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

[housetomouse]

I admit I kind of missed the magic at the Swan. Part of the problem may have been very cold weather, so we hardly used the pool or outdoor areas. Location-wise, it was good, and it was nice to be able to boat to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. But I preferred the Polynesian or even the Yacht Club. Polynesian was far from perfect but I missed the magic of being on the Monorail loop and seeing the castle and fireworks. It's probably just been too long since we paid the Poly/YC bills Swan definitely was easier on the wallet.

 

[patty57]

I agree with above poster, you definitely won't miss the magic. I am staying at Yacht Club next March, but stayed at Swan last March and we loved it! I don't understand people who say there is no "magic"at Dolphin, you are surrounded by the Boardwalk, YC, BC, and have views of Epcot. Tons of magic around you! We are definitely going back to Dolphin/Swan! And the pool is better than any Disney resort we have stayed at. You will have a great time.

Agree.

 

[vicb]

I admit I kind of missed the magic at the Swan. Part of the problem may have been very cold weather, so we hardly used the pool or outdoor areas. Location-wise, it was good, and it was nice to be able to boat to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. But I preferred the Polynesian or even the Yacht Club. Polynesian was far from perfect but I missed the magic of being on the Monorail loop and seeing the castle and fireworks. It's probably just been too long since we paid the Poly/YC bills Swan definitely was easier on the wallet.

I actually agree about cold weather playing a role in diminishing the "Disney Magic" at any resort.... I felt that way 4 years ago when we stayed at CSR and it was a cold snap in Feb. We swam our first day and that was it, we needed hats and gloves it got so chilly. Our resort was pretty much just our room at that point, it was our first stay at a mod after staying Poly, BWI and BC so we missed attached lobby (it can be a long walk outside at CSR) and the Epcot area a lot.

Last stay DH and I tried Dolphin and it was good, a little convention-ish but we just love the Epcot area so we felt right back in the disney magic, plus it was April so it was warm.

 

[ckelly14]

I also enjoy the BC more that the Swan or Dolphin, but since I usually stay for free, it's a no brainer. If you pay cash, it's usually half the price of the BC. I guess it's how much that extra "magic" is worth to you...

 

[SRUAlmn]

I also enjoy the BC more that the Swan or Dolphin, but since I usually stay for free, it's a no brainer. If you pay cash, it's usually half the price of the BC. I guess it's how much that extra "magic" is worth to you...

So true! We stayed in a two bedroom grand suite two years ago at the Dolphin. It was so nice to have all that space to spread out, three bathrooms, etc... For similar space we would've had to book 3 standard rooms at a Disney resort which would've cost of 3x what we paid at the Dolphin.....however.....it felt a little strange to come back from the parks all sweaty and rain-soaked and have to excuse ourselves through the lobby bar full of business people in their suits! This year we've opted to pay a little more and do a two bedroom at BLT. We felt like we wanted a little more magic this year, but the Dolphin is a definite option in the future when we're trying to spend a little less!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I never feel bad about being dressed for the parks in the public areas at the swan.I know the ones in the smart business clothes are full of envy !

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[McKelly]

WooHoo! Just booked the Swan for NEXT Xmas week, 12/20-12/31 for $196.00 a night! That's cheaper than a Disney value!! So excited! This will be our first time staying there. If anyone takes any Xmas photos - please share!! TIA!

 

[vicb]

WooHoo! Just booked the Swan for NEXT Xmas week, 12/20-12/31 for $196.00 a night! That's cheaper than a Disney value!! So excited! This will be our first time staying there. If anyone takes and Xmas photos - please share!! TIA!

Congrats but I'm jealous! I'm hoping for a rate like that for my May trip. Is that for the basic room view?

 

[McKelly]

Congrats but I'm jealous! I'm hoping for a rate like that for my May trip. Is that for the basic room view?

Yes, it was weird, I was just playing around on the Swan/Dolphin site and I pulled up rates for next Xmas, just getting a feel for how much it was going to cost me and a AAA resort credit traditional room/2 queens came up for $196.00. The reservationist had no idea how much the resort credit was, but I told him it didn't matter to me because the price was so good anything above and beyond would be a bonus! I had to put one nights deposit down and can cancel up to five days before.

 

[lizabu]

Yes, it was weird, I was just playing around on the Swan/Dolphin site and I pulled up rates for next Xmas, just getting a feel for how much it was going to cost me and a AAA resort credit traditional room/2 queens came up for $196.00. The reservationist had no idea how much the resort credit was, but I told him it didn't matter to me because the price was so good anything above and beyond would be a bonus! I had to put one nights deposit down and can cancel up to five days before.

If you read through the advisories in the confirmation email it should tell you.

 

[McKelly]

If you read through the advisories in the confirmation email it should tell you.

It doesn't say anything in my confirmation sent via E-mail. When I try to log on and pull up my reservation on the Starwood site it says this:

We have found your reservation. It is not possible to display this particular reservation online. This is usually due to an unusual or complex rate or set of rates associated with the reservation in question. For questions regarding this reservation, please contact the Customer Contact Center nearest you.

