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

[chell]

Dan Murphy
Did you use your AAA card at Picabu's? We eat there every morning when we stay at the Swan.

I'm not Dan but I can tell you that he did because I ate there with him on the last trip.

 

[dreamflight99]

Blondie!~nice to see you! The link and photos are amazing, wild and colorful! Makes me eager to visit this summer. I have to agree with you, after we initially stayed at the Dolphin/Swan resorts...it made it terribly difficult to stay anywhere else on property. The service, points accumulating, and accommodations make it a no-brainer! That's the reason behind the "taking-up residence" there each summer. We still visit other WDW properties before/after the Dolphin visit. But, these are brief (week to two weeks tops), where as we stay at the Dolphin for 5-6 weeks...sometimes more, lol. We just LOVE it there! Thanks again for the great pictures. I can hear the sounds of the aquarium just by viewing the link.

ericafny~Thank you so much for the very kind comments! With the FREE upgrade to a resort view, you will not receive a parking lot view (highly unlikely, especially if you VOICE concerns over this). The resort views are usually the preferred views, and look to the pool, inner waterways, and beach/boardwalk views. These views also include MGM and Epcot. As an SPG member, (any level), you should DEFINITELY request a balcony!

Please, use your reservation confirmation number, and go to the swan/dolphin website. Fill out the special request form and ask for a BALCONY overlooking either Epcot or MGM, (which will be the EAST wing or the WEST wing respectively). Do you want a corner king with Turret? This is comprised of TWO balconies, and is situated on the end of each wing. The beds are all KING, and there is a little sofa (usually--must ask) in each. If there is a piece of furniture "omitted" from my suite, or I desire more plants, I merely call the front desk---and they bring it up! I requested an extra office desk last time, and it was there in moments, complete with a new swivel chair!! LOL. They even bring me oscillating fans, etc. They are wonderful...and I love visiting these resorts!

LSUmom4kids~The Shula's card, is a plastic card on which you may add any sum, to use at Shula's. Like a pre-paid credit card thing. I always use the card, and just top-it-off with a few hundred before I visit again! You can purchase one in the restaurant or on the website.

*Yes, if you charge the dinner to your room, you certainly can. You can get even more if you pay for your resort tab using the Starwood preferred guest AMEX card, available on the AMEX website!

*No AAA discount in Blue Zoo...but you will receive the same as the above, just bill dinner to your room tab. All food and beverage are elegible for SPG points!

*Sorry, parking fee is not elegible, but just about everything else is!!

*From the Swan, The WEST VIEW will have you looking across the lake towards the Dolphin, Yacht Club and the some of the pool area, etc. The EAST view will have you looking towards the river, the back of the BWI, and the MGM studios entrance area. The SOUTH view will have you looking at MGM studios, and the NORTH VIEW looks toward the BWI, Epcot, and the Yacht/Beach club resorts. All are beautiful views, but my #1 is the far east views from either resort (I prefer the Epcot illuminations show at night).

snels~Just wanted to let you know, Picabo takes the AAA card for the 20% discount (I phoned to confirm).

Hope everyone enjoys the upcoming plans for these resorts! Earn points while you enjoy the WORLD?? NOW...that's what I call MAGIC!!

 

[snels]

Thanks chell and dreamflight 99 for the info. I will be sure to bring my aaa card with me on the next trip to the Swan/Dolphin

 

[LSUmom4kids]

Thanks Dreamflight99! I appreciate the Swan descriptions of the room views from all 4 sides of the resort. Heres's a question for you: IF YOU ARE STANDING AT THE SWAN FACING THE DOLPHIN RESORT, WHICH DIRECTION ARE YOU FACING? I'm trying to figure out which direction things are: Epcot, MGM, MK and AK.

Now about that SHULA'S CARD: Why would I benefit from putting $$ on a plastic Shula's card to pay for my meal at Shula's? If it's like a "Walmart gift card", I really see no benefit other than being like a "gift certificate", and if I buy it for myself, what are the perks? Some places like coffee shops, if you put $20 on the card, they'll add $.50 to the card.

About the SPG American express card: I have to convince my DH that it's worth it. He is a 0% interest, no-fee credit card, who is seriously paying down the CC's. I don't think he'll see the benefits.

 

[penguins1]

Hi DreamFlight99, Thanks for all the good info in this post.

I have a similar question to EricaFNY about getting the great internet rate and trying to determine a room request. I am sort of hesitant to get a room with a balcony because we will have a 16 month old with us. Do all of the "good view" rooms have balconies? I am wondering if I can get a nice view without one. My DW and I would probably never even open it up for fear of our DD getting out there somehow. Any thoughts??

 

[ericafny]

Hi DreamFlight99, Thanks for all the good info in this post.

