Several questions re: Swan, Dolphin and SPG points

[Robert P]

You're getting some good advice on this thread so far.

The Dolphin has the bulk of the convention space, and hosts the larger conventions. The Swan has plenty of space as well, but nowhere near the amount of space as the Dolphin. I can't say that we've seen either be more 'kid convention' centered over the years, but the Dolphin always seems to have a convention (or 4) going on at any time. If anything, I'd say the Swan is less kid populated than the Dolphin, on an average day.

The suite upgrade problem you're having is the same thing I've ran into before as well. You have to book that by calling through spg, but they can't tell you what a 'suite upgrade' will definitely get you at the S/D. Could be the alcove room, could be a true suite, who knows?? One of the few deficiencies in the spg program.

As for parking, I've stayed many many nights at the S/D, and haven't had it waived yet (since they've started charging for it). I've been spg gold for 5+ years, and get the resort fee waived often, but never parking. They seem to cherish that revenue center, and don't play around with those charges.

And I agree that you should sign up for the restaurant loyalty card, especially if you're going to be dining there a few times. Rewards can add up quickly.

 

[tinker&belle]

Hi...if you are eating at the hotel, sign up for the loyalty program. You earn credit with for eating at the restaurants and depending on how much you spend, you can earn a gift card. We spent $700 after eating at all of the high end restaurants for 10 days. Thus on our last night, we redeemed a $100 gift card.

Do you sign up before you arrive or after you get there?

 

[MiamiMere]

We are headed to the Dolphin in a month for our second year. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the dolphin hotel (and we have done GF & AKL in previous years). The location to Epcot and HS can't be beat!

Other tips on the food, no dining plan sent me for a loop last time also. If you are interested, you can try the Garden Grove at the Swan. They have characters on most nights (last time it was goofy/pluto that swapped out every 30 minutes). It is rarely crowded (although they do take reservations) and the character interaction and food has always been good for us!

Also, you can easily walk to the boardwalk for boardwalk pizza, espn club, and several other great restaurants (and Boardwalk to go!). Also, Beaches and cream next door at the beach club was a fun stop!

We always reserve the king with sofa bed option at the Dolphin because we don't want to get stuck with 2 doubles. The rooms are HUGE compared to AKL and GF (in my opinion).

Have a great trip

 

[hsmamato2]

what is the restaurant loyalty card? I think I need this.....

 

[waitomo]

Hello, I am following this newly found post with interest as I was debating between getting free rooms at either the Swan or Dolphin with SPG points or opting for a discounted cabin this summer at FW. My son and I stayed at the Swan in March for one night using cash plus points. I wanted to suggest that one of your party might get an annual passholder card which then lets that person buy a tables in wonderland card for 20% off your whole party. With a large group like yours, the discount pays for the card quite quickly! We live in the midwest, so we only go once every other year or so, but with the passholder rate we do try and squeeze in two trips 11 months apart then not going for two years...

We did get the resort fee waived but not parking, which I think has crept up to $24/night. I did love the location, but not the suite. We were given a complimentary upgrade to a suite, but while the connecting room was nice (the beds were wonderful) the connecting parlor portion was old and dingy. So much so, I did not want to sit on the couch or put our luggage on the floor. (I suspect the Princess from the fairytale "The Princess and the Pea" was my ancestor ). The parlor portion had the "balcony" but it was in the corner of the L shaped floor and literally abutted the balcony of the room next to us in a L shaped configuration. It was very strange and the fact that both of our 4X5 foot balconies were behind a tree also contributed to the gloom of the room. We were on the fourth floor. The halls also smelled awful. As it was only for one night, I was ok, but would have been disappointed to be coming back to that every day from a regular vacation. So I now have the dilemma of using free points, for a not great redemption rate (Europe much better use of 10,000 points) and paying for a summer 35% discounted cabin or going for the free rooms. After reading these posts, I am again leaning towards the free Dolphin rooms, but still a bit conflicted because the swan hallways were really smelly! I think that I will simply call ahead and request a high floor with unobstructed view.

 

[Infamousmare]

Wow, I missed some great posts! Thanks so much! *Sorry, was off the DisBoards for awhile because each of my kids came down with bronchitis; however, they decided to do so about a week apart. *

We called the SPG line, 1-800-W-Disney AND both the Swan and Dolphin hotels directly. No dice. We could not get connecting rooms, period. Basically, what we were told was this:
1. The rooms in the S&D go king-double queen-king - there are no "same" rooms that connect to each other. We needed 2 double-queen rooms; however, none of those are next door to each other. We'd have to book a king and a double queen in order to connect.

2. Each room would be 10,000 points apiece or 5,000 + cash. This works fine, except that we need 2 rooms. This puts us at a real point deficit, even with points + cash. Again, this would not be the end of the world except that we would also not be connecting. This is our reunion/vacation, so being together is part of the point...and I have a little one who wanders back and forth between Nana's and Mommy's beds. It's just more fun and much easier to have the connecting room.

We did; however, get a KILLER rate on a 2-bedroom villa at SVV. After careful consideration, dh and I decided that staying slightly off-park would be a TON cheaper than staying on-site and we'd still have the luxury of the villa we used to get at SSR or BLT. We chose to do this.

I am getting the AP and TiW cards! That is such a great idea! After combing through receipts from years past, looking at current menu pricing and knowing basically what we'll eat, I figured that with our party size (and the fact that we eat all our main meals together), I will break even by day 2 or 3.

The problem with the aforementioned dining plan? I can't get ADRs for the more popular (and expensive) places we like to go. Namely, CRT, BoG and LeCellier. I know, I know - I'll watch for last-minute cancellations; however, staying off-site, I hadn't banked on being last in line to make ressies.

We have tentative plans to come back next September. (We had to tweak this year's plan a bit to come in November, due to others' work schedules.) I am going to try again for the S&D and see if we have better luck during the off-off season. Stay tuned!

 

[NancyIL]

As for parking, I've stayed many many nights at the S/D, and haven't had it waived yet (since they've started charging for it). I've been spg gold for 5+ years, and get the resort fee waived often, but never parking. They seem to cherish that revenue center, and don't play around with those charges.

The Swan and Dolphin no longer let you choose free wi-fi as your gold amenity - which in the past resulted in the daily resort fee being waived. I'm sure they realized how much revenue they were losing.

 

[marksmith]

My family has stayed at the Swan 10 or so times, mostly on points. We really enjoy the Swan. The alcove "suite" is not worth the use of your certificate. IMO it is very unlikely you will get a true suite upgrade at your 1 week mark.

I would book your rooms (including request for connecting rooms, of which we have never not received) and then contact the hotel directly and ask for the cash add on to a suite of your choice. This way you will have guarantee of what you are going to receive upon arrival and thus no uncertainty now or disappointment upon arrival.

You have spent a bit on villas prior it seems, so don't get hung up on trying to utilize the upgrades, that likely will not materialize. Even paying out of pocket for the accommodations of your choice would likely be much less then the cost of on site villas.

Also, many of the suites do not have the best views, but in my experience with status (and requests directly with hotel prior ) will likely result in a great or at least better view/balcony room then most.

With your group I would recommend a 2 br suite for your immediate family and a separate room for the grandparents (who would likely appreciate the separation at some points and still have the common area in the suite for together time). Book all the rooms on points and buy the suite upgrade on top of the points if possible.

Good luck and have a nice trip.