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

[lovingthemouse]

I am sorry that your stay at the Dolphin was not more enjoyable. Hope you are feeling better now.

 

[RachelTori]

Could someone who is eating at Shula's Steakhouse, but NOT staying at the Dolphin, send their kids to Camp Dolphin while dining? I saw on the S/D website that Camp Dolphin is free for 2 hours when adults dine at Shula's (one child per adult entree ordered), but it didn't say anything about having to be a guest staying at the Dolphin.

That is correct! It does not matter where you are staying - as long as you bring the receipt from Shula's, Camp Dolphin offers 2 hours free - one child per adult entree. Plus the kids eat as a group in Picabu - really cute! (I would still "tip" the caregivers.)

 

[jnfr2424]

Minnie
Sorry for your recent experience at the Dolphin I hope you do send Starwood a message about your trip but also please do think hard about returning.
The second time I stayed at the Dolphin was a horrific nightmare.
We booked a trip for Thanksgiving about 8-10 months in advance. One day in July I got an email thanking me for my recent stay. The problem was I wasn't there in July. I paid it no attention at first but then I checked my SPG account and I had received points for this so-called July trip but I could not see my pending reservations for November.
When I called reservations my Thanksgiving dates were cancelled and replaced with the July dates. I had to be transferred to The Dolphin front desk and spoke to one of the Hotels Managers. After they stated it was their error I was able to rebook with all the original information. They also stated and promised due to their error, i would receive SPG points as well as an Epcot view room. I documented everything and requested it in writing as well. I checked again in September. The front desk assured me that everything was set for our arrival.
Fast forward to November we arrive to find out we have no reservation. And to top it off they were sold out and there was supposedly "flooded rooms" in the promised Epcot view room and no suites available. I showed all my paperwork and asked to see the manager I spoke with on the phone, they claimed no one worked there with that name. Front desk and management were horrific, had no empathy and acted as if this was all my fault and did not even at first try to have a resolution. At that point I truly lost it caused a scene at the front desk put it this way if you were standing at the entrance to the central elevators, you heard me yelling. I was ready to be arrested.
The resolution they offered was to spend one night in the Swan then transfer back to the Dolphin. We were charged rack rate for everything and was placed in limited view rooms.
We did make the most of the trip besides the ongoing fiasco. Even transferring back to the Dolphin was an issue that we ended up being late for La Nouba.
When we got back home I sent Starwood a lengthy letter explaining the entire situation. We were refunded back the difference of money due to us plus 10,000 SPG points. I vowed on never returning again to Swan and Dolphin. Almost 2 years later DH had a conference at the Dolphin and I decided to join him later on in the week and booked a room. The issue this time was my allergies and being on a low floor I called the front desk and I was moved to a higher floor with no other issues and had an amazing time. Been back since then over 10 times and had no more issues. I sometimes feel maybe my name has a red flag. We are returning in a month from now to a reservation I booked back in March. I'm a little nervous but more optimistic that everything will be ok and that I will never have to go through that kind of adventure again!

Hope you are feeling much better!

 

[livndisney]

Posting from my balcony at the Dolphin watching the boats come and go

 

[RachelTori]

Posting from my balcony at the Dolphin watching the boats come and go

That was me this past week!! ENJOY!!!

 

[Figaro972]

Posting from my balcony at the Dolphin watching the boats come and go

I'll be doing that in 3 weeks!!!

 

[TaraPA]

Posting from my balcony at the Dolphin watching the boats come and go

LOVE LOVE LOVE the sound of those Friendship boat horns!

Sorry to read the bad reviews on here, I hope everyone still managed to enjoy their trips. I guess I've lucked out, in 6 trips to S/D I've never once had a bad stay or encountered anything less than stellar service from the staff.

I do have some insight on the microwaves - now I'm not sure they're actually "against the law" like someone was told, but they are definitely against S/D policy. It has to do with their insurance coverage- they do not have coverage for any in-room cooking appliances such as microwaves & hot pots (other than the coffee pots). I had questioned this one year myself & that does make sense, from an insurance standpoint. It would be nice though if they had one in Picabu for guests to use.

And as far as the pool hours - they post the hours that lifeguards are on duty, but we've been there before & after posted hours many times with other people & have never been asked to leave. I think the posted hours are more of a guideline, not the rule. I have seen them close the waterslide, however, when the lifeguards leave.

 

[bangzoom6877]

That is correct! It does not matter where you are staying - as long as you bring the receipt from Shula's, Camp Dolphin offers 2 hours free - one child per adult entree. Plus the kids eat as a group in Picabu - really cute! (I would still "tip" the caregivers.)

That's good to know! Of course I would still "tip" them, even if we were paying full price. Does this also apply to other restaurants, like Todd English Blue Zoo? Just in case we decide to try that one.

Is their meal in Picabu complimentary, or would we pay for that? We had just assumed we would take them someplace quick for dinner before we go to our dinner and drop them off at the camp.

