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

[jnfr2424]

Unless something recently changed, a free night at the Swan/Dolphin requires 10,000 points. Stay 4 nights on points and the 5th night is free.

**I just checked, and it's still 10k per night. You can sometimes use a combination of cash and points for a free night - usually $60 + 4000 points/night for the S/D. Upgrades require additional points.

Nancy you are so right! I forgot I did 2 nights free hence the 20000 I quoted!
Sorry for the error

 

[Dan Murphy]

How much is the AAA discount? Is there a list of places that accept it? TIA!!

20%

1. Garden Grove
2. Fresh
3. Picabu
4. Fountain

.....that I know of.

 

[jlcd]

20%

1. Garden Grove
2. Fresh
3. Picabu
4. Fountain

.....that I know of.

Thanks!

 

[summersalt]

Thanks!

I emailed the resort the other day. Here is the reply I received:
Dear Guest,



Thank you for inquiring about our resort. All of our restaurants do offer up to a 20% AAA discount besides Shula’s Steak House and our 24 hour room service. It is also only up to a 10% discount at Ill Mulinos. If you have anymore questions please feel free to contact us. Thank you again for inquiring about out resort.



Have a Magical Day!

 

[mydisneyobsession]

I think it may be harder to keep the Grotto pool heated to a consistent level because it's so large. It's actually 3 pools that connect and the waterfall also keeps the water moving in the main section.

Thanks!

I may just sneak the swimsuits into the luggage, and I won't mention the possibility of swimming until I feel the water!

 

[asreitzel]

I emailed the resort the other day. Here is the reply I received:
Dear Guest,



Thank you for inquiring about our resort. All of our restaurants do offer up to a 20% AAA discount besides Shula’s Steak House and our 24 hour room service. It is also only up to a 10% discount at Ill Mulinos. If you have anymore questions please feel free to contact us. Thank you again for inquiring about out resort.



Have a Magical Day!

Did it take awhile to get a reply to your e-mail? I sent an e-mail to the resort almost a week ago and haven't got a response yet. The e-mail was sent to the management email address (which was linked in a "Welcome to the Swan & Dolphin" email we received). Maybe I should try another e-mail address??

 

[Dan Murphy]

I emailed the resort the other day. Here is the reply I received:
Dear Guest,



Thank you for inquiring about our resort. All of our restaurants do offer up to a 20% AAA discount besides Shula’s Steak House and our 24 hour room service. It is also only up to a 10% discount at Ill Mulinos. If you have anymore questions please feel free to contact us. Thank you again for inquiring about out resort.



Have a Magical Day!

Last I heard was that the signature restaurants took the TiW card, not the AAA card. Now I am confused, LOL.

 

[summersalt]

Did it take awhile to get a reply to your e-mail? I sent an e-mail to the resort almost a week ago and haven't got a response yet. The e-mail was sent to the management email address (which was linked in a "Welcome to the Swan & Dolphin" email we received). Maybe I should try another e-mail address??

I sent the email on 11/2 and got a reply on 11/4. Maybe you should try resending your email. It may have mistakenly been deleted or something. Good luck!

 

[LBYC-19]

The weather wasn't stellar last week (the locals said it hadn't rained in a month, and they were due), so I didn't swim in the pool (but there were families who did). The heated pool (lap pool) we did see families swimming in.

 

[summersalt]

Last I heard was that the signature restaurants took the TiW card, not the AAA card. Now I am confused, LOL.

Yeah, me too? I guess I'll get take my AAA card and hope for the best...
I also bought some of one of those gift cards from restaurants.com. I haven't tried those yet.

 

[SwanDolphin]

Last I heard was that the signature restaurants took the TiW card, not the AAA card. Now I am confused, LOL.

You are correct, Mr. Dan ... info I received below:

Yes, AAA not valid for signature restaurants but is valid for Swan/Dolphin base restaurants including Kimonos..

Tables in Wonderland through Disney.. bluezoo, Shula’s, Il Mulino, Kimonos and Garden Grove participate in this program.

 

[jlcd]

The weather wasn't stellar last week (the locals said it hadn't rained in a month, and they were due), so I didn't swim in the pool (but there were families who did). The heated pool (lap pool) we did see families swimming in.

So is it only the lap pool that is heated?

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks for the clarification on the pools...We won't swim unless the water is well over 80 degrees, so we'll probably avoid the grotto pool But good to know the lap pool is warm! That's over on the Swan side, right? Do you have to swim laps, or is it open to float around in?

 

[mydisneyobsession]

I spoke to someone in the recreation department yesterday that said all pools are heated to 80 degrees year round.

 

[rie'smom]

Y'all I'm sorry I saw this a while back but where can I find the list of television channels.
I searched but couldn't find it, thank-you!

