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

[dreamflight99]

Hello Rhonda! What exciting news!! I too, love hearing all about other's plans...and receiving the confirmation makes it so much more tangible!!

There are SO many "SWAN~LOVERS" on this forum, if you have any questions...I know they would be pleased to help/answer! Happy Planning!

Andy~you will have such a great time at the Dolphin! Are all your plane ressies finally set? That's always a great feeling too. Time is flying...and just a month or so before you're off! I know the feeling, less than two months until our DCL cruise, and then we're off to the MAGIC too!

Enjoy the week, and all the DOLPHIN/SWAN DREAMS!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Rhonda922]

Thanks everyone for the nice words. We have everything reserved -- hotel, airline tickets, rental car, and our Disney tix. I'm just impatiently waiting for the time to pass by. I think about this trip every single day.

Aaah, I LOVE going on vacation.

 

[MSC]

Is the PhotoPass available for Dolphin guests generally? I see that it is part of the package offered when you book through Disney, which we are not doing.

So I am wondering if we can get one just by virtue of staying at the Dolphin? Does it cost anything (just getting the PhotoPass, I mean - I know prints cost money)?

Finally, how quickly do they appear online? Will I be able to access them the same day, next day, what?

 

[telaed]

See link below...

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/specialindex?id=DisneyPhotoPassPage

From what the site states, it is free to any park guest...very cool!

telaed

 

[Rhonda922]

Are there mini bars in the rooms at the Swan? The reason that I'm asking is because my DH has medication that has to be kept refrigerated all the time. If there are minis in the rooms, do you think it'd be okay to squeeze the medicine bottle in there? We normally don't ever touch a thing in the mini bar because its so expensive. I'm figuring why rent a fridge for $12/day if we could possibly put the bottle in the mini bar without disturbing the expensive $$ goodies in there.

 

[Dimk]

We are staying at the Swan in early December. We requested adjoining balcony rooms. What view do you think we will have? Last year we stayed at the Dolphin and had a view of MGM. It was great. What are the chances of an upgrade in early December?

 

[mikki]

I have a similar question to Dimk. We have two rooms reserved. One says "lake view" and the other "Non-Designated Views of the Surrounding Resort". Since one is a cash reservation and the other Starwood points will I be able to get at least one of the rooms with a balcony?

Also I read on another post that regular cribs are available not just the pack'n'play type. Has anyone requested one with success? My grandson is a big boy (10 months and already 27 lbs.) and I'm sure a regular crib would be more comfortable.

This is our first trip to the Swan and DH is a little nervous about staying at a non-Disney themed hotel. He loves the YC. So I am especially anxious to make this a wonderful experience for him and the family.

Thanks

 

[MSC]

Thanks for the link Telaed! You'd think the same information would be available at www.disneyphotopass.com, which I had already checked out, but it's not!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Rhonda - we stayed at the Swan last August and yes there was a minibar/fridge. I am staying there again in May, but I read that you received a confirmation in the mail. I made the reservations in March and still have not received any paperwork from them. How long did yours take to arrive??

Now I am concerned.

Lives4disney

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I have a similar question to Dimk. We have two rooms reserved. One says "lake view" and the other "Non-Designated Views of the Surrounding Resort". Since one is a cash reservation and the other Starwood points will I be able to get at least one of the rooms with a balcony?

Also I read on another post that regular cribs are available not just the pack'n'play type. Has anyone requested one with success? My grandson is a big boy (10 months and already 27 lbs.) and I'm sure a regular crib would be more comfortable.

This is our first trip to the Swan and DH is a little nervous about staying at a non-Disney themed hotel. He loves the YC. So I am especially anxious to make this a wonderful experience for him and the family.

Thanks

Hello! It has been my experience that they only have regular cribs at the Swan and Dolphin resorts. My little guy (22 months 23 poounds ) enjoyed his crib on our last visit. Be sure and request a balcony on your room reservation you can do so on-line at www.swandolpin.com You might consider asking for a corner room, they have 2 balconies!!! If you desire an Epcot view ask for a high room on the East Wing.

