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

[luckytso]

Mom Poppins - Thanks so much, I just put in the request.

 

[Mike V]

I stand corrected on the direction we face. Our room faces the swan on the right side on the V portion of the Hotel. We cannot see Epcot or the Fireworks. We can see the smoke. The Big V of the hotel is in our way. The only club louge is on the 12th. With club rooms on the 12 and 14. Even if you did not have CL privelages you still could walk right in and know would notice.

 

[Mouseteacher]

marymrg ~ I booked in at the teacher rate = limited view standard room. We received a comp upgrade to CL 12th floor. We still had a limited view. This was okay for us as we spend little time in our room. Also, the upgrade to CL was awesome and I certainly was satisfied with that.

Our "view" was of the roof of the convention center / the bus stop portico area. When we looked out to the horizon, we could see the Contemporary!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by kimmar067
,DF99...1,200??!?!?!? Yikes!! Even if you took off the thousand, I'm not even CLOSE to that many....

Darn, I forgot that you went on the cruise last year...shoulda asked if you could pick up a cruise pin for me(don't have ANY in my collection! )

Ahem....I'm taking ANOTHER Cruise this summer...would you like me to get you a couple of cute ones? If only I would have known...darn! Well, I'll catch some for you this time around.

*This # includes the SETS I have too, some are framed, and some are not. I LOVE the Map sets, which were CM pins. Also, must say I LOVE the "I conquered the World" Set...which was really Neat (as we did it ourselves during the final days of our stay last summer). If you do not have this set...PM me, as I have ONE EXTRA!

marymrg~You are aware the BIRTHDAY RATE is $99, correct? You just have to show your license, etc. as proof of your birthdate. I'm sure it's better than the AA rate. With Gold SPG, I would "request" a comp upgrade using the link provided by MOM POPPINS (THANKS MOM POPPINS for the link! How's the pregnancy going? )

Mike...I am very confused as to the location of your room? Most of the rooms on CL in the center tower can see out "both" sides when close to the window. Also, even though the concierge do not seem to notice the guests as they come and go, most are asked to sign-in. And from time to time, (every time we are there), they also check our room cards for the "CL" notation. It would be embarrassing to attempt to enter, and have to be denied based upon these criteria. I'm not one to take such a chance, and just "feel" better obtaining the amenity through the proper process.

Mouseteacher...I LOVE that view. I enjoy looking over the FOREST down below....the CSR...and most especially the Contemporary resort in the Distance. I just received paperwork today from the Concierge staff of the Contemporary resort. I'll fill it out at my leisure...and make a few PS's (Calif. Grill for SURE!). They even provided a SASE for my convenience, as well as an EMAIL address! I'm truly excited about this special stay, and will let them know about DD's BD too.

 

[Mike V]

Our Jr Suite is not in the center Tower. Our room is three windows next to the center tower on the right side facing the Swan.

Also, I just got back from the CL Room for drinks and they carded me. So you are correct. The kids enjoyed the heated pools to night. Although I do not think the grotto slide pool is heated.

Another interested opportunity is Club Dolphin. We have seen the group of about 8 kids and they have had a blast. Playing, Crafts, movies, Dinner and the Video games. It looks well run. It is 10.00 per child per hour but if you eat at Shula's Steakhouse you get 2 hours Club Dolhpin free. We will try it Thursday Night.

 

[kimmar067]

Hmmmmm, I MAY take up your offer...PM me with the particulars and $$$ ~ Thanx a bunch ! ~

and....while I am thinking about it, can you suggest (if saying off-site) what would be a good location to stay if we visited DL and DCA.....might like to do something a little different (kids think WDW is getting played out - THAT'S THEIR OPINION, NOT MINE!!)

