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

[MSC]

Hi drew2wdw

I just wanted to add... here's our view from our king room at the Dolphin last June. Man, you can't go wrong with this resort!! We could see the Epcot fireworks and some MGM fireworks every night.

Great pic, AndyMcV! If you hadn't said you stayed there in June, I'd have know because that's when we were there and I can tell by the progress of the painting of the Swan that we were there at the same time!

 

[Blondie]

Dolphinboy, thanks for posting the photos of the new Picabu's. What a change! Looks like they're trying to upscale it a bit from the old Tubbi's look.

 

[DolphinBoy]

We stayed on the 6th floor on the West Wing. The best part about this wing was that it was just a short walk from the elevators and they had a Great View. I believe that both rooms below are next to infamous Corner King Rooms. In 2003 and 2004 we stayed in 6119. This year we stayed in 6118 because 6119 was already booked. Before arriving we requested 6119 if available. When we arrived, they said that it was booked. I asked for any available room on that floor and got 6118. Personally I don't think that you can go wrong on that floor. See pic's below...


6119

6118 View 1
6118 View 2
6118 View 3

 

[Trissy]

Hi, Beckie

The Swan has fewer rooms than the Dolphin. We had a perfect view of Epcot from our balcony room at the Dolphin this past July. I really enjoyed watching Illuminations from my private balcony.

Don't ya just love heartbreak hill? Amazingly, we do get up the hill without getting off but that's thanks to my DH, DS21 and DS 19. I take my feet off the pedals (I'm sitting in the back)!

How did you manage to get a room with view of Illuminations? What "level" is that?

 

[ericafny]

Hi fellow Dolphin/Swan lovers! I have a few questions as this will be my first time staying at the Dolphin...

I got my room from the internet special they were running---$129/nite with free upgrade to resort/lake views...I was wondering if I can still request a specific area before I check-in and if I can what area of the hotel do people suggest with this 'view'? Also, I just became an SPG member and this stay will be the first of many points I plan to collect. Does anyone think if I ask politely I will get another upgrade? We are going end of July-beginning of Aug and I am thinking the hotel will be pretty crowded...what are everyone's opinions??

 

[CJRN]

Looking forward to an answer on this, as I'm hoping for the same rates for summer 2007, and am curious about the discount, plus spg memeber discount. That'd be awesome to get a double upgrade.

 

[CJRN]

Hope this thread helps others!

 

[slippahs]

Staying at the Dolphin in May on points (thanks to SPG's stay 4, get one free deal, e.g., spend 10,000 points per night for four nights and get the fifth one free), and recently checked my reservations which is booked into this room:

1 KING
TRADITIONAL NON-SMOKING, RESORT VIEW, TV WITH REMOTE, MINIBAR, 2 LINE SPEAKERPHONE W/DATAPORT, WITH VIEWS OF CRESCENT LAKE AND THE SURROUNDING RESORT, THE RENOVATED ROOMS ARE 360 SQ FT AND FEATURE HEAVENLY BEDS.

Any chance of getting an upgrade to a room with a view of the fireworks--or perhaps this room already has such a view? I'm an SPG Gold member, if that helps any.

Looking forward to our stay--but first I have to read another 40 pages of this thread.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Ok say we stay at the Swan for 3 nights that we pay for in a lake, resort view or balcony room. Then I use my SPG points to stay 4 more nights (40,000 points) and get a fifth night free (spg policy).

My question is what room will I get on the spg points? Will I have to move to a standard room looking over a parking lot?

Just wondering,
Andy

 

[DolphinBoy]

AndyMcV,

I used SPG points (4 nights get 1 free) on all my visits. You can see the view from the rooms that I had in the posting above.

I hope that helps.

 

[we1luv1dis]

Hi Gang

Ok say we stay at the Swan for 3 nights that we pay for in a lake, resort view or balcony room. Then I use my SPG points to stay 4 more nights (40,000 points) and get a fifth night free (spg policy).

My question is what room will I get on the spg points? Will I have to move to a standard room looking over a parking lot?

Just wondering,
Andy

We, (me, DW, DD8 and DD5), have done this several times in the past and have always been able to stay in the same room for the entire time. I would just get it settled at the front desk when you check in, point out that you actually have two seperate bookings and would like to stay in the same room the whole time. You can also call the SPG number and have them note on both of your reservations that you would like them "linked".

 

[AndyMcV]

AndyMcV,

I used SPG points (4 nights get 1 free) on all my visits. You can see the view from the rooms that I had in the posting above.

I hope that helps.

Hi DolphinBoy

I was wondering if you get a different or standard room with the days you pay via SPG points. So if I start out paying for the first 3 days in a balcony room and the next 5 days are on SPG points, then what room will I get on the SPG days. Would I stay in the same room or would I have to move to a different room.

Say I was only staying 5 days using the SPG points. What room type do you get - a standard, lake, resort view or a balcony room.

Andy

 

[DolphinBoy]

I stayed 6 nights with my SPG points. All I did was make a reservation with my SPG points and then 1 month before my arrive a put in a request for room 6119. I got a great view and a balcony, I assumed the SPG points gets you a lake view room. I would highly doubt they would make you move. I you have to pay for additional nights for a standard room.

 

[AndyMcV]

I stayed 6 nights with my SPG points. All I did was make a reservation with my SPG points and then 1 month before my arrive a put in a request for room 6119. I got a great view and a balcony, I assumed the SPG points gets you a lake view room. I would highly doubt they would make you move. I you have to pay for additional nights for a standard room.

Thanks DolphinBoy. I bet the S/D figures that you've spent enough money to get the 40,000 points that you deserve a resort view balcony room.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

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.

MSC: We just joined the spg program and have 7 night reservations at the Swan in August.

We will be staying 3 nights at a Starwood hotel in a few weeks and renting an Alamo car for 4 days - husband's business trip. In order to increase the number of points we earn, what tips do you have (like ordering room service or eating in the hotel restaurant and charging it to our room to get credits?)? There is a W hotel a few blocks from my office. Should I be eating lunch in their restaurant to get more points on my spg card?

I don't know if I'll have enough points by August to upgrade to anything, but it's worth a shot! Thanks for any advice!

 

[DolphinBoy]

Best advice is get yourself a Starwood AMEX. Every dollar you charge is worth a point.

 

[dent373355]

Hello -- We are staying at teh Dolphin and I was wondering if any of the very smart people had some room advice.

My sister is staying at the Yacht Club (and officially putting us on the reservation so we can use the pool.) What should we request so that we are closest to the YC.

Also are there rooms with patios instead of balconies? Are they as nice?

Finally does anyone move the stuff in the mini-bar to make room for carton of 1/2 and 1/2 for coffee in teh morning?

Thanks

Dent

 

[dent373355]

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Dent ~ You should request the EAST wing at the Dolphin. This will put you as close as you can get to Yacht Club. They do have patios at the Dolphin but you will not be able to see the Epcot fireworks from the lower floors. The east wing faces Epcot and the west wing faces the Swan/Dolphin pool area. You might consider asking for a turrett corner king room they have 2 different views, but they only have a king bed in these. I don't have any experiece with moving anything out of the mini bar area. You maybe able to fit a small containter of cream in there without moving anything.

 

[Dan Murphy]

......Finally does anyone move the stuff in the mini-bar to make room for carton of 1/2 and 1/2 for coffee in teh morning?

Thanks

Dent

Welcome to the DIS, Dent.

Yes, you can move things and put on the dresser or piece of furniture near the frig. I would call and let them know you are doing it, and also put a note by it to make sure the mini-bar person is aware of that.