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

[luvdisney14]

My friend has 2 children and was wondering where to request a room. She has a regular room at the dolphin. I there a wing that is closer to getting to the pool?

 

[paras4ri]

My friend has 2 children and was wondering where to request a room. She has a regular room at the dolphin. I there a wing that is closer to getting to the pool?

The west wing is closest to the pool.

 

[luvdisney14]

What view does the west wing have?

 

[labst60]

Can anyone tell me if Picabu has a microwave for general use?? We've stayed at the Swan and Dolphin many times in the past, but this is the first time we have a SUPER picky toddler who will go on hunger strikes if she doesn't get her Healthy Choice Chicken Soup. I am HOPING it won't even be an issue b/c of the change of pace/scenery, but there are MANY meals here that she will just REFUSE until she gets her Chicken Soup and then she'll eat practially the whole can by herself!!! She'd eat that stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I let her (truthfully, I do, just not on the same day!!)

 

[Blondie]

I don't remember seeing a microwave at Picabu, but they do serve an awesome chicken noodle soup!

 

[labst60]

Okay, I answered my own question because I realized I'd feel better if I heard it from them.

There is not general purpose microwave, however either Picabu or room service would be able to heat up any SEALED food. So no worries - when we stop at the grocery store, I'll pick up a few cans (probably the kind that come in the container you can heat & eat.). The rest of the week, we'll be at BWV, so we'll reserve asking them to heat them up for an "emergency" situation and then she can eat the rest in the villa. It's really nice to know that it is an option if she flips or refuses to eat anything else!!!

 

[Blondie]

What view does the west wing have?

A west wing view faces MGM and the pool area, or it could also face a wing of rooms directly across from yours.

 

[Joanne M]

I didn't have time to go through the entire thread, so I apologize in advance if this question has already been answered.

Are refillable mugs available at the Swan and Dolphin? This is my first time at S & D, and I usually stay at WL, so I feel like a newbie here at the S & D thread!

Thanks!

 

[sjnlkm]

Just my two cents' worth: I just came back from 3 nights at the Dolphin, as I was there for a Business Convention -- Hotel has a huge convention facility -- and then my family came down and we stayed at the Saratoga Springs Resort for the past 6 nights.

Here's my one concern about a family stay at the Dolphin: I would most definitely first find out whether the Hotel was hosting a conference, as for the 3 days that I was there, our conference, which was huge, pretty much over-ran the Hotel, mainly the beautiful Lobby and restaurant areas. This is a conference that annually alternates between Orlando (always the Dolphin) and Las Vegas, so I have been to 3 at the Dolphin. Each time I have felt bad for families staying there who had to fight their way thru the many conference attendees just to get to the elevators or out of the Hotel.

So, in summary, great Hotel with nice views and excellent proximity to Epcot and the Boardwalk, but I would most definitely avoid this Hotel when a conference is going on. Hope this helps, and would be curious to hear from some tourists who have happened to stay during such a time.

 

[Blondie]

I would most definitely avoid this Hotel when a conference is going on.

That might be a little hard to do. You'd have to call the hotel and ask them who is planning what at any given time of year. The S/D hosts quite a few conventions. There's not too many down times of year there anymore, and that's good for the S/D!

I've stayed at the Dolphin during large conventions and it didn't impact our stay at all. We just made ourselves at home and barged right through any groupings of people hanging around the lobby. It was really no problem at all! The elevators are located off the lobby, so it's not as if people are blocking the elevator doors or anything drastic like that.

I know it might make some guests feel uneasy, but you're on vacation! Go and enjoy yourselves!

 

[PrincessaC]

When do you pay the Valet parking (overnight) at the Dolphin? Is it paid separately then the room charge? Do you pay it when you leave or can it be included in the room charge?

Also does anyone know if you still get 2hr free child care when you dine at the Bluezoo?

 

[MagicFam5]

Valet fees have always been included on my room charges. I don't know about the childcare at BlueZoo...
As for the previous post about conferences, I've stayed at the Dolphin many times and not encountered huge groups that were a problem. Just good timing?!
Looking forward to staying there again next week

 

[RachelTori]

sjnlkm:

We've encountered the huge groups (bad timing?!! ) several times, but it's not a problem. A family might be a little inconvenienced for a minute or 2 getting around a large group congregating in the lobby or whatever, but the conventioneers are respectful of the vacationers. Besides, we love the Dolphin so much, we'll gladly put up with a little inconvenience!

 

[BlueFairy]

Well, I have visited the Swan to eat during a Garner (?) convention in October, and after working my way through the too-small suit-filled lobby and noticing a lap-pool closed for a convention party, I was wary of vacationing here.

However, DD and I joined DH at the Dolphin last Feb. while he attended a SANS conference. There were actually 2 or 3 large groups there that week. And while I noticed the business attire of many guests in the lobby, at the bar, and at the Boardwalk (during meals), it had no impact on our vacation experience. There was one evening where the staff was setting up for a poolside party, but the main pool was left to the guests (at least until sunset).

A plus to this was the aforementioned uncrowded buses. Everyone else is going to meetings and lucky-you are getting on an almost empty bus to the MK!!! And at $185/night, I don't think the villas or deluxes can compete, really. (At least, I'm at a loss to find a deluxe that makes the extra expense worth it for our 2007 trip). This is NOT a case of you-get-what-you-pay-for.

We did not eat at many of the hotel restaurants, so I can't speak to that.
Of course, DD was oblivious to the conventioneers (as was every other child we saw). And the Dolphin lobby is cavernous, so the business people were a mere blip there. Also, at least at the Dolphin, the meeting areas are quite removed from the other guest areas, so that part is a non-issue.

In short, if the price is right, I'll do it again before paying rack rate for another on-site hotel. Definitely.

 

[luvdisney14]

I think last time we stayed at the dolphin/swan there was comp turn down service, is that still available?

 

[SingingMom]

I think last time we stayed at the dolphin/swan there was comp turn down service, is that still available?

We had it last June... complete with the weather forecast for the next day!

Have they brought back the conciegre level rooms?

 

[labst60]

When I asked at guest services - there was no charge for turndown service and they don't plan on having club level return.

 

[SingingMom]

When I asked at guest services - there was no charge for turndown service and they don't plan on having club level return.

Too bad I love being "pampered" when I'm on vacation!

 

[Joanne M]

We are staying at the Swan in October for the first time. I was planning to get the refillable mugs for our stay. Where can we fill them at the Swan? I have only seen references to filling them at the Dolphin, so how do they work it at the Swan?

 

[nurse.darcy]

They are fillable at Picabou at the Dolphin. No big deal since you can walk between hotels easily enough. . .