Swan/Dolphin Teacher Rate Increase!

[Gastone D]

I just got off the phone with the Swan and Dolphin and they have raised the rate for teacher/government/nurses from $129/night to $149/night. Also you are no longer able to waive the resort fee of $8. All together including taxes the cost per night is around $173.39/night.

With the old rate, taxes and waiving the resort fee the cost was only $143.19/night. In everyone's opinion, is the $30/night increase worth it???

looks like us teachers are back with everyone else trying to find the "best" deal out there.

 

[blanq]

I am going to respond in a wishy washy way, and say "maybe" it's worth it, depending on what time of year you are going and if you can get discounted rates at other DW properties for the same period you are planning on going. We did stay at the Swan in 12/01, with the government discount rate of $129/night. We did not have the resort fee waived, as we wanted to use the health club facilities. We enjoyed the location of the Swan, and the resort amenities are great, and we had a blast on our vacation (as we always do, no matter where we stay) But, I still think the Disney moderates/deluxes have better atmosphere/theming than the Swan/Dolphin, and you can book those around $94/night during discounted periods. We have booked WL for less than the rate you have been quoted, and IMHO WL rocks compared to the Swan/Dolphin. I also have seen AKL rates for $139/night plus tax, and so you might be able to get a Disney Deluxe for the same, or slightly less, than the new Swan/Dolphin government rate.

 

[Ityldu]

It's always disappointing when rates go up, but I personally still feel $149 is an excellent rate. I just love the location and I think that alone is worth the money. We love splitting our stay b/w a MK & Epcot resort, so even with the additional cost, Dolphin will still be part of every trip for us.

We feel the themeing at Dolphin is just as magical as any of the Epcot resorts and you won't get BC/YC or BW for $149. We love Dixie Landings and if price was the #1 objective I could see going with DxL or CSR, but if I can afford a little more to stay at a deluxe, it's Dolphin all the way for us.

I figured those amazing rates couldn't last for long now that people like me were stupid enough to let the "cat out of the bag" and tell everyone how fantastic S/D is.

 

[Gastone D]

I was away from the forum for a little while, getting caught up on work again, and I was shoked to see the Sawn/Dolphin rate increase for government/teacher/nurses , and I have to say I was upset.

After thinking about it I phrased my question the wrong way..., I know the S/D are a great buy at the discounted rate, because there is no chance of ever getting an EPCOT hotel for that price during any other time of year. I guess I was just surpirsed when I called down there and was told about it. While $30/night extra will still hurt, all I have to think about is the benefit of being able to walk to EPCOT, The Boardwalk and MGM!!

Anyway thank you for letting me vent, and I will be planning my next trip soon!

 

[supamaki]

That's about what you would pay for a moderate, and I can honestly say ANY moderate is better than these monstrocties.
With most codes you can pay less than that, and even get a few Deluxes. I would never stay at either again. The employees were rude, the hotel was very poorly run and I didn't feel like they were glad to have my business. I felt they treated me like cattle, thinking they did so much business with conventions regular people didn't matter.

 

[Luvdisney]

Are you sure about the resort fee? I hate to pay $8 for something I won't use. It looks to me the Dolphin is just trying to raise the nightly rate on all the guest that made ressies before the rate increase. I don't drink coffee or tea and while at Disney I rarely, if ever, read the paper, who has time to anyway. I know with all the walking I'm going to do, the last place I will be is the fitness center. I also have a cell phone with long distance included in the monthly fee, so I won't be using the phone in the room. What else does this fee cover, anyone know.

 

[NancyIL]

I don't know if you can get the person at the S/D front desk to waive the resort fee. For what it's worth - the Marriott Orlando World Center and the Wyndham Palace have had similar mandatory resort fees for several years.

 

[Luvdisney]

I know the last 2 times I have stayed at the Dolphin they have waived the fee. I sure hope they do it this time. I'm staying for 7 nights and sure could use the $56.00 on other Disney stuff.

 

[disnurse]

well I'm not too upset with the price hike as its still the best deal in town for us. I have never seen any discounts over school vacation which is when I am able to travel(excluding summer). I always go at peak rates and this still beats the moderates prices.

 

[gottgotowdw]

I was told also that the resort fee could be waived although recently read on the boards that they will stop doing that.

Supamaki... From a fellow L.I.'er ...didnt like it at the S/D?
We are staying there for the first time in June. I hope I am making the right decision. Got the 129 nurse rate. Have been at the BS and WL before and had a wonderful time. Anyone else with any opinions on this??

 

[TZMOM]

when's a "single-mom, not much help from deadbeat dad, works two jobs" rate gonna come out?? just wondering. . . .

 

[Ityldu]

Gastone D - I believe the rate is only $20 more not $30 - $129 to $149, but that's just from what I read.

gottogotowdw - You will never find that 100% of the guests love any resort. I'm sorry that Supamaki had such a horrible visit. Like any other place, even S/D can be off at certain times. Not that that's an excuse, but unfortunately it happens everywhere. When DH and I went for our anniversary in Jan 2001, we split b/w Dolphin and GF and GF was off that week. We were just talking again today about how we wished we would have just stayed at Dolphin that week.

The moderates are, for the most part, fabulous also, but for most people, location alone is worth the money and to be at an Epcot resort for the price of a moderate is amazing in itself. After that, it all depends on what you're looking for in a resort. We love the themeing of the Dolphin and feel that it's just as Disney as any of the other Epcot resorts. Yes, it is awesome in size, but to use that just allows us to have the most amazing views anywhere in Disney. Both times we stayed at Dolphin we were upgraded for free to spectacular views of Epcot and MGM and there's nothing like lying in bed watching fireworks after a very long day.

Stick with your plans to stay at the Dolphin, I'm sure you'll find it great. At worst you can always say at least you tried it. You'll never find a rate of $129 again, so you might as well go for it now.

 

[gottgotowdw]

Itydu...
Thanks for the input. We are definitely going for it and wont change ressies now. I know that you can hear such varying reports and not everyones expectations are the same or their overall experiences. I have never had a "bad" trip down to WDW and I hope I never do.
Not too much longer till we go. We cant wait!!

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

That is still a good price...considering you could be paying over $250/night to stay there in the first place. I love being near the Boardwalk and the two parks!

 

[Ityldu]

gottogotowdw - Glad you decided to stick with Dolphin. We'll be at there the same time as you. We check in on June 25 for 5 nights. Have a great stay.

BTW - DH and I both grew up on LI and miss it very much. Great place to live!!