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

[NancyIL]

Swan waives it as one of your three choices of amenities. I have had it waived the last two trips since SPG made changes to gold/platinum last year.

That has also been my experience at the Swan when I choose free Internet as my amenity.

 

[NancyIL]

Not to argue, but my experience was different. Stayed at the Swan twice in the past month (Aug 21-24 and again Aug 31 - Sep 4) and was not granted this waiver. I'm Gold and did ask about it at checkin. Was told both times that Westin does not waive the fee. I even mentioned to them at check in that I knew the Dolphin (Sheraton) did waive the fee because I have also stayed there recently, but they were adamant that they didn't do that at the Swan.

Jeff, what Gold amenity did you choose?

ETA: the only way to get free Internet (as the Gold amenity) is to waive the resort fee, as the Internet is included in the resort fee. However, I haven't stayed at the Swan since April, and policies can change.

 

[luvallprincesses]

You you all think the Swan will get the Magic Bands? We have a stay in November.

I would love to know any insiders thoughts on this, too, for January. Depending on the FP+ availability and the discounts that come out for a Disney resort, I may switch from the Dolphin.

 

[ryansstitch]

You you all think the Swan will get the Magic Bands? We have a stay in November.

I'm 99% sure this will never happen. It's a perk for staying at a disney resort, it would be a a huge business mistake to eliminate a strong incentive for people to pay more for a little extra magic in their vacation. There is chatter of some really fun and special experiences coming in the future for disney resort/magic band guests. If they shared everything with Swan/dolphin (and Hilton), what is to distinguish the disney owned resorts? The same way swan and dolphin don't have KtW cards, dining plan, swan and dolphin won't get magic bands. Extra magic hours on the other hand benefit both companies. Disney has the consumer captive and thus spending money for a few more hours, while the competitor chain can market an "exclusive" benefit, distinguishing itself from the other non-disney resorts. Just my thoughts as a business woman and one who is observant of disney practices...

 

[Dan Murphy]

You you all think the Swan will get the Magic Bands? We have a stay in November.

I would love to know any insiders thoughts on this, too, for January. Depending on the FP+ availability and the discounts that come out for a Disney resort, I may switch from the Dolphin.

Not an insider here, but yes, I would say when the testing is complete, S/D will utilize the bands, except for the charge back to resort capability, same as it is now. I feel the bands will be the standard entry method for all guests at the time the testing is completed.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Has anyone on he done a split stay recently with a wdw resort with fp+/magic bands and then went over to swan/dolphin? If so, were you able to continue to use the bands?

 

[luvallprincesses]

Not an insider here, but yes, I would say when the testing is complete, S/D will utilize the bands, except for the charge back to resort capability, same as it is now. I feel the bands will be the standard entry method for all guests at the time the testing is completed.

I, too, was under the impression that off site resorts would be using them eventually also (since the turnstyles are all but replaced for their use), and figured S/D might be the first "off site" resort to be utilized. Whether/when FP+ will coincide is another question. And when this will happen is of course the biggest question. Hard to make a decision on resort, Dolphin vs. Yacht Club, without knowing. Then again, discounts for Jan aren't out yet either so it just an extra big waiting game right now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[LovintheLodge]

The resort fee is in addition to the room rate, and not included in it. However, $289 probably does include the resort fee, because the taxes are 12.5%.

If Gold or Platinum Starwood members choose free Internet as their amenity - they wont be charged the resort fee.

Yes that is correct. I probably didn't word it well. Our rate is 242.10 (boardwalk view with balcony). After adding the resort fee and taxes it comes out to $289.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[LovintheLodge]

Has anyone on he done a split stay recently with a wdw resort with fp+/magic bands and then went over to swan/dolphin? If so, were you able to continue to use the bands?

I haven't gone on my trip yet...but I have our first night booked at YC and the next 6 nights at the Swan. Due to a big convention I kept trying but could not get the Swan for that first night. The CM told me we can use the bands for our whole visit. I haven't set up any FP+ yet but it is allowing me to do so for the whole week. I'll report back!

