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

[dreamflight99]

On a funny note...has anyone noticed the amount/# of VIEWS this thread has received (vs. posts)? LOL...lots of LURKERS out there!

Disbug & luckytso...I've PM'D you both with the Vistana contact info. Let me know if you need any more assistance or additional help.

disfanRN...Try Emailing the SHULA's STEAKHOUSE associates. I believe the event is held here, and promotes the beautiful CIGAR LOUNGE. You may either call them at the Dolphin, or visit the website @ www.donshula.com/contact.htm and fill out the form.
Hope this helps you.

pkdcoastrs....the points have changed a bit, and there are still some discrepancies in the points being charged/processed for each upgrade. 16,000 is definitely sufficient for the View/balcony (750 pts) upgrade, and is also enough for CL for 5 days (5000 pts). 1,500 pts will get you a $20.00 restaurant (Food and beverage) certificate at the front desk (not good for Shula's). There are other perks, such as in-room-movies, etc., for which your points may be used. Enjoy! Also, have you applied for the LOEWS CARD for the PBH?!

Disneymom57...as jgates wrote, it is a leisure walk. It's also a very nice view...looking at the Dolphin as you approach. You may also walk under the covered walkway (in inclement weather), and look around at the water, boats, people and animals. Scenery always makes the time pass quickly, and the walk less of a "chore"...especially when doing laundry. (IMOHO~LOL!).

Happytrails...HOPE all is going well, and you both enjoyed your dining experience at the Brown Derby. Did you also venture around the park (MGM) and visit any attractions? I'll be THERE 4 weeks from tomorrow! WOW...I get nervous just writing that on this post...LOL. Time to GET BUSY.

 

[ww52]

I've read several dozen pages on this thread and have a general idea of what CL benefits get you - but I still wonder.

We have reservations at the Swan CL for $199 teacher rate vs. $129 for a regular room. Here is what I see we get for $70 per night (three people):

Continental breakfast each day from 7-10.
Snacks from 5-7.

We'll take advantage of the breakfast each day, but with some advanced shopping we could accomplish the same thing. Maybe that saves us $25. Of course CL would be more convenient.

The evening is less likely to add much since we won't often be around for that time.

So am I missing anything? I haven't read anything about the rooms being any better on the CL floor. I suspect the view is better since it puts us on the 12th floor - but I would think we could get a good view without paying the $70 difference. Is the $10 resort fee waived? Can you take bottles of water or snacks out of the lounge to bring with to the parks?

It would be a no brainer if we got the upgrade for free, or even with SPG points (I'm working on that and have a question on the Starwood thread about that). But is it worth $70?

Thanks

 

[disnurse]

ww52- I don't think CL is worth 70$ more. I thought it was only 50 more and i wasn't sure if even that was decent for what we needed. We used points for the upgrade but it was 1250 per night although we have yet to have those points deducted. Also we were not able to waive the 10$ resort fee.

 

[jaygatz]

For $199.00/night, you could snag a Studio (Teacher's Rate). IMHO, the Studio would be a better value than CL. With the Studio, you would have a dining room table to eat on, room to spread out, etc. Bring your own food, and grab the best of both worlds

 

[Mouseteacher]

ww52 ~ I agree with disnurse. We had CL but received it as a comp upgrade. It was convenient (we, too, were on the 12th floor just down the hall from the Club Room) and loved the breakfasts but we never used the afternoon offerings. I'm not sure I would pay for CL. I would use points and/or request the comp. I would rather use the extra $$ for a nice dinner at a sit down restaurant like the California Grille. JMHO

 

[dreamflight99]

AS a Platinum member of SPG, I do not pay for CL. Yet, most all the Disney-owned resorts charge as much or more (than $70) for concierge floor privs. The CL includes the use of the lounge and offerings, (yes, you may most certainly take H20 and other food/bevs out of the lounge. In fact...MAMA T will pack as many as needed/requested in a bag for you), Concierge services (PS arrangements, etc.), among other perks. It is a wonderful and convenient luxury.

