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

[drgnfly30]

I feel like it's official now.. I finally booked my room

I booked 3 nights w/ the Florida 500 Bar10 code @ $149.00 & one night with Cash & Points @ $75.00.

I really wanted to stay at BWI or BC/YC this time but for the price difference (even w/ the resort fees) I couldn't justify it... that $550+/- will pay for alot of food & extras!

 

[joanjett1976]

Special request: Anyone at Swan or Dolphin right that could take a photo of the current lunch menus at Cabana and Garden Grove?

Finding some rather different menus on the official Swan/Dolphin website, WDWInfo and other Dis fan sites.

Thanks so much!

 

[Disneylover99]

Hi Swan and Dolphin experts!

I just booked the Dolphin from Dec. 13 -16 and I am very excited and looking forward to staying here.

Right now I know very little about this resort but I plan to sift through this thread in the next few weeks to try to figure things out.

My one question is about room requests. When I booked I was asked if I wanted to be near the top floor or the bottom. I really didn't know what to say, so I stupidly said by the pool (not even knowing where that would be.....and it's December ). Anyways, what rooms would be good for me? Should I have asked for high or low? I don't want to pay extra for a view so that's not important. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Music City Mama]

Just a question... Booked the Dolphin last night for long weekend Labor Day.. Put my credit card info in for deposit but it never charged it. I got a confirmation # and everything but I'm nervous about it!
Happen to anyone else?

Yes, a couple of us had that problem several months back. What I did was go into the reservation and clicked the icon to "modify" it. I didn't make any changes to the reservation, but clicked "save changes" and that apparently did the trick! The deposit showed up as "pending" in my Amex account by the end of that day!

I don't know if or when the reservation would be canceled for non-payment of deposit, but I sure didn't want to take any chances!!

Yes, this happened to me this year. RachelTori also gave me the advice of clicking on the reservation to modify it, but not making any changes, but then to "save changes". Still didn't work! I had to call them and force them to charge my credit card -- I booked in January and didn't get charged until April (when I made them).

 

[RachelTori]

Yes, this happened to me this year. RachelTori also gave me the advice of clicking on the reservation to modify it, but not making any changes, but then to "save changes". Still didn't work! I had to call them and force them to charge my credit card -- I booked in January and didn't get charged until April (when I made them).

I didn't realize it didn't work for you. I wonder what's up with their reservation system?

I've made 2 reservations since the "problem reservation" and both deposits have been charged to my Amex immediately.

 

[DisneyDiana!]

HI! DH and I were thinking about booking an adults only trip this year. Our last vacation was a family one and DH and I really miss the adult portions of our previous Disney trips. Our touring style has changed once we had little ones. DH loved F&WF and the Boardwalk area. We have yet to stay on Boardwalk so I figured this would give us a great reason to book a room nearby. I was looking into the Disney hotels on Boardwalk but the Deluxe prices scared me. Especially since we don't have a pin code or they're not running any specials during the time we want to go (1st week of November). I couldn't believe the great prices and location of the Swan and Dolphin when I looked at them online! Plus, we're AAA members so there's our discount! DH is still up in the air but I love my Disney research so I thought I'd dive right in and learn more. I want to read this thread a bit more before I start asking questions because I'm sure they're the same ones that are probably asked over and over. I do have one or two I thought I'd throw in there...

1. Can I still make ADRs at 180 days? If not have you found it hard to get some popular meals?

2. Will bell services hold our luggage if we decide to tour after we check out and before we leave for the airport?

3. Last one! What are my best options for transportation to and from the Swan/Dolphin and the airport?

I am a little afraid that I'll loose that Disney feeling not staying at a resort hotel. I've only stayed OP but the prices of the Swan/Dolphin would be the only way to convince my DH that we could take this trip. Especially since he's spoiled w/ Deluxe hotels. Me, I'd be fine at a Value or Mod. I just can't justify staying at a Deluxe without some sort of pin or discount.

 

[RachelTori]

HI! DH and I were thinking about booking an adults only trip this year. Our last vacation was a family one and DH and I really miss the adult portions of our previous Disney trips. Our touring style has changed once we had little ones. DH loved F&WF and the Boardwalk area. We have yet to stay on Boardwalk so I figured this would give us a great reason to book a room nearby. I was looking into the Disney hotels on Boardwalk but the Deluxe prices scared me. Especially since we don't have a pin code or they're not running any specials during the time we want to go (1st week of November). I couldn't believe the great prices and location of the Swan and Dolphin when I looked at them online! Plus, we're AAA members so there's our discount! DH is still up in the air but I love my Disney research so I thought I'd dive right in and learn more. I want to read this thread a bit more before I start asking questions because I'm sure they're the same ones that are probably asked over and over. I do have one or two I thought I'd throw in there...

