Teacher Specials-Swan/Dolphin

[CBRSimba]

After working as an accountant for the past 20 years, I went back to school for elementary education and in September, I will be teaching 4th grade at a school 5 minutes from home! Much excitement!!

However, this means that I will no longer be able to visit WDW during off-peak seasons. We went this past May and it was wonderful.

My question: what exactly are the teacher deals at the Swan and Dolphin?

Also, I love CBR. Do you really get that "Magical Disney feeling" at the Swan or Dolphin. I like walking directly outside from my room..I'm not so sure I would like the "hotel" feel.

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[swilphil]

The Dolphin is $129/night and the Swan is $144. Each charges a $10 "resort fee" per night.

I am going to the Dolphin in 8 days(!!) plus I've never stayed on site before. On this board, there are several people who LOVE the Swan/Dolphin. I'm looking forward to being able to walk to Epcot and Boardwalk, and take a short boat ride to MGM. I'm really not a bus person. We are also going to or from MK by walking through Epcot and taking the monorail.

Welcome to the world of teaching. It's nice to hear people excited to join us. Remember--don't sweat the small stuff.



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[CBRSimba]

Thanks for the info swilphil! Enjoy your stay and post when you return!

 

[Mouseteacher]

CBRSimba ~ We stayed at the Dolphin last summer on the teacher rate. I booked 2 rooms b/c DBro and his family came with us. We all were nervous about staying at a nonDisney resort but the rate was too good to pass up. We all LOVED our stay and we received a complimentary upgrade to Club Level. The location is wonderful and the Disney "feel" is in abundance - you are surrounded by Disney. I particularly like staying at a deluxe resort and the rate at the S/D makes that affordable. We are returning in July to stay at the Swan.

The teacher rate at the Swan has increased due to the new renovations. Dolphin teacher rate is still $129 but will probably go up when their renovations are complete.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Congrats on your new job, CBR! Remember, although we can't take vacations at slow, cheaper times of the year, we are one of the only professions that truly LOVES their job! Welcome to the club!

I will be at the Swan starting Monday. I have never been there before, but I can't imagine a better location! I paid extra for club level access, but with my kids in the morning I am sure it will be worth it. I also like the idea that while DH is napping, we can grab something to tide us over till our PSs and "dad" is ready to go!

One thing I liked about the "hotel" feel is knowing I can walk to dinner and not be in a torrential downpour watching alligators rise from the storm sewers while trying to make a running dash to the food court! Yes, we all know it rains every day in Florida, but why does it always seem to rain once I am refreshed and clean again? LOL

Have a wonderful school year!
Debbie

 

[CBRSimba]

Mouseteacher,

Thanks for pointing out that "The location is wonderful and the Disney "feel" is in abundance - you are surrounded by Disney." I never thought of that.

How many people can stay in a room at S/D? There are 5 in my family. Also, how is the transportation to MK, AK and water parks?

 

[Mouseteacher]

You certainly can fit 5 in the room with a rollaway. There is space for it. I don't know if the resort allows more than 4 in a standard room. I'm stumped on that question.

We found the bus transportation to MK and AK very good. We tended to get off at the Swan on our return trips b/c Swan is the first stop and we just walked through the lobby to the walkway connecting to the Dolphin. A note of interest: we were there the last week of August which is a very quiet time.

 

[CBRSimba]

mouseteacher - I'm glad to hear that the end of August was quiet.

Do you mean quiet at the hotel and the parks as well? How was the heat at that time of year?

It was very hot when we went in May..really needed our "squeeze breezes." As long as we took advantage of early entry and went back to the resort by 1:00pm to swim, we were ok. Oh, that reminds me, can guests of the Swan/Dolphin take advantage of early entry?

 

[Mouseteacher]

Both parks and resorts were quiet. The Grotto Pool was never crowded and I'm talking mid day. We would all go to the pool b/c of the heat and humidity. People were not on top of you as is the case during crowded times. One morning we practically had Main Street to ourselves. There was one time the MK was the most crowded of all the parks and I believe that was on a Saturday b/c it was the only showing of Spectro during our stay. We went from a Thursday through Wednesday. We left before the Labor Day weekend crowds hit.

The restaurants were quiet, too. We really didn't need PS. On our arrival day, we walked over to England to have lunch in the Pub. There was only one other table occupied and that was at 12:30.

Yes, you can do EE while staying at S/D. We took advantage of this due to the heat.


I would choose to go at this time of the year again (it's the third time for us) - it was calm and relaxing.

 

[workin4vacation]

CBRSimba ~
Just thought I'd let you know that the Dolphin will allow a roll-away in your room, for an additional charge per night. The beds at the dolphin are doubles.

The Swan does not have roll-aways available. The beds @the Swan are queen size (or one king). The Swan is always priced a bit higher than the Dolphin.

If you decide to stay @the Swan/Dolphin, they have all the "Disney perks" as the other Disney resorts. You can take advantage of Early Entry & E-ride night. There is boat transportation to Epcot & MGM ~ or you can walk to both. Of course there is bus transportation to all other parks.

We'll be at the Swan in 3 days!

Congrats on your new career!