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

[Dan Murphy]

Yes.

 

[ImprovGal]

Just returned from a whirlwind 1-night stay at the Swan. Ok, it was short but I've noticed a couple of changes that should be mentioned:

First, the resort fee at the Swan & Dolphin has increased from $10 to $12 per night. Reservations made before the changeover date (beginning of May sometime) should be grandfathered into the old rate. They still waive the fee for the resort package for Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum members.

Second, Picabu is now charging a 20% service charge on meals. I don't know if it's waived for food packaged "to go" as CSR's Pepper Market does. I also don't know if it is charged on prepackaged items.

It was a short stay, but an enjoyable one. I did get quite a nice upgrade due to my SPG Plat membership.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just returned from a whirlwind 1-night stay at the Swan. Ok, it was short but I've noticed a couple of changes that should be mentioned:

First, the resort fee at the Swan & Dolphin has increased from $10 to $12 per night. Reservations made before the changeover date (beginning of May sometime) should be grandfathered into the old rate. They still waive the fee for the resort package for Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum members.

Second, Picabu is now charging a 20% service charge on meals. I don't know if it's waived for food packaged "to go" as CSR's Pepper Market does. I also don't know if it is charged on prepackaged items.

It was a short stay, but an enjoyable one. I did get quite a nice upgrade due to my SPG Plat membership.

I ate there a few weeks ago. What is a 20% service charge?

 

[McKelly]

Thanks for the info about Picabu. 20% for a counter service - that's a bit much. Is it only Picabu or do they do that at the counter service near the pool as well?

 

[ohiotinkfan]

When my DD and I went over Easter we were also charged the 20% service charge. We bought some prepackaged items too. Everything at Picabu has the 20% charge. I asked about that and I was told it was like a tip. At the Disney owned store in the Dolphin there is not a 20% charge. I would suggest going there for prepackaged items..if they have what you want. It was our first stay at the Dolphin and it was nice, just remember about the service charges.

 

[NancyIL]

I love staying at the Swan, but I have never been a fan of Picabu. I will continue to avoid eating there.

 

[RachelTori]

When my DD and I went over Easter we were also charged the 20% service charge. We bought some prepackaged items too. Everything at Picabu has the 20% charge. I asked about that and I was told it was like a tip. At the Disney owned store in the Dolphin there is not a 20% charge. I would suggest going there for prepackaged items..if they have what you want. It was our first stay at the Dolphin and it was nice, just remember about the service charges.

20% Service Charge/Tip for a CS? I always got 20% off for showing my AAA card. Now I guess I could consider it a wash!!

Thanks for the heads up. We have 2 Dolphin stays in the next 3 months. Hopefully no other surprises!

I love staying at the Swan, but I have never been a fan of Picabu. I will continue to avoid eating there.

Same here. We've grabbed a quick meal at Picabu in the past more for the convenience (usually quick and not crowded), definitely not for the food!

 

[MichiganMomto4]

Sorry, but this whole Disney/not Disney thing is confusing me! lol We are staying at the Dolphin in 3 weeks. Kroger (grocery store in MI) is offering 4X fuel points when you buy gift cards. Of course, they have Disney gift cards that say they are good at the Walt Disney World resort. Will I be able to use these GC at the counter service, pool bar, gift shop at the Dolphin ? tia

 

[TaraPA]

Sorry, but this whole Disney/not Disney thing is confusing me! lol We are staying at the Dolphin in 3 weeks. Kroger (grocery store in MI) is offering 4X fuel points when you buy gift cards. Of course, they have Disney gift cards that say they are good at the Walt Disney World resort. Will I be able to use these GC at the counter service, pool bar, gift shop at the Dolphin ? tia

You will only be able to use Disney gift cards at the Disney Gift Shop inside The Swan & Dolphin. The front desk and/restaraunts do not take them, as S/D are Sheraton-owned, not Disney-owned.

 

[Music City Mama]

Second, Picabu is now charging a 20% service charge on meals. I don't know if it's waived for food packaged "to go" as CSR's Pepper Market does. I also don't know if it is charged on prepackaged items.

20% Service Charge/Tip for a CS? I always got 20% off for showing my AAA card. Now I guess I could consider it a wash!!

Doh, that figures! I was happy about being able to get a 20% discount with my AAA card, but it's really not even a discount now. So, tell me about Picabu . . . I take it it's not like a food court at a WDW resort -- where you go to the counter yourself, pay, seat yourself, get your own drinks and throw away your own trash? I'm guessing Picabu must provide some kind of 'service' since they're charging a service fee.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Doh, that figures! I was happy about being able to get a 20% discount with my AAA card, but it's really not even a discount now. So, tell me about Picabu . . . I take it it's not like a food court at a WDW resort -- where you go to the counter yourself, pay, seat yourself, get your own drinks and throw away your own trash? I'm guessing Picabu must provide some kind of 'service' since they're charging a service fee.

They take the empty tray and plates, etc after your meal. I always leave a tip.

A few pictures....

