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

[Zuzu03]

Hi Swan/Dolphin friends! We just got back from our Christmas trip last week (staying at POFQ) and HAD to swing by the Swalphin for nosh at Picabu, dinner at Garden Grove and of course, checking out the beautiful decorations! It was soooooo hard getting back on the boat to go to Epcot then on to POFQ. I'm trying to swing a Thanksgiving trip this November because the teacher rate is pretty good -so cross your fingers that I can manage it! I'll be back around here and there, but for now, I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!!!!

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi Swan/Dolphin friends! We just got back from our Christmas trip last week (staying at POFQ) and HAD to swing by the Swalphin for nosh at Picabu, dinner at Garden Grove and of course, checking out the beautiful decorations! It was soooooo hard getting back on the boat to go to Epcot then on to POFQ. I'm trying to swing a Thanksgiving trip this November because the teacher rate is pretty good -so cross your fingers that I can manage it! I'll be back around here and there, but for now, I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!!!!

Hi zuzu! No Poly or Swalphin this time? Hope you enjoyed POFQ. I've always wanted to try it there but skipped right past the values and mods up to the deluxes I snagged a great teacher rate/trick or treat discount for our trip and can't wait to try the Dolphin! I'm already down to almost three months...too bad our school vacation falls on Easter week though! Nice to see you on the dis again and Happy New Year to you too!

 

[Zuzu03]

Hi zuzu! No Poly or Swalphin this time? Hope you enjoyed POFQ. I've always wanted to try it there but skipped right past the values and mods up to the deluxes I snagged a great teacher rate/trick or treat discount for our trip and can't wait to try the Dolphin! I'm already down to almost three months...too bad our school vacation falls on Easter week though! Nice to see you on the dis again and Happy New Year to you too!

Hi Lissiesmum!!!! No it was soooo sad to have to go POFQ, but this was DH's Christmas present to me, so I couldn't very well get TOO fussy! Hahah! We were there from the 22nd to the 28th of December and had a wonderful time - so I really want to get back during the holiday season this year!!! Our room was a brand spanking new refurbished room that was super nice, but nothing beats the Poly or the Dolphin for me! I don't know if I'll get there this November or not, but I'm sure going to try for it! Wow, 3 months left for you? That's awesome!!!!!! You must be so excited!!! You're going to LOVE the Dolphin! It was really heartwrenching to be there as a "daytripper" and not a guest this time - LOL!

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi Lissiesmum!!!! No it was soooo sad to have to go POFQ, but this was DH's Christmas present to me, so I couldn't very well get TOO fussy! Hahah! We were there from the 22nd to the 28th of December and had a wonderful time - so I really want to get back during the holiday season this year!!! Our room was a brand spanking new refurbished room that was super nice, but nothing beats the Poly or the Dolphin for me! I don't know if I'll get there this November or not, but I'm sure going to try for it! Wow, 3 months left for you? That's awesome!!!!!! You must be so excited!!! You're going to LOVE the Dolphin! It was really heartwrenching to be there as a "daytripper" and not a guest this time - LOL!

You are so fortunate to have gone during Christmastime! The pics of the Dolphin from Christmas are gorgeous, and Santa and Mrs Claus were adorable!

I know what you mean about being a daytripper...my DD keeps asking about staying at the Poly again...it was supposed to be a once in a lifetime trip, then we lucked out with the 4/3 deal last year, so now we've been two years in a row. But not this year. Just can't afford it. But, I'm really excited about trying the Dolphin, and we'll be daytripping ourselves to the Poly to eat at 'Ohana and watch the fireworks and EWP from the beach at least once. We've never seen Illuminations or Fantasmic so I'm hoping to create some new "fireworks" memories from another part of "the world"! I splurged for Epcot fireworks view w/balcony, so it will be nice to see the FW and head right to bed, just like we did at the Poly...a little piece of home

 

[Zuzu03]

You are so fortunate to have gone during Christmastime! The pics of the Dolphin from Christmas are gorgeous, and Santa and Mrs Claus were adorable!

I know what you mean about being a daytripper...my DD keeps asking about staying at the Poly again...it was supposed to be a once in a lifetime trip, then we lucked out with the 4/3 deal last year, so now we've been two years in a row. But not this year. Just can't afford it. But, I'm really excited about trying the Dolphin, and we'll be daytripping ourselves to the Poly to eat at 'Ohana and watch the fireworks and EWP from the beach at least once. We've never seen Illuminations or Fantasmic so I'm hoping to create some new "fireworks" memories from another part of "the world"! I splurged for Epcot fireworks view w/balcony, so it will be nice to see the FW and head right to bed, just like we did at the Poly...a little piece of home

Haha, yes, DD is also Poly spoiled and wants to go back too, but not this year, unless some amazing deal comes along! Honestly, with the teacher rate I can't refuse the Dolphin! My AP runs out in July so I'll just HAVE to renew it - and once I do that, it really makes sense to book the Dolphin for Thanksgiving, no? LOL!

Well hopefully you won't have too many crowds to deal with at Easter - even though Touring Plans listed 10s for most of our days, we really didn't have a problem because we were up early for rope drop or stayed late for EMH. It also was pretty chilly, which I think kept locals away which was great. That's awesome you have an Epcot view with a balcony!!! I'm sure you're going to love it.

I'm trying to figure out what the lobby smell at the Dolphin was this Christmas. It didn't smell like it did in July, can anyone chime in on that? I know it sounds weird, but the Dolphin lobby always smells soooooo good!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Gingerbread smell.

