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

[Mouseteacher]

Welcome, Kittenlittle.

I saw my comp upgrade on the spg site. I was so skeptical that it would happen that I printed the page giving the description of our reservation which now read CL room, etc. I carried that with me as if it were the Holy Grail just in case that the CM at check-in didn't have the same info. All went smoothly!

Just an aside - whether we received the comp upgrade (at the time I had no spg points) or not, it is just so wonderful to be in Disney and staying at a beautiful resort at a great rate in the heart of Epcot, Boardwalk and MGM. Nothing can spoil my precious moments in the mouse's house. I treasure each trip we are able to make and I enjoy my time as if it is the last trip I will make (always hope that it isn't).

Oops - enough preaching from me

 

[dreamflight99]

Hello, Kittenlittle! There are no Jr. Suites with balconies, ( ) So this will not be an option for an upgrade. There are nice Jr. Suites with Lake/Boardwalk Views available. Definitely, request the nice VIEW (which would be considered an upgrade) when you reserve the Jr. Suite. The West wing offers views of the Swan and the MGM studios. The East wing offers views of the Swan, BW and Epcot. The higher the floor, the better the view (IMOHO). I wish you luck! Please, let me know how the process fares. Thank you for the nice complimemt. I'm happy you find the posts informative and helpful.

ddawg...I bought one at TARGET last summer (get location instructions inside the Dolphin/Swan from the Concierge desk). It's close by, and easy to access. We bought the top of the line fridge, with nice freezer, etc., and it was about $125. Well worth the cost! We bought the microwave there also, for about $39 (they are very inexpensive!). We had a great time with both, as when we dined in the theme parks, we always dined late and had leftovers. We would return to the suite, place them in the fridge--and subsequently heat them later in the microwave. This was a GREAT benefit when we dined at Shula's. My husband ordered the "half cow" steak...and there's NO WAY he could finish it (let alone put a dent in it!). LOL. The microwave is great for easy mac, popcorn...etc.! The bellman whom brought our stuff to the room inquired as to "what" we would do with these items upon exiting the property? We asked him if he would be interested in them? He said SURE! He had just moved into his own apartment, and did not have a microwave. The fridge, we donated to a local charity (Good will or other, concierge will assist you~certain charities will even come to the resort to retrieve the item). It was definitely worth the expense, especially with the daily rates for the fridge!

Mouseteacher...LOL...Holy Grail paper! I too make copies of pertinent paperwork....to reinforce my stance (if necessary). I have rarely had to use them...but, better SAFE than Sorry! I agree with you 100% about the upgrade, and would enjoy WDW and the Dolphin if I had to "pitch a tent" (preferably in the lobby~LOL). I enjoy every blessed second while there, and hold each memory inside my heart & soul. We are all so fortunate to experience this magic...yet, we are the "makers" of dreams. We all (in our own way) MAKE the MAGIC HAPPEN. Without each of us...leading the charge, there would be no MAGIC. Our families are also blessed, to have such tenacious and inquisitive persons in their lives! Keep forging ahead...hold onto your personal bag of pixie dust and spread some around!

 

[KittenLittle]

Thank you,DF99, for the info. My trip will not occur until May-June 2004,so I have plenty of time to dream and scheme! My choices will probably be the Dolphin Jr. Suite, or a 1 bedroom BWV. I will be looking into discounts and/or renting DVC points-all new ground to cover.Thanks to the DIS I know that planning is essential!
Teachers-have any retired teachers been able to receive the discount at the Dolphin?

 

[dreamflight99]

This is the NEW Starwood Harborside Vacation timeshare resort located on Paradise Island next to ATLANTIS! I'm thinking of getting a Day-Room here while on the Disney Wonder Eastern Carribean! Pretty awesome, eh? Now...if I can use SPG points here...I'm all set! LOL.

 

[Mitla96]

Dear Mouseteacher,

According to the SPG site, I don't even HAVE a reservation! Bob at Dreams Unlimited says that is because I am booked at a wholesale (Nurse's) rate. I am really looking forward to this trip-it was so cold here today that I couldn't warm up even after exercising, renewing my CPR AND building a fire. Chaddie was limping outside, his paws were so cold. I loved the post with the big group of pictures of the Swan. I guess what I'm trying to say is I won't be disappointed AT ALL if we don't get an upgrade-we already got a fabulous rate and the whole point of staying at the Swan was to be close to Epcot. (I would like to meet Mama T, though). I'm doing the emails more as an experiment My family doesn't know about this at all.

