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

[dreamflight99]

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!

YES, you may purchase your passes at the DISNEY DESK across from the car rental counter (ALAMO/NATIONAL) just off the main lobby. They have all types available, and are DISNEY employees (just as they are in the gift shop).

AAA will net you 20% off your food and beverage at Tubbi's. Also, if you are a DVC card-carrying member, you are entitled to a discount as well.

No need to change the ressie, as long as your DH is accompanying you on the trip (and can show proof at the desk upon request to validate your teacher's rate).

SPG GOLD may have some bearing on the room you receive. I would definitely go back and make a note of this on your reservation. Many factors play into upgrades and views (pleasure over business, family over solo trip, etc). Please let the reservation specialist at DU aware of all of these details.

Yes, the Dolphin and Swan are both incredible properties. You will have a great time at the Dolphin!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Tiffany]

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

Hi DreamFlight99,

Thanks for the info on the Dolphin Fountain. The food was good but a lot more expensive than before. Also, there is no hostess seating just a sign saying to seat yourself like before. There is a seperate take-out window now and it does tie in more with Fresh and BlueZoo. Oh Well at least you confirmed that my husband and I were not losing it as we swore it was still the old style in June of 2005.

The AKL was great as usual. They now have Red River Hogs on the Sunset Savanna. Very funny to watch.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Thanks for the info, dreamflight! I knew you would come through...
BTW, do you know of any other restaurants honoring AAA discounts at WDW? (Trying to decide whether buying into AAA would be worth the $$$).

 

[NancyIL]

AAA will net you 20% off your food and beverage at Tubbi's. Also, if you are a DVC card-carrying member, you are entitled to a discount as well.

Hmmm...l thought the only AAA discounts were if you booked a resort package at the Swan/Dolphin through AAA. However, I hope you're right - and the average card-carrying AAA member does get the discount at Tubbi's!

 

[paras4ri]

Thanks for the info on the Dolphin Fountain. The food was good but a lot more expensive than before. Also, there is no hostess seating just a sign saying to seat yourself like before. There is a seperate take-out window now and it does tie in more with Fresh and BlueZoo. Oh Well at least you confirmed that my husband and I were not losing it as we swore it was still the old style in June of 2005.

I too was surprised to see the change in the Fountain from our August trip to my visit in December but I quite liked it. I liked the different seating options, especially for parties larger than 4. I thought the menu hadn't changed much at all, including the prices.

 

[imamicki2]

I think I read somewhere that the daily resort fee is gone. Can someone explain the parking your car rate? Is there a daily fee or is it everytime you leave and return to the parking lot?

Also, if I book online, is there a place where I can put my preferences (if available at the time) - like a higher floor, firework view, and heavenly bed?

One last thing, I am dying to stay here. This will be DH and my 15th year anniversary and would like to splurge this year (sorry no kiddies this time ... they will be staying with grandparents about an hour away). Looking for any discounts. Does anyone know if entertainment book currently offers discounts for Mid June?

P.S. I am trying to get thru all these pages. Sorry if any and all of these questions have been asked before....

 

[paras4ri]

There is no longer a resort fee - yippee! Sadly there is now a $7/day charge for parking (valet is more) It's a flat rate per day and you can go in and out as much as you like.

All rooms have heavenly beds so no request needed for those. I've never booked online but there is a place on the Swan/Dolphin website where you can make a special room request so I know it can be added.

We'll be celebrating our 20th anniversary at the Dolpin in September - also with no kids - we're already counting down the days!!!

 

[imamicki2]

There is no longer a resort fee - yippee! Sadly there is now a $7/day charge for parking (valet is more) It's a flat rate per day and you can go in and out as much as you like.

All rooms have heavenly beds so no request needed for those. I've never booked online but there is a place on the Swan/Dolphin website where you can make a special room request so I know it can be added.

We'll be celebrating our 20th anniversary at the Dolpin in September - also with no kids - we're already counting down the days!!!

7 isn't that bad I guess. We are only staying 5 days or so. I didn't realize all beds were heavenly. Cool.
It is going to be weird to be in disney without the kids, but they will love visiting with grandparents just the same. I think we are going to do the things we have always wanted to do. Maybe do Pleasure Island, La Nouba, go to expensive dinners, etc.
Happy early Anniversary!

 

[Dan Murphy]

The parking fee has been increased to $8.

 

[Blondie]

It's now $8? Oh well....what's another dollar!

 

[TwingleMum]

*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.

[TFN...DF99

What would I request to get the best view of Tower of Terror (my 3 DS love TOT even though they are waaay to young to ride it). Thanks for the help.

 

[paras4ri]

What would I request to get the best view of Tower of Terror (my 3 DS love TOT even though they are waaay to young to ride it). Thanks for the help.

The best view of TOT is from the West wing.

 

[dreamflight99]

The AKL was great as usual. They now have Red River Hogs on the Sunset Savanna. Very funny to watch.

I would LOVE to see this!!! Sorry about the Shock associated with the old Fountain/new Fountain! I am one who prefers continuity to change, so I am still missing the old carpet and hallway wallpaper. It was whimsical, and made it more fun.

Thanks for the info, dreamflight! I knew you would come through...

My pleasure to be of help.
Yes, I actually believe there are some more on the property which offer the discount for AAA, but I never used them. I used the Disney Dining Club card for those. With a 20% discount (alcohol included), and FREE VALET PARKING at resorts you visit to dine in, it's a GREAT deal!
I saved a considerable amount at Tubbi's, especially because we are at the resort so long. Just ordering a few dinners, would save me $12-15 each time. The savings add up over time.

