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

[lincar47]

Hope all of you have enjoyed your stays

 

[Phlip]

Hi and welcome to the thread, lincar47!
You may want to read through the first page-there's quite a lot of useful tips there. Then if you have any specific questions post-and within moments (really) some wonderful regular will have your answer!
We decided to stay at the Dolphin this time due to the super rate, great reviews, location and dining choices.
One tip I can provide-Swan/Dolphin provide excellent rates for AARP, AAA, Military, government, teachers and nurses.
Check it out!

 

[McKelly]

Does anybody know if Garden Grove changes their nightly buffet days often? I noticed on the Disney website that it says Wed. is the BBQ night, but on the Dis it says Wed is Mediterranean night and it was updated 4/11. I made an ADR for a Wednesday thinking we would get the BBQ night, but now I am worried it won't be that menu. Any suggestions? Will I even need an ADR at Garden Grove during the week for the first week of August? Maybe I should just wait until I get there and see if it fits in our plans.

 

[DisFan331]

Silly question......the kids and DH will be distraught if we don't have Stacy and the top Disney to do....is the channel available at the Dolphin???

 

[Phlip]

The people I am traveling with, friend's and DH are 'harshing my dream mello'. Ugh. You know, you ask everyone what they would like to do, eat, etc. and you get the 'oh whatever you want, etc' answer...and then like a week (or in my case 4 days) before you leave they all of a sudden have ideas? I swear, I could really be freaking out here...
Anyway-my question: how crowded/busy are the walk up (no ADR) eateries? I'm thinking about the ones at the S/D and over at the Boardwalk. Maybe Beaches and Cream?
I made ADR's for lunch, and now am finding out that my traveling partners don't really like to 'eat a big lunch'. Or 'sit down for lunch.' Again, Ugh. Just. Great.
I love these people, but next time, it's me and the kids. Period.
Thanks for any help you can give---

 

[LexiC123]

Silly question......the kids and DH will be distraught if we don't have Stacy and the top Disney to do....is the channel available at the Dolphin???

Not to worry...Stacy is there in al her perky glory!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does anybody know if Garden Grove changes their nightly buffet days often? I noticed on the Disney website that it says Wed. is the BBQ night, but on the Dis it says Wed is Mediterranean night and it was updated 4/11. I made an ADR for a Wednesday thinking we would get the BBQ night, but now I am worried it won't be that menu. Any suggestions? Will I even need an ADR at Garden Grove during the week for the first week of August? Maybe I should just wait until I get there and see if it fits in our plans.

http://allears.net/menu/menu_gul.htm

 

[NancyIL]

Does anybody know if Garden Grove changes their nightly buffet days often? I noticed on the Disney website that it says Wed. is the BBQ night, but on the Dis it says Wed is Mediterranean night and it was updated 4/11. I made an ADR for a Wednesday thinking we would get the BBQ night, but now I am worried it won't be that menu. Any suggestions? Will I even need an ADR at Garden Grove during the week for the first week of August? Maybe I should just wait until I get there and see if it fits in our plans.

According to the menu on Swan/Dolphin's web site - Wednesday is Southern Barbeque night: http://swandolphinmeetings.com/menus/restaurant_menus/gardengrove/gg_dinner.html

 

[SRUAlmn]

Wow, that's good--the cheapest rate I could find was $189 (+tax and fees) and that was for June 28-July 3, 2011. I think with fees it came out to around $220. Still considerably cheaper than our room at the BWI, but then again, I would have to get 2 rooms since we have a son and daughter and there is no daybed.

We're having the same 'issue.' It would be myself, my mom, and my sister (all adults,) so we need 3 beds.

You can fit a roll-away (twin-bed size) in the standard 2dbl rooms. I'd fold it up when someone isn't sleeping in it, but it can be done if you want to save some $$.

I was looking at getting a rollaway based on a suggestion from a PP, however, if you have one room it looks like it's $25 more per day per extra person, plus a $25 per day roll away fee. Therefore, the above poster with a song and daughter would have to pay $50 per night in extra person fees, plus $25 per night for the extra bed. That's cheaper than a second room, but still seems like a lot of extra money.

