NEW...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

[Trekker]

Just got back - here are pictures of the newly renovated room at the Swan!

 

[jgates]

Well, I think it looks very pleasant all-in-all, oh fellow Badger Buddy. However, I have serious doubts about those lights above the bed. I liked being able to turn on one side without blinding my daughter. How did the lights above the bed turn off & on? I don't see a wall-switch. Plus, it must be enough to illuminate the entire bed and not just one side of it like the old two part ones. Also will miss the table with 2 chairs (where the stool is by the windows in your picture with suitcase on it).

 

[ozziewags]

Did you find out which floors these are on? Are any of the CL Jr. suites renovated? Beds look comfy.

Carol

 

[EiLuvCinderella]

Thanks for the photos, Trekker. The room looks beautiful. I am so glad to see additional drawer space. We didn't have enough space for our family and needed to use the nightstand for my youngest DD's clothes.

I read this thread with enthusiam, reliving our own wonderful "first time experience" at the Swan this past August, while celebrating my "special" birthday. Now I have added information to really enjoy our next stay much more. We hope to book again and get the upgrade to CL. Wish I knew more BEFORE our trip, but live and learn. I did know enough to sign up for the spg program, but now, armed with their card, I'll be racking up points to get some nice upgrades.
Happy Howl-o-ween all.
Eileen

 

[Jodi1980]

Are all the rooms redone at this time?

 

[Trekker]

As far as I know only some of the rooms on floors 3 and 4 are done now.

There is a switch on the side of each headboard that turns off the light above the beds. It is located on the inside of each headboard. Also the light on the center table is plenty good for reading if you think the one above will be to bright for your room mates.

I have never stayed at the Swan before - just the Dolphin so I do not know what the "old" furniture configuration was - but I have to tell you - these beds are to die for!

 

[PartyofSix]

Okay the server ate my post so I'll try again. I stayed up till 1:30 reading all these wonder posts on the Dolphin and have decided to give it a try. The post of the heavely bed clinched it for me.LOL I am gonna transfer some points to my spg card from amexpress rewards. I was discussing this point system with am epx with my dad months back when i joined the point program and he mentioned he was in it. He saw it on his statement each qtr he said.LOL I was telling him all about what I wanted to do with my points once I collect me some and he offered me his points. (kind of old fashion dad does'nt want to fool with ressies he's a get up an go last minute guy) Anyhow can I transfer some of my dad's points from his am exp to my spg card? Does anybody know? Also can I order some passes with his points on amepr and use them for my family? Can we book PBH on his amexp points and use them for ourselves? I have look through and through the am exp site and can find my answers. Have any of you ever used say your husbands points for things you wanted or booked a room with his points and you check in? I guess that about the same senorio (sp) here. Please someone help me if you know these answers it could really make for on heck of a great trip if I could swing using his points - BTW did I mention he's got over 350,000 points and that was back in May! OMG I bet that's too good to be true. Advise anyone

 

[Trekker]

Just a word of caution - I do not know when you are planning on going - but currently only some of the Swan rooms have the heavenly beds - I do not think any of the Dolphin rooms do yet!

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong....

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Wow, excellent pictures, Trekker! Now I'm going to have to try the Swan!

 

[jgates]

Tammy, oh darling sister!!!!! Have Dad adopt me too! I can send you my number.

I think DF99 might be able to answer that question. I thought I read before that you could but I have never been in that situation so I may be remembering incorrectly.

Just PM me if dad wants to spread out those points a little further!!!! I could use them on my 7/04 trip!

 

[Muffy]

Tammy,
I just redeemed 70,000 points at SPG and got 5 nights at the Dolphin and 2 airline tickets with the points. They have a great offer called nights and flights. I'm sure Dreamflight99 will have some great suggestions for you. Good luck spending those 350,000 SPG points! I'm sure it will be fun and I hope you enjoy the S/D!

