I NEED a Swan/Dolphin expert!

[LuluLovesDisney]

I have a few questions about this resort-

1. Can you have packages sent to your room if you are staying at Swan or Dolphin?

2. How is room service? I can only find a breakfast menu- do they serve all meals through room service? Does anyone know the hours

3. Can you buy Disney merchandise there?

4. Do they have complimentary toiletries? Do you know what brand/type?

5. Do they have a complimentary minifridge or minibar (with enough extra room to store a couple bottles of water or milk?)

6. Can you get a Mickey wake up call?

7. If I book a standard room at the Swan with a King Size bed, what types of views would I be eligible for?

8. If I apply for the Starwood Preferred Guest card, do I get send a real card in the mail? Do I have to show it when I check in? I heard something about a free upgrade with this card? Is this true?

9. How much does it cost to use the gym there? What type of equipment for they have? Do they have saunas? Do they have elliptical trainer machines?

10. Do you have any tips or recommendations for a first timer who wants to try it or an answer as to how to choose between the Swan and the Dolphin. (I'm not sure how I could make that decision)

11. I see they have hot tubs. Are they indoor or outdoor? Are children allowed in them?

12. Do the bathrooms have fans or heat lamps?

13. Do you get the Disney Tips for Today (or whatever it's called now) channel?

14. Are Swan/Dolphin employees cast members with cast member name tags?

15. Is there a way to get a discount at the restaurants there (DDE card isn't good there)

Thanks so much! If you can answer even one question, please help me out. I would love to know more!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi! I am a mom to a Lulu!!

I can help you with the package delivery.....They can be delivered, but not to your room. They will be delivered to the gift shops in the lobby. Those stores are VERY Disney and full of Disney merchandise.

Also, the room service - the food is EXCELLENT!! Much better than WDW deluxe room service, by far. I think it is a 24 hour room service.

You will receive complimentary toiletries. I am not sure about the brand, but they are S/D and OK, actually better than Disney's.

They have a minifridge, but it is stocked w/their own stuff.

When you apply for SPG card, they will let you print one out and about 3 weeks later you will receive a plastic one. Don't know about the upgrade, actually....

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[jmcross]

Wow! You have a lot of questions. I have stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin so I'll try to help.

1)Yes, packages can be delivered here.

2) Sorry, I never ordered room service.

3) Yes, Disney merchandise is available in the gift shops. The bigger selection is at the Dolphin.

4) The toiletries are high quality. I love the oatmeal soap. They are not Disney products.

5) They have a stocked fridge that is not for personal use. I'm sure you could take a few items out in an emergency. There is a fee($20??) to have it emptied for your use.

6) Wake up call available but it is not Mickey.

7 & 8) You may get an upgrade depending on how full they are. Apply for a Starwood Card to increase your chances. It's free and comes in the mail in a plastic card form.

9) Never used the gym.

10) Swan is smaller but has queen beds. Dolphin is more kid friendly but with full beds. We have kids and liked the Swan better.

11) Hot tub is outdoors and kids can use.

12) I think the bathrooms have fans.

13) I remember watching that channel.

14) Swan/Dolpin are employed by Westin and Sheraton and not Disney.

15) Don't know about DDE card.

Hope this helps some!

Joanne

 

[Lives4Disney]

As to which to try -Swan or Dolphin.....The Swan is smaller and more adult, IMHO. The Dolphin is sprawling. The Dolphin has more kid/family friendly fast food, arcade, I think it is closer to the fun pool area. The Swan has queen beds, Dolphin doubles - but you want King, so that doesn't matter.....

The decor of the rooms is the same, I believe, or VERy close.

Lives4Disney

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Thanks for the help so far! I really appreciate it! It sounds good- I'm leaning towards trying it! (Maybe it's just been all these months of having the ad bar flashing- subliminal messaging I guess) It sounds really great.

 

[Cindypooh]

Can you have your luggage transferred from another Disney resort to Swan/Dolphin? Thanks much, Cindy

 

[jmcross]

Yes, we had our luggage transferred from Swan to AKL.

