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

[becky11]

I found that doesn't typically work. Try doing it and putting in the govt. rate. Then, call and change it over to the teacher rate. It's the same. Also, if you check it straight through the swananddolphin.com website you will get a different amount than if you go through starwood.com. And if you call, you'll get the best rate. Confusing huh?

AND if you book with the TROOPS rate, you get a better deal than the regular gov't rate - something like 10% off all food? Can't remember specifically...

And you can only book that if you call.

 

[4orm]

I think I'm going to book two back-to-back 5 night reward stays.

I might spend five at the Swan and five at the Dolphin but if I was going to spend all ten days at one resort would I possible get the same room?

Do most reward stays have poor views?
If I offer to pay for an upgrade upon arrival is that possible?
How much does an upgrade at checkin usually cost?


And for those that need a little top up to get enough points for a stay SPG is offering 20% off all point buys right now till the end of June.

 

[roydavid7771]

I think I'm going to book two back-to-back 5 night reward stays.

I might spend five at the Swan and five at the Dolphin but if I was going to spend all ten days at one resort would I possible get the same room?

Do most reward stays have poor views?
If I offer to pay for an upgrade upon arrival is that possible?
How much does an upgrade at checkin usually cost?


And for those that need a little top up to get enough points for a stay SPG is offering 20% off all point buys right now till the end of June.

All great questions! I'm planning on doing the same thing in October, but only for five nights.

As for upgrades, I highly doubt it but it never hurts to ask!

 

[TaraPA]

I think I'm going to book two back-to-back 5 night reward stays.

I might spend five at the Swan and five at the Dolphin but if I was going to spend all ten days at one resort would I possible get the same room?

Depends. If they are 2 separate reservations, you may have to switch rooms. We've done this twice - once we had to pack up & move, once we did not. So it's a toss up! I'm sure they will do everything possible to keep you in the same room, they bend over backwards with customer service.

Do most reward stays have poor views?

Do you have any status with Starwood? If you are Gold or Platinum you will get a complimentary upgrade if one is available. Again a toss up - we've done 3 stays on points (with Starwood status at the time) - one was the infamous dumpster view - hotel was full, the other 2 point stays we were upgraded from standard to resort view with balcony.

If I offer to pay for an upgrade upon arrival is that possible?
How much does an upgrade at checkin usually cost?

No idea on this one. The one time I did want to pay tp upgrade the hotel was full to capacity, so no upgrade even when paying.And for those that need a little top up to get enough points for a stay SPG is offering 20% off all point buys right now till the end of June.

Have a great trip!

 

[roydavid7771]

Just to clarify...if I use points to reserve a room, can I still get an upgrade if I am a Gold Preferred member?

 

[McKelly]

Officially booked the Dolphin. It will be our first stay there - excited!! Was booked at POR, but with the rate on hotels.com and the fact that we don't use the dining plan or ME, it seemed like a no-brainer.

Quick question - what time do the boats to HS start in the AM? Will they start in time to get to rope drop or should we walk?

 

[Music City Mama]

Officially booked the Dolphin. It will be our first stay there - excited!! Was booked at POR, but with the rate on hotels.com and the fact that we don't use the dining plan or ME, it seemed like a no-brainer.

Quick question - what time do the boats to HS start in the AM? Will they start in time to get to rope drop or should we walk?

I've been meaning to ask the same question myself.

 

[NeilD]

Officially booked the Dolphin. It will be our first stay there - excited!! Was booked at POR, but with the rate on hotels.com and the fact that we don't use the dining plan or ME, it seemed like a no-brainer.

Quick question - what time do the boats to HS start in the AM? Will they start in time to get to rope drop or should we walk?

They DO start early enough for the rope drop...Not sure what time but we did it to Epcot....Enjoy..

 

[vital]

Two weeks from today I'll be enjoying Star Wars Weekend after spending my first night at the Dolphin!!!

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Long story short, I still have a booking for my last 2 nights this November at the Swan.

I've noticed though that there is no availability for my dates (14-16 November), after a little bit of 'googling' it appears there is a large convention at the resort (no surprise, it is afterall a convention resort lol).

However, it's got me thinking - has anyone ever been, or heard of non convention guests, arriving to check into the resort and being 'walked' to another resort?

