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

[anbouk]

What is your 'preferred' transportation from the Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin Hotel, since, unfortunately they do not participate with Disneys Magical Express?

 

[CindeBella]

What is your 'preferred' transportation from the Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin Hotel, since, unfortunately they do not participate with Disneys Magical Express?

I schedule a Mears town car through the Swan/Dolphin if it's only DH and I. They add the charge to your room = more Starwood Points.
For an upcoming trip for family, I scheduled a limo via Southern Elegance.

 

[jayandstacey]

OK - this is a new one on me! We leave monday AM and this sounds cool - is it still offered? Where? What do we need to know?

I'll answer my own post. Just called and they had no idea what I was talking about. So while not 100%, I'm pretty 99% sure the dive-in movies aren't happening anymore. At least not at the swan/dolphin.

 

[rh3772]

Does anyone know if the Dolphin would allow 2 adults, one child age 10, one child age 8, one child age 2 and an 8 month old baby in the same room? We LOVE the Dolphin and would like to stay there again!

 

[CindeBella]

I'll answer my own post. Just called and they had no idea what I was talking about. So while not 100%, I'm pretty 99% sure the dive-in movies aren't happening anymore. At least not at the swan/dolphin.

What are the dive-in movies? Never heard of them.

 

[CindeBella]

Does anyone know if the Dolphin would allow 2 adults, one child age 10, one child age 8, one child age 2 and an 8 month old baby in the same room? We LOVE the Dolphin and would like to stay there again!

I believe it's stated that the limit is 5; however, I was told from someone through reservations that they did not care how many people are in the room.
That was when I was booking a room for 2 adults, 6 yr old, 4 yr old and a baby at the Swan.

Now we stay at the Dolphin since the rooms are bigger. I would reserve a room at the Dolphin and bring/ask for a crib. I brought DD's when she was a baby. I think you will be fine.

 

[SingingMom]

What is your 'preferred' transportation from the Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin Hotel, since, unfortunately they do not participate with Disneys Magical Express?

We really like Southern Elegance. We have used them for two trips and have been very satisfied with their service. We reserve a town car, and were surprised with a stretch limo one of the trips! They will make a complimentary grocery stop on the way to the Dolphin if you request it at the time of reservation.

 

[anbouk]

We really like Southern Elegance. We have used them for two trips and have been very satisfied with their service. We reserve a town car, and were surprised with a stretch limo one of the trips! They will make a complimentary grocery stop on the way to the Dolphin if you request it at the time of reservation.

I have been reading sooo many wonderful posts from you on this thread (and learning so very much!). We LUV the SWAN/DOLPHIN over other WDW (JMHO) and even though we give thought to booking at a WDW Deluxe, in the end we chose to stay at the Dolphin. It is so very comfortable, for us in every aspect, kids love the pool, slide, etc! Convenient to EPCOT which is our FAV park, after, MK, of course. We find we like to eat in many Epcot eateries vs other parks. The ONLY disadvantage is that they dont offer any kind of shuttle service to/from the hotel. It is sooo DARN expensive for about a 12 mile trip to a Hotel!!! That upsets me, but I guess all limo co's make their $ from these trips!!! What did they charge you for a R/T? ~ Just curious!

 

[anbouk]

Just to be on the safe side, we did just that. I booked us a deluxe room with a view and a balcony using the 10,000 plus 1,000 points per night. We even received a free night after the fourth night. This allows us to stay 8 nights instead of 7 in November. I didn't want to take the chance of not getting a free upgrade.

How much $ do you need to spend on the C/C in order to rack up soooo very many points? Just curious. Does it mean you need to spend $10,000?

 

[jlieblaw]

We are heading down in Sept and will be staying at the Swan. Originally, we had booked 2 rooms with 3 adults and 2 kids in each room (1 is an infant and 1 is a 3 y.o.) We have now booked another room b/c I was concerned that we wouldn't all be able to do EMH. With disney, all the names have to be on the room ressie to get in for EMH, if I remember correctly. How do they do it with the Swan? How crowded would it be if we only did 2 rooms?

Also, does the pool have any kind of kiddie slide and do they provide life jackets like disney resorts do?

