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

[becky11]

Bluezoo & Shula's are both LBD-worthy. I've not been to Il Mulino, but I imagine it's the same>

 

[SingingMom]

Bluezoo & Shula's are both LBD-worthy. I've not been to Il Mulino, but I imagine it's the same>

Oh, yes, it would be lovely for Il Mulino. Just remember, there will also be people in shorts.

 

[budmonster]

Bluezoo & Shula's are both LBD-worthy. I've not been to Il Mulino, but I imagine it's the same>

Thanks for the info.

Oh, yes, it would be lovely for Il Mulino. Just remember, there will also be people in shorts.

Really ...shorts? They don't have a dress code?

 

[patty57]

Thanks for the info.



Really ...shorts? They don't have a dress code?

Many diners are coming from, or going to a theme park, which explains the shorts.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Hi All!
I have a $25 Restaurant.com certificate for the Garden Grove. Although we are going this summer to WDW, we won't be using it. If anyone would like it just PM me with an address to send it to. I'm not looking for anything for it. Just being nice!

HI, I looked everywhere on Restaurant.com and I cannot find Garden Grove. Do they still have certificates for this restaurant, or is the one you gave away an older one that they will still honor?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the info.



Really ...shorts? They don't have a dress code?

Victoria and Albert's is the only restaurant on property that does not allow shorts.

 

[SRUAlmn]

HI, I looked everywhere on Restaurant.com and I cannot find Garden Grove. Do they still have certificates for this restaurant, or is the one you gave away an older one that they will still honor?

I have an extra one from when I bought some a few months ago. Are they no longer honoring them? If they are, I'd love to send you the extra one if you want it

 

[el_tigre]

It looks like the Swan and Dolphin are available on Starpicks this week.

The Starpicks rate appears to be bookable for about two-thirds of May and June dates. Rates for the Dolphin can be as low as $159 and as low as $179 for the Swan (although a few dates are considerably higher).

For those unfamiliar with Starpicks, the rates are nonrefundable and your credit card will be charged the full amount at time of booking, so make sure your plans are set in stone before reserving. Also, the resort fee is NOT included in this rate (as always). You have until Friday to book.

 

[FozzieFan]

Well I did it.... after much debate this weekend and a failed attempt at renting DVC points for a studio at the Boardwalk or Beach Club, I'm booked for the Swan, for the first time, for 6 nights in October to enjoy food and wine!!! Worked out to a rate of 188 a night since I got one night free with the sunsational promo, couldn't resist!

 

[el_tigre]

Starwood just announced its newest promotion, Nice Choice.

Rather than just post the info here in this part of thread only to have it get buried within days, I also edited my post on the front page. This is probably Starwood's weakest summer promo over the last several years, but hopefully everyone planning a visit to the Swan or Dolphin over the next few months will find a useful option.

 

[RachelTori]

Starwood just announced its newest promotion, Nice Choice.

Rather than just post the info here in this part of thread only to have it get buried within days, I also edited my post on the front page. This is probably Starwood's weakest summer promo over the last several years, but hopefully everyone planning a visit to the Swan or Dolphin over the next few months will find a useful option.

Thanks for the info!

I agree - it is weak compared to most of their recent offers. But I never pass up a chance to earn extra Starpoints so I'm signed up!

 

[RachelTori]

Well I did it.... after much debate this weekend and a failed attempt at renting DVC points for a studio at the Boardwalk or Beach Club, I'm booked for the Swan, for the first time, for 6 nights in October to enjoy food and wine!!! Worked out to a rate of 188 a night since I got one night free with the sunsational promo, couldn't resist!

Congrats! I'm sorry the points rental didn't work out, but I'm sure you will love your Swan stay.

I took advantage of the 6th night free promo for Christmas week.

What are your Food & Wine dates?

