The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ September 2010 ~ Please read post #1

[MichiganMomto4]

I guess we'll be surprised then! And I hope I get one of those heavenly beds since I know' I'll be one of the people sleeping out in the 'living room' area

 

[TaraPA]

Wow totally different layout than the Swan Executive Suite. Our "parlor room" seemed larger but it could just be the pics. I also don't know what kind of regular room that was with the little kitchenette area & walk-in closet - but I know I'd sure love to have that as a regular room some time!

 

[BlondeViki]

I've just booked to stay at the Dolphin for the first time in September 2012 - it will be our honeymoon and it's a surprise for my OH! Reading through this thread has made me even more excited and no longer worried that I did wrong by not picking one of the 'official' Disney resorts! Sorry if this is the wrong place to bounce but I can't believe we're definitely finally coming!!

 

[Roo2]

Congratulations BlondViki! On both your upcoming wedding and your excellent choice of resort! You are going to love it at the Dolphin- and Disney World! Looks like you have plenty of time to plan- be sure to read up on tips to beat the heat, such as taking afternoon breaks back at your hotel- which will be so easy since you are staying right at the Dolphin!! You might also start keeping an eye out for coupon codes at restaurant.com, as there are $25 gift certificates available for several Swan/Dolphin restaurants- Shulas, Bluezoo, Fresh, Garden Grove (dinner only), Il Mulinos and Kimonos. Be sure to read the fine print- you must buy 2 entrees, expiration date, one per month, etc. Also, be sure to join Starwoods Preferred club (SPG) and have the number noted on your reservation, as well as your honeymoon- you may receive an unexpected gift such as a room upgrade.
Hope you have a wonderful honeymoon! You have picked the perfect place to spend it!! Roo2

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome back, Mike. Glad you guys had a great trip. Hope you are all better now. I had a similar fever bout for a couple days while at the Swan back in Dec. And a super picture report, looks fabulous. Thanks.

And welcome to the DIS, Viki. Congratulations!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

...You might also start keeping an eye out for coupon codes at restaurant.com, as there are $25 gift certificates available for several Swan/Dolphin restaurants- Shulas, Bluezoo, Fresh, Garden Grove (dinner only), Il Mulinos and Kimonos. Be sure to read the fine print- you must buy 2 entrees, expiration date, one per month, etc.....

Current code is SUMMER, through 6/30, 80% off, so $2 for $25 certificates.

www.restaurant.com

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/restaurant.com

 

[P13]

Current code is SUMMER, through 6/30, 80% off, so $2 for $25 certificates.

www.restaurant.com

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/restaurant.com

Would you happen to know how long the certificate is good for ? We are going the end of next month-beginning of August...if we got the certificate now will it still be good until then??

 

[kevallen]

Would you happen to know how long the certificate is good for ? We are going the end of next month-beginning of August...if we got the certificate now will it still be good until then??

I believe the restaurant.com gift certificates are good for one year from date of purchase. So you should be fine.

 

[SingingMom]

Wow, Mike! Those photos were great! What a terrific room! After your excited anticipation about staying there, I'm so happy you had a great time and a fabulous room!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Would you happen to know how long the certificate is good for ? We are going the end of next month-beginning of August...if we got the certificate now will it still be good until then??

They used to be good for one year, now no expiration. Confirm though before your purchase.

 

[NancyIL]

Hey, maybe that neat guy who runs the lemonade stand will stop by and tell us which room type this is. We've been going to the Dolphin since our 27 yr old ds was 8 or 9 and in all the trips I have never, ever seen his little kiosk of lemonade?????

That neat guy is hard to pin down!

For those of you who have just returned from the Swan or Dolphin - welcome back! For those who are going there soon - have a great trip! My next stay at the Swan begins 4 months from yesterday...not that I'm counting.

 

[tinkert77]

Stayed at the Dolphin in April. Loved the room, the hotel amenities, and the staff so much that we are returning next month for our anniversary. Thanks for all the great info. on this board. I think we are hooked! T

 

[cleophus12]

Thanks to all the people who have posted such helpful info on this thread about the Dolphin. I think I read all of it. Special thanks to the diser who promptly helped me with my dilemma about the a/c override. Made my week much more pleasant.

This was my family's first stay at the Dolphin. I confess to having been one of those hotel snobs who wanted to stay only at a Disney Resort. Boy, have I been converted! We were mightily impressed. I had requested an Epcot Fireworks View Room, upper floor. We got a 5th floor room (not exactly upper, but I guess upper is a relative term). Lovely room, great beds (!)--best night's sleep ever at Disney--Starbuck's coffee in room, fridge, terrific location, fabulous pool with plenty of chairs (while we loved Storm Along Bay, we could never find two chairs together), great balcony. I will say I'm not sure I would spring for the fireworks view again. We could see Illuminations beautifully, but were only in the room for it one night. Next time, I'll probably just go for the resort view--but the balcony was worth the extra $. Even my very skeptical 18 year old DD was completely won over. We all agreed we would stay here again without hesitation. Thanks again for all the great tips.

 

[Rustysmom]

This has probably been asked before, but will a 15.4" laptop fit in the safe at the Dolphin?

 

[SingingMom]

That neat guy is hard to pin down!

For those of you who have just returned from the Swan or Dolphin - welcome back! For those who are going there soon - have a great trip! My next stay at the Swan begins 4 months from yesterday...not that I'm counting.

I had the extreme pleasure of meeting that "neat guy" two years ago, but not at his lemonade stand. Would you believe they had him working behind a DESK?!

SSB - Hope you are doing well!

 

[mikegood2]

This has probably been asked before, but will a 15.4" laptop fit in the safe at the Dolphin?

I only had 10" netbook with me but it easily fit in the safe. I think a 15" laptop should fit, but you might want to call the s/d and see if you can get the exact dimensions of the safe. They are about 4" deep so you would need to angle it in the safe. If you go back to the photos of the executive suite I posted yesterday I have a photo of the safe door in the closet photo. I will see if I have a better shot of the safe somewhere else.

 

[SingingMom]

I only had 10" netbook with me but it easily fit in the safe. I think a 15" laptop should fit, but you might want to call the s/d and see if you can get the exact dimensions of the safe. They are about 4" deep so you would need to angle it in the safe. If you go back to the photos of the executive suite I posted yesterday I have a photo of the safe door in the closet photo. I will see if I have a better shot of the safe somewhere else.

Mine fit, but at quite an awkward angle. You had to be careful.

 

[gm]

we had 2 13.3 laptops and both fit in the safe including more room for wallets, etc.

 

[Rustysmom]

Thank you. I guess it should fit then. I wasn't planning on bringing it, but if I have to pay the resort fee I might as well use the internet that's included.

Edited to add another question. The rooms have little coffee makers with Starbucks, is that correct? What is the best way to make that coffee, because I stayed in a Sheraton over the weekend that had the little Starbucks coffee makers and the coffee was so disgusting!! It was like a cup of mud. I must have been doing something wrong!

 

[Flews]

Looking forward to a return visit to the Swan in Oct/Nov. We had a fabulous time there in April for the kids' 3rd birthday. We've stayed all over DW and wouldn't consider anything else at this point. We walk to the parks and love the pools, the evening fireworks, and the wide variety of food options in the area.

Cheers,