The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ April 2012 ~ Please read post #1

[Dan Murphy]

Just returned from stay at swan. We did a split stay with beach club, moving to swan for second half of stay. I have to say I was pretty disappointed with the swan. We were on the 10th floor on a spg floor. The hallways smelled funny. Wall plaques were hanging off the wall. The elevator was run down with scuffed paint. The swan dining options were negligible. We had kids in the hallways at all hours. They shut the power off for a few hours to the whole hotel one night. We ate a picabu and the food was good but the place was dingy and strange. The staff was nice and the lobby looked good. Housekeeping was fine. The tv and phone and lamps were wired together with an extension cord that looked like it came from the dollar store and had no available outlets. There were no other outlets in the room so we had to unplug a lamp or charge items in the bathrooms. The shower was not great. I have to concur with the reports that it has gone downhill, at least when I compare my trip to a stay at swan 5 years ago. Maybe just a bad room/floor.

On one stay some years ago, when I checked into the room, the main dresser was missing. I called front desk and one was delivered to the room in about 30 minutes. A call to management about problems is always a good thing. I am sorry you had such a bad trip. 's

For those who are in need of a picture to hold them until they actually get there...

Great photo, Jeff, thanks. (HDR??)

Hi All! I may have posted another question here in the past, but DH and I will be on our babymoon 10/3-10/7 and are staying at the dolphin. I will be 28 weeks pregnant at the time, and have recently discovered the joys of swollen numb feet. First question, have any of you had luck with requesting a room near to elevator or certain areas of the resort? Should I try that in advance or wait until we arrive? I am spg gold, but I have found that Starwood doesn't value gold as much as Hilton, so I'm not expecting much love from that. However, did that seem to give you any leverage in requesting a room?
Thanks!

I find SPG, both here at S/D, as well as other locations, are very cognizant of gold status members. I am reminded by staff there multiple times throughout my stays that I am gold, have been upgraded very nicely and received my amenity upon checkin, along with my increase in points earned and sometimes, when requested, later checkout

 

[OKW Lover]

Great photo, Jeff, thanks. (HDR??)

I find SPG, both here at S/D, as well as other locations, are very cognizant of gold status members. I am reminded by staff there multiple times throughout my stays that I am gold, have been upgraded very nicely and received my amenity upon checkin, along with my increase in points earned and sometimes, when requested, later checkout

That wasn't an HDR pix Dan. I often do some playing with my photos, but this one was straight out of the camera.

I've also had mostly good experience being SPG gold. More so at the Dolphin. At the Swan I got a nice upgrade to a balcony room two weeks ago, but this stay we got the bus stop view.

 

[LovintheLodge]

For those who are in need of a picture to hold them until they actually get there...

Absolutely love this photo!!

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Dan Murphy]

That wasn't an HDR pix Dan. I often do some playing with my photos, but this one was straight out of the camera.....

Nice.

 

[ryansstitch]

That wasn't an HDR pix Dan. I often do some playing with my photos, but this one was straight out of the camera.

I've also had mostly good experience being SPG gold. More so at the Dolphin. At the Swan I got a nice upgrade to a balcony room two weeks ago, but this stay we got the bus stop view.

Wow, hope I have your luck! I have had not great experiences with spg, but if they will serve my purpose better than a Hilton for a time (I will actually be moving over to bonnet creek Hilton at the end of our stay to relax!), I will stay there. Had a really awful experience at one of the luxury collection spg hotels in California a few weeks ago. Lets just say it might have been luxurious under the filth....them remarking that they appreciate my loyalty did NOT make me feel better!

 

[momofboyz3]

Hi all! I'm so confused since I was set on CSR for our July 2014 vacation. Then I hear of Swan/Dolphin and I'm a huge fan of Westin hotels. I read about 10 pages of this thread and will continue. My ONLY issue is: I am not the most organized person & I like the idea of having my room key, park tix and DDP on one card... I love the DDP for its convenience (I realize that's not an option) I'm a single parent who travels with 3 boys so everything together made life easy! So can someone tell me that my concern is no big deal and share their secret for keeping it all together. This resort looks amazing!!!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I carry my annual pass, Swan room key card and Tables in Wonderland card in bag. Never a problem.

 

[melliej]

Hi all! I'm so confused since I was set on CSR for our July 2014 vacation. Then I hear of Swan/Dolphin and I'm a huge fan of Westin hotels. I read about 10 pages of this thread and will continue. My ONLY issue is: I am not the most organized person & I like the idea of having my room key, park tix and DDP on one card... I love the DDP for its convenience (I realize that's not an option) I'm a single parent who travels with 3 boys so everything together made life easy! So can someone tell me that my concern is no big deal and share their secret for keeping it all together. This resort looks amazing!!!!!

I would assume that by the time you go the Magic Bands will be in full swing, so you will have that and your room key . I usually bring my "vacation" wallet with to the parks. I don't feel comfortable not having a credit card, insurance information and ID with me.

