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

[Dan Murphy]

Ok ok, I did it! I booked the 2BR Executive Suite for our Girls Trip! I spoke with Tony at the hotel & he was super nice. I was really confused on all the conflicting info I was getting from spg.com & the S/D website versus what everyone was telling me on here. It's a 2BR - the master has a king & sleeper sofa, the 2nd BR has 2 queens, and the 600-sq foot parlor has a sleeper sofa & we can put a rollaway in there too if we want. It has 3 full baths & a balcony. No kitchen, but that's not huge for us anyway. The mini fridge & wet bar area will be fine for our needs. The parlor area looks huge, there is a conference table and entertainment/living room area too. Does anyone have any pics of this suite?

Sounds great!!

Just a diagram.

http://www.swandolphin.com/accommodations/images/S_Executive.gif

 

[DisNance]

Hi,
My daughter was able to get me an employee discount for March at the Dolphin. This will be our first time at this hotel. We are only paying $69 a night!!! I am beyond excited!!!!

 

[TinkerBe11]

So, I have been reading the S/D threads for a while and I finally pulled the trigger and made my reservation to stay at the Dolphin! I have to admit I was a little hesitant because usually when I go to Disney my first choice is the BWI. After reading all these posts you convinced me to give the Dolphin a try and I am super excited about my choice

I booked a resort view room with a balcony. Should I stay with that room category or opt for a room that is on a higher floor? The view is important to me, so I assume that the higher I go the better it will be...D/S vets help me out with this one? Should I keep the resort view balcony room?

Also, I am a SPG member but I was reading something about if you have AAA as well the upgrade is better should you be lucky enough to get one???? How do I link my AAA with my SPG membership?

One more thing....debating to eat at Il Mulino....can you tell me the good, the bad and the ugly on the place? Thx!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Can't help with the earlier questions, but if eating at Il Mulino, make sure to register at www.restaurant.com for discount certificate. Before you buy the certificate, do a google search for promo code for restaurant.com. Current is 80% off with code SPOON....

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

So you should be able to get a $25 certificate for $2.

Higher is generally a better view. For me, a balcony is of no value. They are very small, and If I have one, never go out on it.

 

[TinkerBe11]

Thanks! I am looking forward to my visit in May

 

[mikegood2]

Can't help with the earlier questions, but if eating at Il Mulino, make sure to register at www.restaurant.com for discount certificate. Before you buy the certificate, do a google search for promo code for restaurant.com. Current is 80% off with code SPOON....

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

So you should be able to get a $25 certificate for $2.

Higher is generally a better view. For me, a balcony is of no value. They are very small, and If I have one, never go out on it.

Sorry to get of the threads topic, but are any of the restaurants at s/d or in Disney participating restaurant.com resaurants? And if so are their any restrictions? I planning on looking thru the site but haven't gotten to it yet. I still have 6 months before my trip

 

[JimmyV]

I booked a resort view room with a balcony. Should I stay with that room category or opt for a room that is on a higher floor? The view is important to me, so I assume that the higher I go the better it will be...D/S vets help me out with this one? Should I keep the resort view balcony room?

Also, I am a SPG member but I was reading something about if you have AAA as well the upgrade is better should you be lucky enough to get one???? How do I link my AAA with my SPG membership?

If you have a resort view with a balcony, you can't do much better. I really prefer the rooms with balconies. I wouldn't worry about height. The way the resort is set up, the floors with rooms are high enough such that any room listed as "resort view" should be just that. Can't hurt to ask for a room as high as possible once you arrive, or a couple of days ahead of time.

As for an upgrade, a basic SPG membership will not get you anything. Most of the people who stay are either Gold or Platinum. And even they are not guaranteed anything, especially if there is a conference when the resort is booked to 110% capacity. Frankly, every upgrade that I have gotten to a higher class room (as opposed to a higher class view) has resulted in a bigger room with less of a view (and no balcony). If you have a balcony and a view, my advice is to keep it.

Il Mulino is the best Italian restaurant on property, and with a restaurant.com discount, you can't beat it. And bluezoo is the best seafood restaurant ...and Shula's is the best steak restaurant...and Kimonos is the best sushi restaurant. (Noticing a theme??) You lose a few Disney perks when staying at the S/D, but you gain a lot in terms of culinary precision and swimming pools.

 

[RachelTori]

Sorry to get of the threads topic, but are any of the restaurants at s/d or in Disney participating restaurant.com resaurants? And if so are their any restrictions? I planning on looking thru the site but haven't gotten to it yet. I still have 6 months before my trip

Blue Zoo, Il Mulino, Garden Grove (dinner only), Kimonos. I think even Shulas participates (but I didn't get one of those). Most have a "2 entree" requirement.

House of Blues in DTD also participates.

Those are the ones I'm aware of. They no longer have expiration dates (used to expire in 1 year).

 

[JimmyV]

Sorry to get of the threads topic, but are any of the restaurants at s/d or in Disney participating restaurant.com resaurants? And if so are their any restrictions? I planning on looking thru the site but haven't gotten to it yet. I still have 6 months before my trip

All of the S/D main restaurants are restaurant.com establishments (Shula's, bluezoo, Kimonos, Il Mulino). As for Disney, other places on property are, but they are not "Disney" restaurants, such as House of Blues. Not sure which others.

Edit to add: Simultaneous post with Rachel. Great minds think alike.

 

[RachelTori]

All of the S/D main restaurants are restaurant.com establishments (Shula's, bluezoo, Kimonos, Il Mulino). As for Disney, other places on property are, but they are not "Disney" restaurants, such as House of Blues. Not sure which others.

