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

[Goofy's Muse]

... When I asked I was told that fire codes allow 5 per room in the Dolphin but only 4 per room in the Swan.

Is this true for sure? I was thinking I might prefer the Swan with double queen beds plus a roll-away (2 adults, 3 kids), but perhaps that's not an option afterall?

 

[dreamflight99]

Is this true for sure? I was thinking I might prefer the Swan with double queen beds plus a roll-away (2 adults, 3 kids), but perhaps that's not an option afterall?

Try calling the Swan, just to be sure. Yet, I believe what Gail posted is correct. Please, post the results of your call. TIA!

 

[madge]

Try calling the Swan, just to be sure. Yet, I believe what Gail posted is correct. Please, post the results of your call. TIA!

when I had my third, we had to start staying at the Dolphin. Only 4 in the standard rooms at the Swan

 

[dreamflight99]

I saw another thread on here mentioning a starwood gift card (never knew they existed!). So...I went on eBay and did a search using Starwood, WOW! I came across a few great-looking auctions for anyone heading to the WDW Dolphin/Swan before March 31, 2005. They include two eves, and begin at $250.00! ($125 per eve, not bad!). This seller has three of these on auction. There is another auction for two weekend eves in March, and also includes the Swan/Dolphin. It has a couple days left, and is currently at about $103!! I should check here once in a while. I was hoping to find a gift card, etc.!! (LOL).

 

[kimmar067]

Don't tell anybody that I'm sneaking in here to say that, although I didn't stay at S/D THIS TIME, we did have a wonderful vaca!! (Too bad Caroline and I never DID get to meet !)
[You can check out some pix on my thread[on Resorts Board!] "Just Got Back from AKL ~ Any Questions?" on pg 3... ]

 

[dreamflight99]

Does anyone know if the NEW bookstore in the Dolphin Resort is open yet? It was near the lobby (location) and should be truly wonderful! I am also excited over the opening (summer 2005) of the new SPA!! All these fabulous features, right in the center of my favorite resort.

 

[melsmom303]

dreamflight i asked about the starwood gift cards yes go to starwood .com and you can buy them the starwood ones are good at all starwood hotels the sheraton and wesin can be purshased also but only good at those certain hotels so i got the starwood good at swan and dolphin i called and they said yes i can use it at swan or dolphin resort

 

[dreamflight99]

Thanks, Melsmom!

 

[kimmar067]

...here are a couple 'o pix from our trip last week (okay, so it ISN'T the S/D, but it IS a WDW resort! ):

 

[#1hockeymom]

I love the pictures! Here is the link to the sorority lounge, where you can find everyone else! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=680723&goto=newpost
Oh.. I need to go to Disney! I can't even tell you how much I am pining for AKL.

 

[Gator Kate]

I called the Swan and the front desk said it's $7.00 for daytime parking and an additional $7.00 if you spend the night. Hence, she said the total for resort guests would be $14.00 plus tax. She was adament that this was correct. Can anyone vouch for this info? Thanks.

 

[beehive123]

I haven't read all the posts, so sorry if I missed it. Which hotel
does everyone prefer, Swan or Dolphin? We have never stayed
at either but I'm thinking of changing to one rather than going
to Beach Club. I think S/D might be cheaper. WE are a
family of 4, children age 3 & 4 which one has less walking?

 

[MrsJ Henry]

 

[Loves2Travel]

I would like to take advantage of the Teacher/Education Support Staff discount but have some questions...

Do TA's (teacher assistants) count? I am a TA at my local college.

Also my mother is a teacher, can she book the discount for me?

PS: Is the "Magical Express" service avail at the Swan and Dolphin?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[paras4ri]

I would like to take advantage of the Teacher/Education Support Staff discount but have some questions...

Do TA's (teacher assistants) count? I am a TA at my local college.

Also my mother is a teacher, can she book the discount for me?

PS: Is the "Magical Express" service avail at the Swan and Dolphin?

Thanks for the help guys!

I can help with some of your questions!
Unfortunately the Magical Express service is not available for S/D guests.
I believe you qualify for the discount being a TA but I'm hoping someone else can confirm that one. If your mother makes the reservation to qualify for the discount she must be the one to check in so if she's not coming on your trip unfortunately that idea won't work.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

I'm travelling to WDW through a work conference and staying at the Dolphin for 5 nights. We're adding on another 6 nights for our personal family travel for a total of 11 nights at the Dolphin. I originally booked club level at $224 a night thanks to an allears code. The bill came in through my AMEX and with the Canadian exchange rate it was $315 (not including the resort fee)! Ouch!! I knew my boss would have some serious problems paying for this during my conference days (as the confernece is actually at the Marriot World Conference Center - 1 mile east of WDW). Anyway so after worrying about this for about a week I just now phoned the Dolphin back and downgraded to a lake view room for $169 (with the allears code it's a standard room for $169 with an automatic 1 level upgrade).

I need your thoughts on doing this. Will I be regretting this in taking the club level away? We had also requested a King bed room but the reservations person told me that none of the lake view rooms have king beds. just doubles. Is there any difference in the actual room from a lake view room to a club level room?

I also will have $12000 spg points when we travel. I'm wondering if I can upgrade us to club level from the lake view room with these points when we get there. What do you think the chances of us doing this?

Please help,
Andy

 

[paras4ri]

I just got the following response from the S/D regarding an e-mail I sent about the new parking fees. I said that several people have phoned the hotels directly and have been told that hotel guests will be paying a total of $14.00 for self-parking. Here is their response:

We are aware that you will be staying with us and have some questions regarding the parking charge. The parking charge does not actually go into affect until the 14th of March and the price will be $7 a day plus tax for our resort guests. If you are a resort guest your room key will allow you access in and out of our parking area and the one day charge will be applied via the front desk. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us (407) 934-4025.
Have a Magical Day!

"The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Concierge"

 

[maggiew]

Hi Gang

I'm travelling to WDW through a work conference and staying at the Dolphin for 5 nights. We're adding on another 6 nights for our personal family travel for a total of 11 nights at the Dolphin. I originally booked club level at $224 a night thanks to an allears code. The bill came in through my AMEX and with the Canadian exchange rate it was $315 (not including the resort fee)! Ouch!! I knew my boss would have some serious problems paying for this during my conference days (as the confernece is actually at the Marriot World Conference Center - 1 mile east of WDW). Anyway so after worrying about this for about a week I just now phoned the Dolphin back and downgraded to a lake view room for $169 (with the allears code it's a standard room for $169 with an automatic 1 level upgrade).

I need your thoughts on doing this. Will I be regretting this in taking the club level away? We had also requested a King bed room but the reservations person told me that none of the lake view rooms have king beds. just doubles. Is there any difference in the actual room from a lake view room to a club level room?

I also will have $12000 spg points when we travel. I'm wondering if I can upgrade us to club level from the lake view room with these points when we get there. What do you think the chances of us doing this?

Please help,
Andy

I've never stayed the Club level, so can't really answer your question. But from what I have read on these boards, for the most part people are happy with the club level if they were upgraded for free (for being gold) or get it with points. People don't think its such a great deal if you PAY for the club level.

Maggie

 

[Mouseteacher]

I agree with Maggie. I believe that the S/D are no longer giving comp CL access unless you are Platinum. However, you can use your points to access CL. I believe you must wait for check-in to do that.

 

[magicaddict]

DF I'm hoping you can help here. What is the car rental company on site at S/D? Thanks in advance?