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

[CJBaby]

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:

Will anyone tell me which room I should/can get for my 1,000 point upgrade ?

I just booked my first room at the Swan using points, and was asked if I wanted to upgrade my room for 1,000 points, so I did. The Starwood rep told me this would just insure a king bed and a bigger room. My question is, does this upgrade mean more, as in a concierge level? Honestly, the most important thing to me is a King bed/bigger room, but if that can come with a "food lounge" too, I would love to know. Following is my room description from my email confirmation. I appreciate any input

Room Description
1 KING
DELUXE NON-SMOKING ROOM, HEAVENLY BED, RESORT VIEW WITH BALCONY, NEWLY RENOVATED, MOVIES/GAMES/VIDEO CHECK OUT, THE RENOVATED ROOM IS 340 SQ FT AND FEATURES VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE COURTYARD, CRESCENT LAKE AND THE SURROUNDING RESORT.

 

[gm]

hi,

that looks like it does not include club level or else it would say CL privileges + I would think to get club level using points you have to wait 5 days prior to arriving to request it just like you would with a paying reservation. Did they charge you 1000 per night for the upgrade of for the whole reservation?

 

[CJBaby]

hi,

that looks like it does not include club level or else it would say CL privileges + I would think to get club level using points you have to wait 5 days prior to arriving to request it just like you would with a paying reservation. Did they charge you 1000 per night for the upgrade of for the whole reservation?

Thanks for your reply. I was charged 1,000 per night for the duration of my stay.

My follow-up question is: are CL rooms nicer than a deluxe room or suite? I am just trying to make sure I make the most out of the points if I'm going to use them In other words, if it is possible to get a nice suite, etc. using the same amount of points, I want to make sure that I at least attempt to!

Thanks again!

 

[zalansky]

We stayed last year and were given a junior suite for the extra 1000 points. Has anyone ever gotten a bigger suite with SPG points? We are looking to stay in December and honestly we need a suite. We have a 2.5 year old and will have a 3 month old at the time. We need the room!
If not, does anyone know how much the bigger suites cost? Just a range....

 

[DisneyFans4]

I had a feeling there would be no charge also, just doesn't seem right.

 

[Disbug]

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

Yes, Debbie! It was your crew that told me about the $15 movie charge! LOL! It was really a moot point since it was late and I was doing laundry... but I still thought it was an outrageous price. Now we'll just have to find out WHAT that $15 was for?? Maybe when DisneyFans4 goes she will see the sign and it will make more sense....

 

[mmausse]

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!

Funny thing Disbug, I knew this and I was in the next room. OOPS, was I supposed to share this knowledge beforehand ......

Upon checkin, I requested a refrig w/ a freezer as I do have medication that has to be mixed and frozen to keep. The Dolphin didn't deliver til the end of the 3rd day. When I saw the mini-fridge(alas no freezer) I requested it be cleaned out - it took them over 6 hours to get it done. But they still tried to charge me $198 for the complete contents of the fridge....it seems the person who emptied it wasn't the right person and God knows what happened to the stuff. They removed the $198 from my bill, but still.......

I guess it pays to be observant and not sweat the small stuff.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'm leaving tomorrow morning so I will let you know about that $15 charge and what it is for. Where was this sign posted so I can look for it?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just stopping by to say hello to the S/D folks.

I have this thread subscribed to so I keep up with all the current 'stuff'. Great resorts.

In the past, I have taken out about a half dozen or so cans of beer and pop (soda) from the mini bar and put them on the counter top above the bar (by the TV) and then replaced them with my own pop cans or water bottles I brought there myself. On my last day, before leaving, I just put them back in the frig, never was charged or had a problem.

Always nice to read this thread.

 

[Blondie]

Hi all!

We do the same Dan, we just remove 3 or 4 things and place our bottled water in it's place.

We've never been charged a removing/re-stocking fee of any kind.

 

[Disbug]

I'm leaving tomorrow morning so I will let you know about that $15 charge and what it is for. Where was this sign posted so I can look for it?

Debbie, (#1Hockeymom)~ You'll have to ask Natalie or Chuckie where they saw this, since Danny is already headed to Canada with his Dad... We'll be back in Sept/Oct and it would be nice if this was still going on!

Waving to Disneyfans4 and wishing her a great trip!

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'll keep my eyes open and let you know when I return.

 

[Tiffany]

Hi All,

Does anyone remember what types of discounts if any were offered by the Swan/Dolphin during Jan of 2005? I know that this is a busy season for them so I was just wondering.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I was kinda wondering if anyone got a good discount for the Swan or Dolphin in Oct last year ? My Dh is a Firefighter and we were told by the Swan/Dolphin that we would get a discount. That was nice BUT she didnt know when or if they would have them for Oct. LOL ( it is the goverment rate)

 

[Disbug]

I was kinda wondering if anyone got a good discount for the Swan or Dolphin in Oct last year ? My Dh is a Firefighter and we were told by the Swan/Dolphin that we would get a discount. That was nice BUT she didnt know when or if they would have them for Oct. LOL ( it is the goverment rate)

Hi, Mad4Mickey! The rate this October was $99 for the first weekend, but is now $139/night. There is no $10 resort fee, but instead you pay by the services you use. $10.95 for internet, etc... There is also a $7/day self-parking fee if you park your car at the Swan/Dolphin resorts. I am unsure what the rates were last October, though... Anyone remember?

