Getting from DVC resort to swan and dolphin for conference

[kniquy]

Coming up next spring i will be attending a conference which is going to be held at the swan and dolphin. I would love to stay at a dvc for those nights. I will likely have to transfer points because i am saving my points for a family trip (that is another issue). I am wondering how i would navigate the transportation to get from say AKL (home) to the S&D. Some of the conference meetings start real early 6:00 -7:00am.

If anyone has done this before let me know if it is doable or if i should just plan on staying at the S&D

 

[Barbydoll8]

Why not stay at BC or BW? Then you can just walk to the Swalphin.

 

[kniquy]

good idea! I would have to hope that there would be rooms available at 7 months, but i guess if i could transfer points from one of those owners i could book earlier than 7 months. The conference would be in april 18th -22 of 2017. I believe that is my kids school vacation as it probably is for many people so it might be a busy time.

 

[wilkeliza]

If they are super early they only real was is to cab. Hopefully your work allows expenses if that is the case. If the meetings are later you can take the buses from AKL to DHS and just walk or take the friendship boats to Swan and Dolphin. So as long as DHS is open and buses are running there you will be fine. It may take a lot of time though so may just be worth it to eat the cost of a daily cab if expenses aren't allowed. Since you are trying to book using your DVC points I imagine you either have a private business are expenses aren't covered.

 

[kniquy]

Since you are trying to book using your DVC points I imagine you either have a private business are expenses aren't covered.

Some what work related but it is an optional conference and not able to get reimbursed, but i will certainly write it off on my taxes (part time self employment business )-- I wonder if i use my DVC points would i be able to write off the maintenance fees for part of my travel expenses. You have got me thinking -- i know totally different topic.

 

[wilkeliza]

Some what work related but it is an optional conference and not able to get reimbursed, but i will certainly write it off on my taxes (part time self employment business )-- I wonder if i use my DVC points would i be able to write off the maintenance fees for part of my travel expenses. You have got me thinking -- i know totally different topic.

I work in the billing department of a company so expenses are always on my mind haha. People laugh when I call out that someone was at WDW when they visited an Orlando based client. They always ask how I know and I just say well Pizzasauras is an interesting lunch choice. All in good fun though. Wish I could get a trip subsidized by the company.

 

[Brian Noble]

Given what you are likely to pay for a points transfer, it might not be much more expensive to just stay at the Swolphin. It will certainly be easier---both in the booking process and getting to/from your conference.

 

[bwvBound]

We've attended ~15 conferences at the Dolphin/Swan Conference Centers. Like yours, our events started early (breakfast meetings at 6A) and ended late ('birds of a feather' talks running past 8p or conference socials going to 11p). The conference centers did not allow personal car parking ... so staying "on site" was key to our success and enjoyment of the full gamut of event sessions. That means booking either on cash (using discounted conference rates) for the immediately nearby hotels (Dolphin, Swan, Yacht Club) or booking BWV via timeshare. FWIW, I felt the Beach Club Villas was "too far" for easy walking access given that I was likely going to make the trek between our villa and the farthest conference room about 5x daily.

EDITED, a second time, to add: Hold a room on cash rates (discounted conference rates) if the hold can be cancelled w/out penalty. Book or waitlist a Preferred or BW-view room at BWV via DVC. If you get the BWV unit, put in a room request for the "farthest end of the building" (near Dueling Pianos, Atlantic Dance Hall, Dolphin/Swan). This should be an easy request to fill as it is opposite the typical BWV guest request of "near the elevators." Plan to use the exit (with STAIRS) on the far end of the building, canal side, for leaving and returning to BW. Do NOT book a BWV 'Standard-view' room category as this places you farther away from the Dolphin/Swan -- thus a longer walk or jog to your sessions.