I have all my sacred documents in a manila folder, esp. my low Alamo rate...booked through Ireland!

Thanks for all the advice, Dreamflight99-If I don't hear from the Swan again, I'll re-email the humble upgrade request 5 days out.
Does the Bahamas resort have a beach?

So cold, so very, very cold...

Janet in Michigan

 

[happytrails2u]

We were just there! This photo was taken from the ms Zuiderdam (HAL) as we sailed away from Nassau/Paradise Island on route to points South. The Harborside is just off to the right in this photo, although I'm afraid we did not have the time to peruse the resort. The pink castle (the other castle - lol) is Atlantis which would, I suspect, afford full accesss to all of its facilities - - including beach rights.

Great Photos DF - keep 'em coming! Also, our condolences on your family's recent loss. So sorry to hear the sad news.

 

[The Pluto People]

Hi all! My folks are staying at the Swan for two nights next week (with a retired teacher's discount). One night is my Dad's birthday and I would like to send him a fruit basket...any idea on how to do this? TIA!

 

[Muffinish]

Thanks everyone for the responses! I now have two reservations for the same dates, one for the Dolphin and one for the Swan. Family council time!

The Pluto People, I think if you go to http://www.swandolphin.com/gifts/gifts.html
you can request all kinds of goodies to be delivered to a guest room, including fruit baskets.

 

[ddawg]

Thank you Dreamflight99.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Mitla ~ I booked on the teacher rate same as nurses and I was on the spg site. I did book directly through the Dolphin. However, after my research here I did call starwood and gave them my confirmation # from the Dolphin. They added it to their reservation and gave me a confirmation # from them. So, I had 2 confirmation numbers! So, Mitla, call starwood and give them your reservation info - that should get you on the site, too.

 

[ozziewags]

Ahhhhhh........Atlantis. Take me away.

mitla.......I did almost the same as mouseteacher. I booked directly through the Swan, then called Starwood and gave them the info. My ressies were on their site too, but I had two different confirmation numbers. The cost posted on the SPG site was more, which worried me, but it must have included the resort fee, which I had waived. All you guys going soon, let us know if they are waiving that fee or not.......sounds like they don't want to!

 

[disfanRN]

Hi Janet- I too booked with Bob thru DU and at the RN rate and my res are on the spg site- I would call them to see!

 

[disnurse]

Mitla96- sometimes its difficult to "pull-up" the reservation. Spg has a strange system, sometimes it states due to type of booking this is not available online. I have a different confirmation number from dreams than what show on-line. I did have to call starwoods and give them the DL confirmation number. It was in their system but wasn't showing up for me.

 

[Trekker]

Hey Dreamflight99 how are you?

Can you try and explain if I'm correct on my thinking. The Swan and Dolphin are each operated by a different company - correct?

The company that operates the Swan does the heavenly beds - right?

So we will not see heavenly beds at the Dolphin - correct?

Do you know are they upgrading/refurbishing the rooms at the Dolphin also?

 

[Muffy]

The S/D are both owned by Starwood. The Dolphin will be refurbishing the rooms with heavenly beds. Hopefully DF will know when....

 

[dreamflight99]

So nice to see your post, Happy Trails! You MUST tell me about your trip on the ms Zuiderdam (we are thinking of taking a trip on "The Yachts of Seabourn"~ever heard of them?). It is my full understanding all three of the properties currently inhabiting Paradis Island (Atlantis, Choice hotels and Harborside) SHARE all the privs w/one another. So, anyone staying at the Choice/Harborside props, have access to all things ATLANTIS! Yahoo!
Thank you for your condolences. These times are never easy, but an integral part of life. Your sentiments are greatly appreciated.

Janet in Michigan....YES...the Bahamas resort is ALL BEACH. It's not a huge Island (Paradise), and the beaches surround the properties. It's HEAVENLY! I can not wait to be there this summer!

ddawg...you're welcome!

Trekker...LONG TIME-NO SEE?! Where've you been? The Swan and Dolphin have two different "Parent" companies, but are "managed" by the same company=STARWOOD. The Swan is under the WESTIN name, and the DOLPHIN is under the SHERATON name. Yet, since the take-over of these two properties just three years ago, the Starwood Corporation has all but "erased" the logos associated with these parent companies. The "C'est Ci Bon" trailer which played 24/7 in the Dolphin (Sheraton) has been replaced by the Starwood's campaign commercial. The towels, soaps and other amenities have all been replaced. They maintain the parent name of each resort for familiarity and common-sense public relations.