Nancy~Good to see you over here again! The AAA discount has always been available at the Swan/Dolphin cafeterias. The associates at the register are well aware of the procedure. It's 20% for the AAA, and 10% for the DVC card. There used to be the Disney Magic Kingdom club, and the Disney Visa ran a special "promo" for a spell as well. I am very "astute" about these things, and received the 20% at EVERY restaurant in the hotel, including the FOUNTAIN, FRESH and TUBBI's!! I would present the AAA card with my credit or room card, and they would deduct the discount without having to be asked. There is a key on the register for this discount. I enjoyed the fountain discount, as I could use it on the take-out cones/shakes on the way up to the suite (after a long, hot day...the homemade ice cream hits the spot!!).

Here's another inside tip. About the PARKING FEE. Since it has not quite been a year since they adopted this NEW fee, I am still reporting the associates are occasionally "WAIVING" the fee at the counter (check-in) upon certain random requests. This is not ALL the TIME, but it HAS HAPPENED enough times for me to post it on this forum. I just received an email from a guest/friend whom visited for a week, and acted "sad and stunned" over the cost of the parking fee. The associate at the desk replied in a somewhat hushed tone...that she could "WAIVE" the fee this time, since it's the guest's first time back since this change was implemented! With one swipe of a key...NO PARKING FEE. Saved her some walking money! She was thrilled, needless to say. This only goes to prove a favorite aphorism of mine: "IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK." (Or...nothing ventured, nothing gained.)

imamicki2~Hello! I wish you and your DH an early HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, and know you will LOVE the Dolphin during your special celebration time together. The kids will be fine. Call them once in a while, and purchase a special little souvenir for each one, and they will be thrilled!

YES, Entertainment book usually always offers discounts at this property. Please call reservations and inquire if there are restrictions on the dates. The toll-free number for the Dolphin reservations is 1-800-227-1500. I have a toll-free for Disney reservations also (if anyone is interested).

ALSO, if you visit the AMERICAN EXPRESS website, and sign-up for the very popular STARWOOD PREFERRED GUEST American Express credit card, you will receive (with the credit card) a certificate good for 50% off of a stay of up to five days! If you do not wish to obtain the card, (which is a great card to have, as SPG offers the best variety of exchanges for the points of ANY frequent travel program), you may visit EBAY and type in STARWOOD for the listing of these certificates currently for SALE. They are great, and are good ANYTIME!

Gail!~ Great to see you here. 20 years for DH and I in July! How many days are you planning in September? How wonderful...and sans the kiddies too! You will have FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Blondie~Another good friend I'm happy to see over here!
You are SO right...what's another dollar? Whocares what the parking fee is, if there's no more resort fee, etc! Since the old resort fee was $10 per eve, we're still $2 in the GREEN!! LOL.
So good to see you, hope everything is going great in your neck of the woods.

TTFN...

DF99

 

[TwingleMum]

The best view of TOT is from the West wing.

Thank you Miss Gail. My boys would love to see TOT outside their window. They pretend the shower stall in the bathroom is TOT. One of the them stands outside the shower and "escorts" me to the shower in the morning like they do one the ride.

 

[ddawg]

Dreamflight did you use your Disney Dinning Experience card at the Dolphin? Last year I tried the CAA card which is the Canadian Equivlant of the AAA card and they said it had to be a special AAA card. Maybe if you booked your room through the CAA or AAA they give you a special card for restaurant discounts in the hotel? They wouldn't accept my CAA

 

[paras4ri]

Thank you Miss Gail. My boys would love to see TOT outside their window. They pretend the shower stall in the bathroom is TOT. One of the them stands outside the shower and "escorts" me to the shower in the morning like they do one the ride.

How sweet - how old are your DS?? My DD loved the ride at age 4 but her brother was a few years older before he enjoyed it - now we spend most of our MGM time between TOT and RNR.

Here's the view we had from the 8th floor of the West wing in 2004

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

If you get a chance, I posted a question on page 64 of this thread - basically asking what views would be offered in a Standard room in the Swan if I requested the highest floor possible with a fireworks (Studios or Epcot) view if possible. (Not expecting an upgrade, just wondering if it is available within our level, or if not what our view would most likely be- trees, pool, etc.) Thanks again.

 

[paras4ri]

If you get a chance, I posted a question on page 64 of this thread - basically asking what views would be offered in a Standard room in the Swan if I requested the highest floor possible with a fireworks (Studios or Epcot) view if possible. (Not expecting an upgrade, just wondering if it is available within our level, or if not what our view would most likely be- trees, pool, etc.) Thanks again.

Not sure I can help on that one. When we were at the Swan we had a resort view room, in the East wing. We were on the 6th floor and could see Illuminations and Wishes.

 

[marymrg]

I'm just back from a trip to the Boardwalk and the Dolphin.


DVC discount is 20% at Tubbi's

Valet parking (at the Dolphin) is $14 plus tax a night. ($14.91 per night)


HTH!

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Can anyone help???? We stayed at the SWAN last year and would like to do so again. We stayed in room # 1059 but, I can't remember if it was the EAST or WEST wing. We could see both EPCOT & TOT along with the friendship boats. It was an awesome view and I would like to request the same room. Please help!!!