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

[Trissy]

Do they charge for a late check out?
What are the time options you have?
What is normal check out @ the Swan?

 

[cindyfan]

Do they charge for a late check out?
What are the time options you have?
What is normal check out @ the Swan?

Just like most hotels.....
Swan normal check out is 11am. You can call the day before, or morning of, check out and ask for an extrended check out at no charge. Usually most places can extend it up to 1pm at no charge. That is what Swan did for us.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Has anyone ever gotten a AAA upgrade? Also did you also have a discount and get the AAA upgrade? Please tell me more!

I am a newbie S/D. Please tell me which one I should choose if the price is the same at both.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not sure about the upgrade, but be sure to take your AAA for 20% discount at the restaurants and food services there, other than Shula's and Blue Zoo.

A gold Starwood Preferred card holder can get as late as 4 PM checkout, if available, at no charge. I have several times.

 

[cindermom]

We just got back from 7 day stay at the Dolphin (stayed on points with spg gold upgrade to a balcony room with an epcot view). It was phenomenal! Our view from our balcony on the 8th floor was fantastic. The dolphin excels at making you feel special and valued even when you are staying free on points. They even called to make sure that everything was to our satisfaction. I can not say enough about the superb service. That is why the dolphin is an outstanding place to stay (and the convenience to epcot, boardwalk and MGM).

Just a few updates. I did not use the spa but it looked very inviting. My daughter and I decided to splurge on a spa treatment on our next stay. Picabu's does still have the same refillable mugs (did not buy one so not sure of the price). While we were there, they blocked off the whole center of the lobby for their remodel and put up a picture of how it would look and it will be gorgeous. Much more elegant. they are replacing the material draped from the ceiling with something similar to the pattern of the new wallpaper. My daughter and I had fun peeking through the cracks to watch their progress. We missed CL but they were giving out waters at the boats every morning but not at the shuttles (not sure why at one and not the other)

One comment I have, which I have never seen anyone else mention is that the height of an 8th floor balcony is a little disconcerting (for me anyway) but I loved it and sat out there every morning (with my coffee) and evening (with my wine). It was heavenly! If heights bother you, I would suggest you stay at 6th or lower IMHO. On our last stay we had a 5th floor balcony and it did not bother me at all. The irony is that we left Orlando for Savannah, where we stayed at the Westin (on points) and we were upgraded to a balcony on the 15th floor! Again the view was spectacular but I could not sit out there, I kind of stood half in and half out to enjoy the view.

One other tip for any of you who want to get the most out of your stay. Avoid the early mornings. We went twice and both times, we were horrified by the crowds (worst we have ever seen, even though we were there half an hour before early morning). By the third morning, we decided to try a park without early morning and it was wonderful and we were able to sleep in. I think everyone does the early mornings now so it is not much of an advantage. The late nights were nice just because it is so much cooler but the best rides were always very long lines (60-90 minutes) so if you want to do the late nights, I would plan on spending them doing the less popular rides, which we walked right onto. (FYI- Peter Pan is one of the popular rides!)

For any of you going to the Dolphin for the first time, you will love it! It has its own very special magic!

 

[Jennasis]

Help! It's official...we're going to the S/D Nov 9-13. I hvane't stayed here since MANY moons ago when the Swan first opened and the Dolphin was still under construction, so we have lots of questions. My sister will be there at a convention and invited DH and I to come shack up with her (will pay for the extra adult in the room). We aren't quite sure whether it's the Sawn side or Dolphin side we'll be at yet (hoping for the Swan because of the Queen beds!).

A) what is the cost of self-parking? We will likely be driving down to save money (airfare is a nightmare!).

B) Can they transfer our tix purchased prior to arrival from say Ticketmania, onto our room key?

C) When eating at any place that does the AAA discount in the hotel, do I need to show them the card (we have it)?

D) Can you walk across the street to Fantasia Mini-golf still?

E) how are the buses and boats running lately? On-time etc..

F) Faster to walk or boat to Epcot and MGM?

G) Will we love it as much as I think we will (HEHEHE)? LAst October we honeymooned at Cr and BC (Concierge), but I had this feeling in my craw that we simply HAD to try the S/D.

Thanks all!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A) what is the cost of self-parking? We will likely be driving down to save money (airfare is a nightmare!).

$8 per night, plus tax

B) Can they transfer our tix purchased prior to arrival from say Ticketmania, onto our room key?

I do not think so, not sure.

C) When eating at any place that does the AAA discount in the hotel, do I need to show them the card (we have it)?

Yes

D) Can you walk across the street to Fantasia Mini-golf still?

Yes

E) how are the buses and boats running lately? On-time etc..

Always fine for me.

F) Faster to walk or boat to Epcot and MGM?

Epcot about a toss up, by boat to MGM

G) Will we love it as much as I think we will (HEHEHE)? LAst October we honeymooned at Cr and BC (Concierge), but I had this feeling in my craw that we simply HAD to try the S/D.

I think it is great there.

 

[DisneyDotty]

For any of you going to the Dolphin for the first time, you will love it! It has its own very special magic!

Thanks so much, cindermom, for the great review. We're looking forward to our stay there in a few weeks, and I was beginning to have some reservations after having read some posts about less than wonderful stays at the Dolphin. You've reassured me.
Thanks!

 

[elaine and the boys]

cindermom,
Any idea when the rehab at the Dolphin will be complete??

 

[dreamflight99]

*If anyone wants a rundown on the treatments offered at the Mandara Spa at the Dolphin, just ask and I'll post them all!

