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

[madge]

Anyone get a letter from Starwood this week about a class-action lawsuit regarding the resort fee that used to be charged? I'm not sure I understand all of it... but we got 2 different letters, with 2 different discount certificates. I thought that was interesting. Is there any reason I wouldn't want to use the certificate, other than it would opt me out of any larger settlement? or is the certificate the actual settlement? I'm quite confused, LOL

edited to add: I understand that the certificate is the settlement. I think I'd rather have some starpoints, instead.

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

We have a lake view booked for our upcoming trip, should I make any other requests with this? And if so, when do I make them, at check in?

 

[slippahs]

Couple of things:

• Do Dolphin/Swan guests receive free parking at the Disney parks? Allears says yes; however, Mousesavers says no.
• With the extensive transportation system to/from the parks, is it necessary to have a car when staying at the Swan/Dolphin?

We're heading down there two weeks from now. It seems having a car is about $60 more expensive than having a towncar take us back and forth. Any tips/suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[paras4ri]

Couple of things:

• Do Dolphin/Swan guests receive free parking at the Disney parks? Allears says yes; however, Mousesavers says no.
• With the extensive transportation system to/from the parks, is it necessary to have a car when staying at the Swan/Dolphin?

We're heading down there two weeks from now. It seems having a car is about $60 more expensive than having a towncar take us back and forth. Any tips/suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I can help!

Swan/Dolphin guests do get free parking at the theme parks but you really don't need a car. The busses and boats (to Epcot & MGM) get you where you want to go easily and quickly. You can also walk to Epcot & MGM. With a car it will take you longer to get to MK as you'd have to park and take a monorail or ferry from the TTC and the hotel busses drop you right at the MK entrance. Also, if you have an early ADR at AK the parking lot doesn't open until close to park opening but a bus will get you there on time. Finally, there's an $8/day parking charge at the hotel.

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[AndyMcV]

...It seems having a car is about $60 more expensive than having a towncar take us back and forth. Any tips/suggestions?...

Hi slippahs

We did the towncar only in 2003 and then we rented a car in 2005. The only nice thing that I enjoyed the rental for was going to a couple of restaurants at the other resorts (AKL and WL). Other than that we really didn't use it a lot and it sat at the Dolphin costing $8 a day (for parking fees).

My suggestion would be to just get the towncar and if you want to stock up at a grocery store before you reach the S/D most of them give you a 15-30 minute stop to do so.

A.

 

[slippahs]

paras4ri, AndyMcV: thanks for the help. We were just worried that food would be expensive at the S/D hotels--but I guess we could always walk down to the boardwalk or take the Disney transportation over to Downtown Disney to eat there.

Sounds like we'd be better off not having a car during out S/D stay. Thanks again!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi!!
I know that everyone is familiar with the DDplan. Does it go hand and hand with the Swan and Dolphin like it does at the other D properties?
We are going in August when the free meals take effect.

Thanks!

 

[stitch63]

paras4ri, AndyMcV: thanks for the help. We were just worried that food would be expensive at the S/D hotels--but I guess we could always walk down to the boardwalk or take the Disney transportation over to Downtown Disney to eat there.

Sounds like we'd be better off not having a car during out S/D stay. Thanks again!

The food at the Swan/Dolphin does seem expensive and too adult for my DS's according to the menus at Allearsnetwork. We're staying at the Swan for the first time in May and we're planning on taking pop tarts, grabbing bakery treats from the Boardwalk the night before or eating at the Parks. I'd rather not spend $8.00 for pancakes and be able to buy more Stitch stuff

 

[#1hockeymom]

Princess Paczki... First let me say, I LOVE YOUR NAME! Has it really been over forty days since I've had one?

Unfortunately, the S/D does not participate in the dining plan. I am sure if you go through Disney you'd be able to reserve it, but it isn't good at any of the restaurants and you'd be paying rack rate for the rooms. Maybe a split stay is in order? This way you'd be able to take part in the dining plan on a Disney property then have a few days of heavenly bed at a starwood.

Happy Planning!
Debbie

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Princess Paczki (I second the love for your name. My parents and grandparents used to call me paczek (sp?))

Anyway, I am going during free dining, too. S/D does not participate. You can only get it paying rack rate for the rooms. So, I priced it out and staying at a mod it would be a little cheaper and staying at a Deluxe I'd wash out any savings. So, I decided I'd rather pay a little more and stay in a Deluxe (Swan is Deluxe) rather than stay at a Mod. I'll be sharing some meals and not ordering the most expensive things, but I'll be happier at the Swan I think/hope.

