Dolphin Resort Fee

[RLevy29]

Can someone please give me information about the Resort fee? Last time we stayed there we were able to waive it but I read that you were no longer allowed. What does the fee include?

 

[onceuponadream]

I just ran into the same problem. I asked if we could waive the fee and the answer was "no we no longer allow that". The fee includes use of the health club and a newspaper as well as local phone calls (maybe a certain ammount of minutes...can't remember). This is what the reservations desk told us.

 

[RLevy29]

Thanks. I just wish that they would add this fee on to the rate so that you know what you are paying up front.

 

[gschmerl]

We stayed at the Dolphin July 7-12. I went to the front desk and told them we wanted to waive the resort fee. They said,"No problem" and we were never charged the feel. We even got the newspaper several days.

 

[onceuponadream]

I had heard you could do this too but when I inquired they said that they are discontinuing the ability to waive the fee as of...can't remember the date. We have to reserve 2 rooms as there are 6 of us so it's actually $16/night (and 2 papers!). IU complained and she said "sorry"...

 

[dreamflight99]

Just inform them at CHECK-IN, whether or not you wish to pay the resort fee and use the ammenities included. If not, they'll "waive" the fee, and omit the benefits. It's very simple.

 

[gschmerl]

I agree with Dreamflight. We went long after people had been told they were no longer waiving the fee. We just asked at check in and had it waived with no problem.

 

[onceuponadream]

dreamflight--I know you are THE expert on Swan and Dolphin---thanks so much as that is GREAT news!!

 

[wiswellj]

We were there beginning on August 16th. When I made the reservation we were told we could waive the fee. When we checked in and asked to waive it, we were told that was no longer an option.

Sorry, I hope maybe it isn't true for others.

Jenn

 

[Bill From PA]

We made our ressie last winter for a Nov. 8 - 16 stay and we were informed that we could waive. Those were the rules in effect when we reserved and I will press the issue if there is a 'problem' at check-in time.



Bill From PA

 

[dreamflight99]

PRESSING THE ISSUE is the correct way to request to WAIVE the resort fee. It all depends upon the associate at the desk, but you MUST be INSISTENT! The WDW Dolphin/Swan, or any other resort, can not FORCE you to pay for ammenities you do not WANT/USE. Tell them "Firmly", you will not use any of the ammenities associated with this charge. Thank the associate for the offer, but FIRMLY and defiantly DECLINE. I have read of SO many different instances with this Fee. Folks asking to waive, yet still being charged (w/o receiving any perks!)...only to have to take care of this at check-out. I have also read of the opposite, where the fee was waived, and the perks received!

*Please, check the TV menu option and view your statement daily while staying at the Swan/Dolphin. If you see/recognize ANY errors, call the front desk immediately. It will be taken care of promptly. This is the BEST way to avoid any "surprises" or problems with your stay/check-out.

Jenn* Please call the Dolphin directly, and ask to speak with someone in accounting. Tell them you were informed the fee "could" be waived when you made the reservation, yet received conflicting information upon check-in. Please request a full credit for the daily resort fee, based upon this information. You should incur no problem with this request. This happened to my DS, and she received a refund for more than $100.00. Even though she received the ammenities, she DIDN'T want/desire them, and REQUESTED to waive them upon check-in. Her story was identical to yours, and I urged her to call accounting. Sorry for your trouble with this matter.

 

[Tracy M]

The unfortunate thing is ...if the fee can be waived why does it take a battle to do so. Every time I stay at the Dolphin ( and I love the Dolphin) I also am told " this is not an option any longer" Then I have to press the issue and finally it's waived. 4x so far this year......I'm actually prepared to fight the "resort fee" battle each time I check in. Wouldn't it be easier & more customer oriented for the Dolphin to say okay & please their guests.

Anyway, don't you get the paper as a perk anyway if you're a Starwood Gold member....

 

[dreamflight99]

...And a LOT more too! And, as a Plat. member (me), you will receive Club level @ no charge, and the resort fee is "waived" automatically (you get all the perks).

Sorry for your constant battles at the front desk. As most persons have reported having "no" problem having this waived upon request. I was merely pointing out the importance of "persistence/insistence" when an issue arrives. I believe the "majority" of the guests have no problem having the fee waived.
The other minority either pays the fee, and uses the benefits...or receives them as part of the SPG membership perks.

I hope your next visit/check-in is much more stress-free.

 

[Tracy M]

I'll let you know how it goes.....I'm going back on 10/31 for a few days before checking into VWL. Maybe it's just me, but I always get the person who says" it's not optional". It really doesn't upset me...because I know they relent in the end. It just seems so pointless for Starwood because the goal is to make the customer happy...and if you're going to take it off in the end anyway...why annoy the guest in the first place. Just put it out there "this is the resort fee...this is what you get....would you like to pay it or not" (of course in better "polite" language...can you tell I'm from Jersey) Maybe I'll tell them that when I get there in October I really do enjoy the Dolphin or I wouldn't keep going back.

I have a question about the Starwood desk across from the bell station....I've never seen anyone there & in my visits (both business & pleasure) I just never had the time to stop and inquire what it's used for? Can you check in there or is it just for information?

 

[dreamflight99]

Unless there is a sign on the desk directing you to the main front desk. I used this desk for check-in, when the line was LONG. It took minutes to have my keys in my hand...walking to my room! Very exciting and expedient!