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

[bas71873]

I called the Swan to see if there was any info on when/if ever Swan would get to test FP+ for "off-site" guests. The lady that I spoke with said they do not know if/when at this time. Not a surprise I guess.

I have my UT tickets (hard cards) and I'm just going to roll with it. I've considered switching to onsite, but I've had my heart set on a boardwalk area resort and I can't swallow the extra $$ it would cost me to be at a WDW resort. It is what it is

 

[Robbi]

Also, has anyone got a dolphin suite?

We've stayed in the Dolphin Executive Suite several times. There is an option to add a 2nd bedroom but we never needed it. The bedroom in the suite we were in had 2 double beds. I think you can choose to have a king instead. The living room has a queen sized Murphy(Sico) bed and a sofa bed.
There are 2 full bathrooms with this set up which came in handy because I was traveling with my teenaged daughter and her friends.
The suite is a very nice size. You can see the bedroom options in the photo- 2 doubles, 1 king, or both:

 

[RobbW]

DW and I used our non-DVC timeshare points to trade into AKL DVC for a week for us and our 7yo DD and 15mo DD. We purchased 7-day tickets from UT. A month later, we decided we would surprise my sister and her family by bringing them along. We booked a week at the Swolphin for them using our Starwood Points and purchased four more 7-day tickets from UT. Since then, we have been desperately trying to see if we can get another match on our timeshare exchange so that we can get my sister's family into a WDW resort. It would make things so much easier because they could then use ME and take full advantage of the MB/FP+. To this date, we still have not gotten a match with our ongoing search in our timeshare exchange.

A couple weeks ago, my family received our MBs and my DW was able to get them all set up on MDE, linking our UT tickets, booking our ADRs, and booking some FP+ rides. The problem was that since my sister's family is not staying on property, they don't get MBs and can't book any of the FP+ rides in advance, plus all the other benefits that come with the new MB system.

So, what my DW did was to book one night at DASS for my sister's family for the first night of our vacation. Yes, a ghost ressie, but not the cheating kind. We have paid for the room and do not intend to cancel. Well, doing this allowed us to get MBs for everyone in my sister's family. My DW used MDE to get all their MBs set up with their UT tickets and transferred all our same ADRs and FP+ over to their bands.

So, now our entire family group is set up with the same park tickets, ADRs, and FP+. And the MBs for my sister's family are good for the entire length of their park tickets, even though they are only booked at the DASS for the first night.

We're still hoping that we'll get a DVC match on our timeshare exchange before our October 18 trip. That would make everything even easier since my sister's family would also be able to use ME instead of hiring transportation. This is my sister and her family's first trip to WDW ever. And, actually, they haven't ever really traveled anywhere before. This whole experience is going to be new and different for them. So, we're trying to make everything as easy and uncomplicated for them as possible. The most convenient thing would be to get them a match on our timeshare, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

 

[ckelly14]

Interesting.

 

[ckelly14]

So, let's say I extended my stay by purchasing a room at a value resort the day prior to arrival at the swan. I then purchase a 5 day park hopper for the entirety of my trip. I can then link them all via MDE and get FP+ for the entire use of the tickets??

 

[ckelly14]

Here's another question. I assume that the FP+ is linked to the actual ticket instead of the hotel reservation, since we all believe in the future FP+ will be available to all ticket holders. I also assume that the computer is using the hotel reservation temporarily to confirm that a the person in question is "allowed" to use FP+ during this testing phase. Following this logic, I would guess that the hotel reservation could be canceled at some time, and the FP+ would still be available.

Any thoughts?

How did you "link" your tickets on MDE, is there a ticket number?

 

[RobbW]

So, let's say I extended my stay by purchasing a room at a value resort the day prior to arrival at the swan. I then purchase a 5 day park hopper for the entirety of my trip. I can then link them all via MDE and get FP+ for the entire use of the tickets??

Yes, it is my understanding that's how it works. At least, that's what the system has allowed us to do. I read through several threads on DISBoards about how the MBs apply to your ressie and park tickets. Those who have already been on their trip state that this was how it worked for them.

Here's another question. I assume that the FP+ is linked to the actual ticket instead of the hotel reservation, since we all believe in the future FP+ will be available to all ticket holders. I also assume that the computer is using the hotel reservation temporarily to confirm that a the person in question is "allowed" to use FP+ during this testing phase. Following this logic, I would guess that the hotel reservation could be canceled at some time, and the FP+ would still be available.

Any thoughts?

How did you "link" your tickets on MDE, is there a ticket number?

Technically, you probably could cancel, but many consider that cheating since you used a "fake" reservation to get the MBs and then cancelled. However, even doing THAT is up in the air. Many suspect that cancelling a reservation at a MB/FP+ participating resort will invalidate your MBs IF you don't relink them to another reservation at a valid participating WDW resort (at least during the FP+ testing phase). As for our DASS ressie, we paid for it and intend to keep it even if we don't use the room.

Yes, if you have already purchased and received tickets, there is a unique identifying number on the back. You would go to MDE and under "My Account" and then "Magic Bands and Cards" you can use that ticket number to link your MB to a ticket.

 

[ckelly14]

RobbW:

Thanks for the info. I just made a reservation at All-Star Sports for a whole $96 , so I would gladly keep the reservation for a chance to use MB/FP+. Are you at all concerned that even if you keep the reservation, Disney will deactivate your MB and FP+ after check out? If they "deactivated" MB's that have ticket info linked, I assume you would have to take a paper ticket?