 

[RachelTori]

That's good to know! Of course I would still "tip" them, even if we were paying full price. Does this also apply to other restaurants, like Todd English Blue Zoo? Just in case we decide to try that one.

Is their meal in Picabu complimentary, or would we pay for that? We had just assumed we would take them someplace quick for dinner before we go to our dinner and drop them off at the camp.

The 3 restaurants that do the 2-hour comp are Shula's, Blue Zoo and Il Mulino!

There was no charge for the kids' meal at Picabu. (they will give you the information as to approx what time they will take the kids to Picabu and what time they will return to Camp Dolphin.)

 

[bangzoom6877]

The 3 restaurants that do the 2-hour comp are Shula's, Blue Zoo and Il Mulino!

There was no charge for the kids' meal at Picabu. (they will give you the information as to approx what time they will take the kids to Picabu and what time they will return to Camp Dolphin.)

Awesome, thanks! Could dinner actually be done in 2 hours at these restaurants, or should we budget for another hour to have to pay for the camp? (I assume dinner could be done in 3 hours)

 

[RachelTori]

Awesome, thanks! Could dinner actually be done in 2 hours at these restaurants, or should we budget for another hour to have to pay for the camp? (I assume dinner could be done in 3 hours)

It can be done in two, but why not budget for the extra hour so you can really take your time and enjoy the experience!

 

[bangzoom6877]

It can be done in two, but why not budget for the extra hour so you can really take your time and enjoy the experience!

This is exactly what I was thinking! Then we wouldn't be constantly looking at our watches!

 

[Minnie]

Minnie- hope your mouth is healed. Sounds like you made the most of your trip even with a few bumps in the road.

We just returned from the Dolphin as well.

A few points for your next visit:

Request a room in the west wing and the resort won't feel as big.
Pool towels are available at the health club when the pool shack is not open. The hours are 6 am to 11 pm. Also, we were able to use the pool outside of the stated hours in the morning.

Hopefully, your items left in the closet will turn up.

The health club closed at 10pm the one evening we attempted this - we'd have to made the long trip back to the room to grab a towel which is absolutely ridiculous so we just went back up to the room. We did use the pool before 9am and brought our own towel.

It's been almost 3 weeks since the trip so our items are long gone... Bet I can find them on ebay

Minnie, I totally agree about lack of options for allergies! I have asked at most places at the Dolphin and I swear you hear crickets when you ask about options for allergies. No one seems to know. There is a sheet one chef showed me with like one option for gluten free.

The staff here have been TERRIBLE! I spent another hour today trying to get my bill figured out. The "manager" has not been very helpful. Anytime I have called and asked guest services a question, either they did not know or told me to go to the front desk.

The woman in charge of Camp Dolphin is a nightmare! So rude and thinks she knows it all. The staff at Camp Dolphin do not interact with the children at all. One just sits at the desk barking orders.

As far as the pool, we have seen the entire pool deck closed, so we have not be able to use the pool at all.

I am sorry that your stay at the Dolphin was not more enjoyable. Hope you are feeling better now.

Thank you - yes I'm finally feeling better
The lack of availability on the allergy items really shocked me. WDW is known for being the best place in the world to vacation for food allergies and the S/D is definitely a let down in this area. Thankfully the location can't be beat and it's an easy walk or boat ride away to safe food and microwave

Hope you are feeling much better!

Thank you and yes I'm finally doing better

Sorry to read the bad reviews on here, I hope everyone still managed to enjoy their trips. I guess I've lucked out, in 6 trips to S/D I've never once had a bad stay or encountered anything less than stellar service from the staff.

I do have some insight on the microwaves - now I'm not sure they're actually "against the law" like someone was told, but they are definitely against S/D policy. It has to do with their insurance coverage- they do not have coverage for any in-room cooking appliances such as microwaves & hot pots (other than the coffee pots). I had questioned this one year myself & that does make sense, from an insurance standpoint. It would be nice though if they had one in Picabu for guests to use.

And as far as the pool hours - they post the hours that lifeguards are on duty, but we've been there before & after posted hours many times with other people & have never been asked to leave. I think the posted hours are more of a guideline, not the rule. I have seen them close the waterslide, however, when the lifeguards leave.

On the microwave I never asked for one to be sent to my room - though this is available in the other Disney resorts...... I just asked if one was available for my use or if they could microwave it (3 minutes)..... And was rudely told in no uncertain terms absolutely no As bad as I was feeling there is no way I deserved the rudeness or this woman and thinking back now I should have gone to a manager to report her so others wouldn't have to encounter this witch

Everyone - just to clarify we really did have a good trip and made wonderful memories. And for the rate well if it came along again without a non-refundable rider then yes I'd consider going back for sure - that rate was unbelievable for that location

My son probably had the best pool time from any trip after the no towel evening fiasco. Early morning we had the pool nearly all to ourselves and he loved the many areas. This trip also forced me to slow down and I realized that there is so much more than rope drops, rides, and late evening shows. Just being together as a family and enjoying what we could was a very important lesson

Thank you all for considering my thoughts and for not flaming me for giving a less than stellar review... I love this board and try to give both sides of the story when I do a review

 

[Minnie]

Minnie- hope your mouth is healed. Sounds like you made the most of your trip even with a few bumps in the road.

