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

[LuluLovesDisney]

I just want to say a big thank you to all the Swolphin experts on here - Blondie, Dan Murphy, Singingmom & all the others....I read this entire thread today (yes I neglected my family!) after booking Dolphhin this morning for 4 nights later this year. We stayed at the Swan in 2000 & couldn't wait to get back to the Epcot Resort area. We've done a few traditional Disney resorts since then, but I've been secretly longing for Swan or Dolphin! We finally had enough Starwood points to get 3 nights for free (added 1 extra night with AAA discount). Both hotels were available, but I chose Dolphin since we had already been at the Swan. I had a bunch of questions, all of which were answered at some point on this thread. I'm VERY excited for our trip (this trip is just myself & DS age 7 - DH is taking older DS to an NFL football game that weekend - that DS already had a mommy & me trip alone in 2002) ) and look forward to checking this thread daily for new info & tips from everyone! I'll be sure to post my questions as I think of them. It's nice to see so many people so passionate about something they love.

Well, I am far from one of the experts here, but I do love the Swan and Dolphin - almost by accident. I didn't think I would, but when I tried it, I was hooked! I really hope you feel the same! I am very glad that you got some good info from this thread. If you have more questions, just ask. I know when I joined up on this thread probably a year and a half ago, I was asking questions all the time and Dan, Blondie, Dreamflight, SingingMom, etc. always helped me out (usually with pictures!)

I will be there in less than a month, I am so excited to go back home!

 

[diskids2]

We stayed at the Dolphin before and had the balcony and Epcot view of Illuminations, which was really great, but the walk to everything even the elevator was long.

We are going in March and we have a resort view room....I have Starwood, but I only have two thousand points on it and don't know if that will be enough for an upgrade.

We use Pica (OK OK I know it as Tubbi's) for breakfast almost every morning and we do use the boat/bus transportation every day, plus mid day we go to the pools....Any suggestions on a good place...east, west wing ... for our family...also if anyone knows anymore about those patio rooms.....although that is a good point about someone having to be on the inside to lock them.

Thanks!

 

[madge]

We stayed at the Dolphin before and had the balcony and Epcot view of Illuminations, which was really great, but the walk to everything even the elevator was long.

We are going in March and we have a resort view room....I have Starwood, but I only have two thousand points on it and don't know if that will be enough for an upgrade.

Thanks!

You'll need 1000 points (1500, maybe?) for a balcony, if you don't get a complimentary SPG upgrade. I have no idea how many points it takes to upgrade to a suite.

We never expected to love the Swan/Dolphin as much as we do - the first time I saw the outside, I might have told my husband I thought they were ugly and I'd never stay there.

I don't even have a clue how many times we've stayed there since I made that proclamation. At least once a year since 1999, and more than that when DH had business in Orlando.

 

[SingingMom]

Well, I am far from one of the experts here, but I do love the Swan and Dolphin - almost by accident. I didn't think I would, but when I tried it, I was hooked! I really hope you feel the same! I am very glad that you got some good info from this thread. If you have more questions, just ask. I know when I joined up on this thread probably a year and a half ago, I was asking questions all the time and Dan, Blondie, Dreamflight, SingingMom, etc. always helped me out (usually with pictures!)

I will be there in less than a month, I am so excited to go back home!

How nice to be recognized in the same sentence with Dan, Blondie, and Dreamflight! :: Let me tell you, I am no where NEAR the expert, as we have only stayed at the Dolphin twice - but my experiences were last June and this June, so they are current. After spending two years in a row there, I will not stay anywhere else!! Just love it!!
Have a great trip!!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

TaraPA~ Yes, indeed, we are all S/D fans on this thread. As you can see by my avatar and some others on this thread, we have a S/D sorority. Some of us became friends because of this thread so we started our own S/D Sorority thread where we could chat. It is going strong many years later. We have had the privlege of meeting each other in the World as well as on on our home turf.