 

[jessily]

Just wanted to say a quick thank you for all the great info on this thread I'll be heading to the Dolphin in a few weeks for my 2nd stay there and can't wait! Reading through this thread has helped so much with the planning details. I just posted some pics from my first trip (2009) over on the resort photo thread. sooooo excited to go back

 

[aggiegirl1234]

Hello! I'm planning a trip to the World for my 25th birthday this September I've stayed at a few of the Disney resorts before, but I've decided this time to try out the Swan since it is on Disney property, SO much more reasonably priced, and seems to be just as nice, if not nicer, than some of the other deluxes, IMO. I think I'm going to use the Sunsational Savings code, and I was wondering if anyone else had used it before. The website says

"Delight in Sun and Savings with this exclusive package. Book now for stays by December 23, 2011, and enjoy the following:

6th Night Free (applied at check out)
$100 Food and Beverage Credit for every 6 nights reserved
Complimentary upgrade based upon availability at check-in
Book online, or call 888-828-8850 and reference promotion code ZS6 to make your reservation today."

The rate is only $159, so this was really hard to pass up! I think I'm going to book the cheapest room. It's a traditional room, with two queen beds and a "limited view". For anyone who has used this code, what room were you upgraded to? Could you ask for a specific room to be upgraded to since an upgrade is part of the deal (like to a room with a king bed instead of 2 queens)? There is a "deluxe" king or 2 queen room with a resort view. How does this differ from the "traditional" room? Thank you for your help!

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Hi Aggie, I used the Sunsational rate last December 13-19. I booked traditional view but was upgraded to a resort view ( I did use a special code word on Halloween for some type of upgrade and it was for the resort view room). I did not receive any further upgrade. Our room was great! I had requested the lowest floor possible and we faced the boat dock and our room was one of those what I call "port hole" rooms. It was a room with the round window that you can see on the lower few floors.

I was transferring from CR and called to see if an early check in was available. They told me our room was not ready but they did have a room available. So, I am not sure if they had something even better for us had we checked in later! I was very pleased with our room location and loved being able to see the friendship boats going back and forth. Loved the Dolphin!

 

[becky11]

We're having the same 'issue.' It would be myself, my mom, and my sister (all adults,) so we need 3 beds.



I was looking at getting a rollaway based on a suggestion from a PP, however, if you have one room it looks like it's $25 more per day per extra person, plus a $25 per day roll away fee. Therefore, the above poster with a song and daughter would have to pay $50 per night in extra person fees, plus $25 per night for the extra bed. That's cheaper than a second room, but still seems like a lot of extra money.

I don't recall the $25 per night fee for the extra bed when I got it, but I could be wrong.

 

[Roo2]

I just booked a room on spg.com at the Dolphin for $119/night, plus $12/night resort fee and taxes- a great rate, and I'm very excited! This rate was available the last week of August for a standard room- not sure what other dates it may be available, but I hope someone else can take advantage of this great rate!

 

[mikegood2]

Well I better get to sleep. Got to get up in 4 hours to head to the airport.

Can't believe we will be at the s/d in less than 12 hours.

 

[LexiC123]

Well I better get to sleep. Got to get up in 4 hours to head to the airport.

Can't believe we will be at the s/d in less than 12 hours.

You should be on your way by now...have a wonderful trip!

 

[LexiC123]

I just booked a room on spg.com at the Dolphin for $119/night, plus $12/night resort fee and taxes- a great rate, and I'm very excited! This rate was available the last week of August for a standard room- not sure what other dates it may be available, but I hope someone else can take advantage of this great rate!

That's a terrific rate. Gotta love those late summer deals!

 

[Schmoodle]

I just booked a room on spg.com at the Dolphin for $119/night, plus $12/night resort fee and taxes- a great rate, and I'm very excited! This rate was available the last week of August for a standard room- not sure what other dates it may be available, but I hope someone else can take advantage of this great rate!

Thank you for the heads up! It's available for my mid-August dates too. That pre-paid/no changes/no cancellations makes me a little nervous, though. But so tempting! Right now I'm reserved for $149+resort fee &taxes. What to do, what to do...

 

[Swan4Me]

We're having the same 'issue.' It would be myself, my mom, and my sister (all adults,) so we need 3 beds.



I was looking at getting a rollaway based on a suggestion from a PP, however, if you have one room it looks like it's $25 more per day per extra person, plus a $25 per day roll away fee. Therefore, the above poster with a song and daughter would have to pay $50 per night in extra person fees, plus $25 per night for the extra bed. That's cheaper than a second room, but still seems like a lot of extra money.

How about getting a King room with the sofabed. Two adults could share the bed and one on the sofa>

 

[SRUAlmn]

How about getting a King room with the sofabed. Two adults could share the bed and one on the sofa>

Thanks for the suggestion, but it's myself, my mom, and my sister. I don't really think any of us would want to share a bed. I was thinking about the "Stay Connected" deal. If we could get the $139 rate and then the stay connected says "starting at $109" for the second room. That might actually end up being more expensive than getting one suite, though.