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

[jeankeri]

Posted this but haven't seen a reply. Are there changing rooms down at the Grotto Pool (or any Swan/Dolphin pool)? On our check out day we are leaving for MCO at 1:30 and trying to plan option for departure day. Also, what are the pool hours? Thanks

 

[paras4ri]

Posted this but haven't seen a reply. Are there changing rooms down at the Grotto Pool (or any Swan/Dolphin pool)? On our check out day we are leaving for MCO at 1:30 and trying to plan option for departure day. Also, what are the pool hours? Thanks

The pools are open 24 hours, although they close the waterslide in the evening and eventually "shut off" the waterfall over the cave. There's a bathroom right under the waterfall you can use to change....or near the Swan quiet pool the restrooms connect with the fitness center so there's more of a locker room arrangement there. We were told we could use it on checkin day when rooms weren't ready - I can't see why you couldn't on checkout day too!

 

[Kitty 34]

Kitty, what about the Swan, did you check there?

Blondie, is that a different # than the direct one I have for the Dolphin? I never thought about the Swan.

 

[jeankeri]

paras4ri- Thanks for the quick answer. I am bringing my boys for Memorial Day/ Star Wars weekend. Not sure how much energy they'll have for check-out day so I wanted to know my options. Knowing my boys they'll realize Expedition Everest is open and insist on spending the morning in AK .

 

[yourgoingagain?]

Dolphin Corner king question: Are the rooms larger or is it the 2 balconies that is the main atrraction to getting this type of room? I'm told view is good for those facing Epcot.

We had a room (15th floor) in the center wing the last couple of times and although we did not have a balcony we had a great view of Epcot and MGM.


Also does anyone know how big the jr suites are at the dolphin? The hotels web site has a picture but it is of the Swan jr suite and when I called I was told that the dolphin suites have a different lay out.

The teacher rate ($129) is too good to pass up no matter how many times were already scheduled to go (I don't think you can go too many times), so we booked another trip in August. I was wondering if the suites were a good deal. I was told I could upgrade for $129.00.

 

[dtuleya]

The teacher rate ($129) is too good to pass up no matter how many times were already scheduled to go (I don't think you can go too many times), so we booked another trip in August. I was wondering if the suites were a good deal. I was told I could upgrade for $129.00.

Is that per day or the total?

 

[yourgoingagain?]

$129 per night is the special teacher room rate per night and then I was told for another $129 per night that I could purchase an upgrade to a Jr Suite. Depending on the quality of the suite that could be a good deal. I know that the room rate of $129 is a really good deal and is the lowest rate I have paid to stay at the dolphin in a really long time.

 

[BabyFu18]

I have a question, I have a med that needs to be kept cold, I saw on the site it said if you want you use the frig for your own use you need to pay $$ for that rite. Now, if I tell (or even show them) that I have a med that I need the frig for, will they drop that fee?

Also, I heard parking is $8 every time you enter the lot, is that true? If so parking fees will eat me alive because I want to visit other things around Orlando besides Disney and I will be driving to most of these places.

Oh, I also heard you have to pay a fee to use the gym. Other disney property hotels I've stay at include the use of the health facilities in the room price, so is the S/D different?

Trying to book the S/D I found so many little extra fees, I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it or if I'd do better to use stay at some other Disney hotel that offers a room with all the amenities I'm having to pay extra for at the S/D.

If I do stay at the Dolphin, can someone tell me what room numbers to request to be close to the pool? Or maybe which wing will put you having the best view on the fireworks from Epcot?

Another question, is the $129 rate (educators, government, etc.) rate only available through the web? I'd rather book on the phone, but I'm not sure if I can do that.

Thanks

 

[we1luv1dis]

Our DD(8) has severe food allergies and we need to keep her medicine on hand and cold all the time. We have always explained that to the front desk and have gotten the fridge fee waived. We stay away from the mini bar because it never seems quite cold enough and emptying it involves the fee issue which I would rather avoid.

I believe the only fee would be a daily $8 for parking, I think the other fees have been discontinued.

 

[BabyFu18]

Wonderful, thank you for the info. I can deal with an $8 parking fee per day, and hopefully if I talk to them about the frig it won't be a problem either.

 

[DBC]

Our DD(8) has severe food allergies and we need to keep her medicine on hand and cold all the time. We have always explained that to the front desk and have gotten the fridge fee waived. We stay away from the mini bar because it never seems quite cold enough and emptying it involves the fee issue which I would rather avoid.

