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

[nurse.darcy]

Need some help from the experts on what to request. I don't care about the view or a balcony, but would like to be as close to food and the pool as possible. What should I request. I also need connecting rooms. Is this as big an issue at the Swan as it seems to be at the Disney resorts?? Not going until August, bit I'm getting so excited

I'll be there in August and I have guaranteed connecting rooms. ABSOLUTELY no issues with the Swan. If they can't guarantee it they will tell you.

 

[paras4ri]

Need some help from the experts on what to request. I don't care about the view or a balcony, but would like to be as close to food and the pool as possible. What should I request. I also need connecting rooms. Is this as big an issue at the Swan as it seems to be at the Disney resorts?? Not going until August, bit I'm getting so excited

We'll be there in August too. The west wing in each hotel is closest to the pools....and closest to food at the Dolphin too. If you're at the Swan you'll need to take the short walk to the Dolphin for most food.

 

[Blondie]

One year at the Dolphin we had a room on the second floor, which was just steps from the eateries and the door to the pool area. It was room number 2179 on the west wing.

There's a little hidden carpeted stairwell that will take you to these second floor rooms just down the hall from Picabu Buffeteria, Dolphin Fountain and the arcade. It's just a few short steps (not a full flight) and was so convenient!

 

[MSC]

Need some help from the experts on what to request. I don't care about the view or a balcony, but would like to be as close to food and the pool as possible. What should I request. I also need connecting rooms. Is this as big an issue at the Swan as it seems to be at the Disney resorts?? Not going until August, bit I'm getting so excited

If you'd like to be as close to food as possible, you need to change your reservation to the Dolphin!!! LOL!

 

[warriorboy648]

If you'd like to be as close to food as possible, you need to change your reservation to the Dolphin!!! LOL!

I want to be as close to the pool and as possibly can be at the Swan. We were booked at the Dolphin, but couldn't risk being near a smoking room. My DS is asthmatic and extremely sensitive to smoke, even just the lingering smell of it causes major sinus headaches and coughing. So I figured it was better to be a little inconvenienced and stay at the non-smoking hotel.

I think it's too late to get the $125/night rate now even if we wanted to switch.

 

[MSC]

Well, staying at the Swan definitely sounds like a priority, then! Though, if the rate becomes a possibility again, you might ask how the non-smoking policy works at Dolphin. I don't know - but maybe it's by floor. If so, you shouldn't have a problem. Even so, I think you are better safe than sorry - stick with the Swan.

I was just making light of the fact that all the "convenient" food places are at the Dolphin - the soda fountain, the cafeteria and the convenience shop (which sells snack food). I found the last time I was at the Swan that it was difficult just to find a bottle of pop! But I didn't mind strolling over to the Dolphin for it either.

 

[Blondie]

In all of our 5 stays at the Dolphin we always requested a non-smoking room and received such. Not once did any of the rooms have any hint of leftover cigarette smoke. Wish I could say the same about our CSR and Poly stays, where we had to move because the people next door were smoking and it was seeping through the connecting door. Keep in mind, these rooms had the "non smoking" sign on the outside of their doors.

 

[paras4ri]

I was just making light of the fact that all the "convenient" food places are at the Dolphin - the soda fountain, the cafeteria and the convenience shop (which sells snack food). I found the last time I was at the Swan that it was difficult just to find a bottle of pop! But I didn't mind strolling over to the Dolphin for it either.

I was too - but also didn't want to worry you. Depending on where your room is, it's sometimes a shorter stroll to Pikabu from the Swan than it is right inside the Dolphin!

 

[Elysiannn]

It's me again. I'm trying yet again to take my nephew to WDW but we need two rooms or a Jr. Suite at the Dolphin. I have 20523 of starpoints. And we're looking to go 10-10 through 10-14.

What is a better way to go trying to use my starpoints? Jr. Suite or two rooms connecting?

Please give me all advice and tips. Oh and I work at University of Michigan so might I get the education price on it?

Thanks in advance. Ely

 

[RachelTori]

It's me again. I'm trying yet again to take my nephew to WDW but we need two rooms or a Jr. Suite at the Dolphin. I have 20523 of starpoints. And we're looking to go 10-10 through 10-14.

What is a better way to go trying to use my starpoints? Jr. Suite or two rooms connecting?

Please give me all advice and tips. Oh and I work at University of Michigan so might I get the education price on it?

Thanks in advance. Ely

Hi, Ely!

20,523 Starpoints won't go far for the Dolphin or Swan. It costs 10,000 points per night for one room.

Working for the U of M, yes, you could use the Educator's Discount, but I did a quick search for your dates and there are no rooms available with that discount. (that may change ) October is a very busy month for all the Epcot resorts (Food & Wine Festival) and I believe there are a couple of big conventions that month at the Dolphin & Swan.

