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

[WEN]

We're going to the Dolphin for the first time in August. Not sure what to request for room location. We would like to be near pool, restaurants. I've heard some rooms are a very long walk.

 

[Dizzle]

Yeah, where should we request a room at?

 

[ozziewags]

We're going to the Dolphin for the first time in August. Not sure what to request for room location. We would like to be near pool, restaurants. I've heard some rooms are a very long walk.

It all depends on the view you want. The west side is the pool side, the east is the Epcot side. The walks to the outside rooms are long after a long day in the parks, but the views are tremendous (I especially like the East side). This time I asked to be close to an elevator because of some foot problems I have. The elevators are fast and the restaurants are on the bottom floor. Some west side rooms are VERY close to the pool. You can make these requests from their web site. They will also answer you that your request was received.

 

[Blondie]

We've stayed at the Swan and Dolphin many times and have never purchased the refillable mugs. This summer we'll be checking in for 4 days, leaving and checking back in for another 6 days. My question is can we still use our mugs when we check back in or are they dated for your stay and we'll have to re-purchase them?

I can't see why not. They don't change the designs of the mug too frequently (if ever) so who will know? The only way to know is to give it a try. What's the worst that could happen?

 

[*Belle*]

Thanks blondie, we'll ask when we check-in. Doesn't seem like such a great deal for 4 nights, but we'll be quite happy with 10.
Thanks again.
Belle

 

[SingingMom]

It all depends on the view you want. The west side is the pool side, the east is the Epcot side. The walks to the outside rooms are long after a long day in the parks, but the views are tremendous (I especially like the East side). This time I asked to be close to an elevator because of some foot problems I have. The elevators are fast and the restaurants are on the bottom floor. Some west side rooms are VERY close to the pool. You can make these requests from their web site. They will also answer you that your request was received.

We've stayed on the East side twice. The views are very nice. It is a longer walk to the elevator, but we didn't really mind.

 

[florep1]

Question: Those tcikets that you get from mousesaver, are they the real ticket or do you have to exchange it for another one as soon as you get to the parks?

 

[Colleen27]

What makes me unhappy are the parents that take on the "I'm on vacation" mindset, and then let their kids run wild. We witnessed that a number of times at the Dolphin pool last week- young kids in the hot tub (should be 16 and older only), running all over the place - with NO parents to be seen...

I agree with you about parents watching their own kids, but I'm curious about what you said about the hot tub. Is there a posted minimum age, or is that just your feeling about it? There is nothing my DD5 likes better than an outdoor hot tub on a cool night - she's the one who convinced DH to put one in at home! Since we're going in Dec, DD & I are really looking forward to enjoying the resort hot tub in the evenings.

 

[SingingMom]

I agree with you about parents watching their own kids, but I'm curious about what you said about the hot tub. Is there a posted minimum age, or is that just your feeling about it? There is nothing my DD5 likes better than an outdoor hot tub on a cool night - she's the one who convinced DH to put one in at home! Since we're going in Dec, DD & I are really looking forward to enjoying the resort hot tub in the evenings.

The age minimum is posted at all the hot tubs: Children must be 16 or older.

Renée

 

[Colleen27]

The age minimum is posted at all the hot tubs: Children must be 16 or older.

Well that's disappointing. Most places only impose a minimum age for unsupervised minors. I wonder why the S/D are so much stricter?

 

[#1hockeymom]

Ozzie! How many days will you be in the world? We'll be coming down the 19th! I was almost there next week, but airfare suddenly became fantastic to push it a week further. Alas, the dolphin wasn't available so I'll be "slumming" it at POR. (and no split stay with AKL because of zero availability!)

 

[SingingMom]

Well that's disappointing. Most places only impose a minimum age for unsupervised minors. I wonder why the S/D are so much stricter?

I would assume it is a health issue. One of the tubs in particular seemed very hot.

Of course, I don't know how "inforced" these rules are, as there were many children jumping in and out of them - some with parents no where to be found, and others with parents sitting right there and allowing them to jump and splash everyone in sight.

