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

[DisneyFreaks]

Approximately $429

Thank you QueenOfCelts. And the Entertainment Book rate would be 50% off of that? Wow that's pretty good.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Thank you QueenOfCelts. And the Entertainment Book rate would be 50% off of that? Wow that's pretty good.

You are quite welcome!

Now the rate I gave you might not be exact, but it should be a good ballpark figure. Go to SPG.com and use your exact dates. Scroll thru all the choices and somewhere in there you should find rack rate.

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

We are planning on going mid June next year to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We stayed at the Dolphin on our honeymoon, but haven't stayed there since. Any tips or advice for me in planning our stay there for next summer? We might buy AP's, will AP rates still be offered by the S/D then? If we don't do AP's, how else can we get a cheaper rate? I am registered on the Starwood site, but don't have any points.
Thanks!

 

[QueenOfCelts]

That's just the description I needed - thank you so much!

You are very welcome! Enjoy the room and your trip! Seriously, we LOVED our room and the location!

 

[QueenOfCelts]

We are planning on going mid June next year to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We stayed at the Dolphin on our honeymoon, but haven't stayed there since. Any tips or advice for me in planning our stay there for next summer? We might buy AP's, will AP rates still be offered by the S/D then? If we don't do AP's, how else can we get a cheaper rate? I am registered on the Starwood site, but don't have any points.
Thanks!

I think the Swan/Dolphin almost always offer an AP discount. The Entertainment Book rate I hear is a good one ( 50% off rack rate). As for being a member of Starwood, it will probably get you an upgrade but I don't think it gets you a discount unless they run some special.

 

[madge]

We are planning on going mid June next year to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We stayed at the Dolphin on our honeymoon, but haven't stayed there since. Any tips or advice for me in planning our stay there for next summer? We might buy AP's, will AP rates still be offered by the S/D then? If we don't do AP's, how else can we get a cheaper rate? I am registered on the Starwood site, but don't have any points.
Thanks!

In addition to what QueenofCelts suggested, I would keep checking on this site, allearsnet, etc. There are discounts offered on these sites that aren't always offered elsewhere (the $99 special for Aug/Sept comes to mind)

Are you eligible for government, teacher, or nurse rates?

 

[cindyfan]

QueenOfCelts........... thanks for all the great answers!!!!
It is greatly appreciated!!!

We are planning June 06, but...... with school, and DD's Band activities and camps...... can't get a definite date yet!
And oldest DD and DSiL + 2 grandsons are planning too.

Oldest DD can get teacher's discount, and I can get AAA. DH is Starwood club member, but not many points.
I usually get the Entertainment book and just might get AP this year..... may end up planning a solo trip too!

So with these different options.......
typically..... how far in advance should we call for reservations for S/D?
Do they run out of discounted rooms like the regular WDW resorts do?
Or can I wait till closer to Xmas to call? Just don't want to be constantly calling to change dates, etc.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

QueenOfCelts........... thanks for all the great answers!!!!
It is greatly appreciated!!!

We are planning June 06, but...... with school, and DD's Band activities and camps...... can't get a definite date yet!
And oldest DD and DSiL + 2 grandsons are planning too.

Oldest DD can get teacher's discount, and I can get AAA. DH is Starwood club member, but not many points.
I usually get the Entertainment book and just might get AP this year..... may end up planning a solo trip too!

So with these different options.......
typically..... how far in advance should we call for reservations for S/D?
Do they run out of discounted rooms like the regular WDW resorts do?
Or can I wait till closer to Xmas to call? Just don't want to be constantly calling to change dates, etc.

I too am planning a Christmas trip to WDW. I have checked the rates for S/D and interestingly enough, the rates there appear to be the opposite of regular WDW hotels. By that I mean, when checking the rates, I found the closer to Christmas I got, the less the rates were at S/D, as we all know, that's not the case with WDW hotels.

I plan on having my ressies made within the next few weeks. Normally I use DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com to check on rates/specials for the Swan and Dolphin. (I hope I am allowed to mention that site - sorry if I am not)

Not as much info as you probably want, but I don't want to tell you something incorrect.

