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

[disneygirl29]

I have seen a few posts (not under this thread but another) that ME and the ddp are now available at the swan and dolphin. Can someone confirm that information.

We would love to get back to staying at the swan or dolphin (we have stayed there many time using the teacher rate) but with the invention of the DDP and ME we have stopped and switched to another deluxe or the mods.

If this is an option I would switch for our upcoming trip at thanksgiving!

It is hard to pay out of pocket for mears and also dining, when the DDP and ME are offered, especially with some good discoutns.

 

[kimmar067]

KIMMAR!!!!

How's everthing on the WL thread? I'll have to stop by a give a wave, etc. I have always loved that thread, the talks of "touching the nose of the bear in the lobby" along with the little memory box (remember that?) and all the other special MAGICAL things which coincide with that incredible resort. Everyone over there *(WL thread) is warm, welcoming and always so friendly! Nice to know some things never change...... ^_^

PM me when you have a moment to catch-up on life.

....actually, my 'newest baby' is the "JAMBO!....." AKL thread on the Resorts Board........but a few of us 'originals' keep in touch on the "Humbphrey The Bear..." thread.....

 

[anbouk]

I have seen a few posts (not under this thread but another) that ME and the ddp are now available at the swan and dolphin. Can someone confirm that information.

We would love to get back to staying at the swan or dolphin (we have stayed there many time using the teacher rate) but with the invention of the DDP and ME we have stopped and switched to another deluxe or the mods.

If this is an option I would switch for our upcoming trip at thanksgiving!

It is hard to pay out of pocket for mears and also dining, when the DDP and ME are offered, especially with some good discoutns.

Hmm...where did you read/see that Wishful thinking....that would be AWESOME, but, I cannot seem to believe that as they are owned by Sheraton/Westin Hotels.

*BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, COMING BACK*

 

[disneygirl29]

Hmm...where did you read/see that Wishful thinking....that would be AWESOME, but, I cannot seem to believe that as they are owned by Sheraton/Westin Hotels.

*BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, COMING BACK*

I didn't think that the Swan/Dolphin participated in ME either, but lo and behold, when I went this July, at the airport while we were in line for our resort, there was a sign for the Swan/Dolphin at ME. ....I never had an opportunity to ask if this was now being added as a perk for those guests, or whether they were just testing it out. But, there WERE people lined up for the Swan/Dolphin at the bus queue.

I thought this too. However, when I went online to check prices, it gave me the option of booking the Swan or Dolphin on a package, and low and behold, also gave me the option of adding ME. Perhaps it is on room-only reservations that the Swan/Dolphin doesn't participate in ME?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1557232&page=2&highlight=deluxe+cheap


I was not aware that anything had changed (meaning that they did have ME or DDP as an option) but I would be thrilled if that were true... I would switch in a heartbeat!

 

[TaraPA]

ME at S/D?!?!?

Just waiting on confirmation of this. Seems like maybe it's only or S/D packages, or a test run?

I'll wait patiently here til we hear anything!

 

[disneygirl29]

I think I will call and check... I had heard a rumor of this 6+ months ago and asked, but the CM didn't know anything about it, so my guess was it was just rumor. But these posts seem to say they had first hand knowledge of it... unless there has been a change and you can purchase your mears and hop on the ME (Mears runs the ME, jsut no cost associated with it for true disney resorts) I am going to call and ask...

We do the packages, but have onyl booked the S/W directly, not thru disney, so we can use the teacher discount. My guess is that would not work booking a package anyways!

 

[Blondie]

That would be great if DME extends to all guests of the S/D resorts! I know it would make a lot of people happy!

It won't really matter to us because we always rent a car, but I hope those that need DME and stay at the S/D can have the convenience extended to them as well! Fingers crossed!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I found the atmosphere a bit "tight" - it reminded me of being in an upstairs room (which is what it is. )

I had quail and didn't care for it. I don't remember what DH had. This was a few years back... but even these past two visits, we checked out the menu and really liked Chefs de France better. I also feel the room downstairs is more spacious.

We both had the tenderloin and DD had the salmon. Last year, I had the tenderloin, DH had the short ribs, and DD had the chicken. But, I just now checked the menu at Chefs de France, and I don't see the tenderloin!! Not sure if they have changed their menu since June!

Again - remember this is my opinion - others may feel differently - and I am sure where ever you eat will be magical!! I don't thing there are any "bad meals" in Epcot's World Showcase!!

Thanks for the info. I'm envisioning a room with one tiny window, where you have to bend over to walk around. Naturally, there's a the creepy porcelain doll staring at us. Seriously, I'm hoping for cozy, not cramped. Hopefully, we'll enjoy the food. We share your love for Chefs, so we may not like Bistro as well either. As you said, any dinner in WS is special. I'm hoping Bistro is extra special, & worth the wait.

 

[MSC]

I seriously think folks need to bring the ME/DDP fantasy talk down a notch or two or a million. ME might be possible, but DDP is just never, ever going to happen.

For ME, there would need to be a way to ensure that only Disney guests take part in the program. Because the S/D are such large hotels with a lot of convention traffic, Disney would need to ensure that only folks there for Disney are using the service. Thus, only if you book S/D through the Disney sight AND bought a package with tickets would you be able to book ME. Otherwise, any conventioneer would be able to book his stay through DW.com and be able to use ME. In other words, Disney would need you to prove that you are a Disney customer in order for them to transport you to and from a hotel they don't own.

