Should I request a certain room or area at the Swan resort?

[robinbutterfly]

Is there a more desirable area or rooms at the Swan that I should request?

Thanks!

 

[amberpi]

There isn't a better location since its all in one building and yes, the halls can be long, but nothing like the discussion of some of the resorts the size of CBR for instance. You'll be fine. Ask for an upgrade! Sometimes you'll get one for free, or get an amazing room for not much money. We always book standard now when we book and upgrade on arrival. We were there in May (Dolphin actually, but they work the same and our trip in Feb. and Nov. were similar at the Swan I just can't remember which rooms we got which times!), and for like $20 or $30 more a night went from standard to an alcove suite with 2 big balconies and a view of Epcot. If I had booked it, it would have been almost $180 more a night.

You will love the Swan. Try the restaurants there and the Dolphin, some of the best at WDW.

 

[robinbutterfly]

There isn't a better location since its all in one building and yes, the halls can be long, but nothing like the discussion of some of the resorts the size of CBR for instance. You'll be fine. Ask for an upgrade! Sometimes you'll get one for free, or get an amazing room for not much money. We always book standard now when we book and upgrade on arrival. We were there in May (Dolphin actually, but they work the same and our trip in Feb. and Nov. were similar at the Swan I just can't remember which rooms we got which times!), and for like $20 or $30 more a night went from standard to an alcove suite with 2 big balconies and a view of Epcot. If I had booked it, it would have been almost $180 more a night.

You will love the Swan. Try the restaurants there and the Dolphin, some of the best at WDW.

Thank you so much for the tip! I will be sure to ask for an upgrade at arrival!

 

[Gorechick]

Please be sure to ask about availability and how much it will cost for the upgrade. From reading here on the boards, looking for a free upgrade will most certainly not get you one.

 

[amberpi]

Please be sure to ask about availability and how much it will cost for the upgrade. From reading here on the boards, looking for a free upgrade will most certainly not get you one.

Yeah, I've only gotten a free upgrade a couple of times, but I'm Starwood Platinum and that may have something to do with it. I have had the experience of a free upgrade from standard to a suite (amazing suite actually) with a second bathroom, and overlooking the top of the fountain at the Dolphin for free, but usually we pay for the upgrade...my point though is that the upgrades made onsite are always very cheap. There was only 1 time I couldn't upgrade, and that was during the S&D F&W event and we had booked 4 rooms, they could upgrade 2 of them (we paid for it, again, like $20 -$30 bucks a night) but the other 2 had to stay standard. Its a gamble but its worth it, IMHO.

You should never book with the idea that you will definitely get upgraded. Since its just DH and I right now, we can be pretty fast and loose with planning. We are going in early Sept. with my SIL and BIL and my 5 year old nephew. We didn't even tell them about the possibility of an upgrade, but I think at that time of year, we'll get lucky (of course, we don't mind paying the nomimal fee).

 

[olive]

Yeah, I've only gotten a free upgrade a couple of times, but I'm Starwood Platinum and that may have something to do with it. I have had the experience of a free upgrade from standard to a suite (amazing suite actually) with a second bathroom, and overlooking the top of the fountain at the Dolphin for free, but usually we pay for the upgrade...my point though is that the upgrades made onsite are always very cheap. There was only 1 time I couldn't upgrade, and that was during the S&D F&W event and we had booked 4 rooms, they could upgrade 2 of them (we paid for it, again, like $20 -$30 bucks a night) but the other 2 had to stay standard. Its a gamble but its worth it, IMHO.

You should never book with the idea that you will definitely get upgraded. Since its just DH and I right now, we can be pretty fast and loose with planning. We are going in early Sept. with my SIL and BIL and my 5 year old nephew. We didn't even tell them about the possibility of an upgrade, but I think at that time of year, we'll get lucky (of course, we don't mind paying the nomimal fee).

Any idea if you can also pay to upgrade upon check in when you book on points? We are booked in a resort view with balcony at the Swan in January; I imagine it will be a pretty quiet time there. We booked on points, and while we may still switch to a suite on points, we won't decide until closer to our dates (and then if it isn't available anymore, we won't worry about it). It would be nice to upgrade to another category not available to book on points, if there is space available, such as an alcove or a BW view. We don't care about paying the difference, just whether it is possible.

Thanks!