$70 extra seems a bit steep, but if you eat Breakfast there & enjoy an afternoon snack, grab some water for the parks and fresh fruit/cheese/croissants/cookies for later, it may well work out to be worth the expenditure. It all depends on your personal needs, and how much use you would make of the lounge/food/concierge service.

I know a family of "5" whom consider this cost a "bargain", as they have three teen boys whom eat a considerable amount of food! These boys are there in the AM loading up on carbs/protein, and again every afternoon! LOL. So...They certainly get what they pay for (& possibly more!).

AS for me/us...personally, it would not be worth the extra $$$. I would do exactly as mouseteacher suggested and use the money for a nice sit-down dinner at a great restaurant in one of the parks, etc. There are only three of us, and we usually "sleep" through BF (a vacation habit). Therefore, we only make use of the late afternoon snacks, and only once every few days. We prefer to p/u some lunch @ Tubbi's or the Splash cafe/Fountain, or perhaps in a park.

In my estimation...unless you intend to use it every day, at each offering...you may be wasting money which could be better spent on other things. jaygatz & Disnurse both offered valuable input. Jays idea (studio) is FAB and should be seriously considered. Since we personally enjoy dining in a nice sit-down location each eve we are on vacation...the $70 would be put to much better use in my opinion (for us).

 

[ww52]

Thanks to everyone for the great and very helpful responses. I'll certainly consider the studio idea; but the convenience of loading up on water and snacks before setting out for the day has me thinking aobut keeping everything as is.

(Besides, after reading so much about her, now I feel I have to meet Mama T!)

Thanks again.

 

[ww52]

Just called the Swan and got a slightly different answer than I read here. They said breakfast is 7-10 and afternoon snacks 5-7 as I read, but the honor bar is open from 5-9:30 (free soda - discounted beer and wine). Is that true? Still not sure it adds up to $70, but at least it's a longer time frame.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I made my reservations during Easter break and snagged the club level room for 179 a night for the 23rd-28th of June. Although I qualify for the teacher's discount, it ended up being cheaper to go with no discounts and just use the normal dreams unlimited "sale" that was posted. I tried it both ways, and teacher discount ended up making club level cost more.

Due to the fact I have a hockey player who eats every hour, and a "closet" eating cheerleader (who is a size 2 YIKES!) I know we will get our use out of club level. Breakfast will be their "meal", and in the case of the hockey player, I bet it'll be three breakfasts! They're both grazers, and since DH loves to take naps during the snack time, they'll both be able to grab something to tide them over until dinner time. As my DS already told me, "YEAH! We won't have to walk through the wilds of Paris to the Metro Prix for croissants and brie!" (inside joke, Paris was anything but wild, but he likes the idea of food onsite!

Question: Can I beg/argue/ask nicely to have the 10 dollar resort fee waved? If it does get waved, will they remove the coffee maker from the room?
I don't want to have to turn my husband back into a mugman just so I can have my morning coffee before I have to smile at the world! (Without it, I could end up smiling at the swans and never know the difference!)

Glad to hear everyone in the world is having a great time, and that all the rest of us had great, albeit many of us cold, Memorial Day!

Debbie

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Dreamflight!

We are Loews First GOLD members! Does Starwood match rewards from Loews? We are basic level members in SPG.

Mike

PS- The Portofino Bay Hotel is incredible and I hope to stay there for a 3rd time with my parents this summer! Both times we have stayed in a Deluxe Pool View and the room is always so PERFECT! Those beds/pillows make a hard sleeper like me pass out in SECONDS! Last year we were unable to get an upgrade for $30 to a villa because our rate was under $199 .... Maybe this year!

 

[Mouseteacher]

I am BREATHLESS with excitement.



