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

[cindyfan]

I reserved 2 rooms with the teacher's discount at Swan online
But looking at my email confirmation......
Couple questions.....
When I reserved the rooms.... it did not ask how many children....
There will be 3.... one junior, an infant and a toddler.
To make sure this is added... (I could not add this online)... should I call Swan directly or use the 800# for Westin hotels??
Also.... we have always paid in full ahead of time.... can I do this with Swan??
It just makes it so much easier!!!

Thanks.

 

[cindyfan]

Another question....
I think I know the answer.... but just in case.....
Does S/D participate in the Magical Express?
I didn't think so.... but still hoping I am wrong

 

[Disbug]

I reserved 2 rooms with the teacher's discount at Swan online
But looking at my email confirmation......
Couple questions.....
When I reserved the rooms.... it did not ask how many children....
There will be 3.... one junior, an infant and a toddler.
To make sure this is added... (I could not add this online)... should I call Swan directly or use the 800# for Westin hotels??
Also.... we have always paid in full ahead of time.... can I do this with Swan??
It just makes it so much easier!!!

Thanks.

Cindyfan~ You can do this either way; call the Swan or use the 800#. You can also prepay your stay if you like. So give them a call and take care of two birds with one stone...ahem, so to speak!

Also, as a rule, ME is NOT included. This is a perk that is paid for by Disney; and ultimately by those who stay at Disney-owned resorts. But I have heard of drivers taking pity on poor stranded travelers in the middle of the night whose towncar transportation had not shown up...

 

[madge]

Thank-you both for the good news!!! It will change our shopping list at our grocery stop. Still have to stop for some caffine free soda as I can't go a whole week wothout it, I'd never sleep! (maybe at Disney that would help)

enjoy!!

I'd call and confirm before I finish making that grocery list, just to make sure

 

[NancyIL]

Another question....
I think I know the answer.... but just in case.....
Does S/D participate in the Magical Express?
I didn't think so.... but still hoping I am wrong

I paid for the Magical Express to take me to the Yacht Club when I stayed at the Dolphin in December. The one-way fare was the same as for Mears, but the wait for a Mears bus would've been much longer than taking the Magical Express. My Mears pick-up to the airport turned out to be a Magical Express bus...and it picked me up at the Dolphin.

 

[Disbug]

I paid for the Magical Express to take me to the Yacht Club when I stayed at the Dolphin in December. The one-way fare was the same as for Mears, but the wait for a Mears bus would've been much longer than taking the Magical Express. My Mears pick-up to the airport turned out to be a Magical Express bus...and it picked me up at the Dolphin.

Oh! Good point, NancyIL! I was looking at it from the perspective of "FREE" transportation to the Dolphin. I would definitely call and inquire about paying for the service. That would be just perfect for you, Cindyfan!

That is what is so good about this thread... you always learn something new!

 

[Dan Murphy]

How much is a Mears one way, MCO to WDW??

 

[j_rgonz]

How much is a Mears one way, MCO to WDW??

$18 one way. $30 if you buy round trip.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

If I call will they tell me if it is Club level since this is an upgrade? I would think they would rather not say until check-in in case it would not work out?


Also, are there hair dryers in the room and if so are they pretty good ones? My hair takes forever to dry is it is a "whimpy" dryer! But if it is good them I have more packing space!

We leave Saturday!!!!!!!

 

[madge]

If I call will they tell me if it is Club level since this is an upgrade? I would think they would rather not say until check-in in case it would not work out?


Also, are there hair dryers in the room and if so are they pretty good ones? My hair takes forever to dry is it is a "whimpy" dryer! But if it is good them I have more packing space!

We leave Saturday!!!!!!!

if it's in the system, I would think that they'd tell you... but, I will caution you in not getting hung up on what the SPG site says about the reservation. That's been known to change several times before check-in. At least, that was the case a couple of years ago.

A phone call can't hurt.

I usually bring my own hair dryer, just in case. it seems like each one is different.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks, j_rgonz.

 

[NancyIL]

How much is a Mears one way, MCO to WDW??

So, Dan...thinking of talking my advice and NOT renting a car for your next trip to WDW? Btw...when will that be?

 

[DisneyDotty]

Whew! Made it through this entire thread!
Questions, I got questions.
If I'm staying at the Dolphin, am I eligible to purchase MYW park passes? Or what kind would I get, and can someone point me to a website that explains all this?
I know I can't get the Disney Dining Plan with a Dolphin stay. Is there any other kind of dining discount/plan I could get?
I booked our teacher-discounted room thru DU--but I put my name on the ressie, and DH is the teacher. Do I need to change the ressie?
And finally, we are SPG Gold members--but I didn't note that on the initial ressie. SHould I go back and tell them? Will that make a difference in the kind of room we get?
I'm so excited about staying at the Dolphin--pictures look beautiful.
Thanks so much!

