Downgraded At The Dolphin & Need Your Advice

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Sorry.. but I had to post this into my own thread as need your advice.

I'm travelling to WDW through a work conference and staying at the Dolphin for 5 nights. We're adding on another 6 nights for our personal family travel for a total of 11 nights at the Dolphin. I originally booked club level at $224 a night thanks to an allears code. The bill came in through my AMEX and with the Canadian exchange rate it was $315 (not including the resort fee)! Ouch!! I knew my boss would have some serious problems paying for this during my conference days (as the confernece is actually at the Marriot World Conference Center - 1 mile east of WDW). Anyway so after worrying about this for about a week I just now phoned the Dolphin back and downgraded to a lake view room for $169 (with the allears code it's a standard room for $169 with an automatic 1 level upgrade).

I need your thoughts on doing this. Will I be regretting this in taking the club level away? We had also requested a King bed room but the reservations person told me that none of the lake view rooms have king beds. just doubles. Is there any difference in the actual room from a lake view room to a club level room?

I also will have $12000 spg points when we travel. I'm wondering if I can upgrade us to club level from the lake view room with these points when we get there. What do you think the chances of us doing this?

Please help,
Andy

 

[TLinden16]

Just giving this a bump in hopes that our Swan/Dolphin experts will see it.

Karen

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Bump.

 

[Emmaline Lola]

AndyMcV,

You will be happy with the $169 room. I used to work on the club floor of the Dolphin when it was called the Towers in '95. There is NO difference between the rooms in the main house versus the club level rooms. The ONLY difference is the access to the lounge.

Basically, you are paying for the continental breakfast and evening "snacks". You do not get a bigger, better room. The room size is exactly the same!

Some king bedded rooms do have lake views, but I believe they are in the "resort view" category (the next level up from what you booked). I believe to guarentee one of those kings you would have to book a resort view room for more $$$. Is a king very important to you?

I truly think you will be happy with your lake view room. For the difference in the nightly rate you could BUY meals! Not have a "snack" that is included in the room rate!

Enjoy your visit!

el

 

[CarolA]

I think you did the right thing. If your conference at the Marriott is like most of them you will have PLENTY of food and won't need the breakfast or evening snacks. I just can't see that the Club level is worth the difference in price!

 

[SB in KY]

You can call 3 days in advance or ask at check in about the upgrade to club level...we did it once at the Swan on our SPG points....I think it was 3000 points per night for the upgrade, but that could be wrong....just ask at check in. You can also ask for a king bed at check in....they will try their best to accomodate SPG guests if upgrades are available. You did not not say exactly when your trip was planned.... if it is MAY that is the busiest convention month of the year, and a LOT of the Dolphin guests are convention related, so chances of getting an upgrade may be slim, but it never hurts to ask....if it is after May you might stand a better chance because the convention trade drops off a lot over the summer. You can call the SPG line and get the exact points needed to upgrade to club level at check in.

I second the other opinions about not spending the extra $60/night for club service....12 nights is a long time to be at 1 hotel, the club fare doesn't vary much and it might get pretty boring over your 2 weeks.....and for $60 US/day...you can have a lot of breakfast and snacks!!

 

[Ityldu]

Dolphin is still my favorite Disney resort. I've stayed there quite a few times and have been thrilled with every room. I did club level once, which was nice, but never missed it any other time I was there and didn't have that option. Enjoy!

 

[Dobie]

Club level food gets boring. You'll enjoy your trip more if you spend the $ you save on variety!

 

[Hieatt]

All things being equal, club level is better than not club level, but like others, I don't think it's worth the money. We paid extra for it and were sorely disappointed... as mentioned, rooms were no different (except you get a bathrobe and scale), views can be of the parking lot (like ours was) and during peak times the lounge gets overcrowded and runs out of food...

I would book the cheapest room you would be happy with and ask for something better when you check in... my suggestion is to ask for a room with a balcony. Then spend the money you saved by not booking club level at Tubbi's!

 

[tjmw2727]

Personally I don't love the club level at the Dolphin so I think you made the right choice. When we had the choice I prefered a regular room with club access and to tell the truth this one of only a few resorts where I don't think club level is worth the price, ymmv.

We LOVE the dolphin for the views, rooms with balcony and heavenly beds. We love the fountain and the tubbies and especially the location, location, location. For $169 you can't beat the quality for the price on-site again IMHO.

We just stayed at the Beach Club club level and I may be spoiled but honestly I would take a dolphin room over CL in a heartbeat.

TJ

 

[Loves2Travel]

Question about the ALLEARS upgrade code. I am really confused about it, I sent you a PM.

 

[mhelsley]

I was just there for Xmas and had the same deal only passholder and i got a King room. If all else fall ask for one when you check in.

 

[epcotfan]

I truly think you will be happy with your lake view room. For the difference in the nightly rate you could BUY meals! Not have a "snack" that is included in the room rate!

I agree with this statement. With the difference in money you could order room service if you like.

 

[TinkOhio]

I think that you made the right choice. The $55.00 daily savings (US) could be spent on a great breakfast in the parks plus a nice snack! The chance of being able to redeem points really depends on the season and whether there are conventions filling the hotel. Your SPG waterview room will have a good chance of having a balcony because of your SPG membership. You will love your room!

 

[madge]

CL upgrade is 1000 points per night. If you aren't planning on using the points for anything else...then it might be worth your while to try to upgrade through SPG 3 days out, or use the points at check-in as an instant award (based on availability)

We enjoy the club level, but would never pay for it. I always use points to upgrade.