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

[clemsondisneyfan]

OK, so after much thought, now my fiancee and I are thinking about a split stay b/w the Swan and another deluxe resort, not quite sure which yet. My question is, can you have your bags transferred from the S/D to on eo fthe Disney resorts, or do we have to pack and bring them ourselves? Thanks everyone!

We are only staying 3 nights at the Swan and then moving to the Contemporary. They said they would be happy to move our luggage for us. You do have to pack, but you can leave the packed luggage for them to transfer.

Have fun!
1 week and 4 days until our WDW Vacation!
3 nights at The Swan
7 nights at The Contemporary (CL, 14th floor, 1 br suite, MKV)

 

[Wings3496]

I have a question about the S/D on-site Disney ticket desk. Are there any difference between getting the tickets in the S/D lobby, getting them at the park, or ordering them on-line? We are probably looking at getting 8 day tickets with park hopping. Are their any problems doing that, any hidden fees, or a limit to how many they sell based on how full the parks are (we will be their mid June)?

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, I have never had to deal with purchasing to the parks before and want to cover all the bases. My brother is planning to order our tickets soon, but I'm not sure of the advantage of ordering online as opposed to waiting until we arrive at WDW.

The touringplans[dot]com website has a "best ticket calculator" you can use for free (it's how I found my best deal for tickets, at undercovertourist). You fill in a couple fields with number of days, number in party, etc - and it shows you three best deals you can get on tickets.

You can find it by going to touringplans[dot]com, then under "Walt Disney World" click on "Ticket Calculator" (sorry about lack of link, disboards says I'm not special enough to post URLs), hope that helps!

 

[roydavid7771]

Hello. Fellow North Jersey! We've had our luggage transferred from a Disney resort to the Dolphin but not reverse. I don't think it would be an issue but I would call just to make sure

Thanks! I'll make sure to call. I see by your ticker you'll be down just around the same time we'll be there! We stayed at the Swan previously and loved it. I think we'll start our time at the Swan and transfer to one of the other EPCOT resorts as well in order to make a short trip of it after enjoying the Food and Wine Festival! Forgive me, what are your exact dates for your vacation?

 

[roydavid7771]

We are only staying 3 nights at the Swan and then moving to the Contemporary. They said they would be happy to move our luggage for us. You do have to pack, but you can leave the packed luggage for them to transfer.

Have fun!
1 week and 4 days until our WDW Vacation!
3 nights at The Swan
7 nights at The Contemporary (CL, 14th floor, 1 br suite, MKV)

Thanks for the info! We're planning on doing something similar, but I think we're leaning on staying around EPCOT to enjoy the Food and Wine Festival. Enjoy your trip!

 

[jnfr2424]

Thanks! I'll make sure to call. I see by your ticker you'll be down just around the same time we'll be there! We stayed at the Swan previously and loved it. I think we'll start our time at the Swan and transfer to one of the other EPCOT resorts as well in order to make a short trip of it after enjoying the Food and Wine Festival! Forgive me, what are your exact dates for your vacation?

We will be there for an extended Columbus Day Weekend starting on October 5 and staying until the 11th

 

[roydavid7771]

We will be there for an extended Columbus Day Weekend starting on October 5 and staying until the 11th

We'll be down there around the same time. We're heading to the Caribbean for for a few days, then to WDW from the 7th-15th. Save me a beer!

I also heard the S/D are hosting their own Food and Wine Festival over the Columbus Day weekend. Hope you're bringing a big appetite!

 

[jnfr2424]

We'll be down there around the same time. We're heading to the Caribbean for for a few days, then to WDW from the 7th-15th. Save me a beer!

I also heard the S/D are hosting their own Food and Wine Festival over the Columbus Day weekend. Hope you're bringing a big appetite!

Nice! I promise the beer will be nice and cold waiting for you!
That is one of the reason's we are going back at that time. Went last year to the S/D Food and Wine Festival and LOVED IT!! Can't wait to go and enjoy again!

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks! No hurry! We are still 34 days out, so plenty of time to plan!

Ok, here's the info on the Easter weekend activities! I wrote it on a little piece of paper and misplaced it for a bit! I'm surprised they haven't posted it yet on the website! This info was given to me over the phone from a rep at the Dolphin...hopefully it's accurate

Friday, April 22

4:00 pool activities
6-10 caricatures
7-9 pictures with the Easter Bunny $10.00 and arts and crafts
8:00 glow in the dark egg hunt

Saturday, April 23

11-5 Paddleboats $15 for half hour
11-6 hair braiding
12-5 DJ at the pool, games, arts and crafts
6-10 caricatures
8:00 glow in the dark volleyball game
730-830 campfire with smores

Easter Sunday

7-10 Easter basket deliveries by the Easter Bunny. Call ahead to schedule a visit. Baskets start at $70
11-5 paddleboats available again
11-6 hair braiding
12:00 Easter Egg hunt #1
12-5 DJ/pool activities
1230 make your own snowcones
4:00 easter egg hunt #2
6-10 caricatures
730-830 campfire with smores

Sounds like a lot of fun!

