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

[Muffy]

We returned from the Dolphin 1/13 and had CL but we were on the West wing with MGM view. Call the dolphin and request the East wing (Epcot) if you want an Epcot view. It will not interfer with CL privs. You do not have to stay on the CL floor to have CL privs! Take care of EVERYTHING before you leave by calling. Ask for the room controller and make sure she knows you want the east wing (Epcot view) Good luck and have a GREAT time at the Dolphin!

 

[Braque]

We booked under the Teacher's Rate and recently kindly sent in our special room request including upgrade wishes. The response we received back from S/D reservations seemed awfully curt. Along the lines of: "You're paying a Teacher's Rate of $129, so sh** up".

We are still over a hundred days out, the reservation information on the S/D website hasn't changed from traditional room, limited view, except to say 'special request'.

Someone tell me not to sweat this thing - we're staying eight nights at the Dolphin, I'd like to think we would get some upgrade for SPG (reg) or something.

 

[dandelion]

Okay all you Swan & Dolphin lovers ... I'm one too and have enjoyed a few stays at each ... here's a question about their guest services if I'm not a guest (this time!)

Some smart folks on the Budget Board have instituted a stroller swap for those of us with little munchkins.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=339834

I am not staying onsite for my upcoming trip <sniff> and the stroller user previous to me has to leave a day before I arrive. Do you think Swan guest services would hold it for us even when I am not a registered guest?

OR, are any of you at the Swan (or Dolphin, I'm not picky!) between 4/25 and 4/27? You would not have to touch the stroller. Tiggercrazy would drop it off on 4/25 and ask them to hold it for "insert name here" and on 4/27 I'd stop by and say I'm "insert name here" and take it away.

I chose the Swan/Dolphin as the possible switcheroo spot because frankly, I've received better services from them than any "Disney" hotel.

Whaddaya think? TIA

 

[KelliR]

I feel the need to remind everyone that upgrades are not the norm. Yes, many people have had success when asking for them. I only did once. One time I was charged 1250 points...which seems to be more than it should have been.

The staff at Swan/Dolphin and Starwood seem to often be confused and inconsistent. Yes, I like the Starwood properties, but they are not perfect.

Everyone can not get an upgrade. You can ask, but it is not for sure. If you MUST have a specific room, upgrade, etc. the only way to definitely have that room is to book it and pay for it.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from asking ... but we need to keep it in perspective.

 

[dreamflight99]

Wow...KIMMAR! I can't believe you didn't catch the info on this thread (all over the place pre-christmas), about the DC. There was a "deadline" posted, where you could call and be "pro-rated" through December 2003. My card was set to expire in May, so they pro-rated my renewal fee @ 7 months. I feel terrible about this...I just presumed everyone of us knew! Please, call them (DC) as soon as possible, and ask them to extend the offer for your renewal through the end of the year. They may still be effecting these memberships. Of course, if you need a card/number, you can certainly "borrow" mine...as you are considered "family"! Let me know if I can be of any help with this matter.

Muffy...that's certainly GREAT info (holding room) with regards to the WDW Swan/Dolphin. Thanks for the NEW insider tip. Also, sad about the AMEX TAX offer...that's a LOT OF POINTS! Argh! Win some....and lose some. DD will LOVE the Dell. I am SO HAPPY (happy dance....) with mine. It's got lots of "bells & whistles" too (LOL...love that term!). Oh, to run in the cool New England Morning...lucky you! More snow...again? This is definitely SOME winter you are having. Spring will come soon enough...and the Birds will seranade your runs EACH day!

RobMax...Me Too! Wish they had a BETTER offer on the renewals (like 50% off!). If we visit U.Studios Hollywood (very close to us), we will get an ANNUAL PASS for the cost of the one day pass! Now...when is DISNEY going to do this? LOL. I followed the link you porvided for the Disney Credit card (Day 1), and am awaiting the card. Had to laugh about the "Smoke and mirror" jab on the DC benefits...most were not even as good as Mastercard, Amex, etc. So, I'm with you on this one, and hoping there are REAL benefits to this card membership!

Hi, Kelli~I also LOVE the Balcony. This is the one detractor from the CL rooms/suites...NO BALCONY. It is nicer to have the CL PRIVS and maintain the Balcony. The walk is nice, and all enclosed!