Muffy

 

[adisneyfan2]

Does staying CL at S/D give you the same concierge services as staying at a "regular" Disney resort? Wondering in particular about making PS's. I know at "regular" resort you can let the CM at the concierge desk know what you want, and their track record is pretty excellent for getting what you request. Just wondering if they can do that at S/D, not being formal Disney hotels. Thanks!

 

[PartyofSix]

J thanks for noticing my question. I am going in july too to nah,nah,nah.LOL I'm lucky I guess I'm the only child (in daddy's eye's anyways.) Did I mention we have triplets that are 2.5 and 10yo? Now you can understand my total excitment with the help on funds>LOL I'm not exactly sure how it all needs to happen. Looks to me like I pick out a room and call to verify availablity and points needs right? Then transfer my points right? Then call back to make ressies? As for order WDW tickets I just order from am expr rewards I think. As for PBH at US/IOA I book thru am exp. I'm so excited I might get those points. If I trasfer too many do they have an expiration date? And do you if it's 1 for 1 on the point scale transfering to spg from am exp? BTW/ if you have am/exp they are offering 500 points for Oct, Nov, & Dec if you pay online. Shott that's a club level upgrad right there for two nights. Do you know if you can use points on the jr. executive suites? I did'nt see that in the point system. We need a room like that.

 

[Debbie7452]

Tammy,

I have no idea if you can transfer your Dad's points to your account. I hope you can but I'm not so sure they will let you do that. I do have constructive information though. Amex rewards points are tranferred at a rate of 3 rewards points to 1 SPG point, except when they have a special promotion (occasionally) for a 2:1 point ratio. As far as passes go...I ordered character breakfast vouchers and they could be used by anyone. There was no name listed on them or anything. They were easy to redeem too. This saved us a bundle at CRT. I would imagine the Park Hoppers would be similar and could be used by anyone.

If they won't let you get the points directly perhaps you could have your Dad make the reservation in your name or something like that. Check with SPG, I'll bet they would help you figure out something!

 

[PartyofSix]

Debbie thanks for you info. That's ashame the points are 3:1 spg. I wonder if you could book the Dolphin right off the am rewards prog? I have not checked to see as I'm swamped at work. THanks again for your help.

 

[alboq]

hi dolphin experts!!! hi have a question: booked standard room w/teachers rate--YEAH!!!--for march. went online spg and applied for card--no points yet. mom is staying w/us and she has problems walking long distances, would like to get room close to elevators but would also like room w/view of illuminations. our son is autistic and will not be able to handle the noise but we love illuminations and he will love the display as long as he can't hear the loud noise. does anyone know if this request is possible? if so which rooms, floor etc. should i request. thanks alot (my son loves the bounce!!!)

 

[dreamflight99]

I'll post more later...I'm nursing an ear ache at the moment (with the B&L Neomycin & Polymyxin B Sulfates & Hydrocortisone Otic Suspension USP Drops). I went to Dr. this am...and he discovered the slight inflammation and infection. OUCH...it is bothersome & painful.

Hope you all had a great Halloween.

Trekker...you are correct, none of the rooms at the Dolphin are COMPLETED or available for inhabitation presently. Those beds make it SO difficult to get up and out! LOL.

Partyofsix...Debbie is on the right track. Have your father make the ressies for you, and use your name. SPG will not permit transfers of points from a CC to an account, or from an account to another account, etc. (Unless the name is exactly the same). Even at the 3-1 ratio, that's still a LOT of points! Whew...116,000 points and some change. This will get you a lot of PERKS, like the "nights and flights" Muffy wrote she recently used. What a wonderful Dad...you are indeed fortunate.

TTFN....

 

[montessori]

I hope you feel better, Dreamflight!

 

[adisneyfan2]

Here's a little pixie dust to add to your ear concoction, DF99!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (I swear this stuff really is magic!) Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Df99 - Hope you feel better. My family has been fighting a mild case of colds, coughs, etc. I guess we need some WDW warmth and fun! Alas, can't happen for awhile; so these boards keep the magic alive. Get well soon.