 

[Scoob]

We just got back from a week at the Swan... and I wanted to let everyone know that the new Picabu's (used to be Tubbi's) opened to the public on April 13th.

The good news: it's still buffet style, and still open 24 hours - convenience store and all

The bad news: Daily specials and the varied menu have been replaced by a FIXED menu - no changes to the menu items at all. Although there are still a good number of choices, this was a big disappointment to my family - we used to LOVE the blue plate specials and variety at Tubbi's

I didn't take pics unfortunately.... but the new theme is very tropical and more kid-friendly than Tubbi's used to be.

Hope this helps!

Scoob

 

[mrsswat]

I'm considering booking the Swan using the teacher rate However, I really am a "balcony snob", as my husband puts it, and really have to have a balcony. So....the highest class room I seem to be able to book thru this site is a "resort view", with a free upgrade. Does anyone know if this means I will be upgraded to a balcony? Thanks for any input!!

 

[ILUVFLA]

Do you get early park entry and the extended day priveledges you get with the Disney Hotels?

 

[Dan Murphy]

ILUVFLA, yes, you do.

 

[Blondie]

We just got back from a week at the Swan... and I wanted to let everyone know that the new Picabu's (used to be Tubbi's) opened to the public on April 13th.

The good news: it's still buffet style, and still open 24 hours - convenience store and all

The bad news: Daily specials and the varied menu have been replaced by a FIXED menu - no changes to the menu items at all. Although there are still a good number of choices, this was a big disappointment to my family - we used to LOVE the blue plate specials and variety at Tubbi's

I didn't take pics unfortunately.... but the new theme is very tropical and more kid-friendly than Tubbi's used to be.

Hope this helps!

Scoob

Thanks Scoob! I'll definitely give it a try when we're there in two weeks! If I remember, I'll take some photos as well!

 

[paras4ri]

I've been waiting to hear a report about Pikabu' s -thanks. Looking forward to more feedback and pictures too!

 

[FINFAN]

We grab breakfast at the Boardwalk Bakery all the time when we stay at the Dolphin..and lunch too, you can get their sandwiches there and we just tote them along to MGM or Epcot. They are very good and not that bad, maybe $6-7 and we split them and then grab snacks at the parks.
We have caved and are saving some $$$ doing a mod during DDP Promo, but it is with a heavy heart. We absolutely ADORE the Dolphin and the location, having several transportation options..but , it is either so a budget trip or none at all, so we figure mod accomodations, deluxe food...we have never done THAT before...the food budget is always what gets the least amount of our $$$$.
mrsswat...join SPG
WWW.SPG.COM
It is starwood preffeed guest program...we have ALWAYS gotten an upgrade, tho it does not guarantee it, it will be better chances than NOT belonging. East wing offers the Epcot views, the higher floors are great. You will have a longer walk to the pool and Restaurants, but it's worth it.

Enjoy your trips all, the S/D is a GREAT resort!


Pam

 

[Nik's Mom]

I've read through several pages, but can't seem to find the answer. Can someone help me out? I'm trying to decide between CSR, AS Music family suite or S/D. I like the idea of being so close to Epcot, and the kids would enjoy the boat ride to MGM.

I'm wondering what type of room to request if we want a view of Epcot fireworks? Would we request the resort view? And which hotel would be better at requesting?

Another question is, in what order does the bus pick up guests? Would we have a hard time catching a bus? How is the bus transportation?

Also, for our last trip we tried to book using state employee discount, but the hotels were sold out. We ended up at AKL, so we were happy. But this time, I don't want to be shut out. How far in advance would we book? If we book, then a discount comes out, could we switch our ressies?
Thanks in advance!

 

[madge]

Do you get early park entry and the extended day priveledges you get with the Disney Hotels?

I've got a quick question on EMH perks.... now that Disney is checking each room card, is the Swan/Dolphin providing one for each person in the party? In the past, I'd just get 2 room cards and that was fine. I'm not sure if we'll even do evening EMH this trip, but I like to be prepared

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am sure you can get as many cards as needed, Madge. They always ask me how many I want.

As for the bus question, I have always found the buses running great. Depending on the season, day, and how busy, I have seen the bus do the Swan and Dolphin only, sometimes adding the Boardwalk, and rarely adding the Y&BC. The Swan is always first, except rarely, on dropoff, sometimes the Boardwalk.