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

[MoonFaerie]

I have a question about the paying for parking thing. We're flying and taking a towncar to the Dolphin. We're planning on a couple of off site days in the middle of our trip, so we'll probably just rent a car for those 2 days. I assume the day we pick up the car we just go to the front desk to get a parking permit? Then when we turn in the car, do we just go back to the desk and tell them? I don't want to end up paying for parking for all 9 days when we'll only have a car for 2 of them.

 

[NancyIL]

I have a question about the paying for parking thing. We're flying and taking a towncar to the Dolphin. We're planning on a couple of off site days in the middle of our trip, so we'll probably just rent a car for those 2 days. I assume the day we pick up the car we just go to the front desk to get a parking permit? Then when we turn in the car, do we just go back to the desk and tell them? I don't want to end up paying for parking for all 9 days when we'll only have a car for 2 of them.

There are no parking permits to place on your windshield as at Disney resorts. At the Swan and Dolphin, you swipe your room key to get in and out of the parking lot. You will want to tell the front desk that you will have a rental car for 2 days, then make sure you are charged only for those 2 days on your bill.

 

[son3disfan]

What do you guys think of a rate of $360 before taxes for an executive suite ?
This is during March break(17th to be exact).
That is with the teacher rate, apparently the best rate I can get.
I had two standard rooms, connecting for $199 each before taxes.

Is it worth the $40 savings to get the suite?
I thought perhaps the views would be better.
We are three adults and 3 kids.

First time staying here, so really don't know how nice the pull out is.

 

[TaraPA]

What do you guys think of a rate of $360 before taxes for an executive suite ?
This is during March break(17th to be exact).
That is with the teacher rate, apparently the best rate I can get.
I had two standard rooms, connecting for $199 each before taxes.

Is it worth the $40 savings to get the suite?
I thought perhaps the views would be better.
We are three adults and 3 kids.

First time staying here, so really don't know how nice the pull out is.

Is this a 1BR or 2BR Executive Suite - or just the Parlor Room of the Executive Suite? It's a good rate for either the 1BR or 2BR. Is this at The Swan or The Dolphin? Only The Dolphin guarantees the Murphy bed in the Parlor Room - so there you'd have 2 beds in each bedroom, plus the king Murphy bed & the sofa bed in the Parlor Room. At the Swan, most Exec Suties only have the sofa bed in the Parlor Room - so if this is a 1BR - you will only have 2 beds plus the sofa bed - is that enough beds for 6 people?

If I had to decide between 2 standard rooms or a 1BR Executive Suite I'd easily pick the Executive Suite. The Parlor Room is much larger than a standard room, with a living room area & dining area too.

I slept on the pull out & it was fine, but not good. I was jealous that everyone else had a Heavenly bed & I didn't!

 

[TaraPA]

I purchase discounted park tickets from Undercover Tourist: www.undercovertourist.com

When you book a room-only reservation at a Disney resort, you pay a one-night deposit and the balance is paid at check-out. Only packages have to be prepaid before arrival.

Another thumbs up for Undercover Tourist!

 

[son3disfan]

Is this a 1BR or 2BR Executive Suite - or just the Parlor Room of the Executive Suite? It's a good rate for either the 1BR or 2BR. Is this at The Swan or The Dolphin? Only The Dolphin guarantees the Murphy bed in the Parlor Room - so there you'd have 2 beds in each bedroom, plus the king Murphy bed & the sofa bed in the Parlor Room. At the Swan, most Exec Suties only have the sofa bed in the Parlor Room - so if this is a 1BR - you will only have 2 beds plus the sofa bed - is that enough beds for 6 people?

If I had to decide between 2 standard rooms or a 1BR Executive Suite I'd easily pick the Executive Suite. The Parlor Room is much larger than a standard room, with a living room area & dining area too.

I slept on the pull out & it was fine, but not good. I was jealous that everyone else had a Heavenly bed & I didn't!

I booked one bedroom at the swan.
I think she said only the pull out. Will it sleep 2 comfortably? Kids 10 and 12.