DD had "Special People Day" at her Catholic H.S. today. She was partnered with a 3 YO blind girl named Ricki. She bought her a special little Teddy wearing a sweater. She had a MAGICAL time, playing games, having her face painted, enjoying the Happy Meals and fresh Churros, petting the Cows and llama, riding the pony, etc. She described how Ricki would "Gently carress" the little bear, as if to See with her fingers. We talked about this yesterday, and she set a plan to "describe everything using descriptive adjectives, etc. Well, it worked, as she asked her if she wanted a "heart or star" painted on her cheek...she would "etch" the image onto the little girls palm using her finger. It worked....Ricki wanted the heart. Wonderful lessons of life to be learned in such an eventful afternoon. Big Blessings come in the smallest of forms.

*...JMOHO: I noticed in my Mickey Monitor...the news about the Polynesian Dinner show being revamped! We were there last summer with friends, and it was TOO HUMID to even enjoy! Now...they need some outdoor Coolers (opposite of the patio heaters in the winter), and larger Fans to circulate the cold air! The waiter was "Dripping sweat" (VERY UNAPPETIZING), and we feared asking him for anything, as we did not wish to cause his demise. It was terrible...so we will not be going there again until it's enclosed or COOLER! LOL.

 

[RobMax]

Originally posted by Braque
The response we received back from S/D reservations seemed awfully curt. Along the lines of: "You're paying a Teacher's Rate of $129, so sh** up".

Braque - I am interested in exactly what they said to you. You may have received the very general ... "We cannot grant your requests at this time."

Was the request submitted to SPG or S&D site? What were the exact words used.

Also, you will be much better off talking with someone at the front desk.

Special requests really just help reduce your face to face conversation or allow for addition of refridg, crib, smoking/non, etc. If location is the goal of your request, know that your best bet is a face to face. And mind you, I am an educator as well, and regardless of my platinum status, I have had some issues about rudeness with registration staff at starwood hotels INCLUDING the Dolphin in 2002. You probably just ran into one bad egg ... and I personally try to get the bad eggs early retirement.

One other issue is that if you placed a special request with the other onsite hotels it would probably cost you or go unrecognised (with a few exceptions).

 

[Braque]

Robmax -

We used a very kindly worded request based on dreamflight's (I think) posting two weeks back, to be upgraded, if available, to CL, possibly a view of EPCOT fireworks. We also mentioned the AllEars special code (Email subscribers) which allowed a free room upgrade. We have since learned from Deb that you have to book the room first with the AllEars code and then follow-up with the second code.

I know there are no guarantees, we requested thru the S/D website. The exact response was:

"Your requests have been entered. Currently, with the teacher rate, you are paying $129 for the room rate. With (AllEars Code), a lake view would begin at $147.50. Would you like to change that? Have a good day.

Melissa
Reservations"

Perhaps, from the luck some have been having on this Board I was unrealistically expecting Miss Mary Sunshine. It felt curt to me.

If I follow-up with the Dolphin Front Desk, when should that be done? Two weeks, one week before arrival or ASAP? Number?

 

[RobMax]

I have received those type responses as well. There is a marketing texrt out there right now that is titled "Is someone else writing your email?" Quite possibly Melissa has yet to receive the newest version.

Knowing the characteristics of the current environment concerning the marketing of entertainment venues - war, terror, etc., I am willing to bet that you will get your upgrade for free if you wait till you get there. Once the hotel has hit the day you arrive, there is no internal cost to the hotel to give you an upgrade. That being said, they can only gain loyalty by giving you an upgrade, especially if it is just a view. If the hotel is not full, then loyalty will be a major objective of the management!

Back in the old days, when I had a job I didn't love, I ran a facility for GPC. My customer service dept had fields thay could use on our computerized customer profiles to allow for the tracking of customer/customer service relationships. I'll be perfectly frank that when it can down to doing favors, we would look at these fields and if they said things like @#%@^&@ we would not give an inch. My expectation is that SPG and S&D have a similar set of fields and have candid comments about all of us saved for future contact. Since you have been very kind, I'm sure this will no doubt help you. I do expect that people who contact the front desk 52 times before their visit reduce their chances for an upgrade.

Anyone want to guess what their fields say?

Sorry - went a little marketing crazy there. That happens when you study the real world from an ivory tower.

 

[Mouseteacher]

CRB#33 ~
My request went something like this (it was last August so my memory is dimming) -

My family I will be arriving on Aug. ___ for a 6 night stay at the Dolphin. This is our first stay at the Dolphin as we usually stay at Disney resorts. We are very excited about our stay. I am a gold level spg member and will be using my Starwood AMEX card during our stay. I would appreciate any consideration you could give to a complimentary upgrade. It would certainly add to the magic of our stay.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.

I signed my name and reservation # and my gold spg #.

I emailed this about 2 or 3 weeks before our arrival. I did receive the standard e mail reply - all requests will be addressed at check in / or something like that and signed by Melissa.

