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

[RachelTori]

How do you look for an upgrade?

I think ryansstitch was looking at what room types showed availability to get an idea if an upgrade would be possible at check-in.

I assume points cannot be used to pay the resort fees?

Not to my knowledge. In fact, my December reservation, booked on points, shows that I will owe $85 for the resort fee. (that's 5 nights at the $17 rate - they won't increase it unless I make a change to my reservation)

 

[collette0725]

I think ryansstitch was looking at what room types showed availability to get an idea if an upgrade would be possible at check-in.

Not to my knowledge. In fact, my December reservation, booked on points, shows that I will owe $85 for the resort fee. (that's 5 nights at the $17 rate - they won't increase it unless I make a change to my reservation)

Oh good to know! I don't have access to SPG right now bc it's my fathers acct. thanks for clearing that up!

 

[patty57]

Whoa! It wasn't too many months ago it was $14 -- now it's all the way up to $20?

The resort fee for my May 2013 stay at the Dolphin was at $14 per day. I think I booked it in November 2012 before the increase to $17 per day. This latest jump means they've increased the resort fee $6.00 per day in a less than a year.

 

[RachelTori]

The resort fee for my May 2013 stay at the Dolphin was at $14 per day. I think I booked it in November 2012 before the increase to $17 per day. This latest jump means they've increased the resort fee $6.00 per day in a less than a year.

I guess they've figured they have us where they want us....... hooked!

I wonder just how high that resort fee can go?!!

 

[patty57]

I guess they've figured they have us where they want us....... hooked!

Think you're right about that, Laura. It's still Epcot location for a lot less money than the other resorts.

 

[ckelly14]

Using Starwood points for a short trip in Feb so it really is a no-brainer!

I also have reservations first week in June for a 1 bedroom executive suite at the Dolphin ($475) for about the same price as a garden view room at the Beach Club ($424). Again, makes it a pretty easy decision.

Hopefully, all the Fastpass+ nonsense will be straightened out by then!

 

[patty57]

Hopefully, all the Fastpass+ nonsense will be straightened out by then!

I know!! I want the kinks worked out in the foolish system. Reading the problems people are having linking their tickets, losing reservations etc. etc. I just don't want to deal with this stuff.

 

[lizabu]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this already, but I'm about to check into the dolphin this afternoon, and was checking my spg account for the reservation. There has been a $3 increase in the resort fee. Thankfully my reservation clearly states $17 a night, but when I was looking at available rooms (I'm hoping for an upgrade! Lol), I noticed the increase. I last made a change to our reservation about a month and a half ago, so I guess this is very new.

I just saw that too. It looks like all new reservations the resort fees will be $20. Usually if you made the reservation before the fee went up you still pay $17. I think that's how it went last time anyways. We changed our plans due to finding a rate I couldn't resist so we will be back at our beloved Swan for spring break.

 

[collette0725]

Transportation help!!!
How do you get to swalphin from MCO and back with a large party other than Mears?

Online it states Alamo and Enterprise do not provide vans to the Dolphin!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Transportation help!!!
How do you get to swalphin from MCO and back with a large party other than Mears?

Online it states Alamo and Enterprise do not provide vans to the Dolphin!

How many people?

 

[collette0725]

how many people?

7

 

[Dan Murphy]

How about an 8 passenger limo?

http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/limo_rates.html

or van

http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/van_rates.html

 

[ryansstitch]

The resort fee for my May 2013 stay at the Dolphin was at $14 per day. I think I booked it in November 2012 before the increase to $17 per day. This latest jump means they've increased the resort fee $6.00 per day in a less than a year.

It's kind of sad, this is our first dolphin trip, and I'm 6 mos pregnant, so we won't be returning or even booking until close to baby's first bday. I love the resort so far, and we did get an upgrade to Alcove king room, but I'm scared they'll be up to $30 in resort fees before we even start looking at rates again!

 

[ryansstitch]

I suspect as long as they are still generally less pricey than the other Epcot resorts there is no limit to how they might up the resort fees and parking.

 

[bakerworld]

FYI - we book a room/air pkg directly thru airline and due to of federal regulatory mandates the price of your pkg is inclusive of all fees so you pay the $17/20 upfront as part of the pkg. Course that only works if you fly but we figured that our rm cost the equivalent of a Moderate and the Dolphin isn't a moderate location.

6N SWV air/room w/fees, $100 credit, upgrade (plus another upgrade as spg) = $1470. We could see the backside of this from the room balcony.

 

[LovintheLodge]

FYI - we book a room/air pkg directly thru airline and due to of federal regulatory mandates the price of your pkg is inclusive of all fees so you pay the $17/20 upfront as part of the pkg. Course that only works if you fly but we figured that our rm cost the equivalent of a Moderate and the Dolphin isn't a moderate location.

6N SWV air/room w/fees, $100 credit, upgrade (plus another upgrade as spg) = $1470. We could see the backside of this from the room balcony.

That sounds really good. What time of year is that? I am arriving next week and can't wait! Oh I'm not thrilled about that resort fee, but even when I added the fee to the rate we got it was still less than the nearby Epcot resorts standard room with my 30% pin discount...and I booked a boardwalk view with balcony.

I have a transportation question as well. Since our first night is at the YC, we are using Magical Express on arrival. For our return to the airport, I just figured I would get a taxi or use Tiffany (used them in the past), but I'm wondering since this trip is just the two of us, maybe there's a better/cheaper option? What is the cost for Mears?

Thanks!
Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[collette0725]

How about an 8 passenger limo?

http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/limo_rates.html

or van

http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/van_rates.html

Thanks so much!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just as a FYI, the last mention of valet pricing I can find on this thread is from back in March, $20, plus tax. It is currently $23, plus tax, per night. Not sure when it was increased. Overnight, regular parking is still $15, plus tax, per night.

And apparently, a resort guest pays tax, a non resort guest using parking does not pay tax.

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html

 

[ammouse]

Just got back and this was our first stay in dolphin. We had a suite which for 2 families it was huge. Last trip we stayed in the Swan. We liked the location of the Dolphin and the atmosphere there better than the swan. The swan rooms did seem a bit nicer.
Customer service was great.

 

[ammouse]

We went to the mnsshp last night. Loved it. Lines for the rides were mostly walk on. The parade and fireworks were wonderful.