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

[Dan Murphy]

That fee is gone now, replaced by individual daily fees IF you use parking, internet, spa. Not sure about phone, I only use my cell.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Have any spg members who reserved a standard room ever been upgraded for free to a Suite room? How about AAA spg preferred plus members? We don't have nearly enough points to get something upgraded for 7 nights. If so, please give specifics... like, would it be more likely to happen if we had reserved resort view with balcony room versus a standard room?

What's the likelihood of suites selling out versus other rooms selling out? I know there are 20+ swan (low end) suites and 40+ dolphin jr. suites.

We are debating two standard rooms versus a swan low end suite room. Or am I just dreaming of a free upgrade? With the Year of a Million dreams promotion, I'm wishing it might happen.....

At my stay at the Swan in 2003, I booked a standard room at the teacher rate. I am spg AMEX holder. At check in I politely asked if a complimentary upgrade was possible. The CM said let me check and then asked if a junior suite would be okay? I was thrilled! We had an end of floor room in the east wing with a balcony. I believe it can happen if there is availablility and the resort is not filled. BTW, our stay was in late July.

Also, the resort fee is no longer charged.

 

[paras4ri]

The 2007 edition of Birnbaum's says the Swan and Dolphin charge an automatic daily fee which covers such things as newspaper delivery, local phone calls... I haven't heard any of you DIS'ers mention this! I know the resort fee was dropped, is Birnbaum uninformed or is this a different fee? Say it isn't so!

I was always a big fan of the Birnbaum guide - I have them dating back to my 1983 trip - but I stopped getting them in recent years because they always had out-dated info. I'm amazed they still mention the resort fee in their 2007 edition, it was eliminated in 2005.

 

[turning40withMickey]

Fun to read Birnbaums but not always accurate, then. That is a relief!

 

[RachelTori]

Fun to read Birnbaums but not always accurate, then. That is a relief!

Correct! Use Birnbaums as a guide, but ask any questions you have HERE!! We're much more current!

 

[Harambe]

Just joining in! We are booked for our first Swan stay this coming August. We are really excited, not only about getting the unheard-of rate of $125 a night, but about being in the Epcot area. Love the boat rides!

Could you experts tell me if the Splash Grill is still up and running for a quick sandwich or burger? And where-abouts is it?

Also - how is check-in, speedy or not? I don't get upset with a slower check-in as long as I'm prepared for it! LOL!

Thanks,
Leslie (Harambe)

 

[Blondie]

What's the likelihood of suites selling out versus other rooms selling out? I know there are 20+ swan (low end) suites and 40+ dolphin jr. suites.

We are debating two standard rooms versus a swan low end suite room. Or am I just dreaming of a free upgrade? With the Year of a Million dreams promotion, I'm wishing it might happen.....

Depending on the time of year and if there's a convention going on or not, the studio suites, and 1 & 2 bedroom suites are reserved many months in advance.

That fee is gone now, replaced by individual daily fees IF you use parking, internet, spa. Not sure about phone, I only use my cell.

Regarding the phone, during our last Dolphin stay we had a family tragedy occur and we placed a long distance call using the room phone so that our cell phone would remain open for incoming calls we were expecting. An hour phone call came to $145 if I recall correctly, but when we called down to the front desk to explain the situation, they took 50% off, which was very nice of them and they didn't have to do.

Just joining in! We are booked for our first Swan stay this coming August. We are really excited, not only about getting the unheard-of rate of $125 a night, but about being in the Epcot area. Love the boat rides!

Could you experts tell me if the Splash Grill is still up and running for a quick sandwich or burger? And where-abouts is it?

Also - how is check-in, speedy or not? I don't get upset with a slower check-in as long as I'm prepared for it! LOL!

Thanks,
Leslie (Harambe)

Hi Leslie and welcome to the thread! Lots of great info here! As far as I know the Splash Grill is still in operation. Since we are Starwood Preferred Members, check in takes under 5 minutes. If you aren't already a member, sign up now at www.spg.com!

 

[turning40withMickey]

I just joined the preferred members club, hoping to get bumped up to a better room when I check in. Speedy check-in is a benefit, too, eh? Don't suppose you have rented a car from Sanford and dropped it off at the Dolphin? Any other little perks at Dolphin or Swan you want to clue newbies in on?

 

[dingoballs]

Since we are Starwood Preferred Members, check in takes under 5 minutes. If you aren't already a member, sign up now at www.spg.com!

