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

[cnorth]

The way I understand it, 1 entree = 1 child free for 2 hours. So, if you and your DH each get an entree, 2 of your kids will be free for 2 hours, however, unless you order a 3rd entree, you will be paying for your 3rd child at CD (they charge $10/hour at CD -- so, it would probably still be cheaper doing that than ordering another entree). From the S/D website:

Reservations are required for Camp Dolphin's evening program. The cost is $10per hour, per child.

Special Offer:
Dine at Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo or Il Mulino New York Trattoria or treat yourself to a pampering service at Mandara Spa and receive up to two hours of complimentary time at Camp Dolphin. Simply present your receipt as proof of purchase at time of child pickup. (NOTE: One child admitted for each adult entrée purchased. One child admitted for each purchase of a spa treatment of 75 minutes or more.)

Hope that helps!

Thanks! That is definately helpful, and a great perk!

 

[vicb]

It was the "limited" view Room 219. We paid $189 per night (Nurse's rate) Presidents week (I thought it was a really good price considering BC or BW were over $400 per night). The Dolphin would have been $169 per night for the "limited" view.

The location makes it for me! After dinner one night, DS and I walked through the Boardwalk area, watched a juggler and a magician, then walked into EPCOT, grabbed a Grey Goose and Grand Marnier Slushy and watched Illumination from the bridge between France and GB!

Oh yeah, just like many others on here have already posted, those beds were "heavenly"

I think you had a very good rate as well. The reason I asked is I recently made a Dolphin ressie for Easter next year at $199 night which I thought was a vast improvement over what I'd have to pay at BC or BWI during that holiday week. I also reserved a limited view room to save some money.

Your view doesn't sound that bad so that is encouraging. Nobody wants to get TaraPa's dumpster view!

 

[wdwgirl1]

We have stayed at the Swan many times before...but have never made great use of the pools.
We seem to be using the pool much more over the last few trips...so here are my questions.
What are the pool hours? I have seen it posted they are from 9-9- but can you still swim after 9?
Also we stayed at the BLT last year and they had some life jackets at the pool for our DD- does the Swan/Dolphin have this?
Thanks

 

[nickymaria]

4. How do you get to Epcot for Rope Drop? As I understand it, you end up in the World Showcase, which is nowhere near Soarin'.

We're going for our first Dolphin trip at the end of this month, but we did stay at BCV last January and we were let into Epcot and were just on the opposite side from the main rope drop in front of the fountains (we were permitted to walk through WS, past England & Canada to the rope drop location) - So we were basically in the same spot as everyone else and I'm pretty sure we made Soarin' that morning and waited 5 minutes or so. Here's a picture of where we were (sorry it's so small!)

 

[Megkel]

I've used this discount before but you have to book the "TROOPS" rate and you have to call. You can't book this online. I made the mistake of booking the "government" rate online - it's not the same. Also, the resort fee is waived, if I'm not mistaken. Don't quote me on that.

But by all means, call and book that rate. That's what I'll be doing for every WDW trip from now on.

Thanks for your reply! I did book the hotel with the TROOPS rate. It wasn't too much more than a moderate hotel so I was very excited to be so close to Epcot! With the discount and the 50% off food I think we will probably stay here more often.

 

[SingingMom]

The location makes it for me! After dinner one night, DS and I walked through the Boardwalk area, watched a juggler and a magician, then walked into EPCOT, grabbed a Grey Goose and Grand Marnier Slushy and watched Illumination from the bridge between France and GB!

Oh yeah, just like many others on here have already posted, those beds were "heavenly"

That's one of the things we love, too! We often stroll the Boardwalk in the evening and enjoy a grey goose slushy too!! After five years in a row, this is going to be hard to miss our trip this year! Especially, those "heavenly beds"!

What are the pool hours? I have seen it posted they are from 9-9- but can you still swim after 9?

We were once told - you may swim after 9pm but at your own risk, and as long as you were not disturbing guests by being too loud. I think we dipped in at 10 pm once because we were so hot from a long day at the parks, but just to cool off a bit.

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi guys!

