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

[saxman]

Has anyone been recently? I was just looking at reviews online and lately they have all been really negative? Wondering why, because the older reviews are all stellar.

We stayed at the Swan this past November and while we had a couple of issues with housekeeping that didn't outweigh the MANY positives. We are definitely will be coming back!!

 

[patty57]

Tess and Dan,
Thank you for correcting my misinformation. I really shouldn't post if I'm not sure about something.

 

[el_tigre]

S&D do offer AP rates, but we have found AAA to be better than the AP by a few dollars at times. I really can't answer when S&D open the AP rates. In 2010, we booked an AP rate in the fall for the fall of 2011. Those rates seem to become available much sooner than Disney releases its AP rates. I'm sure others who are more in the know about the resorts will be along to offer further information.

Starwood Hotels are able to release rates as far as 18 months out. A lot of properties don't post them that far out of course, and not all rate plans may be available when the first rates are loaded. But, yes, you can generally find great rates at the Swan and Dolphin long before Disney offers any type of discounts on their resorts.

I have also found there are so many ways to get discounts, don't be pigeon-holed into looking for the same discounts that would be available with Disney. It would probably be easy to write a post that details all the discount opportunities that is longer than the first post in this thread.

Another tactic would be to look at the offers page for the resort's SPG.com pages. For non-refundable rates, also consider Starpicks.com and occasionally offers like buy four nights, get two free come up.

Good luck!

 

[pooh2001]

What is the best time to do laundry at the Dolphin ?

Is the laundry room open early - such as 6 am - or maybe open 24/7 ?

Does it stay open late - such as till mid-night?

We have not been to the Dolphin in 5 years and I do not remember the time the laundry room is open?

Thanks

 

[melliej]

Packing question for you experts...
Do you bring your own beach towels for the pool or are resort towels plentiful and accessible? I would rather fill our luggage with clothes than towels! Thanks!

 

[pooh2001]

Packing question for you experts...
Do you bring your own beach towels for the pool or are resort towels plentiful and accessible? I would rather fill our luggage with clothes than towels! Thanks!

They have towels at the Cabana between the lap pool and Grotto pool. Just show your room key and they are free.
Then before returning to your room, place the used towel in the towel bin.

You can also rent swim tubes and life vests for kids.

enjoy!

 

[melliej]

They have towels at the Cabana between the lap pool and Grotto pool. Just show your room key and they are free.
Then before returning to your room, place the used towel in the towel bin.

You can also rent swim tubes and life vests for kids.

enjoy!

Awesome, thanks!

 

[lizabu]

Hi there! We've been dying to stay near Epcot, but the prices at the Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk are too expensive - we need 2 rooms w/ 4 teens in the family. So we're really interested in the Swan & Dolphin.

Do Swan & Dolphin offer discounts for AP holders? If so, approximately how far in advance are they available and what are the typical discounts?

I just saw an ap rate for a date in May for $159 for a standard room. It really has a lot to do with your dates.

 

[lizabu]

What is the best time to do laundry at the Dolphin ?

Is the laundry room open early - such as 6 am - or maybe open 24/7 ?

Does it stay open late - such as till mid-night?

We have not been to the Dolphin in 5 years and I do not remember the time the laundry room is open?

Thanks

They never had hours posted so I assumed they were open 24 hours. My suggestion for doing laundry is do it when you are going to be at the pool. Throw it in go to the pool. Wait 1/2 and hour and throw it in the dryer. Wait 45 minutes go back and grab it. I had so much laundry with 4 teenagers I just put it all in my rolling suitcase, washed, dried, folded and put it all back in the suitcase. If you have something else you'd rather be doing while it washes go do it. Don't miss any of your vacation time. There was no one that hung around in the laundry room. Everyone pretty much dropped their stuff and went. I know because I was hanging out in there with a book while my kids played video games next door. The benches aren't too comfy.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Everything I've read and heard tells me they do not allow deliveries from places like garden grocer because they have their own "Personal Pantry" grocery delivery service. We didn't bother with it and just brought a few things from the Super Walmart nearby and walked to Hess for a few items mid-week.

HI

You are correct. I emailed the concierge and received an email back with menu for their pantry. Most of the items were way overpriced and not exactly the healthy snacks I was looking for.

Is Hess across the street from Beach/Yacht Club? I feel like I remember seeing one when I stayed at Beach Club back in 08.

 

[Belle83]

When we were there in May 2011, we did laundry pretty late (like around 10 p.m.). I think it's open 24/7.