 

[ktink]

I hope this question isn't too stupid but I'm wondering can you get the MYW Dining package while staying at the Swan & Dolphin? We just got back from a stay at CSR and we loved that resort but want to try the different resorts and DH kept asking everytime we drove by a different question about the resort. Thanks in advance.

 

[paras4ri]

I hope this question isn't too stupid but I'm wondering can you get the MYW Dining package while staying at the Swan & Dolphin? We just got back from a stay at CSR and we loved that resort but want to try the different resorts and DH kept asking everytime we drove by a different question about the resort. Thanks in advance.

Sorry to say that free dining, when offered, is not available at the Dolphin or Swan. Magical Express is also not included.

 

[Jim from Jersey]

I haven't been able to find much information regarding Junior Suite's at the Dolphin. Does anyone have any valuable information to share? Room / location requests, etc.? Also, has anyone who has paid for a Junior Suite ever been upgraded? I am a Starwood Preferred Guest, but only have about 1,700 pts. We have a Junior Suite reserved for Oct. 28 - Nov. 4th and I was just curious...............Thanks.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

You are quite welcome!

Now the rate I gave you might not be exact, but it should be a good ballpark figure. Go to SPG.com and use your exact dates. Scroll thru all the choices and somewhere in there you should find rack rate.

Thanks so much QueenOfCelts. I did find it and you were right. I don't see too many people posting about the Entertainment Book rate though. Are there better rates than that or is the EB rate hard to get? We are AAA members do they have AAA discounts at the S/D? Are they better than what is offered at WDW hotels or about the same? And do you know if there is a limit to how many rooms you can book with any certain discount? We will be needing four rooms. I really appreciate your help. I hate calling the hotel and asking alot of questions. LoL

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I haven't been able to find much information regarding Junior Suite's at the Dolphin. Does anyone have any valuable information to share? Room / location requests, etc.? Also, has anyone who has paid for a Junior Suite ever been upgraded? I am a Starwood Preferred Guest, but only have about 1,700 pts. We have a Junior Suite reserved for Oct. 28 - Nov. 4th and I was just curious...............Thanks.

We are back from our trip. We stayed at the Dolphin in a Junior Suite for 1 night, Boardwalk Villa's for 2 nights and Wilderness Lodge Villa's for 3 nights. Our stay at the Dolphin was short but we did get to check out the new decor. We have stayed at the Dolphin on several other visits in a Junior Suite. This time the suite was smaller than in the past. Before the new decor the suite was equal to 3 regular rooms with a different layout. The Junior Suites now are 2 regular rooms with a different layout. The decor was beautiful and the beds "heavenly". If you want a view of Epcot request a suite on a a high floor in the East wing.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

We are back from our trip. We stayed at the Dolphin in a Junior Suite for 1 night, Boardwalk Villa's for 2 nights and Wilderness Lodge Villa's for 3 nights. Our stay at the Dolphin was short but we did get to check out the new decor. We have stayed at the Dolphin on several other visits in a Junior Suite. This time the suite was smaller than in the past. Before the new decor the suite was equal to 3 regular rooms with a different layout. The Junior Suites now are 2 regular rooms with a different layout. The decor was beautiful and the beds "heavenly". If you want a view of Epcot request a suite on a a high floor in the East wing.

Thay have Jr. Suites on the wings???? I was told all the suites were in the main building and none of them had balconies. We really wanted a balcony so we passed on the Jr. Suite for that exact reason.
One of the other things I stumbled across was that the suites are not uniform at the S/D. Personally, I like to know exactly I am paying for.

Thanks for reporting back to us with info! Any reason you resort hopped so much? Wanted to try all of those or was it an availability issue?

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Thay have Jr. Suites on the wings???? I was told all the suites were in the main building and none of them had balconies. We really wanted a balcony so we passed on the Jr. Suite for that exact reason.
One of the other things I stumbled across was that the suites are not uniform at the S/D. Personally, I like to know exactly I am paying for.

