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

[Blondie]

Caroline, what is your opinion of the newly renovated lobby? I've seen some photos and it looks great! I haven't seen what the ceiling looks like though. Did you happen to take any photos?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi there! This is my first time posting on this thread. DH and I were going to stay at the Poly for our 10 year anniversary this May, but now we are thinking we would rather stay at the SWALPHIN. Can you share with me historical room rates for May? We have AAA, FL resident seasonal passes, Disney Visa and are FL residents. Also wondering if the Entertainment Book would help us out? I am wondering what the TOTAL price would be with all their resort fees, parking, etc. We would be staying 3 nights (Thurs-Sun.) Thanks for any info you may have.

 

[Blondie]

I can't help you with historic rates, but I can tell you that the only fee now is the parking fee, which is $8.00 per day plus tax. They did away with the resort fee some time ago.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks, Blondie, that's not so bad. I thought it was $15 for some reason, but maybe that is valet.

Just wondering if anyone has a ballpark idea of rates in May...with some sort of discount. I mean...would it be under $200 a night?

 

[VAgal76]

Thanks, Blondie, that's not so bad. I thought it was $15 for some reason, but maybe that is valet.

Just wondering if anyone has a ballpark idea of rates in May...with some sort of discount. I mean...would it be under $200 a night?

I think you can get it at $200 a night or under with AAA. I think they do offer Entertainment book rates, but you'll have to call them for that. You can go to their web site at www.swandolphin.com for rate information on each hotel.

Good luck!

 

[jeankeri]

Have you looked under the S/D 2006 discount thread at the top of the budget board? We went over Memorial Day weekend and had a discounted rate of $155/night for a standard room. They have released discounted rates for 2007. We are going the first weekend in June for $187/night; again standard room. I booked under a nurses discount, which was the same as AAA.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks! Anything under $200 would make it work. I am getting excited.

jeankeri-I will go to that board now! thanks!

If you book standard...do they give complimentary upgrades the way WL and AKL and some of the other WDW resorts do?

 

[LoveMyBoys]

I hope someone can help me with this. We are staying at the Dolphin for the first time, and I know that Dolphin has Disney transportation to the parks. We have an early character breakfast ADR (before park opening), and I read that there are character breakfast buses that start running early, do they stop by at the Dolphin, or do we have to arrange for some other type of transportation. Also, what other resorts does Dolphin share the buses with. We won't have a car, so we are relying on Disney transportation. Thanks

 

[paras4ri]

I hope someone can help me with this. We are staying at the Dolphin for the first time, and I know that Dolphin has Disney transportation to the parks. We have an early character breakfast ADR (before park opening), and I read that there are character breakfast buses that start running early, do they stop by at the Dolphin, or do we have to arrange for some other type of transportation. Also, what other resorts does Dolphin share the buses with. We won't have a car, so we are relying on Disney transportation. Thanks

I've never seen a "special" bus for character meals but I've always used Disney transportation from the Dolphin for early meals with no problem. In September we had an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace (MK opened at 9 that day) We were down to the bus area at the Dolphin by 7:15 and waited only a short time for a MK bus.

Blondie - I didn't take pictures but I was very impressed with the lobby at the Dolphin. The colors were more earth tone rather than the former pastels. From what I remember of the hangings on the ceiling they were either white or a light neutral color - much more subdued compared to the striped awning that was there before the remodel.

 

[LoveMyBoys]

I've never seen a "special" bus for character meals but I've always used Disney transportation from the Dolphin for early meals with no problem. In September we had an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace (MK opened at 9 that day) We were down to the bus area at the Dolphin by 7:15 and waited only a short time for a MK bus.

Thank you, I don't know if they are "special" buses, but I thought they just start running earlier. And we have an 8:05 ADR at Crystal Palace on a day that MK opens at 9am. So your experience is just what I was looking for. Thanks again.

 

[jeankeri]

They will give upgrades if available. I joined Starwood Preferred Guests before our Memorial Day trip and inquired about an upgrade at check in. They were mobbed and nothing was available. The woman at the desk said that was unusual, and if something was in the system she would have given it to me.