I have reserved a king room at the Swan for DH and me - July 24 through July 28 using cash and points and the teacher rate for the last night. I have reserved my flight, too. All I have to do is confirm my flight by midnight tomorrow and all will be a go!

I just can't seem to pass up the great deal of cash and points.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by ww52
Just called the Swan and got a slightly different answer than I read here. They said breakfast is 7-10 and afternoon snacks 5-7 as I read, but the honor bar is open from 5-9:30 (free soda - discounted beer and wine). Is that true? Still not sure it adds up to $70, but at least it's a longer time frame.

The "honor bar is open for the fireworks viewing in the late eve, just as you were informed. Also, they will "sneak" you a cookie or snack...if you "ask" for some. They are SO good about these things, and I usually slip them a tip if I wish for something special (cookies, fruit or cheese & crackers). They are so accomodating. It's truly a luxury to have CL privs.

#1hockeymom...this is the rate everyone is thinking of when they say CL is $50 more than the regular teachers/nurse discount! Perhaps ww52 should look into this special sale rate (save another $20 per eve!). YES...I would definitely still ASK/BEG for the resort fee to be waived. No, the coffee machine stays...no matter WHAT! (So, bring your own coffee for DH). Also, coffee may be brought back from the CL lounge for DH. Sounds as if you are ALL SET!

Pkdcoastrs ...It's definitely worth a TRY! Call SPG, and offer to FAX a copy of your LOEWS statement to their office. Hopefully...you can be upgraded to GOLD! YES...try to upgrade to a VILLA this year. Irregardless of the rate, if YOU ask (really nicely) at check-in, for a COMP UPGRADE...they JUST may oblige.

Remember...YOU'LL NEVER KNOW UNLESS YOU ASK!

 

[Muffy]

Starwood only matches Marriot, Hilton and Hyatt. I was hoping they matched Loews as my Starwood Plat Status ends in Feb and I am Plat. Loews. DH is Plat. Marriot and they did match that last fall. Unfortunatly I found out that Starwood only matches Platinum status one time. After than you have to earn it according to the CSR that I spoke to. That is bad news for me as I'm not quite sure we can do 50 nights or 25 stays in a calender year! I do have some good news about Loews Plat status though! It never expires! I double checked with two different CSR and they both varified that it does not expire?! I am really looking forward to our first stay at PBH this December for 2 nights before we arrive at the Dolphin! DS recently enjoyed one night at PBH and LOVED it. Thank you Happytrails for the pictures! Love them!

DF, your trip is approaching fast! Almost time to get out the suitcases or at least start thinking about it! I'm sure the excitment is building!

Happy planning to all folks headed to WDW and the S/D!

Muffy

 

[lonegungirl]

For anyone who was still wondering about the parking question--here's the response I got from the Swan people:

"Guests of our resort enjoy complimentary transportation by motor coach and
boats to all Disney areas. However, if you would prefer to drive to each
theme park, simply show your room key to the parking attendant, which will
allow you complimentary parking anywhere on Disney property."

So--yay, no parking fees!

 

[dreamflight99]

You are correct. I double-checked my info. LOEWS upgraded me from GOLD to PLAT. based upon my SPG PLAT status. My plat with LOEWS is good for TWO YEARS each time they renew it (this year I received my new info/packet and card through 2005). So, perhaps this is the same for you as well. I had no idea the LOEWS never expired. Wow...I'm PLAT for life? Hooray!
I must start to pack...as it's just 28 days and change before we are off on the 7+ week adventure! I take my PLAY "VERY" seriously.

lonegungirl...Thanks for the update and confirmation! I recall it was complimentary...just not too sure "how" it was obtained. Thank you, again. This is VERY beneficial to MANY PERSONS!

 

[happytrails2u]

Hi guys/gals,

Another perrrrfect day in the world and spent the day at MK. Much less humid too w/glorious warm Florida Sunshine...C'MON DOWN! LOL.

