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

[Lives4Disney]

Hi All! I am taking my kids to WDW August 13 - 20 and the first part of our stay includes 3 nights at the Dolphin CL. I have stayed at the Swan before CL, but never the Dolphin.

One time at the Swan, we looked toward MGM. That view didn't do anything for me. The last time, in May, we looked at the Dolphin, boat dock, YC. I really thought this was a pretty view. We could see the CR and castle in the distance.

My question is this - at the Dolphin on the CL floor, if I request an EPCOT view, what exactly will I be able to see?? Will my room be overlooking the Dolphin's parking lot?? This EPCOT view was recommended to me by another DISer. But what exactly will I see??

OK, I have another question.....I have 3 kids (2 girls and a teenage son) I have a double/double room booked. I am SPG with 13000 or so points. Can I request an upgrade to a larger room??? If so, when should I do that?? On the phone prior to check in or at the front desk? My son will have to have a rollaway or aerobed and I don't know how well that would fit in the rooms as they seem like they may be a bit on the smallish side compared to Disney GF, CR, Poly that I have stayed in.

Please give me advice!!! I won't be checking in until about 10pm, and with 3 tired kids I need to score that great room on the first try without calling and requesting a different room.

THANKS so much for ANY and ALL help!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney Hi All! I am taking my kids to WDW August 13 - 20 and the first part of our stay includes 3 nights at the Dolphin CL. I have stayed at the Swan before CL, but never the Dolphin.

One time at the Swan, we looked toward MGM. That view didn't do anything for me. The last time, in May, we looked at the Dolphin, boat dock, YC. I really thought this was a pretty view. We could see the CR and castle in the distance.

My question is this - at the Dolphin on the CL floor, if I request an EPCOT view, what exactly will I be able to see?? Will my room be overlooking the Dolphin's parking lot?? This EPCOT view was recommended to me by another DISer. But what exactly will I see??

OK, I have another question.....I have 3 kids (2 girls and a teenage son) I have a double/double room booked. I am SPG with 13000 or so points. Can I request an upgrade to a larger room??? If so, when should I do that?? On the phone prior to check in or at the front desk? My son will have to have a rollaway or aerobed and I don't know how well that would fit in the rooms as they seem like they may be a bit on the smallish side compared to Disney GF, CR, Poly that I have stayed in.

Please give me advice!!! I won't be checking in until about 10pm, and with 3 tired kids I need to score that great room on the first try without calling and requesting a different room.

Lives4Disney
THANKS so much for ANY and ALL help!!!

BUMP for some answers!! THANKS!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[lisamomof3]

Hi. I found this thread a while ago and have been getting some great info. My husband and I are planning another family trip for June of 'o6. Will the teacher rate still be available? ( my husband and I are both educators.) Can I make reservations now? Do I call the Dolphin direct or do I call the corporate number? We fell in love with the Epcot area when we went last Sept., but the only way we could afford to stay there is with the teacher's discount. We already have reservations for POR for seven nights and then we will be off property for 5 nights and then back for 3 nights at the end. It seems like our vacation has just morphed before our eyes! Thanks for any information. Lisa

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi. I found this thread a while ago and have been getting some great info. My husband and I are planning another family trip for June of 'o6. Will the teacher rate still be available? ( my husband and I are both educators.) Can I make reservations now? Do I call the Dolphin direct or do I call the corporate number? We fell in love with the Epcot area when we went last Sept., but the only way we could afford to stay there is with the teacher's discount. We already have reservations for POR for seven nights and then we will be off property for 5 nights and then back for 3 nights at the end. It seems like our vacation has just morphed before our eyes! Thanks for any information. Lisa

I always call the resort direct to access the teacher rate. They seem to have more available than calling the corporate # or searching through the spg website.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi All! I am taking my kids to WDW August 13 - 20 and the first part of our stay includes 3 nights at the Dolphin CL. I have stayed at the Swan before CL, but never the Dolphin.

One time at the Swan, we looked toward MGM. That view didn't do anything for me. The last time, in May, we looked at the Dolphin, boat dock, YC. I really thought this was a pretty view. We could see the CR and castle in the distance.

My question is this - at the Dolphin on the CL floor, if I request an EPCOT view, what exactly will I be able to see?? Will my room be overlooking the Dolphin's parking lot?? This EPCOT view was recommended to me by another DISer. But what exactly will I see??