 

[RaySharpton]

Y'all I'm sorry I saw this a while back but where can I find the list of television channels.
I searched but couldn't find it, thank-you!

Hello rie'smom. Thank you for all of your information that you post. I enjoy reading them.

Here is a list for allears below, but it is about a year or so old so I don't know if it needs to be updated.

http://allears.net/acc/resort_tv.htm#sd

 

[rie'smom]

Hello rie'smom. Thank you for all of your information that you post. I enjoy reading them.

Here is a list for allears below, but it is about a year or so old so I don't know if it needs to be updated.

http://allears.net/acc/resort_tv.htm#sd

Thanks so much! I appreciate your help as well.

 

[duffy]

We got back late Monday from our 3 night stay at the Swan.

So now we've stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin. I'd have to give a slight edge to the Swan, simply because it seems smaller. The beds are just as comfy!

We used Starwood points, so it was $60 per night. Even with the parking fee and unavoidable resort fee, it's still a great deal. I'd rather use more points and have those fees built into the price of the hotel, though.

Dislikes: we were very close to the elevator, which at first seemed a bonus. Actually, we could faintly hear it running. Also, the windows were constantly covered with condensation? We had a resort view, thanks to the promotion they ran on Halloween, but to actually see clearly, we had to get a towel and wipe the windows dry! We didn't touch the temperature controls, so I don't understand why the windows were always so wet! I actually at first thought that it was foggy outside, until I saw it was just moisture on the windows. No big deal, though.

Likes: the bed! Heavenly! The green option for points/cash. All the outlets all over the room. Concierge service. Location, location, location!

We used the green option to opt out of cleaning. It was just me and my husband, and we had plenty of towels. Because we were there for only 3 nights, we could only use it twice, so that gave us 1,000 points.

I discovered one advantage of the Swan and Dolphin that I hadn't realized before: the relative isolation of the grotto pool. Even though we didn't swim-too cold!-I compared it to the pool at the Beach/Yacht Clubs. Previously, I had thought that either of these resorts would be preferable to the Swan and Dolphin, because they're marginally closer to Epcot, and the pool is so unique.

Now, after an evening walking around the Yacht/Beach Clubs, I've changed my mind. That pool is so public! Anyone walking around there, as we did, just trying to decide where to eat, can watch you on display! I'd rather swim where the whole world isn't walking by watching me, thanks!

Anyhow, I just loved the Swan and will be checking the Starwood calendar for another visit again! Early November is a great time to visit too!

 

[tiggersmyguy]

We got back late Monday from our 3 night stay at the Swan.

So now we've stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin. I'd have to give a slight edge to the Swan, simply because it seems smaller. The beds are just as comfy!

We used Starwood points, so it was $60 per night. Even with the parking fee and unavoidable resort fee, it's still a great deal. I'd rather use more points and have those fees built into the price of the hotel, though.

Dislikes: we were very close to the elevator, which at first seemed a bonus. Actually, we could faintly hear it running. Also, the windows were constantly covered with condensation? We had a resort view, thanks to the promotion they ran on Halloween, but to actually see clearly, we had to get a towel and wipe the windows dry! We didn't touch the temperature controls, so I don't understand why the windows were always so wet! I actually at first thought that it was foggy outside, until I saw it was just moisture on the windows. No big deal, though.

Likes: the bed! Heavenly! The green option for points/cash. All the outlets all over the room. Concierge service. Location, location, location!

We used the green option to opt out of cleaning. It was just me and my husband, and we had plenty of towels. Because we were there for only 3 nights, we could only use it twice, so that gave us 1,000 points.

I discovered one advantage of the Swan and Dolphin that I hadn't realized before: the relative isolation of the grotto pool. Even though we didn't swim-too cold!-I compared it to the pool at the Beach/Yacht Clubs. Previously, I had thought that either of these resorts would be preferable to the Swan and Dolphin, because they're marginally closer to Epcot, and the pool is so unique.

. That pool is so public! Anyone walking around there, as we did, just trying to decide where to eat, can watch you on display! I'd rather swim where the whole world isn't walking by watcNow, after an evening walking around the Yacht/Beach Clubs, I've changed my mindhing me, thanks!

Anyhow, I just loved the Swan and will be checking the Starwood calendar for another visit again! Early November is a great time to visit too!

Your comment about swimming at Stormalong Bay hit home with me. Last year when DD20 and I stayed at YC, we went swimming around 9PM. Felt really uncomfortable when people dining at the Yachtsmen steakhouse were looking out the window at us! Did not feel that way swimming in the Grotto pool at 9PM this summer. Loved it.!

 

[summersalt]

Thanks for the review, Duffy! I am so looking forward to my first visit to the Dolphin. After reading your review, I'm feeling warm and fuzzy!