Edit to add: Simultaneous post with Rachel. Great minds think alike.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Also, I am a SPG member but I was reading something about if you have AAA as well the upgrade is better should you be lucky enough to get one???? How do I link my AAA with my SPG membership?

Thx!

I also read that so today I did the online chat at the SPG website and was able to "upgrade" to the Preferred Plus program by providing the customer service rep with my AAA membership number.

I already have a reservation booked with the initial SPG membership I had gotten online, and the CSR told me it would automatically update in the system. Hope that is true.

According to the AAA website, the SPG Plus Program includes an instant updated to preferred room at check-in, 4 pm late checkout, 2 starpoints for every dollar spent. I haven't confirmed the Dolphin is included with this program, but am guessing it covers all SPG properties.

This is our first time staying at the Dolphin so I am trying to learn all I can. Hope that helps.

 

[JimmyV]

According to the AAA website, the SPG Plus Program includes an instant updated to preferred room at check-in, 4 pm late checkout, 2 starpoints for every dollar spent.

Remember that the upgrade is "subject to availability at the time of check-in". It is not guaranteed.

The late check-out is probably the single best perk. Especially at WDW. If you book a flight home at 5:00 p.m., you essentially get 2/3 of an extra day without having to pack up at 8:00 a.m. We hit the parks and can still go back to the hotel to shower before heading home. I love late check-outs. It relieves so much stress when heading home.

 

[TaraPA]

Congrats on getting the room booked. Glad you got to talk to someone who new about the rooms. The first person you talked to didn't sound like they did. Are you booked into the Swan? The parlor sounds more like the Swans layout.

Also, after you return from you trip, could you tell us how you like the Executive Suite, and/or possibly post a few photos of the rooms? Where leaving on June 15th (can't come quick enough and wont last long enough )

Yes it's the Swan. Tony was very thorough in explaining the differences in suites - the 2 BR Executive Suite at the Swan has a sleeper sofa in the king bedroom - the one in The Dolphin also has the sleeper sofa in the king room AND has the Sico or Murphy bed in the parlor area. Max occupancy 10 in the Swan, 12 in The Dolphin. Swan has larger parlor (600 sq feet), Dolphin has smaller parlor (480 sq. feet.) We would have preferred the Dolphin for the extra bed in the parlor but it was booked. They can provide a rollaway (or 2) at $25/night. The AAA rate was the same as the ALLEARS code rate.

Will I post pictures? LOL! This is my Five-Peat to S/D (as SingingMom would call it!) and I always come back & post pictures to the point of being annoying. It's just such a beautiful resort area, I can't help it!

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html#restcom

 

[TaraPA]

Do WDW Resorts transfer luggage TO S/D for a split stay? I know S/D will transfer to a WDW Resort but wasn't sure on the reverse.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Remember that the upgrade is "subject to availability at the time of check-in". It is not guaranteed.

The late check-out is probably the single best perk. Especially at WDW. If you book a flight home at 5:00 p.m., you essentially get 2/3 of an extra day without having to pack up at 8:00 a.m. We hit the parks and can still go back to the hotel to shower before heading home. I love late check-outs. It relieves so much stress when heading home.

Yes ... thanks. I almost added that to my post. That I will be hoping the upgrade is an option but I am not banking on it.

And if we can get the late check-out, well that is well worth it ... more than room upgrade to me as well. I hate doing the maddash in the morning when you are trying to get everything packed up and get out the door so you can soak up those last few hours of magic!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Hi I'm hoping to stay at the dolphin for 2wks in the summer and I'm having some trouble using their website to get an idea of prices before phoning. Iknow they offer special rates for nurses but does it have to be in the US? Any guide as to what they normally charge per night at this time of year would be very welcome. Many thanks for any help

 

[RachelTori]

Yes ... thanks. I almost added that to my post. That I will be hoping the upgrade is an option but I am not banking on it.

And if we can get the late check-out, well that is well worth it ... more than room upgrade to me as well. I hate doing the maddash in the morning when you are trying to get everything packed up and get out the door so you can soak up those last few hours of magic!

I just want to make sure you know the "late check-out" is also subject to availability. It depends on how booked they are and how soon they'll need the room you're vacating. They will always grant a later check-out, but it may not be 4pm. My last stay, "1pm" was the latest check-out Dolphin was able to give me (I'm spg Gold). I'll take whatever I can get!

 

[RachelTori]

Hi I'm hoping to stay at the dolphin for 2wks in the summer and I'm having some trouble using their website to get an idea of prices before phoning. Iknow they offer special rates for nurses but does it have to be in the US? Any guide as to what they normally charge per night at this time of year would be very welcome. Many thanks for any help

If you can get on spg.com and check the "government rate" for your dates, that should also be the Nurse and Teacher rate. I'm finding the discounts are not as generous as they used to be (percentage off rack-rate). $159 seems to be the most common discounted rate for the summer months. With tax and resort fee that would be about $190/night. There may be other "special offers" that would save you more. You can check those at http://www.swandolphin.com/offers/

HTHs!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I just want to make sure you know the "late check-out" is also subject to availability. It depends on how booked they are and how soon they'll need the room you're vacating. They will always grant a later check-out, but it may not be 4pm. My last stay, "1pm" was the latest check-out Dolphin was able to give me (I'm spg Gold). I'll take whatever I can get!

My late checkout requests have typically been given as 1 PM also. I ask for 4, but usually get 1. I'm gold also, but going to be regular, whatever that is, starting in Feb, not enough stays I guess I will miss the gold.