 

[florep1]

We are heading down in Sept and will be staying at the Swan. Originally, we had booked 2 rooms with 3 adults and 2 kids in each room (1 is an infant and 1 is a 3 y.o.) We have now booked another room b/c I was concerned that we wouldn't all be able to do EMH. With disney, all the names have to be on the room ressie to get in for EMH, if I remember correctly. How do they do it with the Swan? How crowded would it be if we only did 2 rooms?

Also, does the pool have any kind of kiddie slide and do they provide life jackets like disney resorts do?

I was worried about the same thing when we stayed at the Swan, as we had 2 adults and 3 kids, so I asked them during check in to give me 5 room keys, one per person to participate in EMH. They told me as long as the adults have the cards, you're fine, but they were happy to oblige. When we used, them I hAD 5 cards ready to make sure, but they only checked the first card, and gave everyone else their wristbands.

Have a great trip!

 

[jeankeri]

What are the dive-in movies? Never heard of them.

When we were there this past June, we were told they only do the Dive-in movies during holiday weekends. So, ask when you check-in. We were there Memorial Weekend last year, and went expecting this to be repeated, and it wasn't. Pretty disappointing for my boys. The front desk or the athletic club (which manages the pool) should both know if it will be scheduled during your stay. HTH

 

[NancyIL]

What is your 'preferred' transportation from the Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin Hotel, since, unfortunately they do not participate with Disneys Magical Express?

I almost always rent a car at the airport from National/Alamo, because I first visit my mom in Cocoa and then drive to WDW. I drop-off the car at the Dolphin when I arrive, rather than pay $9+ tax/day to park. If I don't visit my mom and go directly to the Swan/Dolphin - I generally take Mears. That's when I travel solo. For two or more people, I would always rent a car.

 

[madge]

What is your 'preferred' transportation from the Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin Hotel, since, unfortunately they do not participate with Disneys Magical Express?

we rent a car!

 

[madge]

I was worried about the same thing when we stayed at the Swan, as we had 2 adults and 3 kids, so I asked them during check in to give me 5 room keys, one per person to participate in EMH. They told me as long as the adults have the cards, you're fine, but they were happy to oblige. When we used, them I hAD 5 cards ready to make sure, but they only checked the first card, and gave everyone else their wristbands.

Have a great trip!

Every time we've participated in the EMH, we've had to show a room key for everyone in the party. This is for evening EMH, we've never done AM magic hours.

 

[madge]

I believe it's stated that the limit is 5; however, I was told from someone through reservations that they did not care how many people are in the room.
That was when I was booking a room for 2 adults, 6 yr old, 4 yr old and a baby at the Swan.

Now we stay at the Dolphin since the rooms are bigger. I would reserve a room at the Dolphin and bring/ask for a crib. I brought DD's when she was a baby. I think you will be fine.

when our youngest was a baby, we stayed at the Swan with no problem (we have 3 kids). Once she got older, I was told we had to stay at the Dolphin with 3 kids in the room. I ask every time I book a room and that answer hasn't changed.

 

[madge]

Also, does the pool have any kind of kiddie slide and do they provide life jackets like disney resorts do?

yes, they do!

 

[MICKEEP]

What is your 'preferred' transportation from the Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin Hotel, since, unfortunately they do not participate with Disneys Magical Express?

FL Tours is a sponser of the Dis boards. If they support the Dis then I support them.

Don't use Tiffany.

 

[anbouk]

Does anyone know if the Dolphin would allow 2 adults, one child age 10, one child age 8, one child age 2 and an 8 month old baby in the same room? We LOVE the Dolphin and would like to stay there again!

I would call them and ask them over the phone if this is permitted. We have 3 kids and it is not a problem at the Dolphin. They may want you to book perhaps a larger room (fam suite, etc.) for their safety/fire reasons.

 

[Soupermom]

I'm trying to plan a stay at the S/D for March, 2009. When would you suggest I make the ressies? If the rate drops, can I apply the change after initial ressie is made? I know it's a long way off, but what kind of rate do you think I can expect to get? Our options would be...

AAA
Fl. Resident
teacher rate (DH and I are both teachers)

I also signed up at the SPG website, if that helps.

I just need a little guidance so I know what to budget...

TIA!