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

[LSUmom4kids]

$8 a day for self-parking at the HOTEL-the Swan or Dolphin
$14 a day for valet at the HOTEL-the Swan or Dolphin....oh, plus tax

Can you clarify if this includes in/out privileges? Is that what "per day" means?

I don't understand why the Swan/Dolphin have to charge for parking? Do any of the Disney official resorts charge for parking? Maybe it's to discourage Epcot guests from parking there and walking? What's to stop guests from parking at the Contemporary and walking to the MK?

 

[snels]

Thanks JeanKeri and AndyMcV for your replies. I will look into your tips!
I like the idea of using the points if we can't get a good rate. We have been pretty lucky securing decent rates for our stays.
snels

 

[magicaddict]

The parking issue has been a sticky one. No, the "official" Disney resorts don't charge for parking but while you are a guest you receive a placard to place in your window stating your dates on property so it is only good during those specific times. The monorail resorts, especially the Contemporary, are tougher than the other resorts for the reason stated - people would park there and walk over to MK. The only way to get a parking permit there is to be a guest or have an ADR which will buy you 2 hrs worth of time in their lot.
With regard the S/D, in/out privileges mean that you swipe your card each time you enter/exit but you are only charged the $8 + tax once each day. It will show up on your room bill upon checkout. You could even check your charges via the TV in your room to see what you are being charged. It is nice to know though that once you're paying to park at S/D you can self-park anywhere on Disney property for free. HTH

 

[dsmom]

In regards to the parking situation at the Swan: We are staying there for the first time this October. Our son is handicapped and has the handicapped parking placard for the car. Where would we park? Thanks for any info!

 

[Princess Mindy]

I have a few questions about the Mandara Spa at the Dolphin
Has anyone tried it? If so which services and did you enjoy it?
I am leaning toward the ceremony of the hands and feet or the Elemis Exotic Coconut Rub & Milk Ritual Wrap with 50 minute massage. Any thoughts? If you had to choose one which would you choose?

Also, we have a water view 2 queen non smoking room booked at the Swan. Can someone give me an idea of where I'll be placed? Does it cost more for a balcony?

Thanks!

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

In 2003 we were lucky enough to be upgraded from a resort view CL room to a Jr. suite (L-shaped suite) for free. It was amazing - for 11 nights. I never found out what the room actually costs. I'd love to stay in the same room again on our next trip in a couple of years but I'm afraid it's out of our family's budget range.

So.. any idea what the current rate is for a Jr. suite. Also do you know of any discounts available for those rooms. The only discounts I've ever seen are for the regular (standard, lake, balcony) rooms.

Andy

 

[MSC]

With 15,000 points, I'd suggest getting a night free for 10,000 points or using 1,000 per night to drop the rack rate in half (depending on what the rate is that you currently have).

The 1,000 points to drop the rack rate in half is good for up to 5 nights - it's not 1,000 points per night. AND - unlike the free nights with no blackouts, the 50% deal is "subject to availability"

Also, Rack Rates are the highest possible rate for a room -- you don't just get 50% off of whatever rate you booked at. They can run up to over $400 for a standard room at the Dolphin. Cutting that in half is still over $200. So you may be better off getting one of the many discounted rates, which would be much lower, and then using your points for an upgraded room. You can upgrade to club level for 1,500 points. I don't know what further upgrades (to a suite, etc.) cost in terms of points.

 

[MSC]

So.. any idea what the current rate is for a Jr. suite. Also do you know of any discounts available for those rooms. The only discounts I've ever seen are for the regular (standard, lake, balcony) rooms.

Andy

I just happened to call today to find out some info on redeeming points, etc. The rate for a Junior Suite at the Dolphin is approx. $395. The reservationist said that rate can vary depending on how booked the hotel is.

 

[AndyMcV]

...The 1,000 points to drop the rack rate in half is good for up to 5 nights - it's not 1,000 points per night...

Thanks for the clarification. Good to know!

...You can upgrade to club level for 1,500 points.

Just curious now that the S/D doesn't have the club level lounges any more what's the point of upgrading to club level now? Our family loved the CL and CL lounges and the staff. I really would like to know the benefit of the club level now.

