Swan Check-in, Keys and Parking

[disneyNJ]

Hi,

Calling all Swan experts! We are going down to Disney in July and I could use some help with a few questions.

I have 2 rooms booked for 5 nights - one free with points, one at the government rate. My brother and his family will be joining us for 3 of those nights - taking over one of the rooms. Both rooms have 2 queen size beds and accomodate 2 adults and 2 kids, so there is plenty of room for both families. On the two remaining nights, my teenage sons will move into the second room and enjoy all the extra space and second bathroom.

When I booked the rooms online, there was no way to note that we would be "downsizing" for part of the trip. Since my brother is treating us to 3 nights at Universals Portofino's hotel, I am paying all costs at the Swan. Both reservations are in my name and I will pay all charges.

Is it therefore necessary for the Swan to have my brother's name noted on the reservation? Or should I explain all of this when I check-in? I don't want to do anything wrong - on the other hand, I don't want to make things more complicated than they need to be for the hotel staff.

As a Swan guest, I believe we can park for free at the Disney theme park lots. But what sort of proof do I need? At a Disney hotel you are given a paper for the dashboard - but we have never gotten that at the Swan.

Will the room key get us this perk if we decided to drive? All 8 room keys will have my name on them - will it be a problem if my brother decides to drive and shows a room key with my name?

What about the EMH wristbands? I know everyone needs a room key, so if we decide to try EMH one night we will all need our keys. Will it be a problem if they all have my name on them?

I am going to ask these questions when I call the Swan about my reservations, but I have learned from experience the answers you get to unusual questions varies widely. So I'd like to have some idea of what to expect before I ask!

Thanks so much for all of your help - I really appreciate it!

Disney NJ

 

[safetymom]

I am not familiar with the Swan but are you aware there is now a parking fee at the Swan? Hopefully someone will be along to answer your questions.

 

[disneyNJ]

Yes, Safetymom, we are aware they will be charging us $7 a day to park the rental cars at the Swan. Which is totally ridiculous, as far as we are concerned - and another reason why we want to be able to have "free" parking at the Disney theme park lots if we decide to drive sometimes.

We walk to Epcot, bus to MK and boat to MGM, but sometimes have driven to MGM. We also often drive to AK - will probably do that if we try the evening EMH at AK - it's just easier than dealing with the buses.

Nice pictures - really puts one in the mood to be at the Disney parks!

 

[safetymom]

Thank you. Hopefully someone will have the answers to your questions.

 

[DBC]

When we stayed at the Swan in March I just showed my room key on the way into the parking lot and was waved in. I can't imagine they will ask for any identification for that.

I didn't try EMH so I can't help with that question.

 

[Twigs]

We stayed at the Swan this past Feb. The room key gets you into the parking lots, they never asked us for ID, we were waved right in. For the EMH, we did one evening at Epcot and even though we all had them out they only checked the first person in our group and gave out the wristbands quickly. If you were sharing a room with your brother, only one name would be on the key, so I don't think in these instances it would matter.

 

[disneyNJ]

Thank you DBC and Twiggs for sharing your experiences. It looks like we can simply use our room keys for free parking at the theme park lots, if we decide to drive at any time during our trip. Too bad the Swan is now charging a daily parking fee!! I can't believe we are going to have to pay an extra $7 for each car - plus an additional $10 per day resort fee for each room. Still, the overall rate is great for the location and the hotel accomodations - we really enjoy staying at the Swan.

I have a feeling we won't have any trouble with the EMH either, as long as everyone has a room key, we should be able to get our wristbands. I'll ask when we check in at the Swan, just to make sure.

 

[lizcro326]

I can't believe we are going to have to pay an extra $7 for each car - plus an additional $10 per day resort fee for each room.

I read somewhere that as of Augsut 2005, Swan/Dolphin has dropped the resort fee. Most likely the reason for the charge for parking.

There wasn 't a resort fee on my ressies thru Dreamres. I think that's where I read it.

 

[lorik]

Yes, it's true, there is no longer a resort fee. As far as the room key goes, it really doesn't matter whose name is on it. In fact, if two adults are sharing a room the only name on all of the keys is that of the person who made the ressie. So even for a husband and wife there is only one name on the keys. However, if your brother charges anything to his room then those charges will be on your bill. You might just want to ask him not to use his room charge and either pay cash or put it on his credit card like he will have to do in the parks anyway.

 

[sanibelover]

Is there areason that you need to tell the hotel staff who will be in the rooms and that you are downsizing halfway through? I don't see why that would matter. I wouldn't go into any of that with the front desk. Just get your room keys and that should be that. If you are paying for both rooms, it doesn't matter whose name is on the key - it will only be yours.

A Swan hint: Some folks have posted that they ask that the minibar be emptied so they can use the fridge and they are charged $10 or $20. We just asked for a fridge and they brought one up (immediately)- no charge. Didn't take the minibar key at check-in.

Parking is $7, no resort fee. Valet parking is $14, but the lots are not too far away. The Swan is wonderful. Excellent service. Have a great trip.