 

[DolphinBoy]

Has anyone gotten a club level upgrade lately using their gold card. I have stayed at the Dolphin Twice. One time I got a free upgrade with my Gold card and one time I did not. I suspect that it depends on occupancy. Has anyone gotten an upgrade recently?

Thanks!

 

[florida sun]

Hi There

We are staying at the Dolphin for 2 weeks in October.

What a great thread, I havent managed to read it all yet, but I am working my way through, I was wondering if anybody could tell me are there good views from all the rooms or are there certain rooms we should request. I realise that requests are not guarenteed but was just curious as to what blocks of rooms overlook which view.

Thak you for any help

 

[madge]

Has anyone gotten a club level upgrade lately using their gold card. I have stayed at the Dolphin Twice. One time I got a free upgrade with my Gold card and one time I did not. I suspect that it depends on occupancy. Has anyone gotten an upgrade recently?

Thanks!

nope. the last comp CL upgrade I got was in May 2004, at the Swan.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Okay, let me preface this by saying I have *not* read all of this yet- just the first three and last three pages. So I'm sorry if this has been covered- I usually read entire threads before posting.
Anyway, I have a reservation for the Swan for August- just for "standard" (I did apply for SPG card, but I'm not expecting an upgrade) and I would like to know what view I would most likely get. I requested "a high floor with view of Epcot or Studios fireworks if at all possible" I'm aware I won't get "resort view" but I figured if I'm high enough up I could catch a glimpse of either Fantasmic or IllumiNations. Am I wrong?
I wouldn't mind a view of the landscaping or a pool or anything but figured I"d note my preference if it was available.
Truthfully, I always request a high floor, because I *never* want to get stuck with a view of CM's on a smoke break or a garbage dumpster and I figure high up I'll avoid that.
What do you experts here think?
Thanks!

 

[Tiffany]

Hi All,

We just got back from WDW last night. We stayed at the AKL this time but stopped by the Dolphin for lunch at the Dolphin because we liked the 50's soda shop theme so much. Guess what? We were surprised to see the change. We did end up having lunch there anyway. The question is when did this change? We stayed at the Swan in June 2005 and we thought that the Dolphin Fountain was still it's old self then. We were in WDW in Nov 2005 but did not stop by the S/D area. I know that they still have an ice cream take out window but it is just not the same.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Uh, Swan/Dolphin experts...where are youuuuuu?

 

[dreamflight99]

Hi There

We are staying at the Dolphin for 2 weeks in October.

What a great thread, I havent managed to read it all yet, but I am working my way through, I was wondering if anybody could tell me are there good views from all the rooms or are there certain rooms we should request. I realise that requests are not guarenteed but was just curious as to what blocks of rooms overlook which view.

Glad you enjoy this thread, it's chocked FULL of information sure to assist you during your Dolphin visit.

*Far EAST END facing North-East overlooks Epcot, BWI, BC/YC. Far WEST END Facing South-East overlooks the pool, and MGM. The wings in between these two ends all have "different" views, depending on whether you face NORTH or SOUTH. There are also Corner King rooms with Turrets, which offer a little bit of both views. These are all known by the hotel and noted as "preferred views."

The "Standard" views are all the rooms across from the wings, facing the opposite direction (parking area, bus depot, and convention area). Some of these rooms/views to the north are not too bad, with views of the Yacht club and distant horizon (CSR).

You may specifically request a "preferred" view by filling out the form on the website in advance of arrival, or at the time of check-in. If available, and depending upon your reservation type, you may receive an upgrade.

Tiffany~We were told by the manager of the Fountain about the change in August 2005. She was looking forward to it, since so much about the Fountain had changed since the BLUE ZOO moved into the resort (no dancing waiters, no loud music/jukebox). The restaurant was always a bit confusing to most (according to management). People entering did not know where to sit, wait, etc?

Unlike BEACHES and CREAM, which has a take-out window and a more orderly system (w/hostess,etc), the Fountain lacked all of these things. Hopefully, the changes implemented will make for a better organized restaurant, with better service. Although, we always enjoyed the old Fountain, and never experienced any problems with service or confusion.

Hope you enjoyed your lunch, as well as your stay at AKL.

TTFN...DF99