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

[paras4ri]

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

That means your room key will allow you to come in and out of the parking lot without paying on the spot, like day guests must do. The daily charge will be added to your hotel bill. I checked the SPG website and unfortunately any parking charges do not earn Starpoints.

Starpoints will be awarded for eligible charges ("Eligible Charges") on your room account based on the U.S. dollars or equivalent spent on eligible room rate, food and beverage, direct dialed telephone, laundry/valet, and in-room movies only. You will also earn Starpoints for food and beverage charges of US$10 or more in participating Starwood dining outlets, even if you are not a registered guest, when you present your membership card. Other charges such as parking, business center, retail stores, greens fees, etc, as well as taxes, gratuities, service charges and other applicable charges, such as energy charges, resort fees, etc, are not eligible for Starpoints credit.

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks Gail for the info.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

do they have an alamo rental car site there at the Dolphin?

I am thinking of renting a car from MCO or Sanford....to get to the Dolphin

dropping it off that day

and then picking up another car to get us BACK to the airport


has anyone done this to save $$$$???? If flying to sanford we could save a ton this way

TIA

 

[BabyFu18]

I called and talked to someone in reservations, trying to ask questions about the S/D (when I called the actual hotel front desk the lady said I needed to speak with reservations even though I was asking about hotel ammenities not for a reservation, I think she miss understood what I needed) and my question was about a frig in the room. The lady I spoke with told me there was a $12 a day fee to have a frig in the room and that even though I needed the frig to keep meds in I would still be charged the fee. I know most other hotels forget about the fee for the frig due to medical reasons, when I get to the hotel do you think the S/D will do so as well? For a week stay, $12 a day will add up fast.

 

[MSC]

Elsewhere in this thread, I think it is mentioned that you can just empty the fridge yourself, put the stuff in the closet, and fill the fridge with whatever you want. I have never done this, but apparently others have.

It is also my understanding that they will not charge you if you have to use the fridge for medical purposes. This may be a situation where you got someone who didn't know what they were talking about.

I have found that I always have better luck sending them an e-mail with the e-mail form that's on their site. It seems that that is more likely to get into the hands of someone that is more knowledgable about whatever information you are looking for, plus, assuming they respond in a favorable way, you have a written record to take with you.

 

[Blondie]

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

Sorry about the delay in getting back to you Kitty!

The Dolphin's number is (407) 934-4000.

The Swan's is (407) 934-3000.

Good luck!

 

[BabyFu18]

I'm not sure if I should have made another post for this or not, but I'll ask here first and see if anyone has any info.

So if i'm going to call and book a room at the Dolphin, I know they can't tell me 100% I'll get the room I want, but I was to atleast put in a request to be closest to the hot tub (I think there is probably more than one, if there is one near the Grotto pool, I'd like to be closest to that). Can anyone tell me which wing, or maybe what room number(s) to ask for so I can make sure I can get at least close to the hot tub? I don't really care if it's a high floor or not (unless the ground floors have a patio, do they?). Just trying to figure out what request I need to put on my reservation besides "non-smoking". Thanks!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I'm not sure if I should have made another post for this or not, but I'll ask here first and see if anyone has any info.

So if i'm going to call and book a room at the Dolphin, I know they can't tell me 100% I'll get the room I want, but I was to atleast put in a request to be closest to the hot tub (I think there is probably more than one, if there is one near the Grotto pool, I'd like to be closest to that). Can anyone tell me which wing, or maybe what room number(s) to ask for so I can make sure I can get at least close to the hot tub? I don't really care if it's a high floor or not (unless the ground floors have a patio, do they?). Just trying to figure out what request I need to put on my reservation besides "non-smoking". Thanks!

I would request WEST wing to be near the pool. The ground floors do have patios. The hot tub is in the grotto pool area close to slide. You will have to walk the length of the "lap" pool to reach the grotto pool and hot tub area. I think there is another hot tub but it is on the other side of the waterfall but that is a maybe I cannot remember.

