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

[cindym]

Wow my ticker from 2010 is still here! Sorry I figured out how to remove it.

 

[ahutton]

It's a beautiful day at the lemonade stand! It started out foggy but cleared up nicely. Great to be at the Dolphin! The staff here has been fantastic, it has been a relaxing getaway!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi Mrs Milo and ahutton.

And yes, you can make DR's at Disney while staying at at S/D.

 

[cindym]

Thank you Dan Murphy. The lady I talked to on the direct line said I couldn't make them. I thought she was wrong!

 

[Tess]

Also we have a king room booked with a rollaway bed at the Dolphin. Will this be really crowded? I can book 2 queens at the Swan. Which would give us the most room? We are two adults and a 5 year old. There are no sofa beds. I've stayed at all of the Epcot hotels except the Swan/Dolphin. The rates for our trip are just too good to pass up! 11/30/13 -12/07/13

We have always booked a king room at Dolphin and they have all had pull out sofa sleepers. I'm not sure every king room has a sofa sleeper, but each room we had did. That would negate the need for a rollaway bed.

I have found the double queen rooms at Swan a bit tight, but it would give you two large beds. The king rooms at Swan are of equal size to those at Dolphin with the added bonus of a sink both inside and outside the bathroom (most rooms). I have to admit, I prefer the bathroom area at Swan over Dolphin, but prefer the Dolphin over the Swan.

Hopefully someone else can relate their experiences with the king rooms at Dolphin.

 

[cgattis]

You can only make them at 180 days, though, not 180+10.

 

[cindym]

Thanks for your answers. I am getting some strange answers from the people answering the 888 number for the Swan/Dolphin. I figured I would get the correct answers from The Dis board!

 

[cgattis]

And one other note...I've never had any luck using the online ADR system with a S/D confirmation number; I always have to call. Anyone know if that's always the case or if you can somehow get a compatible resort reservation number?

 

[cindym]

I finally got smart and called the resort directly. The very nice lady I talked to said we were booked into king rooms with sleeper sofas. I need two rooms. Each room will have 2 adults and 1 small child. She also said I can make ADRS at 180 days. The wise people on this board were right as I knew they would be! I'm pretty knowledgeable about WDW but this is our first experience with the Dolphin. We love the Boardwalk area and I got a good rate for the Dolphin so it was a no brainer to book there!

 

[SingingMom]

Yesterday was our one month countdown to our sixth visit to the Dolphin!!! So excited! Never have been during the winter, so not sure what to expect weather wise. Think we will pack last minute, which is so not like me!!!! It is our Christmas gift to dd19 and DH and I. We will also be there during DH birthday, so that will be fun! We don't necessarily care about swimming, but really hope it is warm enough to not need coats or sweaters!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[cgattis]

Just pack a little of everything so you can layer. The temps can vary widely from day to night, and from one day to the next. It's a great time to go; have fun!!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Hated seeing us a few days behind since the last post, felt the need to move us up once again.

Anyone managed to get a good rate for the middle of April? Know it's early, but I keep checking - $219 for a teacher's rate and $215 for the AARP rate..

Hey Dan - did you have a magical trip? One of these days, we'll connect again!

 

[SingingMom]

Hated seeing us a few days behind since the last post, felt the need to move us up once again.

Anyone managed to get a good rate for the middle of April? Know it's early, but I keep checking - $219 for a teacher's rate and $215 for the AARP rate..

Hey Dan - did you have a magical trip? One of these days, we'll connect again!

Are you an AAA member? Their rates were a little lower.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[lovingthemouse]

Checked it out, and their present rates are the same as AARP/Senior. Called the wait and watch game, and I will!!

 

[Mac7]

I heard it's possible to get a discount on the Swan and Dolphin as an educator. What all is needed to get this? Also, who can it be used on--just me or also family, friends, girlfriend, etc?

Also, I have AAA--was wondering if I can combine the two or if it's one or the other (and if that's the case, which would be my better option for savings).

I've never stayed at these hotels before (though I've seen them many times on the boat from the Boardwalk and Yacht Club en route to parks). I know they're not Disney-owned yet are in the lineup (I've always thought of it as how the Dodge Colt was made by Mitsubishi but treated like any other Dodge for the most part when it was sold at dealers).

Where does the hotel fit in terms of pricing and amenities compared to other WDW properties? I'm also seriously considering the Yacht Club.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Morning - have used the teacher discount for many years now. Either hotel requests a copy of your pay stub, or your teacher ID card, your teacher's union card or some alternate form of proof provided by your school system. We only had to provide it the first year, and it was noted after that. I don't know if others have had to provide it more frequently.

AAA is just that - bring your card to show upon check-in.
If you use either, make sure to mention it when you make the reservations.

When using either, keep track of the rates. I usually have to make it at the higher rate, and then as the time passes, check back at the hotels, or on the Starwood web site, and if a lower rate becomes available, ask them to change it .

We are spoiled by these 2 hotels, and have really not used any others on property for many years, so i am not the person to compare pricing.

Hope this has helped.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....Hey Dan - did you have a magical trip? One of these days, we'll connect again! [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Back home now, Caroline. And yes, a great time as always. The S/D is still in good order, magical. And do hope to meet up again, yes. We had some fun times there, lots of laughs together.

 

[wiigirl]

Back home now, Caroline. And yes, a great time as always. The S/D is still in good order, magical. And do hope to meet up again, yes. We had some fun times there, lots of laughs together.

Awesome!

 

[ahutton]

We had a wonderful time and are back home too.

On the king rooms - not all have a sleeper sofa. We were on the 7th floor overlooking the entrance area. Our room as an accessible room that seemed to be set for wheelchairs. The wardrobe hanging was low, handles in the bathroom, no separate sink/vanity area.

The Santa area in the evening was so much fun - he was awesome (who wouldn't be when at their favorite resort) as were his helpers.

Kristina at the front desk went so far above and beyond to make our stay magical, there are not words for it. The food at Picabu was excellent and I was so glad we got the refillable coffee mugs, we made use of them for breakfast and for decaf in the evenings.

We saw many familiar faces all around but everyone looked to be having as magical a getaway as DH and I were.

 

[cindym]

I had a reservation at the Swan which I cancelled one week ago as I decided to stay at the Dolphin instead. I am still waiting for my refund of the 1 night's deposit. It was a fully refundable rate. (AAA) I have a cancellation number. Does it typically take this long for a refund?