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

[FlightsOfFancy]

Not distorting any words. They were your words and that's exactly how it read. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought that.

No, you are not the only one that thought that. I find that things are getting more confusing post by post.
I'm not sure if someone is able to remember what they have posted and where.

 

[KathyTX]

Just a friendly reminder: Please do not drag fights from other forums to the DISboards.

 

[dreamflight99]

Just a friendly reminder: Please do not drag fights from other forums to the DISboards.

Thank you.

 

[FlowersChild]

Just a friendly reminder: Please do not drag fights from other forums to the DISboards.

Thank you

 

[paras4ri]

To keep things moving along I thought I'd share some pictures from our magnificent king corner turret room we enjoyed in September! We had 2 balconies with views of the Swan, the pool area, MGM, Crescent Lake and the Boardwalk.

 

[Blondie]

Great photos! I've often wondered what it would be like to have a "clam shell fountain" view!

Could you see the fireworks from Illuminations from that room?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very nice, Gail, thanks. I had one of those rooms once, some years back, really neat with the double balcony.

 

[Blondie]

I have a question for one of the experts! The answer may be buried within this extensive thread, but it would take some time to go back and read through them all.

Are there any executive suites at the Dolphin facing Epcot with a balcony? We had rooms 9005/9007/9009 last year (2 bedroom exec. suite) that faced Epcot but it was just a tad short of being able to see the fireworks and didn't have a balcony. We still had a great stay and loved all the room we had to spread out. Three bathrooms was a treat--nobody fighting for shower time!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Blondie - I chuckled as I read your post because we always have a clam shell view- we request 11101 which is right above the top clamshell. No balcony, but a fantastic view of both parks.

Gail - i loved your pictures - so excited about our upcoming stay there. Thanks for sharing.

 

[kimmar067]

At all other resorts...you must, (although I've read enough of the "mug threads" for my fill...lol). The Swan/Dolphin mugs are different, and never change in design. Therefore, most people enjoy bringing their mugs back. I've read many a post where they have reported doing so, without hesitation. To each, his/her own. I do not pass judgement on others for something I may/may not choose to do. If it "floats their boat?" -- so be it. I'll leave the "policing" up to the CM's at the respective resorts. I'm on vacation..and worrying about "others" is the LAST thing on my mind.

P.S. So, you collect refillable mugs?

...uhhhhhhh, I'M a mug collector............

 

[kimmar067]

....OOOPS, my faux pas - Hi Caroline, hi Gail, hi Lisa.......

 

[paras4ri]

Blondie - we were never in the room during Illuminations but I don't think we could have seen them from either balcony. We were on the west side of the wing.



We could see just this far over to the Boardwalk - this is a favorite sunrise shot - followed by a few more of our wonderful view.

 

[Blondie]

Even without an Illuminations view, the surrounding area is still beautiful, especially at night time when all the lights come on! Your photos make me even more excited about our upcoming stay at the Dolphin! Thanks for posting them!

 

[NancyIL]

My very first stay at the Dolphin, in November 2000, was in a corner king with 2 balconies! I had a corner king once more, last December, but I usually stay at the Swan.

By the way, I have 2 All Star Movies mugs from 1999 that I use all the time at home. Those are the only resort mugs I have, but I enjoy buying new souvenir mugs each year, especially at holiday time. I love viewing the Osborne Lights while drinking hot chocolate in a holiday mug - and I'll be doing it again in 3 weeks!

 

[FlowersChild]

Since the Swan and Dolphin are not Disney hotels, does this mean they don't get annual passholder rates ? I do want to stay there ( as I want to stay in all the hotels in DisneyWorld ) so I look for the good rates. If I stayed there I would just stay in the Standard View room and that would be all that I would need I would be so busy enjoying the pools and eating at the places at the hotels and walking over to Epcot and all that so I woiuld not spend that much time in my room, so I don't want to pay that much extra money for a nicer room. Also I like any view and rooms anyways

I believe I have seen special rates for Florida Residents go as low at $159 a night That would be a good deal. If I see that rate I might can book like 3 or 4 nights and I would have a lot of fun Also when I stayed at the Beach Club I was able to put my plush toys by my window and you could see them outside even though I was on the 4th floor Does the Swan and Dolphin have window's that face outside for their standard view rooms, like the Beach Club does ? I Love to show off my plush toys

 

[rie'smom]

When I booked a AAA rate,the CM told me that it was the same as the AP-so yes,you can use your AP for a discounted rate!!!

 

[FlowersChild]

When I booked a AAA rate,the CM told me that it was the same as the AP-so yes,you can use your AP for a discounted rate!!!

Awesome

 

[dreamflight99]

To keep things moving along I thought I'd share some pictures from our magnificent king corner turret room we enjoyed in September! We had 2 balconies with views of the Swan, the pool area, MGM, Crescent Lake and the Boardwalk.

WOW Gail!! Stunning photos...thanks so kindly for sharing! I have many too. Love your views. This looks like the Corner King DH and I actually viewed when we first asked to "see" (quick tour) a room in the Dolphin. We strolled over from the BW, and out of curiosity inquired at the FD. A "curtain" covered/obscured the hidden door to the "secret" balcony. It's a lovely room, especially perfect for two on a private weekend get-away, etc. Hope you had a great time! (BTW...do you know the handsome young man on turret the balcony peering inside and smiling?!? ).

Blondie...you always post the most beautiful photos too, and I've seen MANY over the years which always make me smile with joy. Your whimsical sig photos have also been the best/most creative and MAGICAL! Thanks for sharing once again!

