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

[lizabu]

I just tried to call SPG at 888.625.4988 and the agent told me that he could not link my SPG card to my AAA card. I have a teacher rate coming up in October and he said they only used AAA to find rates. Should I just call and hope to get a different agent?

You can't link your actual membership card to SPG but you can link that you are a AAA member to your SPG account. This will make it so the website always shows you the AAA rate and I think your account still becomes Preferred Plus (hard to tell after the new changes). You still have to show your membership at check in if you use a AAA rate. You can do it yourself. You don't have to call. Just log into your SPG account and go to your profile and edit your contact information. You will see a blank for a set number. Enter 298940

 

[elainyaeq]

Maybe this has already been posted or is old news but I just wanted to let those of you that are going to the Dolphin know that I got an email from Travel Zoo for rates at the Dolphin during select dates in Aug. and Sept of $129 a night.

You can go to travel zoo's website or google it to find the rate I thought it sounded like a pretty good rate and I wish I could go at that time and use it!

That's a good price, we booked a standard room for Aug 10 -12, with AAA discount $125 not too bad...both nights with $14 daily fee, taxes, etc.. $309. they wanted first night deposit which we paid.
i've been reading about asking for free upgrades when you arrive...How do you get these? are they the same standard room but with better views? i have a new SPG membership, does this help with getting a better room location, without paying extra ? sorry for all the questions, never stayed at the dolphin before but looking forward to our stay! Lots of good reviews =)

 

[RachelTori]

That's a good price, we booked a standard room for Aug 10 -12, with AAA discount $125 not too bad...both nights with $14 daily fee, taxes, etc.. $309. they wanted first night deposit which we paid.
i've been reading about asking for free upgrades when you arrive...How do you get these? are they the same standard room but with better views? i have a new SPG membership, does this help with getting a better room location, without paying extra ? sorry for all the questions, never stayed at the dolphin before but looking forward to our stay! Lots of good reviews =)

Everything depends on how full the resort is. If there is availability, you may get upgraded -- but yes, it is typically the same room with an upgraded view and/or balcony. Your SPG membership may help, but unless you're gold or platinum the membership doesn't get you an upgrade.

 

[elainyaeq]

Everything depends on how full the resort is. If there is availability, you may get upgraded -- but yes, it is typically the same room with an upgraded view and/or balcony. Your SPG membership may help, but unless you're gold or platinum the membership doesn't get you an upgrade.

Thanks, that was quick! i'll ask at the front desk when we arrive,
...going to attempt my ticker here for our oct vacation, hope it works =) i'm such a newbie!

 

[elainyaeq]

Thanks, that was quick! i'll ask at the front desk when we arrive,
...going to attempt my ticker here for our oct vacation, hope it works =) i'm such a newbie!

YEAH it worked!

 

[diskids2]

Hi All! Just got back from two weeks at the BC...had a great time! Now, I'll be planning our Easter break trip to S/D. I've stayed at the Dolphin before, but never the Swan. I believe I'll be booking the Swan, since the Dolphin is fully booked on March 24, 25 (must be a convention - I've heard that there are actually two), so since I don't feel like changing from one resort to the the other, I'll book the Swan.

Anyone know of any differences between the two?

 

[lizabu]

The main difference is the Swan has 2 queens while the Dolphin has 2 doubles. The Swan also has a sink outside the washroom while I think the sinks are all inside the bathroom at the Dolphin. The Dolphin is slightly closer to the Grotto pool and is a bigger hotel. They have more restaurants and the laundry facilities are at the Dolphin. The Swan is slightly closer to the Boardwalk. Swan does not have rooms with Epcot views but the Dolphin does. The Swan doesn't have rooms with fireworks views but that said if you step out onto the balcony and look up you will see fireworks in many rooms. The scent they use in the lobby at the Swan is stronger than at the Dolphin.

 

[lizabu]

That's a good price, we booked a standard room for Aug 10 -12, with AAA discount $125 not too bad...both nights with $14 daily fee, taxes, etc.. $309. they wanted first night deposit which we paid.
i've been reading about asking for free upgrades when you arrive...How do you get these? are they the same standard room but with better views? i have a new SPG membership, does this help with getting a better room location, without paying extra ? sorry for all the questions, never stayed at the dolphin before but looking forward to our stay! Lots of good reviews =)

I've been upgraded numerous times at various Starwood properties. I'm not gold or platinum. I have an SPG account. Always mark a special occassion on your reservation. If it's my first time there I tell the front desk this is my first visit to whatever city or country it is. Then if I saw something awesome I gush about the awesome thing I saw. The front desk is only human and they get caught up in my excitement to be there. Be friendly. If the hotel is fully booked even if they want to they can't upgrade you. Basically if the person at the front desk likes you and feels a connection they will want to upgrade you. I've never asked for an upgrade before so I don't know how that works. I've just been friendly and nice and excited to be there and waited and saw what happened.