Thanks for reporting back to us with info! Any reason you resort hopped so much? Wanted to try all of those or was it an availability issue?

We choose to resort hop to check out the Villa's. We went to Epcot and MGM when we were staying at Boardwalk and went to MK when staying at Wilderness Lodge. It saved DH from having to lug the stroller on and off a bus. The boats allow you to roll a stroller right on. I am sure Dreamflight stated the suites were spread out all over the Dolphin. You are correct there are NO Junior suites with balconies, I have asked.

 

[Disbug]

Mompoppins! Sent you an email (or PM?) Not sure which! LOL! I had questions about the Jr. Suites as well. There are going to be 5 of us this trip... all girls! Wondering if it would be worth it for the extra bathroom? Is it 10,000 points to upgrade? Thanks in advance for your reply!

PS The Sorority House has moved... Click on the link in my signature that says "2005 Sigma Delta Sorority..."

 

[RobMax]

2 Questions Please -

1) Do university professors count for the teacher discount?

kathi

Here's good news - if the prof is from a state U - most SPG hotes will offer the gov't rate!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Mompoppins! Sent you an email (or PM?) Not sure which! LOL! I had questions about the Jr. Suites as well. There are going to be 5 of us this trip... all girls! Wondering if it would be worth it for the extra bathroom? Is it 10,000 points to upgrade? Thanks in advance for your reply!

PS The Sorority House has moved... Click on the link in my signature that says "2005 Sigma Delta Sorority..."

Hey Disbug I replied back to your email this am but I guess you did not get it so I will post it here.

Hi, I reserved our room ahead of time with the 99$ rate (DH is a Government employee) I only reserved 1 night since we wanted to try out the Villa's. I was upgraded ahead of time because of our Platinum status. I will no longer be Platinum after next year rolls around. We decided to join DVC a few months ago to insure a large room for our large family. I was stressed at times hoping for that upgrade at the Dolphin. I will go and find you guys at the new thread! Good to hear from you. I think an upgrade is 10K points, that's a lot of points and I am not sure its worth it. Good luck deciding.

 

[Elysiannn]

Hi - I'm planning on traveling with Brother & his family Feb 20-25 2006. I would like to get a Jr. Suite at that time. I am a Preferred Member with about 13,000 points (probably will have more by time we travel).

Do you think I can get one during this time (peak - President's week) and does any sort of discount (I'm teaching support) apply at those peak times?
Should I try and reserve a Jr. Suite and use the points for a free night or try for an upgrade?

Help!!!!! Please give some advice on how to pull this off for my very deserving family - I want to utilize the above to make a real nice trip for them (& me!)

Also, are any of the Jr. Suites close to the West Wing & elevators?

Thanks in advance for your help!!! Ely

 

[Squire]

Hi All. My family and I stayed at the Swan for the first time this past April and absolutely loved it (Club Level Deluxe Room). In fact, we found that we like the resort even more than the BWV, where we stayed the year before.

I have booked at the Dolphin for this October (Swan was completely sold out as prev noted) using Starwood Points. I was charged 11,500 per night for Club Level (1,500 points per night extra, so they must have increased the amount necessary for the upgrade).

Tip: If you book 4 nights with miles at the Swan/Dolphin, you get the 5th night free!

Tip2: I did not have enought miles in my Starwood Account (I had also used them in April for the Swan), but I have Membership Reward Points with American Express and those can be transferred into your Account. The conversion is a little steep...1 Starwood per 3 Amex Points, but sometimes they run a special (1 per 2).

Question: One of the things that we loved about our room at the Swan is that the wall behind the 2nd Vanity Sink was recessed. Our youngest is still in a crib and the crib fit perfectly within this recess. Not only did this block the baby's view of the main room, the crib didn't block the entrance to the bathroom so we could sneak by when she was asleep.

I realize that the Dolphin rooms do not have the 2nd sink, but does anyone know if the same type of wall exists? Btw...they even have Heavenly Cribs now!