As for DDP, NEVER going to happen. Let's think it through. The S/D are filled with independent, and very expensive restaurants. Those restaurants (like Shula's and Bluezoo) would never stoop to joining a dining plan where you could get a meal with a credit (or two). There's no way they could make money on that. So why would the S/D want people to be able to get the DDP, since it will guarantee that people will have leave to the hotel for meals? Conversely, why would Disney want to offer a DDP (if it included the S/D restaurants) if it encourages people to eat off property? Plus how would Disney and those independent restaurants ever come to a financial arrangement for reimbursements, etc.? It'd be a nightmare. Never going to happen. Period.

 

[SingingMom]

I seriously think folks need to bring the ME/DDP fantasy talk down a notch or two or a million. ME might be possible, but DDP is just never, ever going to happen.

It'd be a nightmare. Never going to happen. Period.

So THERE! ::stomping feet::

Sorry, couldn't resist.. For some reason, that part of the post tickled me.

 

[MSC]

Well, that's what I am all about: bringing joy to people's lives. Glad to be of service.

I suppose I could be a bit less emphatic next time..........

 

[anbouk]

so,...this makes me ask ....why in the world would there be a sign at ME for Swan/Dolphin????? I think I will call ME or Swan....

 

[SingingMom]

Well, that's what I am all about: bringing joy to people's lives. Glad to be of service.

I suppose I could be a bit less emphatic next time..........

Sometimes it takes something very little to amuse me... you gave me a good chuckle today.

so,...this makes me ask ....why in the world would there be a sign at ME for Swan/Dolphin????? I think I will call ME or Swan....

Could it be what someone mentioned before ... that you can "purchase" the service to get to the Swan/Dolphin?

I'm super spoiled since using Southern Elegance towncars... I like the idea of not lugging my luggage to a shuttle, or worrying about someone else getting my luggage to the shuttle, or sitting on a shuttle and stopping at multiple stops. Car is waiting, grocery stop is taken to pick up water, soda, & pretzels (aren't they EVERYONE'S vacation staples?! ) and then brought right to the front door.
And I wonder why my DH sometimes calls me a "diva"??!

 

[NancyIL]

When I stayed at the Dolphin in Dec. 2005, the wait for a Mears van from the airport was pretty long. I asked at the Mears desk if I could pay to take ME to the Yacht CLub instead - and so I did. Then I just rolled my suitcase over to the Dolphin. My Mears return pick-up at the Dolphin happened to be a ME bus.

I would not be interested in the Disney Dining Plan, even if I stayed at a WDW resort. I don't need to eat THAT much food at one meal.

 

[MSC]

so,...this makes me ask ....why in the world would there be a sign at ME for Swan/Dolphin????? I think I will call ME or Swan....

I think someone above said that ME is available to S/D guests doing a Disney Cruise split stay. I would guess that's what that's about. But that's all it is: a guess.

 

[SingingMom]

When I stayed at the Dolphin in Dec. 2005, the wait for a Mears van from the airport was pretty long. I asked at the Mears desk if I could pay to take ME to the Yacht CLub instead - and so I did. Then I just rolled my suitcase over to the Dolphin. My Mears return pick-up at the Dolphin happened to be a ME bus.

I would not be interested in the Disney Dining Plan, even if I stayed at a WDW resort. I don't need to eat THAT much food at one meal.

I have to agree about the Dining Plan... Sometimes we even miss dinner, or eat at odd hours... I don't like the pressure of having to make so many advanced reservations, either. DH refuses to decide what he wants to eat any earlier than a few days out. LOL

 

[Dislifer]

Sometimes it takes something very little to amuse me... you gave me a good chuckle today.



Could it be what someone mentioned before ... that you can "purchase" the service to get to the Swan/Dolphin?

I'm super spoiled since using Southern Elegance towncars... I like the idea of not lugging my luggage to a shuttle, or worrying about someone else getting my luggage to the shuttle, or sitting on a shuttle and stopping at multiple stops. Car is waiting, grocery stop is taken to pick up water, soda, & pretzels (aren't they EVERYONE'S vacation staples?! ) and then brought right to the front door.
And I wonder why my DH sometimes calls me a "diva"??!

Hi SingingMom!

I reserved a towncar with Southern Elegance for our trip in December. They are going to do our airport transfers to Dolphin and our transfer to Universal. So, they will make a stop for us to get a case or 2 of water????
Sounds super!!! Please tell me more! Thank you!

 

[SingingMom]

Hi SingingMom!

I reserved a towncar with Southern Elegance for our trip in December. They are going to do our airport transfers to Dolphin and our transfer to Universal. So, they will make a stop for us to get a case or 2 of water????
Sounds super!!! Please tell me more! Thank you!

I believe you need to tell them beforehand to request the free "grocery stop". I would suggest getting in touch with them and add that to your reservation info now. You will be pleased with Southern Elegance - they were terrific. We've used them for the past two years.

 

[Dislifer]

I believe you need to tell them beforehand to request the free "grocery stop". I would suggest getting in touch with them and add that to your reservation info now. You will be pleased with Southern Elegance - they were terrific. We've used them for the past two years.

Thanks I will get in touch with them. I used Tiffany TownCar last time and they were absolutely fine and slightly cheaper. I just wanted to give Southern Elegance a try as well. I will call them tomorrow...I wonder if we can stop on our way to the Dolphin and then another stop on our way to Portofino????
Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks I will get in touch with them. I used Tiffany TownCar last time and they were absolutely fine and slightly cheaper. I just wanted to give Southern Elegance a try as well. I will call them tomorrow...I wonder if we can stop on our way to the Dolphin and then another stop on our way to Portofino????
Thanks!

I can't see why not! Just make sure you mention it when you call them.