I was thinking the excutive might be nicer then 2rooms.
6 is a tough number for hotels......
I think the dolphin was more expensive.
I am assuming I am going during peak season.
Would love a cheaper rate ....like the ones everyone is quoting on here.
I guess I will keep the excutive suite and keep looking for a better deal.

What does everyone think about the rate?
$360 suddenly becomes just over $400. That's pretty steep for a one bedroom....no?

 

[TaraPA]

I think the $360/nt rate is great - I was quoted $495 for a 1BR Executive Suite for this November. Ouch. I think that's about what we paid for a 2BR ($469 I'm thinking) in March. I don't think you'll do better, there are some peak times that a ROOM at S/D can be almost $300 a night!

Mike - you just were in an Executive Suite - and I remember you paid less than I did - what was your rate?

The sofa bed was a sleeper double, I'd swear it was smaller than a regular double bed, but should be ok for 2 kids. If not, you can rent a roll-away for $25/nt, there is plenty of room to put one in the Parlor Room. The room is so big that if one of the kids really wanted to, they could sleep on the floor (mine beg to sleep on the floor in hotels - they'd much rather do that than share a bed!)

 

[son3disfan]

I think the $360/nt rate is great - I was quoted $495 for a 1BR Executive Suite for this November. Ouch. I think that's about what we paid for a 2BR ($469 I'm thinking) in March. I don't think you'll do better, there are some peak times that a ROOM at S/D can be almost $300 a night!

Mike - you just were in an Executive Suite - and I remember you paid less than I did - what was your rate?

The sofa bed was a sleeper double, I'd swear it was smaller than a regular double bed, but should be ok for 2 kids. If not, you can rent a roll-away for $25/nt, there is plenty of room to put one in the Parlor Room. The room is so big that if one of the kids really wanted to, they could sleep on the floor (mine beg to sleep on the floor in hotels - they'd much rather do that than share a bed!)

Great! Thanks for the feedback.
We are bringing my newly separated brother in law on a Disney Cruise And then one night in Disney, just so he can see how amazing it is. He has never been anywhere and I know he will love Disney!
It's really not enough time to see much, but it's better then not going at all.
I figured if we get a nice hotel, right in the heart of it all, it will feel pretty special even if we don't visit the parks. I think we might just hit a water park and enjoy the area.
He has never been to Florida, and he really needs a pick me up. It has been a horrible couple of years for him.
But boy, is this trip added up! Like I said, adding that one extra person really brings the price up!

 

[P13]

Can someone tell me if we order stuff from the 'pantry', do we have to be present in our room for delivery??
TIA

 

[Ramsfan28]

Can someone tell me if we order stuff from the 'pantry', do we have to be present in our room for delivery??
TIA

No you do not need to be in the room.

 

[MoonFaerie]

There are no parking permits to place on your windshield as at Disney resorts. At the Swan and Dolphin, you swipe your room key to get in and out of the parking lot. You will want to tell the front desk that you will have a rental car for 2 days, then make sure you are charged only for those 2 days on your bill.

Thanks!

 

[P13]

No you do not need to be in the room.

Great!! Thanks for the info!

 

[mikegood2]

I think the $360/nt rate is great - I was quoted $495 for a 1BR Executive Suite for this November. Ouch. I think that's about what we paid for a 2BR ($469 I'm thinking) in March. I don't think you'll do better, there are some peak times that a ROOM at S/D can be almost $300 a night!

Mike - you just were in an Executive Suite - and I remember you paid less than I did - what was your rate?

The sofa bed was a sleeper double, I'd swear it was smaller than a regular double bed, but should be ok for 2 kids. If not, you can rent a roll-away for $25/nt, there is plenty of room to put one in the Parlor Room. The room is so big that if one of the kids really wanted to, they could sleep on the floor (mine beg to sleep on the floor in hotels - they'd much rather do that than share a bed!)