 

[OKW Lover]

Kind of tagging onto the discussion of room keys, park tickets, etc. I noticed that the store in the Swan has the new tap-to-pay devices by the registers. Surprised me because the room key cards aren't RFID and I didn't think the Swolphin allowed you to charge to Disney Resort cards.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The two Disney owned stores, Disney Cabanas in the Swan and Daisy’s Garden in the Dolphin, will accept and use any kind of Disney payment medium.

 

[OKW Lover]

The two Disney owned stores, Disney Cabanas in the Swan and Daisy’s Garden in the Dolphin, will accept and use any kind of Disney payment medium.

Ahh, that explains it. I was in Cabana at the Swan and didn't realize its actually a Disney owned store.

 

[SingingMom]

Just have to share some exciting news with my Swan & Dolphin Friends!!! Forgive me for OT, but I am SO excited!!!!!

DD20 is studying abroad this semester in London... I just booked two nights at the Disneyland Hotel in DISNEYLAND PARIS!!!
I am going to visit her during her break, and since she really is interested in a career with Disney after graduation, I thought this would be a great opportunity to experience another park in another country! We will be there in October !!! Mother-Daughter trip!!

And, to have even MORE be happy dancing about, the three of us are headed back to our beloved Dolphin in January!! So much to look forward to!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[RachelTori]

Just have to share some exciting news with my Swan & Dolphin Friends!!! Forgive me for OT, but I am SO excited!!!!!

DD20 is studying abroad this semester in London... I just booked two nights at the Disneyland Hotel in DISNEYLAND PARIS!!!
I am going to visit her during her break, and since she really is interested in a career with Disney after graduation, I thought this would be a great opportunity to experience another park in another country! We will be there in October !!! Mother-Daughter trip!!

And, to have even MORE be happy dancing about, the three of us are headed back to our beloved Dolphin in January!! So much to look forward to!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

WOW and Congrats! The upcoming months are going to be filled with fun and exciting adventures!

Don't forget to bring back many photos (and stories! ) from Disneyland Paris!

 

[luvallprincesses]

Kind of tagging onto the discussion of room keys, park tickets, etc. I noticed that the store in the Swan has the new tap-to-pay devices by the registers. Surprised me because the room key cards aren't RFID and I didn't think the Swolphin allowed you to charge to Disney Resort cards.

Are you thinking FP+ is also going to be available to Swan/Dolphin resorts vis the Magic Bands before the regular FP system is phased out, or just referring to the use of Magic Bands for park entrance and (Disney) charging?

 

[patty57]

Just have to share some exciting news with my Swan & Dolphin Friends!!! Forgive me for OT, but I am SO excited!!!!!

DD20 is studying abroad this semester in London... I just booked two nights at the Disneyland Hotel in DISNEYLAND PARIS!!!
I am going to visit her during her break, and since she really is interested in a career with Disney after graduation, I thought this would be a great opportunity to experience another park in another country! We will be there in October !!! Mother-Daughter trip!!

And, to have even MORE be happy dancing about, the three of us are headed back to our beloved Dolphin in January!! So much to look forward to!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

How wonderful!

 

[RaySharpton]

Yea...I just signed up for the DISApalooza 2013 Pixar Place/Toy Story Mania Party!!!!
12/06/2013 - 10:00PM.

Any one else going?

 

[RaySharpton]

Just have to share some exciting news with my Swan & Dolphin Friends!!! Forgive me for OT, but I am SO excited!!!!!

DD20 is studying abroad this semester in London... I just booked two nights at the Disneyland Hotel in DISNEYLAND PARIS!!!
I am going to visit her during her break, and since she really is interested in a career with Disney after graduation, I thought this would be a great opportunity to experience another park in another country! We will be there in October !!! Mother-Daughter trip!!

And, to have even MORE be happy dancing about, the three of us are headed back to our beloved Dolphin in January!! So much to look forward to!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Congratulations!!! That is wonderful news. Ray

 

[SingingMom]

Congratulations!!! That is wonderful news. Ray

Thanks everyone!! Miss my girl and looking so forward to an exciting adventure with her!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

....DD20 is studying abroad this semester in London... I just booked two nights at the Disneyland Hotel in DISNEYLAND PARIS!!!
I am going to visit her during her break, and since she really is interested in a career with Disney after graduation, I thought this would be a great opportunity to experience another park in another country! We will be there in October !!! Mother-Daughter trip!!....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

That sounds great, SM, have a great trip!!!


Sent from my desktop

 

[afcgirl]

I have to share my excitement! Just booked the Dolphin for spring break this year! We stayed at the Swan last spring break for the first time, and we loved it! It was one of our best Disney trips ever! It will be me, dh and our two boys, ages 15 and 12. We loved walking to Epcot and lounging by the amazing pool.

Anyone else going end of March? We got a pretty good deal on the room, plus free breakfasts as SPG members.