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

[mom23guys2]

We're back at school here in Cape May. When the rest of the East Coast gets snow we often get rain and we're having quite a lot of it. We usually get out in mid-June. One reason I love the S/D is they have those wonderful $129 rates for us and they let us take our vacations at the high price times at Disney. When the kids are out of school is the only time I can go. There aren't many breaks given during these times so S/D is super. My son celebrated his 20th birthday over the Christmas holiday and is very excited about joing us for our traditional Disney Easter. I have two rooms booked at that time since DH, I, and the two grown sons would be tight in one room. That's why I was asking about upgrading to a jr. suite. Do you think this will be possible at Easter will Gold status? We don't have enough points to upgrade if it's 10,000 per night but could if it's in the 1,000-2,000 range.
Thanks again.

 

[onceuponadream]

We're trying to decide on a resort for a June 8th trip for 9 nights. We would love to split between MK and Epcot resort but have heard the Dolphin won't transfer luggage to a Disney hotel (I called twice to ask). I am an RN so I quailify for the $129 rate. What do you all like so much about the Dolphin (rather than the Beach Club or BWI )? I know the price is a little better with the RN rate but I'm still hoping for an AP rate at BC and CR. Are they pretty similar hotels (BC and Dolphin)? We're having a tough time deciding between a MK resort 5 days/Beach Club 4 days or Dolphin all 9. Isn't Stormalong Bay supposed to be great?? Any suggestions...come on all you cheer leaders...tell me why it's better ! THANK YOU!! Your help is much appreciated!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

It is my understanding that the teacher/gov't/nurses rate is the best rate you can get for a deluxe resort. I stayed at the Dolphin (CL) and really, really loved it! I LOVE the location and the # of and types of places to eat (from $$$ to $). I LOVE the grotto pool! Our room was clean and mousekeeping was excellent. As long as the rate is available, I would not hesitate to choose the S/D. On most of my trips, I have noticed that the Stormalong Bay pool was VERY crowded and quite noisy. The S/D pool has plenty of space and chairs, the lap pool, the children's pool, the many hot tubs, etc. I never felt that others were on top of me while at the pool.

 

[mom23guys2]

I've stayed at the BC, AKL, and last year at the Swan. The Swan had all the benefits of the deluxe resorts. The room we had last year was very large with a King bed and sofa sleeper. The pools even at Easter very not overcrowded although there were quite a few people there. I love Stormalong especially when the children were younger. The $129 rate is just impossible to beat at peak times of the year. I felt the Swan was every bit as deluxe as the BC. You're basically in the same area. That said I still love AKL because of the added benefit of feeling like your staying in the AK park. When we stay at AKL we don't even do the parks for that part of the trip. We just relax and enjoy.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher
We are a small Catholic elementary school (Prek through Grade 8). The Middle School level has only a 30 min. lunch break with 15 min. of that time to take a recess break. The younger children have a morning recess and lunch time with another recess. Our school day is 8:20-2:30. It is a pretty stringent academic program. Our 8th graders apply to local private as well as Catholic high schools. It is competitive for them. However, I am proud to say we have an excellent reputation for academic excellence!

SOUNDS EXACTLY like my daughter's last 10 years of schooling! She went to St. Francis Parish Catholic School (prek-8th), and had to apply for her Catholic High School. St. Francis has the best REP in this City, too ( ). Her day began at 7:50-3:00 pm. Only 30 minutes for lunch there also...and VERY stringent academics. She LOVED her time there, and recently...during this Holiday break...we drove there and enjoyed lunch in the empty parking lot, reminiscing about the "old days", when she was little. LOL.

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~

 

[dreamflight99]

mom23guys2....How nice to read your son just turned 20, and is looking forward to spending time with you and DH @ the Dolphin over Easter break (You must have done something RIGHT with your children!). I really think you MAY have a chance to upgrade to a Jr, suite with the GOLD card. You must call/fax a request for this to the guest services department at the WDW Dolphin. Also, add in the fact that this is your traditional Disney Easter vacation, and your sons will be accompanying you. The Jr. suite is more practical for you to occupy than the two separate rooms. I always believe ANYTHING is possible...so Give it a go. Call the front desk manager, be nice, and ask about the "possibility" of such an upgrade. Remember to include how VERY much you LOVE the Dolphin, associates, etc.