 

[marymrg]

Thanks Dreamflight.......is the birthday rate the one associated with the 100 year Celebration? If so, when I called the Swan they said that has ended If not, then I'll definitely call Starwood about that! I'm also an AP holder and can get a discount that way for a room with a better view. Honestly, the view doesn't matter that much to me so I think I'll pay the points ahead of time for a club upgrade and be pleasantly surprised if I get an upgraded view. Since the Dolphin has more rooms, would my chances be better if I stay there? Thanks also to mouseteacher..........I could definitely live with the room that you were assigned for the same reasons.
mg

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ California Grill - our family's personal favorite and a never miss place for dinner while in the world! Of course, as I have said before, CR is our sentimental favorite resort. It is the first on-site resort I stayed in circa 1978 (first trip to the world - still a single gal then!).

 

[Debbie7452]

Hey all,

through extraordinary bargaining with my DH I have booked our return to the S/D for next March! We have two free nights to use compliments of the General Manager because of problems we had last summer. They are for a Jr. Suite with CL priv.

Here's my question...When I called to arrange the reservation with the Manager's Assistant, she told me there was more availability at the Swan then at the Dolphin at that time so I would "most likely" be put over there. Alarm bells were going off in my head because I KNOW there are not any Jr. Suite's there...only Swan Studios. I attempt to bring this up with the lady making the arrangements but she is...how can I say this nicely...kind of cranky. She assures me there are Jr. Suites at the Swan (which I know is not correct). However, I let it go because I won't know where or what I truly got assigned until I get my Confirmation in the mail.

DF, do you think this is the correct course to take? Maybe just wait and see if we get an Exec. suite assigned at the Swan (which would be GREAT, as far as I'm concerned). The Studio would not provide enough bedding for our three kids and I would really hate to give up that extra privacy DH and I were hoping for.
I don't want to act to demanding about a free room but promises are promises?

They did agree to extend our free room offer for 6 months past it's expiration, which I truly appreciated.

 

[ddawg]

Debbie,
I would ask if the junior suite at the Swan is a two room suite. You are right about the studio it is just one room and the next step up is an executive suite maybe that is what they are going to give you, just ask them. JMHO even though you didn't ask me.

 

[dreamflight99]

Mike...I merely presumed you were situated "ON" club level. Thanks for the confirmation of the "Carding" on CL. Even though they "recognize" us and even "know" us by name (From past visits), they still follow protocol and ASK to SEE the ID. Ah, Club Dolphin was a favorite of my DD's when she was young-er. Shula's is one of our FAVS...and we plan a visit each trip. Enjoy, and please post your views of the restaurant and the Dolphin club. Thanks for the TIP/INFO on the 2-hours FREE @ the Dolphin Kids Club when dining in Shula's. I had no idea they offered this to patrons. Wonderful incentive for some "alone, adult time." ENJOY!

Kimmar...I PM'd You!

marymrg...No, the 100 year celebration is different from the Birthday Rate. Call and ask for the "Birthday Rate" per the promotion.

Mouseteacher...I made my FIRST TRIP to the WORLD in 1977! We also have Sentimental attachment to the CR (for the same reasons!). We love the Calif. Grill, the service~fare & view are THE BEST, and keep us returning year after year.

Debbie..."Complimentary or Not", the relevant issue is "Comfortable, acceptable accomodations". Please, phone the executive assistant again. Inform her you will "NEED" either a Junior suite at the Dolphin, or an Executive suite at the Swan. Inform her you require the "Two-room" configuration for guest comfort. Be direct and concise. Please, do not feel badly for making a reservation based upon a complimentary extension from the management. If the offer is for a Junior suite, this is definitely in reference to the 2-room configuration (as the Swan Studio is one, albeit large, room). I would not advise the "wait and see" tactic, especially in this situation. Call as soon as possible and "Clarify" your needs. She (assistant) should amend your reservation at once. If not, please pm me for further instructions/advice.

HAPPY TUESDAY to ALL!

 

[Libbysmom2000]

My DH, DD (3 1/2) and I will be at the Swan the 1st week of May. We have 2 room reservations right now, one a limited view and the other a CL. I'm trying to decide which one would be best for us. Obviously, CL would be really nice but I'm trying to keep our costs down. I'm one of those people who looks for a hotel with a gym(and willingly pays a fee if necessary) so I can keep up my workout and not feel guilty about vacation treats. I read some information on another site that the $10 resort fee isn't charged on CL rooms. Is this true? If yes it would tip the scale in favor of going with the CL reservation.

