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

[DisneyFans4]

Hey Queenof Celts-
Wow, the HSIA is basically the resort fee so for me it's not going to mean anything. The bad thing is the price is based on 24 hrs. I use the internet while I'm there but once I log on the count is going to start and I basically log on just to check e-mails and then I'm off.
I agree, if your a Starwood member or even staying on club level, I think this service should be free.
Where did you find this info?

 

[QueenOfCelts]

I read that on WDWIG. I would have mentioned it earlier, but I am always paranoid about what we can post and what we can't.

That $10.95 charge per 24 hours for the internet is a stinger...that's for sure!

 

[NancyIL]

I read that on WDWIG. I would have mentioned it earlier, but I am always paranoid about what we can post and what we can't.

That $10.95 charge per 24 hours for the internet is a stinger...that's for sure!

I never used the internet or any of the other services covered by the resort fee when I stayed there in the past. As to the HSIA being high...seems pretty cheap, after paying 50 cents a MINUTE for very slow internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

 

[gm]

We just returned from July 17 to 24 and I was the one who posted about the Dive in Movie and no they did not charge anyone to watch it. In fact they advertised it on this huge ball that was floating between the Swan and Dolphin. We showed early and I saw no one being charged at all in fact the Lifeguard got on the bridge and were tossing big huge round floats to sit on. They did have a booth set up that you could buy popcorn and drinks.

I do not know if it has changed since them but we were just there.

On a side note: I would think it wouldnt be very customer service friendly if they tried to stop someone from entering the pool to swim because they are showing the dive in movie but you never know.

Also maybe that was the first weekend they started Dive in movie and so maybe no charge and now maybe they are starting to charge which I think is terrible especially $15

 

[Disbug]

We just returned from July 17 to 24 and I was the one who posted about the Dive in Movie and no they did not charge anyone to watch it. In fact they advertised it on this huge ball that was floating between the Swan and Dolphin. We showed early and I saw no one being charged at all in fact the Lifeguard got on the bridge and were tossing big huge round floats to sit on. They did have a booth set up that you could buy popcorn and drinks.

I do not know if it has changed since them but we were just there.

On a side note: I would think it wouldnt be very customer service friendly if they tried to stop someone from entering the pool to swim because they are showing the dive in movie but you never know.

Also maybe that was the first weekend they started Dive in movie and so maybe no charge and now maybe they are starting to charge which I think is terrible especially $15

Hi, GM! Thanks for posting that originally and letting us know... I would have walked over there to verify but, I learned this way after the movie was over (3AM) as the group was coming back from a swim. I asked them if they had made the movie as well, and that is the reason they gave for not going earlier.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

I never used the internet or any of the other services covered by the resort fee when I stayed there in the past. As to the HSIA being high...seems pretty cheap, after paying 50 cents a MINUTE for very slow internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Actually, I don't think $10.95 is out of the normal range at all, that's about what just about everywhere charges. My comment was more directed towards DisneyFans4 who said all she wants to do is check her email everyday...which will cost her $10.95 everyday, no matter how long she is on it. That's all.

 

[DisneyFans4]

So let me get this right, there is now a charge for the dive in movie?
I do use the internet while I'm there but with the fee I won't be making it a daily thing. I'll wait to get online on those days where I want to relax and hang at the pool so that I can get my 24 hours worth?

 

[Disbug]

So let me get this right, there is now a charge for the dive in movie?
I do use the internet while I'm there but with the fee I won't be making it a daily thing. I'll wait to get online on those days where I want to relax and hang at the pool so that I can get my 24 hours worth?

Waving hello to the boards! DisneyFans4... I say let's get someone who is going soon, to run over on Saturday night and get us the scoop! I can't believe anyone would pay $15 for a dive-in movie.... and am almost convinced that the sign they saw was for something else. Maybe a hotdog and drink, along with the movie? I just don't know... and wish I had asked a resort employee about it during our stay.

Oh, I'm sure everyone knows this (except me at the time ).... but, if you are going to use your mini-bar as a fridge and you don't have medical reasons to use it..you will be charged about $22 to have the mini-bar cleaned out. I wish they had told me this upfront, because I had originally requested a refrigerator with a little freezer. But when it never came, I called to have the mini-bar cleaned out.

Depending on the length of your stay, one or the other might work better for your family. I wanted one to freeze our water bottles for the parks. Nothing better than ice cold water when it's hot out!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Well I'll be there in 3 more days so I'll find out about the movie and if it costs money. I can't see as a guest of the hotel that you would pay to see the movie. I can see paying to buy snacks but not to see the movie but I will find out and let everyone know.
I always tell the front desk I don't want to the key to the minibar fridge just in case of any type of mistake. I always bring my foldable cooler bag and fill it up with ice from the ice machine and keep my drinks in there. That's my fridge.

