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

[Muffy]

Mouseteacher, Welcome home! I am so happy to hear you got a Jr. Suite at the Swan with a BALCONY! We love balconies! We always get a Jr. suite at the Dolphin but never with a balcony! I am now finding out that the Dolphin does have some Jr. Suites with a balcony (corner units). I am thrilled to hear the Swan has some too! Sounds like there was plenty of pixie dust sprinkled around at the Swan! I'm so glad you had a magical time! Tell us all about it when you get a chance!

Muffy

 

[Mouseteacher]

Good morning, everyone.

Just another quick story and I'm off to work.

As said in my previous post, we did not choose CL. However, one of us each morning would go to the Lobby Lounge to purchase coffee and croissants and bring it back to the room to use in our dining area in the suite (I just love saying that chuckle) and read the newspaper. A second cup of coffee was taken out to the balcony to watch the resort come to life. We could see people jogging on the property (was that you DF?). It was so relaxing. One morning, DH wanted to sleep in a bit so I went to the Lounge to have my breakfast and sat at table near the window. There was only one other person in the area. The Lobby Lounge was never busy. As a matter of fact, I have come to the conclusion that both the S/D are very serene resorts despite the fact that many people are there. When walking through the lobby, it is just quiet - no hustling and bustling and no hordes of people. The acoustics seem much quieter than some Disney deluxes.

There were convention people around but I wouldn't have known it had it not been for their ID lanyards or tags they were wearing. DH said (sarcatically), "People call this a convention resort?" I had been telling him that many don't like the S/D b/c it isn't Disney owned and it is a convention resort. He still laughing over that. I told him it is our secret here on this thread and not to let the secret out! LOL

Have a great day everyone - will check in later.

 

[Kapp]

We are really hoping to get upgraded when we visit the Dolphin in mid-November. We have enough SPG points to get CL but would love a Junior Suite. Maybe my SPG Gold will help. Anyone have a particular room number or location for a Jr. Suite at the Dolphin they could recommend? And, does it help to ask for a specific room when faxing the room assigner or putting on your SPG reservation room request?

Are there Dolphin Jr Suites that have balconies? Sorry with all the questions but I am trying to do everything to make this trip great for my family while trying to stay on budget.

Thanks and have fun!

Kapp

 

[RAV]

Just a clarification-

I never disputed the price of the CL. I am disturbed by the lack of service received. I have paid for concierge level at Disney Deluxe resorts and am well aware of the cost.

While I am thrilled for the pixie dust received by others, I do feel that this forum should also be a place to vent disatisfaction with the resort.

 

[ww52]

Just to back up RAV - it was my post that disputed the price of CL. But as I said, I really should hold off on that opinion until I experience it myself. I'll post my opinion when we get back.

 

[magicaddict]

Knowing how everyone here "gets it" I just had to share something that happened the other evening. I overheard my DH telling someone about our recent trip to Disney and he actually said that he enjoys visiting because everything always seems so perfect (unlike the real world). I was floored because all this time I thought I had to talk him into these trips. He'll probably be sorry now that I know he enjoys himself as much as the kids and I do.

mouseteacher - Congrats on the wonderful upgrade! What a great way to spend your off time - lounging in your jr suite.

 

[#1hockeymom]

rav and ww2>> That was my post that combined both items into one paragraph. I am sorry! I am not disputing your claims at all! You are right, everyone has a chance to vent. As I have said earlier, I am sorry your trip wasn't up to par.

Debbie

 

[RAV]

No need for an apology. I just wanted to be clear that I paid for service that I didn't feel was met.

 

[Mouseteacher]

My point of view (for what it's worth) - As much as we enjoyed our comp upgrade to CL last summer, I keep wavering on whether I would pay or use points for it. We most likely would never use the afternoon offering since we usually eat dinner between 5:30 and 6:00 pm. This time we were offered CL at $50 a day. In thinking about it later, DH felt that we could send for room service for breakfast and pay about the same or slightly more for the 2 of us. Now, would we do CL if our DSs were with us? Perhaps. This is where I waver.

Just an additional FYI: at the Lobby Lounge in the Swan, 3 cups of coffee, 2 croissants and 2 donuts cost about $14.00 for the 2 of us.

The convenience of the Club Room in the morning was very nice when we were with the entire family. I'm still not sure what I would do. I do lean toward not paying for CL and push for a balcony or Jr. Suite upgrade. Just MHO. or my $0.02!