onceupona dream....OHhh, This is simple. First of all, the Disney resort WILL transfer your luggage to the WDW Dolphin. I have done this on four-five occasions. I've even had them drive to the Dolphin to P/U my luggage for transport TO the Disney Resort (rather than the other way around). Believe me, they DO try to cooperate with one another, it just takes a little work/effort on your part (and a TIP in your hand when you speak with BELL services). As for the Dolphin/Swan VS. BC/YC/BW....it's even more simple. Price, SPG, quiet pool, SPG, VIEWS, SPG, convenience, SPG, accomodations, SPG, 24 hr-room service, SPG, covered deluxe boat launch, SPG, fountain in the lobby, SPG, discounts in Tubbi's w/DC, SPG....Etc.! Did I mention the "SPG" factor? SPG is an acronym for STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST program. Each night you stay at the Dolphin, you'll be gaining points...points you may use for a myriad of things from FREE airfare to RENTAL cars, NIGHTS at the Dolphin and Other SW resorts, UPGRADES, even Dining Gift Certificates. It's GREAT...and one of the best things about the property (IMOHO).

I must agree w/mousteacher & mom23guys2...The Swan/Dolphin is as DELUXE as any other Epcot Disney-Owned resort, and has all the MAGIC as well. I actually PREFER it over the BC/YC/BW (and YES...I've stayed at all three props). We still walk over to the BC, and eat at Beaches and Cream, etc. We also have used the pool on a couple of occasions, with another guest/family member staying at the BC. I asked the Front desk if this was okay, and they didn't even hesitate to approve it. They have always been so nice when we say we are staying at the Dolphin.

Last summer, we were walking past the BC pool (returning from Epcot), and we saw some folks from England we befriended in Epcot the day before. Their daughter wanted DD to swim in Stormalong, and I asked the lifeguard on duty. I informed him we were guests at the Dolphin, and he said "No problem, by all means she may swim here." So, she went to the room and was back in a flash swimming in Stormalong bay. After we all left to walk back to the Dolphin, she shocked us with her statements. She told us when she was younger, and we stayed at the BC together, she thought it was really special, and loved the pool, etc. Now, she is older, and she PREFERS the Dolphin Grotto Pool to the SB @ BC. Then...silence. WOW...I can't tell you how good this made DH & I feel (glancing and smiling secretly at each other) as we all strolled back to the lights of the Dolphin, and our little piece of summer heaven.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Good point, DF -- I forgot about the covered boat docks. That was a point my DH made many times this past trip. It seemed to be important to him to be out of the hot sun while waiting for the launch as well as the rain, hehehe - he does not do well in the heat but endures for me.

 

[The Pluto People]

Hi! We are booked in a junior suite at the Dolphin. After examining the floor plans it appears the king bed and the pull out sofa are in the same room and the sico bed is in the second room. We really want to put two kids in one room(each with their own bed) but we are worried the sico bed will be less comfortable for us than the regular king bed...anyone have any experience with the sico bed? Can the sofa be moved to the room with the sico bed? We wanted to put one kid in the sico bed and the other in the pullout... TIA!!!

 

[KelliR]

I used my SPG points (many accumulated at the Swan & Dolphin) to stay 10 days over Christmas at the Sheraton in Pasadena. It was great! Fantastic service and very convenient location to Paseo Colorado & Old Town Pasadena ... wonderful shopping areas. The concierge staff (Raphael Mendoza in particular) went out of his way to help us with medical attention for our sick DD5. They even give rides back and forth to anywhere in a 5 mile radius of the hotel.

We stayed a night at the Disneyland hotel and it was truly *MAGICAL*! The view of the fireworks from our room was spectacular! The entire wall was a sliding glass window ... we opened it and felt like we could reach out and touch the fireworks!

Seeing the floats in person for the Tournament of Roses Parade was breathtaking! We had a great trip ... hope everyone else enjoyed the holidays and will have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2003!

 

[jgates]

Troyfus - I purchased a used laptop (we have a fellow in town that buys leased ones from Corporations and refurbs). I have a HP OmniBook XE2 and am very happy with it. If you would like the name of his website, I would be happy to PM you it. Just send me a PM. Range from $300 to $625 or so. I purchased high end to get ready for DirecWay internet when our local dealer starts installation.

Ozziewags- My diabetes is why we did Club level too. (either that or a room adjoining Tubbis-lol!!) I figured that way my ds could run down and get me something quickly if needed - no waiting for a table and service in a restaurant. It was absolutely A1.

 

[dreamflight99]

jgates...HAPPY NEW YEAR! I would LOVE the website of the Laptop Refurb expert. My DS needs a Laptop, and is agonizing over the price of the new ones. The range you quoted is astounding, and I already called her to tell her about it! PM me with it when you have a chance. She's the RN single-mom, so every extra penny counts! LOL.