1. Can I still make ADRs at 180 days? If not have you found it hard to get some popular meals?

2. Will bell services hold our luggage if we decide to tour after we check out and before we leave for the airport?

3. Last one! What are my best options for transportation to and from the Swan/Dolphin and the airport?

I am a little afraid that I'll loose that Disney feeling not staying at a resort hotel. I've only stayed OP but the prices of the Swan/Dolphin would be the only way to convince my DH that we could take this trip. Especially since he's spoiled w/ Deluxe hotels. Me, I'd be fine at a Value or Mod. I just can't justify staying at a Deluxe without some sort of pin or discount.

Hi! We are at Swan the first week of November! Many of us here have many, many Swan/Dolphin stays under our belts!

Yes, you can book ADRs at 180 days, but not any further (no 180+10). Honestly, except for a very few coveted reservations (Be Our Guest, LeCellier dinner), I haven't had any problems getting the ADRs I wanted, even well inside the 180-day window!

Bell Services will hold your luggage!

The best options for transportation are either a town car or the Mears shuttle. The shuttle is much less expensive ($36 round trip), but will probably make several stops. A town car will usually run slightly over $100 round trip and can include a 30-minute grocery stop, which many here enjoy!

While the inside of the hotel may not give you that "Disney feeling", both hotels are lovely and all you have to do is look outside your window, or step outside the hotel doors to be immersed in Disney!

The prices you are seeing now for the AAA discount will likely go up in the coming months. However, if you book and then the rate goes down at any point for your dates (which does happen!), a call to the 888# is all it takes to get the rate adjusted downward!

Let us know what you decide!

 

[capeseal]

Just booked our first stay at the Swan for November of this year. We wanted to book BWI or YC but couldn't afford it without an extension on the current military promotion. We are very excited to have found and affordable option in the Epcot/HS are since we absolutely loved our stay at YC last year, due to the location.

Anyway, we booked 2 family rooms so that we'd have a little more space to stretch out and I am wondering if there are any adjoining rooms in that category? The booking agent was unsure but did put down that we hoped to have our rooms close or adjoining. It is important to us because DH and I are running Wine & Dine and my parents are staying with the kids that night. Traditional rooms seemed small for what we are used to but maybe we should rebook so that we have a better chance of adjoining? Any insight would be helpful, thanks!

 

[Disney grandma]

You might want to check into the executive suites at the Dolphin. They have a large room with a king bed with a seating area, and you can reserve a double bed room that is connected to that. It gives you a lot of space, and each room has it's privacy but is also a good option for grandparents staying in the room with grandchildren. You pay only one resort fee for both of these rooms, and during F&W festival, we have a senior rate of $349 for both rooms.

 

[capeseal]

You might want to check into the executive suites at the Dolphin. They have a large room with a king bed with a seating area, and you can reserve a double bed room that is connected to that. It gives you a lot of space, and each room has it's privacy but is also a good option for grandparents staying in the room with grandchildren. You pay only one resort fee for both of these rooms, and during F&W festival, we have a senior rate of $349 for both rooms.

I will look into that! My dad was set on Swan because he said it got better reviews? I did not see a difference but he was the one who researched, for a change, so I didn't question what was said in the reviews he saw. We want to make the night of the race as easy as possible on everyone.

 

[mikegood2]

Capseal I also agree with Disney Grandma. You might want to look into an executive suite. Heres a link to photos of the Dolphin Executive suite we stayed it in 2011. We will be staying in one again next month and would find it difficult to stay in anything else. Sorry that I don't have time to find it right now, but I believe TaraPA posted some photos of the Swan Executive suite around the same time.

 

[MagicalMerida]

Thanks!!! This thread has really got me pumped- only nine weeks until the Dolphin!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Capseal I also agree with Disney Grandma. You might want to look into an executive suite. Heres a link to photos of the Dolphin Executive suite we stayed it in 2011. We will be staying in one again next month and would find it difficult to stay in anything else. Sorry that I don't have time to find it right now, but I believe TaraPA posted some photos of the Swan Executive suite around the same time.

