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

[4DisneyfansinNC]

I know that there is a fee for parking, but I have a question. According to All Ears, Day parking is $8 for each entry into the parking lot. Overnight is $8.
So, if we leave in the morning, come back to rest, leave again, am I paying $8 every time I come back into the lot? That seems crazy! Or since we'll be there 3 nights, will my parking just be $24 for the stay and we can come and go as much as we please???

 

[BlueFairy]

So is the room uncomfortable??? Can maintenance help?? Is there an override so the room isn't humid??? Hows the weather?? Is it warm enough to swim??
Are they having Dive-In movies yet??

The room got much better toward the end of the week when it wasn't raining and we were setting the thermostat much lower. I wouldn't say it was uncomfortable, just too much bedding for the high humidity.

Weather was cool on the weekend, then by the end of last week VERY warm shorts weather. People were swimming all week.

Saw no sign for Dive In movies.

Drew2wdw - Crib was NOT full sized. Great for a little baby, but only barely big enough for a 1 year old. Actually less matress space than our packnplay, but more sturdy, and built like a traditional crib on a smaller scale. Standard sheets wont fit the mattress.

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks Blondie. I am sure that they will overide the sensor if it becomes a problem for us.

I noted that someone had posted that both resorts were built beyond the legal specifications making them very quiet. Is this the case or can I expect to hear the odd noise from the hall and surrounding rooms. This is what I am used to at any other hotel.

TC.

We were unhappy with the AC and did keep our balcony doors shut tightly. Read around page 80 for my experience. That was a very humid weekend.

As for quiet, our room was VERY quiet. That is, concerning interior noise. We could only here a child above us 1 or 2 times. Otherwise, it sounded like we were the only ones there. Noise from the lake and stairwell was a different story, but not bothersome at all.

 

[BlueFairy]

Can you buy AP's at the Dolphin? Also, we have one day passes (on our room key from WL last year, that we want to "trade up" to an AP, can it be done at the Dolphin? Thanks.

Don't know about APs at the Dolphin, but we did attempt to add days to our convention park hoppers at the Dolphin. I will say that it was a weird transaction, but I found the clerks MOST unhelpful and unfriendly, even yelling at each other and being short with me. In the end we lost our convention discount because we had to upgrade to non-convention tickets (our convention didn't offer 6 day PH's). SO if I had known, I would have gone to a Disney guest services window. These people aren't Disney employees, and if they are they don't act like it. They also didn't seem to know the system very well. The same people were there all week.



RE: PARKING -
We asked for an extra key and had parking access added to the room keys. Used it to come and go on 3 separate days. Were never charged, even at checkout. Possibly included with our convention? Our internet access and health club was an included perk. I understand that it should have been $8 to come and go as much as we wanted in 24 hours, IF you are a registered guest. $14 for valet.


RE: Mini Fridge:
Had no trouble posting a note and moving the entire stock of the fridge out. Then we used it for our own groceries the whole time. Replaced the items at the end of the week. Nothing was charged to our room.

 

[paras4ri]

I know that there is a fee for parking, but I have a question. According to All Ears, Day parking is $8 for each entry into the parking lot. Overnight is $8.
So, if we leave in the morning, come back to rest, leave again, am I paying $8 every time I come back into the lot? That seems crazy! Or since we'll be there 3 nights, will my parking just be $24 for the stay and we can come and go as much as we please???

You'll pay $24.00 total for the 3 nights.

 

[drew2wdw]

Hi all! One more question for you. Does anyone know if the king rooms have a sofa bed?

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi all! One more question for you. Does anyone know if the king rooms have a sofa bed?

Hi drew2wdw

Last June our King room at the Dolphin had a pull out sofa bed. Our 5 year old son loved it.

Andy

 

[Kaybee]

I posted this on another site but just wondered if anyone has eaten at the Gulliver grill for the character night buffet? Is it any good or should we pick somewhere else? thanks!

 

[jeankeri]

Thanks for the toll free #s!! I'm adding them in my phone book now! Also, thanks for the post about AAA with SPG. Question, do you have to have the SPG noted on your reservation or can you just show it at check-in?

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Just wondering about the changes to the Dolphin. I've heard that Tubbies is going away and being replaced by something else. I'm scared to think that this is a cost cutting measure and we'll lose our lower cost, quick bite to eat, place at the S/D. Please tell me some good news.

A.