Thanks
Andy

 

[SideshowBob]

Really should not still be showing as avail, as all of the Club level rooms were converted to be whatever the similar view/room type would be in the main house. Did allow the ability to create some new room types, so actually broke out "Epcot View" rooms, and "Epcot View with Balcony", which were not able to do before.

Renamed the "L" rooms at Swan a few years back "Swan Studios" (were called Junior Suites, but as not a door inbetween two rooms, which the Dolphin's Junior Suites do have... as I wanted to distinguish as own room type)

 

[paras4ri]

Thanks for the info SSB - always nice to see you post here!

 

[NancyIL]

Really should not still be showing as avail, as all of the Club level rooms were converted to be whatever the similar view/room type would be in the main house. Did allow the ability to create some new room types, so actually broke out "Epcot View" rooms, and "Epcot View with Balcony", which were not able to do before.

Renamed the "L" rooms at Swan a few years back "Swan Studios" (were called Junior Suites, but as not a door inbetween two rooms, which the Dolphin's Junior Suites do have... as I wanted to distinguish as own room type)

Hi, Mel!!! I do love those Swan Studios!

 

[Serena]

Ok, this thread should have a warning to keep notes. I'll look at this again with a notepad later.

Thank you all for all this information.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

serena i havent seen you in along time
how is your daughter??

 

[RSoxFan]

I never knew the Dolphin did movies. How exciting! We're staying there Nov. 29th-Dec 3rd. Will they be showing movies then or is it just a summer thing?

Thanks.

 

[Serena]

serena i havent seen you in along time
how is your daughter??

Hi

If you're asking about my oldest in the national guard, she's doing fine. She'll be home in august.
My youngest is sick, but fine. She'll be a freshman in the fall.
I can't believe how time flies sometimes.

Now I'm planning a trip for next summer. I've got a few more details to iron out before doing too much more, but I'm already excited.

 

[MSC]

Just curious now that the S/D doesn't have the club level lounges any more what's the point of upgrading to club level now? Our family loved the CL and CL lounges and the staff. I really would like to know the benefit of the club level now.

Thanks
Andy

Yikes! I completely forgot about that. Is the club level gone for good? It's not just a rehab to be reopened? Is the club level at the Swan gone too?

So I guess without club, the only upgrade you can get on points is to a balcony resort view, which is 1,000 points.

 

[AndyMcV]

..So I guess without club, the only upgrade you can get on points is to a balcony resort view, which is 1,000 points.

Yeah, that really bites. They should change it from 1000 to 500 or 750.

Our family loved the staff and the club level themselves. It was great to get up early in the morning and head up for a quick breakfast and then to come back later for some snacks. We'll really miss Thabo too.

It's too bad. However I'm not seeing many other people upset about the club levels going on the boards. So maybe we're the only ones who care.

 

[Princess Mindy]

hi
I read on this thread a while ago that you can transfer luggage from S/D to Disney resorts. I am hearing that this is not true. So I ask you, the all knowing experts of Swan and Dolphin. Can I transfer luggage from the Swan to a WDW resort during a split stay??

thanks for your help!

 

[cindyfan]

hi
I read on this thread a while ago that you can transfer luggage from S/D to Disney resorts. I am hearing that this is not true. So I ask you, the all knowing experts of Swan and Dolphin. Can I transfer luggage from the Swan to a WDW resort during a split stay??

thanks for your help!

Yes, they will. If you call ahead of time and ask.... they will tell you no. But when you check in, ask and they will say yes.
Take your luggage to bell services and let them know where you are transferring to. If you get the luggage to them before noon, they will have it transferred to your Disney resort before 3pm.
We were going to have them do this, but we chose another option.
You can pay for a taxi and they will transport you and your luggage all at once.
It was worth it for us to pay the $20 (you will pay either $12 for a regular taxi, or $16 for the town car service, we opted for the town car....) and not have to worry about when out luggage was going to show up.
It was great....... we called bell services to the room at 12:15 (we arranged for later check out because we were at MK all morning). Then grabbed a taxi (they have them waiting there all day and night) and we were in our room changing clothes to head to the pool at Contrmporary by 1:00 (fastest check in ever! Our room was ready when we got there).

Have fun!