First post - comments on Dolphin Club Level?

[berniethebrit]

Hi,

I have appreciated the guidance found since DIScovering this site. We have booked a couple of tours already to enhance our two week stay in April at the Dolphin.

It's our 4th trip to WDW and we are really looking forward to seeing Animal Kingdom which has opened since our last trip!

I noted one member indicated that the Club Rooms at the Dolphin may not be available from May onwards. As we may be about the last to stay in them (departing 28th April) does anyone know more about this?

If any previous guests have any guidance on how to make best use of the club floor facilities or any other tips on life in the Dolphin / Swan hotels they would be appreciated. (I have used the hotel and unofficial web sites etc)

Any other info on events in April (14 to 28) not currently showing also appreciated.



Tx Bernie.

 

[safetymom]

bumping

 

[bjakmom]

Hi Bernie Welcome to the DIS!

I was lucky enough to stay at Swan 2x and Dolphin 1x time last year - we used our spg points (earned through spg Amex cc) to upgrade to club level each time. The club level is rather limited at S/D - it only 'cost' us the equivalent in pts of $10 - $15 per day, which was well worth the nice breakfast buffet (bagels, muffins, cereals, fresh fruit, etc). The club was also open again in the early evening for cold drinks (non-alc) and very light snacks (cheese/crackers, fruit, etc). The staff in the CL lounge is among the best I've ever encountered anywhere - Thabo can bring a smile to anyone's face and make them feel 'pampered' for the day! Each stay I was with a different group (DH alone/ DNeph (7)/ and DD(26) and her BF) - everyone loved the resorts, the pool, the location and the service! It is a shame to see CL go - it was a very convenient way to start the day for us. Let me know if you have any other questions - I have been vacationing at WDW since it opened and never thought I'd want to stay at S/D, but I will be returning!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

why are they closing CL?

 

[berniethebrit]

bjakmom, tx for the info. I envy the rates you guys get in the US! Putting together trips from the UK is always a lot more expensive. If you win on direct bookings with Disney you lose on flight costs etc!

 

[berniethebrit]

Kelly, I don't know why CL is closing or that it is for sure, just a note I saw on another posting. Hopefully those closer to the seats of power will enlighten us. I hope that they maintain the service levels until the end of our vacation!

 

[we1luv1dis]

We (me, DW, DD8 and DD5) luv the Dolphin and the Club level. It has been great for us for grabbing a great breakfast and then as many snacks during the day / evening as we can. Being able to get our coffee, the kids cereal and such as well as the fruits and juices by just walking down the hall is the best. (So is Thabo by the way, he always greats us and welcomes us back! How does he remember everyone????)

 

[berniethebrit]

we1luv1dis,

We DW49! and I 50ish look forward to meeting Thabo... I hope he hasn't moved on if they are closing the facility. I read somewhere that the Club Rooms in Dolphin are in the Tower... where exactly is that? Are there better rooms e.g. Corner or facing Swan / Epcot to be requested?

Tx

Bernie.

 

[we1luv1dis]

Hi bernie!!!

I believe the Tower is the center of the Dolphin, the club lounge is on the 12th floor right off of the central elevators. There are 3 sets of elevators, each off the lobby, but only the central ones go up to the 12th floor.

One trip we had a room with an Epcot view, it was the best view we ever had and watching the fireworks from your room can't be beat. We also had club level access which means we could use the lounge but had to get to it!! It was quite a walk, back to the elevators for our wing, down to the lobby, accross the lobby to the central elevators and then up to the lounge. My girls, even DW, got quickly got tired of the walk but I didn't mind. Good thing because I did it in the morning as well as some afternoons / evenings.

 

[berniethebrit]

we1luv1dis,

Tx again for the info. Are their Club rooms off of the central elevator that have decent views or do you have to get wing rooms? From the photos it seems that in Dolphin the best views will be high up on the Swan side of the building??

Bernie.

 

[penjen]

We have stayed at Club Level too. I called a couple of weeks ago to book reservations for the end of September. I did ask if the Club Level will still be around. The CM stated that as of May 1st that there will be no more Club Level. She also sounded as happy as I felt sad

 

[CarolA]

Maybe it's just me, but I found the service to be non-existent and the selections poor. The hours are WAY too limited. Compared to other "business type" lounges in Starwood hotels these were lacking.

 

[berniethebrit]

Penjen CarolA,

Tx, I called the Dolphin the other day to check parking and gym fees as we are on a booking with Virgin which included these free of charge. Still waiting for Monica to respond on the parking charge, but we will hold Virgin to their deal anyway!

I too asked about CL discontinuation and this was confirmed it will be no more from May 1st. Currently they are using only floors 12 and 14 (central elevator) for this facility and apparently you cannot get EPCOT views from these rooms. Apparently these have Lake View, anyone know of best options to request on these floors?

Thanks for all the responses I guess this should really have been in the main Swan / Dolphin post but that is way to long to read through now!

Off to Lansdowne Resort VA for a week with work tomorrow - its a tough life - still can't wait to be back at Disney.

Bernie