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

[RachelTori]

Agreed, Dan! And one of my friends stopped telling the wait-staff that she was using TIW. She claims she got better service when the staff didn't know they would get an automatic 18%. I've started doing the same and you know what? I think she was on to something!!!

 

[Tess]

Agreed, Dan! And one of my friends stopped telling the wait-staff that she was using TIW. She claims she got better service when the staff didn't know they would get an automatic 18%. I've started doing the same and you know what? I think she was on to something!!!

We don't tell them either Laura! We have found we receive better service as well. Of course, we kick the tip up from the 18% when we do receive that better service.

 

[RachelTori]

We don't tell them either Laura! We have found we receive better service as well. Of course, we kick the tip up from the 18% when we do receive that better service.

I love your ticker Tess!!! Spoiled children get wishes granted!!! Of course when it's WDW, we don't mind spoiling them, do we?!! (especially if we get to go along!)

 

[J'aime Paris]

I did try doing a search for this information, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

I have a resort view 2 dbl. bed room reserved at the Dolphin in August. Can anyone give me either
a) specific rooms to request OR
b) a few key elements to request


Also, I have an SPG card. Should I add it to my reservation now, or wait until check-in? And IF a complimentary room category upgrade is available, what view/category would that be?

TIA!!

 

[Tess]

I love your ticker Tess!!! Spoiled children get wishes granted!!! Of course when it's WDW, we don't mind spoiling them, do we?!! (especially if we get to go along!)

Thanks! They're pretty pumped up about the unexpected trip and so are Ron and I. We finally had to tell them our real destination because Taylor kept questioning us. She said she knew something was up, but didn't know I had a trip planned. They were both doing the and .

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks! They're pretty pumped up about the unexpected trip and so are Ron and I. We finally had to tell them our real destination because Taylor kept questioning us. She said she knew something was up, but didn't know I had a trip planned. They were both doing the and .

Have a great trip! We have about 7 weeks till we check in to the Dolphin (then AKL-CL! )

See you for Food & Wine!!!

 

[mikegood2]

Well at this time, a week and one day from now , we will probably be at Epcot or returning to our room for our first night at the s/d.

All the talk about the 13% service charge at Picabu, got me wondering what casual or quick service restaurants people liks to eat at? Also, any suggestions of what items you like to order? We have only scheduled 2 or 3 ADR's, so we may be eating a fair amount of our meals at the s/d.

Also, I am trying to figure out what I need to bring for clothes and if I want/need to do a mid-vacation laundry trip. Are the washers and dryers still $2.50 a load? Are you able to completely dry a load of cloths in one cycle or would it probably take 2? I have been to some laundry facilities in the past that required a second cycle to finish drying a load of cloths.

 

[Belle83]

I did try doing a search for this information, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

I have a resort view 2 dbl. bed room reserved at the Dolphin in August. Can anyone give me either
a) specific rooms to request OR
b) a few key elements to request


Also, I have an SPG card. Should I add it to my reservation now, or wait until check-in? And IF a complimentary room category upgrade is available, what view/category would that be?

TIA!!

I added my SPG once I checked in. Not sure if it was why they upgraded us, but they did I think that had more to do with a less-than-full hotel than anything. Not sure about room locations...west side is closer to the pool, but further from boardwalk/epcot. Our one room on the west side 8th floor had a great view of tower of terror/hollywood studios (and I think it was considered resort view, not sure if they have a non-epcot park view category). There are pics in my trip report. The only downside was that the hallway in that section smelled weird.

 

[Disney grandma]

To anyone who has stayed in the executive suite at the Dolphin, is there a microwave in the "parlor" room.

Just found the answer to this, thanks.

 

[J'aime Paris]

I added my SPG once I checked in. Not sure if it was why they upgraded us, but they did I think that had more to do with a less-than-full hotel than anything. Not sure about room locations...west side is closer to the pool, but further from boardwalk/epcot. Our one room on the west side 8th floor had a great view of tower of terror/hollywood studios (and I think it was considered resort view, not sure if they have a non-epcot park view category). There are pics in my trip report. The only downside was that the hallway in that section smelled weird.

Thanks for the info! And BTW, love your trip report
Great pictures!

 

[pooh2001]

yes, add your spg # - you can get 1 level upgrade at check in - if available, plus earn points.

 

[Dan Murphy]

To anyone who has stayed in the executive suite at the Dolphin, is there a microwave in the "parlor" room.

Just found the answer to this, thanks.

For others, the answer is no.

 

[Tess]

We have about 7 weeks till we check in to the Dolphin (then AKL-CL! )

See you for Food & Wine!!!

We will have to plan something!

 

[Gretchen]

yes, add your spg # - you can get 1 level upgrade at check in - if available, plus earn points.

Soooo, what's the one level up from standard??
Thanks-

 

[LexiC123]

yes, add your spg # - you can get 1 level upgrade at check in - if available, plus earn points.

Actually, your SPG membership must be gold or platinum to qualify for the room upgrade. Unfortunately, there is no such benefit for the Preferred member level.

Soooo, what's the one level up from standard??
Thanks-

I believe the next tier would be pool/resort view, then pool/resort view with balcony, then Park/Epcot fireworks view, and lastly, Park/Epcot fireworks view with balcony.

 

[el_tigre]

Actually, your SPG membership must be gold or platinum to qualify for the room upgrade. Unfortunately, there is no such benefit for the Preferred member level.

Actually, this isn't technically correct either. There is a level below gold called Preferred Plus, which receives most of the same benefits as gold, including room upgrades. There are various ways to reach this level, like being a AAA member or having the Starwood Amex without hitting their gold spending threshold.

But you are correct that basic Preferred members are not entitled to room upgrades. It could certainly happen, but you shouldn't bank on it.

 

[lovingthemouse]

When I was there last week, I did receive an upgrade to a Swan view in front of the lagoon - it was wonderful. I had prepaid in a special back 2/3 months ago, with a $129 per night. rate (did only pay the $10 resort fee since it must have been grandfathered). I am Starwood Preferred.
We had a spectacular time. Have to tell you that the dumpster view is no longer - they did some remodeling of the back area, which has now covered up the famed "dumpster view!"

 

[ImprovGal]

Actually, this isn't technically correct either. There is a level below gold called Preferred Plus, which receives most of the same benefits as gold, including room upgrades. There are various ways to reach this level, like being a AAA member or having the Starwood Amex without hitting their gold spending threshold.

But you are correct that basic Preferred members are not entitled to room upgrades. It could certainly happen, but you shouldn't bank on it.

I think the only difference between Gold and Preferred Plus is that Gold earns an extra starpoint per dollar spend. (3 vs 2)

And thank you, Belle83 for posting the pic of the receipt so we had the correct information about the 13% service charge. This week has been an insane week for me and I'm not surprised my memory frizzled a bit.

 

[LexiC123]

Actually, this isn't technically correct either. There is a level below gold called Preferred Plus, which receives most of the same benefits as gold, including room upgrades. There are various ways to reach this level, like being a AAA member or having the Starwood Amex without hitting their gold spending threshold.

But you are correct that basic Preferred members are not entitled to room upgrades. It could certainly happen, but you shouldn't bank on it.

You're right...I completely forgot about Preferred Plus.

And now that you've refreshed my memory, I'll be making a little phone call to SPG today. They recently downgraded me from Gold to Preferred, instead of the Preferred Plus level that I should be at, due to my membership through AAA.

Thanks for the reminder.

 

[McKelly]

So, just to clarify. If I am a AAA member, I can be a Preferred Plus member and receive more benefits? There are no other qualifications, just a AAA number?