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

[zurgswife]

Dreamflight....just wondering why you prefer the Exec suites over the Grand....we thought we might switch.....could you elaborate a little....

Thanks for the advice about good location of the Exec suites...

 

[2002Disneybride]

Thanks dreamflight! I missed your post earlier...that's awesome!
I am looking forward to a quiet swim...Usually they shut everything down at the Disney resorts, right?
I am glad you posted because I knew I saw it!
Grotto Pool info

The Grotto pool is open 24 hours a day. Towel service and lifeguards are only available from 9am - 9pm year round. Guest swimming before or after those hours do so at their own risk. Pool is heated, though it is cooler than the Disney owned resorts because of size and the waterfall.

That was probably posted by you dreamflight!

I appreciate your help! Any other secrets I should know?

 

[Mouseteacher]

I thank you, too, for the carification regarding the pool hours. I must have mixed up my recollection with the Disney resorts. We always have good intentions of taking a night swim but always seem too exhausted when the time comes. We are early risers and usually turn in for the night around 11:00. I agree about the location of the grotto pool and that you can't hear normal pool noise.

I am up and walking! Haven't tried to get a shoe on yet as there is still some swelling. I'll tackle that problem Monday morning or I'll wear slippers to school. LOL

My prayers are for all the victims of the RI fire. Such a sensless tragedy.

 

[GoofyinNY]

dreamflight, while I am leaning towards the Swan, my DH would like to stay at the Dolphin. We would like to know which wing of the Dolphin is closest to the Grotto pool and Tubbi's restaurant. Do you have any Dolphin or Swan room recommendations for a low floor? Thanks. This is a hard decision.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by RobMax
So since I am now a Swan SPG plat guy - I have decided and been quoted a great rate to spend the last month of my life in OK at the Westin. Ant they have the "heavenly bed" - So what do you know about these things?

LOL..."You'll NEVER want to get out of them in the AM!"

zurgswife...Yes, permit me to offer some of my own perspective. We were "accidentally" placed in a "grand suite" when there was a minor mix-up w/our exec. suite. The resort was more than gracious, and offered free morning room service, etc. for the inconvenience. Well, the Grand Suite is a bit more "impersonal" and cold...more Business-like with the table/chairs. I do not mind the table/chairs...and enjoy the penthouse suites at MGM, Portofino and other places...yet all these suites have appropriate Kitchen/butler areas adjacent to these tables. The table/chairs seem out of place without the butler pantry area. I would much more prefer the area have another Murphy bed, or sofa & chairs. But, this is strictly my opinion. I find the Exec. suite to be "just the right size" setting for our family. Like the story of the three little bears, the Exec. suite fits "just right"~!! Here's the Grand suite...and not all are configured/decorated in this fashion:

You're welcome, 2002Disneybride! You'll LOVE the pool...as in the wee hours...it's EMPTY. The Jacuzzi's are open 24/7 also...very secluded and romatic... Also, Tubbi's is open all eve, so as you enter the resort, feel free to have a bowl of chicken noodle soup before retiring to bed. I get chilled in the pool even in the midst of the summer. The soup always "hits the spot"! And yes...I have MANY other secrets and insider tips about the Swan/Dolphin. More to come....

So glad to read you're improving Mouseteacher. I'd opt for the "slippers to school" for sure...as the shoes may only aggravate the problem. Take care of your tootsies!

GoofyinNY...The WEST wing is closest to the Grotto pool and the Buffeteria. No specific recommendations for the lower floors...but by having the area pre-designated, the reservation specialists should be able to properly assist you. You could request the far West wing, looking out onto the pool area. This is a FAB area, same with the Swan. Nice views, and proximity.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. Stay safe & warm. TTFN....

 

[zurgswife]

Dream thanks for your opinion....We are a family of six...2 adults and 4 kids under 12....I'm thinking that a Exec. suite probably is a fine fit. and wasn't sure of any extra amenities that might be different from the Exec suite....

We have the Exec suite booked so I probably will stick with it unless besides the table with chairs there is a huge difference that we might notice...

 

[2002Disneybride]

Thanks dream! Can't wait to hear more insider tips!!!!!

