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

[log]

(i accidentally posted on disney resorts as 'new thread' rather than as a reply to this thread...sorry)

what a great group!! few questions...
We're due at Swan this Saturday 4/3/04 -4/10/04 This is our first stay at the Swan. Have LOTS of questions.

I originally booked (last fall 2003) through starwood. Am currently a Preferred Plus member. They have me booked in a Standard Limited View room.

1.Should I fax someone (Starwood or Swan directly) and ask for a complimentary upgrade or just ask for upgrade when I get there?

2.Should I ask/fax someone for a balcony room with view (my preference)? If so, who? Which rooms are the balcony/best views?

3.Not sure if I'm supposed to be dealing with Starwood or Swan directly. Don't want to mix things up.

4. We reserved a crib for the room. Will a roll-a-way also fit? I thought my DH said the Swan they can NOT fit both a crib and rollaway....Has anyone done this?

5.Also, I have 5000 points. That would only qualify me for 3 days club level (if available). Should I request Club Level? If it was available, could we stay in same room? CAN YOU SPECIFY WHAT 3 days you want? (By the way, we have character breakfasts for 3 mornings, so we wouldn't use breakfast for those days.)

6.Also, how's the A/C in the rooms? Will it be hot, ie, does the A/C go off when there's no movement?

By the way...I just called the 800-227-1500 number and spoke to someone. they checked my reservation number and said it DID have my SPG number on it. I then asked if it was possible to request a balcony/view room or should I fax it. She first said, I could book a balcony room for more $ to be sure I got it. I told her I just wanted to request one as complimentary. She said she would note it and let the front desk know. I hope I didn't confuse things. Does that sound OK with everyone??? pls say yes!


Hope to get some answers soon....time is FLYING......thanks so much...



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[MOM POPPINS]

amjl ~ Welcome to our thread... I looked back through some of the thread and cannot seem to locate your questions. Would you mind posting the questions that you still need answers to. I do know that you are allowed to book 3 rooms per person with a qualified position. Other than that please ask away...

log ~ Welcome ~ I have not stayed at the Swan before, so hopefully others will be able to help you with specific rooms. I would send a request through their website www.swandolphin.com for a balcony room. I don't know if you would be able to request what days you would like to have club access. I personally cannot see why this would be a problem. I would go ahead and call Starwood and get club level for 3 nights, tell them what 3 nights you would like. Good luck and have fun on your trip!

Waving to the room

 

[kcarp]

Maybe this has been asked, sorry if it was. What are the chances that Dreams Unlimited Travel will be offering DIScounted Rates for Teachers, Nurses, and Government/Military workers in 2005? I noticed on Dreams Unlimited Travel's website you can only book through 2004. Do they offer anything in 2005?

TIA

 

[zurgswife]

I got an email today from SPG regarding my question about my downgrade from Gold status to Preferred...

Dear Ms. Dunlap:

Thank you for your recent message to Starwood Preferred Guest. We
welcome this opportunity to assist you.

Please be advised, that you will need to inform American Express to
contact the Starwood Preferred Guest department in order to upgrade you to
the Gold level.

We appreciate your patronage of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. If
you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Best regards,

Aziz Marchoud
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

So, I've got to contact AMEX.....hope this isn't too much trouble....

 

[amjl]

MOM POPPINS - Thanks for the quick response and welcome to this thread - here are my questions - To get the discounted rate do we all have to check in and check out on the same days? Does the person who qualifies for the rate have to pay the bill?Is there somewhere to check what type of government jobs qualify for the rate? Can I book now for a 2005 trip?

I havent been to that area in over 9 years - whats the grotto pool like? We'll have kids between 1 and 9 - is there something for everyone?
thanks again!

 

[#1hockeymom]

I hope I can answer a few of the questions.

I don't know about check in check out having to be the same. I do know that the person with the discount has to be there to check all the rooms in. You don't have to be the one paying the bill to get the discount. You do have to be the one paying the deposit though, I believ. (I could be wrong) I know at another Disney hotel I booked it under my mom's Fl resident rate. I just needed her at check in *and her ID!* and I insisted that I was paying the bill and there was no problem with that at all.

Ask for which days you'd like to upgrade to CL! You'll love it, and I don't see why you can't pick which days you'd like!

Balcony requests can be emailed or phone at reservation time. Good luck! I think you can deal with either. I would change to the resort itself for any last minute requests/ or RErequests (new word! LOL).

