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

[Muffy]

Hi Webmaster Bob !! since nobody else seems to know the answer to my question, would you be so kind ???
I am doing a split stay between The Swan and The Wilderness Lodge, do you know if the Swan would transfer my luggage to The WL ?? TIA !

Yes, the Swan and Dolphin most definatly transfer luggage to other onsite resorts. Enjoy your split stay!

Muffy

 

[PooohBear]

Thanks Muffy

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Hi Webmaster Bob !! since nobody else seems to know the answer to my question, would you be so kind ???
I am doing a split stay between The Swan and The Wilderness Lodge, do you know if the Swan would transfer my luggage to The WL ?? TIA !

That's what we're doing, too!!!

Thanks for that answer Muffy! I had no idea!!

 

[paras4ri]

Hi madge!
What checkout time were you granted and what Starwood level are you?

To share my experience with this, I'm Gold level and have had different checkout times, based on availability. In July 2004, at the Dolphin, we were allowed to check-out at 1 on a Sunday and were told it was the latest possible that day. In August 2005, at the Swan, we were offered 2:30 on a Saturday.

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

Got a question. Iamthisclose to booking our May 10 year anniversary trip at the DOLPHIN! Say, I use a discount like entertainment book and then something better comes along, will the Dolphin apply the better rate to my exsisting ressie?
And if anyone has any tips for me, this thread is too long to go thru it all, let me know! THANKS!

 

[WebmasterBob]

Hi 4DisneyfansinNC, If you find a better rate you can call attention to it and the hotel will adjust it for you. You can also book this through Dreams Unlimiteded Travel and you just let them know if you do find it cheaper and they will send the change in for you. To book follow the link below.
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/sd.cfm

Dreams Unlimited Travel is a sponsor of the boards.

 

[madge]

Hi madge!
What checkout time were you granted and what Starwood level are you?

I am SPG gold. In October 2005 I was given a 2:00pm checkout. How late the checkout is will depend on how busy the resort is. We have been there and have had to leave at noon because of a convention, and other times we could stay until 2:00 or 4:00 because there wasn't much going on at all.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Did you request the late check -out at check- in? I think DH is Gold. Last stay he was platimum and we were upgraded at check- in to club level but he has traveled less for work this year so no big upgrades for us but a late check-out would be great as we have a 8pm flight.

 

[Disbug]

Did you request the late check -out at check- in? I think DH is Gold. Last stay he was platimum and we were upgraded at check- in to club level but he has traveled less for work this year so no big upgrades for us but a late check-out would be great as we have a 8pm flight.

Hi Disneycrazymom! I, too, am SPG Gold and the time to request late check-out is usually the day before you are checking out. You CAN request this when you CHECK IN, but most times they will ask you to call back the day before you are due to checkout. This perk, by necessity, depends on hotel occupancy. Only so many late check-outs can be granted without affecting those that are checking in. So it never hurts to ask, but expect the reservationist to ask you to call back.

Waving hello to Madge, Muffy, Gail!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Good to know, everyone! Thanks again!

 

[PammyPoppins]

Hi Everyone,
I have a question that I know you guys can answer for me. Sorry if this was already discussed. I know you can not use the Disney Dining plan at the Swan or Dolphin but can you purchase the Disney Dining Plan for your stay if you are staying at the Swan or Dolphin?
Thank-You,
PammyPoppins

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Hi Everyone,
I have a question that I know you guys can answer for me. Sorry if this was already discussed. I know you can not use the Disney Dining plan at the Swan or Dolphin but can you purchase the Disney Dining Plan for your stay if you are staying at the Swan or Dolphin?
Thank-You,
PammyPoppins

Hi... You can only purchase the dining plan while staying at a Disney owned resort or DVC property. You cannot purchase the dining plan with a stay at the Swan/Dolphin resorts. Happy planning!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Waving to the room..

