH. We stayed there once and got the nurses discount which was a big savings. We fell in love with the whole EPCOT resort area and are now DVC members at Beach Club Villas. I would without hesitation recommend a stay at either of these hotels.