I must agree with madge - when I first saw the S/D I, too, said emphatically NEVER! I was a WDW resort snob. In 2002, I discovered the teacher rate at the S/D. I found this thread in doing my research for that first stay, joined the DIS and found out about the spg program / spg AMEX card as told to me by DF99. We have been hooked since that first stay. See... never say never!

 

[Maria395712]

mouseteacher
what is the spg program i havre an AMEX gold card what can i get with that thanks
maria

 

[madge]

mouseteacher
what is the spg program i havre an AMEX gold card what can i get with that thanks
maria

Starwood Guest Program benefits

I'm not sure if you qualify for Gold or Platinum status with a gold AmEx. At the very least, you'll be able to join the program ... it can't hurt to call and ask!

 

[Blondie]

We stayed at the Dolphin before and had the balcony and Epcot view of Illuminations, which was really great, but the walk to everything even the elevator was long.

Even though some of the walks to and from the elevator to your room can be long, at least it's all inside walking! No bugs, nice and cool in the warmer months and in the case of inclement weather, you're under cover! I'm just trying to put a positive spin on it.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Even though some of the walks to and from the elevator to your room can be long, at least it's all inside walking! No bugs, nice and cool in the warmer months and in the case of inclement weather, you're under cover! I'm just trying to put a positive spin on it.

You are good at that!

 

[dis@dills]

We are going to the S/D in Aug but we might return in Jan for the marathon.

1. Has any rate codes been released?

2. Can I book the ressie and then add the code when it comes out?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I must agree with madge - when I first saw the S/D I, too, said emphatically NEVER! I was a WDW resort snob. In 2002, I discovered the teacher rate at the S/D. I found this thread in doing my research for that first stay, joined the DIS and found out about the spg program / spg AMEX card as told to me by DF99. We have been hooked since that first stay. See... never say never!

That is exactly the way I was, too!

I just wanted to say that Mouseteacher was also a huge help with getting S/D info and I forgot to mention her earlier!

 

[Dislifer]

TaraPA~ Yes, indeed, we are all S/D fans on this thread. As you can see by my avatar and some others on this thread, we have a S/D sorority. Some of us became friends because of this thread so we started our own S/D Sorority thread where we could chat. It is going strong many years later. We have had the privlege of meeting each other in the World as well as on on our home turf.

I must agree with madge - when I first saw the S/D I, too, said emphatically NEVER! I was a WDW resort snob. In 2002, I discovered the teacher rate at the S/D. I found this thread in doing my research for that first stay, joined the DIS and found out about the spg program / spg AMEX card as told to me by DF99. We have been hooked since that first stay. See... never say never!

Hi Mouseteacher!

I am also a teacher (4th grade). I am staying at the Dolphin for the first time in December. It seems, at this time, that I will miss some of the perks of not staying at a Disney resort: Magical Express and the dining plan, but I could not pass up the price.
So, you think we're going to fall in love with it???
Also, what do the "spg" letters of the AMEX card stand for?
You can use whatever discount you get with your "spg" AMEX card and your teacher discount together???

Thanks!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi Mouseteacher!

I am also a teacher (4th grade). I am staying at the Dolphin for the first time in December. It seems, at this time, that I will miss some of the perks of not staying at a Disney resort: Magical Express and the dining plan, but I could not pass up the price.
So, you think we're going to fall in love with it???
Also, what do the "spg" letters of the AMEX card stand for?
You can use whatever discount you get with your "spg" AMEX card and your teacher discount together???

Thanks!

My AMEX card is a Starwood AMEX (spg = starwood preferred guest). You get points that can be used in many ways including free nights, cash and points, airline transfers, etc. Check out the spg website. I have always received a comp upgrade when staying at the S/D. They have been so accomodating. I attach my spg number to my ressie and use my Starwood AMEX to charge my room. I think this helps when getting the comp upgrade along with how busy the resort is (we go in July or August).

I have used my points at a Sheraton we stayed at in King of Prussia, PA for a wedding we were attending. I had enough points for a free night.