It was the week before that I saw the change on my reservation on the spg site. I e mailed directly to the Dolphin not spg.

We did go the last week of August which is a slow time of year and I wonder if that is why we received the upgrade without using points.

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ LOL disnurse is the expert as you said. However, your concern and sympathy was much appreciated, too.

So nice to read about your DD and her Catholic high school. Kudos to Catholic education! But then again, that is not an objective opinion - it is steeped in personal bias.

 

[RobMax]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher
Kudos to Catholic education!

AMEN[/u]

 

[dreamflight99]

LOL...Mouseteacher! They also are doing the little "Dime a Day" contribution from all students to assist the "less-fortunate" (I never use the word "poor", as this would presume a person is POOR in SPIRIT. Perhaps they are RICH in Spirit! ) in South America. She makes sandwiche lunches at home once per week to deliver to the local homeless shelter...and numerous other ventures in community service. I believe it helps her to gain perspective, and better appreciate the life we are blessed to enjoy. Thanks for your support! *My concern and sympathy was "much-deserved". ^_^

RobMax...ivory tower, indeed. I must reiterate your post, and agree Braque has a 99.9% chance of receiving the upgrade "pro-bono" upon arrival. Especially after receiving such an email. I would not reply, and would merely inquire at the time of check-in. I also, (LOL), agree with the "52 times" equation. Sometimes..."The squeaky wheel gets replaced", and definitely "denied" the appeal/request. You can bet your bottom dollar SPG/S&D have the "files" on each guest. It's wise marketing, and has been implemented usefully by companies for years. The &*%$_@^^**~ are always "recorded", and DO NOT get any special privs. It pays to be kind, in more ways than one! I too, have viewed the panorama from within the confines of the proverbial tower, and much prefer the "Real World" (LOL).

 

[disnurse]

Expert- well thats a stretch but thanks for the ego boost!! Its been a very busy week for me,all the kids at school just cant seem to shake the flu and my office is overflowing. I've jokinly asked my principal to get me one of those deli ticket machines so i can see whos next!
Dreamflight i love to hear stories about kids doing community services and good deeds. I think this is such an important aspect in our lives that often gets overlooked. My son is having a book and bake sale this week to collect money for the fire victims and he is so excited to be a part of it all.

Robmax is fully agree with you, my birthday falls over our vacation and i have already procured a discount rate I be content with that and not bug them any further and try for the birthday rate.

 

[DayDreaming]

We will be at the Swan during Easter this year. I thought I read somewhere that the Swan delivers Easter baskets to your room for $40. Has anyone ever purchased one and what exactly is included in the basket? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Think this would be a great surprise for my kids.

 

[RobMax]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
RobMax...ivory tower, indeed... I too, have viewed the panorama from within the confines of the proverbial tower, and much prefer the "Real World" (LOL).

Luckily, studying business allows me to "let down my hair" and escape the tower frequently.

Braque - give it all you got when you get there. And if you are willing to change rooms, my advice is to check after a day or two if you don't get what you want (and go at a different time of the day 8pm vs. 8am so you get a different mgr and rep.)

 

[kimmar067]

...drat, drat, and double-drat!!! Wish me luck...I'm gonna call right now to find out if I can just be billed for the whole year..

on a happier note: I just received my Disney Day One Visa card in the mail today...YIPPEE!! (guess I'll just HAVE to "christen" it! )

 

[Mouseteacher]

Just as an addition to e mailing requests for upgrades - Upon our return I emailed the Dolphin again to let them know how much we LOVED the resort and found everything much to our satisfaction. I thanked them for offering a teacher rate because I feel teachers receive so few perks that this was was also appreciated. I wrote that we would be returning to the resort on our next trip and were looking forward to that.

I received a nice email back from Melissa thanking me and glad that we enjoyed our time.

I'm sure they get many letters of complaints and I thought a letter of satisfaction would be a breath of fresh air. I know in my "business" I hear everything that upsets parents - it is the rare compliments that I hold dear to my heart. The squeaky wheels in my business/school are about 1% but they are very loud. It is nice to hear from the other 99%.

 

[time101]

Thanks Mouseteacher, for the text of the email you sent to request a comp upgrade. Would someone please post the email addresses of the Swan and Dolphin? I take it that you emailed rather than used the Special Request feature of the www.swandolphin.com website.

Thanks,

Tim E.
Michigan City, IN

 

[Mouseteacher]

time ~ if I remember there is an email place on the swandolphin site because that is what I used. I don't remember a request place. I haven't been on the s/d site in a while.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Tim ~ just checked the site - I believe I went to the bottom and clicked on Feedback - then clicked on General Comments.