 

[robinbutterfly]

The main difference is the Swan has 2 queens while the Dolphin has 2 doubles. The Swan also has a sink outside the washroom while I think the sinks are all inside the bathroom at the Dolphin. The Dolphin is slightly closer to the Grotto pool and is a bigger hotel. They have more restaurants and the laundry facilities are at the Dolphin. The Swan is slightly closer to the Boardwalk. Swan does not have rooms with Epcot views but the Dolphin does. The Swan doesn't have rooms with fireworks views but that said if you step out onto the balcony and look up you will see fireworks in many rooms. The scent they use in the lobby at the Swan is stronger than at the Dolphin.

Is it a good scent?

 

[diskids2]

Is it a good scent?

I was thinking the same thing! But I know the scent from the Dolphin, you will love it!~

Thanks for that comparison...we are really looking forward to this trip!

 

[elainyaeq]

Internet use is unlimited. Not sure of coffee maker brand, but the coffee pads, Starbucks, will be given to you, as many as you want, just ask housekeeping. I drink a LOT too.

http://www.sweettmakesthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1080021.jpg

do you remember if this coffee maker makes 3 cups or 1 cup? we have 3 adults all coffee drinkers staying at the Dolphin in a few weeks, thanks!!

 

[lizabu]

lol...yes...it's a flowery smell. You smell it before you even reach the doors. I know some people have scent intolerances and they may not like it. I found it pleasant.

 

[lizabu]

do you remember if this coffee maker makes 3 cups or 1 cup? we have 3 adults all coffee drinkers staying at the Dolphin in a few weeks, thanks!!

It makes 1 cup at a time

 

[MyMuse]

Hi all,

I will have my first stay at Dolphin for October. Actually, this is my first stay at any Epcot-area resort, so I'm excited! I did it because I'm literally going to be living in Epcot for Food & Wine and D23 events.

My first thought was to book Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach but Dolphin was so much more competitive, I couldn't justify staying at the other 3.

I hope I made a great decision!!

I read the first 7 pages and will try to read up on the rest, so I know what to expect.

Thank you for any advice! I'm in the middle now of signing up for Starwood, since I read it on the first pages.

 

[kandb]

Is the coffee still used at the dolphin starbucks??? We really don't like starbucks but will deal with it because it's free.

PS I mean the coffee in the rooms.

 

[elainyaeq]

It makes 1 cup at a time

Thank you,

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....Swan does not have rooms with Epcot views but the Dolphin does. The Swan doesn't have rooms with fireworks views but that said if you step out onto the balcony and look up you will see fireworks in many rooms....

I have mostly stayed at the Swan, a few times at the Dolphin. Many times I have had Epcot and/or fireworks views. Not sure if they are listed as such, but have seen both many times from my rooms. If you are on the east end, facing the Boardwalk, up high, you will see them

Is the coffee still used at the dolphin starbucks??? We really don't like starbucks but will deal with it because it's free.

PS I mean the coffee in the rooms.

Yes, it is Starbucks.

 

[SRUAlmn]

do you remember if this coffee maker makes 3 cups or 1 cup? we have 3 adults all coffee drinkers staying at the Dolphin in a few weeks, thanks!!

It makes 1 cup at a time

A great question that I wish I would've asked before we went! I (stupidly) filled up the water reservoir as much as I could (since I'm used to using a Keurig that just feeds water from the tank as you make coffee.) I put the cup under and began to brew and it just kept going and going and it overflowed the cup and kept going. Luckily I was standing right there! There's no way to turn it off, so I had to just unplug it and clean up the mess. So embarrassing!

Use the provided cup and only fill it with as much water as you want it to brew (if you want to put cream or sugar in, don't fill it all the way to the top with water.) It's going to brew exactly what you put in each time.

 

[Dan Murphy]

New Frequent Dining program at the S/D signatures. Looks great!!!




http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/loyalty/index.html



http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/loyalty/terms.html



https://wwws.givex.com/cws/swandolphin/consumer/main/home.py?_FUNCTION_:faq

 

[baler31]

New Frequent Dining program at the S/D signatures. Looks great!!!




http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/loyalty/index.html



http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/loyalty/terms.html



https://wwws.givex.com/cws/swandolphin/consumer/main/home.py?_FUNCTION_:faq

Thanks for posting. Looks like this can be combined with TIW.