 

[2002Disneybride]

When we have stayed on property in the past, we recieved a confirmation (bright yellow) with our balance due on it from WDW. I realize that the WDW Swan is not a Disney run property, so how do they handle this? I am interested in hearing your experiences with balance payment. Thanks much!

 

[gschmerl]

Balance due was listed on our reservation when I checked it on line, but I was never sent a statement. Payment was due at checkout.

 

[Samsma]

dreamflight99 - you say the west wing would be closest to the grotto pool etc.? Would the far west wing look onto EPCOT for a view of Illuminations. I'm having trouble orienting myself for some reason. I have requested room 9025. Does it have a balcony, and would it be in this far west wing. If not can you suggest some room numbers that have:

1. Smoking
2. View of Illuminations
3. Convenience to Pool/Laundry
4. Balcony

Asking a lot huh? But I do have points and am willing to use them for these requests.

 

[2002Disneybride]

How can you check your reservations online?

 

[ozziewags]

You go to the SPG site and log on. After you log on, you can click 'check reservation'. If it doesn't show up, it is because you probably called the hotel directly to reserve. But then, you can call SPG and make sure they know you have the ressie and they will give you a different reservation #, which doesn't mean anything, just that you can see your ressie online. I know that I worried about this and so I called and inquired and was told that is just for their purposes. They even had the incorrect price for the room, but I wasn't charged that price. ($154 for teacher rate, compared to $129, which is what I paid, w/o taxes) I had the resort fee waived.

 

[2002Disneybride]

I was able to check my reservations online with no problem. I didn't see anythign about balance due or anything...this may be a sliiy question, but can I get a preffered guest card after I make the reservation?

 

[2002Disneybride]

Beds: 2 Queen Beds
Room Features: Club Room Non-Smoking, Concierge Level, Continental Brkfst, Evening Hors D'Oeuvres, Turndown Service, Whimsical Themed Room Loctated On Royal Beach Club Floors With Access To The Private Royal Beach Club Lounge.


Now I should be on the 12th floor with this, correct? Is there a particular room I should request?

Also, when I checked my ressies, the special requests that I spoke to the reservationist about (i.e. a remodled room with heavenly beds) they weren't listed... so should I wait and discuss it with them at checkin?

also can I prepay my hotel stay?

 

[Mitla96]

Disnurse-I actually thought of you when the news of the disaster came on. God bless the families-what a horrible thing. My family lived in Cumberland, RI when I was 9-13 yrs old, and I went to sailing camp in Jamestown years ago-I just love RI and am heartsick over this.

Mouseteacher-are you SURE you don't need an Xray? (Nag, nag!)

I am going to attempt to load my Swan pictures right now!

 

[disnurse]

hi all, mouseteacher take it easy today tomorrow you'll probally be on that foot more than you should be. You could always ask the school nurse for an ice pack they are my most popular item!! We call them the blue bags of honor, the staff and kidslove my ice packs.
Just got a new laptop does anyone know the deal with high speed internet access, do you pay a daily rate? I have a 6 month trial so i could use a dial up but prefer not to.

 

[Mitla96]

MLA in VA

Welcome to the Swan/Dolphin thread! You will have SUCH a good time at the Swan-and I learned a lot from these veterans.

Janet in Michigan

 

[Mitla96]

Hi Disnurse!

The high speed internet access is part of that $10 daily fee, but you must have an ethernet card.

 

[Mitla96]

Hi everyone!

Back from a WONDERFUL Swan stay 2/14-18. We were down during the big President's day storm-it didn't effect Michigan much, but many lucky New Englanders and New Yorkers got to stay on at the Swan!

I am going to divide my pictures into topics so it won't be too long.

We had humbly requested through the Swan/dolphin site by email an upgrade if possible (we already had the nurse's discount). We were upgraded from the limited view to this view:

Pretty nice, huh?

These are the heavenly beds with my DD already trying it out:

The beds were a standard firm mattress with a soft pad on top and good quality sheets with several duvets-kinda in the European style. We were too hot with both duvets, but perfect with one.

Hope these links work!

Janet in Michigan

 

[disnurse]

Mitla96 - thanks for the quick reply, glad you had a great time. I don't think the dolphin will have been renovated by mid april but I'll keep my fingers crossed