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

[binkblum]

Rooms have fridges in them. You can't get a microwave.

Oh this is great - no microwaves in Swan and/or Dolphin, please tell me that this is not the case!

 

[Dan Murphy]

That IS the case.

 

[lizabu]

Has anyone had an experience with using DCL buses from Swan or Dolphin to the cruise port? The lots of info about disney resorts to port but it's so new there is very little info about any differences when coming from Swan/Dolphin.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Have you received feed back yet? I am in a tizzy about no magic bands, etc. We are going for NYE and with the crowd calendar at 10, I am thinking that this may be an interesting trip. I have read about guests going into the park early am only to get a fast pass for 6 pm at night!

This is going to hurt S and D business if they don't have the FP plus perk!!
I would change resorts but my trip is 2 weeks away!

 

[afcgirl]

I'm in the dual club for Jan...currently BC and Dolphin at just about equal cost. Going with BC for now, buying tickets separately from the RO discount and then linking them to MDE for now because its almost MB customize and FP+ time. If the Dolphin comes up with a better rate in the next 2 months AND FP legacy is still available, I will be going that route instead and forfeiting the FP+. Gotta keep checking everything!!

I was so torn but I ended up switching my ressies for spring break (end of March) from Dolphin to Yacht Club. The 35% discount plus ability to use the dining plan made it financially comparable, and the FP+ issue tipped the scale in YC's favor. I also like trying new resorts.

However, I am sad when I see pics of the Dolphin because we had the BEST time at the Swan last spring break. It is just such a FUN resort. I am hoping the YC has the same fun vibe. We will probably be back at Dolphin over the summer when my husband builds up more Starwood points, so I am trying not to be too sad about it.

 

[#1eeyoregirl]

Kimonos IS mostly adults. However I have been taking my 5-year-olds since they were 2, no problem. We often bring sushi up to our room instead of eating in the restaurant. Either way, Kimonos is most accommodating.

Cheers,

I didn't even think about bringing it back to the room - I will have one happy little girl this trip

 

[#1eeyoregirl]

I read every page also! I was too afraid of asking something discussed to not too!

We will be doing the walk of shame as you are checking in. It's our first stay at Dolphin and can not wait for it to get here.

What rate did you get? I'm hoping we can get our rates to come down a little more before it's all said and done. If we could have gone 2 weeks earlier the price is $26/nt cheaper. We have 4 rooms total booked. 1 room w/AAA rate of $215 and 3 w/teacher rate of $209.

Michelle

Afraid I can't help you out with the rates. My mom has a nurses conference there that week and of course she cannot be that close without going to WDW and of course it is not as much fun without her grandkids there, so she invited us and is paying for our room. All I know is that she said she got a realy good rate but I don't know if it is tied to the conference or if she got one of the nurses/teacher rates.

 

[zoey9989]

Now I question my rate! I paid 276 for an epcot illuminatin view balcony for dec 20 on orbitz. is this a lot? a regular room was 189.00.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I didn't even think about bringing it back to the room - I will have one happy little girl this trip

Keep your eye on Restaurant.com, too!! We got a couple $25 gift certificates for our last trip and only paid $4 each for them!!!!

 

[Elizaspride]

How was your park experience without access to FP+? Curious because I have a room booked at the swan and at the YC. Trying to decide what to do for the first week of December.

Have you received feed back yet? I am in a tizzy about no magic bands, etc. We are going for NYE and with the crowd calendar at 10, I am thinking that this may be an interesting trip. I have read about guests going into the park early am only to get a fast pass for 6 pm at night!

I am also going the 1st week of December...so definitely curious how this will all play out with my fellow S&D guests...

Like sands through the hourglass, so does the FP+ drama unfold...
Sigh....

 

[tspnmb]

I sent an email asking about Magic Bands and Fastpass for our stay the first week of december and this was the response.
========
Hi,

The Swan and Dolphin is considered a Disney Deluxe resort, but were actually managed by Starwood so its different than staying at Disney owned properties. However, you do still have access to the extra magic hours. While we dont yet have the wristbands, you can just show your room key to get in early or stay late (just make sure you get a key for everyone in your group!). Fastpasses are available inside the parks, but we dont do any in advance. There are windows by the entrance to the rides that offer them where you can grab a pass and it tells you what time to come back and skip the line. It is totally free and open to all Disney guests.

I hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with!

Katie Rader | Reservation Sales Associate
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard | Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
P (407) 934-4000 | F (407) 934-4710

 

[yarlenna]

I sent an email asking about Magic Bands and Fastpass for our stay the first week of december and this was the response.
========
Hi,

The Swan and Dolphin is considered a Disney Deluxe resort, but were actually managed by Starwood so its different than staying at Disney owned properties. However, you do still have access to the extra magic hours. While we dont yet have the wristbands, you can just show your room key to get in early or stay late (just make sure you get a key for everyone in your group!). Fastpasses are available inside the parks, but we dont do any in advance. There are windows by the entrance to the rides that offer them where you can grab a pass and it tells you what time to come back and skip the line. It is totally free and open to all Disney guests.

I hope this helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with!

Katie Rader | Reservation Sales Associate
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard | Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
P (407) 934-4000 | F (407) 934-4710

great news

 

[ckelly14]

Interesting that the Swan and Dolphin consider themselves deluxe resorts. I'm not so sure without FP+...

 

[SRUAlmn]

Yes, but once FP+ is fully rolled out and the old
machines are gone this will no longer be the case. The only perks the S&D will still be a part of are EMH and shipping to the resort. So sad because we love being able to stay deluxe for the price of a moderate (teacher rates!)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Until if and when there is a definite statement that S/D won't get FP+, I'll presume that they will get FP+. when the Disney owned resort testing is complete. As for being deluxe resorts, both definitely are.

 

[Flews]

I didn't even think about bringing it back to the room - I will have one happy little girl this trip

Kimonos is totally set up for takeout. We've done it a dozen times. You can order at the bar, or grab a take-out menu and phon in the order. They don't deliver though; you need to pick it up.

That's what we'll be doing on Boxing Day!

Cheers,

 

[Flews]

Keep your eye on Restaurant.com, too!! We got a couple $25 gift certificates for our last trip and only paid $4 each for them!!!!

I used one of these at Kimonos. Read the fine print before buying more than one certificate though. I seem to recall you can only use one certificate at any given restaurant per year, or something like that.

Also, look into signing up for the S/D dining loyalty program. I think it's on their website, or ask at one of their finer restaurants. You get points towards free/discounted future meals.

Cheers,

 

[ckelly14]

Until if and when there is a definite statement that S/D won't get FP+, I'll presume that they will get FP+. when the Disney owned resort testing is complete .

Hopefully before my Feb trip...

 

[robinbutterfly]

Kimonos is totally set up for takeout. We've done it a dozen times. You can order at the bar, or grab a take-out menu and phon in the order. They don't deliver though; you need to pick it up.

That's what we'll be doing on Boxing Day!

Cheers,

Oh this is GREAT NEWS!

 

[cgattis]

Ok, this may be old news, but when I called the other day to make T'giving 2014 ressies, I was told the resort fee will be $20 in 2014!!! Yikes. Add $15 to park and it's really adding up. Prob still cheaper than any moderate at the same time, tho, so guess we can't complain too much.