OK, I have another question.....I have 3 kids (2 girls and a teenage son) I have a double/double room booked. I am SPG with 13000 or so points. Can I request an upgrade to a larger room??? If so, when should I do that?? On the phone prior to check in or at the front desk? My son will have to have a rollaway or aerobed and I don't know how well that would fit in the rooms as they seem like they may be a bit on the smallish side compared to Disney GF, CR, Poly that I have stayed in.

Please give me advice!!! I won't be checking in until about 10pm, and with 3 tired kids I need to score that great room on the first try without calling and requesting a different room.

THANKS so much for ANY and ALL help!!!

Lives4Disney

I would try to get CL privileges (not staying on the club level floors) and get a room in the east wing - the wing that is the farthest out from the main entrance and closest to the YC/BC. We stayed in this wing last summer and had a balcony room (8th floor). Our view was spectacular. We had Spaceship Earth dead center in our view - Illuminations was our nightly entertainment. Please note:This wing is farthest from the pool.

Regarding a larger room - the option would be a suite. I would call directly and ask about using your points for a suite upgrade.

 

[rere]

Hola, The Dolphin is my new favorite resort. And I can't live without breakfast at Fresh........the absolute best. I'm going back Oct 1st for a long weekend, can't wait!! I've stayed at BC,ASM,CS,AKL and Pop Century.

My question is oes the Dolphin still have refillable beverage cups ?

Peace, Love and

 

[rere]

I can't get rid of the old counter stuff... Can someone walk me through it ?

 

[paras4ri]

The refillable cups were there last summer....and I'll be back next weekend to confirm it!!!!

 

[Elysiannn]

Hi all - I'm planning a birthday trip and planning on staying at the Dolphin with the Teacher's discount (I work for Univ. of Michigan). I want a resort with balcony view - what should I put down in my online registration? And should I ask for CL access online or when I get there? I have about 7000 starpoints. How much would it take if they accept me to have a balcony room but club priveleges?

Also it's my birthday during that week - should I mention that on the online form or just let them know when I arrive (not that I expect any vip treatment - not really. LOL)

It's my 50th birthday so I'm spurging on this trip. Any advice on what to put on the online form is greatly appreciated since I want this to be so special. Thanks in advance - I'll read before I make my resessie!! Ely

 

[madge]

Hi all - I'm planning a birthday trip and planning on staying at the Dolphin with the Teacher's discount (I work for Univ. of Michigan). I want a resort with balcony view - what should I put down in my online registration? And should I ask for CL access online or when I get there? I have about 7000 starpoints. How much would it take if they accept me to have a balcony room but club priveleges?

Also it's my birthday during that week - should I mention that on the online form or just let them know when I arrive (not that I expect any vip treatment - not really. LOL)

It's my 50th birthday so I'm spurging on this trip. Any advice on what to put on the online form is greatly appreciated since I want this to be so special. Thanks in advance - I'll read before I make my resessie!! Ely

I've always been charged 1000 starpoints for an upgrade.

what do you have booked now? a standard view?

 

[Elysiannn]

I booked and paid for resort w/balcony and asked for far east wing 8th floor Epcot view. Might they allow me club level access by using 1000 starpoints?
What other advice can you give me?

 

[jjmatte]

Does the Swan/Dolphin offer an equivalant to the Magical Express?
Does anyone have any info on this if they do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[madge]

I booked and paid for resort w/balcony and asked for far east wing 8th floor Epcot view. Might they allow me club level access by using 1000 starpoints?
What other advice can you give me?

I would think so--especially you've booked & paid for the balcony. The only think that could keep you from having access is if the resort is heavily booked and the CL is at capacity. That has never happened to me, but I have been cautioned about it in the past. Most of the time, we have a balcony room & pay for the CL access with points. It's never been a problem, and I've always been charged 1000 points. That's been our experience in all the times our family has stayed at the Swan/Dolphin.

Good luck & enjoy your stay

 

[paras4ri]

I would think so--especially you've booked & paid for the balcony. The only think that could keep you from having access is if the resort is heavily booked and the CL is at capacity. That has never happened to me, but I have been cautioned about it in the past. Most of the time, we have a balcony room & pay for the CL access with points. It's never been a problem, and I've always been charged 1000 points. That's been our experience in all the times our family has stayed at the Swan/Dolphin.

