Evening Magic Hours for Deluxe Guests Only

[HashberryOTG]

I think Swan and Dolphin is one of Disney’s greatest hidden gems. If we weren’t DVC, we’d stay there all the time. You get pretty much all the benefits of a deluxe resort at a fraction of the price. I just look up rooms for the week of Thanksgiving — they have plenty of availability and it’s $300/night.

We've never stayed, but I really want to try it sometime! We're doing a split stay in Nov. Disney YC, couple of days at US (Portafino, which I LOVE), then 1 more day at Disney (gotta get my last magical express opportunities in). Might make that last day at S&D. Currently at AoA.

 

[CJN]

Ok, but it’s hardly “off site,” as cakebaker said.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/swan-hotel/

Yeah, I’m always thrown by the “off site” remarks. Those two hotels could not possibly be more onsite. I’m thrilled they’re included with the EMHs.

 

[Nabas]

While I agree with this statement, it can be said of most things in life with kids. I have 2 kids, so I’m not being sarcastic.
Things like:
Flying
Driving
Restaurants
Leaving the house
Putting on shoes

Again, I agree with you. Just thought I’d have some fun.

To be clear though, WDW used to be much more kid friendly years ago than it is today.

We used to get our children (now in their 20s) Table Service meals for $3.99 in the 2000s. My spouse and I are both frugal, yet we used to be impressed by the value of a child's meal at WDW.

Today, for example, a kid's burger at SciFi is $12.00. Inflation did not triple in 15 years.

Then let's consider theme park tickets. This is how much tickets cost in 1983.




For an offsite Guest, a Child's ticket (up to age 11) was 80% the price of an Adult's ticket.

Today, the price difference for a Child (up to age 9) is negligible. (96% for a one-day ticket, for example.)

 

[Moliphino]

It’s being widely reported on reliable Disney blogs.

I get that, I'm arguing that they shouldn't get it not that they don't.

 

[mercuryvenus]

I get that, I'm arguing that they shouldn't get it not that they don't.

Why? They get nearly all deluxe resort benefits. Why not this one?

 

[Moliphino]

Why? They get nearly all deluxe resort benefits. Why not this one?

I don't think they should get it when other actual Disney resorts don't.

 

[mercuryvenus]

I don't think they should get it when other actual Disney resorts don't.

What’s your issue with this hotel? It’s listed on the WDW website. It’s quasi-official Disney. How does any of it impact you?

 

[tguz]

I would rather have seen the extra hour for Disney resort guests only and not any partner hotels offsite,

 

[mercuryvenus]

I would rather have seen the extra hour for Disney resort guests only and not any partner hotels offsite,

Swan and Dolphin is not off site.

 

[HashberryOTG]

I don't have a problem with S&D being included. Just as I don't have a problem when my YC boat stops there before heading to a park. Maybe it's because of the boats? Because the parks are open, the boats will keep running (taking people TO the park also). I understand they're considered a partner hotel for some things (and seem to not be for others), but confusing to get on a boat going to the park to not be able to get in. The boat certainly isn't going to scan your band to see if you're able to get in any more than they do now. (Can you tell I love the boats?)

 

[tguz]

Swan and Dolphin is not off site.

I never said they were offsite but being not Disney owned, IMO they shouldn't qualify either (even tho onsite).

 

[mercuryvenus]

I never said they were offsite but being not Disney owned, IMO they shouldn't qualify either (even tho onsite).

You called it a “partner hotel offsite.” They’ve long gotten deluxe hotel benefits, since Disney lists them under “other select deluxe resorts.”

 

[tguz]

You called it a “partner hotel offsite.” They’ve long gotten deluxe hotel benefits, since Disney lists them under “other select deluxe resorts.”

I didn't address the swan and dolphin in particular and my point was non Disney owned shouldn't qualify (I assumed most people would know what I meant, my mistake) but either way, I just clarified my opinion.

 

[jppeek]

I think Disney had to do something though. There are so MANY post on here where someone will say “deluxe or save $2,000 and stay at a lower hotel” and for the most part the chats are always the same, with people saying why spend the extra money, the value isn’t there.

Since I bought Into DVC my vacations have changed, but before then I could never justify $600+ a night at poly compared to $200-$300 at a moderate ($300-$400 more a night for a slightly nicer room and to ride the monorail is insane). I gotta think I wasn’t the only one who thought that way and demand was probably slipping a bit (also guessing that’s why the major refurb at poly).

I can certainly understand everyone’s feelings and it stinks when they take stuff away, however I do think they needed to do something to increase the value and keep people paying to stay in the deluxe rooms.

 

[mercuryvenus]

I didn't address the swan and dolphin in particular and my point was non Disney owned shouldn't qualify (I assumed most people would know what I meant, my mistake) but either way, I just clarified my opinion.

All I’m saying is Swan and Dolphin (the only non-official Disney resort to qualify other than SoG) has always gotten deluxe benefits. This isn’t new.

 

[tguz]

All I’m saying is Swan and Dolphin (the only non-official Disney resort to qualify other than SoG) has always gotten deluxe benefits. This isn’t new.

Correct, it isn't new but that still doesn't mean my opinion changed from non Disney owned shouldn't get the extra hour. I never brought up the S&D by name. My opinion is NO non Disney owned resort or hotel should have the extra hour over paid Disney Resort Guests.

 

[ATL Gator]

Any chance the Waldorf Astoria gets the same designation as the S&D?

 

[sndral]

What’s your issue with this hotel? It’s listed on the WDW website. It’s quasi-official Disney. How does any of it impact you?

In my mind the justification for limiting this to Disney deluxe resorts was to drive/tempt people to book them.
When people can stay at the Swolphin for less than a Disney moderate costs (which I’ve seen) and get this benefit that’s not driving people to book Disney deluxe & actually tempts people away from booking a Disney moderate, IMO.
As to how it affects others, well EMH as it was became so crowded after they added the ‘good neighbor’ hotels, it was no longer much of a perk, each additional group of eligible people swells the crowds, but I don’t know occupancy at the Swolphin so can’t say whether that cohort will appreciably diminish the experience for those willing to pay Disney deluxe prices.
They did take the Disney buses away from the Swolphin.

 

[Dsny4fun]

All I’m saying is Swan and Dolphin (the only non-official Disney resort to qualify other than SoG) has always gotten deluxe benefits. This isn’t new.

They are not Disney hotels...they do not get Magic Express....they can't charge to a magic band, etc. If Disney wants to give a perk to Deluxe guests who are paying $600 a night so be it....but they should not be giving a Non Disney hotel a benefit that they are not giving their own guests...it's just bad PR.

 

[Nabas]

Currently there are about 5000 Deluxe and another 5500 DVC rooms. That's a total of about 10,500 rooms.

The Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin increases the number by 2600.

Theoretically, this means that Evening Magic Hours Standby lines will be about 25% longer. For example, a 40-minute wait becomes a 50-minute wait.

The Swan & Dolphin room rates usually are much less than most Disney Deluxe Resorts, often close to the price of a Disney Moderate Resort. That's 2600 options to get a "Deluxe Resort" perk for the price of a Moderate Resort.

With Disney's Magical Express ending, I wonder how Disney's Moderate Resorts will fare?