 

[KittenLittle]

Mouseteacher,I reread your posts,and I know that you were at the Swan,not the Dolphin.Was your Jr.Suite(with balcony!) just 1 large room,or was it a true 2-room suite? Do you know if any of the Dolphin Jr. Suites have balconies? There still seems to be some question about that.
DF-if you are reading this-could you find out and let us know?? Thanks SO MUCH!!!!

 

[anitad]

Thanks to the people on this thread, I was able to secure the recipe rate at the Swan for my stay in August. I had a reservation at the government rate and the reservations person at the S/D modified the rate. When I inquired with the reservations person about how to join the recipe club (because it says you have to be a member), she couldn't tell me. I told her that I had the print out from the website and she said that should be enough for check in. Can anyone tell me if I have to take affirmative steps to join something? Thank you.

 

[Mouseteacher]

KittenLittle, It was one large room but not rectangular or square. The dining area was sort of separate from the sleeping area - I describe it as a L shape. The dining area would be at the bottom of the L. But there are no walls separating the sleeping area from the dining. When sitting on the sofa or chair in the sleeping area you couldn't necessarily see fully into the dining space. I hope that explains it for you. Any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

Re: Dolphin - I believe that Ozziewags said the Club Level floor has 1 Jr. Suite w/balcony on its floor. As to other floors, hopefully, ozzie of Df can answer.

 

[KittenLittle]

Thank you Mouseteacher!
I am very interested in finding out if there really is the elusive Dolphin Jr.Suite balcony! I want to have as much info as possible before I even contact DU or the Dolphin directly!!

 

[Muffy]

KittenLittle, Someone recently posted that they had a Jr. Suite at the Dolphin with a balcony. They said it was a corner Jr. suite. I think it is safe to assume that the corner Jr. suite included a corner king room (double balcony) and a connecting room. It is nice to know the Dolphin does use corner kings for Jr. suites from time to time. I think it is the exception rather than the rule though. We have a Jr. suite booked at the Dolphin for 16 nights late Dec and early Jan. I am very interested in this corner Jr. Suite and we tell you more if I hear anything!

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

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

My family might be booking the $65.00 Dolphin rate but we have a dillema. It involves having a pet and not being sure if it's a good idea to leave him with my sisters friend. We don't want to do teh option of having one person stay home because that's not fair.


Ughhhhhhhhhhh....I hope this works out! LOL!

Mike

 

[Daisimae]

Bye everyone! I'm headed out tomorrow first night at CBM and then the Dolphin, (first time!). Can't wait!

Daisimae

 

[KittenLittle]

Thanks,Muffy!
If anyone else has firsthand knowledge of such a Jr. Suite configuration at the Dolphin,I do hope that they will post here!
Thanks All!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

pdcoaster>> Hope you work your pet problems out! In our house the big pets go to the kennel. The small ones to a friend or neighbors, and the fish get the auto feeder.

Have a great trip Daisimae! Looking forward to hearing how you enjoyed your stay.

I am enjoying all the trip reports. Keep them coming so my summer seems better than it really is!

Room configuration floor plans are on the swandolphin site, hidden under meetings/ then meeting space. I think a jr suites are different between the Swan and the Dolphin.

Good night!
Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

daisimae~ I hope your stay at the Dolphin is magical and your trip to the World fun. Post on your return.

pkdcoaster~ I know how you feel about leaving a pet. I am anal about my dog and have never placed any of my dogs in a kennel. So... we hire a pet sitter to come to the house 3x a day. In addition, a trusted neighbor comes over once or twice a day to take her for a walk.

hockeymom~ Just saying "Hi" to you. I hope your next trip comes off as planned. We're talking about next summer, too. Right now it is just talk - but the talk keeps the hope alive!

A quick trip story regarding crowds - We went to the MK on Friday 7/25 - arrived at 9:00 (not early morning opening day) and went directly to Fantasyland. It was my desire to do the attractions we hadn't done in while. Fantasyland was practically empty. We walked on PPF, SWSR, IASMW, WP. Then headed to HM, PoC, and JC. All walk ons - we did all of this in less than an hour. Then, headed over to do CoP which was no wait. The lines for Buzz and AE were moderate as well as SM.

Muffy~ How wonderful - 16 nights at the Dolphin - a dream come true!

 

[Meeko1]

Hi! Just a quick question. Can we use our refillable mugs at the Swan yet? My kids are getting tired of walking over to Tubbi's to get drinks! Thanks!