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

[RachelTori]

I have a question, what is the lowest rate you guys have seen for AAA (not a teacher, nurse or military rate) for the week after Thanksgiving? We are traveling Nov 30 to Dec 6 and right now, AAA rate is 188 at the Dolphin and 206 at the Swan for a standard room. Just curious as to whether or not that's as good as it may get. I'm really struggling with choosing between the Swan and POFQ.....

There is always a chance the rate will go lower -- BUT, there is equally as good a chance the rate will increase.

When I see a rate that's acceptable, I book it, then keep checking for updated rates. If they go down, all it takes is a call to the 888 number and they will honor the new rate. If it goes up, no worries - you got the better rate!

Swan/Dolphin have the same cancellation policy as the Disney Resorts, so you can book now and change your mind right up until 6 days prior without losing your deposit.

 

[LexiC123]

I have a question, what is the lowest rate you guys have seen for AAA (not a teacher, nurse or military rate) for the week after Thanksgiving? We are traveling Nov 30 to Dec 6 and right now, AAA rate is 188 at the Dolphin and 206 at the Swan for a standard room. Just curious as to whether or not that's as good as it may get. I'm really struggling with choosing between the Swan and POFQ.....

Actually, the $188 is pretty good for that time of year, and you can always keep checking back for price drops. All it takes is a phone call to apply the lower room rate to your stay. And if you book the AAA123 rate, you also have a $50 resort credit to use towards food, beverages and recreational activities.

If the prices are comparable, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at Swan over POFQ: you get a larger room, the wonderful Heavenly bed to sleep in, a terrific pool area, great dining options, plus a fabulous location. Sounds like a win/win to me!

 

[LexiC123]

There is always a chance the rate will go lower -- BUT, there is equally as good a chance the rate will increase.

When I see a rate that's acceptable, I book it, then keep checking for updated rates. If they go down, all it takes is a call to the 888 number and they will honor the new rate. If it goes up, no worries - you got the better rate!

Swan/Dolphin have the same cancellation policy as the Disney Resorts, so you can book now and change your mind right up until 6 days prior without losing your deposit.

Yep...what she said!

 

[jcondrad]

My hubby and I decided to a last minute kid free trip the end of May and originally booked Pop. We have always stayed deluxe but figured we'd sacrifice since its only 3 night...but today I checked out rates at the dolphin and could get 149/night. We figured it was a step closer to deluxe and we LOVE the Epcot resort area.

Not sure if anyone knew (or if this is normal) but I checked rates on spg.com and was about to book but called the 1-888 number instead and I'm thrilled I did! The rates were 20-30 cheaper than the website! Traditional room was 129/night and resort view was 159...Epcot was 219, wish I could've but was out of our range and settled on resort view!

Excited to try it out!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good reason to sign up for S/D newsletter, if you already are not.

For members of our newsletter group only,
get 10% off our best available rate now through December 25, 2013.
Must be booked by June 1, 2013 so don't delay.

Here is signup link....

http://www.swandolphin.com/signup/index.html

 

[drgnfly30]

I've attempted to sign up a couple times but never seem to get anything.. was there a code or something?

Good reason to sign up for S/D newsletter, if you already are not.




Here is signup link....

http://www.swandolphin.com/signup/index.html

 

[luvallprincesses]

I've attempted to sign up a couple times but never seem to get anything.. was there a code or something?

I believe I have also signed up...and have never gotten an email?!

 

[LexiC123]

I've attempted to sign up a couple times but never seem to get anything.. was there a code or something?

No, there isn't any special code or anything. Perhaps it was routed into your spam folder...couldn't hurt to take a look.

For what it's worth, I just called to check on rates for our October trip, using the SUMMER code, and the rate for the Swan is exactly the same as the AAA123 rate, and doesn't include the $50 resort credit.

Still worthwhile to sign up for the emails, though. Lots of good deals to be had from the S/D!

 

[Music City Mama]

Not sure if anyone knew (or if this is normal) but I checked rates on spg.com and was about to book but called the 1-888 number instead and I'm thrilled I did! The rates were 20-30 cheaper than the website! Traditional room was 129/night and resort view was 159...Epcot was 219, wish I could've but was out of our range and settled on resort view!

Your post made to think to look at Starpicks for this week and according to it, both the Swan and Dolphin are included through 6/19.

For the Swan it states: Save 36% with Starpicks rates from $159 USD per night - Valid for stays 7 days a week through June 19, 2013. The Dolphin states: Save 35% with Starpicks rates from $149 USD per night - Valid for stays 7 days a week through June 19, 2013. However, when I click on "book now", those rates aren't what is shown no matter which dates I enter.

I have $181 at the Swan now and would love to get it down to $159 -- do you think if I call I'll get those rates or am I just missing something here?

 

[RachelTori]

Your post made to think to look at Starpicks for this week and according to it, both the Swan and Dolphin are included through 6/19.

