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

[binkblum]

Thank you, NBCGal and to those that provided intel on the FP+. Happy that the old system still works and that I have a DD that will get us to the park at Rope Drops!

 

[goofy4tink]

Hey there! Wish we knew you were here....... we check out of Swan today and fly home this evening.

The kiosk at Epcot IG is just inside the entry - against the building. You just show your Swan or Dolphin room key, give the CM your ticket and they get you set up for 3 FP+. We used it yesterday and it took just a couple minutes.

See you next trip!

Dang...can't believe we were there at the same time and didn't know it!! I did get to use the kiosk later on..it was just past the turnstiles. The CMs did seem to have a bit of trouble figuring out how to get my FP+ times to match up with my friend's times. I was able to do that, while on the phone, with my friend's for our Dec trip, but it can be convoluted.

I've stayed at the S/D many times. This past stay at the Dolphin was less than stellar! When I got to checkin, around 6:30ish (after a hellish day of travel down from Boston), I was given room 3201. Even though I've stayed here many times, I never realized that level 3 is actually the lobby level...one would have thought the CM would have mentioned that. Ok....no wonder I couldn't fine 3 on the elevators...duh!! So, I go back to Bell Services and ask how to get to my room. I was given very explicit directions to a corridor I never knew existed!! I got to my assigned room to find the 'privacy please' hanger out...but tried my key anyway. Nope, no luck. I walked back to the front deck, for the third time now, to let them know my room was actually occupied. The man I talked to wasn't very happy. He wanted to know who had checked me in...I'm sure that girl got an earful later. Well, seems she had the numbers mixed up...I was in 3021. The odd thing? My bib number for the 5K was 3201..same as the first room number!! Ok...find my room and it was very pleasant..had a great view of Epcot/WS right over Seabreeze Point.
Ok..that was Thursday. So, on Friday, I returned to my room around 3ish, ready to rest for a bit, and I find my room still unmade, even though there had been housekeeping carts in my hall when I left the room around 10ish!
When I got back later that night? Still not made up. On Saturday, I was pretty pooped after getting up at 3am to get to the bus to the 5K at 5am, so headed back to the resort around 2:30 to lie down since I was planning on going to the after party that night. The room wasn't made up, yet again. So, I sat out on the balcony reading, until around 4, the housekeeper knocked on the door! Man. Nothing on Sunday, again, there were carts in my hall that morning as I left. But they did make up the room on Monday! So, I was there 5 nights and the room was made up twice. Not so wonderful.
The resort was really cranking with conventions/meetings! As I left my hallway area and headed towards the lobby the din got louder and louder. I can't begin to imagine how those people could hear each other talk!! It was zoo. As much as I love the Dolphin and having Picabu right downstairs, I think I'll be asking for the Swan from now on!

 

[patty57]

I'm a recent convert to Swan/Dolphin, and have stayed in each one time. If all things were equal...I would choose the Swan for the quieter atmosphere. I also really like the two interior courtyards. The reality is that I would stay in whichever was less expensive.

 

[RachelTori]

Dang...can't believe we were there at the same time and didn't know it!! I did get to use the kiosk later on..it was just past the turnstiles. The CMs did seem to have a bit of trouble figuring out how to get my FP+ times to match up with my friend's times. I was able to do that, while on the phone, with my friend's for our Dec trip, but it can be convoluted.