 

[jlieblaw]

We have booked a room for this weekend and it's described as a traditional, limited view room with non-specific views of the surrounding resort area. What does this mean? We have never stayed here but we couldn't find availablity with a disney resort and we wanted to be on-property for the marathon. Also, when we called the dolphin, they didn't have our rate available, only club level rooms, but we were able to book the standard room online through a romance package. Is it unusual not to find the package rate directly with the hotel? We're curious what benefits we'll receive with the romance package, considering it's my sister, my kids, and I going. I'm excited about trying out the dolphin though.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Another question for the experts..... I have 2 seperate reservation numbers and they list 2 different room types. One is Deluxe non/smoking resort view with balcony. The other is traditional non/smoking limited view. I have a teacher discount and am paying $175 plus tax and I think that is the standard rate. I really don't expect more than I paid for, but I DO want the rooms to be connecting (a request I know). So here is the question, do I:

A. Call and try to "fix" this over the phone
B. Don't call but worry about it until I get there
C. Don't call and hope we get both rooms upgraded upon check-in.

DH is a gold SPG and we do have a few points we could ask to use them to upgrade the 2nd room. I almost wish I hadn't read the room discription then I would just be happy, ya know!

 

[WebmasterBob]

Hi Disneycrazymom, Not to worry. I recommend that you make the call and take the worry factor out of preparing for your trip. There is nothing worse than worrying. The $175 is the standard view room pricing. If you need the hotel phone number, e-mail me and I will get it for you.

 

[ead79]

I posted this on the codes & rates board and didn’t get a definitive answer, so if you don’t mind I’d like to ask here as well.

I have a question about booking the Swan/Dolphin using SPG reward points. How does it work if I have enough SPG points for part of my stay, but not for the whole time? Can I use SPG points for 1 night, then still get a discount (like AAA) on the remaining nights that I have to pay for? How do I book using points for part of the stay?

Essentially I think I would like to use SPG points for my first night (Nov. 26 – when there are no discounts offered) then use the discounted AP rates for Nov. 27 – Nov. 29.

Help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks Bob! I did make the call and they said it already had the connecting request on the reservation. I aksed about the different rooms and he just said the connecting request was there and they would not be in different parts of the hotel. I am going to plan on getting 2 standard connecting rooms. If one is upgraded, great, but really a standard is what I paid for and if the upgrade was really important I would have reserved it. I really like that I can call the Swan/Dolphin directly and ask them!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I posted this on the codes & rates board and didn’t get a definitive answer, so if you don’t mind I’d like to ask here as well.

I have a question about booking the Swan/Dolphin using SPG reward points. How does it work if I have enough SPG points for part of my stay, but not for the whole time? Can I use SPG points for 1 night, then still get a discount (like AAA) on the remaining nights that I have to pay for? How do I book using points for part of the stay?

Essentially I think I would like to use SPG points for my first night (Nov. 26 – when there are no discounts offered) then use the discounted AP rates for Nov. 27 – Nov. 29.

Help is greatly appreciated.

HI Elizabeth, I think I recognize your name from the "other" lounge You will have no problem booking your stay with points and a discount on the other nights. I have done this many times. First I would book your night you know you want to use points for either online or calling SPG. Then I would book the nights you want using the discount by calling Swan/Dolphin or online. When you checkin be sure to mention your other reservation although they should be linked together. This way you will not have to switch rooms. Happy Planning!

 

[ead79]

Yep, I’m one in the same. Glad to see you over here!

Thanks for the help. It’s complicated to type up, but I’m glad to hear it’s possible. As long as the two reservations are linked, then I’ll be good to go. I can just remind them at check in that I have another reservation. Thanks!

 

[marymrg]

If you book the rooms on-line, you can also type in the "comments section" to link your reservations. I booked the later night first and then put that confirmation number in the comments when I booked the nights for the earlier part of my stay. (later this month) When I called yesterday to see if they were linked, they were.

This time we're staying at the Dolphin. Normally, we're Swanatics but alas, there was no room in the Inn. I figure we'll be closer to Tubbi's this way anyway.