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

[AggieTexan]

Since I always use a teacher's rate - if my wish is to make ressies further in advance, I call and make them with the lowest rate at that time, and then continue to call each Fri to ask if the teacher rate is then available. We have been fortunate each time to get them.
Our teacher rate for the end of May is $159.

I had the same rate for a standard room/view for the end of June (21st-25th). I ended up upgrading to a resort view with balcony, and the teacher's rate was $199.

 

[SingingMom]

Since I always use a teacher's rate - if my wish is to make ressies further in advance, I call and make them with the lowest rate at that time, and then continue to call each Fri to ask if the teacher rate is then available. We have been fortunate each time to get them.
Our teacher rate for the end of May is $159.

I have done the same.

 

[haPevraftr]

I have done the same.

I do have a reservation ($279/night for a standard room...ouch!). The CSR wasn't able to see which conventions were booked there already, but thought something must be going on since the rate was so high. I assume Easter week alone would have that effect. From what I have seen here, the govt. rate is typically the same as the teacher rate, so that is what I am hoping for... $179/night. Being Easter week, I think that is a great rate and would be satisfied if I could book the Dolphin during peak season for that rate.

PP said a reservation was made in Sept. for the following year. Anyone able to make one earlier than Sept. for the following calender year? I am wondering how soon I should start calling on Fridays to try and snag the lower rate. Thoughts?

 

[lovingthemouse]

I made my reservations at the end of Oct for this May. With our experiences, we have found that teacher's rates are usually available about 10 months in advance - others might have different experiences.

 

[LexiC123]

I do have a reservation ($279/night for a standard room...ouch!). The CSR wasn't able to see which conventions were booked there already, but thought something must be going on since the rate was so high. I assume Easter week alone would have that effect. From what I have seen here, the govt. rate is typically the same as the teacher rate, so that is what I am hoping for... $179/night. Being Easter week, I think that is a great rate and would be satisfied if I could book the Dolphin during peak season for that rate.

PP said a reservation was made in Sept. for the following year. Anyone able to make one earlier than Sept. for the following calender year? I am wondering how soon I should start calling on Fridays to try and snag the lower rate. Thoughts?

I booked my September 2010 Swan reservation three days after I returned from my September 2009 stay at the Dolphin.

I checked the rates at the Swan several times a week for an entire year, and never found anything as good as the $116/night that I'd booked 12 months prior.

I'd be checking on-line and by phone, each and every week. I've gotta think that something better will turn up.

Good luck!

PS - don't forget to check the Starpicks that Starwood releases every Tuesday (except during holiday weeks).

 

[TinkerBe11]

I also booked the "second room at $119" deal for July, but was able to secure the first room with a AAA discount. My rate was $152 ... I got this rate from the AAA website. It is slightly higher through the Dolphin/Swan, but they were able to honor the lower rate ... it was just a few dollars but with staying nearly 2 weeks, it added up.

Did you call the Dolphin/Swan directly? I think that is your best bet. Not sure but the rates might be higher for May than July, but I still think you might be paying more than you need to. Check the AAA website to see what you can find out there before you call.

Good luck.

I called the S/D directly. I believe the rates were higher in May. I will look into this in more depth....just curious...did you book a standard room?

 

[cassiek]

I am kicking myself because I realize that I made my trip one day shorter than I should have.
I'm working on trying to stay another day, and not have it break the bank.
Will have to wait to accumulate points on my amex, that way I can rebook flight for free. But that may not happen until a month or so before my trip.

What are the chances of being able to tack an extra night at the Dolphin?
Should I just wait until I get there and say oh by the way we want to stay an extra night and see if they will give us some amazing rate, or not take the chance and just book at possible rack rate?

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

I called the S/D directly. I believe the rates were higher in May. I will look into this in more depth....just curious...did you book a standard room?

Yes, booked the standard room. Haven't stayed at the Dolphin before, so not sure how great that will be from what I have read on here. But when staying as long as we are, doing a lesser view ends up paying for another night.

Good luck getting the rate you are looking for.

 

[RachelTori]

I am kicking myself because I realize that I made my trip one day shorter than I should have.
I'm working on trying to stay another day, and not have it break the bank.
Will have to wait to accumulate points on my amex, that way I can rebook flight for free. But that may not happen until a month or so before my trip.