 

[OKW Lover]

Is Hess across the street from Beach/Yacht Club? I feel like I remember seeing one when I stayed at Beach Club back in 08.

Closer. Its actually across the street from the Boardwalk.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I have a question about overbookings. My husband has a conference at the Swan & Dolphin in May. We are doing a pre conference stay and his company offered a discount rate for any conference qualifiers that wanted to book pre and or post conference stay. However, I found a better rate and booked using that promotion and not under the conference. We are now worrying that if the hotel overbooks due to the conference, will we get moved? Where do they move guests to?

 

[RachelTori]

I have a question about overbookings. My husband has a conference at the Swan & Dolphin in May. We are doing a pre conference stay and his company offered a discount rate for any conference qualifiers that wanted to book pre and or post conference stay. However, I found a better rate and booked using that promotion and not under the conference. We are now worrying that if the hotel overbooks due to the conference, will we get moved? Where do they move guests to?

Speaking from experience, if you were able to book a room, you almost certainly won't have any problem.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Do any of the restaurants at the S/D serve french fries with their hamburgers. I must not be seeing it on the menu's. TIA

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have a question about overbookings. My husband has a conference at the Swan & Dolphin in May. We are doing a pre conference stay and his company offered a discount rate for any conference qualifiers that wanted to book pre and or post conference stay. However, I found a better rate and booked using that promotion and not under the conference. We are now worrying that if the hotel overbooks due to the conference, will we get moved? Where do they move guests to?

Speaking from experience, if you were able to book a room, you almost certainly won't have any problem.

There was one poster I recall here, maybe a year or so ago, who did have a reservation and was moved to another resort (can't recall which one) because of overbooking. I, along with other posters, were stunned, as was the poster. A lot of questions asked, but she said that was the situation. I still find it hard to believe, but that is what she said. I personally would not worry though.

Do any of the restaurants at the S/D serve french fries with their hamburgers. I must not be seeing it on the menu's. TIA

I know The Fountain does.

 

[NancyIL]

Any hotel can be overbooked, and the guests could be "walked" elsewhere. I recall the Hyatt Grand Cypress being mentioned as one hotel where guests have been relocated.

 

[lizabu]

I have a question about overbookings. My husband has a conference at the Swan & Dolphin in May. We are doing a pre conference stay and his company offered a discount rate for any conference qualifiers that wanted to book pre and or post conference stay. However, I found a better rate and booked using that promotion and not under the conference. We are now worrying that if the hotel overbooks due to the conference, will we get moved? Where do they move guests to?

There are just so many people who would or could be bumped before a person who books with them directly such as people staying on employee or friends and families rates and people who booked through a third party such as expedia. If you were to ever get bumped you have to be transported at the hotels expense to a hotel of equal value. I remember hearing about it happening to someone who arrived at 11pm and they ended up getting a Disney resort. I don't recall which one. A resort is less likely to get overbooked than a hotel in a large metropolitan area as you have fewer people who decide on the spur of the moment to spend the night. Most people who come to the Swan and Dolphin planned it in advance.

Do any of the restaurants at the S/D serve french fries with their hamburgers. I must not be seeing it on the menu's. TIA

Picabu has fries too. I ordered the burger with fries and gravy and it was huge. I could only eat half. I will split it next time.

 

[denisekayt]

Hi, we are staying at the Dolphin for the 1st time in April and this thread is great for information!

Random question that could wait until we arrive, but I'm curious about....when I google map the Dolphin area I can't see whether there is a sidewalk that comes up to the Dolphin from the side of the hotel closest to the Yacht Club rather than needing to come up to the middle near the ferry landing? When walking to Epcot do most folks go around by the Yacht/Beach Club or the Boardwalk side?

Thanks!

 

[NancyIL]

Hi, we are staying at the Dolphin for the 1st time in April and this thread is great for information!

Random question that could wait until we arrive, but I'm curious about....when I google map the Dolphin area I can't see whether there is a sidewalk that comes up to the Dolphin from the side of the hotel closest to the Yacht Club rather than needing to come up to the middle near the ferry landing? When walking to Epcot do most folks go around by the Yacht/Beach Club or the Boardwalk side?

Thanks!

There is a sidewalk around the front of the Dolphin, but it goes around the "ponds." You can exit from the side of the Dolphin closest to the Yacht Club (IF you can find that door!), but I don't know if you can enter through that door from the outside. It probably takes less time to walk to the Swan and over the bridge to the Yacht/Beach Club. When I stay at the Swan, I walk to Epcot via the Boardwalk.