11/15 is the sold out night. I am so hoping it opens up because that is the week we are looking to go. Good question you have though....I imagine their "walk" hotel would be the Swan but I could be wrong. How long ago did you book? I have only been trying the past few weeks but I am sure it will be much closer before a room opens up for me

 

[sewer]

Two weeks from today I'll be enjoying Star Wars Weekend after spending my first night at the Dolphin!!!

Oh you dog, how 'bout some pic's when you come back?

 

[lovingthemouse]

In the past, there have been convention nights in the middle of our stays. I kept calling every Friday, as they had mentioned then that extra rooms or cancellations were often put back into the system on Fridays. I do not know if this is still true. We did always get our room though as the time drew closer.

 

[Belle83]

Two weeks from today I'll be enjoying Star Wars Weekend after spending my first night at the Dolphin!!!

Me too! We arrive 5/21 (well, we'll arrive at the hotel in the early hours of 5/22).

I signed up for Starwood Points, I hope the upgrade us...

 

[TaraPA]

Just to clarify...if I use points to reserve a room, can I still get an upgrade if I am a Gold Preferred member?

Yes that is correct.

In the past, the complimentary upgrades were given to Starwood Preferred (basic status level) and up. They changed the policy sometime last year & no longer do that, only for Starwood Gold & Platinum. Of course it's all subject to availability. Since they are conference resorts, they are often full to capacity & no upgrades can be given.

We've stayed 3 times on points - once at the Gold level - and we got the infamous dumpster view as the hotel was full. The next time were were also Gold & were upgraded to Resort View with Balcony. This last trip, our status dropped down to just Preferred, but we still did get an upgrade - it was our lucky day! But DH had been there for 5 nights for business in a Resort View with Balcony room - and then we tacked on 3 nights with points. So it was probably easier for them just to leave us in that category room than to move us to a standard one.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey Dan Murphy - are you having a magical time?

Yes, Caroline, great as always. Only 2 more days left.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Well Dan - enjoy them tremendously!!

Just 19 more days til my friend and I arrive. She has never been to the Dolphin. Celebrating 60 yrs of being BFF's - how lucky can you get in life to have that many yrs as friends?

 

[MoonFaerie]

*sigh* 7 more months until we'll be on our way to the Dolphin. I can't wait!

 

[Chomperoni]

I am planning on my WDW vacation from November 6 to 12 this year.
Looking to stay at either Dolphin or Swan but not sure what's better for my situation. Hope you can help.
My wife and I are taking our kids with us 8 and 16.

What's better for us. Swan or Dolphin?

What is the best way to book for best discount. Online or telephone.


Thanks

 

[roydavid7771]

Yes that is correct.

In the past, the complimentary upgrades were given to Starwood Preferred (basic status level) and up. They changed the policy sometime last year & no longer do that, only for Starwood Gold & Platinum. Of course it's all subject to availability. Since they are conference resorts, they are often full to capacity & no upgrades can be given.

We've stayed 3 times on points - once at the Gold level - and we got the infamous dumpster view as the hotel was full. The next time were were also Gold & were upgraded to Resort View with Balcony. This last trip, our status dropped down to just Preferred, but we still did get an upgrade - it was our lucky day! But DH had been there for 5 nights for business in a Resort View with Balcony room - and then we tacked on 3 nights with points. So it was probably easier for them just to leave us in that category room than to move us to a standard one.

Great to know! We love the Swan, but I realize that the chances of getting an upgrade are much better at the Dolphin, simply because of the number of rooms available is much greater there than the Swan. Is there a website that tells me what conventions are going on during our stay? Most of the ones I've seen seem to be a bit outdated and not current.

 

[Mazzy]

I am planning on my WDW vacation from November 6 to 12 this year.
Looking to stay at either Dolphin or Swan but not sure what's better for my situation. Hope you can help.
My wife and I are taking our kids with us 8 and 16.

What's better for us. Swan or Dolphin?

What is the best way to book for best discount. Online or telephone.


Thanks

I would definitely recommend the Dolphin for you and your family, as it has the ice cream counter, Picabu's (24 hour eatery and small shop), gift shop, arcade, kids club etc under the same roof. We have stayed there with our family several times and love the convenience of it. Also the rooms are a bit bigger as well. If your kids don't want to share a bed, you can get a rollaway for $25 a night which fits in the room great, right by the window. We have always booked by ringing the hotel, either AA rate or AP rate, also keep an eye on their website for special offers. Hope that helps, any more questions just fire away.