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

[Debbie7452]

I wouldn't give up on that Amex card. Maybe just "ground" it for a while. I have had mine for almost a year and I keep using the points for free nights. It sure has been worth our while. I also went through the bonus points chase so I know where you're coming from!

I have just been through a similar struggle with a test drive incentive I was promised for GMC. After fufilling the terms of the test drive I was to receive a $100 Home Depot gift card. Well...to make a long story short GMC marketing decided I got the offer by "mistake" and refused to send the gift. After 2 months of phone calls, I went to my local dealership today where I had taken the drive. My Salesman tried valiantly to help, but no go...He went to talk to the General Manager for me and you know what happened? He brought out a $100 check made out to me from the dealership!! I was so shocked I nearly cried. You can bet I will be writing a letter on his behalf and dealership has a customer for life.

You just never know when the angel you need will appear...

 

[Mouseteacher]

Yipee !!! Sandy Congrats to you!

 

[kmr]

Debbie - my angel appeared in the form of a Starwood Reservation Agent!

After reading happytrails (thank you!) post yesterday about the cash/point promotion, I went to the spg site to make a ressie and found I was 704 points short for a 2 night stay. So I called the spg gold line and spoke with the most wonderful woman. I told her my situation and was about to ask if I could transfer points from some other account, or make a ressie and then get the points later and she said "I think I can take care of this right now, don't you worry about it!!" I couldn't believe it. Then as she was going through the usual requests, two double beds, etc. I asked if I could request a specific room that we had stayed in before. She said sure and asked if it was because of the beds or what and I said the view was fabulous and it had a balcony.

Anyway, we went on for a while more and ended with me asking if I needed to do anything to get those missing points and the answer was "No - everything's all set." I told her she had just made someone's day and I couldn't thank her enough.

She sent me a confirmation by e-mail and to my surprise - she didn't just request that room for me, she actually upgraded me to a deluxe non-smoking room with a step out private balcony....

I am so excited...all that pressure of wondering if we'll get a balcony room is gone. And all this for $120 for 2 nights!!

It's going to be a magical trip all right!!

 

[kellyb2000]

I'm sorry but this thread is too long and I can't read through 122 pages to see if my question is in here so I'm doing this in hopes that someone will answer my (I'm sure redundant) questions anyway. Here goes...I'm not big on the Disney resorts, I've only stayed at CBR once and that's it. I saw the link for the good rates at the swan/dolphin and thought that would be a nice way to finish up our cruise trip in Sept. So since I know nothing about either of them, could someone inform me? I'm sure this is the most frequently asked question but I gotta know - what's the difference in the two? Is one better than the other? I did read through enough to learn that they aren't Disney owned - who does then and why is it on Disney property? Does anybody have a link to trip pictures while staying there? When you get a "resort view" what do you actually see? In other words, is it worth the extra $10 (I'm cheap, what can I say) And then is it worth another $10 to get a "resort view w/ balcony" And what's this about being pushy and getting that stupid $10/night resort fee waived? I think that's all I got for now. Any help is appreciated!!!!

 

[Beader7]

KMR - Congrats to you! I keep checking my poiints every 5 minutes!! (to see if they are posted) Very very slow day at work (lol). One week from today we leave!!! I can not wait!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone for the nice words!!!!!!

Sandy

 

[judirain]

Right now I have a SPG card with only 300 points. If I signed up for the starwood AMex would I automatically be upgraded to a gold card?

 

[Emme]

YEAH SANDY!! Oh I am sending pixie dust so they show up real soon...sprinkle...sprinkle....

We are leaving next Thursday, driving from New york and I can't wait (can't bring myself to fly yet)! I will be looking for you and yours at the Swan Sandy!

Emmy

 

[DisneyPoly]

Hi!

We were lucky enough to secure a last minute reservation in a Jr. Suite for April 17-22nd, and I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the Dolphin Easter baskets contain? I read that they are $40.00 each with delivery, but was curious to know what they include.

Before calling the resort, I thought I might check here.

Thanks for the help!

 

[pewing]

Originally posted by judirain
Right now I have a SPG card with only 300 points. If I signed up for the starwood AMex would I automatically be upgraded to a gold card?

