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

[Mouseteacher]

Another towncar diva here!

After many years of using Mears and waiting and waiting and many stops (unless you got lucky and your resort was the first stop), we started using Tiffany Towncar on our last four trips.

I am now spoiled and an advocate to all to use a towncar service - worth the $. As Dislifer said - whisked right to our resort door - no stops other than a grocery stop if needed.

 

[lovingthemouse]

We, also, use Tiffany Town Car - as I have discovered that on many trips the cost of a car rental on property is much less expensive. WE reserve our car down at the Dolphin desk.
It is also reassuring to know that when we arrive late at night at MCO, or leave early, someone else is doing the driving. They do provide great service IMHO.

 

[TaraPA]

so,...this makes me ask ....why in the world would there be a sign at ME for Swan/Dolphin????? I think I will call ME or Swan....

I called this morning & emailed them last night - their official response was:

"As far as we are concerned, there has been no change in the Magical
Express situation. We have not been advised of any thing in that
regard.

Swan/Dolphin
Transportation Department"

 

[girli565]

so that means... no ME or DDP at Swan or Dolphin. lol, so very helpful

 

[TaraPA]

I'm also a towncar snob. We've always used Tiffany (and ME once) - however - the next trip is just DS and myself. The Mears shuttle will only cost $54 round trip for both of us - that's half of what a town car will cost. I'm willing to use Mears unless I'm going to lose a lot of time waiting in the airport, and dropping off guests at every other resort. We are not checking any luggage so I'm still leaning towards a town car to whisk us off to the Dolphin as soon as we set foot off the plane. But $70 in my pocket is also very tempting...

Any recent Mears experiences?

 

[PolyAddict]

Comparing AAA rates for Swan and CR wing standard view...

The quote for Swan is $218.81 per night which includes tax.


CR is $318.94 including tax per night.

Are my only additional charges at the Swan

$9 per day to park?

What if I want a fridge? How much is that?

How about internet access?

Thanks

 

[PolyAddict]

Just some info on comparing resort rates for families of 5.

I called S/D today for a quote for May 2008 and was shocked when she said for a family of five we would be in the Dolphin with 2 double beds. I was assuming all along the Swan allowed 5 with the 2 queens? My AAA quote was $194.50 per night w/o tax. Plus $9 per day self parking, $12 per day frig and $13.95 internet per 24 hours and $25 a day for a rollaway for the 5th person.. Ouch, I could totally get over all of the extra’s compared to CR rate but for double beds, yuck. We always sleep the 3 girls in one bed and DH and I in another. I wouldn’t have the heart to put someone on a roll away. Without comparing internet service, which I think is $9.95 at CR, the $ difference would be about $40 per night between Dolphin and CR wing standard with Dolphin being the cheapest. I think the deciding factor for us would be the queen size beds at CR.

 

[madge]

Just some info on comparing resort rates for families of 5.

I called S/D today for a quote for May 2008 and was shocked when she said for a family of five we would be in the Dolphin with 2 double beds.

I wish I understood that logic, as well. When we had the 3rd child, we had to switch to the Dolphin. I've seen posts where others have been told they could stay at the Swan, but in the 6 years since my entered the picture, we have consistently been told that for a family of 5, we need to book a room at the Dolphin.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Poly Addict ~ You might see a better rate come up at the Swan and Dolphin for your dates in May. I would probably book CR and keep an eye on the rates at the S/D resorts. We have stayed at CR but now prefer the Boardwalk area. Have fun planning and great trip wherever you end up!

Hi Madge!

 

[PolyAddict]

I wish I understood that logic, as well. When we had the 3rd child, we had to switch to the Dolphin. I've seen posts where others have been told they could stay at the Swan, but in the 6 years since my entered the picture, we have consistently been told that for a family of 5, we need to book a room at the Dolphin.

Crazy i tell ya.I always envy those 4 persone families that can book wherever they w ant!!!!

 

[PolyAddict]

Poly Addict ~ You might see a better rate come up at the Swan and Dolphin for your dates in May. I would probably book CR and keep an eye on the rates at the S/D resorts. We have stayed at CR but now prefer the Boardwalk area. Have fun planning and great trip wherever you end up!

Hi Madge!

