DOLPHIN help...attention Glo, Swilphil, Mouseteacher, or the sorrority (long)

[3PRINCESSMOM]

I have read as much as I can and I still don't know what I should do regarding a request. We will be checking into a "standard" Mon 12/15 for a 5 night stay. It will be me, DH and 3 Princesses (9,6,4). Do I just make sure they have my SPG number and hope for the best at check-in. Do I ask for a specific wing or view via website or at check-in? If so, what do you recommend? Do I blatantly ask for an upgrade? If so, what type of wording do you recommend? If I ask for a good view does that mean I can't ask to be close to the elevator that is closest to Tubbi's? Are these areas miles apart? Is a club level upgrade realistic to even imagine? Which is better to be hoping for view or CL? I was thinking a balcony might be the most beneficial since it would provide a bit of extra space...??? Can you tell the anxiety level is astronimical right about now!

I will be happy to just be at WDW, but of course I wouldn't mind putting my family in the best possible position to get a little extra pixie dust!

Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of info!

 

[Muffy]

I sent you a PM.

 

[#1hockeymom]

In your nicest sweetest voice..."We would LOVE to have a balcony with a great view! I am so excited to finally be at the Swan and Disney World!" Make sure to pass them your starwood card upon check-in, also.

Don't fret.. I don't think there is a bad room in the place! You're going to love your trip!

 

[scrappermcl]

I am planning my first visit to the Dolphin in three weeks. I will be going with my DH and DD and I am also STRESSING about the room request 'thing' so I can understand how OP is feeling. Please share any insight you have for helping us have the most magical stays possible.
Thanks in advance,
Mary

 

[swilphil]

I would send your request via e-mail through the s/d website, then ask again at check-in. I would just ask where your room is, and then ask, sweetly, how far it is from the West Wing elevator (Dolphin) for Tubbi's and what the view is like. I, personally would prefer a balconey over CL, but we bring lots of snacks ourselves and CL seems to be very expensive.

One piece of great advice that I read on these boards is to make your check-in request in a very low whisper. The CM's don't want the all the others checking in to think they are entitled to the same thing.

Good luck!!

 

[3PRINCESSMOM]

just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. Like I said, we'll be in WDW so almost any room will be fantastic, right? Right!

I want to thank everyone for their words of wisdom. I can't tell you how appreciative I am. I can't remember what it was like before... going on vacation blind... having to figure it all out as you go. Now I do all the research, worrying, and planning ahead of time so that once I arrive I can relax and let it happen!

I got to tell you, though...looking out my window right now...at the nearly 30 inches of snow here just South of Boston... my anticipation for our Friday departure is a millions times greater than it would be, and it would be great...believe me! Now this trip will be that much sweeter!

Anyway, THANKS AGAIN, ALL! (especially you S/D experts)

 

[Kapp]

a great view of Epcot, you will be in the East section for the Dolphin. Tubbi's is in the Central section with the spa/pool/arcade being in the West section. I would sacrafice being close to Tubbi's for a great view of Epcot. Make sure you join SPG and make sure that is listed on your reservation. List your rook request on the SPG site (under Reservations) and send it to the Dolphin from the section on the Dolphin's own website. When you check in, ask for the room you want but in a very nice and "I understand if you can't do this but..." voice. They will do what they can to get you a great room! We bought the Club Level upgrade with our SPG points as we wanted to be sure we had it in advance. When we got there, we had our CL but all the other CL "spaces" were sold out due to a big software convention. I got the impression that an upgrade to CL was now harder to get and it does cost more SPG points (1,500 a night) than it once did.

We were in Room 6017 which gave us a renovated room, balcony and a GREAT view of Epcot, the fireworks and of the Boardwalk. It was a good long walk from the elevators but worth it!

We loved the Dolphin and look forward to staying there again!

 

[travelin' tigger]

It was fabulous!!! When I checked in, I asked for a renovated room and a nice view since I had a Priceline reservation. Tried for a balcony (asked very nicely!!) but they couldn't do that. Anyway, ended up with room 6027 (nicely renovated) and a view of Epcot, Y&BC and the Boardwalk!!! It was further from the elevators, but worth the hike just for the view!!!!

Hey Kapp, my room must have been just down the hall from yours!!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

I PMed you.

Aren't you glad you weren't headed out this past weekend???!!! 2+ feet of snow here north of Boston.

My advice on upgrades-
-e mail through the S/D website
-ask in your most polite and humble tone of voice upon check-in if it doesn't look like an upgrade has happened before you leave.
-don't have your heart set on a particular type of upgrade - just ask and see what happens / sometimes you get it and sometimes you get some type of upgrade just not what you wished for.
-keep your expectations realistic - hey, after all, you're in Disney World!