Joanne

 

[labdogs42]

I stayed at the Swan before and I LOVED the "heavenly bed". It was the most comfortable bed ever (and that's saying a lot, since I was pregnent at the time and it was still comfortable!). I had room service there and it was great. The only thing I didn't like was the staff didn't know as much about park hours, etc...as I would have hoped they would. I'm hoping by staying at a "real" Disney property next time, that will be different. We'll see! Enjoy your trip!

BTW, i loved the location of the Swan, so this time we're staying at the Beach Club. I love that area!

 

[msklcassidy]

Here's my 2 cents worth:

Rooms are fine. Beds are comfy. Fridge is availalble for "medicines only" unless you want to pay a "surcharge." I'd recommend buying a cheap styrofoam throw away cooler for $3 at the grocerystore and keeping your stuff in there...it will be colder and the ice is free. No Mickey wake up calls....but the pools/hot tubs are great! No fans in bathrooms, health club was great....don't remember the fee (I think we got it free because of hubby's starwood status -- he travels 75% of the time). I'd stay again in a heartbeat mostly because of the location....10 minute walk to EPCOT and 5 to MGM...the boats were great for tired feet! I felt like I was in the middle of it all (which I don't at a moderate) while paying the price of a bit less than a moderate!

 

[Ms. Belle]

I just returned from the Dolphin, so I have some answers for you:

1. yes
2. I stayed concierge, didn't order room service, sorry.
3. yes, the Dolphin has a bigger selection at their store.
4. yes, I brought some home and and the label doesn't have the brand on it anywhere. It is just called aloe shampoo, body lotion, etc.
5. there is a mini fridge, but it is filled with stuff they would like you to buy. There isn't much room in there.
6. There are no mickey wake-up calls, just regular boring ones.
7. I'm not sure.
8. you will get a real card in the mail, but you should get the SPG # as soon as you sign up. You can call the reservation line and ask them to put your SPG # on your reservation. I've never been asked for my card and they always have my # on the reservation. If they don't, it's a pain, but you can take care of it after you return home. Both the Swan and Dolphin have a SPG preferred guest check-in location which allows you to bypass a long check-in line if there is one.
9. They have a gym but I didn't use it.
10. The Swan has two sinks in the bathroom and the Dolphin has one. If you need more than one sink, go to the Swan. Other than that, to me, they are practically identical as far as rooms go. The Swan is smaller and a little quieter. The Dolphin gets big convention groups, but they have never affected my stay. Most of the restaurants are in the Dolphin; if you are coming back from the parks late or leaving early, Tubbi's is open 24 hours and is great if you need a bite to eat at odd hours. I would be happy at either hotel.
11. The hot tubs are by the pools and I think my son has been in it and he is 12.
12. Dolphin - small vent fan, no heat lamp. I remember only a vent fan at the Swan, but it's been about a year.
13. No, but they do have the 7 best things to do at Disney show that repeats all day and night.
14. They are employees of Sheraton. They wear name tags.
15. No, although DVC members might get something, not really sure

I hope this helps a little. Both the Swan and Dolphin are in a great location and both are wonderful hotels. I like being able to go to Jellyrolls and not have to worry about driving or catching a bus!

 

[tjmw2727]

Ok I will try, Not an "expert" but I love the Dolphin (ok Swan too!), stayed at the Dolphin many times including 12/05 and returning 2/06.

