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

[pumba]

I really tried to read and read some more to find out if the Swan/Dolphin still has refillable mugs for their resorts.
WE stayed there in 2002 ( I think) and we all had the mugs with the swan/dolphin photos on the sides...they were really nice to have..

Our granddaughter and her fiance are honeymooning at the Swan in May...

SO any answer to that question and also any hints for them to enjoy this to the max..

thanks

 

[Mouseteacher]

Thanks. That's why we booked the room too. Buy why the East wing? Where are the others so I'm prepared

Some are located in the main building. The east wing juts out so the views are wonderful if you get an end of floor room.

We had an alcove suite one time in the main building and our view was the roof of Garden Grove. We asked for a change to the east wing and it was done the next day.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I really tried to read and read some more to find out if the Swan/Dolphin still has refillable mugs for their resorts.
WE stayed there in 2002 ( I think) and we all had the mugs with the swan/dolphin photos on the sides...they were really nice to have..

Our granddaughter and her fiance are honeymooning at the Swan in May...

SO any answer to that question and also any hints for them to enjoy this to the max..

thanks

Hi Marie.

They do, but now they have two, one for hot, one for cold, so I guess double the price. I do have a mug from a promotion there, when it was one mug for anything. Mugs from previous trips are allowed. I don't use them, so not sure how they work.

 

[pumba]

Dan...it is so nice to touch base with you.


Thanks for the info...

They arent into soda's so probably will do well with the hot ones...

Thanks again

 

[Mom of a princess]

I am so excited we are going to Disapalooza and got the amazing $119 a night rate.
We always stay at the All stars so this will be a real treat.

I have a question, where are the hot tubs located are any of them inside ?

TIA

 

[NancyIL]

I am so excited we are going to Disapalooza and got the amazing $119 a night rate.
We always stay at the All stars so this will be a real treat.

I have a question, where are the hot tubs located are any of them inside ?

TIA

I have been staying at the Swan/Dolphin since 2000, but have never used the pools or hot tubs. According to the info on their web site, there are 4 hot tubs (all outdoors), so my guess is 2 near each hotel: http://swandolphin.com/activities/pools.html

 

[SwanVT2]

Just booked sIx nights in June 2014 at the swan. This will be DD 2 first trip. We've been trying to figure out when we could go with her (with grandparents/without etc) and finally bit the bullet and will go only us three. We have a crib and am curious to hear from anyone who has used their cribs. Also read somewhere they have baby proofing kits- is this true.? Used to go every winter 2007-2011 then dd was born so very excited to return. Any big changes the last couple if years we should be aware of? And yes, love that they have Starbucks in the room,!

 

[Music City Mama]

Question that I haven't seen and if it's been asked, then I missed it.

Staying at Swan the first week of December. Already have my UT tickets in hand, they are hard cards (not paper). I know we may not be able to participate in FP+ (which I'm OK with) and they won't work as a room key or for charging, BUT, should I exchange my cards for Magic Bands when we arrive just for the purposes of park entry? Can I even do that? I feel like I've been seeing on a lot of threads that the MB bands are getting in the parks faster than the "old" way?

You won't get an actual MagicBand (the thing that goes around your wrist) as they're only for the Disney-owned resorts that are participating in testing right now. What you need for the easy entry into the park (tap the Mickey head instead of the old turnstiles), are RFID cards. When I brought my pre-purchased UT tickets with me in June, I exchanged them at the International Gateway for the hard, plastic RFID cards just to make park entry easier. If you already have the plastic cards from UT, my guess is that they're already RFID, so I don't think there is anything for you do -- you're all set. You might want to send an email to UT just to confirm that, but I'm almost positive that's the case.

 

[bas71873]

You won't get an actual MagicBand (the thing that goes around your wrist) as they're only for the Disney-owned resorts that are participating in testing right now. What you need for the easy entry into the park (tap the Mickey head instead of the old turnstiles), are RFID cards. When I brought my pre-purchased UT tickets with me in June, I exchanged them at the International Gateway for the hard, plastic RFID cards just to make park entry easier. If you already have the plastic cards from UT, my guess is that they're already RFID, so I don't think there is anything for you do -- you're all set. You might want to send an email to UT just to confirm that, but I'm almost positive that's the case.