AC was fine. Deadbolt your door and it seems to be more consistent according to other posters. If it isn't cool enough for your family, just make a call down to the desk and they will take care of it! We had no problems with the AC at all, and we sleep in cool rooms! I did have a problem at AKL, but since it was Jan, we slept with the balcony slider open to cool the room off! I plan on making that my first request if the temp hasn't been lowered on the thermostat. I think many of the resorts are going to the sensor thermostats with limited temp range.

I hope that helps a few of you!

Happy planning!
Debbie

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

ZW- I just called SPG and told them that I was downgraded. They did not have my AMEX card on file, so it was not indicated that I needed to remain Gold. She could tell by the card number that I was a Starwood AMEX holder, she entered it, and Voila! Gold again. We got the new gold SPG card in the mail today.

Hope that helps.

Debbie

 

[madge]

Originally posted by log
(i accidentally posted on disney resorts as 'new thread' rather than as a reply to this thread...sorry)

what a great group!! few questions...
We're due at Swan this Saturday 4/3/04 -4/10/04 This is our first stay at the Swan. Have LOTS of questions.

I originally booked (last fall 2003) through starwood. Am currently a Preferred Plus member. They have me booked in a Standard Limited View room.

1.Should I fax someone (Starwood or Swan directly) and ask for a complimentary upgrade or just ask for upgrade when I get there?

you can ask, but I can tell you that upgrades are subject to availability. I can tell you that things are VERY BUSY right now at the Swan/Dolphin.

2.Should I ask/fax someone for a balcony room with view (my preference)? If so, who? Which rooms are the balcony/best views?
[/B][/QUOTE] you can fax a preference to the request email on the swandolphin site and you will get a return e-mail telling you that your request has been recieved.
3.Not sure if I'm supposed to be dealing with Starwood or Swan directly. Don't want to mix things up.
[/B][/QUOTE] I would deal directly with the resort.
4. We reserved a crib for the room. Will a roll-a-way also fit? I thought my DH said the Swan they can NOT fit both a crib and rollaway....Has anyone done this?
[/B][/QUOTE] I have always been told that the Dolphin sleeps 5. Personaly, I wouldn't want a roll-away and a crib at the same room.
5.Also, I have 5000 points. That would only qualify me for 3 days club level (if available). Should I request Club Level? If it was available, could we stay in same room? CAN YOU SPECIFY WHAT 3 days you want? (By the way, we have character breakfasts for 3 mornings, so we wouldn't use breakfast for those days.)
[/B][/QUOTE] yes, CL is 1000 points a night. I believe they will let you pick the days for CL, but I imagine that they will ask yhou to come to the front desk each morning you want to use points to verify that you have enough points. I would call and spek to someone about that.
6.Also, how's the A/C in the rooms? Will it be hot, ie, does the A/C go off when there's no movement?
[/B][/QUOTE] our room has been comfortably cool all week.
By the way...I just called the 800-227-1500 number and spoke to someone. they checked my reservation number and said it DID have my SPG number on it. I then asked if it was possible to request a balcony/view room or should I fax it. She first said, I could book a balcony room for more $ to be sure I got it. I told her I just wanted to request one as complimentary. She said she would note it and let the front desk know. I hope I didn't confuse things. Does that sound OK with everyone??? pls say yes![/B][/QUOTE] I think that's all you can do. Again, the S/D are very busy this week.

 

[madge]

Originally posted by MOM POPPINS
Congrats Kimmar ~ That's great news! Thanks for keeping us posted.... National Champs... great job!

Madge ~ I had the same message on my machine when I was there. However I had no problem getting the late check out. I called the night before, but was told to call back in the morning. We were able to get a 3:00 checkout...

Waving to the room

really? that's good to hear--you called the morning you checked out to get the extension?

we are considering extending a night, if we can.....having a lot of fun!

as far as a review--things are as good here as we remember housekeeping has been good, service express took care of a broken hairdryer ASAP (plus 500 SPG points for my trouble. Any other questions?

I haven't seen Thabo at the Dolphin at all this week. He must be at the Swan.....

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Madge ~ Good to hear from you, glad your having a good time Yes, I called the morning of for the late check out. I tried calling the night before and was told to call back in the morning, but they did not think it would be problem. I posted a picture of Thabo on the previous page or so.... have a look! Have fun!