 

[ireland_nicole]

Fozzie Fan- we're doing the same thing for my 40th Bday trip to F&W - boardwalk is my dream resort, but when I checked rates for our dates, the first two were $410 and the second two were$440 Eek! Of course with the festival DVC rental not gonna happen. But hey, this way I have a king size, super comfy bed, better coffee, and a gorgeous resort with a walk by the boardwalk bakery for $169 (nurses rate). So I get the same class of hotel, plus the savings will pay for the frunch, PFTS, a few seminars and the food booths and I will sleep better. Sounds like a win-win. We've also decided to take a tOwn car from the airport- no waits for a shuttle and a grocery stop for the essentials on the way

 

[KBecks]

I am looking closely at the Dolphin for our next disney trip, we loved the Epcot area!

Looking at the room floor plans though, it looks like it would be very tight with a family of 5 in a dolphin room with a roll away. Has anyone tried 5 in a basic room with a rollaway and how did it work for you?

Our family is cozy, and we like being together.... but... we also don't want to step on each other and we want room for luggage and toys etc... we stayed in the Boardwalk and were fine.

I am reading some bad reviews on Trip Advisor (and I'm also reading bad reviews for our other possible places -- Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Sheraton Vistana..... )

It's a little scary. Also there are many complaints about the extra fees.

Anyway, please advise if you have done 5 in a room and how it worked for you. We have 3 boys, ages 8, 6 and 4.

Thank you!!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I am looking closely at the Dolphin for our next disney trip, we loved the Epcot area!

Looking at the room floor plans though, it looks like it would be very tight with a family of 5 in a dolphin room with a roll away. Has anyone tried 5 in a basic room with a rollaway and how did it work for you?

Our family is cozy, and we like being together.... but... we also don't want to step on each other and we want room for luggage and toys etc... we stayed in the Boardwalk and were fine.

I am reading some bad reviews on Trip Advisor (and I'm also reading bad reviews for our other possible places -- Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Sheraton Vistana..... )

It's a little scary. Also there are many complaints about the extra fees.

Anyway, please advise if you have done 5 in a room and how it worked for you. We have 3 boys, ages 8, 6 and 4.

Thank you!!!!

We were considering adding a rollaway, and someone respoded to me stating that there is plenty of room to do so at the Dolphin, but not at the Swan. I have a couple pictures they sent me of the rollaway in the room if you're interested (which they said was a decent size and very comfortable.)

However, we ultimately chose a suite instead. Our party consisted of all adults. By the time we paid the extra people charges and the rollaway charges it made it silly to get a rollaway. We got a great teacher rate on a suite, so that's the direction we went in. 3 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, a LR, a DR, and a wet bar area...sold! We also stayed at the BWI (deluxe CL room,) and this suite will give us almost 3x the space for 1/2 the cost!

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....I am reading some bad reviews on Trip Advisor (and I'm also reading bad reviews for our other possible places -- Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Sheraton Vistana..... )

It's a little scary. Also there are many complaints about the extra fees.......

I do not know the answers to your other questions, but as for Trip Advisor, or similar, remember, negatives will always outweigh the positives, just the nature of the sites. I personally have never had a bad experience at either of the resorts.

As for the fee, it is what it is and should not be a surprise to anyone. I look at the resort fee, and the parking fee as part of the total package when comparing the price to an alternative.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I have a question that I'm not sure I've seen asked before.... do rooms at the S&D offer the Bounceback offers that you receive at the other Disney resorts?

Thanks!

 

[el_tigre]

I have a question that I'm not sure I've seen asked before.... do rooms at the S&D offer the Bounceback offers that you receive at the other Disney resorts?

Thanks!

No, unfortunately they do not.

 

[SRUAlmn]

No, unfortunately they do not.

Bummer! Thanks!

 

[el_tigre]

Bummer! Thanks!

The good news is that there are so many discounts available, like the teacher discount it sounds like you're using, the Swan and Dolphin almost always have options that typically make them the best value among onsite resorts.