 

[mma800]

Well I did it! I just booked a 1 BR Exec. Suite at Dolphin. Used the Nurses discount and got a rate of $329 per night as well as the Love Your Family package that includes a $100 resort credit.
I was quoted a 5 day cancellation policy to get my 1 nights deposit back.
When I do my fuzzy math--the total cost for our stay at Dolphin will come to about $1900 (including taxes/fees).

My previous reservation for a 2 Br suite at Beach Club (not villas) was $12,000 for 5 nights with 1 day MYW tickets and NO dining. I have an AP and have been waiting for a PIN or AP discount.
Can you guess who I will be calling to cancel?
Stinks that I do not have the 180+10 for dining, but as we have been many times, I am not gonna cry if we can't get Le Cellier or CRT. We will be there for MNSSHP and maybe even get over to Harry Potter.
Discovery Cove is also on our list, as my DD and I loved it last time.
We just might be spending our time (and $$$) outside of WDW this trip.

I was able to buy a $25 gift Certificate for each Kimono's, Shula's, Il Mulino, and bluezoo on Restaurant.com. Total cost for these was....wait for it.....$16
That's $100 of food for family of 5 (plus 1 adult BIL) for $16 !!!

My DH is going to be SO happy with me for saving him so much of his hard earned $$$!!

Thanks everyone for your help! I am so glad I chimed in here for advice!

 

[Gretchen]

Well I did it! I just booked a 1 BR Exec. Suite at Dolphin. Used the Nurses discount and got a rate of $329 per night as well as the Love Your Family package that includes a $100 resort credit.
I was quoted a 5 day cancellation policy to get my 1 nights deposit back.
When I do my fuzzy math--the total cost for our stay at Dolphin will come to about $1900 (including taxes/fees).

My previous reservation for a 2 Br suite at Beach Club (not villas) was $12,000 for 5 nights with 1 day MYW tickets and NO dining. I have an AP and have been waiting for a PIN or AP discount.
Can you guess who I will be calling to cancel?
Stinks that I do not have the 180+10 for dining, but as we have been many times, I am not gonna cry if we can't get Le Cellier or CRT. We will be there for MNSSHP and maybe even get over to Harry Potter.
Discovery Cove is also on our list, as my DD and I loved it last time.
We just might be spending our time (and $$$) outside of WDW this trip.

I was able to buy a $25 gift Certificate for each Kimono's, Shula's, Il Mulino, and bluezoo on Restaurant.com. Total cost for these was....wait for it.....$16
That's $100 of food for family of 5 (plus 1 adult BIL) for $16 !!!

My DH is going to be SO happy with me for saving him so much of his hard earned $$$!!

Thanks everyone for your help! I am so glad I chimed in here for advice!

Yea! Love it when people get a good deal!
Not for nuthin' but....I had no problem getting CRT for our trip under the 180 day mark--did it online.
Have fun! and do check Undercover tourist through the mousesavers newsletter link, you'll save some more money on the tickets-

 

[clemsondisneyfan]

I was able to buy a $25 gift Certificate for each Kimono's, Shula's, Il Mulino, and bluezoo on Restaurant.com. Total cost for these was....wait for it.....$16
That's $100 of food for family of 5 (plus 1 adult BIL) for $16 !!!

I just went and ordered 3 of these too. What a deal! Someone else on here told me about the kids camp too. My 9 year old was so happy to hear that I signed him up (you have to use a cc card to reserve a spot)! He loved kids camp on the cruise last year!

I just these dis boards!!! So much great info from so many awesome people

 

[lissiesmum]

I made my limo ressies with Tiffany Towncar this morning! Now it really feels official (since there's no documents to be received)! I had a question about the return trip back to MCO...Our flight leaves out at 2:40, and they gave me a pickup time of 12:40...is 2 hours enough to get to MCO from the Dolphin, even in traffic? I know there's usually a 3 hour prior pickup on the ME because of multiple stops, but 2 hours doesn't seem like enough. What's your experience on this? Thanks for the advice!

 

[LexiC123]

I made my limo ressies with Tiffany Towncar this morning! Now it really feels official (since there's no documents to be received)! I had a question about the return trip back to MCO...Our flight leaves out at 2:40, and they gave me a pickup time of 12:40...is 2 hours enough to get to MCO from the Dolphin, even in traffic? I know there's usually a 3 hour prior pickup on the ME because of multiple stops, but 2 hours doesn't seem like enough. What's your experience on this? Thanks for the advice!

I wouldn't worry about traffic...it's never taken us more than 30 mins to go from the S/D to MCO.

Since you're traveling at Easter, though, what I would worry about is going through security, especially if your return flight is on a Saturday or Sunday.

If it were me, I'd ask for the pick-up to be 30 mins earlier, just to have a cushion of extra time. I'd rather be hanging out at the gate with a beverage for a few extra minutes, than be looking at my watch and freaking out about possibly missing my flight.

