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

[MOM POPPINS]

I am a big Dolphin Resort fan, but with that being said I would stay at BC/YC or BWI for the same rate. I will let others chime in and give you their thoughts, but to me if it were the same price I would stay deluxe WDW property instead of the Swan/Dolphin. We are staying at the Dolphin, March 9th. -14th. and staying at the Boardwalk March 4th.- 9th. Happy Planning

 

[sybarite]

I'm paying $159 for 4/5-4/8 at the Dolphin, Are you saying the rate are the same at the disney property now? (FYI I have annual pass + FL resident) What rates are you getting?

If they're the same I'm gonna switch to the disney property.

 

[Keokagal]

has anyone wiggled there way out of the $9/day parking fee? And are there other "hidden" fees that they don't tell you when you book? (like 50cents for the USA today)

Thanks in advance

No the parking fee cannot be avoided. You get a card to get in/out of lot.
No other fees anymore. I miss not have internet unless you pay. The resort fee of $10 was worth it! You got mult amenities, internet, paper (Yuk), the club, and another I can't remember. Now you have to pay for club and internet.

 

[Keokagal]

I am a big Dolphin Resort fan, but with that being said I would stay at BC/YC or BWI for the same rate. I will let others chime in and give you their thoughts, but to me if it were the same price I would stay deluxe WDW property instead of the Swan/Dolphin. We are staying at the Dolphin, March 9th. -14th. and staying at the Boardwalk March 4th.- 9th. Happy Planning

Ya, I agree, I would stay at BC/YC if it were the same price. But, I'd prob still split the stay because I need a good bed!
I doubt BC/YC is the same price as the Dol/Swan. It would be a first.
Unless, the poster booked rack rate at Dol. Please say you did not do that!

 

[Keokagal]

I'm paying $159 for 4/5-4/8 at the Dolphin, Are you saying the rate are the same at the disney property now? (FYI I have annual pass + FL resident) What rates are you getting?

If they're the same I'm gonna switch to the disney property.

Did you hear of a miracle!
You have a good rate for the Dolphin. I was lucky, got the $125 summer rate! Freakin' Awsome.

 

[EnviroChick]

I'm paying $159 for 4/5-4/8 at the Dolphin, Are you saying the rate are the same at the disney property now? (FYI I have annual pass + FL resident) What rates are you getting?

If they're the same I'm gonna switch to the disney property.

I'm going in May and have booked the resort balcony view at Swan for 232.00 not incl. tax. The Disney deluxes at Epcot are 259.00 for a standard with the AP discount for my dates. Considering parking fees and car rental for S/D, or just transport to and from the airport (and only two of us are coming in on the same flight at the same time, meaning multiple charges for transport since there's no ME at S/D)...it's close enough to be the same price in my opinion.

But, I don't get my SPG points, possible upgrades or the great balcony room with a possible view of Epcot fireworks. No, if I downgraded to a regular room at S/D there would be a large price difference.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

Alright! I made it through quite a bit of this thread, but just in case some posts from years back are outdated.....I've tentatively booked 2 resort balcony rooms at Swan. I am an SPG gold member and got a pretty good rate. I want to be able to see Epcot fireworks. Should I switch to Dolphin in order to have a better view? My mom has trouble walking and she'll have a whellchair for this trip. I thought Swan would be easier to manuever and I like the queen beds and double sinks. Also, with the Disney Resort AP rate that came out today, the price is now equal to BC/YC/or BWI with a standard view. Should I be that concerned with the great view I can get at S/D, or go for the Disney owned property without question, regardless of the view?
Any help is appreciated! Thanks.

Just curious... what are your travel dates and the rates for Dolphin and the BW that you are comparing?

 

[EnviroChick]

Just curious... what are your travel dates and the rates for Dolphin and the BW that you are comparing?

Still flexible to get the best rates but currently May 10-15th. The 17th through the 22nd is available too. There is also good availability over Memorial Day, but we don't want to go when it's that crowded.

 

[sybarite]

anyone have any success using Hotwire or something like that for the Dolphin or Swan?

 

[Dislifer]

Hi! Even though I will be vacationing during peak season, 12/22-12/31, I still got a balcony room at the Dolphin for $289 per night....teacher rate. Do you think that this is good???????????????