For the Swan it states: Save 36% with Starpicks rates from $159 USD per night - Valid for stays 7 days a week through June 19, 2013. The Dolphin states: Save 35% with Starpicks rates from $149 USD per night - Valid for stays 7 days a week through June 19, 2013. However, when I click on "book now", those rates aren't what is shown no matter which dates I enter.

I have $181 at the Swan now and would love to get it down to $159 -- do you think if I call I'll get those rates or am I just missing something here?

Yes, call the 888 #. As long as you can give them some info about the rate (in this case, a Starpick), the CM should be able to book it for you!

 

[jcondrad]

Your post made to think to look at Starpicks for this week and according to it, both the Swan and Dolphin are included through 6/19.

For the Swan it states: Save 36% with Starpicks rates from $159 USD per night - Valid for stays 7 days a week through June 19, 2013. The Dolphin states: Save 35% with Starpicks rates from $149 USD per night - Valid for stays 7 days a week through June 19, 2013. However, when I click on "book now", those rates aren't what is shown no matter which dates I enter.

I have $181 at the Swan now and would love to get it down to $159 -- do you think if I call I'll get those rates or am I just missing something here?

Those were the rates I was quoted at first, but AAA discount brought the dolphin to 129...not sure if you're a member.

They were great on the 888 number for service!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mlwolcott1]

Just used the SUMMER rate to bring down my teacher rate for our July trip to $159 a night. Will be our first dolphin stay (usually stay at BW)

 

[Music City Mama]

Yes, call the 888 #. As long as you can give them some info about the rate (in this case, a Starpick), the CM should be able to book it for you!

Those were the rates I was quoted at first, but AAA discount brought the dolphin to 129...not sure if you're a member.

They were great on the 888 number for service!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Well, I called and I decided not to do it. Evidently, the Starpicks rates are non-refundable, and while that was going to save me $20+ per night, it wasn't worth it to me. Oh well, I'm staying the first two nights on cash and points, so I'm getting good deal there (and $181/night for my AAA rate is still pretty good, too).

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

I don't know if it is a good deal or saves anyone some money, but my most recent recipe club email had an add for "50% off Rack rates all year long", code RECIPE.
I am not traveling until next year and when I called was told no discounts for next year have been loaded yet.
I don't know what the rack rates for swan/dolphin are, so like I said, may not be a good deal, but also might be.

 

[RachelTori]

I don't know if it is a good deal or saves anyone some money, but my most recent recipe club email had an add for "50% off Rack rates all year long", code RECIPE.
I am not traveling until next year and when I called was told no discounts for next year have been loaded yet.
I don't know what the rack rates for swan/dolphin are, so like I said, may not be a good deal, but also might be.

It never hurts to check, but normally the "recipe" discount is 50% off a rack rate that no one would ever pay!!! Like $400-$500 for a standard room!

 

[SingingMom]

After 26 years of marriage, we have more "stuff" than we need! This past Christmas, our DD19 said, "The only thing I want under the Christmas tree are plane tickets to Disney!" The three of us thought about it and said - "Great idea!" So, after all the holiday hosting and celebrating, we headed to WDW and our beloved Dolphin for 8 nights. We visited with CM friends and enjoyed 80 degree weather all week and no crowds. We watched our friend run in the Marathon and had a spectacular time. One of our best vacations

DD is heading to London to study for her Junior Fall semester of college and won't be home until December. I will miss her TERRIBLY! In order to have something to look forward to, what would any normal mom do?? I booked the DOLPHIN for January again! ;-) We are doing Adventures by Disney Germany trip together in July, then she heads to London.

I will mark the days until she is home, we enjoy our holidays, and then the three of us enjoy no extra presents except DISNEY WORLD and THE DOLPHIN! Lobby Comfy couches and espresso martinis - Friendship boats - Grotto Pool - Walks to Epcot - Here we come!

 

[spaceacewannabe]

What kind of bath products does the Swan currently have? Is it the Bliss stuff or Bath & Body Works? I haven't been in quite some time and I can't remember which was the new.

Thanks!

 

[wishinon3stars]

What kind of bath products does the Swan currently have? Is it the Bliss stuff or Bath & Body Works? I haven't been in quite some time and I can't remember which was the new.

Thanks!

I am wondering the same thing and does the Swan and Dolphin provide the same bath products?

Thanks.

 

[RachelTori]

I am wondering the same thing and does the Swan and Dolphin provide the same bath products?

Thanks.

No - Dolphin (Sheraton-branded) has Shine products -- I was just there last week. Nothing special about those products - they're adequate.

I haven't stayed at Swan in over a year, so I can't say for sure what they have now, but they are Westin-branded and usually carry what other Westins have. They had Bath & Body Works products (coconut lime verbana). I also have a bottle of body lotion from Swan: Heavenly (white tea aloe).

Hopefully someone can update/confirm the current Swan products! I won't be there until November.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Wow! Just 2 weeks until we leave for the Dolphin! Can't wait! Anyone have any experience getting free upgrades to balcony with regular SPG? If not how much is it per night to upgrade?