KIMMAR!!!~No Faux Pas at ALL my dear old friend! Thanks for the uplifting and sweet PM's! Always a pleasure to see/chat with you over here. uuuuuhhhhmmm...yes, I guess I could be also be dubbed a resort mug collector too! LOL. I even have a dedicated corner kitchen cupboard (as the numbers seemed to grow rapidly with each passing summer season) where all the mugs "LIVE" in storage when not in use. I do seem to use them here at home, as does DH too. They help to make the MAGIC last...long after the vacation has ended.

Nancy~DD and I made a solo trip together (solo as in SANS DH) to DL a few years back for a day-trip, and that's the first time we nabbed one of those seasonal Christmas mugs filled with the most DELICIOUSLY creamy and rich hot cocoa (truly yummy)! We stood close together sipping the beverages together under the night sky ablaze with stars and fireworks, as the magic surrounded/blanketed from all sides (literally inside/out---considering the hot cocoa!).

The most recent mugs we have depict the nightmare before Christmas in whimsical seasonal scenes all over them, and are taller/slimmer than the standard summer mugs. This works great for the truck cup-holders (as the summer mugs are too large for this purpose). We are all planning to visit again this season during DD's visit and Holiday home-break, and will undoubtedly purchase a mug for all filled with the creamy hot treat. We actually buy them at the same kiosk each year, just across from the haunted mansion and little fountain adjacent to the lake.

Thanks for the memories! I wish you a splendid trip...and know you will enjoy the time with your mom, DD and sister, etc. I am looking forward to your cheerful report upon your return, as well as any photos you may care to share. Do they also decorate the Haunted Mansion @ WDW, or is that something only done here in DL? I believe it "snows" in WDW too (as I received a postcard in the mail regarding the magical snowfall, etc.).

BTW--are you staying at the Dolphin or Swan for this upcoming visit? Either way, I'm confident you will enjoy every moment shared in the company of each of your blessed family members. ^_^


FC--please PM me when you plan to reserve at the Dolphin, and I'll do my best to assist you in your reservations.

It's a lovely resort---and you will LOVE it. The location and accommodations are top-rate, and the entire atmosphere is fun/whimsical. FC---I recall rates being reflected as low as $99 on this website about 5 years back (special anniversary rates w/a very limited number of rooms actually allocated for this rate/deal). I would LOVE to see that one return...lol!!


lovingthemouse~Hello Caroline! Always a sincere pleasure to see you here as well. Hope all is perfect in your life, and you and your family are enjoying the wonderful FALL season and holiday celebrations! They seem to arrive faster and faster each year (something to do with aging, so my friends keep telling me), and soon Christmas will be here. I think I'll get out my decorations and begin this weekend just to get a "jump" on things. I say this each year...but usually wait until AFTER Thanksgiving (as I think it may look at bit odd when friends drop over for dinner, etc---to see the trees up, decorated, etc.

Yet, two of my friends are already on top of this---and just have the exterior of their homes to finish. These are also the same two...who have nearly completed ALL their holiday shopping (I'm not even close!). What do you think? Should we go into the attic and start pulling out boxes, or wait until the turkey has been reduced to soup, etc. (lol). I'm actually feeling strong enough to begin early and pace myself, as I want everything ready by the time DD arrives home (and I don't want to have to RUSH it all in one weekend--which is what happens when I keep putting it off). You always have offered the best sound/sage advice---so I'm all ears on this one!?! TIA!


Rie's mom~The information you received is correct, and the discounts are the same! The rates all vary according to availability, etc. Be sure to call early for the best deals and discounts, as they seem to move very fast (especially during holiday seasons...from what I've read over the years). Happy to read you have secured the AAA rate for your upcoming visit. I'm confident you will be delighted with the resort and amenities/accommodations!

Enjoy the evening--and again, thanks to all those who shared some spectacular images of these resorts and views!

TTFN...always, DF99

 

[Mouseteacher]

I posted this info many posts back but thought I'd post it again...

On our last stay, we were in the very last east wing - balcony room 8th floor of the Dolphin. It had dead center, spectacular views of Epcot / Illuminations. I can PM the room number to anyone who wishes it (I can't right now as I am at work and don't have the info ).

Just a caution though...this wing is quite a distance to the pool and even a good walk to the elevators. However, it was worth it for the view! Anyway, the walking was good exercise!

We are hoping to return to the Dolphin or Swan this summer --- can't wait to finalize plans since our last visit was in 2004.

 

[dreamflight99]

I posted this info many posts back but thought I'd post it again...

On our last stay, we were in the very last east wing - balcony room 8th floor of the Dolphin. It had dead center, spectacular views of Epcot / Illuminations. I can PM the room number to anyone who wishes it (I can't right now as I am at work and don't have the info ).

Just a caution though...this wing is quite a distance to the pool and even a good walk to the elevators. However, it was worth it for the view! Anyway, the walking was good exercise!

We are hoping to return to the Dolphin or Swan this summer --- can't wait to finalize plans since our last visit was in 2004.

Yes, those rooms on the far east wing can prove quite a "hike" and stroll to other destinations throughout the entire resort property. Yet, it's all "indoors" amidst a/c, and also safe/sheltered from rain/hail storms & other inclement weather/elements. IMHO, it's well worth the distance and exercise. On top of this fact, another positive feature worth noting are the Matisse-deco elevators (which are truly "rockets" and incredibly FAST!). You'ld be hard-pressed to find any as smooth or fast as those in the Swan/Dolphin, etc.

*Mouseteacher--did your room on the 8th floor have a balcony as well? This feature makes enjoying illuminations even more memorable. It's also nice to use for a break, to sit in the sunshine, read and/or enjoy a cup of morning coffee. Although the balconies are not fully private due to their design, they are somewhat obscured by designs/details on the iron and offer enough solitude to relax and unwind comfortably. They also come in handy for drying wet pool towels and feeding ducks below (bread crumbs, etc).