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

[FINFAN]

For athe Epcot fireworks view I believe you would ask for the East wing, facing Epcot...probably 5th floor or higher but may not matter. I would nicely word that if available a resort balconey view of either Epcot or MGM would be wonderful....because both are...best to list options/choices...the S/D will do what they can to accomodate, but as with ALL resorts, based on availability. Also, it is a pretty sweet upgrade to go from a standard view to resort view/balconey...so please do not be disappointed if a comp upgrade is not available..you will really enjoy the resort no matter which room.


Pam

 

[Nik's Mom]

So it's possible to have an Epcot view from either Swan or Dophin then? And is a balcony room required to get that view? If so, I'll be sure to book a room with a balcony.
Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

This map might help a bit. As you are looking at the Boardwalk and S/D beyond that, you are viewing fomr the Epcot direction, like looking from Epcot, obviously not to scale though.

http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/eramap.html

 

[ADisneygirl]

I have a Swan question. How does the parking work now? I am confused. I read that self parking is $8.00 a day, but I also read that you pay it each time you enter the lot. That doesn't seem right. How about valet parking? I read that it is $14.00 a day. Is that in addition to the regular rate of $8.00 a day, making parking cost $22.00 a day? Seems high.

Bottom line: what does it cost to park there?

 

[Dan Murphy]

$8 per day if you are staying at the hotel, $8 for in and out if you are not. $14 total for valet.

 

[ADisneygirl]

$8 per day if you are staying at the hotel, $8 for in and out if you are not. $14 total for valet.

Thanks Dan for clearing that up!

 

[forest]

We returned last Wed. from 8 days at the Dolphin. Here are a few responses from the past few replies:

1. we were a family of 5 (DH, DD -17, DD -14, DS - 10). We only got three cards. We only used on to check into EMH, they always just asked how many were in our family. We were together whenever we got these, so had our passes, if need be.

2. Bus at Dolphin was just outside main entrance. Never waited long for a bus to leave resort, most times we lucked out and one was there or just pulling in! Leaving parks we waited max. 10-15 minutes, but this was even when we left at busy times (after parade, show, etc.). Boat service great, bus service was good too.

3. Pikabu worked out fine for our family, though like most food at WDW, not really cheap. DH and I liked the Potato Bar... I think it was about $4-5 for a large potato and any fixins'. Nice change. Pizza was pretty good. Convience was great!

4. Join SPG - adds up fast.

5. Loved the convience of MGM, Epcot, and Boardwalk right there!

have fun, all!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks for the update, Forest.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Probably been asked before, any restaurant discounts for AAA or AP? Use to be 20% for the Disney Club, that was nice.

 

[Scoob]

Probably been asked before, any restaurant discounts for AAA or AP? Use to be 20% for the Disney Club, that was nice.

This seems to be an area of confusion with Pikabu's at least - DC used to be 20% there, and AAA was 20% as well

On our visit, out of 7 or 8 trips to Pikabu's - only once was I told they didn't have the AAA discount any longer... all the other cashier's gave it to me with no issue.

They also mentioned Disney Visa gives 20% off too

 

[drew2wdw]

First -- We're only 5 days out now from our trip to WDW and the Dolphin, YAH!!!!

Secondly, now that its getting closer I have a couple more questions to throw out.
1) Is there a better exit to use (than the one that leads to the boat docks and Swan) if we will be taking the walking path around to Epcot?
2) If I request turn down service, does anyone know roughly when they come to do that? We will be back at the hotel during the afternoon for DS to nap. I'd rather they not come to do that if he's there sleeping.

Thanks!

 

[TadyBug]

Been reading this thread for several weeks now. We leave in 10 days! This is first I've read about AAA or Disney Visa discount on food. Do you just show them your AAA card? Or pay w/ Disney Visa? Then ask for 20%? What other places can I use this discount?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS, TadyBug, enjoy your soon-to-be-here trip. Not sure about the answer to your question.

Thanks, Scoob, for the answer. Additionally, as it seems from your reply AAA is 20% discount (TadyBug, I know in the past to get Disney Club discount, you just showed the card), would I be correct in that the 20% discount applies to all S/D restaurants, except Shula's, which was never discounted for DC either?

drew2wdw, enjoy your trip. As far as I know (I stay at the Swan always), that exit would be the best. Not sure about turn down.

 

[ericafny]

I have been following this thread for a while and this is the first I am reading about a AAA discount at the restaurants at S/D. This would be great for us as I am a AAA member! Can anyone give more info about this and how it works? I would be really interested so I can plan my food budget accordingly

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,
Quick question...

Is the S/D now adding housekeeping tip to the rate?
I read a post yesterday that mentioned it.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Hello all Does the Dolphin still offer the 20% for Disney Vacation Club members? I was especially wondering about the place that replaced Tubbi's? Thanks we will be there very soon!

 

[Hard2Choose]

I've read that people request turn down service at the Dolphin......it's not a standard thing??? Since you have to request it, is there a charge??

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Hi! I'm excited for my Swan stay in August! Still have a few questions if anyone can answer-

1) How do you get from S/D to MK - bus? Would it be completely ineffectual to walk to Epcot and take a monorail?

2) How do you guys usually get from airport to S/D- shuttle, rental car, town car rental etc,?

3) Any S/D lovers w/ DDE? I like evening cocktails outside by the pool - is it worth it to trek to Yacht and Beach or Boardwalk to save 20 % on my drinks or should I stay put at the bars at S/D? (I'm figuring $1 a drink multiplied by me and my BF over 14 days might add up! 2 drinks a day (not that we'll drink every single day!) for each of us is almost 60 bucks over the 14 days.)

4) Anyone know the basic floor plans of the Swan- trying to figure out where the King rooms are and if I should make a room request/preference. I have the "Standard view/Newly renovated/Nonsmoking/King" but I also have the rate that came with "Free Upgrade if available" and I'm a new SPG member. I would love to be high up as no matter where my room is if it's high I figure I'll see something cool, not a dumpster or anything.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

It is much much easier to just take a bus to MK from the Swan/Dolphin. It is quite a "hike" to the front of the Epcot to catch the monorail from the S/D area.

I also think it would not be worth it to walk over the Boardwalk area to get a drink unless you are going to be visiting the Boardwalk area.

I would request a King corner turrett room facing EAST on a high floor. This will get you the Epcot view and the turrett room is a corner room so it has two different views.

I think its a lot easier to arrange a town car for transport from the airport.

I hope this helps some. As for turndown service there is no charge for the service but you usually have to request it unless you are staying in a suite.

 

[abitjaded]

I would like some clarification of all these 20% food discount opportunities also!

TIA,
Carla