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

[wdwcindy]

For those who have stayed at the Swan, is a resort view w/ balcony "worth it" or would you book a standard or lake view and ask for the room to be in a particular area of the building?

What should I ask for as far as view, location etc?

Thanks for any advice.

wdwcindy

 

[paras4ri]

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

I can help, it's National!

Sorry I can't help with your question Cindy, haven't stayed at the Swan...YET!

 

[magicaddict]

Thanks Gail!

 

[NancyIL]

Alamo is also at the Dolphin.

 

[Twigs]

is a resort view w/ balcony "worth it"

We had a resort view with balcony and we felt that it was worth it, it was nice to sit out there. We were facing the west wing and we could see the beach from it so it was a relaxing view. After we were there a couple of days, there was a water leak on our floor and they had to move us, and we ended up getting an Epcot view on the 7th floor of the east wing, and If I stayed there again this is what I would request. It was a great view, especially at night, and you can see both Wishes and Illuminations fireworks!

 

[Part of Your World]

I think I really liked the Dolphin better. There were more conveniences available without leaving the resort. (even if it was a longer walk) I also loved the King corner turret balcony room we had on the 9th floor. What a view. Windows all around and two balconies. Also had a pull out sofa.

Do you happen to remember what the turret room numbers are, or what specifically to ask for as SPG gold to have better chance of getting one? I have debated it, and have decided that a west wing turret would suit the kids better, being close to the pools. We are going the first week in May.

Thanks for the help.

 

[dreamflight99]

Do you happen to remember what the turret room numbers are, or what specifically to ask for as SPG gold to have better chance of getting one? I have debated it, and have decided that a west wing turret would suit the kids better, being close to the pools. We are going the first week in May.

Thanks for the help.

Hello! I am unsure of all the other floor numbers, but the TURRET rooms will all be the "15" and "14" rooms on the wings. For example, the turret rooms located on the Far East Wing are as follows:

*For the Epcot view:

5015,
6015,
7015, etc.

Across the hall, facing MGM Studios:

5014,
5016,
5018, etc.

These KING ROOMS with TURRET BALCONY are located on each wing at the very end of the hall (all four sections) facing the Swan. All have a standard balcony as well, and are extra-roomy. The TURRET literally affords a view of everything, as you can walk to the end and Look around the corner. It is also "covered" and very private/romantic. Some are partially obscured by palms, others are open. But all have a nice rail, and offer a great alternate view of the world. Enjoy!!

 

[Part of Your World]

Thanks for the subtle reminder that they're KING rooms. Do they have sleep sofas or is there another viable option for DD 4 and DS 7.5?

We stayed at the Swan last time, and got a decent SPG Gold upgrade to a balcony, west view on 7th floor. Had to pay for club access; it was NOT really worth it. Remember that the balcony was blazing HOT in April, that the air vent from wall AC duct blew directly onto the pillows of the bed, making sleeping a problem, and that the carpeting in the hallways was bunched up everywhere. LOVED the hotel, the location, and the grotto pool!

Is there such thing as asking for too much in the room requests/club access/view? Still SPG Gold, and want to get EVERYTHING!

THANKS for all the great advice in this thread!

 

[Loves2Travel]

Thanks for the subtle reminder that they're KING rooms. Do they have sleep sofas or is there another viable option for DD 4 and DS 7.5?

We stayed at the Swan last time, and got a decent SPG Gold upgrade to a balcony, west view on 7th floor. Had to pay for club access; it was NOT really worth it. Remember that the balcony was blazing HOT in April, that the air vent from wall AC duct blew directly onto the pillows of the bed, making sleeping a problem, and that the carpeting in the hallways was bunched up everywhere. LOVED the hotel, the location, and the grotto pool!

Is there such thing as asking for too much in the room requests/club access/view? Still SPG Gold, and want to get EVERYTHING!

THANKS for all the great advice in this thread!

Wait im really confused? What kind of room were you in? A king or 2 queens? Also are all balcony rooms like this? We are thinking of either getting a room with a balcony or getting a room on the Club floor. What would you reccomend?

 

[dreamflight99]

Thanks for the subtle reminder that they're KING rooms. Do they have sleep sofas or is there another viable option for DD 4 and DS 7.5?

We stayed at the Swan last time, and got a decent SPG Gold upgrade to a balcony, west view on 7th floor. Had to pay for club access; it was NOT really worth it. Remember that the balcony was blazing HOT in April, that the air vent from wall AC duct blew directly onto the pillows of the bed, making sleeping a problem, and that the carpeting in the hallways was bunched up everywhere. LOVED the hotel, the location, and the grotto pool!

Is there such thing as asking for too much in the room requests/club access/view? Still SPG Gold, and want to get EVERYTHING!

THANKS for all the great advice in this thread!

Wow...are you in for a surprise! By your description, this was BEFORE the renovations, which corrected all the problems outlined in your post. Please note: The A/C VENTS are completely adjustable. Merely "move" the exterior sections of vents horizontally, and the interior section of vents laterally. Very simple manipulations will easily direct the air flow just about anyway you prefer.