Funny you two mentioned the CL-D factor. DD is borderline glucose-intolerant, and also needs a quick fix in the am (mostly). It's nice having something so close and available to raise the blood sugar, without having to wait to be seated, order, and await the arrival of the food! CL is a GODSEND in these instances.

mouseteacher...you have a loving and sweet DH! (endures the HEAT for you!). I always disliked the YC launch (exposed w/exception of the meager lighthouse), and fooey on the BW launch too! DOLPHIN/SWAN Boat launch RULES!

KelliR...HAPPY NEW YEAR! So happy to read you are back safe & sound, and enjoyed the Sheraton and Disneyland Hotel! It's nice to be treated so well (Sheraton), with regards to sick DD, etc. Hope she is feeling much better, and was able to enjoy some of Disneyland too. The ROSE PARADE is something else, eh? The floats are available for viewing after the parade (did you go take a peek & whiff?). I love the aroma of the ROSES and other flowers they use. It's been a while since we went, but we do love it--and watch faithfully on the tele. The way you described the DL Hotel, made me think of the advertisement where they show the family by the sliding door with the fireworks bursting in the background! So...it was like this commercial, which looked like a DREAM! We are partial to the DL hotel, even with the addition of the new resorts. They refurbed it a while ago...and it's still more MAGICAL than all the others combined! So glad you enjoyed the Holidays, glad to have you back.

Plutopeople...nice to see you again! Tia, by Sico bed ...do you mean the pull-down MURPHY king? The murphy king bed is in the parlor, with the pull-out sofa bed. The regular KING bed is in the adjoining room. Some Jr. suites also have two full beds as opposed to the king. The pull-down Murphy King is SURPRISINGLY comfy! Look at the schematics of the room again, and insure the pull-down isn't with the sofa sleeper in the parlor room. Sorry for my ignorance, yet in all my days...I've never heard of a SICO bed. Please tell me what this acronym represents? Thank you.

 

[twhipple]

In the past we have gone to the Swan or the Dolphin on government rates, but the website indicates that a government rate is not available for our date. We are arriving on 10/31 for one night and then cruising the Magic on 11/1. Does anyone know if there is still a precruise rate at the Swan and Dolphin? How do I go about getting it? Thanks!

 

[The Pluto People]

Dreamflight99: HelloHello!! Yes, I am referring to the pull down murphy bed (called a sico in the room plan site I found). I am so glad to hear that the pull down bed and the sofa bed are in the same room-that will be perfect for our needs! You are always so nice and willing to offer your expertise and I sincerely thank you! Happy New Year!

 

[pbhunt]

SICO is a brand name for Wallbeds. Same as Murphy bed.

 

[dreamflight99]

...and then LEARN from the answer! I have learned something NEW here each day, and today...the secret word is SICO! LOL...thanks for enlightening moi! I always refer to EVERY wall bed as a "murphy" bed....ROTFL!

You will be fine pluto, and the Jr. suite will be perfect for your sleeping plans. Thanks for the nice praise, I am happy to help you...and wish you a WONDERFUL stay!

twhipple...YES, they are still offering the pre/post cruise rates at the WDW Dolphin/Swan. Please call the Disney Cruise lines as soon as possible to reserve your stay. I believe the rooms are still the same price, $99 per eve. Let us know how this works out.

 

[NancyIL]

Happy New Year to all of you! I still don't have a clue as to when I'll return to WDW and the Swan/Dolphin. I spent my last two birthdays (in April) at WDW, but am considering a solo trip to Disneyland if my hubby will approve it. I have enough Starwood points for 5 nights at the Sheraton Anaheim (anyone stayed there?)...and hubby has tons of FF miles for a free flight - so I hope he won't object to my birthday indulgence.

 

[Shelly]

Hi Nancy,
Why a solo trip? Did you want to be alone on your birthday?

 

[NancyIL]

Shelly...most of my recent WDW trips have been solo - because my hubby and kids haven't wanted to come along! (And I DO enjoy doing what I want on my birthday.) I brought my sister-in-law along for my birthday trip last year, but will not likely convince anyone to accompany me to CA. I'm not really alone - because I get together with other DISers that are at the park then.

 

[Shelly]

Oh I see. I cannot believe they wouldn't want to go!
Come to think of it though, My hubby never really wanted to go.
I go out of my way to make parts of it just for him. I give hime a trip to Richard patty, and I make sure we go in May during the Flower Power shows so he can see his favorite bands.
I'm sure if not for that he wouldn't go with us every year.

Still it sounds so fun. I hope you plan an awsome birthday.

Another nosey question, why DL over DW? For how often you get to go a change is probably nice. I noticed it is starting to flurry out, I would love to be someplace warm right now.