 

[Blondie]

If you want to be close to the Grotto Pool, which is where the hot tubs are located, you'll want a west wing room at the Dolphin. There are no rooms that are right next to the hot tubs. You'll have to do some walking to get there, as is with any large resort.

In room 2179 that we had in 2003, we didn't even need an elevator to get to the back door that leads out to the Grotto Pool area, just a short flight of steps (approx. 5 or 6 steps), and a few more to the door.

Here's what your view/location will be like if you are assigned in this area, it was a balcony room, and overlooked the very end of crescent lake, the Grotto Pool area, and as you can see from one photo, we could also see the Tower of Terror:

 

[BabyFu18]

So if you got an East wing room, with a Epcot view, how far of a walk would it be to the grotto pool? The resort looks so huge, after a long day at the parks is it a bad walk from a room to the pool/hot tub to relax if you are staying in the East wing?

Trying to weigh a beautiful Epcot view (but a long walk to the pool) against a room closer to the pool (but without the fantastic Epcot view).

 

[paras4ri]

So if you got an East wing room, with a Epcot view, how far of a walk would it be to the grotto pool? The resort looks so huge, after a long day at the parks is it a bad walk from a room to the pool/hot tub to relax if you are staying in the East wing?

Trying to weigh a beautiful Epcot view (but a long walk to the pool) against a room closer to the pool (but without the fantastic Epcot view).

I'll be completely honest - it's a LONG walk from the far East wing - with the wonderful Epcot view - to the pool and hot tub area. I stayed in that area in December and it was a hike to the lobby and to the restaurants - but it was a wonderful view. If you have kids and/or if you plan long days at the parks the West wing is much more convenient - it's even closer to the bus stop and the exit to the boats.

 

[nancy drew]

question: we will have a 2 year old and 8 month old with us, and are looking for an "easy" transport to and from the parks. the dolphin and swan have a walkway to epcot, right? and from there you can take a monorail to MK, right? would that be feasible with 2 strollers? we were looking at WL or a monorail hotel, but they are so much $$$ that perhaps if we can do this instead it will be a nice compromise. but if it is a huge PITA to get to epcot and MK from the swan or dolphin, we may just sell some stuff on ebay to cover the extra cost and stay elsewhere.

any thoughts?

 

[BabyFu18]

Ahh thanks, yeah not only will there be a young one on this trip, but also two older people who aren't keen on having huge walks to get to their favorite area of any hotel (the hot tub). I'd prefer the epcot view myself, but I know for the others in my party they will want to be closest to the pool and bus area.

Another question, if you have an west wing room, is there somewhere you can walk to and sit and watch the fireworks or what have you from the east wing? I just hear so much about how you can see things so well from epcot at night and I'd love to be able to see that from somewhere in the hotel even if it's not our room. Though if that's not possible it's okay, cause we'll be spending a day at Epcot anyway and if nothing else we can see the fireworks or light shows that night we go to the park.

So sorry for all the questions!

 

[NancyIL]

question: we will have a 2 year old and 8 month old with us, and are looking for an "easy" transport to and from the parks. the dolphin and swan have a walkway to epcot, right? and from there you can take a monorail to MK, right? would that be feasible with 2 strollers? we were looking at WL or a monorail hotel, but they are so much $$$ that perhaps if we can do this instead it will be a nice compromise. but if it is a huge PITA to get to epcot and MK from the swan or dolphin, we may just sell some stuff on ebay to cover the extra cost and stay elsewhere.

any thoughts?

Yes, you can walk or take the boat to Epcot or MGM from the Swan/Dolphin. The only way to take the monorail to the MK is to walk from the International Gateway entrance of Epcot through the park and out the front entrance of Epcot (that's QUITE a hike), then take 2 monorails to get to the MK. Much less hassle to take the bus from the Swan/Dolphin to the MK.