Well, mike, then you are a neighbor too.

 

[cjsm&d]

Thanks Dan. I've only been here for a day, but am glad I joined. People seem very nice and helpful.

I see you live in the Chicago area. I live near Rockford and my brother lives in the suburbs.

Rockford! Cheap Trick!!!

 

[Laz]

First of all I'd like to thank everyone who have posted in this thead. I've found it very useful and hope some of you could answer a few questions for me.

Like ClareH37, I've read some of the negative reviews on tripfinder and have also gotten a little twitchy about the S/D (mostly about the musty/cleanliness of the rooms). Is this something I should be concerned about? Also, have most or all the rooms been upgraded over the last 2 years.

I'm planning on taking my trip this summer with my brother, sister-in-law and two nieces (4 and 1). They were nice enough to give me an early birthday present, 7 months early, and offered to pay for my room and passes, so I've been trying to find them some good deals on rooms, especially with this being their first trip with their daughters.

I would have never thought about going to a deluxe resort, but I happened to come across a deal on an executive suite at the Dolphin that would be cheaper than two standards at a moderate resort. Do you think that a executive suite is a better option than two standards rooms (it would be cheaper)? And/or would a moderate resort be a better options with my 2 nieces?

Lastly, is there anywhere you to find out what conventions will be taking place at the s/d during a given week?Where hoping to finalize and book our trip in the next week, so any advice would be appreciated.

I am an advisor for the Future Business Leaders of America. We will be having are national convention at the S/D June 28 – July 1. Over 8000 high school students and their advisors will be there.

 

[mikegood2]

Rockford! Cheap Trick!!!

Yep, have met Rick Nielsen a few times. Seems like a nice guy.

 

[Zuzu03]

Gingerbread smell.

Well, mike, then you are a neighbor too.

Thanks, Dan!!!!

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I'm trying to figure out what the lobby smell at the Dolphin was this Christmas. It didn't smell like it did in July, can anyone chime in on that? I know it sounds weird, but the Dolphin lobby always smells soooooo good!

I thought it was more of a sugar cookie smell! Very sweet.

 

[thedish]

We have a reservation for a Balcony and firework view room. We found out today we can upgrade our room to a Suite for a difference of $225. Is it worth it to get the bigger room and not have the balcony? Will we be able to see the fireworks from a suite?

 

[lissiesmum]

Gingerbread smell.

Oooooh...sorry I missed that. That is my favorite smell in the whole world! What does the Dolphin lobby smell like normally? I've seen a few posts here and there about the wonderful smell. I love the smell of the Polynesian...it makes me smile whenever I walk through the lobby. It's amazing how a smell can bring you back such amazing memories! I'm looking forward to a new scent and some new memories at the Dolphin!

 

[LexiC123]

We have a reservation for a Balcony and firework view room. We found out today we can upgrade our room to a Suite for a difference of $225. Is it worth it to get the bigger room and not have the balcony? Will we be able to see the fireworks from a suite?

Hi!

I guess it depends on a few things...like how many in your party, how long is your stay, what time of year you're going, will you be back at the room by 9pm to actually view the fireworks...stuff like that.

We've stayed at the Dolphin and the Swan on our past two trips - both in September - and did not use our balconies at all because it was just too darn hot and muggy.

Personally, I'd go for the suite...extra space is always nice when traveling. And, unless I'm mistaken, you'll have a second bathroom, which will really come in handy when everyone is getting ready in the morning.

Either way, you're going to love the S/D!

 

[mikat]

Hi all, we're looking at staying at the Dolphin, and I was wondering if the minifridge in the Dolphin standard rooms would be big enough to hold aa half-gallon of milk? How about 2 half-gallons? We're getting a towncar service from the airport and have a grocery stop, and the kids chug water and milk like it's going out of style! Thanks for any response if you have a feeling for this.

 

[thedish]

We decided to upgrade to the suite. We will be there 8 nights and a second bathroom will be nice. We got a junior suite which is a little smaller than an executive suite. Has anyone stayed in the junior suite?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Oooooh...sorry I missed that. That is my favorite smell in the whole world! What does the Dolphin lobby smell like normally? I've seen a few posts here and there about the wonderful smell. I love the smell of the Polynesian...it makes me smile whenever I walk through the lobby. It's amazing how a smell can bring you back such amazing memories! I'm looking forward to a new scent and some new memories at the Dolphin!

Not sure about the Dolphin, but the Swan smell is White Tea.

http://www.westin-hotelsathome.com/productDetail.aspx?WhiteTeaTriologyDiffuser

 

[becky11]

Hi all, we're looking at staying at the Dolphin, and I was wondering if the minifridge in the Dolphin standard rooms would be big enough to hold aa half-gallon of milk? How about 2 half-gallons? We're getting a towncar service from the airport and have a grocery stop, and the kids chug water and milk like it's going out of style! Thanks for any response if you have a feeling for this.

I think it should hold at least one. And if you run out, the Picabu place has decent prices for this stuff as well.

 

[LexiC123]

We decided to upgrade to the suite. We will be there 8 nights and a second bathroom will be nice. We got a junior suite which is a little smaller than an executive suite. Has anyone stayed in the junior suite?

I've stayed in a deluxe alcove room at the Swan, which - I believe - is categorized as a junior suite, and there was lots of space, but only one bathroom.

You might want to check with the Dolphin directly to see if their junior suites are the same.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

We have stayed in the Junior suite many times. Yes there are 2 baths. I think the layout of the suite is on post one. I will go and check.