Supposed 129 Teacher Rate at Dolphin

[teacher31]

I've tried and tried to find a date for the Dolphin with the new Teach code. No luck. Has anyone? I am beginning to think it is a scam. I am booked with the government rate at 149, but got the 129 last Thanksgiving and would prefer that again this year. I know people are probably thinking it's only a difference of $20, but over a 9 night stay it adds up. Has anyone been able to book the $129 rate for 2010?

 

[Needafix]

I got the $129 teacher rate for July 7-14. I tried getting it for our March trip, but the rate was actually higher if I used the teacher discount then if I tried without a discount. I don't understand that, but to answer your question - Nope, it's not a scam. I got it and I was SHOCKED. Made me change from 3 nights to 7 nights. Good luck

 

[Tromba]

I tried to get it for May 21-22, and the teacher rate is $169. Some discount! Especially when you add the $10 "resort fee" and another $10 to park the rental car. This will probably make me cancel my Swan reservation and go with Pop.

Tromba

 

[FloFlo71]

I can get a rate of $139 for some dates in August. I know last summer some dates went to $99 - which would be amazing.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Can someone explain this discount. I am a teacher. We are going March 31-April 8th and again at Christmas. Of course they are both holiday season rates and no discounts apply (wish the new gift card applied).

 

[Needafix]

It's a pretty straight forward discount Swan/Dolphin offer to teachers, nurses and military personnel. There's no real set dates or deadlines to the discount and it's very hit or miss. I was shocked when I got the discount for July. I believe they have a specific amount of rooms they allow for the discount, so once those rooms for that date are gone, basically the discount is gone. I couldn't get the standard room discounted for our March trip, but I was able to get the upgraded room with balcony/view with a teacher discount.

I do agree with a previous poster, that by the time they add on their extra (mandatory) $10/day for newspaper and another $10 for parking , it's really not as cheap as it looks. That's by I may end up changing my March rooms to BW if good AP discounts come out.

I doubt it will ever be possible to find a deluxe resort for $129 (plus the $10/day). I can almost see the parking, but I don't understand the newspaper charge. Why not just add the $10 onto the daily price and call it what it is? You used to be able to decline that $10.

They did give me a complimentary trundle bed for the March trip (that's normally $25/night, so that made me feel better).

 

[DebbieB]

The $10 is a resort fee, includes internet, 2 bottles of water daily, in addition to the newspaper. I don't understand it either, why it's mandatory. I stayed at the Swan for 1 night in June, wasn't really that crazy about it, I'd rather have a WDW resort. I paid $16 for overnight valet parking since I was handling my luggage in and out.

 

[teacher31]

I tried to get it for May 21-22, and the teacher rate is $169. Some discount! Especially when you add the $10 "resort fee" and another $10 to park the rental car. This will probably make me cancel my Swan reservation and go with Pop.

Tromba

I'd try it again. I was checking in on May 28 for 9 nights and got it for 149. Did you check online?

I'm the OP. A little background to why I'm leary: Last Thanksgiving I had it booked for 179. Another teacher friend called and got it for 129. When I called to ask for the different rate I was told, "Well, I have a 159." "No. My friend got 129." "I have a 149." "No. She has a 129 and that is what I want." Miracle of miracles she found one. I'm not a suspicious person normally, but after that experience I'm slightly leary of their pricing.

 

[teacher31]

Can someone explain this discount. I am a teacher. We are going March 31-April 8th and again at Christmas. Of course they are both holiday season rates and no discounts apply (wish the new gift card applied).

Check online through their site. When it asks for a special rate, click on government. We get the same rate they do. Being the uptight person I am I always then call and have them change the word to teacher just to make me comfortable. Make sure you bring an id or pay stub with you. They checked mine for the past 2 trips, but have never checked my friend who has stayed there a lot.

I have found they do have special rates during busy times, so I would definitely check. Good luck!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I am a teacher, but I book Disney Resorts because of ME. Do any of you not rent a car and use some kind of other transportation from the airport?

 

[Needafix]

I won't be renting a car on either of my trips, I'll be booking with FL tours. I'm a big Dolphin fan. There's just nothing that comes close to getting those rates and I've gotten some truly AMAZING rates at the Dolphin. I've also stayed at many of the Disney resorts and I don't notice any loss of "magic". As a matter-of-fact, I was super anti-Swan/Dolphin until I needed a room and all Disney resorts were booked. I fell in love with the Dolphin. It didn't hurt when on my second trip there they upgraded me to a corner room with two HUGE windows overlooking Epcot and MGM. Fireworks in every direction! Swan's nice, but I like the bigger resort. Try to find an Epcot resort for $139/night (had to add in the $10 mandatory charge)!!!

Like I said though, if I get a better AP rate for my March trip at a Disney resort, I will switch. I'm not crazy about my March rate, but right now it far exceeds any of the deluxe rates, esp for 5 of us.

 

[nicki.momof3]

So never having stayed at swan / dolphin can someone fill me in a little about them please

Questions:

1. No magical express?

2. Includes transportation to all the theme parks in MK?

3. Can you add the dining plan (I did not see that option on the reservation page)?

4. Can you purchase theme park tickets or is a seperate thing?

5. Which as the best pool? Any waterslides?

6. Our kids are 5,6,7? Which is more kid friendly?

Thanks everyone?

 

[Disney Fool]

It is not a Disney hotel, so no Magical Express, no dining plan, no charging on your hotel key.

You do get to use Disney buses, and boats. and you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours am/pm.

 

[nicki.momof3]

It is not a Disney hotel, so no Magical Express, no dining plan, no charging on your hotel key.

You do get to use Disney buses, and boats. and you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hours am/pm.

Thanks for the info. The resorts sound great and we could deal with no ME but we LOVE the dining plan and for us it a a huge money saver. I guess we will stick to disney resorts.

Thanks everyone!

 

[TDC Nala]

Always remember that when booking the Swolphin you also have to factor in the $10/night resort fee, plus parking costs or airport transportation costs.

It's correct, no dining plan and no ME. But it has a very nice pool complex - problem is they shut it down at 9 PM.

 

[smidgy]

we have stayed at the Dolphin twice. I could swear the 2nd time - sept. 07, they had done away with the ridiculous "resort fee", and made the newspaper, spa, ets. voluntary. am I crazy? or did they bring it back?
and I do think it is silly to charge you to park your car.

that being said, I do love the Dolphin. those who can't afford Boardwalk or yacht and Beach Club can still walk ato epcot, Hollywood studios, or use the boat.

didn't use the swan pool, but the Grotto pool aat dolphin is really nice, nice slide.
we go, just the 2 of us. I don't think it looked very little kid friendly to me, older kids, yes.
the food, however.... very expensive!!!! we never once ate there, not even the sandwhiches aat the pool bars.

we walked to boardwalk for some brats aand hot dogs at a little stand. beaches and cream at beach club. even hurrican hannnas by stormalong bay is cheaper (you can use the snack stand, just not the pool)

 

[NancyIL]

we have stayed at the Dolphin twice. I could swear the 2nd time - sept. 07, they had done away with the ridiculous "resort fee", and made the newspaper, spa, ets. voluntary. am I crazy? or did they bring it back?
and I do think it is silly to charge you to park your car.

You are correct - the resort fee was eliminated for awhile and then returned almost 2 years ago. For people who stay at the Swan/Dolphin on business - paying a $10.65/day resort fee is less expensive than paying for internet, phone, health club. etc. separately. While I don't like paying the resort fee, I LOVE staying at the Swan.