 

[sybarite]

Unless you are obsessed with the prime location, I'd rather spend less than $289 and stay at Port Orleans or something like that. OR spend about the same at a disney deluxe.

 

[Blondie]

anyone have any success using Hotwire or something like that for the Dolphin or Swan?

I always have better luck in dealing directly with the resort, the airline, etc.

Hi! Even though I will be vacationing during peak season, 12/22-12/31, I still got a balcony room at the Dolphin for $289 per night....teacher rate. Do you think that this is good???????????????

I don't think it's too shabby.

Unless you are obsessed with the prime location, I'd rather spend less than $289 and stay at Port Orleans or something like that. OR spend about the same at a disney deluxe.

Is a Disney deluxe even available for $289 during the christmas holidays? From what I understand, that's when they charge the most.

 

[michboro]

How is the size of the double beds at the Dolphin compared to the Queen size beds at the Swan? Is there much of a difference?

 

[Blondie]

Not really. I could never tell the difference!

 

[Dislifer]

I always have better luck in dealing directly with the resort, the airline, etc.



I don't think it's too shabby.



Is a Disney deluxe even available for $289 during the christmas holidays? From what I understand, that's when they charge the most.

I stayed at the Polynesian a few years ago...at Christmas time...it was much more!!! But...you got me thinking...I'm going to check out what the Moderates would charge at this time of year. Thanks!!

 

[paras4ri]

How is the size of the double beds at the Dolphin compared to the Queen size beds at the Swan? Is there much of a difference?

I've never noticed a significant difference.

 

[Dislifer]

I stayed at the Polynesian a few years ago...at Christmas time...it was much more!!! But...you got me thinking...I'm going to check out what the Moderates would charge at this time of year. Thanks!!

So, I checked....
POR is more expensive than the Dolphin (w/my teacher rate) at the holiday season rate. So, I guess I will stay with the Dolphin!

 

[sybarite]

So, I checked....
POR is more expensive than the Dolphin (w/my teacher rate) at the holiday season rate. So, I guess I will stay with the Dolphin!

According to the Disney site a you should be able to get a Moderate for the rack rate of $199/night. if the Dolphin is cheaper you should take it.

 

[Blondie]

So, I checked....
POR is more expensive than the Dolphin (w/my teacher rate) at the holiday season rate. So, I guess I will stay with the Dolphin!

I don't think you'll be sorry by staying with the Dolphin!

 

[BlueFairy]

Maybe someone here can help. I posted this on the rates and codes board with not much success. Please forgive me if this sounds a little off-topic. Since we have ressies at the Swan I thought some of you may have already made the comparison. Here is my original question:

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Help please,
Normally I'm good at this, but all the number crunching has me confused. Help me decide what is my most economical of these choices. I hope this is on the right board.

Stats- 2 adults + DD (2 yo) travelling Sept or October (very flexible dates), flying, 5 nights. Prefer 6day MYW tixs with PH ($262 x 2). Eating 2 Char meals, 2 or 3 TS, cold breakfast, and counter service all on property, with DD eating off our plates for the most part.

A) Have a ressie at Swan ($125/nt); no food discounts or dining plan ($500 food budget???); need town car transfer ($110?); can cancel anytime

B) Get WL ressie for std room and hope for AP rates? What is the typical rate found there last year with AP? Then buy 1 AP ($463) and 1 DDE ($65) if the rates are announced and apply it to our ressie. When can I expect this? Summer? Is a discount on std. room common then? Is this CHEAPER than choice A. I think maybe the total is about the same, depending on the AP rate. Use Disney transportation and ME. No towncar.

C) The ever-popular free dining with rack-rate std room at WL. I think for the food and the way we eat we'd save about $60 on food alone. Rack value season at WL is $215. Once again - was it common to get these dates with free DDP on a std room? Same transportation as B.

Finally, if we're hoping for B or C, should I make a rack room-only or DDP ressie now and apply discount later? Is there a charge for making the changes?

As you can see, it's been awhile since I did this and so much has changed. Thanks for your help. Sorry I have so many questions, but I know the folks here can help.