We just returned from the Dolphin as well.

A few points for your next visit:

Request a room in the west wing and the resort won't feel as big.
Pool towels are available at the health club when the pool shack is not open. The hours are 6 am to 11 pm. Also, we were able to use the pool outside of the stated hours in the morning.

Hopefully, your items left in the closet will turn up.

The health club closed at 10pm the one evening we attempted this - we'd have to made the long trip back to the room to grab a towel which is absolutely ridiculous so we just went back up to the room. We did use the pool before 9am and brought our own towel.

It's been almost 3 weeks since the trip so our items are long gone... Bet I can find them on ebay

Minnie, I totally agree about lack of options for allergies! I have asked at most places at the Dolphin and I swear you hear crickets when you ask about options for allergies. No one seems to know. There is a sheet one chef showed me with like one option for gluten free.

The staff here have been TERRIBLE! I spent another hour today trying to get my bill figured out. The "manager" has not been very helpful. Anytime I have called and asked guest services a question, either they did not know or told me to go to the front desk.

The woman in charge of Camp Dolphin is a nightmare! So rude and thinks she knows it all. The staff at Camp Dolphin do not interact with the children at all. One just sits at the desk barking orders.

As far as the pool, we have seen the entire pool deck closed, so we have not be able to use the pool at all.

I am sorry that your stay at the Dolphin was not more enjoyable. Hope you are feeling better now.

Thank you - yes I'm finally feeling better
The lack of availability on the allergy items really shocked me. WDW is known for being the best place in the world to vacation for food allergies and the S/D is definitely a let down in this area. Thankfully the location can't be beat and it's an easy walk or boat ride away to safe food and microwave

Hope you are feeling much better!

Thank you and yes I'm finally doing better

Sorry to read the bad reviews on here, I hope everyone still managed to enjoy their trips. I guess I've lucked out, in 6 trips to S/D I've never once had a bad stay or encountered anything less than stellar service from the staff.

I do have some insight on the microwaves - now I'm not sure they're actually "against the law" like someone was told, but they are definitely against S/D policy. It has to do with their insurance coverage- they do not have coverage for any in-room cooking appliances such as microwaves & hot pots (other than the coffee pots). I had questioned this one year myself & that does make sense, from an insurance standpoint. It would be nice though if they had one in Picabu for guests to use.

And as far as the pool hours - they post the hours that lifeguards are on duty, but we've been there before & after posted hours many times with other people & have never been asked to leave. I think the posted hours are more of a guideline, not the rule. I have seen them close the waterslide, however, when the lifeguards leave.

On the microwave I never asked for one to be sent to my room - though this is available in the other Disney resorts...... I just asked if one was available for my use or if they could microwave it (3 minutes)..... And was rudely told in no uncertain terms absolutely no As bad as I was feeling there is no way I deserved the rudeness or this woman and thinking back now I should have gone to a manager to report her so others wouldn't have to encounter this witch

Everyone - just to clarify we really did have a good trip and made wonderful memories. And for the rate well if it came along again without a non-refundable rider then yes I'd consider going back for sure - that rate was unbelievable for that location

My son probably had the best pool time from any trip after the no towel evening fiasco. Early morning we had the pool nearly all to ourselves and he loved the many areas. This trip also forced me to slow down and I realized that there is so much more than rope drops, rides, and late evening shows. Just being together as a family and enjoying what we could was a very important lesson

Thank you all for considering my thoughts and for not flaming me for giving a less than stellar review... I love this board and try to give both sides of the story when I do a review

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi everyone

I've taken a hiatus from the dis since our last trip in April and am coming back on as I am under five months now for our next trip! I booked the Dolphin again, and requested the West wing, pool view with possible TOT in background. That would totally make DD's day since it's her favorite ride in WDW I can't wait to stay at the Dolphin again! Nice to see familiar people on here, and hearing the great reviews (and some not so great). I hope those of you who didn't enjoy it, you give it another chance. After staying at the Poly twice and WL, DD and I were surprised when it became our favorite resort...we wouldn't stay anywhere else

 

[sewer]

Save 90% off Restaurant.com gift certificates today only, September 30, with the WOW code.That makes the usual $10 price for a $25 gift certificate only $1!

**It gets even better:

 

[NancyIL]

You realize that was posted almost a year ago!

 

[LexiC123]

You realize that was posted almost a year ago!

LOL...there must be a void in the space-time continuum.

 

[NancyIL]

LOL...there must be a void in the space-time continuum.

Or someone actually wades through the old posts on this thread!

 

[lovingmy2boys]

A quick question....is the internet free at the Swan?? We are bringing the laptop and wanted to check!