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

[RobMax]

... The east wing of each hotel faces Epcot and the west MGM ... right? So does the side (north or south) make a difference, or do you need to be on the END of the Hotel?

DF - you said you can see both from the club rooms in the (Dolphin) diamond. What do you have to do - press your face to the window?

 

[dreamflight99]

I'm feeling MUCH better thanks to the nice messages and MEDICINE (w/pixie dust!)!

Yes, RobMax...the side (N/S) does make a difference. Once faces the parking lot area and the other faces the resorts/parks. If you request the Far East "Wing", the rooms only face EAST/WEST. So...it all depends upon which view you prefer.

Up in the CLUB TOWER rooms, you really don't have to press your face against the glass (LOL) to see the views of MGM/EPCOT.
These sights are easily visible from your room.

TTFN...enjoy the weekend!

 

[disneywith6kids]

I'm still new at figuring out how these boards work so please be patient. I submitted this thread as a new thread by mistake instead of reply . Anyway I cut and paste it into here so maybe you all could help me. I'm trying to make these ressies special and get a king bed in a room with a balcony and a great view of epcot. I will be using spg points to get club level priviledges. What rooms should I ask for ??I will also need a room with double beds in the same area. Thanks for the help.

This was in my post:
I originally reserved 2 rooms at the Dolphin. When I checked the spg website for details, it said one of my rooms had the lake view w/balcony. I had mentioned to the reservationist that we were 1st timers and really wanted a balcony view but couldn't afford it. Apparently, she upgraded me without telling me according to the spg web site. Well some pixie dust came our way and we were able to extend our vacation and instead of 3 nights we will be staying 7 nights. DH wasn't thrilled with double beds for us for 7 nights(sorry, he's spoiled with our king bed plus our little one likes to climb in around 6am) so I called back and asked if the one room could be changed to a king bed without changing the view. She said sure. The problem is when I checked our ressies on spg website, they are no longer showing with balcony. She also asked me if a higher floor were ok and I said great. Did I do something wrong?? Since we are gold spg members we were going to ask for an upgrade and use points for club level anyway. Is it possible to get a king bed in a room with a balcony and still have club priviledges??I'm so confused I've been planning this vacation since Feb. It seems like the months were going by so slow and now I'm beginnning to feel the pressure of last minute details???I guess 6 kids will do that to you Just packing for our crew is like packing for 2 families.LOL

 

[WolfpackFan]

I just got a nice email from AmEX letting me know that our application for a SPG AmEx card had been approved. I plan on using this card "heavily" between now and next June when we go for our stay at the Dolphin; starting with paying for our January cruise with the card - that should really put some points into our SPG account. We have one of the gov't discount rooms ($129) reserved. What I reall want is a King, Club Level room that is one of the newly renovated room with a nice view (not necessarily Epcot, just not a service area). You all reckon this is too much of an upgrade to hope for using SPG points? Also, someone mentioned I think that they were upgraded to SPG Gold by just getting the AmEx card - can anyone confirm you can do this? Thanks.

 

[punkin]

Can anyone tell me what are the nicest rooms to ask for without an upgrade?

 

[PartyofSix]

Help me! I called about Christmas ressies. Never talked to a sould or have any idea about what rooms run in price at these hotels. Here's what I was told these are for Dec, 29, 30, 31 One king Juinor suite on the 10th floor (have no clue if that's good or not) 429.00 Or she offered me a room club level for 239.00 for the same nights? She is holding the suite for 24hrs till I makeup my mind for sure. please give me an opinon here.

 

[ozziewags]

Not sure what size family you have, or what size room you need. If you are a nurse, teacher or gov. employee you can get a room for $129. Also, you could get an entertainment book (for Orlando, or your area) and get an entertainment rate of half off. I also believe they are having a 'holiday' rate now. Can't remember where I saw that. King suite has a K bed plus queen sofa at the Swan, but more room at the Dolphin. I guess it just all depends on what fits your needs and what you wil pay. You might also get an SPG card before your trip, which might help in getting an upgrade. There is alot of info on this board about these resorts, if you go to search with specific questions it may help you also.

Carol

 

[PartyofSix]

Sorry there are six of us two adults 4 kids. I have triplets that are 2.5 and 10yo all girls. I gave her my spg # and I did ask about the holiday rate which she blew off. And for two rooms that is 279.00. Which is prob my best bet to call back. But she would have to gurantee me connection rooms since the kids would be in this room! PBH has assigned me my rooms #'s before so it can be done. I did'nt know if she was giving me the deal of the day or not. I can't find rates on this place. But I did forget to ask her about ent. rates! Hmmm I'll call back tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[hookedup]

I was reading a description of the Dolphin on the SPG website and it says some rooms have "Hollywood Baths"
What does that mean?

Thanks friends!

 

[ozziewags]

Here is the link for the holiday rates:

http://www.swandolphin.com/holidays/

The S/D website also lists rates for the whole year. Another option is Dreams Unlimited, which is a Dis sponsor. I have heard very good things about them on these boards.

Keep us posted.

 

[jgates]

I believe (??) that the Hollywood bath is with a second sink right outside the bathroom like the rooms at the Swan? Correct? Nice if 2 people are trying to get ready.

Also, with 6 people you might be better off with the suite?

 

[dreamflight99]

Disneywith6kids....You are indeed able to reserve a KING room w/Balcony. Call or write back and tell the associate you wish to maintain the same "balcony" room status you previously had...only with a KING bed if available. Later, you will be able to apply CL status to this room using points. Corner KINGS are absolutely awesome, (like # 5017, etc.), and have TWO balconies (one a private Tourret balcony). Ask for one of these rooms. I know the "crunch" feeling as the date approaches. I can not say the same thing about the "6" kids...and empathize/commend you simultaneously for all the planning and magic you offer your family (by traveling to WDW, etc.). You are indeed special. Hope this helps.