 

[Goofy109]

We need some input from those who have stayed at the Swan !! I keep hearing about this "musty odor" in MANY of the rooms there. If anyone has had this Problem, please tell us about it, even Room # will help. Maybe there IS a problem in a specific area of the Hotel, and Rm # would help see if it is spread throughout the Hotel, or in One specific area. Also, can anyone tell me IF there is an EXHAUST FAN in the " bathrooms " ?? This could be a MAJOR PROBLEM if there are NO fans in there !! I also am told that the Air-Conditioning system runs by way of MOTION DETECTORS !!! So, if no-one is in the room , the air conditioners turn OFF !! This is the WORST thing you can have in a large Hotel,,,,,,stale air !!! Along with NO-WAY of exhausting that stale air, if there are NO exhaust fans !! I have worked in the HVAC Industry for over 20 yrs , and this would be known as a TERRIBLE DESIGN of the HVAC systems for this Hotel. It seems that this Award winning Architect NEVER opened up an HVAC design book in his life.........But, the place LOOKS real nice........NOT GOOD !! I am having real doubts IF We want to book this Resort now, from what I have heard . Please, can I have your comments, from those who have stayed there recently !!! Thank You ...

 

[j_rgonz]

Read my earlier post on page 73. I'll try and remember what exact room number we had, but I don't think it mattered as my sister and parents each had aroom on the same floor, right down the hall, and they didn't have a problem. If you have any other questions, send me a P.M. and I'll answer any I can.

We had no exhaust fan in the bathroom. I agree, the hotel is impressive, but has some major problems. Especially for those with lung problems. Our stay was the beginning of Feb. of this year.

Good luck making your decision.
Jeanne

 

[Blondie]

Hi all! One more question for you. Does anyone know if the king rooms have a sofa bed?

Here's what you can expect from a king room (at the Swan):

 

[Blondie]

Hi Gang

Just wondering about the changes to the Dolphin. I've heard that Tubbies is going away and being replaced by something else. I'm scared to think that this is a cost cutting measure and we'll lose our lower cost, quick bite to eat, place at the S/D. Please tell me some good news.

A.

From what I understand it'll still be a similar establishment, just a name and decor change.

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

We need some input from those who have stayed at the Swan !! I keep hearing about this "musty odor" in MANY of the rooms there. If anyone has had this Problem, please tell us about it, even Room # will help. Maybe there IS a problem in a specific area of the Hotel, and Rm # would help see if it is spread throughout the Hotel, or in One specific area. Also, can anyone tell me IF there is an EXHAUST FAN in the " bathrooms " ?? This could be a MAJOR PROBLEM if there are NO fans in there !! I also am told that the Air-Conditioning system runs by way of MOTION DETECTORS !!! So, if no-one is in the room , the air conditioners turn OFF !! This is the WORST thing you can have in a large Hotel,,,,,,stale air !!! Along with NO-WAY of exhausting that stale air, if there are NO exhaust fans !! I have worked in the HVAC Industry for over 20 yrs , and this would be known as a TERRIBLE DESIGN of the HVAC systems for this Hotel. It seems that this Award winning Architect NEVER opened up an HVAC design book in his life.........But, the place LOOKS real nice........NOT GOOD !! I am having real doubts IF We want to book this Resort now, from what I have heard . Please, can I have your comments, from those who have stayed there recently !!! Thank You ...

We stayed in Room # 1059 East Wing last July. Probably the hottest time in Florida and had no problems with the air conditioning. While it is motion activated it doesn't go below/higher then a certain temperature (not sure what that is). The room itself was great...we had a view of EPCOT & MGM. You can't beat that by no means. As for a musty smell...there was no hint of anything. The room looked new & fresh (the shower curtain still had the folds from coming out the package). However, that being said we just didn't feel all the Magic as we do in a Disney Resort. This had a lot to do with there was a convention in the walkway to the boats & a modeling competition going on. Which meant the lobby was extremely congested. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again if we can snag a discount.

Once again, the location is THE BEST!!!

 

[natanya]

Hi just found this site and it is great. After searching the various posts and discounts I believe we are ready to book the Dolphin (Nurse's Discount - somebody does appreciate us) for July 28- Aug 1. Now on to questions.
The first is of course room location. I tried to browse through the site but got lost so figured I would ask.
Do all the balconies have the resort view? Can I request a resort view non-balcony?
I will need connecting or at least close rooms - family of 5; mtself, hubby, 2 teens and 10 yo.
Also, any tips or tricks will be appreciated.
Oh yeh, not to sound cheap but can more than one discount be applied, for example the nurses discount and AAA? Thanks for any help.

 

[drew2wdw]

Thanks Andy and Blondie for your info (and pic!) regarding the king rooms. I was pretty sure that the sofa was there, just wanted to make sure it pulled out into a bed as well.

 

[AndyMcV]

Here's what you can expect from a king room (at the Swan):

Hi drew2wdw

I just wanted to add... here's our view from our king room at the Dolphin last June. Man, you can't go wrong with this resort!! We could see the Epcot fireworks and some MGM fireworks every night.

 

[ericafny]

Just saw the pic of the Swan room...does anyone have a pic of a 'traditional lake view room with partial views of crescent lake' from the Dolphin??? Also, what part of the Dolphin do those rooms exist in? I booked thru the special promotional email with the free upgrade...just curious...can't WAIT to stay at the Dolphin

 

[DolphinBoy]

Here is the view from our room at the Dolphin in '04

Dolphin View