Kerry

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[luvallprincesses]

I haven't gone on my trip yet...but I have our first night booked at YC and the next 6 nights at the Swan. Due to a big convention I kept trying but could not get the Swan for that first night. The CM told me we can use the bands for our whole visit. I haven't set up any FP+ yet but it is allowing me to do so for the whole week. I'll report back!

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Holy cow. I hadn't even thought of that as a possibility. So getting the MB will rely on having an onsite reservation for at least a first night, and FP+ appears to be truly linked to your tickets. Isn't that interesting; my wheels are turning now. And I really want to try both resorts, too. Never considered a split stay for this reason! Please do report back here with how it works out for you, with setting up the FP+ and if its all smooth sailing on your trip. I hope it goes great for you!

 

[Alabama Minnie]

We are considering switching to the Swan for our upcoming Sept. trip. The rate is the same as we now have at the Dolphin. We have only stayed at the Dolphin and I always request the EAST WING. What is a good request to ask for at the Swan? Are there "Wings" there also? Also, we have always been upgraded from traditional room to resort-view at the Dolphin. What are the chances at the Swan. We are SPG members. Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always ask and get, east wing at the Swan. Better chance of getting an Epcot view. And I just am more used to the east wing..... home.

 

[OKW Lover]

We are considering switching to the Swan for our upcoming Sept. trip. The rate is the same as we now have at the Dolphin. We have only stayed at the Dolphin and I always request the EAST WING. What is a good request to ask for at the Swan? Are there "Wings" there also? Also, we have always been upgraded from traditional room to resort-view at the Dolphin. What are the chances at the Swan. We are SPG members. Thanks!

Judging by my recent (aug/sep) experience at the Swan your chances are 50/50. We got a nice upgrade (balcony, looking at BW) on our first stay, but on our second stay a week later we got the bus-stop view. We are SPG Gold.

 

[luvmy3boyz]

We are heading to the Dolphin this weekend, resort view.... Last time we were in East wing and really liked the location. Does anyone have any other suggestions for a good location for resort view? Thanks!!

Karyn

 

[Robbi]

Hi y'all, is it possible to book a teacher rate on the swandolphin.com site? If it is, what is the code? I've tried both TEACH and TEACHER and neither have worked. I am an SPG member. Thank-you!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Hi y'all, is it possible to book a teacher rate on the swandolphin.com site? If it is, what is the code? I've tried both TEACH and TEACHER and neither have worked. I am an SPG member. Thank-you!

When you go through the special teacher link on the S &D site it says the code is TEACH, but I've normally had better luck calling or going through the teacher link. I've tried just typing TEACH into the main S & D site and it doesn't work. If you go to the promotions page on the S & D site there should be an ad on the right side when you scroll down that says teacher rates. Click on that and it will direct you to the teacher rates

 

[SRUAlmn]

When you go through the special teacher link on the S &D site it says the code is TEACH, but I've normally had better luck calling or going through the teacher link. I've tried just typing TEACH into the main S & D site and it doesn't work. If you go to the promotions page on the S & D site there should be an ad on the right side when you scroll down that says teacher rates. Click on that and it will direct you to the teacher rates

Correction: its not 'promotions'.....click on 'rates and packages.'

 

[Robbi]

Correction: its not 'promotions'.....click on 'rates and packages.'

Thanks so much! I'll try that.

 

[PolyAddict]

I think we stayed in one of these before...is it a king bed/sofa bed/table and chair area?

thanks

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I haven't gone on my trip yet...but I have our first night booked at YC and the next 6 nights at the Swan. Due to a big convention I kept trying but could not get the Swan for that first night. The CM told me we can use the bands for our whole visit. I haven't set up any FP+ yet but it is allowing me to do so for the whole week. I'll report back!

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Awesome! Please report back! We stay at WL for 6 nights and then Swan for 3 nights in November with 8 day tickets attached to the WL package. I hope we can do fp+ the whole trip!