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

[DisneyFreaks]

Just wanted to let others know that the balcony's are nice but you can't see alot of Illuminations if that is the reasoning you want an East Wing balcony room.

We are seriously considering the Dolphin for our next trip. I have heard people say that they had a good view of Illuminations from their Dolphin balcony. Which wing would we want to have this? Also I see that you can get a 50% off rack rate discount with the Entertainment book. Can anyone tell me approximately what rack rate is in a resort view/balcony room for early December so I can get a ball park number for planning our trip? Thanks so much.

 

[Mouseteacher]

The farthest east wing or finger has a dead center view of Illuminations. We were on the 8th floor with balcony - it was magical! I am not sure of the cost of this room - resort view/balcony room. We paid the teacher rate and received a comp upgrade to this room. We were there in July.

 

[Elysiannn]

I'm sorry - I didn't mean to deter anyone from getting an East Wing room. It could of been me being on the 6th floor all I saw was the high fireworks from Illuminations. Perhaps the higher floors on the East Wing could see some of the center world affects of Illuminations. My balcony view 6025 had a lovely view of Broadwalk and the lake and bridge and the friendship boats would travel under it to drop off at the Dolphin and Swan dock. It was kind of soothing to hear the Friendship boats and the surrey riders/drivers.

If anyone wants to be closer to the restaurants and grotto pool the West Wing rooms would be a better choice.

And once they get the spa done - that is going to be a delight for your mind and body I think.

Ely

 

[DisneyFreaks]

The farthest east wing or finger has a dead center view of Illuminations. We were on the 8th floor with balcony - it was magical! I am not sure of the cost of this room - resort view/balcony room. We paid the teacher rate and received a comp upgrade to this room. We were there in July.

Thanks Mouseteacher. So requesting the east wing would face Epcot then? I wish I could find what the rack rate of that type of room is. On the website it apparently is showing a discount of some sort because the rate is $299 for a deluxe resort view room w/balcony and I'm sure it is more than that. I guess I'll have to call direct. Thanks again.

 

[paras4ri]

I'm sorry - I didn't mean to deter anyone from getting an East Wing room. It could of been me being on the 6th floor all I saw was the high fireworks from Illuminations. Perhaps the higher floors on the East Wing could see some of the center world affects of Illuminations. My balcony view 6025 had a lovely view of Broadwalk and the lake and bridge and the friendship boats would travel under it to drop off at the Dolphin and Swan dock. It was kind of soothing to hear the Friendship boats and the surrey riders/drivers.

I stayed at the Swan last month, also on the 6th floor of their East Wing and we also had a glorious view of the high fireworks from Illuminations...and in a different direction, Wishes as well. The wings in the Dolphin are a bit higher, 9 floors I think, but even there I don't think it's possible to see any more of Illuminations.

Here's some pictures from our balcony at the Swan!

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Hi everyone its me again I am hoping that you guys can help me with more questions .
We are all set for the $199.00 a night rate for 10/28 & 10/29 but we dont know what kind of room this is and if we can request a certian area that would be pretty to look out our window it does not need to be a fireworks view or anything . We dont spend that much time in our room but I would like somehting nice . I cant wait to try that shower and bed !

 

[RobMax]

Does anyone have a feel for how the gas prices have impacted WDW visitation and the S&D occupancy. Just curious....

 

[lovingthemouse]

The countdown is under 65 days now - looking forward to going back to the Dolphin. Caroline

 

[Harambe]

Hello! New to this thread. Does anyone know if the Swan or Dolphin will gaurentee connecting rooms? I am considering one of these resorts for next August with the teacher discount.

Thanks!

 

[cindyfan]

Still looking to see if anyone knows what the "Best Available Rate" program is for S/D?
Is that just an on-line thing?
Does it work like the best rate program for AP holders with the Disney resorts?
And what is their normal cancellation policy?

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Hi everyone its me again I am hoping that you guys can help me with more questions .
We are all set for the $199.00 a night rate for 10/28 & 10/29 but we dont know what kind of room this is and if we can request a certian area that would be pretty to look out our window it does not need to be a fireworks view or anything . We dont spend that much time in our room but I would like somehting nice . I cant wait to try that shower and bed !

