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

[lissiesmum]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Walking-Distances.htm

Thanks, Dan!

One last question before I leave...is there a place to go at the front desk where they will check you in for your flight? I assume there is, but just checking! Was wondering if I should spend the extra money for the early bird check in with Southwest or do it at the hotel

One more day! (not that I'm excited or anything!)

 

[lovingthemouse]

There are 2 computers opposite the Concierge desk for just that purpose! People are very helpful, when one of the computers was not working last spring and the other was occupied, the Concierge desk checked us in for our return flight.
This time I am doing the Early Bird for our return check-in, since our flight is in the middle of the day, and I would rather be in a park!!
Have a wonderful time!!

 

[jnfr2424]

Trying to decide between a suite at the Swan or Dolphin for our family of five. Which suites have balconies?

The Swan has the balcony for their executive and grand suites

If you go through this thread you can see photos courtesy of TaraPA!

 

[NoodlesMom]

Hello everyone. I see that last year S/D offered a service where the elves would took your kids into bed for a fee on Christmas eve. Does anyone know how much this costs and had the done this in previous years. I would love to do this for my kids when we go in December.

 

[lissiesmum]

There are 2 computers opposite the Concierge desk for just that purpose! People are very helpful, when one of the computers was not working last spring and the other was occupied, the Concierge desk checked us in for our return flight.
This time I am doing the Early Bird for our return check-in, since our flight is in the middle of the day, and I would rather be in a park!!
Have a wonderful time!!

Thanks lovingthemouse! Glad to know there are different options!

I probably won't be on again before we leave, so have a great week everyone, and I'll be sure to post a review and lots of pictures when I return a week from Friday! Thanks again for everyone's help!

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks lovingthemouse! Glad to know there are different options!

I probably won't be on again before we leave, so have a great week everyone, and I'll be sure to post a review and lots of pictures when I return a week from Friday! Thanks again for everyone's help!

Safe travels and have a wonderful, magical time!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi Karen - how neat that we both have S/D stays to look forward to!! I know of Todd English's reputation, but honestly never looked at their menu. I will check it out.

Quite honestly, Caroline, it was okay. I wouldn't rush to return. I guess it's the New England seafood in me that wasn't impressed with this menu. We will not be going on this trip.

 

[Phlip]

Hi everyone! My family (me, dh, 2 dd's and my parents) is heading for the Dolphin in June for our first ever stay there , and I had a few questions I hoped you could help with.

First, we traditionally stay at the Disney deluxes, and it's so convenient to have towels available at the pools, rather than having to lug them down from our rooms. Does the same hold true at the Dolphin? Can I get towels down at the pool?

Second, we have booked 2 king rooms and requested that they have the connecting door. But now, I wonder... do they even HAVE connecting kings? Or will one of us have to drop down to a room with 2 double beds?

Thanks in advance!!

S

I was told the connecting rooms were king/double or double/double. I would call the SD and ask.

Also, about the ice in the cooler-make sure you take a few ziplocks with you- gallon and quart-they really come in handy.
have fun!!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Karen - thanks for your honest comment - we both are accustomed to good NE seafood, so sometimes when traveling the seafood quality is not the same. Kind of neat to have all these newer S/D travelers discovering hotels that we have come to enjoy so much over the years - 5 weeks from tomorrow.

 

[lizabu]

If you will be staying at any of the Starwood properties this summer make sure you register for their free night Promo

https://www.spgpromos.com/getawayfree/?language=en_US&EM=VTY_SPG_GETAWAYFREE_ENG_PROMOTION

Swan and Dolphin are both resorts you can redeem your free night at

 

[jgates]

Quite honestly, Caroline, it was okay. I wouldn't rush to return. I guess it's the New England seafood in me that wasn't impressed with this menu. We will not be going on this trip.

Katy & I ate at Blue Zoo - it was fine but in my opinion way overrpriced for what we received. She paid as a treat because I was paying for the room, but I would not go back myself. One time was enough. Kendra couldn't even find anything she wanted on the menu, LOL, so she ate potatoes for supper.

 

[simonmunro]

Anybody know when the rooms & suites were last renovated?

 

[Phlip]

If you will be staying at any of the Starwood properties this summer make sure you register for their free night Promo

https://www.spgpromos.com/getawayfree/?language=en_US&EM=VTY_SPG_GETAWAYFREE_ENG_PROMOTION

Swan and Dolphin are both resorts you can redeem your free night at

Thanks!