Re: will you like it? Keep an open mind. You are in a resort surrounded with the magic. When we looked out our window, sat on the balcony, we could see YC/BC, BW, Epcot, Illuminations! We could walk to many restaurants, the BW at night (we rented the surreys for some fun time), walk to Epcot or MGM if we chose to. We have not had any issues with the A/C, mold, transportation, conventions, mix-up on our bill, etc. Perhaps we have been lucky. I don't use the charging to our room feature so I didn't miss it.

A magical moment inside the Dolphin: One morning we were leaving the resort to head to Epcot and we were descending the escalator that takes you out the back to the dock. Coming up behind us on the escalator were two characters from Pocahontas. They stopped at the bottom of the escalator so we could take a picture with them. It was quite unexpected -- a magical moment that makes WDW well.....

Frankly, it is the teacher rate which keeps me going back S/D. You get a deluxe resort in a terrific location for a great rate. It makes it affordable for our family. Through my years of WDW stays (close to 30 years -- my first stay was in 1978), I have stayed at the CR Tower and Garden wing (a sentimental favorite but somewhat too expensive for us today), BWI, POFQ, POR, ASp. I have loved them all! I guess I just love my visits to the World wherever I stay!

I guess I become Pollyanna when I am in WDW. I try to not let anything become so negative that it spoils my precious time while there.

I hope you enjoy your stay at the Dolphin. Keep the magic in your heart for that is where it truly is!

And don't forget to ask in your most polite and humble tone if there is a complimentary upgrade available (do this upon check-in) and I hope the S/D magic works for you, too.

 

[michboro]

I applied for the Starwood Amex card because there was an offer for 30,000 free Starwood points after one purchase, which would be enough for a 1 night stay at the Dolphin. I already paid for the deposit on the room with another credit card (I'm only staying 1 night). Does anyone know if I would be able to transfer the Starwood points to this ressie in place of the credit card payment?

 

[madge]

I applied for the Starwood Amex card because there was an offer for 30,000 free Starwood points after one purchase, which would be enough for a 1 night stay at the Dolphin. I already paid for the deposit on the room with another credit card (I'm only staying 1 night). Does anyone know if I would be able to transfer the Starwood points to this ressie in place of the credit card payment?

Have the points already posted to your Starwood account? If they have, then you can book a room on points, then cancel your CC reservation. Easy peasy

Redeeming Starpoints

 

[Mouseteacher]

I applied for the Starwood Amex card because there was an offer for 30,000 free Starwood points after one purchase, which would be enough for a 1 night stay at the Dolphin. I already paid for the deposit on the room with another credit card (I'm only staying 1 night). Does anyone know if I would be able to transfer the Starwood points to this ressie in place of the credit card payment?

I would check on the # of points for a free night. I thought S/D was a category 4 resort = 10,000 points for a free night. If so, you should qualify for 3 free nights.

 

[AndyMcV]

Whoa... 30,000 points for a night???? Hang on, from what I know it's 10,000 points for a free night at the Swan or Dolphin. If you have 40,000 points you can do the pay for 4 nights on SPG points and get the 5th free. We're COUNTING on this for next year. Ohhh... 5 "free" nights at the Dolphin. We've got about 38,000 points saved up now.

I applied for the Starwood Amex card because there was an offer for 30,000 free Starwood points after one purchase, which would be enough for a 1 night stay at the Dolphin. I already paid for the deposit on the room with another credit card (I'm only staying 1 night). Does anyone know if I would be able to transfer the Starwood points to this ressie in place of the credit card payment?

 

[Mouseteacher]

Andy - we posted at the exact same time with the exact same point!!!

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Just wondering if anyone has heard of the S/D bringing back something to replace what used to be the Club Level. For us it was a convenience that you couldn't beat the price. Sure it wasn't as good as the Disney concierge but sheesh it was also 1/5th the price too. I usually enjoy these at other Starwood properties and I'm surpised that the S/D took it out.

Andy

 

[AndyMcV]

We SOOOO think alike. Probably why we're on the same board too.

Andy - we posted at the exact same time with the exact same point!!!