Thanks, ya know I was supposed to be staying Poly LVC this trip but we decided DH's bonus would go toward home repairs. So I have to pay for this trip with my income and let's just say it's slightly less than DH's.

 

[MSC]

I've never tried the towncar service, and that does sound nice, but for another option, don't forget that there is a National/Alamo car rental counter at the Dolphin. What we've done in the past is rent a one day/one way rental from MCO to the Dolphin on day 1, then a one day/one way rental from the Dolphin to MCO on the last day. It gives you the freedom not only to make a grocery stop on the way, but also the option to stop anywhere. And you avoid any parking fee because you aren't keeping the car during your stay.

For example, last week, we had an AM flight out. So we picked up the car the day before, and used it to dive to DTD, do all our souvenir shopping at World of Disney, etc., have dinner, also ran to a grocery store for some travel supples for the trip home, and drove back to the hotel. The advantage was two-fold. We could run whatever errands we wanted, plus, we avoided the bus service to DTD, which I think is the worst.

All this for $48.00. (You may have noticed that we had the car overnight, so we did have to pay the $9 dollars parking that night). Of course, if you have a late flight, you avoid the overnight parking fee because you get the car in the morning, check out, have the freedom of a car all day, and then just drop it at the airport.

Just another idea.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Just some info on comparing resort rates for families of 5.

I called S/D today for a quote for May 2008 and was shocked when she said for a family of five we would be in the Dolphin with 2 double beds. I was assuming all along the Swan allowed 5 with the 2 queens? My AAA quote was $194.50 per night w/o tax. Plus $9 per day self parking, $12 per day frig and $13.95 internet per 24 hours and $25 a day for a rollaway for the 5th person.. Ouch, I could totally get over all of the extra’s compared to CR rate but for double beds, yuck. We always sleep the 3 girls in one bed and DH and I in another. I wouldn’t have the heart to put someone on a roll away. Without comparing internet service, which I think is $9.95 at CR, the $ difference would be about $40 per night between Dolphin and CR wing standard with Dolphin being the cheapest. I think the deciding factor for us would be the queen size beds at CR.

OK, I booked the SWAN for our March trip....we are a family of 5 (2 dds and a teenage son) I am just going to bring our aero for him. He can sleep on anything anytime anywhere. At check in, they always ask how many keys would we like....I am going to say 5 and that's that. There is no way we can sleep in double beds. I had a difficult time in a queen last vacation. The March rate at Swan is about $220/nt vs $990 at GF in my favorite RPC. I can do w/out the concierge at my favorite resort and settle for the Swan, but no way no how will I sleep in a double bed at the Dolphin. It would be worht the $700 difference/nt to get a good nt sleep in a queen at GF.

We have stayed at the Swan many times with our family of 5. Not sure when the change to 4 max was made - I know it's been a while - but I haven't yet had any problems with it.

Southern Elegance Limos are WONDERFUL! We have used them tons of times. They will do a 15 min grocery stop, but it's best to have your order completed ahead of time and they do need notification that you are expecting to stop.

Lives4Disney

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi,everyone!

Great info! Have a couple of Swan questions, please. First time at Swan - stayed at Dolphin 4/5 times when it first opened and each time had a 7th floor, EPCOT view balcony room - fantastic!

This time we have a great discount Dec 7, 4 nights, to celebrate 2 big birthdays, but no idea what to request. Oh, we have the Starwoods AAA Gold membership (new).

Read somewhere that rooms are being refurbished starting on the upper floors - anyone know which floor to request for one of these?

Also, which floor was a former smoking floor? Have MS and respiratory issues,so must try to avoid these rooms.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi,everyone!



Read somewhere that rooms are being refurbished starting on the upper floors - anyone know which floor to request for one of these?

Thanks so much!!

I would love to know, too.....I was told during our May Swan stay (told by executive housekeeper, front desk employees, accounting employees, and more) that this was currently happening (while we were there in May), but have yet to have ANYBODY on this thread come back and report that they have seen/stayed in a "new" room. Unless I missed something big....but nobody seems to be "talking" about it on this thread.

I was told they are getting flat screen tvs, no more wallpaper, new color scheme, carpet, etc. This was in mid May, so I expected somebody here that is a DIS Swan regular to have stayed in or seen one of these newly done rooms. They were supposedly starting on the upper Swan floors and working their way down. I was told after the Swan is completed they will start on the Dolphin.