How much more are these suites? We will have 5 in a regular room and feel like the extra space would be great but only if the price is right.

 

[mikegood2]

Like all the rooms the prices are subject to change, so your best bet would be to book a room and then check every week or so and see if the rates change. If they do, they will change the price, at least that has been our experience as well as others on this thread. Also not sure how the prices fluctuate during the year and the SD is a conference resort, so weeks that are low for most resorts may be sold out at the SD.

When we first stayed in 2011 we ended up getting the room for $309 a night. We knew we got a great rate, but I don't think we truly realized it until after our trip. The Executive Suite also spoiled us and it would be difficult for us get anything else as long as we needed two rooms. We feel these suites are much better than two standard rooms and are only charged for one nightly resort fee.

For this year, staying in mid June, we originally booked for $400 a night. I think we ended up getting it for $369, but haven't checked the last month, because last time we checked all the executive suites were booked up our week. For the first month we checked the pricing at least once a week and they didn't change. After that we started getting different prices when we called. Once I was quoted $352, but when my brother tried to change our reservations a few hours later that offer was no longer available.

If you have any other questions feel free to asks!

 

[capeseal]

So bummed! All suites are sold out for our dates. That's what I get for waiting so long to book. Glad we at least got our alcove rooms even though I found out that they cannot be adjoining.

I'm thinking that I should bug them every couple of weeks in hopes that a cancellation comes up? Is that too unlikely to be worth trying?

 

[mikegood2]

So bummed! All suites are sold out for our dates. That's what I get for waiting so long to book. Glad we at least got our alcove rooms even though I found out that they cannot be adjoining.

I'm thinking that I should bug them every couple of weeks in hopes that a cancellation comes up? Is that too unlikely to be worth trying?

Sorry to hear about that cape seal.

If you still want to try and get a suite I would definitely continue to "bug" them! Personally, I'd probably call them at least weekly and check, it's not like they know who you are. On the off chance one opens up, it was more than worth it.

Sadly, my parents who were planing on staying part of our stay in June have to cancel. How dare life and expenses get in the way of a vacation! They haven't technically canceled yet, but it does show that rooms open up. Actually seeing that we have 5 in an executive suite, I should talk to my brother about the possibility of having our parents stay with us a few days. Although I would have to give up my comfortable king sized bed. ;(

 

[TaraPA]

How much more are these suites? We will have 5 in a regular room and feel like the extra space would be great but only if the price is right.

We had the 2BR Executive Suite & I think it was $580/nt.

 

[capeseal]

Sorry to hear about that cape seal.

If you still want to try and get a suite I would definitely continue to "bug" them! Personally, I'd probably call them at least weekly and check, it's not like they know who you are. On the off chance one opens up, it was more than worth it.

Sadly, my parents who were planing on staying part of our stay in June have to cancel. How dare life and expenses get in the way of a vacation! They haven't technically canceled yet, but it does show that rooms open up. Actually seeing that we have 5 in an executive suite, I should talk to my brother about the possibility of having our parents stay with us a few days. Although I would have to give up my comfortable king sized bed. ;(

Yeah, that's what I get for waiting so long to ask questions here and book. But, I'll keep calling and hold out hope for the possibility. I'm sorry your folks had to cancel. It is so hard planning with multiple groups. Hope you can work something out to have them stay for a little bit even if it means sacrificing the good bed.

How much more are these suites? We will have 5 in a regular room and feel like the extra space would be great but only if the price is right.

We were quoted $550/night for the time we are staying with the add-on room. When we factor in paying only 1 resort fee it ends up being the same as 2 family alcove rooms.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Yeah, that's what I get for waiting so long to ask questions here and book. But, I'll keep calling and hold out hope for the possibility. I'm sorry your folks had to cancel. It is so hard planning with multiple groups. Hope you can work something out to have them stay for a little bit even if it means sacrificing the good bed.

We were quoted $550/night for the time we are staying with the add-on room. When we factor in paying only 1 resort fee it ends up being the same as 2 family alcove rooms.

This was the reason we booked a 2 bedroom grand suite! We considered doing 3 rooms, but once you added in resort fees for each room and took into consideration how much more space the grand suite had it was an easy decision and didn't turn out to be astronomically more expensive!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Is it true that you can see the fireworks from either resort?