These rooms do have a sofa, but I am not sure if it is a sleeper. Alternatives would be day beds, which would be accommodated in this room type.

Gold SPG usually receives free upgrade to a "preferred view" (a balcony is an additional request). Club access was once a complimentary perk associated with Gold, but is now a standard amenity only offered free to Platinum SPG. Although I would still "ask" for the comp, as you never know unless you do. In fact, it never hurts to ask for anything and everything you wish to have during your stay. Based upon availability, you just may receive your requests!

I'm currently Plat. SPG, and have been for eons. I LOVE the SPG program, and all the perks associated with this level of membership. Of course, above the standard expected, these vary depending on resort location. The Dolphin staff has consistently proved to be one of the BEST, with respect to guest satisfaction/requests.

Enjoy!!

 

[Loves2Travel]

Wow...are you in for a surprise! By your description, this was BEFORE the renovations, which corrected all the problems outlined in your post. Please note: The A/C VENTS are completely adjustable. Merely "move" the exterior sections of vents horizontally, and the interior section of vents laterally. Very simple manipulations will easily direct the air flow just about anyway you prefer.

These rooms do have a sofa, but I am not sure if it is a sleeper. Alternatives would be day beds, which would be accommodated in this room type.

Gold SPG usually receives free upgrade to a "preferred view" (a balcony is an additional request). Club access was once a complimentary perk associated with Gold, but is now a standard amenity only offered free to Platinum SPG. Although I would still "ask" for the comp, as you never know unless you do. In fact, it never hurts to ask for anything and everything you wish to have during your stay. Based upon availability, you just may receive your requests!

I'm currently Plat. SPG, and have been for eons. I LOVE the SPG program, and all the perks associated with this level of membership. Of course, above the standard expected, these vary depending on resort location. The Dolphin staff has consistently proved to be one of the BEST, with respect to guest satisfaction/requests.

Enjoy!!

Can you share with me just how you become a Gold/Plat member? Once you are does it ever expire?

 

[Part of Your World]

Can you share with me just how you become a Gold/Plat member? Once you are does it ever expire?

Hi. Either you stay just 10 times (or 25 nights) a year, and earn Gold status (which will expire if threshhold isn't met each year), or you can purchase a Starwood Vacation Ownership stake (timeshare), and earn lifetime gold status. The benefits are pretty good.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Part of Your World]

Wow...are you in for a surprise! By your description, this was BEFORE the renovations, which corrected all the problems outlined in your post. Please note: The A/C VENTS are completely adjustable. Merely "move" the exterior sections of vents horizontally, and the interior section of vents laterally. Very simple manipulations will easily direct the air flow just about anyway you prefer.

I guess I WILL be in for a surprise then. The Swan folks told me I had been placed in a renovated room last visit. Those darned AC things were so bad that we ended up stuffing a bath towel into the louvers to stop the intense draft!

THANK YOU! I will ask for the world and see what happens!

 

[safetymom]

I am Starwood gold by being a preferred level flyer with USAirways. Every year Starwood sends me a gold card.

 

[paras4ri]

Anybody got some news to share from a recent stay????

 

[shortcake_smurf]

Hi Paras4ri - We just got back Saturday from the Dolphin. We had a wonderful stay. They really are heavenly beds!!! I never sleep in a hotel, but I had no problem there. Rooms were great, we had a view of Epcot and the fireworks. Would stay there again in a minute. - MaryAnn

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Has anyone stayed at Swan or Dolphin since the new parking rates have started?

Curious if there is a booth taking money? And confirming that each in and out is $7 and overnight is extra????

I still think the parking rates are rediculous.

Debbie

 

[shortcake_smurf]

Hi - You get a ticket when you park and there is a booth that takes money. It is $7 per day for self-parking. It is not extra for overnight. We parked in the valet parking the first day because there was a cheerleading competition going on and there was no self-parking. My husband moved the car the next day to self-parking. We were charged $28.00 when we left ($7 x 4 days). - MaryAnn

 

[paras4ri]

I noticed on some other threads that SOG is now charging for parking as well. Is this the wave of the future?

 

[dreamflight99]

Can you share with me just how you become a Gold/Plat member? Once you are does it ever expire?

As others posted, you must now meet the minimum requirements to achieve the status of Plat each year. SPG used to offer a more liberal system when applying for these upper levels of membership (and still offer Gold with certain other memberships as Safetymom posted).

Yet, with all the wonderful perks associated with Platinum, it is no longer offered as freely as before. Now, it's imperative a member must meet the minimum requirements for this level. This means at least 25 stays, 50 nights, or $50K in Starwood hotel expeditures within 12 months. My Platinum status was recently renewed for 2005-2006! By the time we reach the Dolphin this summer, we'll be in shape for another solid Platinum year for 2006-2007!!

shortcake_smurf~Hmmm. $28...even? Then the "added tax" on top of this is not true. Good to read. Thank you for the update. I will only have a vehicle for about a third of the time I'm on property, amounting to an additional $91+ dollars to allocate for parking! This would not even cover two days in San Francisco (for hotel parking)!

TTFN...DF99