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

[Tess]

My boyfriend and I checked in at the Dolphin the day that the MetLife group was all leaving. We had to wait a little longer to checkin because apparently our floor was taken up by them! We had a great stay and a great room! (No balconies available, however.) We are also looking to return in the Fall but that one weekend is unavailable. Is there a convention going on or something?

Tess - Also, what rates do you use? I just found out we can use our Starwood points to get 50% off rack rates for up to 5 days. I think that's a great deal! I love the Dolphin and can't wait to go again!

This trip we used an AP rate, our fall is a teacher's rate, and last trip was AAA. We throw them all out there and ask for the best of the bunch! We are also Starwood members, but with AP and/or AAA you get an automatic one cat upgrade.

Thanks for the positive reinforcement Dan! We are viewing it as another notch on our resort belts.

 

[LexiC123]

Just had to share this amazing picture that was put up on the Swan/Dolphin Facebook page today. It was taken from one of the Presidential Suites at the Dolphin.

Isn't it beautiful!

 

[LexiC123]

We have been unable to book the Dolphin for our fall trip and have been trying since October or November. We can get part of our week, but not the weekend of arrival. At this point, we will be at Swan and hope we enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed our Dolphin stays.

All that said, we do miss our Disney Resort stays, but not enough to pony up the extra $500-$1000 for the week to do so since it is only my husband and I these days.

My boyfriend and I checked in at the Dolphin the day that the MetLife group was all leaving. We had to wait a little longer to checkin because apparently our floor was taken up by them! We had a great stay and a great room! (No balconies available, however.) We are also looking to return in the Fall but that one weekend is unavailable. Is there a convention going on or something?

Tess - Also, what rates do you use? I just found out we can use our Starwood points to get 50% off rack rates for up to 5 days. I think that's a great deal! I love the Dolphin and can't wait to go again!

Great pictures, Tess! Thanks for sharing with us.

PS - If the weekend you're both referring to is the third weekend in October, the reason no rooms are available is because the Gartner Symposium will be taking place at the resort from the 21st to the 25th. It's a huge gathering of IT folks that takes place at the S/D every year. This conference is the reason I moved my trip up a week this year. From what I understand, they're expecting approximately 6,000 attendees, which would definitely explain the lack of rooms.

Great pictures, Tess. And you will love the Swan too.

^^^What he said. The Swan is awesome!

 

[teacher31]

I am kicking myself. We just got home from our trip and this year we stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek due to not doing the theme parks, only Universal & water parks. Had a wonderful time, but we sure did miss the Dolphin. We decided before leaving we'd do the Dolphin next year and I checked out some rates. I saw there was a teacher rate for next May, but didn't bother to book it. Thought I would do it when I got home. Guess what? Yep. The rate is gone. I find it hard to believe it's gone, don't you? I also know that things change there quickly and to book it faster next time. So annoyed with myself!

 

[love~disney]

I am kicking myself. We just got home from our trip and this year we stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek due to not doing the theme parks, only Universal & water parks. Had a wonderful time, but we sure did miss the Dolphin. We decided before leaving we'd do the Dolphin next year and I checked out some rates. I saw there was a teacher rate for next May, but didn't bother to book it. Thought I would do it when I got home. Guess what? Yep. The rate is gone. I find it hard to believe it's gone, don't you? I also know that things change there quickly and to book it faster next time. So annoyed with myself!

I would try calling again. The day I booked the price kept changing a lot, we did three calls that day.

 

[Tess]

Great pictures, Tess! Thanks for sharing with us.

PS - If the weekend you're both referring to is the third weekend in October, the reason no rooms are available is because the Gartner Symposium will be taking place at the resort from the 21st to the 25th. It's a huge gathering of IT folks that takes place at the S/D every year. This conference is the reason I moved my trip up a week this year. From what I understand, they're expecting approximately 6,000 attendees, which would definitely explain the lack of rooms.



^^^What he said. The Swan is awesome!

Our week begins September 28-October 6, 2012--not sure which group is booked that weekend (9/28-30), but the place is booked solid and has been since October.

 

[LexiC123]

Our week begins September 28-October 6, 2012--not sure which group is booked that weekend (9/28-30), but the place is booked solid and has been since October.

I googled September conferences in Orlando, and it looks like the American Society of Administrative Professionals is having their annual conference at the S/D starting that Monday, so maybe a lot of the attendees are coming down for the weekend to enjoy the parks before the conference starts...

I guess there's always the possibility that rooms at the Dolphin will open up as that week approaches, but if you do end up keeping your Swan reservation, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[ReganlovesWDW]

Hi Tess,
I just read your post and enjoyed your pictures. We were there the same time as you and were a little miffed by the closure of the Grotto Pool for the party as well but hey, we got it every other day.

Quick question...is the time on your camera accurate? The reason I ask is because I see the picture you posted of the water and the SeaRaycer. We were out there that day but not until about 4:00 and when I zoomed in, it looks like my son and I! Would that not be crazy?? Have a great day!

 

[ReganlovesWDW]

Hi all....I am trying to reserve a room for November 14-23 in 2013. I am trying to use the teacher rate, AAA, and SPG free nights. It is taking forever but is not giving me anything either. What am I doing wrong?