 

[Mouseteacher]

You can see the higher fireworks from Illuminations if you stand on the bridge that connects to the BW - just outside the Swan. We had an east wing balcony room at the Dolphin and could view the fireworks from our room.

nancy drew~ Btw, my fav books of all time growing up!
The walk to Epcot is about 15 minutes (depends on how fast you walk - it could be 10 minutes) from the Dolphin...that 15 minutes gets you to the International Gateway only. The walk to get the monorail to MK is much longer because you have to walk through World Showcase through the pavilions (Future World) to the main entrance. The bus to the MK is very convenient from the S/D. Walk to the Swan bus stop and you get on first as the bus stops at the Swan first.

 

[nancy drew]

thanks for the help on that i was hoping to be able to avoid breaking down the strollers and carrying the kids and their gear on and off the bus a few times but it looks like it would save time to just take the bus. thanks!

 

[Blondie]

I'll be completely honest - it's a LONG walk from the far East wing - with the wonderful Epcot view - to the pool and hot tub area. I stayed in that area in December and it was a hike to the lobby and to the restaurants - but it was a wonderful view. If you have kids and/or if you plan long days at the parks the West wing is much more convenient - it's even closer to the bus stop and the exit to the boats.

I guess it's all a matter of priority. If had my choice, I'll take a long walk to/from the elevators to the room for the views of Epcot and Boardwalk area! IMHO, there's nothing better than looking out at SpaceShip Earth and the fireworks from Illuminations from the comfort of your own room! The Boardwalk area also looks very pretty at night.

 

[paras4ri]

You can see the higher fireworks from Illuminations if you stand on the bridge that connects to the BW - just outside the Swan. We had an east wing balcony room at the Dolphin and could view the fireworks from our room.

nancy drew~ Btw, my fav books of all time growing up!
The walk to Epcot is about 15 minutes (depends on how fast you walk - it could be 10 minutes) from the Dolphin...that 15 minutes gets you to the International Gateway only. The walk to get the monorail to MK is much longer because you have to walk through World Showcase through the pavilions (Future World) to the main entrance. The bus to the MK is very convenient from the S/D. Walk to the Swan bus stop and you get on first as the bus stops at the Swan first.

You took the words right out of my mouth Karen!!!

We've watched the Illuminations fireworks from many places around the Boardwalk, including the bridge Karen described. If you'd like to hear the music from Illumnations too just stroll past the ESPN Club on the Boardwalk to the bridge leading to the International Gateway.

 

[BlueFairy]

We're here!!!!!
5th floor Corner king at Dolphin, middle section - east wing. Not the far east. 180 degree view is spectacular. Can see all the way from Tower of Terror (leaning out) to Swan, to Boardwalk, to lake and beyond to WS @ EPCOT and even Spaceship Earth. Fireworks are spectacular. Room is immaculate. SMaller than I expected. Not a single sign of mildew. Checkin was very slow and crib arrival even slower. But everything else has been super quick - pillows, housekeeping, etc. Ask questions- I'll try to answer. Tubbis is completely boarded up.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

We're here!!!!!
5th floor Corner king at Dolphin, middle section - east wing. Not the far east. 180 degree view is spectacular. Can see all the way from Tower of Terror (leaning out) to Swan, to Boardwalk, to lake and beyond to WS @ EPCOT and even Spaceship Earth. Fireworks are spectacular. Room is immaculate. SMaller than I expected. Not a single sign of mildew. Checkin was very slow and crib arrival even slower. But everything else has been super quick - pillows, housekeeping, etc. Ask questions- I'll try to answer. Tubbis is completely boarded up.

Yay!!!! I hope you have a fabulous stay!!!

As for questions:

1. What are they doing for refillable mugs now that Tubbi's is closed?

2. Will you be stopping in at any of the restaurants- bluezoo, Shula's, Palio, the cabana, etc. ? I'd like to know what they're like.

3. Will you be seeing the Mandara spa? I'd like to know what that's like, too.

4. How's housekeeping- do they do any "special" touches like in WDW resorts?

5. Exactly how heavenly are those beds?

I truly hope you enjoy your vacation!