 

[ddawg]

Can you rent a microwave at the Dolphin? If not can you bring one in? Has anyone brought their own microwave?

 

[mikki]

Thank you so much for your reply. We have been to WDW several times but our 1st trip as a family didn't happen until our youngest was 5 years old. Way past crib size! I will try to update my room requests online.
Thanks again!

 

[Rhonda922]

Lives4Disney:

I made my reservation last week for our trip next month. I was actually kind of surprised that I got the confirmation in the mail. I didn't know that they were suppose to send one.

 

[ddoll]

What's the latest scoop on refrigerators at the Swolphin? Still a fee to use the mini-bar for your stuff?

 

[dreamflight99]

Can you rent a microwave at the Dolphin? If not can you bring one in? Has anyone brought their own microwave?

We buy one at Target every year, and leave it behind for either a deserved/needy staff member (Bellman, etc.--last summer one lost many household items in the hurricanes), or simply call a local charity to pick it up at the property. They are so very reasonable ($50 or less), it does not make any sense to do otherwise. We stay in a suite, with a large wetbar and sink area. The microwave easily sits atop the counter. We are there for such an extended period of time, the microwave is definitely advantageous *(in our situation).

*CRIBS~Heavenly Cribs with wonderful bedding are available at both resorts! Please call/reserve one ahead of time (noted on your ressie). These are very sturdy and secure. They also look quite comfy.

FRIDGE for MEDS~If you require a refridgerator for medical purposes, one will be provided in your room at NO ADDITIONAL FEE. Bring the meds with you upon check-in (in case verification is needed), and also please call ahead to speak with a reservation associate to NOTE this need on your reservation.

Any more queries? Time for me to make some more reservations and requests myself! HAPPY PLANNING!

TTFN...DF99

Mom Poppins!!!

 

[Rhonda922]

I just called the Hotel and asked them to make a note on my reservation that I need a fridge in my room. I told the associate that my husband has medication that needs to be refrigerated at all times and I was told that there is STILL a $12 charge per day. I told her that I'll just have to pay it because the medication is most important.

 

[dreamflight99]

I just called the Hotel and asked them to make a note on my reservation that I need a fridge in my room. I told the associate that my husband has medication that needs to be refrigerated at all times and I was told that there is STILL a $12 charge per day. I told her that I'll just have to pay it because the medication is most important.

I'm pretty sure this is not true. Call back later, and ask to speak with "JAMES" *(a wonderful front desk manager...been there for more than 14 years!). I'm sure he can "straighten" this out. Please, let him know in the "past" it has always been offered "pro-bono" for medical purpose/use. Insure him you are able to provide the necessary proof *(pharmacy receipt, meds, etc) for this request. Please, give it another try. Sometimes, the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing!! This happens quite frequently in large operations, such as hotels & resorts. Let me know what happens. Thanks!

 

[dreamflight99]

What's the latest scoop on refrigerators at the Swolphin? Still a fee to use the mini-bar for your stuff?

YES!!! And you may easily AVOID the $25 fee charged by the room service staff (R.S. dept sends a staff member to do this), by simply EMPTYING the fridge yourself~! Leave a note taped to the front of the fridge, which informs MINI-BAR staffers you have personally emptied the fridge for your own use, (and have STORED ALL of the UNUSED items in the top of the closet, etc.). You may use a plastic bag for this--as it makes the process easier, and keeps everything together (bring one from home, or the laundry one hanging on a closet hanger will suffice), and be sure to pack paper and tape for such use~! Hope this helps!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Rhonda922]

Wow, Dream, you know everything that there is to know about the Swan and Dolphin. Thank goodness you are on these boards!!!

 

[Gagebre]

I'm thinking of booking the Swan/Dolphin for our trip and have a few questions. We will have 2 adults, 3 kids. In addition to my first question, will we feel crowded in one room (we have 2 rooms at Pop booked now)? And will the location make up for the lack of space?

Thanks!