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

[ericafny]

Thanks Dolphinboy! What a great view! And the Tower of Terror in the background adds that Disney touch! Getting even more excited now!!!

 

[dtuleya]

Love the pics! Keep 'em coming!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Love the pics! Keep 'em coming!

If you click the resorts link in my signature, there are a lot of pictures from the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm hoping to stay at S/D in Dec.....if I get a good enough rate. anyway....for those of you who stay there a lot, am I going to have a problem finding my way around? My greatest fear is wandering the halls of a hotel, trying to find my room. I'm so used to the way WDW does things in their resorts, I'm afraid I may be spoiled. Any hints??

 

[paras4ri]

Diane - I love both resorts and have had wonderful stays at each. If you're concerned about size, I'd definately recommend the Swan. It's very easy to navigate. The Dolphin is larger, therefore you may have a longer walk to an elevator or to the pools but not as confusing (IMHO) as the Yacht or Beach Clubs. I found their hallways very winding and the footprint of the buildings confusing.

Here are some pictures from the far east wing of the Dolphin, taken in December.

And a shot from the West wing taken in 2004.

 

[princesspiglet]

I just booked 8 nights at the Swan with the military rate. I booked a King room with sleeper sofa, resort view with balcony. We will have a 4 yr old with us and want to make sure DH and I can see Illuminations from balcony while she sleeps. What room or wing/area should I request?

 

[we1luv1dis]

I'm hoping to stay at S/D in Dec.....if I get a good enough rate. anyway....for those of you who stay there a lot, am I going to have a problem finding my way around? My greatest fear is wandering the halls of a hotel, trying to find my room. I'm so used to the way WDW does things in their resorts, I'm afraid I may be spoiled. Any hints??

We (DW, DD8 and DD5) are huge Dolphin fans but to be fair, it is a HUGE place. I guess the answer would be based on your room location. The best view we ever had, Epcot view for the fireworks, was a "haul" to get down all the halls LOL. Add to that going over to the concierge floor for the club room (why is that going away!!!!) and you really had a trip on your hands. Now, the best room we have ever had, an Executive Suite on the club floor, was a few seconds from the elevator. It was the middle of July, hot as STINK, and having an easy trip to your room was so nice.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm all booked...Dec 7-13 at the Dolphin. I'm so excited...I've wanted to stay here for a long time. Now I can see what you all are raving about. Well, now to go back and read all those pages in the past!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we are all booked at the dolphin with the trip we won. We called and they gave us a room at the dolphin. We are very excited. I now need to go back and re read this thread

 

[TwingleMum]

we are all booked at the dolphin with the trip we won. We called and they gave us a room at the dolphin. We are very excited. I now need to go back and re read this thread

Congrats!! Thats terrific

 

[Alicnwondrln]

What do the newly renovated rooms at the dolphin look like ?

 

[DolphinBoy]

Just got back from the Dolphin. Tubbies is gone for good, but I managed to sneek a peak at the Picbu construction. It looks like they have allot of work left to do.

Picabu Sign

Picabu Pic1

Picabu Pic 2

I also visited the Dolphin Fountain. I could not believe the prices! A Hamburger was $10.95 and did not even include any frys!

 

[Dan Murphy]

What do the newly renovated rooms at the dolphin look like ?

First few pictures here, Kelly............

http://allearsnet.com/acc/dolpss.htm

 

[Momof-3]

Very depressing! I was hoping there would be someplace cheaper to eat there. We will be there in 3 days. Can anyone tell me where we can eat for cheaper than 11 bucks for a burger? There is 6 of us.....so that adds up quick!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Maybe over on the Boardwalk or Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club. Sure is nothing inexpensive, that is for sure.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

thanks for the link I forgot about allears
i cant wait to get to try out the Dolphin actually DH is more excited than me

 

[cindyfan]

I know there are posts here in regards to using Starwood points...
But to save me some time... and not have to read all these pages again...
Can anyone tell me what my options are if I wanted to use Starwood points for our stay at Swan in June??

Can we use some points to pay a few nights?
Use it to upgrade?
What other options??

Thanks,

 

[MSC]

Can anyone tell me what my options are if I wanted to use Starwood points for our stay at Swan in June??

Can we use some points to pay a few nights?
Use it to upgrade?
What other options??

Thanks,

Rooms "cost" 10,000 points per night. You can upgrade to club level for another 1,500 per night. (Though I heard they dumped the club lounge, so I don't know what the benefit to club is anymore, frankly). I think you can upgrade to suites for even more, but I don't know what that is.

If you've already made the reservation, converting to points can sometimes be a pain, but it can be done. (I've done it.) Sometimes, for instance, if the hotel is booked solid, they'll say that they have to request permission from the hotel manager to change a paying room to a points room.

Frankly, your best bet is to call Starwood and ask them whatever questions you have. You can find the number at www.spg.com. (The website itself has lots of info about redeeming points.)

Also, if you are taking advantage of the sub-$150 rate specials they have going on, you might look into just using points to upgrade, not to pay for the room. Because at 10,000 points a night, you aren't getting the best bang for your "point" if the room is only $149.

 

[CJRN]

This is GREAT! Have a lot of reading to do, but then again I have until August 2007!

 

[TwingleMum]

Here is the view from our room at the Dolphin in '04

Dolphin View

Dolphin Boy Great pic. What room # was it? Was it hard to get to? Far from elevators?? I have 3 little boys (all under 5 yrs old) and I'm concerned about a long walk but they are obsessed with TOT and would love that view. Thanks!!!