Any info????

Lives4Disney

 

[SingingMom]

OK, I booked the SWAN for our March trip....we are a family of 5 (2 dds and a teenage son) I am just going to bring our aero for him. He can sleep on anything anytime anywhere. At check in, they always ask how many keys would we like....I am going to say 5 and that's that. There is no way we can sleep in double beds. I had a difficult time in a queen last vacation. The March rate at Swan is about $220/nt vs $990 at GF in my favorite RPC. I can do w/out the concierge at my favorite resort and settle for the Swan, but no way no how will I sleep in a double bed at the Dolphin. It would be worht the $700 difference/nt to get a good nt sleep in a queen at GF.

We have stayed at the Swan many times with our family of 5. Not sure when the change to 4 max was made - I know it's been a while - but I haven't yet had any problems with it.

Southern Elegance Limos are WONDERFUL! We have used them tons of times. They will do a 15 min grocery stop, but it's best to have your order completed ahead of time and they do need notification that you are expecting to stop.

Lives4Disney

To be honest with you - the "double bed" at the Dolphin is bigger than a regular double. It is almost the size of my queen at home.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

A week or so ago I did read on the DIS a post from someone who was at the Swan or just returned and said the 10th floor was refurbished and the upper floors were getting done first. Your description sounds great!!

Also, the former smoking floor was mentioned, but I cannot remember which floor it was at the Swan!

 

[Lives4Disney]

To be honest with you - the "double bed" at the Dolphin is bigger than a regular double. It is almost the size of my queen at home.

Yes, I've heard that, and we did wind up at the Dolphin once..... I NEED my sleep!!!!! I was miserable. Yes, the beds are wonderfully comfy for sitting on or relaxing on, but I need more area for sleeping on. I am used to a king at home (it is also wonderful ) and going from a king to a queen is painful enough, so going smaller is just really an inconvenience and sleep is not something I want to mess with. I don't get WHY they put doubles in the Dolphin rooms. I am sure I am not the only one that has issues with double beds. ....I know DH does, at least, lol.

Lives4Disney

 

[SingingMom]

Yes, I've heard that, and we did wind up at the Dolphin once..... I NEED my sleep!!!!! I was miserable. Yes, the beds are wonderfully comfy for sitting on or relaxing on, but I need more area for sleeping on. I am used to a king at home (it is also wonderful ) and going from a king to a queen is painful enough, so going smaller is just really an inconvenience and sleep is not something I want to mess with. I don't get WHY they put doubles in the Dolphin rooms. I am sure I am not the only one that has issues with double beds. ....I know DH does, at least, lol.

Lives4Disney

I agree - I can't figure out why a quality hotel would put DOUBLES in their rooms! DH & I love a King on vacation... but that usually means DD has to suffer through a pullout sofabed or a rollaway. For a short stay, that's ok, but we can't do that to her for a week or more vacation!

Earlier this month we had a lovely jacuzzi king room in Atlantic City for one night on our way to Cape May.... DH ended up on the rollaway and DD and I had the KING! Serves him right for staying down at the casino until 3 am. lol

 

[PolyAddict]

OK, I booked the SWAN for our March trip....we are a family of 5 (2 dds and a teenage son) I am just going to bring our aero for him. He can sleep on anything anytime anywhere. At check in, they always ask how many keys would we like....I am going to say 5 and that's that. There is no way we can sleep in double beds. I had a difficult time in a queen last vacation. The March rate at Swan is about $220/nt vs $990 at GF in my favorite RPC. I can do w/out the concierge at my favorite resort and settle for the Swan, but no way no how will I sleep in a double bed at the Dolphin. It would be worht the $700 difference/nt to get a good nt sleep in a queen at GF.

We have stayed at the Swan many times with our family of 5. Not sure when the change to 4 max was made - I know it's been a while - but I haven't yet had any problems with it.

Southern Elegance Limos are WONDERFUL! We have used them tons of times. They will do a 15 min grocery stop, but it's best to have your order completed ahead of time and they do need notification that you are expecting to stop.

Lives4Disney

Thanks for the feedback. I was very ready to try S/D for the 1st time until my phone call today. Didn't make any sense. I am on the fence with all of my resort choices right now, but that is an area I've always wanted to try and for the $, it's tempting but not without queen beds.