We ended up paying $309 per night with a teachers discount. That price did not include the resort fee. The "Murphy" bed was actually a king heavenly bed. We never tried the sofa bed, but the bruise on my foot will confirm that it was there.

We tried getting prices on 3 or 4 different groupings of days and the $309 was the best deal, most were around $350+, so if you have any leeway try a different combo of days, you may get a pleasant surprise. We tried to go Tuesday -Tuesday but switching to wednesday - Wednesday saved us about $50 a night.

Can someone tell me if we order stuff from the 'pantry', do we have to be present in our room for delivery??
TIA

Yes they will but be careful ordering by phone. The number they list on the personal pantry sheet is also the number for room service. My brother placed multiple orders for a quart of milk with no problem until his last call. 10 minutes after he made that call, we got a knock on the door with a $7 glass of milk from room service.

Sorry about the lack of posting the last week, needed to take a week away from all things Disney. I also plan to re-write my review of our trip, this time in a word processor. That way I will still have it incase my browser decides to crash.

 

[P13]

Yes they will but be careful ordering by phone. The number they list on the personal pantry sheet is also the number for room service. My brother placed multiple orders for a quart of milk with no problem until his last call. 10 minutes after he made that call, we got a knock on the door with a $7 glass of milk from room service.

Oh my!! Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to fill out the paper to save the confussion!! Can we leave it in our room or should we take it to guest services??

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Just booked the Dolphin for our October Anniversary Trip . . .I'm tired of waiting for AP rates that may or may not happen and I like the fact that we can still walk to Epcot and to HS which we loved to do when we stayed at BW, BC in the past. It was the same amount of $ per night as POFQ, but we are so burned out from POFQ, we needed a change.

Can't wait to try the Dolphin!!

 

[wdwgirl1]

My mom and I are going to WDW for the Princess Half Marathon at the end of Feb. 2012. On the swandolphin website there are some promotions going on for that time period but there is no availibility right now. How far in advance do they release discounted rooms? Also what is the discount for an AP? Is it available all year or only at certain times?

I am wondering the same thing. I have been looking at Febuary but can't get any rooms to come up...wonder if there is a big convention or something...love the Swan.

 

[msvlg]

I am contemplating booking a 2 bedroom executive suite at the Dolphin for our next vacation,April 2012. There will be 6 of us. I want to be near food options & pool so from what I read the west side is the side I should request. I would also like a balcony-can anyone tell me what the views are like from the executive suites on the west side? Does anyone have any pictures to share? Do these rooms face the pool or a theme park, lake or just other buildings, etc.? I am booking soon so any advice would be greatly appreciated.I would really like some type of water view (willing to pay for it).What should I request? THANKS!

 

[Ramsfan28]

I am wondering the same thing. I have been looking at Febuary but can't get any rooms to come up...wonder if there is a big convention or something...love the Swan.

All the rooms that are offered as part of a promotion could already be sold at this point and depending on the week, the hotel could be sold out. As you allued to above, many big conventions stay at the S&D.

 

[Ramsfan28]

Just booked the Dolphin for our October Anniversary Trip . . .I'm tired of waiting for AP rates that may or may not happen and I like the fact that we can still walk to Epcot and to HS which we loved to do when we stayed at BW, BC in the past. It was the same amount of $ per night as POFQ, but we are so burned out from POFQ, we needed a change.

Can't wait to try the Dolphin!!

Congrats, you will love the Dolphin! The S&D blows away the mods at Disney in my opinion.

The location is incredible and besides being able to walk to Epcot and HS (or take the boat) you have many wonderful dining options and the Boardwalk right there to enjoy.

 

[TaraPA]

I am wondering the same thing. I have been looking at Febuary but can't get any rooms to come up...wonder if there is a big convention or something...love the Swan.

Did you try using a different promo code (or no promo code) - or - try day by day - sometimes if you put in your arrival date & departure date, and only one day is unavailable, it will come up saying the whole stay is.

If it's still coming up as sold out, keep trying. I had 2 days of a previous trip that were sold out for months, and after diligent checking, they opened up about 2 months out!