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/picabu/index.html

I did just call the restaurant, the lady there said it was 13%. I asked her what it was for, if it was like a tip. She was very, very hard to understand and I do not know what it is for. Next time I am there, hopefully Dec, I will have to ask. Seems wrong to charge that, unless most people never left any tip for the wait staff. I do like the restaurant and food though. And nice people too.

 

[NancyIL]

They take the empty tray and plates, etc after your meal. I always leave a tip.

A few pictures....

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/picabu/index.html

I did just call the restaurant, the lady there said it was 13%. I asked her what it was for, if it was like a tip. She was very, very hard to understand and I do not know what it is for. Next time I am there, hopefully Dec, I will have to ask. Seems wrong to charge that, unless most people never left any tip for the wait staff. I do like the restaurant and food though. And nice people too.

You tip...at Picabu? WHAT "waitstaff"?

**I don't tip at food courts, cafeterias, or counter service eateries at WDW.

 

[ImprovGal]

You tip...at Picabu? WHAT "waitstaff"?

**I don't tip at food courts, cafeterias, or counter service eateries at WDW.

I'll have to see if I can find my receipt. I could have sworn the service charge line item was equal to the AAA discount, but I could be wrong. I was just looking to grab a quick breakfast since I was already running later than I'd planned so I saw the note written in small lettering at the bottom of the menu chalkboard and expected it. The Picabu "servers" bus your table (there are no trash cans for self-cleanup). If you order an item that requires prep time, they do also deliver your food to the table. That's it. They don't refill your drinks. There is no other "service" that I can see. I accept the service charge at Pepper Market since they're at least refilling your drinks. However, they at least waive the service charge if you take your items to-go.

 

[Belle83]

I love staying at the Swan, but I have never been a fan of Picabu. I will continue to avoid eating there.

I hated the to-go stuff at Picabu (the salads, mainly), but the hamburgers were actually really good. We definitely had a laugh about the 'service' charge. A picture from my trip report shows the service charge on the receipt. I am so mad I forgot about the AAA discount For the record, this was only $4 less than our bill at Fountain.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41363901#post41363901

 

[RachelTori]

You tip...at Picabu? WHAT "waitstaff"?

**I don't tip at food courts, cafeterias, or counter service eateries at WDW.

They do clean the tables. (I always feel a little guilty leaving without cleaning off the table, but Picabu doesn't have any place to put the plates, trash, etc.)

I always tip at Picabu and also Wolfgang Puck Express (since they bring the food/clear the table) - but it's only a buck or two!

Thanks for calling, Dan! And from Belle83's receipt, that is a 13% service charge. So we save 7% with our AAA discount (better than nothing!!!)

 

[TaraPA]

I used to tip $1-$2 at Picabu for the clean-up - and many times I've had them bring part of our order that took a little longer to prepare - but now if they're adding a mandatory service charge, I won't be doing it anymore.

 

[NancyIL]

I've eaten only breakfast at Picabu, and runny scrambled eggs aren't my thing. When I want a nice breakfast, I'll eat at Fresh or Garden Grove - if I eat at the resort.

 

[Music City Mama]

I hated the to-go stuff at Picabu (the salads, mainly), but the hamburgers were actually really good. We definitely had a laugh about the 'service' charge. A picture from my trip report shows the service charge on the receipt. I am so mad I forgot about the AAA discount For the record, this was only $4 less than our bill at Fountain.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41363901#post41363901

Yep, per the above receipt and Dan's conversation, it's 13% -- so a whopping 7% savings with the AAA discount -- oh well, better than nothing.

I do tip at places that kind of wait on you (i.e., bring your drinks) -- like at Pepper Market. Not sure if I would've tipped just to clear my trash (maybe $1 - $2), but if they're charging a service charge, there is no way I will now.

I'm more in shock about the burgers costing $11.50 each!

We probably will only eat there once or twice, so I'm not too concerned.

Btw, speaking of restaurants . . . Lexi -- I'm finally going to be able to use that Bluezoo gift certificate next week that you mailed me a few months ago! Now, nobody pipe in and say how Bluezoo is overpriced or terrible!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I like GG and Fresh also for breakfast.

I do have a gripe with a service fee at a restaurant like Picabu. I do find the food good, prices reasonable. Generally during a visit, I do have their half roast chicken dinner, tastes good, and priced okay. As I said, I do always leave a tip, usually 2 or 3 dollars, as I know somebody is cleaning up my tray and dishes. But to automatically add it, no, I do not like that. Sort of the same as when using the TiW card at a buffet, usually character. They add 18%. Now I am usually a 20-30% tip person in a 'regular' restaurant, but in a buffet, I am usually a 10-15%. in my mind, I know that 18 is basically nothing more when compared to 15, but just the principle of it I guess. And I do understand the reason they do it, I am sure many people do stiff wait staff in buffets. I just hate the mandatory stuff.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm sure places like Picabu pay their employees at least minimum wage - unlike restaurants with real waiters/waitresses. I've been a waitress, and I'm a generous tipper. However, I think tipping sometimes gets out of hand and you feel like you have to tip everyone who does anything for you while you are on vacation.