Swan reservation.. Did I do the right Thing?

[kimmie]

I just booked the Swan between Christmas and through New Year. Rate I received is $162.50 plus tax and resort fee.. $191.19 total. Is this a good rate for this time of year? I am so nervous and need some reassurance that I did the right thing. I have looked other places for the Swan rate and some are higher. I booked directly through Swan/Dolphin. Help me get excited about staying there and my rate...pleeeze?

P.S. This is AAA rate. I realize this is not the $99 rate, but other than SPG and AAA, I do not qualify for other discounts.

Anything you can tell me would be appreciated!

 

[TammyC]

Please double check this with the specifics of your reservation, but usually you can cancel with no penalty up to 5 days prior at the Swan. If a better rate comes along you can book it!

 

[Mouseteacher]

It certainly seems like a great rate since this is a high season - most expensive time to stay. I love the S/D - just returned from a Swan stay and did the Dolphin last summer. I am sold on both resorts and would not hesitate to return - and... I was a Disney-resort-only-for-me person!

 

[Bete]

From the price it sounds like you have the entertainment book card rate which is good. There are better rates for military, etc and annual pass holders but you have to qualify.

What you need to decide, is it too much to pay for a room considering you did this post. It sounds like you don't want to spend that much. There are more reasonable resorts.

If you go to their website and enter your dates I'm sure you will find regular rates well over $200/night. Check it out.

 

[kimmie]

I am thinking that this is a pretty good rate. This is one of those trips I didn't really plan on doing... just don't know what to do with the kids for 16 days of Christmas vacation!! lol. We already have a spring trip planned at Sog (sister got the rate) and Polynesian. So I really didn't think we would be going before then. I know that the AP rates are not out for that December time (currently don't have an AP). So I wanted to get something different. I have been anxious to try the Swan, and just want to make sure I am not paying too much.

Keep on with the opinions please!!

Bete - I asked for the AAA rate and thats what she gave me. Is the entertainment rate the same as the back of the DC card?

 

[CamColt]

We are staying at the Swan 12/20-12/29 for 154.99(including tax), plus the $10.00 fee, so say 165.00/night, with the AP rate. Youre not far from that rate so I would think you have a pretty good deal.
BTW, we were originally booked at All Stars at 124.00(with tax) night for that same time period. We couldnt pass up the Swan deal for $40.00 more.

 

[kimmie]

CamColt,

If I did the math correctly.. I could save $26 per night more if I could get the AP rate, times 6 nights would be $156 savings. I would have to get an AP for one of us, right. How much is an adult AP? Could I use a child AP? What would that be?
Would it save me in the long run since we will be going back in April 2004?

Thanks

 

[CamColt]

We bought our APs at the Disney Store with the Disney Club discount. Adults were 377.01 and kids were 320.57. I believe I have read here that you can get the AP rates with a childs AP, but Im not really sure about that. You may want to call the Swan directly and ask.
I believe its around 8 park days when the AP becomes a better deal. However, watch out because it may end up costing you more. We got our APs thinking we would take a trip this summer and one next. Well somehow because "we already had the passes" we added in this 9 night trip over the holidays.

 

[wld]

If you are taking 2 week long trips in a year I would think AP would be cheaper. Also if a cheaper rate for the Swan comes out they are very good about just switching you over to the new rate without any canceling. It happened to me for our last May trip.

The problem with AP's are you do tend to sneak in another trip because "the tickets are already paid for".

 

[NHAnn]

That sounds like a good rate for the holidays at the Swan.
You'll love it !

 

[kimmie]

It sounds like a good idea to get the AP. But I know about sneaking in more trips! I am concerned with only buying one AP, then what will the other members of my family do! They will want AP's too! That will mean a lot of $$. Yikes, I am confusing myself. lol. With two trips now planned within one year, how can you NOT get AP's? Oh boy, what have I done now. lol Gotta give this AP thing more thought. There are 5 of us!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Im not sure about this but if you buy 1 AP you get the rate for rooms if your booking more than one but i think you have to buy an adult one im not sure i have heard that sometimes you can book Ap and they dont even ask to see it
good luck
but you have a good rate already !

 

[Connears]

We will be at the Swan 12/28-1/02/04. When we booked the entertainment book and Teachers rate was $149. We decided to go for club level and got that for $214. Its really great to have a discount during the holiday week. WDW hotels don't discount that week(from what I heard). We are DVC members and decided to rent our points at OKW and do the Swan at the great rate. Can't beat the location! Especially for New Year's Eve. Maybe we'll run into you!
Connears

 

[kimmie]

Funny you should mention that!

I just called for Club level rates. For us (using AAA) the Club level would be $222.50. If I had AP it would be $214. I currently don't have an AP, but since we are going again in April am really considering it. It just seems to cost so much more every time I add things to this trip. I am driving myself crazy.

Would it be worth it for us to go to Club level even at $225? There are five of us and I am thinking with the kids they may take advantage of the Club offerings. What do you think?

It would be an increase of approx. $60 per night.

HELP!

 

[kimmie]

Would Club level be worth it @ $60 per night increase?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Kimmie, are you planning on going to the parks 8 days or more over the course of a year from Christmas of this year till Christmas of next year. If so, on a pure $ basis for the tickets, AP's are better, plus, whatever other discounts you get. And, the Swan is great!!!!!

Hey, you are in IL. You need to make it to one of our many DIS meets we have. There are two next weekend. Send me a PM for the details!!!

 

[kimmie]

Thanks Dan! I sent you a pm

I just keep thinking how expensive this is getting. I know that it would be better to get the AP's but it will take some convincing of DH!!

 

[Tigger Fans!]

Hi-
FYI...I called my Disney Store over the weekend and they said the rate for the AP is now $399 + taxes.
TTFN!