Dolphin Room Questions

[bemily]

Hi Everyone..

We are staying 3 nights at the Dolphin through New Year's Day..(after a 3 day Cruise)...

I am not at all familiar with the dolphin, so just wondering where the best rooms are for what we can get (i guess we just got a regular room rate with our cruise). Can i request an upgrade, and if so, what do i do?

It will be myself, husband (both early 30s), and our 5 year old daughter. Is this a place that we could just spend a day at the resort to relax with her and skip the parks?

THANKS in advance to any help!!

Sherry

 

[BadgerBruce]

We like the resort view, facing Crescent Lake. You can also request a balcony, you may get upgraded! I would join the Starwood Preffered Guest program at Starwood.com. It is free & will probably increase your chance of an upgrade. Have a great trip!

 

[sgtdisney]

If being on a higher floor, regardless of view, is important to you, make sure you request that. The Dolphin has 2 floors of rooms below lobby level. I got one on the '1st' floor once when I was there and felt like I was in the basement.. (It was tucked in a corner and dark.) Immediately upon entering the room, I called the front desk and they happily moved me to a room up on a higher floor. Just something to consider.

 

[Pig Pen]

We had a standard room on the 19th floor and had a view of both Epcot and MGM for the gov't rate of $129 per night. It was spectacular. I had enough points to "upgrade" to a balcony, but after seeing the view, we decided to stay put.

The pool area is very nice and I think there's a little playground area near the "beach". Since we were "adults only" trip, I didn't really pay much attention. But I would think there would be plenty for a 5 year old to do.

 

[Samsma]

Its also just a short walk to the Boardwalk for riding bikes, and Beaches and Cream for ice cream, etc. and I believe there's a min. golf place right across the road. There are also some Swan paddle boats to ride on the lake.

 

[bemily]

Thanks Everybody for the great tips!! I had to plan the trip so fast it seems, not to lose the cruise reservation (leaving dec 26th), that i kind of took what they threw at me, not knowing much about the swan/dolphin!

Sounds like we will have a great time!

Sherry

 

[Mouseteacher]

bemily~

We stayed at the Dolphin this past August for the first time using the teacher rate. The resort is awesome. We didn't feel the loss of any of the Disney magic because we weren't at a Dis resort. The pool area is spacious with plenty of chaise lounges. We didn't feel like we were on top of other people. Our room was okay - two doubles with a vanity area separate from the bath area. We stayed on Club Level which is such a treat! Received this as a complimentary upgrade.

The main thing the S/D has going for it is ---location, location, location!

P.S. - I believe we live in the same town.

 

[DVC California]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher
...We stayed on Club Level which is such a treat! Received this as a complimentary upgrade...

We're staying at the Dolphin over MLK weekend. What's the Club Level and how did you get upgraded?

Thanks, Steve

 

[Mouseteacher]

DVC ~

CL is concierge level. You have access to the club room where a continental breakfast is served each morning. It is a wonderful array of foods and beverages. In the afternoon, the room serves hor d'ouevres, beverages and cookies. You also have access to the concierge to assist you in your plans or PS. The Club Room at the Dolphin is on the 12th floor as was our room. It is very relaxing place with comfy chairs, sofas, coffee tables, and two sets of table and chairs. A wonderful view of MGM and Epcot even the Contemporay Resort off on the horizon. There are newspapers and a television.

I joined the starwood preferred guest (www.spg.com) program which is free. I then applied for and received a Starwood AMEX cc. After I received the cc, I was upgraded to gold preferred status level. Then, I politely and humbly e mailed the Dolphin requesting a complimentary upgrade (we booked a standard room at the teacher rate) of any kind if possible noting that I was gold level. Lo and behold... upgraded to CL. It was magical!

 

[Geoff_M]

Last May we too were upgraded. We had a standard room with the teacher's rate. At check-in I mentioned that I was a Starwood member, said I had been at the Dolphin before on business but it was my family's first time there (they were waiting a few feet behind me), and said "anything you could do to make their experience extra special would be greatly appreciated!" She checked with the manager and informed us that we had been selected as one of their 100 Honorary Check-ins (2 from each state) and would be given a free upgrade to a resort room with balcony, a special 100 Years pin, and a large plush Mickey.

 

[Muffy]

What a great upgrade! I can't wait to visit the Dolphin in Dec.

 

[hookedup]

I emailed them a vey polite request about getting an upgrade and was sent back a message saying that they could not do anything until check in time and not to count on it. I am a Starwood GOLD member too. I have to say I was dissapointed in receiving that e-mail after all the good things I had heard about upgrades at the Dolphin on this site.

 

[DVC California]

Mouseteacher -

Thank you for the quick and detailed reply! I started scrolling down and also found the Starwood -SPG thread. Wow - 36 pages of information!

I just joined the SPG and have also applied for the Amex SPG Platinum card. Hopefully that will get me an upgrade of some sort when we check in.

Thanks again, Steve

 

[Mouseteacher]

hookedup ~

Don't be disappointed. The same scenario happened to me: I, too, sent a polite e mail saying I was gold spg and would appreciate a comp upgrade. I received the same e mail response you did - wait until check-in/no promises. Keep checking your account on the spg site. About a week after I sent my e mail and received the e mail back (about a week before arrival) ---- Surprise when I went to check my reservation, it no longer said "standard room limited view" - it said "Club Level room"... etc.

How thrilling to see that!!! I didn't believe what I was reading - thought there was a mistake. Printed out a copy of my reservation page - just in case LOL! We had no problem upon check-in - we did get a CL room 12th floor.

 

[jgates]

Part of that is dependent of course on just how many people are going to actually pay over the counter for club level. Needless to say you don't want to give away what someone else is willing to pay for! As it gets closer, then they have an idea of the available openings for club level usage & upgrades may be more accessible.

We enjoyed Club very much at the Swan. I was very happy with it & had no complaints.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I agree,jgates. It all depends on how booked the resort might be. We were there in late August but left before the Labor Day holiday weekend. A much slower time than July and much of August. There were only two conventions and they came in two days before our departure.