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

[InOverMyHead]

Hello and thank you to all the Disney lovers here, these forums are packed with useful information that I have just begun to explore.

On a whim we decided to book a trip to WDW at the end of August, we are trying to decide between the Dolphin and Swan, is there really any difference between them? The reviews seem to be more favorable at the Swan side of the resort for some reason, but the Epcot Fireworks rooms at the Dolphin side seem pretty cool. Are these hotels good for a family with small children?

There will be 4 of us going, myself, my DW, and our 3 and 6 yr old DDs. My wife has never been to a Disney theme park of any type, and the kids won't know about it until we get to the airport.
From reading this thread I would guess the Dolphin is a little better if you have children.

 

[RachelTori]

Hello and thank you to all the Disney lovers here, these forums are packed with useful information that I have just begun to explore.

On a whim we decided to book a trip to WDW at the end of August, we are trying to decide between the Dolphin and Swan, is there really any difference between them? The reviews seem to be more favorable at the Swan side of the resort for some reason, but the Epcot Fireworks rooms at the Dolphin side seem pretty cool. Are these hotels good for a family with small children?

There will be 4 of us going, myself, my DW, and our 3 and 6 yr old DDs. My wife has never been to a Disney theme park of any type, and the kids won't know about it until we get to the airport.
From reading this thread I would guess the Dolphin is a little better if you have children.

Congratulations on your upcoming trip!! How exciting for your family!!

I would definitely recommend the Dolphin for your family! I will be there myself the last week of August!

The biggest difference between the 2 resorts is the size. Swan is much smaller and quieter, but for young families, I think the Dolphin is the better choice!

Yes, the Epcot fireworks view rooms are awesome!!

 

[tuckerkeys]

I have read the thread & found so much helpful information!

I'm in the middle of planning our first trip to Disney which has been extremely overwhelming! We have friends that are planning to stay at a Disney All Star resort but however I've been leaning to the Dolphin resort!

-Again this is our first trip, no kids & we are both in our 20's considering this do you think the dolphin would be a great stay for us?
-I have major hotel phobias & by the looks of the photos I believe I would be content in staying here
-I have joined SPG after reading the thread & wondering if joinging AAA would be worth it also for us?

Thanks for all the information in this thread it has been EXTREMELY helpful, Hoping to have our room reserved within the next few days for beginning of Oct.

You will LOVE it! Joining SPG is a great step. There are many discounts offered just for spg members - My upcoming trip I got 35% off rates just for spg. Their site is a bit tricky to navigate b/c of all the areas for discounts. Just keep trying all the offers until a number you like comes up.

Also a GREAT place for the discounts is swandolphin.com If you a nurse, teacher, or military they have AWESOME rates ( as low as $135 for teacher rate in season! ) You can book through this website & enter your spg info if there is a rate you like as well.....

The dolphin is a little bit less moneywise than the swan. They both look the same in the rooms. We like the Dolphin better b/c it seems as this is the more happening place...Very quiet at the swan - which is great but my kids like the hustle and bustle...

We were exclusively Disney resort people, but once we tried the swan & dolphin - and with their great room rates PLUS you earn points towards free nights with SPG we keep going back b/c the price and location can't be beat. It's nice knowing we can have unplanned activities at our doorstep with the boardwalk & Epcot & DHS right within walking distance.

Just remember that they DO charge a resort fee which is now $14 a day- this includes wi-fi.....Also there is NO Disney magical express for you, so you'll need to rent a car ( which we do anyway) or book a towncar or cab ride. When my husband has joined my family mid trip, he has taken a towncar with tiffany towncar which was $60 to the dolphin. Cabs are about the same but every time he has done this the line in the airport for cabs were big so he was thankful for the towncar booking...

 

[LexiC123]

Attention Swan/Dolphin fans...SPG is giving away 100 free points on Facebook!

Like SPG? Like Starpoints? Then you’ll want to check this out. Visit www.spg.com/fb100K

to enter to win 100,000 Starpoints. Plus, each member will get 100 bonus Starpoints just for entering.​

 

[hsmamato2]

which hotel is a closer walk to Epcot? these look cool,and we've wandered through before,just looking..... I'm thinking it might be a good alternative to Beach Club...pricewise that is

 

[kaceyisme]

Attention Swan/Dolphin fans...SPG is giving away 100 free points on Facebook!

Like SPG? Like Starpoints? Then you’ll want to check this out. Visit www.spg.com/fb100K

to enter to win 100,000 Starpoints. Plus, each member will get 100 bonus Starpoints just for entering.​

Thanks for the heads up!!

 

[LexiC123]

which hotel is a closer walk to Epcot? these look cool,and we've wandered through before,just looking..... I'm thinking it might be a good alternative to Beach Club...pricewise that is

There's a side door at the Dolphin that exits close to the Yacht Club that shortens the walk to Epcot considerably. The only problem is that the door is locked from the inside and you can't get back into the Dolphin without walking back to the main entrance (on the boat dock side of the building).

If you were to walk to Epcot via the Boardwalk, then the Swan is the closer of the two resorts.

Thanks for the heads up!!

My pleasure!

 

[melissam2003]

Thanks for the replies to my post!
I plan to book our stay for October TODAY!!

Is there anything more i should know as far as booking?
1.I've joined the SPG thanks to you guys
2. Just go through their discounts on their site to choose one correct? or is there another way of doing this?
3. Is it worth signing up for AAA or just continue with SPG (i do not qualify for any other discount)!
4. Anyone know any specific discounts for beginning of Oct

I'm happy just finding the SPG because I was booking no matter what at regular price until I found you guys!

 

[LexiC123]

Thanks for the replies to my post!
I plan to book our stay for October TODAY!!