I have a similar question to EricaFNY about getting the great internet rate and trying to determine a room request. I am sort of hesitant to get a room with a balcony because we will have a 16 month old with us. Do all of the "good view" rooms have balconies? I am wondering if I can get a nice view without one. My DW and I would probably never even open it up for fear of our DD getting out there somehow. Any thoughts??

I noticed your question and figure I may be of some help-thanks to the advice of dreamflight!

If you read in dreamflight's previous post there are no 'bad' views with the *free* upgrade to resort view that you get with the internet special. Also, to ensure that you get the view you want, you can go on the SPG website (if you are a member, if not sign up, its free!) and request the view you want, i.e. Epcot, MGM, and also type in 'no balcony'. I think that is probably your best bet, to request it. Hope this helps!

 

[goofy 28]

Hi DreamFlight99, Thanks for all the good info in this post.

I have a similar question to EricaFNY about getting the great internet rate and trying to determine a room request. I am sort of hesitant to get a room with a balcony because we will have a 16 month old with us. Do all of the "good view" rooms have balconies? I am wondering if I can get a nice view without one. My DW and I would probably never even open it up for fear of our DD getting out there somehow. Any thoughts??

Yes you can get a great room with a good view and no balcony.

 

[Disney0010]

How long will it take to walk from the Swan to Epcot? Would it be faster to take the boat or bus?

Thanks!!!!

 

[Blondie]

Heck no, you can easily beat the boats! They float along at a snail's pace, but if you're tired and worn out from walking in the parks all day, it's a nice relaxing ride.

In fact in May, one of the boat captains said "if you want to take the express route to the Swan and Dolphin, get off here and walk!" (we were at the Boardwalk)

Oh, and there really is no bus to Epcot from the S/D (or any of the Epcot resorts if I'm not mistaken) You'd have to go to the Magic Kingdom, and then take the monorail to Epcot. We've done it before and it takes at least 35-45 minutes that way.

The difference is by taking the boat or walking to Epcot you enter through International Gateway in between the UK and France.

If you take the monorail or drive yourself over, you enter at the front of Epcot & Future World.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

HI everyone! I did a search but didn't really find the answer but I know someone will know! Is the Club level at the Swan and Dolphin really closed? I know it was supposed to close in May. We are considering a quick "back to school" long weekend and I want to plan accordingly! Thanks!

 

[penguins1]

So now that I know I can get a good view without balcony, anyone have any suggetions or pictures from these types of rooms???

Thanks!

 

[Kaybee]

We just returned from a May trip to the Dolphin. We had a room on the East side room 8019 which did not have a balcony but overlooked Epcot and Boardwalk. We could sit at the window and watch fireworks from Epcot every night. We had a connecting room with my sister who had a balcony..8017.

 

[goofy 28]

How long will it take to walk from the Swan to Epcot? Would it be faster to take the boat or bus?

Thanks!!!!

it's a 15 minute walk from the swan, and the only way it would be quicker is if the boat was right there and you didn't have to wait for it.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

It is also a very pleasent walk. Not hard in any way. To get to MGM is a bit longer but still pretty easy. We often choose to walk just because it is a nice walk.

 

[d.kurz]

I can't believe I read the whole thing!

Great thread.... subscribing!

 

[A4Disney]

Would this work for me...Can I book one night at a WDW hotel and get the dining plan for 6 days and stay at Dolphin or Swan for those remaining days?We have 6 people now and we got used to staying in deluxes when we had 5 then 5 plus a child under 3...Now the youngest is three and 2 dolphin/swan rooms are cheaper than a suite at BWI etc...Ideas anyone on how I could get the dining plan too?

 

[jeankeri]

Are the Dive-in movies at the Dolphin/Swan pool only on Saturday night? Anyone know the schedule?

 

[ericafny]

Would this work for me...Can I book one night at a WDW hotel and get the dining plan for 6 days and stay at Dolphin or Swan for those remaining days?We have 6 people now and we got used to staying in deluxes when we had 5 then 5 plus a child under 3...Now the youngest is three and 2 dolphin/swan rooms are cheaper than a suite at BWI etc...Ideas anyone on how I could get the dining plan too?

Unfortunately I do not think that plan would work as I believe the dining plan is for the same amount of nights you are staying in your hotel. www.allearsnet.com has all the dining plan info. You should check that site for some good and up to date info.

 

[goofy 28]

Are the Dive-in movies at the Dolphin/Swan pool only on Saturday night? Anyone know the schedule?

Yes, they are on Saturday nights only. The one they had last week when i was there started at 6:30 with a bonfire and games at the beach, and ended with the movie that started at 8:30. It was Mary Poppins that night and it was really neat. they do a good job with this, a lot of fun.

 

[jeankeri]

We have been there during the Dive-In movie by chance- never had a schedule to know what night it was on. My boys really loved it so I wanted to make sure the next time I planned a trip I had the right night. Thanks for the reply.