*There is a new SWEETS shop opening off the lobby...called SUGAR3 (Sugar cubed!). It should be wonderful.

*The Club level lounge is closed as of the PRESENT. PLEASE---if you EVER used or enjoyed the CLL at the Swan or Dolphin, contact the management and voice your disproval of the closing, and your level of disatisfaction with the replacement (which--for Plat. members like myself is vouchers for the continental breakfast in the lobby breakfast bar! Remember, this is not a permanent thing, and may change depending on the public sentiment!
If you need emails and addresses, please ask and I'll supply these along with names. Thanks!!

 

[anitad]

Dreamflight,
We have made 9 trips to the Swan/Dolphin in the past 6.5 years, with our 10th trip to the Swan scheduled at the end of the month. For most of our trips we upgraded to club level using points (what a value). We will miss the club level during our upcoming 9 day trip. I would be interested in an email or postal address for the Swan/Dolphin management. I was recently downgraded from gold to preferred. For the last 2 years most of my spg stays (outside of WDW) have been on accumulated points for which no stay credit is provided and I don't think my Starwood AMEX will provide me with any type of benefit that you describe for plat. members.

Thank you in advance for posting the information.

anitad

 

[Jennasis]

More questions!

Since we are driving down, we'll be utilizing the parking lot at S/D. IF we were to then drive to a park (AK/MK/Epcot etc...) would we need to pay for parking again or is there some kind of a voucher or pass given to you at the resort to allow you to park for free elsewhere?

Also, we have decided to do an overnight drive and will likely arrive at 2am-3am. My sister will have already checked into the room 3 days before we arrive. Should she ask for keys to be left at the front desk for us, or will DH and I have to do a seperate check-in at 2am when we arrive, or should she just get the extra keys herself when she checks-in before us and then we go straight up to the room and wake her up to let us in when we arrive???

 

[DarlingDumbo]

I breifly searched this thread but I couldn't find it..Can you have the DDP while staying at S/D?

 

[cindermom]

Thanks so much, cindermom, for the great review. We're looking forward to our stay there in a few weeks, and I was beginning to have some reservations after having read some posts about less than wonderful stays at the Dolphin. You've reassured me.
Thanks!

You are very welcome. I have noticed some of the negative reviews also. We stayed at 5 hotels on this last trip (drove from Orlando up to DC) and the Dolphin was by far our favorite. I have only stayed there twice (both times for 7 days) but my whole family loved it. It is not only a beautiful setting but it is also extremely convenient to everything and we liked the fact that it felt very family oriented. We also stayed at RPH at Universal for 4 nites and my kids all felt like it was a little too formal plus my upgrade to a "water view" was a view of the pool through very thick bushes. Nothing like the incredible view I had at the Dolphin. Plus there is nothing else like their heavenly beds for a getting a good nites sleep!

elaine and the boys:
I do not know when the renovation will be complete but they had accomplished a lot while we were there, working at night etc. In one day, they had torn down all the ceiling material and were busy working on painting and replacing it. I am guessing (totally random) that the lobby will be completed in just a couple of weeks and then I am guessing they will update the striped covers outside to match their new theme.

 

[Blondie]

I'm looking forward to seeing the lobby renovations! Since I won't be able to take any photos until November, I'm hoping someone else will and post them here!

 

[twojo21]

i just wanted to let everyone know the mandara spa is just awesome! my husband & i went there on the first half our honeymoon in march & had the couples massage, it was so relaxing & romantic. we started in a private jacuzzi room with bubbling water, arometherapy & lit candles, then we moved to the second room for our side by side massages. i definetly recommend the mandara spa!

 

[Mark P.]

I've read here and there about a 20% AAA discount at the Swan / Dolphin restaurants (Picabu's, Fountain & Fresh specifically).
Just want to be sure this is the case before we leave, as I'll be sure to sign up for AAA.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

[ericafny]

i just wanted to let everyone know the mandara spa is just awesome! my husband & i went there on the first half our honeymoon in march & had the couples massage, it was so relaxing & romantic. we started in a private jacuzzi room with bubbling water, arometherapy & lit candles, then we moved to the second room for our side by side massages. i definetly recommend the mandara spa!

Your post made me smile as I have a surprise massage booked for myself anf my BF for our upcoming trip! Just a few q's if you don't mind:

Is the gratiuity included in the price?

If we are not booked for a couples massage can we still use the jacuzzi together?

Thanks for the great review of the spa!

 

[dreamflight99]

i just wanted to let everyone know the mandara spa is just awesome! my husband & i went there on the first half our honeymoon in march & had the couples massage, it was so relaxing & romantic. we started in a private jacuzzi room with bubbling water, arometherapy & lit candles, then we moved to the second room for our side by side massages. i definetly recommend the mandara spa!

My DH and I enjoy this massage every time we visit a MANDARA location! It's one of their signature massages! We never miss it while at the Portofino Bay Hotel, and love the bath therapy which we also order/reserve for our suite while there! They are one of the leaders in the industry, and we are always happy with the treatments. (Thanks for the photo too...the elevation and decoration of the spa is part of the overall feng shui!!). It's a cathartic experience from the moment you WALK inside the front entrance, until you leave.

 

[dreamflight99]

I've read here and there about a 20% AAA discount at the Swan / Dolphin restaurants (Picabu's, Fountain & Fresh specifically).
Just want to be sure this is the case before we leave, as I'll be sure to sign up for AAA.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

YES! It works like a charm for me. Just simply show your card at the register and the 20% key the associate taps quickly deducts it from the total. The savings adds up over time.