Good luck & enjoy your stay

Madge - have you been able to upgrade to Club access at checkin or have you called 5 days prior to your stay?

 

[madge]

Madge - have you been able to upgrade to Club access at checkin or have you called 5 days prior to your stay?

Gail,

I don't think I have ever called 5 days ahead of time for the upgrade....I have always requested the upgrade and check-in. It's never been an issue, with the exception of one misinformed (about MANY things, not just the SPG upgrade) desk clerk last at the Swan last October In that instance, I simply spoke to a different clerk a few hours later. As a general rule, we don't travel at overly busy times....I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

 

[bjakmom]

I called the Swan 5 days in advance in June and was told I had to check (upgrading to CL with 1000 pts ea night) at check-in. I didn't have any problem getting it, though. We only used the lounge for breakfast, but it was well worth it to us just for that convenience. I will try the 5 day advance call again in Oct, but will be prepared to have to wait until check-in.

 

[marymrg]

We also had a balcony room and tried to upgrade every day of our stay without being able to. Club level was at capacity due to the time of year (Easter vacation) as well as a large conference occurring at the same time.

On the other hand, we were "comped" access during Mother's Day/my birthday weekend once! So, hey - you never know until you try!

I booked and paid for resort w/balcony and asked for far east wing 8th floor Epcot view. Might they allow me club level access by using 1000 starpoints?
What other advice can you give me?

 

[disneyNJ]

Hi,

We've done club level with points at various times of the year at the Swan and really liked it. I always called 5 days ahead to secure it. In some cases I had two reservations - a few days "free" with points, then the rest of the nights at a gov discount rate.

I only "upgraded" to club level with one of the reservations - 3 nights - then the other 3 nights we were given club level access for free, since we were staying on the 12th floor and didn't want to change rooms. It was really nice.

Other years we had no free nights, but I called ahead and had Starwood make the change to club level to make sure we had this great perk. It's 1000 points per night, but one year we were only charged one night (1000 points) by Starwood and stayed club level for 6 nights.

It was a good deal.

Club level with points is the way to go - so convenient for breakfast, bottled water for the parks and the room, soft drinks and snacks in the afternoon - if you're around - and nice cookies and milk in the evening. The Swan club level staff is also great.

Enjoy it!

Disney NJ

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'll be arriving there shortly and asked for club level when I booked also but I'm sure at checkin is when we know for sure. I'M sure it's due to availability and during this time of year it can't be guaranteed when you book or even if you call 5 days ahead.

 

[disneyNJ]

Hi All,

We just got back on July 16th after a week in Florida. It was a wonderful trip and we had a great 5 night stay at the Swan.

We had two rooms - one "free" with Starwood points the other at $149/night at gov discount. We really liked the 2nd TV, 2nd bathroom and extra space. We are a family of 4, but with two teenage boys the extra room was a real treat.

At check-in they told us about the resort fee - which we had paid in other years. I knew it wasn't being waived very often, but I thought it was worth a try, so I asked if it could be dropped from the second room. It was done immediately! I was thrilled - we saved $50 right from the start.

We also knew about the new $7 parking fee - again, nicely explained to us by Claire, the Swan front desk person who handled our check-in. My husband asked her a few questions about the new fee and then we told her that as Starwood Gold Members and repeat customers we were very unhappy with this new charge. We nicely asked her to tell the "suits" we weren't pleased.

We used the parking lot for the next 5 days - following the instructions of using our room key for access. My brother and his family were also on this vacation with us, staying at a Marriott Vacation Villa. They came to the Swan twice for dinner and I gave my brother one of my room keys to access the parking lot. He had paid for part of our hotel stay at Universal's Portofinio resort earlier in the week, so the least I could do was pay for his Swan parking.

However, our final Swan bill had NO parking charges. I'm unsure what happened, but we were thrilled not to have this very silly charge added.

My husband had a business emergency during the trip and he used both the Swan and Dolphin business centers. They were great. He had easy access to a computer, printer, fax and a notary (no charge for her services). This was a time sensitive issue, so we were so happy to be able to get it taken care of at the hotel - and in a stress free manner. He only missed a few hours of park touring one morning.

This was a great trip and we look forward to another stay at this very nice hotel.

Disney NJ