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

[Dan Murphy]

And welcome to the DIS, Tink. You will love the Dolphin.

 

[NancyIL]

3. The Swan is closer to the Boardwalk and DHS. The Dolphin is closer to Epcot. The difference though is negligible.
The Swan is smaller so that may appeal more.

I think the Swan is also closer to Epcot, because going via the Boardwalk is slightly faster than walking by Yacht and Beach Club.

 

[SingingMom]

I think the Swan is also closer to Epcot, because going via the Boardwalk is slightly faster than walking by Yacht and Beach Club.

I agree, Nancy!

I am having a bad week. Wonder if I should start looking into a long weekend at the Dolphin..... Spa weekend.... just ME....

 

[NancyIL]

I agree, Nancy!

I am having a bad week. Wonder if I should start looking into a long weekend at the Dolphin..... Spa weekend.... just ME....

Yes, I think you should plan a long weekend at the Dolphin!

 

[Mackie Mouse]

Called this afternoon and was able to lock in a rate of $159/night at the Dolphin with the teacher discount. The Swan would have been $169, so I think for the extra savings the slightly longer walk will be worth it Up until now I'm used to staying off-site or in the value resorts at Disney, so either way I think this stay will be a treat! We went for a standard room with a king size bed...I didn't request any particular part of the hotel, but if there are recommendations as far as room views go I'd be happy to hear them.

 

[SingingMom]

Called this afternoon and was able to lock in a rate of $159/night at the Dolphin with the teacher discount. The Swan would have been $169, so I think for the extra savings the slightly longer walk will be worth it Up until now I'm used to staying off-site or in the value resorts at Disney, so either way I think this stay will be a treat! We went for a standard room with a king size bed...I didn't request any particular part of the hotel, but if there are recommendations as far as room views go I'd be happy to hear them.

Oh, believe me, if you are used to staying off-site or in values - this will be a lovely treat for you!
Others on the thread can give you view recommendations - me, I just love a balcony, I don't usually care what I'm looking at.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks for all the great information. Staying at the Dolphin for the first time in 2011.

You will have a wonderful time! Welcome to the DISboards!!!

I think the Swan is also closer to Epcot, because going via the Boardwalk is slightly faster than walking by Yacht and Beach Club.

I learn something new all the time here on the DIS!

Called this afternoon and was able to lock in a rate of $159/night at the Dolphin with the teacher discount. The Swan would have been $169, so I think for the extra savings the slightly longer walk will be worth it Up until now I'm used to staying off-site or in the value resorts at Disney, so either way I think this stay will be a treat! We went for a standard room with a king size bed...I didn't request any particular part of the hotel, but if there are recommendations as far as room views go I'd be happy to hear them.

Fantastic! As far as views, I'm not particular at all. We usually end up with a "resort view" which is not Epcot or DHS but literally a view of the Dolphin or Swan which is fine with me.

 

[Phlip]

I got one 3 years ago (a month before I checked in our first stay at the Swan), we were upgrade for a week stay. We are staying in December on points for 2 nights.

So I'm thinking if I get the card now, I get the 10k points, I could use those to upgrade? Or will I get an upgrade just 'cause I have the card? I also could use it for gas, etc. and then use the points.....right?

 

[NancyIL]

So I'm thinking if I get the card now, I get the 10k points, I could use those to upgrade? Or will I get an upgrade just 'cause I have the card? I also could use it for gas, etc. and then use the points.....right?

Upgrades are unrelated to the Starwood Amex card.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi all! My husband and I will be taking a ten-day "Land and Sea"-style Disney trip this summer to celebrate our anniversary. Our Disney cruise on the Dream is booked and ready to go - we're pretty excited! I'm now trying to plan out the WDW part of our stay, which is a little tricky as we will be traveling during summer peak time for the first time. We'll be staying August 2-7; our anniversary is on August 7 (departure date for the cruise - whoohoo!).

I discovered today that staying at the Swan or Dolphin might be a great way to save some cash for this trip, but I have a few questions. Let's see if you can help before I bother with calling the hotel directly

1) I am a teacher, and we also belong to AAA. Assuming both discounts are available for our dates, can we combine these? How much do you think we might expect to save next summer with these discounts?

2) Since we won't be able to rely on DME (which I have always used in the past at Disney), what should we expect to spend on travel to/from the airport and Port Canaveral? I imagine hiring a car service will be cheapest if it's just the two of us, although any Mears info you have is also useful.

3) If you were two adults looking for a little romance on your WDW vacation, would you rather stay at the Dolphin or the Swan? We'd be looking at a king bed at either hotel, so the room/bed size is a non-issue. I am leaning towards the Swan right now because of its slightly closer proximity to Epcot and the Boardwalk. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

You are going to LOVE the Dolphin. We stayed at the Dolphin for our 10 year anniversary (alas, no cruise though! Just the Dolphin stay!). We have stayed at the Dolphin 3 or 4 times total, the Swan once (for my 40th Bday.) I *much* prefer the Dolphin to the Swan...and I thought for sure that I would feel the opposite. I prefer the activity in the lobby of the Dolphin.

