Starwood points vs. discount codes/free dining...

[Infamousmare]

So I've already booked our hotel for the big family biennial WDW trip in September 2012 (2 brm villa + lockoff studio @ WL - woo hoo!). I am crossing my fingers for free dining or, even better, a room-only discount; however, I know that's not a given.

One thing that dh and I have wondered about is using his numerous Starwood points to book rooms at the Swan or Dolphin (I know at least one is a Starwood property, not sure if both are). We love Disney dining and always do the DxDDP; however, if we were able to stay on-property for free, it might make more sense to do that and pay OOP for dining.

Here are my questions:

1. Have you stayed at either of these resorts? How are they compared to, say, SSR or WL?

2. Have you ever used Starpoints to book ressies @ WDW? If so, was the process as easy as it is to book anywhere else?

3. Where did you eat? Did your meals totally kill you?

4. How was the transportation to the parks from these places?

5. Can you book rooms for other people in your party using your points, or are they more strict about it?

6. Would you do it again?

TIA!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

1. Have you stayed at either of these resorts? How are they compared to, say, SSR or WL?

2. Have you ever used Starpoints to book ressies @ WDW? If so, was the process as easy as it is to book anywhere else?

3. Where did you eat? Did your meals totally kill you?

4. How was the transportation to the parks from these places?

5. Can you book rooms for other people in your party using your points, or are they more strict about it?

6. Would you do it again?

1. I've stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin, but not SSR or WL. But I've stayed at the Yacht Club and the Contemporary, so I know Disney resorts.

The S&D are nice modern hotels - a little lighter on theme than Disney, but have a great pool and great facilities. Not spectacular rooms, but quite comparable to Disney hotels, though styling is not appreciated by all. The beds are far superior at the S&D.

2/5. Yes, I've use points to book free rooms. You still have to pay for parking and the resort fee, but the booking process is very easy. Yes, you can book as many rooms as you like, for whomever you like, and can request that they be connecting.

3. Ate all over. Swan has several nice restaurants, plus a character buffet. Dolphin has more causal dining venues - a diner type place and a 24 hour cafeteria style place. Plus you're a short walk to the Boardwalk venues and World Showcase in Epcot.

4. Transportation is just like the BC/YC/BW...and for some parks is shared with them all. There's the boat to Epcot and DHS. Or walk to Epcot or DHS.

6. Absolutely, yes. Will go again in the future when my kids are bigger (when we don't need a washer/dryer anymore) and I've re-accumulated enough points.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

if we were able to stay on-property for free, it might make more sense to do that and pay OOP for dining.

It absolutely makes a lot of sense to use the points and get the rooms for (nearly) free.

First, I'm sure you know the savings from the DDP is modest. And you don't know yet what tweaks they will make for 2012. If trends continue, expect less value out of it.

I did the DDP once. I'd do it again if it were a no-brainer savings, but there are two things that hold me back: first, having a table-service meal every day - just seems a bit too much, and then you end up wasting that TS entitlement on a cheap lunch or breakfast....further eroding the value proposition. Second, dessert. I want an ice cream while watching the parade or fireworks or Fantasmic....not two hours earlier when I was having a big dinner and couldn't really appreciate the treat.

With regards to getting the rooms for free: this is really a hidden gem of WDW and Starwood. At 10k points a night, the S&D are a steal....and you get night five for zero points if you book a four night reservation. Here's one way to look at it: if you charged $40,000 on the Starwood Amex, you'd get 40k Starpoints. If you charged $40,000 on the Disney Visa, you'd get $400 Disney dollars. The Starpoints would get you a nice hotel room walking distance from two theme parks for five nights. The $400 would get you one or two nights in a neighboring deluxe Disney resort, or two or three at a moderate.

 

[Infamousmare]

It absolutely makes a lot of sense to use the points and get the rooms for (nearly) free.

First, I'm sure you know the savings from the DDP is modest. And you don't know yet what tweaks they will make for 2012. If trends continue, expect less value out of it.

With regards to getting the rooms for free: this is really a hidden gem of WDW and Starwood. At 10k points a night, the S&D are a steal....and you get night five for zero points if you book a four night reservation. Here's one way to look at it: if you charged $40,000 on the Starwood Amex, you'd get 40k Starpoints. If you charged $40,000 on the Disney Visa, you'd get $400 Disney dollars. The Starpoints would get you a nice hotel room walking distance from two theme parks for five nights. .

Whoa. I honestly thought rooms @ the S&D cost 20,000 Starpoints (or more) per night. My dh, who racks up Starpoints faster than we can use them (frequent travel + Starwood Amex), has to cough up 20,000 per night to stay in NYC or the NJ Gold Coast when traveling, so I just *assumed* WDW would be horrendous.

When I called the Swan, I wasn't given much information - the lady told me I'd have to call Starwood directly. However, since the points aren't in my name, I'll have to wait until dh gets back from his current business trip to call and find out. This might be a much better deal than I originally anticipated.

As for the DxDDP, it makes sense for us when we pay only for the upgrade from DDP to DxDDP. We spend our mornings at the parks and afternoons/evenings lounging...and we do enjoy the signature & character dining WDW has to offer. However, we could certainly amend our plans in order to save a bundle on hotel rooms. As for the Disney theme, I get that at the parks. I don't need it in my room. *LOL*

Thanks for the info!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

When I called the Swan, I wasn't given much information - the lady told me I'd have to call Starwood directly.

It's very easy to book on the Starwood Preferred Guest website. And it's very easy to cancel, too, and all points are restored with no penalty (except within a week of check-in or something).