Thanks for your help.

Kate

 

[Debbie7452]

DF...I did as you directed. I also PM'd you. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Dead End Kid]

We've discussed this question a few times - do you have to pay the $10 resort fee when you are on CL - and many of us have had different experiences.

We stayed on CL at the Swan in July 2002 - paying for the upgrade with points. We were charged the $10 resort fee each night. Since I had no idea that this could be waived, I never inquired about it - though at the time I remember thinking we were getting so many of the resort fee benefits by being on CL it seemed foolish to pay the extra $10.

We went back to the Swan in Feb 2003 - again on Club Level using our points. This time I did ask and the desk clerk told me that fee was not waived. The first night of this trip was "free" using points and they gave us a comp upgrade to Club Level that night, so I didn't press the matter. Perhaps if I had asked to speak with the manager it might have been a different story, since others have reported getting the fee waived when in a Club Level accomodation.

Interestingly, the "free" night with points was also charged the $10 resort fee! I actually didn't mind it too much, since that was a separate reservation and AMX was giving a 500 point bonus for each Starwood hotel stay. So, we got 500 points for the free night (since I had a $10 AMX charge on that reservation) 500 points for the other nights - plus 500 points when we booked and paid our first night depost online.

Gotta love those bonus points!!!

Dead End Kid

 

[dreamflight99]

Personally, I have never been charged a resort fee while staying at the "Club Level" status. Even before making Plat. SPG, I would "nicely point out" to the associate the fact I was on CL, which included the resort amenities w/o fee. I was never erroneously charged. Unless the resort has changed the policy, I have never been charged for these fees, while staying in a Suite or CL. The fee can be waived, if you REFUSE the amenities. Presently, my Plat. status offers FREE CL, and FREE resort amenities...sans the hassles. I apologize for all the trouble you incurred Dead End Kid. Staying CL, the fee should have been waived. (*And YES, YES, YES...I LOVE the AMEX bonus points!).

Libbysmom2000...I believe, as I posted above, the fee is not charged when you are staying on CL. It would be best if you called the resort directly to confirm this feature.

 

[RobMax]

Who does the birthday rate apply to. Can you use the kids BD?

 

[dreamflight99]

"Birthday Rate" is for ANYONE! So, pack up the kids...and head to the WDW Dolphin/Swan, for the $99 Celebration rate. I envy those folks with all their Birthdays strategically aligned in the same month! LOL.

 

[luckytso]

Hi, everyone,

I called SPG today and was told that the upgrade to the club level is 1,000 pts, not 750 pts. How do you get 750 pts? Dolphin said that I have to call SPG to request the point upgrade. The hotel for the nights that we are staying are supposed to be pretty booked up so if we want the club level, we probably need to do it ahead of time. However, I would love to use only 750, not 1,000 pts to do the upgrade. What is the best way to do this? I did send Dolphin an e-mail yesterday, and have not heard anything.

Thanks

 

[lovingthemouse]

When we were there 3 weeks ago, the woman at the desk told us this would be the last time they would waive the resort fee - and we stayed on the Club level. Also, they charged us 750 Starwood pioints for each night's upgrade. Sounds like there are some inconsistencies with their policies.

 

[marymrg]

Dreamflight: I am getting nowhere in trying to book the $99 birthday rate. I called Starwood last night and they put me on hold while they talked to the Swan and the agent said I could get it but to call the hotel directly. (she called them while I was on hold) So, then I called reservations for the Swan and was told that the rate expired on 2/28 and it was for $100 NOT $99. I politely stated that I thought this was a different promotion and she said no........they don't offer it, it's expired. The Starwood agent gave me the Swan phone number but I used the toll free reservation number. Do you think that makes a difference? I'll try again this afternoon by calling directly to the "front desk". If I still don't get anywhere, I'll book the AAA rate on-line and get the extra 500 booking points that way. I'm really not getting too aggravated It's more of a mission for me than anything. Regardless of the rate, I plan on going and celebrating my birthday in grand style.......even though it's the one where I'll be 39 forever