Yes and No All you have to do is call and request the upgrade. Some folks on these boards had a little trouble....but I just called and they upgraded me while I was on the phone! I hadn't even gotten my card yet...so I didn't have a number.

 

[Scoob]

Ok so we decided to go all the way and get a CL room at the Swan for this summer's trip (6/7-6/14) - we got a great rate on it... but since I've only stayed at the Dolphin before, I need some help.

I understand that the CL rooms at the Swan have no balconies, but what are the views like? Has anyone stayed on those floors and been able to see the fireworks or the parks? I love seeing the fireworks at night and would like to be able to catch them from the room

Anyone have a good experience with a specific room number on the CL floors at Swan that you'd like to recommend? Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

 

[disnurse]

emme- we will be flying down nest saturday evening we'll be across the walkway at the dolphin. Can't wait but haven't even gotten packed yet, usually i'm finished by now!!

 

[mom23guys2]

Just e-mailed my request for a complimentary upgrade to club level for our stay in 2 1/2 weeks. I had already requested this when I made my reservations. I received an e-mail from Melissa stating that my request had been noted and to have a nice day. Keeping my fingers crossed. The e-mail return had a very pleasant tone. Two weeks from today I'll be at the Royal Pacific Resort. CAN'T WAIT, it's getting really cold here today.

 

[anne60]

what address did you e-mail the request to?

 

[mom23guys2]

I used the link from Glo's thread on this board.

 

[ozziewags]

Scoob......we were in 1280 CL, Swan, corner in the front of the hotel, so we could see MGM, Boardwalk, part of World Showcase. You will love it. Here are a couple views from our room:

 

[csmommy]

Originally posted by pewing
Yes and No All you have to do is call and request the upgrade. Some folks on these boards had a little trouble....but I just called and they upgraded me while I was on the phone! I hadn't even gotten my card yet...so I didn't have a number.

Pewing -I have tried several times & have gotten nowwhere. Which wouldn't be a big deal, but so many others like yourself have gotten the upgrade(*says while whining & stomping her feet*). Perhaps its the # I'm calling, or what I say. Could you please hold my hand & walk me through this step-by-step?

Of cource they may have it noted in my account that I have tried 4 times & they just choose me as the person to frustrate this quarter!!! *sigh*


ozziewags great pictures!

 

[Mouseteacher]

mom23guys2 ~ are you an spg member? If so, keep checking your reservation on the spg site. I received the same canned e mail response from Melissa. However, about a week before we left I was checking my ressie on the spg site and saw that our ressie now said CL room. Originally, it said standard room.

Skeptical but excited beyond words, I printed out the page and clung to it for dear life to take with me upon check-in just in case I was dreaming!

Nope, we were on CL and it was wonderful indeed!

 

[happytrails2u]

Originally posted by kmr
After reading happytrails (thank you!) post yesterday about the cash/point promotion...

Happy to have helped some, KMR. Well done and congrats! Have a wonderful time.

 

[Scoob]

Ozziewags...

Thanks SO much for those beautiful shots from the room. I'm definitely going to be asking for that room or one in that area We've got the SPG card too, so hopefully that will help as well.

We stayed at the Dolphin previously and weren't very happy with Club level due to the amount of "Lounge-raiders" from other floors. I've been reading up on the Swan CL and like the fact that the floor is only accessible via room key... should be pretty relaxing.

Wow... I'm still excited from seeing that view... I never get tired of seeing the World from up high

Thanks again for the tip!!!!

 

[ozziewags]

Scoob, I neglected to tell you that 1280 is a jr. suite, in the corner of the Swan. If you can spring for it, do it! Or use points. I have platinum spg and was upgraded from the standard CL room. It is the only jr. suite on the 12th floor. It, actually, is one large room, with a hallway and a gigantic bathroom! Others on this board have had standard rooms on that side of CL and liked it as well. Some even said they could see the Epcot ball too. The Club lounge is in the other corner of the 12th floor.
I don't remember using my room key for 12th floor access. There were people from other floors using club level while we were there, but they made us sign in with our room numbers every time we went in. I do know that both S and D have people that pay for CL and desire to stay on other floors. Hope that doesn't discourage you. It was lovely, and not crowded....even at Christmas time!