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

[RachelTori]

It depends on your level. Gold members are entitled to an upgraded room within the same category they booked. So a room on a higher floor, corner room, etc. On occasion as a gold member I've been upgraded to club level. Platinum members get an upgrade in category up until standard suite. All of this is based on availability, so nothing is guaranteed. When I stayed at the Swan in Dec I was told by the front desk that I was upgraded to the highest floor because of my gold status (I was staying on a cash + points rate). Whether I really got that upgrade or was just told I did, it's impossible to know. But I get the higher floor/better view rooms enough at SPG hotels that I do think they save them back for SPG members.

Just so we don't have any confusion, neither Swan nor Dolphin has Club Level -- they got rid of it about 5 years ago. (maybe it was longer ago than that -- time gets away from me! )

 

[huggiebear23]

I will be staying at the Swan Aug5th-8th then a week a POP. My DH has a conference that whole week so we are gonna meet him for 2 nights. We are excited to check it out!!

 

[klepton]

Just so we don't have any confusion, neither Swan nor Dolphin has Club Level -- they got rid of it about 5 years ago. (maybe it was longer ago than that -- time gets away from me! )

That's correct, I was speaking generally about upgrades and not specific to Swan/Dolphin. The only time I've ever stayed was the Swan for one night, where I got the highest floor "upgrade".

 

[RachelTori]

That's correct, I was speaking generally about upgrades and not specific to Swan/Dolphin. The only time I've ever stayed was the Swan for one night, where I got the highest floor "upgrade".

I knew you knew!

I posted that only because if someone new to the thread read that, they might think there is CL at Swolphin. (Oh, believe me..... I SO wish they still had it!! ) Just wanted to make sure the thread didn't start getting "Club Level" inquiries!

 

[SA mom]

It depends on your level. Gold members are entitled to an upgraded room within the same category they booked. So a room on a higher floor, corner room, etc. On occasion as a gold member I've been upgraded to club level. Platinum members get an upgrade in category up until standard suite. All of this is based on availability, so nothing is guaranteed. When I stayed at the Swan in Dec I was told by the front desk that I was upgraded to the highest floor because of my gold status (I was staying on a cash + points rate). Whether I really got that upgrade or was just told I did, it's impossible to know. But I get the higher floor/better view rooms enough at SPG hotels that I do think they save them back for SPG members.

At other Starwood properties, if they know we are SPG member, the upgrade is usually in place when we get there. I'm not sure if that works at Swan/Dolphin or not. You may want to tie your reservation to your SPG membership ahead of time.

 

[klepton]

At other Starwood properties, if they know we are SPG member, the upgrade is usually in place when we get there. I'm not sure if that works at Swan/Dolphin or not. You may want to tie your reservation to your SPG membership ahead of time.

Yes, that's what happened to me. I was already assigned the high-floor room when I arrived. The front desk guy told me I had been upgraded to the top floor. That is usually how it works, they'll tell you you've been upgraded when you check in.

On a side note, the guy I worked with at check-in at the Swan was one of the best Starwood employees I've ever worked with, if not the best. He was incredibly friendly, incredibly knowledgeable about the area and WDW, and gave me two drink coupons instead of one for my Starwood gift. I hadn't re-earned gold status yet, so didn't have those gold thank you cards, but if I did I probably would have given him two.

 

[happymomof1]

I hope this has not been asked a million times already. I looked on the 1st post and did not see any info. For guests staying at Swan/Dolphin this summer, will magic bands and fast pass + be available like the rest of disney hotels?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I hope this has not been asked a million times already. I looked on the 1st post and did not see any info. For guests staying at Swan/Dolphin this summer, will magic bands and fast pass + be available like the rest of disney hotels?

The bands and FP+ is not currently available, nobody knows what the future holds. My personal opinion is that eventually they will be.

 

[happymomof1]

Thanks. I guess I'll just have to keep my eyes out for any new info if it becomes available.

 

[patty57]

You can book FP+ in the parks when you visit, like other offsite guests. You probably know that, but just in case....

 

[amberpi]

I talked to an actual Swolphin rep on Friday and asked about FP+ for mid-May. she said that as of that minute they did not have pre-booking availablity, but that I should call back in mid March a few days before our 60 day booking window to see what has been rolled out in regards to FP+. Currently, we have flights and ADRs, but no hotel reservations as we wait out to see how this goes. If the Swolphin gets pre-booking (my hope), we'll be back for our zillionth (that's a word!) stay). If not, we'll decamp to CR again. I adore the CR but think that the location/amenties/rooms are a wash, but give the nod to the Swolphin on the pool. Either way, we are looking forward to the trip!

 

[ckelly14]

A visitor on another thread posted that he continues to see dedicated FP+ tables for S&D guests, at least in Epcot by Imaginations. Anyone else see dedicated tables in the park?

Perhaps they are keeping these up until S&D guests have the ability to pre-book.

I do think the previous poster's information sounds promising for my trip in June!

 

[patty57]

A visitor on another thread posted that he continues to see dedicated FP+ tables for S&D guests, at least in Epcot by Imaginations. Anyone else see dedicated tables in the park?

Perhaps they are keeping these up until S&D guests have the ability to pre-book.

I do think the previous poster's information sounds promising for my trip in June!

I saw this post as well. I thought I remembered reading here that the S/D tables for FP+ were gone, and S/D guests were now going to the main offsite kiosks. I wonder if the S/D tables were brought back, or am I making up part about the disappearing S/D tables? I do that sometimes in my over 50 brain.

 

[ckelly14]

There were definitely reports of the tables being gone, perhaps because I am "only" 47 I am remembering that quite clearly!

Looking for independent confirmation of these sightings, anyone going soon?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well, being 69 here, I'm just plain not sure.

 

[patty57]

Well, being 69 here, I'm just plain not sure.

Gee Dan, I'm surprised you can post at all at your advanced age!
I'm on the closer to 60 side of 50, and I swear I lose a little every day.

 

[ckelly14]

There is a very long report from Jimmy V on his trip to WDW, staying at the Swan, and there is no mention of any dedicated S&D tables. Either they just put them back or the report was erroneous. I favor the latter until there is independent confirmation...

 

[ckelly14]

I was wrong.

Another poster later in the same thread:

Also - on Friday or Saturday I noticed a dedicated table, right as you entered from the international gateway with 3 CM's with ipads that had signs on it for the Swan and Dolphin. I am guessing this is Disney's way of addressing the Swan/Dolphin issue. There were never any guests working with them, so I don't know how successful that was. They definitely weren't there earlier in the week though, so I'm guessing they got a lot of guest complaints.

So it does sound like this was a new addition related to complaints...

 

[SingingMom]

We were there in the middle of January, in the final days of what they were calling the "test period for Swan/Dolphin". After the first few days of our trip, the tables disappeared. When we asked we were told the test was over and Swan/Dolphin guests should go to the regular FP+ kiosks. The lines were horrendous, at a time when there weren't many lines for the actual rides! Lol

So -- you are correct - they were gone at one point. If they returned, we weren't there to see them!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Ness2289]

I'm attending a conference this summer at the S&D. Does it matter which hotel I book my room in? I have no idea which hotel the meetings will be held in, and I've never stayed at or visited the S&D so I have no point of reference. Thanks!