I have no idea what rate you got but if you go to spg.com and join the Starwood program, you will probably upgraded to a better view than whatever one you currently have. Any sort of resort or lake view is pretty.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Need some help here.....
I was just looking at what was available at the Dolphin for our stay in June 06. I pulled then up on the Starwood web site.
It came up with 6 choices....but I can't really figure out what the differences are!
I see 2 for standard rooms, but one says "Internet Only Rates - Fully Prepaid, Cancel Rules Apply, No Changes Allowed".... with a rate of $249 /night.
The other says.... "Best Available Rate" .... also with a rate of $249 /night.

The "Best Available Rate" gives a cancellation of 5 days prior & no penalty.

Can someone explain the "Best Available Rate" promotion for Swan/Dolphin?

What is typical of the Dolphin for the cancellation policy??

Thanks!!

A 5 day cancellation period is the normal for the Swan and the Dolphin from what I understand. The Best Available means they are showing different rooms at different rates, all of the rates being discounted to some degree. Typically Internet Only rates are no changes and no cancellations or you forfeit your deposit. Sometimes, in order to get the internet rate, you have to pay for your trip entirely and if you change or cancel, you are charged the first night anyway.

I hope I made sense.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

We are seriously considering the Dolphin for our next trip. I have heard people say that they had a good view of Illuminations from their Dolphin balcony. Which wing would we want to have this? Also I see that you can get a 50% off rack rate discount with the Entertainment book. Can anyone tell me approximately what rack rate is in a resort view/balcony room for early December so I can get a ball park number for planning our trip? Thanks so much.

Approximately $429

 

[QueenOfCelts]

It was interesting. They are really working hard on the Spa. I got a lovely room in the East wing with a view of the Boardwalk and Epcot. 6th floor.

Just wanted to let others know that the balcony's are nice but you can't see alot of Illuminations if that is the reasoning you want an East Wing balcony room.

I was able to use my points and get Club Level priveleges (1500 pts a night) but they closed the Club Level saying an emergency on their part. I went down for a refund of my remaining points and ate at the Fresh Market restaurant who told me that they closed the Club Level because they were inbetween major conferences and there wasn't enough people to validate it staying open. Which really rankled some people I met who asked for Club Level just for that.

Oh well.

Dolphin is pretty spread out and next time if I stay there I'm planning on asking for West Wing by the elevators since the hub of activity tends to be in the West part of the resort.

Does anyone have a great room number in the west wing they'd like to share??

And how does one get on the turret rooms??

Thanks in advance for the answers. Ely

We must have been there at the same time! We were sent over to the Swan for CL also. We were told that the A/C broke and they had to knock down part of a wall to get to it......yours sounds more reasonable. We also ate at Fresh, but it was for lunch on our last day there. YUM YUM!

We had a king turret room on a west wing...the one closest to the middle. We could see Spaceship Earth, the Eiffel Tower, etc. AND ToT, the giant hat and the top of TGMR from our balconies. Even the views from our windows were great! We had a short walk to the west elevators also. Room 7116.

We are Platinum so we were upgraded to the Club Level and to the resort view/with balcony. I requested a king room. I was given the King Turret room on the 7th floor and I had CL privileges.

 

[paras4ri]

We had a king turret room on a west wing...the one closest to the middle. We could see Spaceship Earth, the Eiffel Tower, etc. AND ToT, the giant hat and the top of TGMR from our balconies. Even the views from our windows were great! We had a short walk to the west elevators also. Room 7116.

Would you mind describing how the king turret rooms are set up? We're hoping to enjoy one next September when we celebrate our 20th anniversary.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Would you mind describing how the king turret rooms are set up? We're hoping to enjoy one next September when we celebrate our 20th anniversary.

Sure! I will do my best.