Our MGM sojourn last evening began around 5:30 or so. We made a 9:00 reservation at the Brown Derby and walked the park up until that point. The nice thing about this, is that we literally had the whole restaurant to ourselves.

Mousteacher, dw had the grapefruit cake (of which I stole a bite) and it was terrific. I had the filet mignon (mouth watering) w/portobella mushroom/ravioli app., while dw had the lump crab cake and grouper for the main course, which was also delicious. BTW, congrats on your good (vacation plans) news!

Oh, almost forgot. (INSIDE SCOOP) We hear the Dolphin's renovations have begun on the first four floors of the east wing!!! Hope that brings a few smiles!

DF, Smoke on the Water (lol)...yes, probably better suited for the guitar. Ask and you shall receive re: pics of the villa suite. I'll post more pics next week, when I get back to my cable connection. Enjoy our view:

...a view from the balcony looking across the bay:

We're off to Shula's tonight for the steak du jour and then a stroll on the Boardwalk for ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM!!!

 

[ozziewags]

Thanks for the beautiful pics. I will have to book a trip to PBH one day. Are you staying there the whole time and going back and forth from WDW to Universal?

 

[Athena]

I can't believe all the good news I've received today! Complimentary parking on Disney property, rave reviews of the Brown Derby, and someone just emailed me that they have a spot on their Illuminations cruise for our last night in WDW! I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight, I'm so excited!!!

I also got some other news today, but you'll have to wait until after I tell DH.

I don't have a ticker, but we leave a week from tomorrow, and will be spending 11 luxurious nights on CL at the Swan. How on earth did it creep up on me so fast?!

DF, you made a comment about tipping CL staff if they bring you out some special goodies. Pardon my ignorance, but do you normally tip in the CL when you go in for breakfast or the evening snacks? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Off to read DS some Disney storybooks. I think I enjoy them as much as he does! Good night everyone!

 

[luckytso]

Hi everyone,

We had such a wonderful stay at Swan Club Level last week that I just booked 4 rooms for a total of 42 nights (10 or 11 nights for each room) checking in on 12/24. I calculated that I need almost 55,000 SPG points to get every room every night upgraded to club level!!!

Thanks to Lisa, I just booked the Vistana tour to get the 10,000 spg points, and I will try to use my Amex card as much as I possibly can.

Any suggestions as to how to accumulate the points faster, or how to get all 4 rooms upgraded to the club level without having enough points? I need all the tips possible.

Thanks to everyone's tips on this board, we love the Swan. Asked about the Dolphin, they said they expect the renovation to be completed next spring and it goes from the first floor, they don't expect to have the club level rooms done until early next year.

I originally had a reservation at the Boardwalk Villa for Xmas. I will definitely miss BWV, there is something special about Disney resorts (for me anyway). I hope this stay will be as great as what we had last week.

 

[jgates]

Our upgrade to Club was complimentary on our last trip and we have already set our trip next year for Club level.

Normally I would say my break point tolerance is about $50. Without my DS in tow, it would probably not be that high as DD & I wouldn't be able to justify it. Otherwise, without a McD's drive-up, it would normally cost us $20+ (around here - probably $30 at Disney) to eat breakfast out, plus the waiting time, plus getting there, etc.

In the evening we easily stayed full until supper with cheese, crackers and fruit & soda. Sometimes we combined that with a cheese pizza from Tubbi's and we were set for the evening. We never used the stuff from the fridge in the room except to swap out sodas from the Club lounge (I HATE ice in my soda- I want it cold by itself) - we would take a warm one back and swap out for a cold one. (Shh.....don't tell - in fact I think it was one of the Club workers that suggested that.....). I always took a cookie back to the room in case my blood sugar was low and the biggest convenience was QUICK food for me in the morning if I needed food right away. We were always given water bottles to take with to the parks so that saved us $ there too.

PS, do I say 'congrats!' Athena?