Waving to the room

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We are leaving for the swan in 7 days and I have a question. We were there in aug. and I brought some gatorade and snacks and we were eating them on the pool deck, then I saw the sign, no food on the pool deck. No one said anything to us and I am just wondering how strict they are about this. I just have some gatorade in a rubbermaid bottle for the 3 ds.
Also Madge - If you have taken a dip in the pool can you tell us how cool it feels. Even in aug. I felt the grotto part was a little cool. I just dont want the temp. to bring on an asthma attack in middle ds.
Thanks so much.

 

[log]

staying at swan 4/3-10th.

I have 5600 pts with starwood preferred plus membership.

My question is: Is it worth using my points to go Club level?

We have 3 character breakfasts (10 am) booked and 3 dinner PS (7pm) so far for the week. That would mean that we probably wouldn't use the breakfast priviledges for at least 3 mornings.

So....unless we go back for afternoon snacks, what perks would make it worth using our points for CL?

What other ways would you suggest I use my points for?

thanks....leaving Soooooon..

 

[dreamflight99]

A from RECOVERY! ~It's been one week this eve, since the surgery. This is the "slowest" I have ever recovered from anything! This anemia is the PITS, and the SLOW FE is certainly taking it's time. I visit the DR next week for a full CBC to check all the levels in my thinned HEMO. I just feel so zapped of all my zest, which is SO foreign for me.
There's a lot of "take-out" going on at my home...last eve was "Chili's" pasta & soup. Very good, no fuss/mess or clean-up. I have missed you all, and think of you often. Some days, I'm not on the computer at all. Very odd feeling (detachment anxiety). I trust everyone is doing GREAT, and helping one another with all the queries, etc. which are posted. Thank you, for "holding down the fort" during my absence. Time to rest again. TTFN....DF99 XO

 

[Mouseteacher]

back at ya, DF! So glad to hear from you.

 

[disfanRN]

Hi everyone- long time, no post!

I am working more so have little time to spend on my computer, everyone sounds like they are doing well. You are all so cute with the sorority gig- how fun and sweet.

Dreamflight- Get well soon!! Sorry to hear you are under the weather, make sure you are eating an iron rich diet, and take your iron pills with orange juice, it increases the amount of iron your body can absorb, the vitamin C, I believe. ( had to give the RN advice

Hockeymom- looks like we are hitting WDW at the same time again- still love Flint/Bishop!! Thanks for tipping us off to this great airport!

I would also like to hear from anyone who has been to the grotto pool recently, on the temp of the pool. It is sometimes chilly!

Happy spring to all- think of you all often and wish good things for everyone!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Dreamflight ~ Good to hear from you, keep resting and come and see us when you can

disfanRN ~ I was at the Grotto pool the first of this month and it was chilly. The temps outside were around 80 to 85 but the pool was still chilly. I inquired at the front desk and I was told they are heated to 78 degress, still to cold for me I bet they are warmer now with the temps outside staying warm, the pool always heats up nicely.... maybe Madge will pop in and tell us, she is there NOW

Waving to the room

 

[#1hockeymom]

Good to see you up and about, DF! Keep getting better and taking it slow! You'll be fine in no time at all!

Disfanrn! Long time no see! We'll be the first flight out on the 13th and the last flight back on the 19th. Do we overlap at all? I LOVE that airport! DS's hockey is usually north of there so we're going by all of the time. When it is near ten and we see a flight landing we always say... they're coming back from Disney, we'll be there soon! You have to love an airport where you can see your terminal from the long term parking lot! Glad you have enjoyed it, also! Just say no to Metro! *unless you are going overseas, then it is a must!*

I miss you guys! Conferences are finally over and done with so I will have a bit more time on the computer, but spring hockey just started up, TODAY! Luckily it is a short season!

Sorority wave to all!
Less than two weeks and I'll see Mickey!
Debbie

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

Originally posted by MOM POPPINS
Congrats Kimmar ~ That's great news! Thanks for keeping us posted.... National Champs... great job!


Waving to the room

...I have a selfish reason why I mention the whole "ECA Champs" thing; as National Champs, our seniors get invited to cheer during the halftime show at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando next January 1st!! (I've already informed my DH that I'm gonna start saving to go on THAT vaca...whether he goes or NOT!! )

[BIG {{{{hugs}}}} to DF!!]

 

[Loubon]

DF

 

[madge]

the pool is COLD. Of course, the high temps have been in the middle 70's.... and very breezy.

I was told no go on the late-checkout. I got the impression that the resort is oversold or realllly close to sold out. I am heading down to the front desk to see about extending.....it wasn't possible earlier, but the gal said to check tonight, so I am.