Thanks! I really don't want a band anyway. I'm not big on wrist wear

 

[Roxy13]

Does anyone know if they have ground level rooms at the Swan? We have ECV's and would prefer not to have to use elevators. TIA

 

[luvallprincesses]

I have a Dolphin reservation for Jan at the Teacher Rate. I joined the SPG club. I recently opened the Starwoods credit card. I should have 30,000 points earned by the end of November. Will I be able to "alter" this reservation for 3 nights on points? Will it have to be 2 different reservations, where we might have to physically change rooms?

But I am also thinking about the value of these points during the low crowd levels /cheaper room rates in January. We may spend a few days in Orlando next summer; am I better off saving the points for use then and just pay in cash? I expect the teacher rate to be around $200 in January but don't know what it is in the summer?

Any advice from SPG/card members is appreciated!

 

[melliej]

I have a Dolphin reservation for Jan at the Teacher Rate. I joined the SPG club. I recently opened the Starwoods credit card. I should have 30,000 points earned by the end of November. Will I be able to "alter" this reservation for 3 nights on points? Will it have to be 2 different reservations, where we might have to physically change rooms?

But I am also thinking about the value of these points during the low crowd levels /cheaper room rates in January. We may spend a few days in Orlando next summer; am I better off saving the points for use then and just pay in cash? I expect the teacher rate to be around $200 in January but don't know what it is in the summer?

Any advice from SPG/card members is appreciated!

You can make the 2 different reservations (one on points & one with cash) and then call to have them linked so that you don't have to move. Depending on how fast you are earning points, you may want to hold on to them until you reach 40,000. If you redeem for 40,000 for 4 nights, you get the 5th night free. That is a nice bonus! I have a hard time parting with points if we have less than a 5 night stay .

 

[collette0725]

So I cannot look through 180 pages to find an answer to a question so I apologize if this has been asked before!

Easiest way to DTD?

Thank you!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Easiest?


Cab.

 

[OKW Lover]

So I cannot look through 180 pages to find an answer to a question so I apologize if this has been asked before!

Easiest way to DTD?

Thank you!!!

Easiest?


Cab.

Dan is correct, except that if you ask for a cab at the Swolphin they will try to put you in a (more expensive) town car. If you want a taxi, be sure you make that clear.

Of course you could take the Disney bus to DTD...

 

[SingingMom]

So I cannot look through 180 pages to find an answer to a question so I apologize if this has been asked before! Easiest way to DTD? Thank you!!!

We have taken the bus, and while getting there isn't too bad, coming back can be a bear! I agree with Dan - cab, even if it is just for the return trip to the Swan/Dolphin!

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

 

[afcgirl]

Does anyone know how to link a Dolphin reservation to the Disney website? It says it can't find my reservation. TIA!

 

[luvallprincesses]

You can make the 2 different reservations (one on points & one with cash) and then call to have them linked so that you don't have to move. Depending on how fast you are earning points, you may want to hold on to them until you reach 40,000. If you redeem for 40,000 for 4 nights, you get the 5th night free. That is a nice bonus! I have a hard time parting with points if we have less than a 5 night stay .

Oh, wow, I missed that bonus. Thank you SO much for letting me know. You are absolutely right, it's worth waiting for. How "last minute" can I likely change a cash reservation to a points reservation?

 

[luvallprincesses]

Does anyone know how to link a Dolphin reservation to the Disney website? It says it can't find my reservation. TIA!

Can't be done in MDE, it's considered off site right now as far as the app/Magic Bands goes. Only for "on site testing resorts" now until who knows when. If I'm wrong, please someone straighten me out; I'd LOVE to be wrong on this.

 

[melliej]

Oh, wow, I missed that bonus. Thank you SO much for letting me know. You are absolutely right, it's worth waiting for. How "last minute" can I likely change a cash reservation to a points reservation?

Good question. They say you can book on points as long as a traditional room with the lowest standard rate is available, so I would think it would depend on availability. When we did it, I believe we were still 6 months out. We already had a cash reservation. When I called SPG, they booked the points reservation THEN cancelled our cash reservation to ensure we would have a room. Since they are not modifying your cash reservation, but having to re-book it for the points redemption, I am not sure how it would work if the resort is full.