I hate to say this, but the SPG members line is sometimes SLOWER than the "regular" lines. I was a little miffed as I stood waiting in the "SPG Members" line while the "regular" guests were moving along and getting checked in. The reason is that there's usually only one clerk helping the SPG members, while there are 2 or 3 clerks helping the regular guests. Just an observation....

 

[LoveMyBoys]

The 2007 edition of Birnbaum's says the Swan and Dolphin charge an automatic daily fee which covers such things as newspaper delivery, local phone calls... I haven't heard any of you DIS'ers mention this! I know the resort fee was dropped, is Birnbaum uninformed or is this a different fee? Say it isn't so!

Ok, I just went back to pull out the invoice from our December stay at the Dolphin, and even though there are no extra charges, on the back of it one the bullets says:

* I accept delivery of the weekday USA Today and weekend Florida Today. If I refuse, I will receive credit of $0.50/day.

I never knew it before checking it, and we did get the paper every day.

 

[MSC]

I just joined the preferred members club, hoping to get bumped up to a better room when I check in. Speedy check-in is a benefit, too, eh?

I've noticed a lot of Starwood places, the "express" line is only for Gold and Platinum members now. Don't know if that is true everywhere or at the S/D.

Don't suppose you have rented a car from Sanford and dropped it off at the Dolphin? Any other little perks at Dolphin or Swan you want to clue newbies in on?

You must have missed my earlier reply - I have done this. The return at the
Dolphin is handled by the valet - you never even have to go to the rental desk.

Ok, I just went back to pull out the invoice from our December stay at the Dolphin, and even though there are no extra charges, on the back of it one the bullets says:

* I accept delivery of the weekday USA Today and weekend Florida Today. If I refuse, I will receive credit of $0.50/day.

I never knew it before checking it, and we did get the paper every day.

What she said - it's not a "fee" for the paper at Starwood properties: it's calculated into the price of the room.

 

[turning40withMickey]

Thanks to all of you! I have been trying to check rental car rates all evening, Alamo's site was under construction. Finally got through, and can get a midsize car for about 50 bucks. That was without any special coupons, the excitement mounts!

 

[Blondie]

I hate to say this, but the SPG members line is sometimes SLOWER than the "regular" lines. I was a little miffed as I stood waiting in the "SPG Members" line while the "regular" guests were moving along and getting checked in. The reason is that there's usually only one clerk helping the SPG members, while there are 2 or 3 clerks helping the regular guests. Just an observation....

I never noticed a special SPG members line before! Ha ha, I guess it's better to use the regular line!

 

[warriorboy648]

Hi, I just got back from a convention at the Westin in Providence. The young man who checked me in just got back from from staying at the Swan and Dolphin. He said that they were both very clean. he used to be in charge of housekeeping and that's the first thing he checks. He did say that he prefers the Dolphin but only slightly. (I'm staying at the Swan because of my preference for a non-smoking hotel). For those who haven't been there he also said that it was not a bad walk from the Swan to the Dolphin....

I don't think August will get here oon enough.

 

[MSC]

All Starwood properties are non smoking.

 

[Blondie]

All Starwood properties are non smoking.

Are you sure the Dolphin is a non-smoking resort now? I know the Swan is, I wasn't aware the Dolphin was as well. When did that happen?

 

[Blondie]

A quick check on the official Swan Dolphin website answered my question:

4. Do you allow smoking at the resort?
The Swan wing of the resort no longer allows smoking in any part of the resort including the guest rooms. Guests who choose to smoke may do so in designated outdoor areas only.

Those who do smoke may prefer to request a room in the Dolphin wing of the resort where smoking is permitted in designated rooms.

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/health.html

 

[MSC]

A quick check on the official Swan Dolphin website answered my question:



http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/health.html

Wow! I stand corrected! Sorry for the misinformation. I thought all of Starwood went non-smoking.

 

[RachelTori]

All of Westin did go non-smoking.

I got confused about the Dolphin too - recently when I went on their website to book, in big bold letters it said "Dolphin is a non-smoking resort" (or hotel - I can't remember the words exactly).

 

[ktink]

I'm making my way through this thread but I have a few questions, please. We will be going to WDW the week of Labor Day, we love this week at the world. We've never stayed at Swan & Dolphin but have admired the thought of the "Heavenly beds"

I called and they still have availability for the $125 rate at the Swan and this just seems like such a wonderful rate. It's my understanding that you have access to WDW transportation but not ME. We will be driving so ME won't be a problem but are there parking fees, and if so how much?

What exactly are the pros and cons of staying here? Thanks in advance