 

[ckelly14]

The CM that took my reservation told me the option to customize my magic bands should come up right away. I don't see it, am I missing something?

 

[Robbi]

The CM that took my reservation told me the option to customize my magic bands should come up right away. I don't see it, am I missing something?

There are lots of complaints about the Disney site. It took me 3 days to link 2 room reservations and I was only able to do it with the help of Disney internet tech support. The link another room button did absolutely nothing even though I ad the confirmation numbers, names of people in the room, etc.

 

[ckelly14]

Answered my question after searching the many FP+ threads. Seems that people checking-in in December still can't personalized MB's. FP+ is 60 days out. Guess I'll be waiting for awhile!

 

[ammouse]

Thanks everyone for your info about the suites.

On MDE, does anyone know do we activate our tickets or deactivate them till we are ready to use them?
And, since we really don't have any benefits with mde can I remove them?

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

DW and I used our non-DVC timeshare points to trade into AKL DVC for a week for us and our 7yo DD and 15mo DD. We purchased 7-day tickets from UT. A month later, we decided we would surprise my sister and her family by bringing them along. We booked a week at the Swolphin for them using our Starwood Points and purchased four more 7-day tickets from UT. Since then, we have been desperately trying to see if we can get another match on our timeshare exchange so that we can get my sister's family into a WDW resort. It would make things so much easier because they could then use ME and take full advantage of the MB/FP+. To this date, we still have not gotten a match with our ongoing search in our timeshare exchange.

A couple weeks ago, my family received our MBs and my DW was able to get them all set up on MDE, linking our UT tickets, booking our ADRs, and booking some FP+ rides. The problem was that since my sister's family is not staying on property, they don't get MBs and can't book any of the FP+ rides in advance, plus all the other benefits that come with the new MB system.

So, what my DW did was to book one night at DASS for my sister's family for the first night of our vacation. Yes, a ghost ressie, but not the cheating kind. We have paid for the room and do not intend to cancel. Well, doing this allowed us to get MBs for everyone in my sister's family. My DW used MDE to get all their MBs set up with their UT tickets and transferred all our same ADRs and FP+ over to their bands.

So, now our entire family group is set up with the same park tickets, ADRs, and FP+. And the MBs for my sister's family are good for the entire length of their park tickets, even though they are only booked at the DASS for the first night.

We're still hoping that we'll get a DVC match on our timeshare exchange before our October 18 trip. That would make everything even easier since my sister's family would also be able to use ME instead of hiring transportation. This is my sister and her family's first trip to WDW ever. And, actually, they haven't ever really traveled anywhere before. This whole experience is going to be new and different for them. So, we're trying to make everything as easy and uncomplicated for them as possible. The most convenient thing would be to get them a match on our timeshare, but I'm not holding my breath on that one.

This doesn't make sense. I have 8 day tix attached to a 6 night WL stay and then I am staying at Swan for 3 nights. It will not let me make FP+ for the last 2 days of my trip (so when I check out of WL my ability to make FP+ goes away).

So those of you who want to do 1 night at a value to get FP+ your whole trip, it is not going to work. Unless the system is so jacked up it works for some people?

 

[ckelly14]

We'll find out soon...

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

We'll find out soon...

When is your trip?

 

[Oktoberfest]

2 Questions, if I may...

These may be basic, but I read the thread but still can't comprehend 100%...

1. Can we get Magic Band if we stay at Swan and Dolphin resort?

2. Once we book the resort, what do I need to get the MB and FB+?

I still haven't booked anything yet but we will be visiting in mid-October.

Thanks!

 

[ckelly14]

My trip isn't until Feb. The comment was in response to the rather rapid rollout of resorts with MB's in sept. I'm sure we'll find out about the s&d soon.

There was a poster on a few other MB threads saying she "knew" that the Hilton and the S&D would have MB and FP+ by the end of the year. Hope she's right!!!

 

[bas71873]

2 Questions, if I may...

These may be basic, but I read the thread but still can't comprehend 100%...

1. Can we get Magic Band if we stay at Swan and Dolphin resort?

2. Once we book the resort, what do I need to get the MB and FB+?

I still haven't booked anything yet but we will be visiting in mid-October.

Thanks!

I just called the Swan yesterday and asked a few questions about this...

1. No. As of right now, S/D are NOT MB nor FP+ eligible and the lady I spoke to did not have any info as to when/if they will be.

2. See answer to #1 above

 

[lizabu]

2 Questions, if I may...

These may be basic, but I read the thread but still can't comprehend 100%...

1. Can we get Magic Band if we stay at Swan and Dolphin resort?

2. Once we book the resort, what do I need to get the MB and FB+?

I still haven't booked anything yet but we will be visiting in mid-October.

Thanks!

Everything is going to eventually be MB and everyone will eventually be using FP+. The question is will this happen for you in time for your Oct trip? Probably not as MB are still only in their testing stage and Swan and Dolphin have not been included in testing so far (that I'm aware of).

 

[lizabu]

My trip isn't until Feb. The comment was in response to the rather rapid rollout of resorts with MB's in sept. I'm sure we'll find out about the s&d soon.

There was a poster on a few other MB threads saying she "knew" that the Hilton and the S&D would have MB and FP+ by the end of the year. Hope she's right!!!

I recently made a reservation at AoA for March and when I called to get help linking it to MDE they asked me if I was staying at a resort that had been invited to MB testing I told her my stay wasn't until March. The agent then said most of the resorts should be using MB by then. So of course there are no guarantees but I get the impression Disney is aiming to have MB rolled out to all the resorts by early next year.