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

[patty57]

I hope everyone who has a trip coming up has a wonderful time. Flower & Garden is my favorite. I really enjoyed the addition of the food kiosks last year.
The S/D thread is my favorite on the DIS. Happy to see some activity.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We are staying at the Dolphin over Spring Break (4/12-4/18), with our DS, 12. The room is booked, the flights (USAirways out of DC) are booked, the ADRs are booked, and the tickets (5 day base tix) are bought and linked to MDE.

Fingers crossed that they start letting S/D guests do advanced FP+ reservations!

We must never allow that to happen again!!

My next trip to WDW is a Dolphin stay: April 7-12 for Flower & Garden Festival!

We'll just miss you both by a few days. Enjoy the trips.

[/B]


You and me, both! We will be at The Swan the week after Easter.

TC

And we should be able to see you, TC. I presume you will see Peter?

 

[patty57]

Dan, Have the issues that kept you from going in December been taken care of? Everything good?
Patty

 

[teacher31]

Just wanted to say that we are checking in in 98 days for ten glorious nights. I can't wait!

 

[lymah]

We will be at the Swan for the 1st time in 14 days.
We have stayed at the Beach Club the last couple of times, but always wanted to try the S/D. Are there good dining options? Or treats not to be missed? (I'm more familiar food options on the Boardwalk.)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dan, Have the issues that kept you from going in December been taken care of? Everything good?
Patty

I am supposed to have a heart ablation procedure the first week in March. If successful, should take care of irregular heartbeat, and I will be okay to go. When I return, I will be looking at knee replacement, which will entail rehab over several months. I will use a scooter in April, as I have the past few trips there.

Thanks for asking, Patty.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We will be at the Swan for the 1st time in 14 days.
We have stayed at the Beach Club the last couple of times, but always wanted to try the S/D. Are there good dining options? Or treats not to be missed? (I'm more familiar food options on the Boardwalk.)

Here are the restaurants at the two resorts. (links near the top for various types).

The casual restaurants take AAA card for a 20% discount, the signatures take Tables in Wonderland. Garden Grove takes both. Picabu tacks on a 13% 'service charge' on all purchases.



http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/

 

[wilma-bride]

We will be at the Swan for the 1st time in 14 days.
We have stayed at the Beach Club the last couple of times, but always wanted to try the S/D. Are there good dining options? Or treats not to be missed? (I'm more familiar food options on the Boardwalk.)

I absolutely fell in love with the peppermint shake at The Fountain last November And the ice-cream sundaes are pretty good too

 

[Tuffcookie]

We'll just miss you both by a few days. Enjoy the trips.

And we should be able to see you, TC. I presume you will see Peter?

But, of course!

TC

 

[Tuffcookie]

We will be at the Swan for the 1st time in 14 days.
We have stayed at the Beach Club the last couple of times, but always wanted to try the S/D. Are there good dining options? Or treats not to be missed? (I'm more familiar food options on the Boardwalk.)

Lymah, During the week we like to have breakfast at the Garden Grove (before it turns into a character breakfast buffet for the weekend). I love the selection of fresh fruit they have on the buffet table; strawberries, blue berries, black raspberries, bananas, pineapple, etc. I have never seen quite a fruit selection at any other buffet table.

TC

 

[The Pluto People]

Best BLT EVER at the Fountain last December!

 

[SingingMom]

We will be at the Swan for the 1st time in 14 days. We have stayed at the Beach Club the last couple of times, but always wanted to try the S/D. Are there good dining options? Or treats not to be missed? (I'm more familiar food options on the Boardwalk.)

Fresh is great for a leisurely breakfast. Cabana Bar is terrific if the weather is nice. Bluezoo is very eclectic. Il Mulino is wonderful Italian. Shula's is an upscale steakhouse, but I do prefer the Yachtsman. The Swan/Dolphin has really fantastic dining options, and Picabu is open 24 hours!

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

 

[SingingMom]

I am supposed to have a heart ablation procedure the first week in March. If successful, should take care of irregular heartbeat, and I will be okay to go. When I return, I will be looking at knee replacement, which will entail rehab over several months. I will use a scooter in April, as I have the past few trips there. Thanks for asking, Patty.

Prayers for successful outcome, Dan!

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

 

[lowlight79]

The fountain has some bad *** burgers.

 

[lymah]

Thank you all so much for the info on food. I feel more prepared Maybe we'll even have time for sushi on our short 4 day trip. If anyone has cocktails out by the pool worth mentioning, let me know. (If I get frustrated with FP+, I may have to take a pool break.)

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thank you all so much for the info on food. I feel more prepared Maybe we'll even have time for sushi on our short 4 day trip. If anyone has cocktails out by the pool worth mentioning, let me know. (If I get frustrated with FP+, I may have to take a pool break.)

Keep your eye on Restaurant.com. During our last trip to the Dolphin we purchased SUPER discounted certificates for Kimonos and Garden Grove. I think I read that GG isn't doing them anymore, but I think Kimonos does sometimes!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I have a question about upgrades for Starwoods members

We are looking at a trip next month using dh ff miles for the room. On the website it says - double run of the house room

So if I book that room it sounds like its whatever is available? Assume it will be standard?

When we check in and show the starwoods card do they just automatically upgrade you if a different room is available or do you have to ask etc. Because I thought starwoods members get a room upgrade if one is available?

I just dont know how it works. Honestly I think the last time we asked when dh checked us in they said we could pay for an upgrade???

We dont spend that much time in the room anyway but just wondering the proper procedure/rules etc.

 

[ckelly14]

Unfortunately, I have never been upgraded at the Swan or Dolphin, but I am using points. Cash payers may have better luck...

 

[patty57]

I was upgraded at the Dolphin last May from a standard view to a balcony with a view of the Swan and walkway. I didn't request it, they just upgraded me.

 

[klepton]

I have a question about upgrades for Starwoods members

We are looking at a trip next month using dh ff miles for the room. On the website it says - double run of the house room

So if I book that room it sounds like its whatever is available? Assume it will be standard?

When we check in and show the starwoods card do they just automatically upgrade you if a different room is available or do you have to ask etc. Because I thought starwoods members get a room upgrade if one is available?

I just dont know how it works. Honestly I think the last time we asked when dh checked us in they said we could pay for an upgrade???

We dont spend that much time in the room anyway but just wondering the proper procedure/rules etc.

It depends on your level. Gold members are entitled to an upgraded room within the same category they booked. So a room on a higher floor, corner room, etc. On occasion as a gold member I've been upgraded to club level. Platinum members get an upgrade in category up until standard suite. All of this is based on availability, so nothing is guaranteed. When I stayed at the Swan in Dec I was told by the front desk that I was upgraded to the highest floor because of my gold status (I was staying on a cash + points rate). Whether I really got that upgrade or was just told I did, it's impossible to know. But I get the higher floor/better view rooms enough at SPG hotels that I do think they save them back for SPG members.