 

[MiamiBeach]

Is anyone familiar with the suites at Dolphin? We were booked at Swan but decided we needed a suite since DH snoring has returned with a vengeance, and the Swan appears to be full. So I booked a jr. suite at Dolphin. BUT it has no balcony and the one thing that drives me crazy in hotel room are windows that don't open!

Anyone know if there are ANY jr. suites with a balcony at Dolphin? Reservationist said no but thought I'd double check here.

 

[dreamflight99]

If you book standard...do they give complimentary upgrades the way WL and AKL and some of the other WDW resorts do?

So happy to read about your enthusiasm and excitement over a possible upcoming stay at this lovely resort!

Historically, I have read many posts where people have received upgrades from "standard" view rooms to "preferred" view rooms (just as the WL and AKL offer), based solely upon availability. As Jeankeri reported, when the resort is full (convention, etc), there are no options for such upgrades or other perks usually offered (i.e.: late check-out, etc).
Hope you are able to receive some MAGIC on your upcoming visit!

*LoveMyBoys~As Gail (Paras4ri) wrote, you should not experience any problems with using the regular Dolphin bus transportation (to get to your breakfast). The Crystal Palace sure seems to be a very popular ADR Breakfast stop!! LOL...

*MiamiBeach~Yes, there is at least ONE junior suite in the Dolphin which also has a balcony. It is located on an upper floor, on the far west side of the resort, overlooking the pool. If you are unable to obtain information regarding this junior suite (give the reservation office another call), feel free to pm me for further assistance.

 

[after16years]

Hi all!
If your favorite resort is Swan/Dolphin, you may want to vote for one of them. Click on the link provided below to vote:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1278165

Until this time (as this post is posted), there is only 1 person who voted for Swan while 2 people voted for Dophin.

 

[dreamflight99]

Hi all!
If your favorite resort is Swan/Dolphin, you may want to vote for either one of them. Click on the link provided below to vote:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1278165

Until this time (as this post is posted), there is only 1 person who voted for Swan while 2 people voted for Dophin.

I'm one of the 2 people who voted for the Dolphin. Is the Poly still in the lead?

 

[after16years]

I'm one of the 2 people who voted for the Dolphin. Is the Poly still in the lead?

Yes, it is. Along with WL, AKL, and BC. Sorry to say that both Swan and Dolphin are still on the bottom list. Four people voted for Swan and another four for Dolphin.

Anyway, I like Dolphin's architecture, though haven't stayed there yet. It seems so big and heavenly (just like what they said). I haven't stayed at any deluxes yet. Perhaps sometimes in 2007.

------
Do you like either or both SWAN/DOLPHIN?
Vote for one of them, click here .

 

[Blondie]

I wouldn't worry about the popularity of the S/D resorts. It's a poll from people of this website, not an official Disney Magazine poll, Conde Nast or other publication. The end result really holds no water for me.

 

[ztam3]

I have heard many people talk about using the 50% off Starwood certificate if you use your American Express. My question is do you have to put the entire balance of the stay on the American Express or can you just use it for a portion? If you can just use the America Express for a portion and use another form of payment for the remainder, is their an amount required on the American Express to get the discount? Anyone have any experience with this? I would greatly appreciate any help you could offer.
Only 6 more days until check-in!
THANKS,
Tabitha

 

[Disneymooners93]

Adding myself to this thread. Never thought about staying at the Dolphin/Swan before. I have a last minute 2 week business trip that came up with a nice weekend off for a quick WDW trip. Although I found no rooms available anywhere for Dec 1-3, except finally at the Dolphin. I got a nice discounted rate, too. Quick scan of the photos of "inside" the resort is getting me very excited for my solo trip. 12 days!!

Now to start reading the rest of the thread to get the inside advice... TIA

 

[dwheatl]

There are two fairly recent (from August) trip reports about staying at the Dolphin. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1187838 is Ericafny's report, and http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1188018 is mine. Any others out there who want to direct us to theirs?