What are the chances of being able to tack an extra night at the Dolphin?
Should I just wait until I get there and say oh by the way we want to stay an extra night and see if they will give us some amazing rate, or not take the chance and just book at possible rack rate?

Unless you have a Plan B, I definitely don't recommend trying to add a night at check-in. They are often completely booked and you wouldn't even be able to get a room at rack rate, let alone an "amazing" rate.

I think your best chance of getting a good rate is to keep calling their 888# (and checking their website).

 

[SingingMom]

Unless you have a Plan B, I definitely don't recommend trying to add a night at check-in. They are often completely booked and you wouldn't even be able to get a room at rack rate, let alone an "amazing" rate.

I think your best chance of getting a good rate is to keep calling their 888# (and checking their website).

I agree - don't "wing it". These properties get sold out so often, it would be terrible to waste vacation time trying to figure out where to hang your hat that last night! Book it at the best rate you can get - then check back frequently to see if a better rate offer is available. Good luck!

 

[cassiek]

for the great advice!

 

[haPevraftr]

Wow! I took the advice of PP to call on Fridays and check for the teacher rate for our stay in April 2012. I didn't really expect to get it when I called today, but I was going to see if the Recipe Club rate (50% off rack) was less than what I already booked. Anyway, the CSR (who is now my BFF) says, "Oh, you are not coming until 2012. It says here you are a teacher. Let me see if the manager can post those rates for you." I wait on hold forever and assume that there is no way that it will be available yet. She returns to the phone and says that I am now booked with a teacher rate of $179 (over Easter)!!!!! Another great example of it all being the luck of who answers the phone. Today, my overplanning tendencies paid off!

 

[SingingMom]

Wow! I took the advice of PP to call on Fridays and check for the teacher rate for our stay in April 2012. I didn't really expect to get it when I called today, but I was going to see if the Recipe Club rate (50% off rack) was less than what I already booked. Anyway, the CSR (who is now my BFF) says, "Oh, you are not coming until 2012. It says here you are a teacher. Let me see if the manager can post those rates for you." I wait on hold forever and assume that there is no way that it will be available yet. She returns to the phone and says that I am now booked with a teacher rate of $179 (over Easter)!!!!! Another great example of it all being the luck of who answers the phone. Today, my overplanning tendencies paid off!

Good job, from a fellow "overplanner" !

Wanted to remind people to join the Recipe Club, too - as those discounts were just posted today!

 

[FrenchSnowWhite]

Thinking of booking the Dolphin for summer 2011. Where do you all buy your Disney tickets? At the hotel or at the gates?
I don't see anywhere on the hotel website about buying tickets.

Thanks!

 

[vicb]

I too need to book for Easter 2012 but the rack rates quoted are too high for me. I am not a teacher and don't qualify for any of the other discounts....

what is the recipe club and how do you get a discount for that?????

Thanks for any help.

My back up plan is to use Hilton points and stay downtown Hilton since it has emh privilages but would much rather be at S/D for the location.

 

[SingingMom]

Thinking of booking the Dolphin for summer 2011. Where do you all buy your Disney tickets? At the hotel or at the gates?
I don't see anywhere on the hotel website about buying tickets.

Thanks!

There is a Disney ticket desk located around the corner from the front desk and conceirge desk at the Dolphin. They have been very helpful. I have also used an outside ticket vendor for discounted tickets.

what is the recipe club and how do you get a discount for that?????

Thanks for any help.

.

Go to www.swandolphin.com and click on "Newsletter Signup" tab to join the Recipe Club.

 

[vicb]

Thank you! I just signed up. So do I need to call for the recipe club room discount or can you check them online?

 

[lovingthemouse]

Off the maIn lobby at the Dolphin is a room with counters for Disney tickets and car rentals.
Oops, did not see the previous post answering the ticket sales question.

 

[haPevraftr]

Thank you! I just signed up. So do I need to call for the recipe club room discount or can you check them online?

I think you have to call. Unless the dates that I tried were just not available for the Recipe Club rate, when I tried online I kept getting the same message that it was an invalid promotion code. I got that same message when trying the to put in the word TEACH for the teacher code. I later found out that you can only get the teacher code by calling.

 

[snels]

Hi Swan and Dolphin fans.
We finally have accumulated over 40,000 Starwood points. How do I go about using them?

What is the best and easiest way to use the points?

Thanks very much for your help.



GO PACKERS!!!!!!: