Swan/Dolphin: Staying With Points Question

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

Were SPG gold members and are now closing in on 50,000 spg points. 40,000 points will get us 4 + 1 totalling 5 free nights at the Dolphin (or Swan). The last time we stayed (without points) from our room we could see MGM and the Epcot fireworks. We'd really like a nice room with a nice view. Budget wise we probably can't afford a suite so we'd love a room with a view of Epcot and possibly with a balcony.

Anyway... we're trying to plan a trip for June 2008. If I book with points what room am I actually getting? Will I get one that overlooks a bunch of cars in the parking lot? Is there any way I can ensure that we get great room with a great view?

Thanks,
Andy

 

[rodkenrich]

.

 

[mcdj]

Of course it cannot hurt to ask, but when we booked a room at the Dolphin for four nights on points, we were automatically upgraded to a room with balcony and Boardwalk/Epcot view (I was told when inquiring about the reservation a few weeks in advance). I was spg gold at the time of booking and then became platinum later in the year, so maybe that helped.

-JM

 

[Loriannf]

You can get a better room; ask when booking. I know when we stayed there in '06 we got a 6 th floor, east wing balcony room and we could see fireworks from both MK and Epcot. The only problem we had were the smokers who seemed to surround us. The room was 11,000 points per night, not the usual 10,000.

Lori

 

[TinkOhio]

For the extra 1,000 points/nt., you will get a balcony room. A good view isn't guaranteed. We still think that the blacony room is so much better! The room seems alot bigger/ brighter with a balcony. It's also good for air movement We wound up in a room without a balcony last year, and we couldn't believe the difference! If you can swing the points, go for it!

 

[MSC]

Whether you get an upgrade depends largely on availability. As a gold status member, you are entitled to an automatic upgrade if it's available. For us in August, that meant an upgrade from a standard room to a balcony room - the front desk clerk did that without my asking. But the upgrade to the room with an Epcot view just came from asking, and because the hotel wasn't particularly busy.

By the way - I am pretty sure that to book the upgraded room with a balcony, it's an extra 1,500 points now, not 1,000. But remember, if you are not going at a busy time of year, and you want to chance it and save your points, you can just book a standard room and hope for the availability of balcony rooms - because as a Gold status member you are entitled to the automatic upgrade, if available. If you aren't a risk taker, just book the balcony with the points.

 

[AndyMcV]

Thanks for all the good advice guys!

The 1000 points per night upgrade is an interesting option. Now you've got me thinking.

I may be going down with work from June 1st to 6th next year and then we're thinking of adding 5 free nights at the Dolphin. The last 2 times we went to WDW were in June (03 and 05). The first time we were upgraded to a Swan studio for free and the second time we had a CL room at the Dolphin with a view of MGM and the Epcot fireworks. I wonder how busy it will be the first and second week of June next year?

Thanks again,
Andy

 

[MiamiBeach]

I was just at the Dolphin on 11/28 and 11/29. I used 11,000 points a night for a balcony room. Without asking, I was upgraded to a "king corner", the rooms with the big covered balconies, with a view of the Epcot fireworks. It was in the east wing, room 6015, and a GREAT room.

I'm sure it will be far busier in June, but you stand a much better chance of a room w/view if you START with a balcony since they have decent views to begin with.

 

[Gator Kate]

I was told you can't book a guaranteed Epcot view room with points. We used 11,000 points to get a balcony room and asked for Epcot view in special requests. Just have to hope for the best. I do have the gold card so maybe that'll help. Good luck.