Does Staying at Swan/Dolphin Foreclose any Options?

[PeterP]

We've always stayed on property in the Disney hotels, with MYW/park hopper and dining. We are considering the Swan or Dolphin for the first time. If we stayed at the Swan or Dolphin, is there anything to which we would NOT be entitled, but to which we would be entitled if we were staying in a Disney hotel?
- for example:
- Disney dining;
- access to extra magic hours;
- hotel card that permits fast pass access;
- park hopper option;
- anything else?

Thank you!

 

[TDC Nala]

You would not be eligible for these:

1. Disney's Magical Express airport service. This is available only to guests of Disney-operated resorts. You would have to arrange your own airport transportation (for a cost).

2) Disney Dining Plans. These are also available only to guests of Disney-operated resorts.

3) Ability to send packages back to your resort from the parks.

4) Room key charges anywhere but within the Swan and Dolphin.

5) Park tickets encoded on your room key. (Fast pass is activated by your park tickets. You would be able to get them using your park tickets, but if you are staying at Swan/Dolphin your park ticket will be separate from your room key.)

You are eligible for the following:

1) Extra Magic Hours

2) Free parking at the theme parks

3) Disney transportation to/from your resort

4) Park hopper option. This is part of your park ticket if you choose to add it and it has nothing to do with where you are staying.

5) Luggage transfer to/from Disney resorts for split stays.

 

[el_tigre]

You will not have access to any of the dining plans or to the Magical Express. You also can't charge items to your room key. Other than that, you get all other perks offered to guests staying in Disney operated properties, including Extra Magic Hours and the ability to use park hopper tickets.

 

[PeterP]

Thank you, both.
PeterP

 

[roydavid7771]

Everything Nala said was spot on, however you can have packages sent back to your hotel. You would just have to pick them up at your hotel gift shop.

 

[~Tinkerella]

A couple of years ago we were upgraded from POFQ to the Swan and we used Magical Express without a problem.

 

[NancyIL]

We've always stayed on property in the Disney hotels, with MYW/park hopper and dining. We are considering the Swan or Dolphin for the first time. If we stayed at the Swan or Dolphin, is there anything to which we would NOT be entitled, but to which we would be entitled if we were staying in a Disney hotel?
- for example:
- Disney dining;
- access to extra magic hours;
- hotel card that permits fast pass access;
- park hopper option;
- anything else?

Thank you!

As mentioned, you can't get the Disney Dining Plan if you stay at the Swan/Dolphin, but I haven't been interested in that - even when I have stayed at a WDW resort. The price keeps going up and the benefits keep going down.

Fast pass has nothing to do with your hotel accommodations. All theme park guests can use fast pass.

 

[chalee94]

A couple of years ago we were upgraded from POFQ to the Swan and we used Magical Express without a problem.

disney doesn't manage the swan hotel (it's a westin). that had to be a very unusual situation (or else you mean another boardwalk resort that disney owns.)

 

[mom4graceandlogan]

Just wanted to add that you will have no problem having your luggage transferred from a disney resort to swan and dolphin or vice versa if doing a split stay. We have done it our last 4 trips and bell services on both ends are happy to do it. You have to tip of course like you would do with a disney to disney resort, but they are happy to do it. after years of turnng my nose up at the Swan because it was not a "Disney property", we tried it and love it. SInce we also love WL we always do split stay. And as a side note, I think the food is much better at the swan and dolphin than most of our on property meals. Dining plan and charging to room are main difference. EMH works just the same fast pass is tied to your ticket.

 

[cruisingkat]

Everything Nala said was spot on, however you can have packages sent back to your hotel. You would just have to pick them up at your hotel gift shop.

The hotel gift shop that sells Disney stuff at Swan and Dolphin is run by Disney - not the hotel management. The Annual Pass discount on merchandise is good there.

 

[NancyIL]

The hotel gift shop that sells Disney stuff at Swan and Dolphin is run by Disney - not the hotel management. The Annual Pass discount on merchandise is good there.

I didn't know that, so thank you!

 

[~Tinkerella]

No, I mean the Swan ~ we picked up Magical Express at the Orlando Airport and when we checked out of the hotel we picked up the Magical Express right in front of the hotel and the we made another stop or two and headed to the airport.

 

[CanadianGuy]

A couple of years ago we were upgraded from POFQ to the Swan and we used Magical Express without a problem.

No, I mean the Swan ~ we picked up Magical Express at the Orlando Airport and when we checked out of the hotel we picked up the Magical Express right in front of the hotel and the we made another stop or two and headed to the airport.

In certain cases of overbooking (as may be happened in your case) or in the case of selected land/cruise itineraries ... you can indeed get a Magical Express transport to the Swan / Dolphin.

BUT... you must be booked through Disney to enjoy that perk. Those booking with Swan / Dolphin or intermediary agent other than Disney cannot just hop the Magical Express.

Hope this clears up any confusion.

Thanks,

Knox