That's just me, though. I worry about everything, LOL!

 

[funforfive]

I'm trying to find out information on the Garden Grove dinner..Has anyone tried the Mediterranian Buffet? Are there characters there? Which ones?

Thanks...only 19 more days til our first stay at The Dolphin

 

[Dan Murphy]

......My previous reservation for a 2 Br suite at Beach Club (not villas) was $12,000 for 5 nights with 1 day MYW tickets and NO dining..............I was able to buy a $25 gift Certificate for each Kimono's, Shula's, Il Mulino, and bluezoo on Restaurant.com. Total cost for these was....wait for it.....$16
That's $100 of food for family of 5 (plus 1 adult BIL) for $16 !!!

My DH is going to be SO happy with me for saving him so much of his hard earned $$$!!

Thanks everyone for your help! I am so glad I chimed in here for advice!

Congratulations, sounds great to me!! 12,000!

Remember, on the restaurant.com GC's, the minimums on each, which I am sure you will hit with 6 people. Always make sure to search for a discount code when you restaurant.com, which you did, getting them for $4 each.

I made my limo ressies with Tiffany Towncar this morning! Now it really feels official (since there's no documents to be received)! I had a question about the return trip back to MCO...Our flight leaves out at 2:40, and they gave me a pickup time of 12:40...is 2 hours enough to get to MCO from the Dolphin, even in traffic? I know there's usually a 3 hour prior pickup on the ME because of multiple stops, but 2 hours doesn't seem like enough. What's your experience on this? Thanks for the advice!

I like to be at MCO 2 hours before flight time. With Easter, I would say for sure be there 2 hours ahead.

 

[jnfr2424]

Well I did it! I just booked a 1 BR Exec. Suite at Dolphin. Used the Nurses discount and got a rate of $329 per night as well as the Love Your Family package that includes a $100 resort credit.
I was quoted a 5 day cancellation policy to get my 1 nights deposit back.
When I do my fuzzy math--the total cost for our stay at Dolphin will come to about $1900 (including taxes/fees).

My previous reservation for a 2 Br suite at Beach Club (not villas) was $12,000 for 5 nights with 1 day MYW tickets and NO dining. I have an AP and have been waiting for a PIN or AP discount.
Can you guess who I will be calling to cancel?
Stinks that I do not have the 180+10 for dining, but as we have been many times, I am not gonna cry if we can't get Le Cellier or CRT. We will be there for MNSSHP and maybe even get over to Harry Potter.
Discovery Cove is also on our list, as my DD and I loved it last time.
We just might be spending our time (and $$$) outside of WDW this trip.

I was able to buy a $25 gift Certificate for each Kimono's, Shula's, Il Mulino, and bluezoo on Restaurant.com. Total cost for these was....wait for it.....$16
That's $100 of food for family of 5 (plus 1 adult BIL) for $16 !!!

My DH is going to be SO happy with me for saving him so much of his hard earned $$$!!

Thanks everyone for your help! I am so glad I chimed in here for advice!

Congrats! We booked the same room after crunching the numbers - We had a 2BR villa at BLT with a Pin code that would have only been good for 3 nights of our stay. But since we LOVE the Dolphin and have AP we made a choice and took the Executive Suite!
I would not be surprised if you still get ressies for CRT and you never know -keep an eye on the Dining boards here on DIS and you might get a chance at Le Cellier! Looking forward to October!!

 

[BadgerBruce]

We're looking forward to staying at the Swan next month! Just a quick question--do they include bottles of mouthwash with the soap & shampoo, and if so, what kind? Thanks.

 

[DisneyFanatik]

We're looking forward to staying at the Swan next month! Just a quick question--do they include bottles of mouthwash with the soap & shampoo, and if so, what kind? Thanks.

Sorry to jump on your question....do they still do the Bath & Body Works toiletries? (We haven't been there since 2007)

 

[Scott MC]

Hello all!
We have an upcoming BWI stay, but decided to come down 2 days earlier and relax at the Swan. We don't have park tickets, so we want to soak up the atmosphere of the Epcot resort loop, and we got a GREAT rate on Priceline.
I've stayed at the Dolphin before, but it's been almost 10 years, so forgive the few questions I've have....

1. Since we're going to the BWI 2 days later, any chance at all that ME will bring us to the Boardwalk and we can bring our own bags to the Swan?

2. We have a "limited" view....would anyone care to elaborate?

3. Tell me more about this SPG upgrade? I just joined.....how does this work and will it work since I booked through Priceline?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I have not see the Swan or Dolphin come up on Priceline in awhile! Congrats on getting it. What are your dates? Starwood used to upgrade even with Priceline but the policy changed a few years ago and they no longer add the perks to Priceline stays. However it does not hurt to ask for an upgrade upon check in. I would suggest having the Swan moving your luggage to the Boardwalk. Then just walking over from the Swan.

I see your asking if ME will drop you off a few days early, that I have no idea about...I would call and try to set up ME with Disney and see what they say when you give them your arrival times and flights etc.