 

[ozziewags]

Ozzie! How many days will you be in the world? We'll be coming down the 19th! I was almost there next week, but airfare suddenly became fantastic to push it a week further. Alas, the dolphin wasn't available so I'll be "slumming" it at POR. (and no split stay with AKL because of zero availability!)

Hi Debbie! We will be there from July 12-17. We are spending the first two days (10-12) at Portofino Bay. I am bringing my son (who is now 25 and no longer cares if he's seen with his mom!). I got a Ding a few months ago for $29 from STL and couldn't pass it up. I asked the whole family and he was the only one who could go! So we are doing it! Would have been fun to meet up with you. Who's going with you? My dh thinks it would be fun to be a fly on the wall to see us........I'll be the one following behind, saying "I'll meet ya' there, save me a place in line."

 

[#1hockeymom]

I'm going to miss you by two days! Its only ds and I going... spirit air, two round trip tickets for 125 including taxes and fees... YES FOR TWO!

Too bad we're not going at the same time. We could have kept each other company bringing up the end of the line!

One of these years the Swan and Dolphin WILL be in line with the stars and we'll meet!

 

[paras4ri]

Question: Those tcikets that you get from mousesaver, are they the real ticket or do you have to exchange it for another one as soon as you get to the parks?

The tickets actually come from ticket brokers recommended on the Mousesavers.com website. I've purchased them from both Ticketmania and from Undercover Tourist and they've both been real tickets you take right to the turnstiles at the parks.

We've stayed at the Swan and Dolphin many times and have never purchased the refillable mugs. This summer we'll be checking in for 4 days, leaving and checking back in for another 6 days. My question is can we still use our mugs when we check back in or are they dated for your stay and we'll have to re-purchase them?

I sent an email to the hotel asking a question about what drinks can be put into the mugs - a poster a few weeks back was told only soft drinks and no coffee. I mentioned that on prior stays we were able to use them for both coffee and soft drinks. I got a reply from the manager of Pikabu, who confirmed that the mugs can be use for coffee or soft drinks and also welcomed me to bring back the mugs we purchaed on our earlier stay.

 

[*Belle*]

Thank you Gail for the info on the mugs.
We'll purchase them for sure.

 

[rugrats2001]

The tickets actually come from ticket brokers recommended on the Mousesavers.com website. I've purchased them from both Ticketmania and from Undercover Tourist and they've both been real tickets you take right to the turnstiles at the parks.

I've never found the ticket brokers to be more than $1 cheaper than the advance purchase price directly from disney.com. In fact, most of them are MORE expensive!

HELPFUL HINT:

The 'discount' brokers compare their prices with the 'on-site' Disney prices, not the lower 'advance' Disney prices!

 

[SingingMom]

I've never found the ticket brokers to be more than $1 cheaper than the advance purchase price directly from disney.com. In fact, most of them are MORE expensive!

HELPFUL HINT:

The 'discount' brokers compare their prices with the 'on-site' Disney prices, not the lower 'advance' Disney prices!

I received a discount last year of approx $30 a ticket... I think I went through the link at the top of this board - I will double check my files and let you know.

 

[ozziewags]

I've never found the ticket brokers to be more than $1 cheaper than the advance purchase price directly from disney.com. In fact, most of them are MORE expensive!

HELPFUL HINT:

The 'discount' brokers compare their prices with the 'on-site' Disney prices, not the lower 'advance' Disney prices!

I compared the prices and saved $30 on my two tickets(undercover tourist), which I got in a few days and had time to photocopy. (a hint I got from these boards) Disney.com prices also don't include tax (and charge a delivery fee). I also compared to AAA, of which I am a member, and I saved $10 from there. $30 isn't that much, but it might give me half a tank of gas.
Very rarely do Disers steer anyone the wrong way. Believe me, I was very apprehensive. Most Disers will give you their experiences and let you decide. I am trusting my friends this time!

 

[fourseasons]

thanks for the tip rugrats2001