 

[lizabu]

They're both category 4 hotels so they're 10000 points for a traditional room. When you book 4 nights you get the 5th night free. I'd rather stay for free and pay for food. You can walk to epcot and HS. They have buses to the other resorts. You can even get fireworks view rooms or suites if you spend more points. You're allowed to gift rooms booked on points too. If your DH travels a lot and signed up for the getaway free promo this summer for every 3 stays during the summer he would have earned a free resort night. If he has any of those you can use them at Swan and Dolphin but they have to be used before Dec 21.

 

[Infamousmare]

They're both category 4 hotels so they're 10000 points for a traditional room. When you book 4 nights you get the 5th night free. I'd rather stay for free and pay for food. You can walk to epcot and HS. They have buses to the other resorts. You can even get fireworks view rooms or suites if you spend more points. You're allowed to gift rooms booked on points too. If your DH travels a lot and signed up for the getaway free promo this summer for every 3 stays during the summer he would have earned a free resort night. If he has any of those you can use them at Swan and Dolphin but they have to be used before Dec 21.

More excellent information - thanks! Yes, he did sign up for the getaway promo. In fact, we just got back from 4 days at the Westin La Cantera resort using some of those!

I SO wish I'd thought of this when booking our upcoming last-minute trip to WDW. I had no idea getaway nights could be used at S&D.

I'm actually going to call WDW tomorrow and find out what would happen if I scrapped our current plans last-minute and tried to book something through Starwood. (I wouldn't do anything until I knew we could get rooms @ S or D AND that I wouldn't be penalized too harshly by WDW).

Thanks again for all your help, guys!

 

[Infamousmare]

So I just got off the phone with Starwood. The regular rooms are, as all of you said, 10,000 SPs. However, the 1- and 2- bedroom suites are 20,000 and 30,000 SPs, respectively. Still not bad. Because we're travelling with young children and a mother-in-law, the 2-bedroom suite would be preferable. However, anything other than standard rooms has to be booked through the front desk of the S or D, not through Starwood. :-(

 

[Infamousmare]

I'm actually going to call WDW tomorrow and find out what would happen if I scrapped our current plans last-minute and tried to book something through Starwood. (I wouldn't do anything until I knew we could get rooms @ S or D AND that I wouldn't be penalized too harshly by WDW).

Two separate entities. Even thought there are suites available for SP redemption, I cannot book the Swan or Dolphin through WDW directly. Even though the transportation is the same and they're in the park, they do not interact with each other with regard to booking. If I cancel the entire WDW package, I'm out $200 (not the end of the world) AND the flights, even though the flights are classified as refundable. At this point, I'm just going to eat the $$ spent on the package this time, but will def. use SPs on future stays.

Also, FYI when booking suites - found out today that Starwood doesn't have access to the suites and S&D don't have access to points, so one must call Starwood to redeem the points, then have the Starwood rep. conference a S or D rep. to book the suite. Make sense?

 

[lizabu]

Two separate entities. Even thought there are suites available for SP redemption, I cannot book the Swan or Dolphin through WDW directly. Even though the transportation is the same and they're in the park, they do not interact with each other with regard to booking. If I cancel the entire WDW package, I'm out $200 (not the end of the world) AND the flights, even though the flights are classified as refundable. At this point, I'm just going to eat the $$ spent on the package this time, but will def. use SPs on future stays.

Also, FYI when booking suites - found out today that Starwood doesn't have access to the suites and S&D don't have access to points, so one must call Starwood to redeem the points, then have the Starwood rep. conference a S or D rep. to book the suite. Make sense?

If you call SPG directly they can book many tpes of suites. They will call the hotel and get them to book the reservation and then they can apply the points to the reservation saving you a phone call

 

[Connears]

So I've already booked our hotel for the big family biennial WDW trip in September 2012 (2 brm villa + lockoff studio @ WL - woo hoo!). I am crossing my fingers for free dining or, even better, a room-only discount; however, I know that's not a given.

One thing that dh and I have wondered about is using his numerous Starwood points to book rooms at the Swan or Dolphin (I know at least one is a Starwood property, not sure if both are). We love Disney dining and always do the DxDDP; however, if we were able to stay on-property for free, it might make more sense to do that and pay OOP for dining.

Here are my questions:

1. Have you stayed at either of these resorts? How are they compared to, say, SSR or WL?

2. Have you ever used Starpoints to book ressies @ WDW? If so, was the process as easy as it is to book anywhere else?

3. Where did you eat? Did your meals totally kill you?

4. How was the transportation to the parks from these places?

5. Can you book rooms for other people in your party using your points, or are they more strict about it?

6. Would you do it again?

TIA!

Love both Swan and Dolphin, but Swan alittle more because it is smaller. I am a complete disney freak and have been dvc member since 1994 and don't get the comments about it not being "disney" enough....please! Have used Starwood rewards to stay at both, got great rooms, wonderful service(I think the best room service at WDW) great location, you do have to pay for parking though. We only usually stay 1-2 nights before or after our dvc stay at xmas. We even moved after 5 nights at OKW to be at Dolphin for NYE..great location for everything and I was back at resort before most folks hit the trams!!! We usually drive to every place but epcot and DHS from there..although busses connect everything...
I always have booked on starwood website, used points(10,000); only booked for my family. We will definitely do it again!!!! The grotto pool is also great but we go in december and rarely swimming weather! Fun to walk to BW area..lots of good food options..can't say enough!!!

Connears