This is just a shameless post to see how many days left we have to go! Our days at the Dolphin are getting closer and closer! While I'm thinking about it, I was wondering how far in advance y'all usually book your town cars?

 

[SingingMom]

Hi guys!

This is just a shameless post to see how many days left we have to go! Our days at the Dolphin are getting closer and closer! While I'm thinking about it, I was wondering how far in advance y'all usually book your town cars?

No shame necessary!

We book our town car at least a month out. Just because I'm a control freak. lol

 

[mikegood2]

Speaking of town cars, if the service you use offers a complimentary grocery stop, do you use it.

With 5 of us, 2 girls 4 1/2 and 1 1/2, we were looking into a van roundtrip with the grocery stop. If we do, are we better off setting the pickup 15-30 minutes after we are scheduled to arrive, incase our flight is slightly delayed?

 

[lissiesmum]

No shame necessary!

We book our town car at least a month out. Just because I'm a control freak. lol

Thanks Singingmom! It's on my list of things to do in the next week This, and going through the mousesavers newsletter to get our park tickets! Wow, 45 days to go...I remember when I was 14 months out! How quickly time flies! BTW, where do they sell the Grey Goose slushies at Epcot? I will definitely make a trip over there upon arrival!

 

[SingingMom]

Speaking of town cars, if the service you use offers a complimentary grocery stop, do you use it.

With 5 of us, 2 girls under 5, we were looking into a van roundtrip with the grocery stop. If we do, are we better off setting the pickup 15-30 minutes after we are scheduled to arrive, incase our flight is slightly delayed?

1. We used the grocery stop twice in our last five trips. Decided it wasn't worth it for just 3 of us, especially since they've added the 2 bottles of water per day. That's really all we used it for - water and pretzels. lol

2. Are you sharing the van with others? Because when we book our town car, it's just our family - and the driver checks the times of the flights for delays....

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks Singingmom! It's on my list of things to do in the next week This, and going through the mousesavers newsletter to get our park tickets! Wow, 45 days to go...I remember when I was 14 months out! How quickly time flies! BTW, where do they sell the Grey Goose slushies at Epcot? I will definitely make a trip over there upon arrival!

At a kiosk in front of France in the World Showcase. A must stop for me. LOL (as well as an espresso martini at the Lobby Bar of the Dolphin - what a lush!)

 

[lissiesmum]

Speaking of town cars, if the service you use offers a complimentary grocery stop, do you use it.

With 5 of us, 2 girls 4 1/2 and 1 1/2, we were looking into a van roundtrip with the grocery stop. If we do, are we better off setting the pickup 15-30 minutes after we are scheduled to arrive, incase our flight is slightly delayed?

We'll be using our complimentary stop for sure, just to buy a few things like soda, water, juiceboxes, milk, cereal, snacks, etc. I used garden grocer last year, but a few items were not fresh (close to or already expired), and our milk's expiration date was the day we received it and went bad two days later. I was not very happy. I'd rather pick out the stuff myself! Good question about delays....I hadn't thought about that. I would assume they are abreast of the arrivals and adjust their pickup time accordingly???

 

[LexiC123]

Speaking of town cars, if the service you use offers a complimentary grocery stop, do you use it.

With 5 of us, 2 girls 4 1/2 and 1 1/2, we were looking into a van roundtrip with the grocery stop. If we do, are we better off setting the pickup 15-30 minutes after we are scheduled to arrive, incase our flight is slightly delayed?

Hi, Mike...

I wouldn't worry about a delay. Any good car service that has your flight info will be monitoring your arrival and should be aware of any delays.

As a matter of fact, on our last trip we landed 20 minutes early, and our driver was already waiting at the bottom of the escalator for us.

Oh, and yes...we've used the grocery stop on our last two trips. Nothing major...just some water, beer, Diet Coke and yogurt. We were in and out in less than 10 minutes.

 

[lissiesmum]

At a kiosk in front of France in the World Showcase. A must stop for me. LOL (as well as an espresso martini at the Lobby Bar of the Dolphin - what a lush!)

ah, yes. Thanks to you and your drink descriptions, I too will be making the trek to the bar for an espresso martini, and now heading to France to try a slushie!