Two things we did on our child free anniversary trip...we did the Segway Tour in Epcot. I highly recommend it! We also dined at V&A's and it was such a special night. You are going to have a blast, I am so envious!

For our 13 year anniversary (this past May) we stayed at AKV Kidani...but we dined at Blue Zoo and had the Chéfs Tasting Menu. YUM!

I have only gotten a balcony room at the Dolphin once, and I have to agree with Singing Mom...a balcony really does make a difference. I would rather have a "lesser" view and a balcony. Unfortunately, I am too cheap to pay for one, I just hope for an upgrade!

Have a great trip!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Does anyone here *prefer* a first floor room at the Dolphin? Just wondering. I don't like the way the walkways go right past them...seems like no privacy. I did have a first floor room at the BCV once...I was upset at check in, but I actually ended up liking it.

Just wondering!

 

[Pixie Princess]

I see in some other posts that there is a discount available at S&D for AP holders. Is this discount available "all the time" (like a AAA discount) or is it like the discounts for the Disney resorts...published every so often for select periods of time. (Hope that made sense!) We are meeting family in March, and it would be logistically easier if we could stay at the same hotel they are.

 

[jnfr2424]

Does anyone here *prefer* a first floor room at the Dolphin? Just wondering. I don't like the way the walkways go right past them...seems like no privacy. I did have a first floor room at the BCV once...I was upset at check in, but I actually ended up liking it.

Just wondering!

We once had a room on the same floor as the lobby on the east wing and that was not so bad then we had one on the 2nd floor I got it changed immediately now I request high floors only one of the best rooms I ever had was last week the room was immediately next to the elevators with a balcony and windows on the 7th floor as the entire 9th floor was being renovated

 

[Dan Murphy]

I see in some other posts that there is a discount available at S&D for AP holders. Is this discount available "all the time" (like a AAA discount) or is it like the discounts for the Disney resorts...published every so often for select periods of time. (Hope that made sense!) We are meeting family in March, and it would be logistically easier if we could stay at the same hotel they are.

http://www.mousesavers.com/swandolphin.html#ap

 

[Pixie Princess]

http://www.mousesavers.com/swandolphin.html#ap

Mousesavers...duh! It's a Monday. Thanks Dan!

 

[mydisneyobsession]

Can anyone tell me if limited view at the Swan is the same as standard view, or if it is a separate booking category?

Thanks!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

We once had a room on the same floor as the lobby on the east wing and that was not so bad then we had one on the 2nd floor I got it changed immediately now I request high floors only one of the best rooms I ever had was last week the room was immediately next to the elevators with a balcony and windows on the 7th floor as the entire 9th floor was being renovated

that sounds like a nice room!!!

 

[cwnhokie]

Hi all! My husband and I will be taking a ten-day "Land and Sea"-style Disney trip this summer to celebrate our anniversary. Our Disney cruise on the Dream is booked and ready to go - we're pretty excited! I'm now trying to plan out the WDW part of our stay, which is a little tricky as we will be traveling during summer peak time for the first time. We'll be staying August 2-7; our anniversary is on August 7 (departure date for the cruise - whoohoo!).

I discovered today that staying at the Swan or Dolphin might be a great way to save some cash for this trip, but I have a few questions. Let's see if you can help before I bother with calling the hotel directly

1) I am a teacher, and we also belong to AAA. Assuming both discounts are available for our dates, can we combine these? How much do you think we might expect to save next summer with these discounts?

2) Since we won't be able to rely on DME (which I have always used in the past at Disney), what should we expect to spend on travel to/from the airport and Port Canaveral? I imagine hiring a car service will be cheapest if it's just the two of us, although any Mears info you have is also useful.

3) If you were two adults looking for a little romance on your WDW vacation, would you rather stay at the Dolphin or the Swan? We'd be looking at a king bed at either hotel, so the room/bed size is a non-issue. I am leaning towards the Swan right now because of its slightly closer proximity to Epcot and the Boardwalk. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

We just stayed at the Dolphin for one night before our cruise. We got a rental car from Avis, we picked it up at the airport and dropped it off in Port Canaveral, then they had a shuttle to the boat. We did have to pay $12 for parking for the one night.

 

[jnfr2424]

that sounds like a nice room!!!

It was great to be so close to the elevators just a quick ride to the ground floor for the pool, picabu or to the causeway

 

[map57]

I know on the first page I read this:

Guests at the Swan and Dolphin enjoy many of the same amenities as Disney operated resort guests. A stay at the Swan and Dolphin includes WDW transportation to all Disney attractions, theme park free parking (just show your room key), Extra Magic Hour (EMH) privileges, package delivery to your hotel from the parks, preferred tee times, and access to guest services. If you're staying at the Dolphin you can also purchase your Disney tickets right there at their guest services desk.

Is the theme park free parking still available?