 

[#1hockeymom]

3am.... swimming... this sounds like my group, minus mom!

Just a quick mention. DO NOT I repeat DO NOT use the phone to call your mother/brother/sister/cousin/Mickey on the cell phone! DS, who didn't get the "don't pick up the phone under any circumstances unless bleeding or on fire, speech, called my cell. I immediately told him to hang up and I called him from the house phone. That less than 20 second phone call ended up costing close to 20 dollars! ACK!

Loved the Dolphin once again, and had a great time at the sorority/lizard meet 2005!
Debbie

 

[DisneyFans4]

We use our cell phone all the time while we're in Disney but it doesn't cost us anything. I guess it depends on what type of plan you have. Our plan we can call over U.S and it's included.

 

[madge]

We use our cell phone all the time while we're in Disney but it doesn't cost us anything. I guess it depends on what type of plan you have. Our plan we can call over U.S and it's included.

Debbie's son used the hotel phone, in their room....to call Debbie on her cell phone.

I have never understood why it costs so much to make a call from a hotel room. It's pretty bad, when desk clerks across America encourage guests to use cell phones to make a call, LOL.

But that's an off-topic discussion for another day

 

[WiscMomof2]

Can any recent visitors to S/D who have used points to upgrade to CL confirm the number of points you were charged per night? Every place I've read has said it's 1000 per night and when I called Starwood reservations I was told it was 1500.

 

[madge]

Can any recent visitors to S/D who have used points to upgrade to CL confirm the number of points you were charged per night? Every place I've read has said it's 1000 per night and when I called Starwood reservations I was told it was 1500.

I've always been charged 1000 points, but I haven't stayed there in a year.

Here's what it says on the SPG website:

Use as few as 1,000 Starpoints® for a room upgrade at any participating Starwood hotel or resort. Arrange for an upgrade within five days of arrival to a Specialty, Specialty Select Room, or Suite. You may upgrade from any category of room with a Free Night Award or a paid reservation. Category of upgrades and Starpoints needed for an upgrade are determined by each hotel and are subject to availability.

You can find more information online, call 1-877-STARWOOD, or ask at the front desk.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Debbie's son used the hotel phone, in their room....to call Debbie on her cell phone.

Oh...okay...now it makes sense. It cost alot because the hotel phone is charging the rate for the state in which the cell phone number is registered to so it's considered an out of state call even though the cell phone is right there with you.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Yes, Madge is correct. My son called me on our hotel phone to my cell phone. I kid you not it was less than 20 seconds (yes, I know they charge by the minute). I still say 20 dollars is way out of wack! Yes, I paid it, gave DS the lecture, and went on my merry way. Lesson learned, eh?

We were charged 1000 points per night for CL. We actually had a choice, 75 dollars or 1000 points. I had never heard the dollar amount before! I know the week we were at AKL they were booked solid. I guess that wasn't the case when we transferred over.

 

[Kaycee]

Hello my S/D friends! I am beginning to plan my next stay at the wonderful Swan resort and I just read that, since my stay there in May, the resort fee has been discontinued and that there is now a separate fee for use of the health club. I believe I read that the fee was $8 a day. Is that correct? And does anyone know if I can pay this fee for just 2 or 3 days of my stay, or is it an all-or-nothing option where I will be charged each day of my stay if I elect to use the health club?

 

[DisneyFans4]

You will be charged each time you use the health club from what I have heard. I too am arriving very shortly and I use the internet and I've heard that's a 24 hour fee so I guess I'll see when I get there.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Well I'll be there in 3 more days so I'll find out about the movie and if it costs money. I can't see as a guest of the hotel that you would pay to see the movie. I can see paying to buy snacks but not to see the movie but I will find out and let everyone know.
I always tell the front desk I don't want to the key to the minibar fridge just in case of any type of mistake. I always bring my foldable cooler bag and fill it up with ice from the ice machine and keep my drinks in there. That's my fridge.

I wrote an email to the Dolphin to find out if there is a charge for the movie.. Here is the response:

Hello Mr Smith,

There is no charge for the movie. Enjoy.

Curt Boughner
Service Promise Help Desk Manager

 

[gm]

Yeaayy!!

I knew it would not be right to charge to see a movie especially at $15

We really enjoyed watching the movie "finding nemo". It truly was set up in a really cool way in the cave area. I hope they continue this year round.