P.S. This is our first time spending lots of time around Epcot...any other good drink or snack kiosks in World Showcase that anyone recommends?

 

[mikegood2]

2. Are you sharing the van with others? Because when we book our town car, it's just our family - and the driver checks the times of the flights for delays....

Would just be our family. The town cars hold up to 4 and we have 5 passengers. Also, the vans say they have both a child and booster seat. The cost is also about the same as a shuttle minus the tip.

We'll be using our complimentary stop for sure, just to buy a few things like soda, water, juiceboxes, milk, cereal, snacks, etc. I used garden grocer last year, but a few items were not fresh (close to or already expired), and our milk's expiration date was the day we received it and went bad two days later. I was not very happy. I'd rather pick out the stuff myself! Good question about delays....I hadn't thought about that. I would assume they are abreast of the arrivals and adjust their pickup time accordingly???

Thanks lissiesmom I was thinking the same thing. When I looked into some of the services this week, it was mentioned that if your flight is delayed over 30 minutes, you may have to pass on the complementary stop if the driver has additional fares.

Hi, Mike...

I wouldn't worry about a delay. Any good car service that has your flight info will be monitoring your arrival and should be aware of any delays.

As a matter of fact, on our last trip we landed 20 minutes early, and our driver was already waiting at the bottom of the escalator for us.

Oh, and yes...we've used the grocery stop on our last two trips. Nothing major...just some water, beer, Diet Coke and yogurt. We were in and out in less than 10 minutes.

thanks Lexi, your reply was very useful. Think that savings on water, milk soda and snacks would be great. Would hate loosing the grocery stop if our flight happened to be delayed.

 

[Wings3496]

We're heading to the World in May, and will be staying at the Dolphin!

Has anyone had luck asking for a room upgrade during check-in? I've noticed a few of the Disney guidebooks suggest asking (I guess it can't hurt), and it would be nice to see if we could upgrade (we're currently booked for a 'limited view').

Any experiences with this?

 

[TaraPA]

Wings - it never hurts to ask nicely, just don't go expecting anything so you're not disappointed. S/D are conference hotels and are often full to capacity. That being said, however, your chances are greater if you're a Starwood member. Go to their website & sign-up. You'll also earn points towards free nights. They used to offer a complimentary upgrade, if available, to the first tier of Starwood members - Preferred, but they changed the program last year. Now the comp upgrade is only for Starwood Gold and above.

Have a great trip!

 

[TaraPA]

Hi guys!

This is just a shameless post to see how many days left we have to go! Our days at the Dolphin are getting closer and closer! While I'm thinking about it, I was wondering how far in advance y'all usually book your town cars?

ROFL - same here - like to look at my tickers....4 DAYS til Swan and 2 weeks til Dolphin!

We've used taxi's the last few times, but when we did the town car service I used to book 1-2 months out.

 

[SingingMom]

Would just be our family. The town cars hold up to 4 and we have 5 passengers. Also, the vans say they have both a child and booster seat. The cost is also about the same as a shuttle minus the tip.



Thanks lissiesmom I was thinking the same thing. When I looked into some of the services this week, it was mentioned that if your flight is delayed over 30 minutes, you may have to pass on the complementary stop if the driver has additional fares.




thanks Lexi, your reply was very useful. Think that savings on water, milk soda and snacks would be great. Would hate loosing the grocery stop if our flight happened to be delayed.

Honestly - unless you are extremely delayed, I can't see them taking away your grocery stop. If you have set up when you make your reservation, they are figuring that in. And remember - it's a 15 minute stop. You aren't doing your weekly grocery list. A reputable town car company will factor your delay into the equation. Good luck!

We're heading to the World in May, and will be staying at the Dolphin!

Has anyone had luck asking for a room upgrade during check-in? I've noticed a few of the Disney guidebooks suggest asking (I guess it can't hurt), and it would be nice to see if we could upgrade (we're currently booked for a 'limited view').

Any experiences with this?

Can never hurt to give a sweet smile and ask, "any chance of a balcony, better view, etc..." If it's available, most name hotels will do this. Good luck!