 

[LexiC123]

Hi all....I am trying to reserve a room for November 14-23 in 2013. I am trying to use the teacher rate, AAA, and SPG free nights. It is taking forever but is not giving me anything either. What am I doing wrong?

Could it be your browser? I just plugged in your dates at the Dolphin and came up with a $169 teacher rate, $179.10 AAA rate and 8,888 points/night as the SPG free night rate.

 

[pooh2001]

Sending a package to our selves at the Dolphin.

How much will it cost us to get it from the Dolphin holding area ?
I think there is a fee for USPS packages.

We are using the pay one price to ship box , the package weighs about 12 pounds.

Do you think the cost to get our USPS package from the Dolphin package area is about $10 - or it it more in the $20 range ?

Thanks!

 

[tuckerkeys]

Hi Folks!

I'm heading to the swan in 3 days & I know somewhere on the OLD s&d thread, there were instructions as to lowering the thermostat and overriding the system? Can someone please point me in the right direction so I can do this again on my next trip? We're practically polar bears & like it cold when we sleep it was wonderful!!!

 

[tuckerkeys]

Oh man I just remembered I Asked the same question 2 yrs ago, and got a reply so I just searched all my threads and there it was!! For anyone wondering tho who doesn't want to go searching here's what was said to do :

Hold the 'Display' button down and while holding down, push the 'on/off' button and then the 'up' button. That will put it on manual operation for 3 days. You can check if it worked since if in auto mode, temp can only be set down to 65, if manual, can go to 60.

Just make sure to set AC higher when you leave so as to not waste energy while out all day. It does cool down quickly when lowered

 

[sab53085]

Oh man I just remembered I Asked the same question 2 yrs ago, and got a reply so I just searched all my threads and there it was!! For anyone wondering tho who doesn't want to go searching here's what was said to do :

Hold the 'Display' button down and while holding down, push the 'on/off' button and then the 'up' button. That will put it on manual operation for 3 days. You can check if it worked since if in auto mode, temp can only be set down to 65, if manual, can go to 60.

Just make sure to set AC higher when you leave so as to not waste energy while out all day. It does cool down quickly when lowered

Brrrrr! I stayed there last week and thought 65 was freezing as I also love it cool. You must be cold blooded lol

 

[Tess]

Hi Tess,
I just read your post and enjoyed your pictures. We were there the same time as you and were a little miffed by the closure of the Grotto Pool for the party as well but hey, we got it every other day.

Quick question...is the time on your camera accurate? The reason I ask is because I see the picture you posted of the water and the SeaRaycer. We were out there that day but not until about 4:00 and when I zoomed in, it looks like my son and I! Would that not be crazy?? Have a great day!

The time shown on the photographs is accurate. Must be your doppelgangers.

We weren't too miffed about the Grotto/lap pool closure, we actually had quite a lot of fun with the group of MetLife folks we were hanging out with that week. They even offered to take us to the private party as their guests--we declined because we were headed for EPCOT that night (as we did every night). We arrived at the Swan lap pool early enough to claim some chairs near the pool--something that most were not so fortunate to do soon thereafter.

I thought the impromptu pool party was more problematic. We had no option for seating but for the edge of the lap pool. We put our belongings behind us on the ledge to the Cabana bar and plopped around the pool edge. Best we could do given the huge crowd that day.

I hope you enjoyed your stay!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I would try calling again. The day I booked the price kept changing a lot, we did three calls that day.

We had the same experience. I called once and spoke to someone who told me for a 2 bedroom grand suite we COULD combine a teacher rate and a stay connected rate (they did a teacher rate for a 1 bedroom grand and then added a stay connected room.) I got the price and said I'd talk to my family and call back. I called back and was told that couldn't be done. I called back again 15 minutes later and was told they'd ask their manager and then they came back and said it couldn't be done. Luckily, I wrote down the first person's name, so when I called back the third time I asked for him. Sure enough, he took care of it, and we were all set at a VERY GOOD rate. Now, hopefully he was allowed to do it that way or I feel terrible, but he seemed to know what he was talking about

 

[SRUAlmn]

I googled September conferences in Orlando, and it looks like the American Society of Administrative Professionals is having their annual conference at the S/D starting that Monday, so maybe a lot of the attendees are coming down for the weekend to enjoy the parks before the conference starts...

I guess there's always the possibility that rooms at the Dolphin will open up as that week approaches, but if you do end up keeping your Swan reservation, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This made me curious about our week because there are a few days that have been sold out for a long time. For anyone going the week of June 24:

http://academyhealth.org/events/content.cfm?ItemNumber=882&navItemNumber=529

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi Folks!

I'm heading to the swan in 3 days & I know somewhere on the OLD s&d thread, there were instructions as to lowering the thermostat and overriding the system? Can someone please point me in the right direction so I can do this again on my next trip? We're practically polar bears & like it cold when we sleep it was wonderful!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34547297&postcount=1415

 

[MBELSANTI]

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34547297&postcount=1415

Thank you, this is great to know!

 

[MBELSANTI]

HI,

Where do you rent these from and what are the rates? Are they Swan/Dolphin owned or Disney? TIA!