So,
1. You get the same package service as WDW resorts, IIRC until the day prior to checkout. In fact t hey don't deliver to the room at all anymore, instead you show your receipt at your resorts Disney gift shop to pick up your package the day after your purchase.
In fact except for room charging privledges and ME all the other services are the same including EMH and the top 7 channel!
2. Yes, all day room service although its limited to burgers and appetizer stuff after maybe 10pm. If your at the Dolphin Tubbies is open 24/7, my dd's LOVE the soup. Here is a menu http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_tub.htm
3. Yes, both resorts have Disney owned and operated gift shops as well as many other wonderful specialty shops at the Dolphin.
4. Yes, I love the oatmeal soap and I am pretty sure they are Bath and Body works re-branded as Starwood/Weston.
5. No, until recently they offered a free minifridge but not as of now. They have a minibar and you can store a few things or pay a fee to have it emptied and use for personal use. I usually bring or buy a cooler when we stop at the grocery.
6. No, just a traditional wake up call as well as an alarm clock if you prefer that.
7. Sorry, don't know, we prefer the Dolpin for it location and amenities and need two doubles as we have two dd's.
8. Yes, print out your temporary card when you apply and you will get a real card in the mail. If you have AAA look into the free upgrade to preferred membership making an upgrade more likely. They don't always upgrade, its based on your room rate and their availability. Once you start accumulating points they have great discounts so its worth a try.
9. Gym is complimentary as is coffee and usa today!! Parking however just went to 8.50 per night .
10. How to choose, that is subjective but we like the Dolphin because IMHO it has more in the building itself. The Dolphin has the kids clubs, arcade, laundry and 24 hour food service (great pizza and soup) and is closer to the pool areas. They are equal distance to the boat dock and walkway to MGM/Epcot and they share a WDW bus with Boardwalk and BC/YC to AK and MK. The Swan beds are a bit bigger but I honestly didn't notice the difference and both have the heavenly beds and shower which is heavenly! The Dolphin is bigger and IMHO you have a better chance of getting your room preference or an upgrade and there are more Epcot views. Either way being on the Boardwalk is just terrific.
11. Hot tubs are out by the pool and IIRC there is a minimum age but I am not sure its enforced.
12. I think the Dolphin room we had in December had a fan - hummm not sure though.
13. Yes, Disney top 7 or whatever is showing now as well as the story time channel and park hours.
14. No they are empolyees of westin/starwood but they have a Guest Relations desk with all the Disney information you could want. I have also been treated as good if not better at Dolphin than at some of the WDW Resorts. I feel they have a wonderful team of people.
15. No, not that I know of but we have DDE and since BW and BC/YC are within walking distance we eat somewhere that does take DDE, except for Tubbies the CS in the Dolphin.

Wow - I feel like I just passed Dolphin 101 - I hope I helped and now I can't wait to get to the Dolphin in Feb. Thanks for cheering me up, I had a tough day!.
TJ

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I loved all the helpful info! I appreciate all the time it took to answer my questions. Drumroll please . . . . . . . I booked the Swan for 13 nights in August!!!!
I chose the Swan because I could get the room for 155.night w my teacher discount and the lowest rate at the Dolphin was 210. I decided I would be happier saving the money since we're staying so long- it really adds up! Sounds like they have everything I need, except my Mickey wake up call. I'll just have to set my cell alarm to the Mickey Mouse March or something I am truly excited about this stay! Really looking forward to a relaxing WDW trip for once! You all are the best!
I am looking into Mandara Spa and the restaurants and such right now. I am really happy about this!

 

[TwingleMum]

Ok I will try, Not an "expert" but I love the Dolphin (ok Swan too!), stayed at the Dolphin many times including 12/05 and returning 2/06.

The Swan beds are a bit bigger but I honestly didn't notice the difference and both have the heavenly beds and shower which is heavenly! The Dolphin is bigger and IMHO you have a better chance of getting your room preference or an upgrade and there are more Epcot views. Either way being on the Boardwalk is just terrific.
TJ

I thought the Swan was the only one with Heavenly beds?? I looked it up and the Dolphin doesn't say Heavenly Beds but the Swan does. Anyone know?? Thanks for the info

 

[jmcross]

The Swan is a Westin and has the Heavenly beds. The Dolphin is a Sheraton and has the Sweet Sleeper beds. They are both nice but we preferred the Heavenly beds.

 

[tjmw2727]

I thought the Swan was the only one with Heavenly beds?? I looked it up and the Dolphin doesn't say Heavenly Beds but the Swan does. Anyone know?? Thanks for the info

Maybe they are not heavenly brand but I couldn't tell the difference, and I think they are pretty heavenly!! We stay at Westins often and I love them and I honestly didn't realize they were another brand. FWIW they do have the Heavenly shower at the Dolphin, another nice feature. Of course that may not be "branded" heavenly either but its the curved curtain road with the nice shower inside.

TJ

eta - I just checked my reservation at the Dolphin and it describes my room as having "Heavenly Beds". Here is the quote from my online reservation:
"Room description: With Views Of Crescent Lake And The Surrounding Resort, The Renovated Rooms Are 360 Sq Ft And Feature Heavenly Beds."

It also mentiones the renovated rooms at Swan and Dolpin on the website and says heavenly beds at both. ??
TJ