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

[OKWAnneMarie]

Hi! I'm excited for my Swan stay in August! Still have a few questions if anyone can answer-

1) How do you get from S/D to MK - bus? Would it be completely ineffectual to walk to Epcot and take a monorail?



Absolutely take the bus. It would be an extremely long walk from the S/D all the way through Epcot, out the main entrance and to the monorail. It would take a long time and you would be too exhausted to enjoy the MK. (Don't forget it will be hot and/or raining in August.) Take the bus and enjoy the ride. Have fun!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I have a luggage transfer question. I know the Swan/Dolphin will transfer my luggage TO a Disney Resort, but will a Disney resort transfer my luggage TO the Dolphin from one of thier resorts like Old Key West? Thanks

 

[cindyfan]

I have a luggage transfer question. I know the Swan/Dolphin will transfer my luggage TO a Disney Resort, but will a Disney resort transfer my luggage TO the Dolphin from one of thier resorts like Old Key West? Thanks

Looks like you just answered one of my questions.....
So this is true? ...... Swan WILL transfer our luggage to the Contemporary??
That would be awesome !

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Thanks for the help!

Also, about the 20% off- it's the Disney Dining Experience Card- it's only available (for varying prices) to Florida Residents or Annual Passholders. There is a DVC member discount too. Once you buy it, it's good for 1 year for 20% off at many restaurants (mostly table service, but there are still a few (very few) CS places on there, too) including some lounges.

Of course, they're not good at S/D eateries. I am still planning on dining at Palio and Bluezoo, but I was planning on 4 or so lunches and quite a few drinks at either of the pool bars. Now I'm thinking it might be worth my while to explore some other lunch/drink options where I can use my 20 % off. I was looking at some of the drinks at S/D and they were 6-9 dollars. At Martha's Vineyard they were 5.50-7 and I was figuring with the 20 % off, it might be worth it to walk over there to get a cocktail, or maybe a lunch at Beaches and Cream instead. I'm sure I'll be enjoying the pool too much and Iwon't want to get changed and take a walk to save 5 bucks or so.

 

[Blondie]

4) Anyone know the basic floor plans of the Swan- trying to figure out where the King rooms are and if I should make a room request/preference. I have the "Standard view/Newly renovated/Nonsmoking/King" but I also have the rate that came with "Free Upgrade if available" and I'm a new SPG member. I would love to be high up as no matter where my room is if it's high I figure I'll see something cool, not a dumpster or anything.

We were in a king room, #632 in February. It didn't have a balcony, but had some awesome views and we could easily see the fireworks from Illuminations!

Here a few shots we took from our window:

 

[Blondie]

I would request a King corner turrett room facing EAST on a high floor. This will get you the Epcot view and the turrett room is a corner room so it has two different views.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was only the Dolphin that had the king corner turrett rooms. I'm looking at one of the photos we took of the Swan in February, and there doesn't seem to be any turretts.

Here's a shot of the Dolphin where you can see the corner turrett rooms at the end of the wings.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Blondie!
Your pictures are breathtaking!!!! I will be on my best behavior until August hpoping I can be half as lucky!!!! Did you make any special requests or did you just get lucky?

 

[Blondie]

Blondie!
Your pictures are breathtaking!!!! I will be on my best behavior until August hpoping I can be half as lucky!!!! Did you make any special requests or did you just get lucky?

Got lucky! I don't make a room request very often. I leave it up to fate and I'm rarely disappointed!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Anybody have any thoughts on how extensive the 20% AAA discount is?

 

[ericafny]

While we are on the subject of rooms and room requests, let's see if anyone knows the answer to my question...

How likely is it if when I check in I request a balcony room (new SPG member and booked with the internet special with free upgrade), will I get it free of charge or do you think it will be offered to me for an extra fee per night? Just a lil curious to see if anyone has had a success story with a similar scenario...

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Your right Blondie! I did not see that she was staying at the Swan.. Thanks for the correction!

 

[Blondie]

Hey, no problem! I just wanted to make sure I had my facts straight! If there's a turrett room at the Swan, I wouldn't mind staying in one!