I've stayed at the S/D many times. This past stay at the Dolphin was less than stellar! When I got to checkin, around 6:30ish (after a hellish day of travel down from Boston), I was given room 3201. Even though I've stayed here many times, I never realized that level 3 is actually the lobby level...one would have thought the CM would have mentioned that. Ok....no wonder I couldn't fine 3 on the elevators...duh!! So, I go back to Bell Services and ask how to get to my room. I was given very explicit directions to a corridor I never knew existed!! I got to my assigned room to find the 'privacy please' hanger out...but tried my key anyway. Nope, no luck. I walked back to the front deck, for the third time now, to let them know my room was actually occupied. The man I talked to wasn't very happy. He wanted to know who had checked me in...I'm sure that girl got an earful later. Well, seems she had the numbers mixed up...I was in 3021. The odd thing? My bib number for the 5K was 3201..same as the first room number!! Ok...find my room and it was very pleasant..had a great view of Epcot/WS right over Seabreeze Point.
Ok..that was Thursday. So, on Friday, I returned to my room around 3ish, ready to rest for a bit, and I find my room still unmade, even though there had been housekeeping carts in my hall when I left the room around 10ish!
When I got back later that night? Still not made up. On Saturday, I was pretty pooped after getting up at 3am to get to the bus to the 5K at 5am, so headed back to the resort around 2:30 to lie down since I was planning on going to the after party that night. The room wasn't made up, yet again. So, I sat out on the balcony reading, until around 4, the housekeeper knocked on the door! Man. Nothing on Sunday, again, there were carts in my hall that morning as I left. But they did make up the room on Monday! So, I was there 5 nights and the room was made up twice. Not so wonderful.
The resort was really cranking with conventions/meetings! As I left my hallway area and headed towards the lobby the din got louder and louder. I can't begin to imagine how those people could hear each other talk!! It was zoo. As much as I love the Dolphin and having Picabu right downstairs, I think I'll be asking for the Swan from now on!

I got a headache just reading about all the issues you had. So sorry about that. I was at Swan (mostly), but did move to Dolphin one night (11/4) and they put me in a Junior Suite! I was up on the 15th floor, in a very private area - it was heavenly!

We left Saturday afternoon, 11/9, (our flight to ATL was at 6:30pm) and I have to say I was glad to get out of that whole area! It was a mob scene with all the runners, conventioneers, and regular guests!!






But you're right - Swan is (generally) much quieter! That's where I'll be again 12/2-7!

 

[binkblum]

Does Dolphin have bed rails? I have a 2 yr DD that may end up sleeping in the bed rather than the crib.

 

[SingingMom]

Goofy4tink - sorry for your housekeeping issues! Since the Dolphin is such a large complex, I tend to call the housekeeping line when we leave for the day and let them know the room is ready to be cleaned. It always is ready when we return!

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

 

[OKW Lover]

Wow Goffy4Tink, that's really poor service. Val & I were across the causeway at the Swan at the same time you were there (sorry we didn't cross paths Diane) and got very good service. As SPG gold members, then left us a message that housekeeping would schedule our room cleaning for 1:00 pm each day but if another time worked better I could just call them.

I hope they gave you some extra Starwood points for the missed housekeeping. The Swolphin actually has a program where you can forgo daily housekeeping and they will credit you some extra points for each day you opt-out.

 

[NancyIL]

So, I was there 5 nights and the room was made up twice.

Could you have accidentally signed up for the Make a Green Choice option? When you do so, they are supposed to clean your room only every 3 days, and give you a card on the days they don't clean for $5 in F&B credit or 500 SPG points. I like getting the points.

http://www.starwoodpromos.com/westingreenchoice/

 

[RobinEJ]

Hi, I'm just wondering if they still offer the refillable mugs at the Dolphin? Also does anyone know how much they are or if they are good for anywhere in the resort (like Picabo and the pool bar). Thanks for any help!

 

[goofy4tink]

Wow Goffy4Tink, that's really poor service. Val & I were across the causeway at the Swan at the same time you were there (sorry we didn't cross paths Diane) and got very good service. As SPG gold members, then left us a message that housekeeping would schedule our room cleaning for 1:00 pm each day but if another time worked better I could just call them.

I hope they gave you some extra Starwood points for the missed housekeeping. The Swolphin actually has a program where you can forgo daily housekeeping and they will credit you some extra points for each day you opt-out.

I'm not at the gold level yet!!!! I haven't had a housekeeping issue before, which is why I was so surprised! Guess I should have called them but really didn't think it was needed. Oh well...looks like the Swan for me the next time.
I was sorry I didn't get to see you and Val at any point!!!

Could you have accidentally signed up for the Make a Green Choice option? When you do so, they are supposed to clean your room only every 3 days, and give you a card on the days they don't clean for $5 in F&B credit or 500 SPG points. I like getting the points.

http://www.starwoodpromos.com/westingreenchoice/

That's what I thought might have happened but since they cleaned twice, that wasn't the case.