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Thanks Disbug ! What hotel do you like the best out of the 2 ? We had no idea and just chose Swan for no reason . Do they both have the Heavenly beds?

We are going to be there Oct 27-30 we are going there after the WL .I bet there will be no discounts during that time cause that is my luck .

 

[dreamflight99]

Hi Kids!!

Currently posting from the WDW Dolphin resort. The mini-bar CAN BE EMPTIED yourself, at ZERO CHARGE!! Please, disregard the notice where you call room-service to empty the bar, and then receive the bill for the service. NO-NO-NO!!!

In the past, when I've emptied it for any reason, I always tape a large paper sign written in RED SHARPIE on the door which reads:

MINI-BAR ASSOCIATE PLEASE KINDLY NOTE:

The CONTENTS of this MINI-BAR have been MOVED to the TOP of the GUEST CLOSET. PLEASE, do not ASSESS any CHARGES for the contents--as NONE have been used/consumed. I have also notified the room service manager of this circumstance. Thank you!!

Before the note, I phone room service and notify the manager I have emptied the contents myself, and stored them in the top shelf of the closet. I've never experienced any problem with this, or any errant charges on my folio.

Mad4Mickey~Although I'm not Disbug...I do not think Denise will mind me posting in response. I prefer the Dolphin, but the Swan is just as lovely--and has some positives to note. The beds in the Swan are QUEEN, whereas the Dolphin has FULL size beds. Also, the Swan has the infamous "Hollywood Bath" (with a vanity and SINK) outside the interior bathroom. The Dolphin boasts a vanity (sans the sink) outside all interior bathrooms. Both have heavenly showers, (amazingly roomy due to the patented curved rod), and incredible amenities~! You will not be disappointed with either resort.

Nice to see you DAN... , It's been a while.

Still enjoying my summer "sojourn" (LOL). Going on 8 weeks yesterday...and still having FUN & LAUGHS each day!! The humidity bothered me a bit last week...but I coped by hopping in the Grotto pool each afternoon and again in late eves! Wonderful therapy. The MAGIC LIVES...and continues to entertain and entice me each and every day. I NEVER tire of ANYTHING here!!

Enjoy the summer!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Mickeygirl]

Do they charge for extra people in the room It will be me, DH, DS and his GF. They are both over 18

Thanks for the info

 

[Mouseteacher]

Yes, Mickeygirl, there is a charge - $25 for each extra person over 17 staying in the room.

I would be hard pressed to choose one resort over the other. I have stayed at both and loved everything about each stay. If I were forced (like pinning me down LOL) to make a choice, it would be the Swan. I like the more intimate feel of the Swan and I do like the extra sink area.

Have great trip - you can't go wrong with the Swan or Dolphin!

 

[madge]

Hi Kids!!

Currently posting from the WDW Dolphin resort. The mini-bar CAN BE EMPTIED yourself, at ZERO CHARGE!! Please, disregard the notice where you call room-service to empty the bar, and then receive the bill for the service. NO-NO-NO!!!

In the past, when I've emptied it for any reason, I always tape a large paper sign written in RED SHARPIE on the door which reads:

MINI-BAR ASSOCIATE PLEASE KINDLY NOTE:

The CONTENTS of this MINI-BAR have been MOVED to the TOP of the GUEST CLOSET. PLEASE, do not ASSESS any CHARGES for the contents--as NONE have been used/consumed. I have also notified the room service manager of this circumstance. Thank you!!

Before the note, I phone room service and notify the manager I have emptied the contents myself, and stored them in the top shelf of the closet. I've never experienced any problem with this, or any errant charges on my folio.

Mad4Mickey~Although I'm not Disbug...I do not think Denise will mind me posting in response. I prefer the Dolphin, but the Swan is just as lovely--and has some positives to note. The beds in the Swan are QUEEN, whereas the Dolphin has FULL size beds. Also, the Swan has the infamous "Hollywood Bath" (with a vanity and SINK) outside the interior bathroom. The Dolphin boasts a vanity (sans the sink) outside all interior bathrooms. Both have heavenly showers, (amazingly roomy due to the patented curved rod), and incredible amenities~! You will not be disappointed with either resort.

Nice to see you DAN... , It's been a while.

Still enjoying my summer "sojourn" (LOL). Going on 8 weeks yesterday...and still having FUN & LAUGHS each day!! The humidity bothered me a bit last week...but I coped by hopping in the Grotto pool each afternoon and again in late eves! Wonderful therapy. The MAGIC LIVES...and continues to entertain and entice me each and every day. I NEVER tire of ANYTHING here!!

Enjoy the summer!

TTFN...DF99

Hi Dreamflight!!! Love hearing your reports from INSIDE the magic!! Glad you're having a great trip!!