Is there anything more i should know as far as booking?
1.I've joined the SPG thanks to you guys
2. Just go through their discounts on their site to choose one correct? or is there another way of doing this?
3. Is it worth signing up for AAA or just continue with SPG (i do not qualify for any other discount)!
4. Anyone know any specific discounts for beginning of Oct

I'm happy just finding the SPG because I was booking no matter what at regular price until I found you guys!

I think AAA is worth the $58 fee. Quite often, the AAA rate is the best rate going for the S/D, depending on what time of year you're going. And if you link your AAA membership with your SPG membership, your status will be Preferred Plus, which gives you many of the same benefits as Gold status, including upgrades to enhanced rooms and late 4pm check-out (both upon availability).

There is also a AAA discount given (20%) at the following Swan/Dolphin restaurants:

GARDEN GROVE - Swan
SPLASH TERRACE & GRILL - Swan
FRESH - Dolphin
MEDITERRANEAN MARKET - Dolphin
THE FOUNTAIN - Dolphin
CABANA BAR AND BEACH CLUB - Dolphin
PICABU - Dolphin​

As far a discounts go, I would recommend monitoring the S/D offers page on their website; sign up for the monthly newsletter; bookmark the Starpicks website ; and if you're on Facebook, 'like' the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, Starwood Preferred Guest and Starwood Hotels Travel Exclusives.

Between all those sources, you should be able to keep on top of the best rates for the S/D.

Happy planning!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I think AAA is worth the $58 fee. Quite often, the AAA rate is the best rate going for the S/D, depending on what time of year you're going. And if you link your AAA membership with your SPG membership, your status will be Preferred Plus, which gives you many of the same benefits as Gold status, including upgrades to enhanced rooms and late 4pm check-out (both upon availability).

There is also a AAA discount given (20%) at the following Swan/Dolphin restaurants:

GARDEN GROVE - Swan
SPLASH TERRACE & GRILL - Swan
FRESH - Dolphin
MEDITERRANEAN MARKET - Dolphin
THE FOUNTAIN - Dolphin
CABANA BAR AND BEACH CLUB - Dolphin
PICABU - Dolphin​

As far a discounts go, I would recommend monitoring the S/D offers page on their website; sign up for the monthly newsletter; bookmark the Starpicks website ; and if you're on Facebook, 'like' the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, Starwood Preferred Guest and Starwood Hotels Travel Exclusives.

Between all those sources, you should be able to keep on top of the best rates for the S/D.

Happy planning!

Thank you for all the helpful information! Can you tell me how you link your AAA membership to your SPG account?

 

[robinbutterfly]

Yes, I would like to know how to link my AAA to my SPG account too.
Thanks!
Also,
I thought AAA members get a discount at Bluezoo too. Is that not the case?

 

[LexiC123]

Thank you for all the helpful information! Can you tell me how you link your AAA membership to your SPG account?

Yes, I would like to know how to link my AAA to my SPG account too.
Thanks!
Also,
I thought AAA members get a discount at Bluezoo too. Is that not the case?

Just call SPG at 888-625-4988 and tell them you'd like to link your AAA account (have your # handy) to your SPG membership.

And unfortunately, no...the S/D signature restaurants do not partake in the AAA discount.

 

[melliej]

Just call SPG at 888-625-4988 and tell them you'd like to link your AAA account (have your # handy) to your SPG membership.

And unfortunately, no...the S/D signature restaurants do not partake in the AAA discount.

I spoke with the concierge at the Swan/Dolphin before our trip in March.
She mentioned that you COULD get 10% off with a AAA membership at Il Mulino and if you made your reservation through AAA for Bluezoo, you could get 20% off there. We did not try either restaurant, but is certainly worth double checking with Swan/Dolphin or AAA for anyone interested.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Just call SPG at 888-625-4988 and tell them you'd like to link your AAA account (have your # handy) to your SPG membership.

And unfortunately, no...the S/D signature restaurants do not partake in the AAA discount.

Just called and had them linked! Thanks again for the help.

 

[LexiC123]

I spoke with the concierge at the Swan/Dolphin before our trip in March.
She mentioned that you COULD get 10% off with a AAA membership at Il Mulino and if you made your reservation through AAA for Bluezoo, you could get 20% off there. We did not try either restaurant, but is certainly worth double checking with Swan/Dolphin or AAA for anyone interested.

Wow, I never knew that. It never occurred to me that dining reservations could be made through AAA. Thanks for the tip.

Just called and had them linked! Thanks again for the help.

You're welcome...happy to help.

 

[melliej]

Wow, I never knew that. It never occurred to me that dining reservations could be made through AAA. Thanks for the tip.

I thought it sounded weird too, but that is what the concierge said. It seemed like not every Cast Member was aware of the discount when we were there, so I am sure it depends on who you talk to, but it doesn't hurt to try, right?

 

[melissam2003]

Is there a way to link SPG & AAA accounts if they are under two different names but from same household?
Just wondering I'm sure the answer is no you'd have to have them as the same name.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The S/D signature do give the20% discount on Table in Wonderland holders (18% tip automatically added).

 

[melissam2003]

I'm happy to say with all the help from you guys I finally booked our stay at the Dolphin for Oct 4-8th!!

 

[hsmamato2]

There's a side door at the Dolphin that exits close to the Yacht Club that shortens the walk to Epcot considerably. The only problem is that the door is locked from the inside and you can't get back into the Dolphin without walking back to the main entrance (on the boat dock side of the building).

If you were to walk to Epcot via the Boardwalk, then the Swan is the closer of the two resorts.

interesting....thanks! on the maps, it looks like swan is farther.....or maybe I'm reading it wrong......