WolfpackFan...YES~you may definitely upgrade to GOLD SPG using the AMEX Plat. SPG CC. Congragulations on obtaining this very valuable credit card. The points/benefit you gain by using the card more than pay for the interest and annual fee. I do not believe ANY upgrade is ever "too much" to ask for, as I believe NOT asking is the biggest mistake most guests make.

punkin...Rooms with a view of something other than the rooftop.

PartyofSix...The King Jr. Suite is a very nice setup, and would benefit your family the most. Call again and request the "Entertainment" rate, which is 50% off the rack rate. You are always able to obtain the Orlando Book which lists the discount @ www.entertainment.com (if it benefits you to purchase the book). Check the prices of these discounts, which also includes all suites, and compare them with the other quotes. Good luck with this, and let us know how it works out for you.

Hookedup...Jgates is correct! I LOVE the term "Hollywood" baths, as they conjure up the images of the regal days of the OLD HOLLYWOOD Royalty lavishing in the Grand suites of La La Land! YES...it is the proper term for a "sink/vanity" sitting separately outside of a bath/sink room. It is SO convenient to have this configuration with several persons in a room. One may be using the shower, leaving the others to make use of the sink/vanity area. I prefer this bath at resorts, and enjoy this at the Dolphin in our suite.

*Remember: "To see is not to believe...but to BELIEVE, is to truly SEE." The KINGDOM we all enjoy holds the MAGIC, LOVE and WONDER...which keep us all connected...and yearning to return. Enjoy the planning, and hold tight to the DREAMS of your upcoming DAYS in the Sunshine & MAGIC which is WALT DISNEY WORLD!

 

[disneywith6kids]

DF99-thank you so much for replying. However I called the Dolphin back this am and told the ressie agent that when I called to change to a king bed they gave me one but took away the balcony. She said "that's because they probably didn't have any king rooms with a balcony left" I then asked her why the agent didn't tell me this before making the switch so I could decide and she said "the upper floors without the balconies have a better view anyway" I did tell her we would be using points for CL and didn't have to be on CL .She said"well we try to put all the CL on tge CL floors so they aren't scattered all over the hotel"I then asked her about the corner King room and she said they are "probably" booked already. So I gave up and just said alright and hung up. I feel like she could have at least checked and then I would know for sure. Also I thought the exact rooms weren't assigned until around 3-4 days out. I did go ahead and fax my request now just in case someone there decides to sprinkle us with some pixie dust : .

 

[wld]

I'm guessing the king/corner/balcony room mentioned in the last couple of posts are in the Dolphin. Does the same hold true for the Swan? Great view etc? Any info is appreciated. I'm thinking about calling and seeing if I can get a king/nurses rate and upgrading to balcony with points. Hopefully this can happen. Can you request a corner? Is it like WDW in that it is just a request and not a guareentee?

Thanks

 

[adisneyfan2]

Still wondering.... 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.

ALSO, how do you get the upgrade to Gold status for having SPG Platinum AmEx CC? I called SPG, and was told unequivocally (by two different agents) that "gold status" was reserved for quests with ten stays or more, and it has nothing to do with having a credit card. Can the hotel make this change? Did I just happen to get two grumpy agents? Should I try SPG again? Not sure how to proceed...

Thanks for all the help!

 

[ozziewags]

I am also wondering about those PS' at CL in S/D. I have already made my PS' and wondered if they have a concierge staff to do that. I called there when I got my platinum SPG card, but it was never mentioned.

As for upgrades to gold, I got upgraded by having another hotel platinum card. They will match it. Not sure about the SPG card, but I think I read that some have been upgraded that way.
Someone?

Carol

 

[ozziewags]

I am also wondering about those PS' at CL in S/D. I have already made my PS' and wondered if they have a concierge staff to do that. I called there when I got my platinum SPG card, but it was never mentioned.

As for upgrades to gold, I got upgraded by having another hotel platinum card. They will match it. Not sure about the SPG card, but I think I read that some have been upgraded that way.
Someone?

Carol

 

[Mouseteacher]

ozziewags

I applied for and received the Starwood Plat. amex cc and then called to request that my membership be upgraded to gold. They quite willingly obliged - just needed to give my amex cc #.

mouseteacher

 

[dreamflight99]

Ohhh...you MUST call again Disneywith6kids. Have the CM check ALL the CORNER KINGS and DOUBLE CHECK, AGAIN. The statement made by the CM with regards to the view is purely personal perspective. Also, it is true they TRY to place all CL patrons in the CL area, but it is not as uncommon as she would have you believe. YOU must call again, and tell them you would have PREFERRED the balcony, and wished the CM would have informed you of the loss of this feature when the reservation was changed. Let me know what happens.

wld...you may request a corner, yet in the Dolphin they are reserved in advance (many times) and blocked at the insistent requests of the guests.

adisneyfan2...of course you may make PS ressies with the Concierge on CL, or at the front desk. The Concierge are always willing to assist you with any reservation requests.

As mouseteacher stated...you may be upgraded to GOLD SPG by calling SPG services and giving your new AMEX platinum SPG or other CC number.

Happy FIRST WEEK of NOVEMBER!!

 

[RobMax]

Decided to try Yourride with Rabbit. Anyone have any info one these folks?

Glenn