 

[simonmunro]

Bump

 

[Dan Murphy]

Anybody know when the rooms & suites were last renovated?

Bump

Rooms are on a continual schedule of renovation. I don't think I have ever been there when there were not some rooms/suites being done.

Enjoy.

 

[mikegood2]

Can't tell you exactly, but most of the rooms have been renovated in the last year or two. I believe I read that they started the renovation project in 2008. I think they have done them all, but I am not positive.

 

[mikegood2]

I know that you can have your luggage held at the S/D if your arrive early and before your room is ready. How secure is the area they store your luggage?Would you trust leaving a bag with a laptop and electronics their? And do they have anyplace we could temporarily store any items that need to be refrigerated from our grocery stop?

My brother called the airlines yesterday to make sure my niece (lap baby) was included in the itinerary for our flight, and to our "surprise" they decided to change both our flights for us and even better they didn't inform us of the changes. Our return flight is not an issue, it is only a few minutes later, but our flight in was moved up 3 hours. So our 9am flight is now moved up to 6:10am.

Also, are their anyplace that would be quiet enough for two young girls to take a nap if they need it. We chose the 9am flight because would get us to the S/D at a good time, but at the same time the girls, OK I'll admit it the adults , wouldn't need to get up to early. It's the girls first flight, and while they are well behaved we don't know how they will react to the flight.

 

[MyTalula]

My brother called the airlines yesterday to make sure my niece (lap baby) was included in the itinerary for our flight, and to our "surprise" they decided to change both our flights for us and even better they didn't inform us of the changes. Our return flight is not an issue, it is only a few minutes later, but our flight in was moved up 3 hours. So our 9am flight is now moved up to 6:10am.
.

Just wanted to mention that if the airlines moved your flights by that much, you can call them and tell them it doesn't work for you, and they will switch you to another flight (assuming availability) with out charging you change fees. I usually look online and see what's available then call and request to be changed. I've always had good luck getting the flights I want.

 

[SingingMom]

Just wanted to mention that if the airlines moved your flights by that much, you can call them and tell them it doesn't work for you, and they will switch you to another flight (assuming availability) with out charging you change fees. I usually look online and see what's available then call and request to be changed. I've always had good luck getting the flights I want.

That's a good tip. I hope it works for you, Mike... I think 6 am is terrible with young children if that's not what you wanted to begin with.

Personally, the earlier we are off, the better, because after that you deal with possibility of delays. I hate to fly. Don't know why, I just do. I think it's that "control issue" thing... Tomorrow we head to Texas and I'm just dreading the entire "airport/flying" ordeal! If I could just close my eyes and snap my fingers and BE THERE, I would be great!

 

[mikegood2]

Just wanted to mention that if the airlines moved your flights by that much, you can call them and tell them it doesn't work for you, and they will switch you to another flight (assuming availability) with out charging you change fees. I usually look online and see what's available then call and request to be changed. I've always had good luck getting the flights I want.

I tried that, also checking business and first class, and they do not have any other morning flights available. After the 6:10 flight, they have a 12:40 flight available, but we felt that is later than we would like to leave. The told us that the United/Continental merger is the cause of the issue.

Even though they told us that they would make sure we are all seated together, I'm also not happy that we do not have any reserved seats. The person we talked to offered us the option of purchasing economy plus seats for an additional $50 , but that would add $200 onto a flight we already don't want to be on. I tried to get a supervisor to upgrade us to economy plus, but didn't have any luck. They did offer us 4 $50 vouchers for or inconvenience, but they can not be used on our flight. They must be used on a future flight instead.

That's a good tip. I hope it works for you, Mike... I think 6 am is terrible with young children if that's not what you wanted to begin with.

Personally, the earlier we are off, the better, because after that you deal with possibility of delays. I hate to fly. Don't know why, I just do. I think it's that "control issue" thing... Tomorrow we head to Texas and I'm just dreading the entire "airport/flying" ordeal! If I could just close my eyes and snap my fingers and BE THERE, I would be great!

That's our biggest concern about the change, we have to get up by 3am, so I'm sure we will be a house full of crabby people. The only time I am up at 3 am is when I have not gone to bed yet. Even at 6am, if I'm awake, it's more likely that I have not gone to bed yet. Hopefully at that time in the morning the wait at airport security will be quicker.

It's kinda funny, my sister-in-law and I are more bothered with not being informed of the change. My brother is upset that we lost $33 a ticket with the change. When we originally booked, the 6 and 7am flights were available for less than what we payed for the 9am.