 

[abitjaded]

Erica, don't know about the Internet angle, but we have stayed at Swan 3 times, Dolphin once, always at the most dirt cheap rate, Teacher or federal discount. We got a balcony once when we asked for a free upgrade (and we always ask). Seems it is mostly based on just how full the place is. Convention, forget it. Off season, you may luck out.

Blondie, love the photos, sigh, about like the time we got upgraded to a balcony......

Carla

 

[ericafny]

Erica, don't know about the Internet angle, but we have stayed at Swan 3 times, Dolphin once, always at the most dirt cheap rate, Teacher or federal discount. We got a balcony once when we asked for a free upgrade (and we always ask). Seems it is mostly based on just how full the place is. Convention, forget it. Off season, you may luck out.

Thanks for the reply! We will be there end of July so I am pretty sure it will be crowded however I am definitly going to ask...can't hurt, right?

 

[dreamflight99]

I am definitly going to ask...can't hurt, right?

One of my favorite mottos: IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK! (Along with "nothing ventured, nothing gained"...and all they can say is NO, etc). You have nothing to lose...and everything to GAIN, so PLEASE---ask, ask, ask!!!

Since I've been a platinum SPG member for as long as I can remember, I have never had to ask at check~in for such an upgrade. BUT---I've read/heard enough of such requests to tell you firsthand, it happens. Many times, it's complimentary. Other times, it's offered for points or a discounted rate/charge. If you smile nicely, behave in a mannered and kind/decent way....well, you just never know! If it's available, more than likely it is offered under one form or the other. It never hurts to tell them you are visiting on PLEASURE (as opposed to business) as well.

AAA discounts are available at many of the eateries on the Dolphin (20% off), this includes the fountain and tubbies! I use this every summer...works like a charm (saves a bundle over time too).

Yes, contrary to what most think/post, the Dolphin/Swan will work with other Disney resorts to "transfer" luggage. We stay at other Disney Resorts..and they are HAPPY to help us with this request. No trouble. ^_^

Hope everyone going has a MAGICAL time!! These two resorts are simply wonderful, and two of our favorite on property.

TTFN...DF99

 

[ericafny]

Thank you dreamflight99 you have answered two of my most burning questions! I will be sure to 'smile pretty' when I ask if they are offering any upgrades to balcony and I will DEFINITLY flash the AAA card when I purchase my food at the Dolphin. I can not wait to stay there!

 

[dreamflight99]

Thank you dreamflight99 you have answered two of my most burning questions! I will be sure to 'smile pretty' when I ask if they are offering any upgrades to balcony and I will DEFINITLY flash the AAA card when I purchase my food at the Dolphin. I can not wait to stay there!

You will have a GREAT time! I truly LOVE this resort...and have genuinely grown "partial" to it over the years for many, many reasons (too many to list). The "planning" phase is one of my favorites, and makes the visit all the more special.

Glad to be of assistance! I love your excitement, which transcends your posts! It's infectious and addicting. I am in the throes of planning, and am in HEAVEN with "stuff to do" (bliss!). Enjoy...

TTFN...DF99

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

Since I've been a platinum SPG member for as long as I can remember, I have never had to ask at check~in for such an upgrade.:

I've got a questions. I booked using the AllEars promo code which got a free upgrade to lake view. Do you think using the SPG would get us another upgrade? Or will they see we've already gotten 1 free upgrade?

 

[dreamflight99]

I've got a questions. I booked using the AllEars promo code which got a free upgrade to lake view. Do you think using the SPG would get us another upgrade? Or will they see we've already gotten 1 free upgrade?

You may "try" anything, but chances are...it's ALL in the system. I tried to help a friend with an "additional" upgrade to CL, after she already had an upgrade to a balcony preferred view room---and it could be done, but would cause a hassle and cancellation of the original ressie, etc. She decided to leave it, and just opt for the possibility of upgrading using points at the time of check-in. But...please do not let this determine what you should do! You may make a note in your reservations of your SPG number, which never hurts. ^_^

 

[paras4ri]

Attention dreamflight99 - clean out your PMs!!!!!