I believe the only fee would be a daily $8 for parking, I think the other fees have been discontinued.

I was hoping that was true, but I just got off the phone ith them and they said the following fees are in effect:

Self parking $8/day+ tax
Valet $14/day
Health club $8 each use
internet access $10.95 for 24 hours

Guess I'll leave the computer at home this trip and only go to the gym once a day.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

What upgrade would I receive if booking a standard view at the S/D??


I am thinking I want a balcony...what should I request then?

 

[dtuleya]

What upgrade would I receive if booking a standard view at the S/D??


I am thinking I want a balcony...what should I request then?

An upgrade from a standard view would be a lake view. If you want a balcony I believe it's called a Resort View with balcony. That's what we have booked from July 27-Aug4. Price is $174/night plus $20.01 in taxes from the 28th on. The rate for the 27th is $210 plus $24.15 in taxes.

Here's some more information from the Dreams Unlimited site:

PLUS A FREE ONE CATEGORY UPGRADE.**

** This upgrade is only available for Standard, Lake and Resort View Rooms. Resort View Balcony rooms are not eligible. This discount is based on hotel availability and certain restrictions apply. Discounted rates are also offered to Annual Passholders, AAA/AARP and Entertainment Book.

 

[we1luv1dis]

I was hoping that was true, but I just got off the phone ith them and they said the following fees are in effect:

Self parking $8/day+ tax
Valet $14/day
Health club $8 each use
internet access $10.95 for 24 hours

Guess I'll leave the computer at home this trip and only go to the gym once a day.

So, you would have a parking fee, either self or valet.

Certain levels of the Starwood preferred program allow you free access to the health club, you may want to check that out. ( I know first hand that Platinum level does).

Doesn't internet access always costs $$$, or is there a free zone at some other resort??

 

[drew2wdw]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long it took them to get their SPG card? I joined the SPG program about six weeks ago and I haven't received it yet and was wondering if it should be here by now...? Yes, I do have my SPG number that I received when I registered but I would really like to have the card "in hand" when we go. Thanks!

 

[LSUmom4kids]

So, you would have a parking fee, either self or valet.

Certain levels of the Starwood preferred program allow you free access to the health club, you may want to check that out. ( I know first hand that Platinum level does).

Doesn't internet access always costs $$$, or is there a free zone at some other resort??

Do you know if we charge our parking (self or valet) to our room, can we get Starwood Preferred Guests points for that too? If so, maybe we'll splurge and do the valet parking! My kids will be so impressed ~ staying at the Swan.... valet parking our car ...

 

[paras4ri]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long it took them to get their SPG card? I joined the SPG program about six weeks ago and I haven't received it yet and was wondering if it should be here by now...? Yes, I do have my SPG number that I received when I registered but I would really like to have the card "in hand" when we go. Thanks!

You can print a temporary card from their website - here's the info:
To request a new card and print and temporary card, please follow the steps below:

1. Log onto the Starwood Preferred Guest website spg.com, with your user name and password.

2. Click on "Account Links" pull down menu

3. Click on the "Replace Card" link.

4. Verify the mailing address information and click the "Continue" button.

5. You may then use your browser's print function to print a copy of your temporary card.

Do you know if we charge our parking (self or valet) to our room, can we get Starwood Preferred Guests points for that too? If so, maybe we'll splurge and do the valet parking! My kids will be so impressed ~ staying at the Swan.... valet parking our car ...

I'm not sure of the answer here because we haven't stayed at the Dolphin or Swan since they implemented a parking charge. We did stay at Sheratons in Syracuse and Boston where there was a charge for parking. We did not earn Starwood points for those charges.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

We decided to stay at the Dolphin in a Jr. Suite/Club level for 1 night to start off our trip next weekend... Then we will be moving over to the Boardwalk, then on over to the Beach Club. We were going to stay off-site for our first night but could not resist staying at the Dolphin even if it's just for 1 night. 1 week from tomorrow we will be at WDW and the Dolphin..

 

[Dan Murphy]

Parking and the other fees can be added to your room bill. At checkin, ask them to code your room key with a parking access code also.

 

[TwingleMum]

Parking and the other fees can be added to your room bill. At checkin, ask them to code your room key with a parking access code also.

What do you mean by a parking access code???