The reservationist said to call back closer to the reservation and inquire.

Does anybody know if they send out confirmations via US mail - or is everything electronic?

 

[lizabu]

It doesn't say anything in my confirmation sent via E-mail. When I try to log on and pull up my reservation on the Starwood site it says this: We have found your reservation. It is not possible to display this particular reservation online. This is usually due to an unusual or complex rate or set of rates associated with the reservation in question. For questions regarding this reservation, please contact the Customer Contact Center nearest you. The reservationist said to call back closer to the reservation and inquire. Does anybody know if they send out confirmations via US mail - or is everything electronic?

Everything's electronic. My guess is if you made the reservation through central reservations and that agent couldn't see the amount of the resort credit calling the customer contact centre won't help. That will just bring you back to central reservations. Wait until regular business hours and call the hotel directly. Press 0 and ask for in house reservations. They're actually at the hotel and will have the most accurate information.

 

[McKelly]

Everything's electronic. My guess is if you made the reservation through central reservations and that agent couldn't see the amount of the resort credit calling the customer contact centre won't help. That will just bring you back to central reservations. Wait until regular business hours and call the hotel directly. Press 0 and ask for in house reservations. They're actually at the hotel and will have the most accurate information.

Will do - Thanks!!

 

[RachelTori]

McKelly: I know I'm joining this conversation late, but I wanted to comment on the AAA Resort Credit. It has historically been $50 per stay - a nice little bonus!

Also, I once had a reservation that gave me the same message you're getting when you try to pull it up online. It was no problem at all - Dolphin had all the information when I checked in!

 

[McKelly]

McKelly: I know I'm joining this conversation late, but I wanted to comment on the AAA Resort Credit. It has historically been $50 per stay - a nice little bonus!

Also, I once had a reservation that gave me the same message you're getting when you try to pull it up online. It was no problem at all - Dolphin had all the information when I checked in!

Thanks! I will admit, I was a little nervous when that message came up. I kept thinking in the back of my mind, OK, something is going to happen and they won't honor it......glad to hear it happened to someone else and it worked out!

 

[Meghatron]

Greetings!

We are staying at the Dolphin the day/night before our cruise and were hoping to tour the resort hotel holiday decorations. Does parking (self or valet) have in-and-out privileges or is the fee charged each time? I was hoping to use our own car to save time during touring but not at the expense of my wallet.

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[OKW Lover]

Does parking (self or valet) have in-and-out privileges or is the fee charged each time? I was hoping to use our own car to save time during touring but not at the expense of my wallet.

Parking at the Swolphin (self or valet) does have in-and-out privileges.

 

[Meghatron]

Parking at the Swolphin (self or valet) does have in-and-out privileges.

Awesome, thank you!

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[hsmamato2]

we JUST returned form an 8 nite stay at Dolphin...... I WANT TO GO BACK!!!! what a nice place! I was hesitatnt to try a 'not really disney' hotel...Location couldn't be beat (14th floor view of Epcot,Studios,Swan) free coffee and tea every morning(even tho the little coffeemakers are awful,it was Starbucks)the Pool area was the BEST-(we walked by the Poly Volcano pool,no contest which is better) 4 hottubs,4 pools,a lovely beach....walking to 2 parks, bus service to the rest,even package delivery to the gift shop! (yes,it's a Disney shop) The only stuff we couldn't do was Magical Express,and Dining Plan. So we ate OOP...No problems...rented a car from airport to hotel,then dropped it at the desk right in the hotel (too easy)...plus our nightly rate of 126.00 was PHENOMENAL. I posted this for any of you wondering if you'll miss "disney" while,we sure didn't miss anything,and my family LOVES Disneyworld. I doubt we'll ever find a deal like this one again, but I am planning our next stay already....I am a convert!

 

[Robbi]

we JUST returned form an 8 nite stay at Dolphin...... I WANT TO GO BACK!!!! what a nice place! I was hesitatnt to try a 'not really disney' hotel...Location couldn't be beat (14th floor view of Epcot,Studios,Swan) free coffee and tea every morning(even tho the little coffeemakers are awful,it was Starbucks)the Pool area was the BEST-(we walked by the Poly Volcano pool,no contest which is better) 4 hottubs,4 pools,a lovely beach....walking to 2 parks, bus service to the rest,even package delivery to the gift shop! (yes,it's a Disney shop) The only stuff we couldn't do was Magical Express,and Dining Plan. So we ate OOP...No problems...rented a car from airport to hotel,then dropped it at the desk right in the hotel (too easy)...plus our nightly rate of 126.00 was PHENOMENAL. I posted this for any of you wondering if you'll miss "disney" while,we sure didn't miss anything,and my family LOVES Disneyworld. I doubt we'll ever find a deal like this one again, but I am planning our next stay already....I am a convert!

Glad you enjoyed your stay! We love the S/D too.