The Westin company owns the namesake "Heavenly" beds, and these are being furnished in the Swan (as I type!).
The Sheraton owns the namesake "Sweet Sleeper" (http://www.sealy.com/contractDivision/newsPress.asp?pvNewsId=42), and are replacing existing bedding in the Dolphin with these sets. Both are manufactured by SERTA, and both are available for purchase through the respective resort chains. There are also Heavenly and Sweet CRIBS available for infants/toddlers at the refurbished properties (http://www.gobabies.com/article25.html).

Also, remember this is quoted on the Starwood/Sheraton website:

*Sheraton® Service Promise:

If you're not satisfied, we're not satisfied. Sheraton's Service Promise ensures you'll have a great stay, or we'll make it up to you with an instant discount, points for our rewards program - or even money back. All you have to do it tell us.

Customer Contact Centers:

Preferred Guest Gold Preferred Guest Platinum Preferred Guest
United States 888-625-4988 888-625-4990 888-625-4991

OR...Get in touch with Sheraton's Corporate Headquarters

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
1111 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604
Tel: 914-640-8100


TTFN....

 

[BettyCv]

Hi all,

I posted this in the general resorts forum, but started thinking it might be better to post it here.... In the meantime, I called the s/d reservation number (the 888 number) and got a lot of conflicting information. I am starting to think the best source of information is someone who has stayed at the resort recently...

1. Can 2 adults and three kids (aged 4) stay at the Swan, or only at the Dolphin? (888 number says only at the Dolphin)

2. Do you get a rate of $100 on your birthday (888 says no, but sounded like she was guessing!)

3. Is there a kids eat free deal at any of the S/D restaurants?(888 says it was discontinued, but again just didn't seem sure...)

4. Do you think the Dolphin rooms will be redone by Sept/Oct 03?

5. What is the best rate you think I will find in Sept/Oct 03? We do NOT qualify for the nurse/teacher/govt. empl discounts, but we DO have an Ent. Card.

Your help is much appreciated!

BettyCv

 

[dreamflight99]

Welcome! I hope I'm able to assist you with the following answers to your questions:

1. 2 Double/King/Corner King

The rooms (Both resorts-Swan has Queen beds) accomodate 4 adults and a child on a daybed.


2. 100 Years of Magic Birthday Celebration

This year, in honor of Walt Disney's 100th birthday, you can spend the night of your birthday at the WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN and DOLPHIN for just $100.

Call (888) 828-8850 and be sure to ask for the Birthday rate when making your birthday reservation. Proof of birthdate will be required upon check-in.

3. I believe this was discontinued. I have been unable to locate any information on this benefit. If anyone has heard anything to the contrary, please post.

4. One can only "pray".

5. Whatever the rates are in 2003 (Fall), you will pay 50% of the published "rack rate" for the room/view you desire using the Ent. Card. It's not more than $200 (for a reg. room).

Hope you are able to use this info. TTFN....DF99 Here's Some of my favorite treats, which can be sent to the room and/or ordered in advance! (http://www.swandolphin.com/gifts/gifts.html) The last one was sent up to our suite last summer via the Front Desk Manager! Delicious!

 

[ozziewags]

Wow, DF, you are a wealth of information........and now with pictures to go along with it!!! You should write a book(except this is more fun!)

Hi to Happytrails and Plutopeople and Trekker.......haven't seen you in a while. And welcome to all newcomers!

 

[Rpsemont]

DF, you are such a wealth of information! Hopefully you can help me. We are staying at the Dolphin, thanks to priceline for 2/18-2/21. I have SPG and recently called and upgraded it to gold. No real points to speak of. I have called and attached the SPG # to our reservation. Usually we spend so little time in the room that views and CL aren't the highest priorities. However, We travel as me and DH, BIL and DD age 8. I carry an air mattress for DD because I'm too cheap to pay for a rollaway and she can't sleep with BIL. So, my first priority requests would be a comp rollaway or a room with the 2 double and a sofa bed, and a room not too far away from the pool (Last time we were in the tower and it seemed like we trounced all over the hotel in our swimsuits) What do you suggest? Is there a particular wing that has an exit close to the pool? And do any of the standard rooms have the sofa bed? I figure I won't ask for a comp rollaway until I'm checking in. BUt I would ask ahead for the sofa bed room if I thought it wasn't an upgrade.

2nd question for all - We're planning one down day - no parks - while we're there. I know about all the activies at the BW, but any special activities to try at the Dophin? - Or how would you spend the day?

Thanks for all your help.