 

[lizabu]

Goofy4tink - sorry for your housekeeping issues! Since the Dolphin is such a large complex, I tend to call the housekeeping line when we leave for the day and let them know the room is ready to be cleaned. It always is ready when we return! "SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I like this tip. I might try it next time. Every day we went back to our room for a break at 2 or 3 and our room was never made up. We had to call or stop by the Front Desk

I'm not at the gold level yet!!!! I haven't had a housekeeping issue before, which is why I was so surprised! Guess I should have called them but really didn't think it was needed. Oh well...looks like the Swan for me the next time. I was sorry I didn't get to see you and Val at any point!!! That's what I thought might have happened but since they cleaned twice, that wasn't the case.

How long was your stay? They have a Gold challenge where you stay 9 nights in 3 months and you get upgraded to gold. If your stay was recent they can count those nights towards the 9 you need. Just call SPG.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I have a few questions -
I just found out I could get the teacher discount for our trip this summer. We are a family of 5, do we would be at the Dolphin, but the price is great. We have 3 teenage boys, are we going to be too crowded, or will it be about the same as a WDW resort. We would need a roll a way bed.
What is the best way to get from the airport?
We stayed at the Polynesian and Contemporary and had the dinning play the last 3 trips, but our last trip was in 2007. It has been so long, I am really our of planning practice.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a few questions -
I just found out I could get the teacher discount for our trip this summer. We are a family of 5, do we would be at the Dolphin, but the price is great. We have 3 teenage boys, are we going to be too crowded, or will it be about the same as a WDW resort. We would need a roll a way bed.
What is the best way to get from the airport?
We stayed at the Polynesian and Contemporary and had the dinning play the last 3 trips, but our last trip was in 2007. It has been so long, I am really our of planning practice.

It will be a bit crowded, but not any worse than being at a WDW moderate. A roll away bed will be a great thing..or bring an air mattress with bedding. That's what I tend to do if I need extra sleeping space.
The Mears shuttle is wondeful, but for you it would be cheaper to use a car service. It's about $35 r/t pp on Mears. A car service will run about $120 or so, plus tip. You would need a larger car than the Lincoln though..maybe a van. But it should cost the same. Unless you booked a true limo.

 

[vicb]

With a town car you get a grocery stop which can save a bunch of money

 

[lizabu]

That's what we did. We booked it through the Swan/Dolphin Concierge page. We had a van for 7 through Mears. It's was $90 some odd dollars there and $60 some odd dollars back. They stopped at the super Walmart and we bought snacks and cereal.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

The deal I can get is great, but I am worried about the space (the boys will be 14, 14 & 18). We would have to do a roll a way bed, since we are flying - a first for the twins. The boys would love a limo, and with the saving we we be getting we could do it,
Will we miss the Disney magic? We are also looking at the Beach Club.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....Will we miss the Disney magic? We are also looking at the Beach Club.

If I missed the Disney magic, I would not stay there. It is great, and you are in the middle of it. You will not miss the magic.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

If I missed the Disney magic, I would not stay there. It is great, and you are in the middle of it. You will not miss the magic.

Thanks

 

[afcgirl]

The deal I can get is great, but I am worried about the space (the boys will be 14, 14 & 18). We would have to do a roll a way bed, since we are flying - a first for the twins. The boys would love a limo, and with the saving we we be getting we could do it,
Will we miss the Disney magic? We are also looking at the Beach Club.

I agree with above poster, you definitely won't miss the magic. I am staying at Yacht Club next March, but stayed at Swan last March and we loved it! I don't understand people who say there is no "magic"at Dolphin, you are surrounded by the Boardwalk, YC, BC, and have views of Epcot. Tons of magic around you! We are definitely going back to Dolphin/Swan! And the pool is better than any Disney resort we have stayed at. You will have a great time.

 

[wildcard898]

I agree with above poster, you definitely won't miss the magic. I am staying at Yacht Club next March, but stayed at Swan last March and we loved it! I don't understand people who say there is no "magic"at Dolphin, you are surrounded by the Boardwalk, YC, BC, and have views of Epcot. Tons of magic around you! We are definitely going back to Dolphin/Swan! And the pool is better than any Disney resort we have stayed at. You will have a great time.

I definitely agree - stayed in a Fireworks View Room at the Dolphin in March for a friend's birthday and it was amazing! The pool is incredible too!