I would suggest calling the Dolphin reservations directly (1-888-625-5144) and see if they can answer your questions. I have always found them to be very helpful. HTH!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I am getting so excited about our first trip to the Swan this summer. I am very interested in seeing some pictures of different room views. I would really love an Epcot view, but I have only booked standard and am hoping for a good upgrade since we are Starwood AMEX members. I really won't be too disappointed if we don't get Epcot view as long as we get some sort of good view(not just grass and trees). Anyway, I just want to see as many different room views as possible so I will know what all of the different possibilities are. So please post your room view pics if you don't mind. I have looked thru the room view thread, but I really don't want to have to look thru hundreds of posts just to find the ones from the Swan.
TIA and Have a Magical Day!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Suscribing! Just changed ressie this morning...no Pop next year...Swan Studio...unless a good rate comes out next year and Il get 2 standard rooms...never been...must start going this through hard to find thread

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Me again.....can I ask a few questions???
AAA members get a discount at any restaurants on site?
Best way to explain to DH no food court and no refillable mugs?
How much are roll aways when DS14 and DD11 decide they dont want to sleep together....

Swan officiando's...would you prefer a studio suite or 2 connecting standard rooms? Family next year will be DH, Me, DS14, DD11 and DD will be turning 2 on our trip!
I have done so much research on all resorts...except S/D!
Thanks in advance for any help...I know I have lots of time...but hoping I made the right decision!!

 

[Blondie]

Swan officiando's...would you prefer a studio suite or 2 connecting standard rooms? Family next year will be DH, Me, DS14, DD11 and DD will be turning 2 on our trip!

A Swan studio consists of a king size bed and a pull out sleeper sofa (maybe there are studio suites with queen size beds, I'm not sure though.)

Based on a studio suite with a king size bed, I would get two connecting rooms, this way you'll have the extra bathroom as well!

If you can get a 1 br. executive suite, that would be even better!

 

[nurse.darcy]

We are 4 adults and a teenager. We are booking two connecting rooms because there are 2 minibar fridges and two full bathrooms that way. The studio is a good size but with two rooms everyone gets a bed. . .no pull out beds. . .

 

[Blondie]

I am getting so excited about our first trip to the Swan this summer. I am very interested in seeing some pictures of different room views. I would really love an Epcot view, but I have only booked standard and am hoping for a good upgrade since we are Starwood AMEX members. I really won't be too disappointed if we don't get Epcot view as long as we get some sort of good view(not just grass and trees). Anyway, I just want to see as many different room views as possible so I will know what all of the different possibilities are. So please post your room view pics if you don't mind. I have looked thru the room view thread, but I really don't want to have to look thru hundreds of posts just to find the ones from the Swan.
TIA and Have a Magical Day!

Here are a few links to threads I posted with views from our rooms at the Swan:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1029479

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107841

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Ok, as I am reading through the most recent posts.....it appears some Diser's prefer either S or D...Hmmmmm....and I read there isnt much difference between Queens and Doubles...thats how I started out at the Swan....but they wouldnt allow 4 of us and the baby in the crib.
Most are stating that the Dolphin is larger...I like that it has the 24 hr cafeteria....keeping in mind my children...do you think Dolphin might be a better fit??

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Thanks Blondie! Anyone else have any room view pics?

 

[pooh2001]

from allears.net dated 2/27/07. A nice little perk for supporting a great cause:

"Now through September 30, 2007, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort will offer special prizes to guests who make a $20 or more contribution to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. When you make a qualifying donation, you will be presented with a selection of envelopes to choose from, each featuring a special reward, such as:

-- upgraded guest room accommodations for length of stay
-- complimentary use of health club for two guests during their length of stay
-- two breakfasts at Fresh Mediterranean Market or two breakfast buffets at Garden Grove Cafe
-- two lunches at Fresh Mediterranean Market
-- two buffet dinners at Gulliver's
-- two cocktails or domestic beers at the Lobby Lounge or Java Bar
-- t wo large soft serve ice creams at The Fountain "Sweet Treats"
-- one complimentary half-hour Swan paddle boat rental

For information and reservations, visit www.swandolphin.com or call 800-227-1500. "

and dated 2/20/07 (not meaningful to me, but of interest to someone here??:

"The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has appointed Jim Hogg its new hotel manager. Hogg, most recently general manager of the Sheraton Vistana Village Resort in Orlando, spent the first eight years of his hospitality career at the Swan and Dolphin. The resort recently completed a $60 million redesign project, which unveiled new lobbies and public spaces, including a $500,000 contemporary art program. Select upper level guest rooms, which offer breathtaking views, will soon also receive a makeover and be converted into boardroom hospitality suites."

We plan on giving $20 to Make-A-Wish foundation
What if we won the envelope with the "two cocktails or domestic beers" - could we then select another envelope ?

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I know I have asked alot of ?'s today.....I have tried to read this thread as much as possible...I read there are refillable mugs??? Where do you fill them up at the Dolphin..the Picabu?