When you walk in, you are in a small "foyer", the closet is to your immediate left (inside is a safe, an ironing board and an iron). Next to the closet on the left side still is the entrance to the bathroom. The first area of the bathroom has a single sink and very long counter. There is a coffeemaker, cups/glasses, coffee, tea, condiments, a hairdryer and toiletries (glycerin facial soap, aloe after sun lotion, a shoe mitt, a shower cap, cotton balls, q-tips and a small nail file, aloe shampoo, aloe conditioner and a bar of oatmeal body soap). Off of this sink area there is another door that takes you to the toilet and bath tub/shower. Extra towels and a retractable clothes line are in that second bathroom area. OK, now imagine you are back in the foyer......to your right is a heavy door like the room door that leads out to a covered "turret" balcony. It's rather large as far as balconies go. It has a small table and two chairs and there are decorative railings. OK, now imagine you are back in the foyer.....looking straight ahead is the main portion of the room. Our bed was on the left with two nightstands on either side. On the ride side a very long dresser/desk. The television was on top of this dresser, the honor bar is inside a cabinet portion of the long dresser and at the opposite end, near the sliding doors out to the smaller uncovered balcony (small uncovered balcony has two chairs and small table squished up on it), the dresser turns into a desk. In front of the sliding glass doors( but off to the left side) there was a small "loveseat" that was also a fold out bed. Next to the loveseat was a small end table and floor lamp. There are 5 lamps in the room, a clock/radio, two phones, pens, note paper, menus, comment cards, and a small tray with an ice bucket and more glasses and coasters, etc.

The rooms are very large and clean. The king turret rooms are corner rooms so you have two huge windows. We really enjoyed it and look forward to staying their again.

Please don't laugh at my description, LOL, I was trying to remember every detail.

 

[Kenswing]

Sure! I will do my best.

When you walk in, you are in a small "foyer", the closet is to your immediate left (inside is a safe, an ironing board and an iron). Next to the closet on the left side still is the entrance to the bathroom. The first area of the bathroom has a single sink and very long counter. There is a coffeemaker, cups/glasses, coffee, tea, condiments, a hairdryer and toiletries (glycerin facial soap, aloe after sun lotion, a shoe mitt, a shower cap, cotton balls, q-tips and a small nail file, aloe shampoo, aloe conditioner and a bar of oatmeal body soap). Off of this sink area there is another door that takes you to the toilet and bath tub/shower. Extra towels and a retractable clothes line are in that second bathroom area. OK, now imagine you are back in the foyer......to your right is a heavy door like the room door that leads out to a covered "turret" balcony. It's rather large as far as balconies go. It has a small table and two chairs and there are decorative railings. OK, now imagine you are back in the foyer.....looking straight ahead is the main portion of the room. Our bed was on the left with two nightstands on either side. On the ride side a very long dresser/desk. The television was on top of this dresser, the honor bar is inside a cabinet portion of the long dresser and at the opposite end, near the sliding doors out to the smaller uncovered balcony (small uncovered balcony has two chairs and small table squished up on it), the dresser turns into a desk. In front of the sliding glass doors( but off to the left side) there was a small "loveseat" that was also a fold out bed. Next to the loveseat was a small end table and floor lamp. There are 5 lamps in the room, a clock/radio, two phones, pens, note paper, menus, comment cards, and a small tray with an ice bucket and more glasses and coasters, etc.

The rooms are very large and clean. The king turret rooms are corner rooms so you have two huge windows. We really enjoyed it and look forward to staying their again.

Please don't laugh at my description, LOL, I was trying to remember every detail.

Great description. We are hoping to get one of these rooms for our December trips. Keeping our fingers crossed.

Ken

 

[paras4ri]

That's a wonderful description - thanks!!! Are the turret balconies at the end of the wings? I've tried to look closely at one from the outside but I have trouble seeing if there's anything inside.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

That's a wonderful description - thanks!!! Are the turret balconies at the end of the wings? I've tried to look closely at one from the outside but I have trouble seeing if there's anything inside.

Yes, they are at the end.

When you look at a photo of the Dolphin ( the side with the wings obviously) at the end of each wing is a blue area that is round. Each floor is two balconies divided by a wall. The best description I can give you is teal in color, metal decorative rails that are about half of a circle at the end of each wing....those are the turret balconies. Some of the rooms also have the other uncovered "normal" balcony. We had one and we were on the 7th floor so it must be odd floors that have both types of balconies.

I had a hard time seeing them too...even when I was standing there waiting for the boat, before our room was ready, I couldn't quite figure it out. Boy did I feel dumb when we got into our room, LOL!

 

[paras4ri]

That's just the description I needed - thank you so much!