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

[cjsm&d]

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?

The resort was pretty full when we were there. Upgrades were available if you were willing to pay.

If you're a Starwood preferred member and the hotel is not super full they might do this.

 

[KristiLyn]

Just a quick question! We are going to be booking the dolphin very soon for our September visit, and was wondering, do they charge you for the entire stay up front? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[TaraPA]

Just a quick question! We are going to be booking the dolphin very soon for our September visit, and was wondering, do they charge you for the entire stay up front? Thanks in advance!!!

It could depend on if you book directly through S/D or use a travel agent. I always book directly with the hotel & have always had to leave a one night's deposit up front. You pay the balance when you check out.

 

[GinCar]

It could depend on if you book directly through S/D or use a travel agent. I always book directly with the hotel & have always had to leave a one night's deposit up front. You pay the balance when you check out.

I had the teacher's rate booked and payed for one night in advance. When I switched to the 6th night free deal, I had to pay the total upfront, excluding some taxes.

 

[TaraPA]

I think I do recall seeing that special promos or packages (like the 6th night free above) need payment in full.

 

[cjsm&d]

Just a quick question! We are going to be booking the dolphin very soon for our September visit, and was wondering, do they charge you for the entire stay up front? Thanks in advance!!!

We paid for one night, then paid the rest at check-out. We booked directly through the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[KristiLyn]

Thanks everyone!! You guys are wonderful!! I really appreciate it!! Now on to book our rooms for our wedding...yay!!!

 

[lissiesmum]

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.

Wow, I like your tickers better!

Have a great time, and I can't wait to hear all about it

 

[funforfive]

Add me to the list of shameless posters to see how much longer

Quick question too..Can anyone tell me what time the pools close?

Thanks

 

[TaraPA]

I think it's posted 9pm - but as far as I know you can swim at your own risk after that. I plan to try & use the hot tub this coming Sat. night after 10pm - I'll post back & let you know if I was successful or not!

 

[funforfive]

Thanks...I'll look for your post

 

[wdwgirl1]

I think it's posted 9pm - but as far as I know you can swim at your own risk after that. I plan to try & use the hot tub this coming Sat. night after 10pm - I'll post back & let you know if I was successful or not!

Thanks that would be great

 

[mikegood2]

Hey TaraPA, enjoy your girls and family trips. Are you going home between the two or are you staying the entire time?

Also looking forward to/would appreciate a review of how you liked the executive suites when you get back. Also, photos of what they look like would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LexiC123]

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.

Wow, I like your tickers better!

Have a great time, and I can't wait to hear all about it

I'm jealous of both of your tickers! October feels like it's years away right now.

Wishing you great weather and good times on your trip, Tara. Looking forward to a full report when you return.

Safe travels!

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks Mike & Lexi! I plan to take tons of pictures, don't worry. I just wish I had internet access so I could post here throughout the trip. My kids won't let me borrow their "gadgets" that I could use if I found wifi, and my old school phone doesn't have internet either. Oh well, the 1st trip is quick, I leave Sat. & will be back Wednesday. Mike - I'm not staying between trips (I did suggest that to DH but he gave me a look that said don't ask again!). I'll be home for 6 days & then heading back out with the kids (DH will be there prior to us so he has 3 days alone at his conference before we get there & invade his room!)

 

[TaraPA]

I HAVE A QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm usually just reading & chiming in answering questions when I can. Now I have a question!!

Ok the question of the day on here is usually "How do I get from MCO to S/D?" SingingMom is quick to tell us that she is a sucker for a man holding a sign with her name on it from a town car service(I just love this!); others share deals on rental cars, I usually post that I always take a cab. But now I'm thinking - I'm traveling alone on Saturday - why not try Mears? And then I realized - even though I've seen it posted on here a million times that you can take Mears - I never paid attention!! So can someone who uses Mears please fill me in? I think I read that I have to reserve in advance & that the counter is right by ME - and that I might even be on an ME bus. No? Yes? I want to get there quickly - so I have to decide if speed is worth $70 taxi fare, or if I can jsut relax & get there whenever, for half the cost, or less.

I just need one-way Mears, coming back to MCO on Wednesday, I'm sharing the cab with 2 others, so the cost won't be so bad.

OMG TWO MORE DAYS!!! YES CAPSLOCK AND I'M YELLING!

 

[TaraPA]

NOW where are my tickers??? Last week my old tickers went POOF! and now today these. And they were from different ticker websites!

 

[NancyIL]

I HAVE A QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm usually just reading & chiming in answering questions when I can. Now I have a question!!

Ok the question of the day on here is usually "How do I get from MCO to S/D?" SingingMom is quick to tell us that she is a sucker for a man holding a sign with her name on it from a town car service(I just love this!); others share deals on rental cars, I usually post that I always take a cab. But now I'm thinking - I'm traveling alone on Saturday - why not try Mears? And then I realized - even though I've seen it posted on here a million times that you can take Mears - I never paid attention!! So can someone who uses Mears please fill me in? I think I read that I have to reserve in advance & that the counter is right by ME - and that I might even be on an ME bus. No? Yes? I want to get there quickly - so I have to decide if speed is worth $70 taxi fare, or if I can jsut relax & get there whenever, for half the cost, or less.

I just need one-way Mears, coming back to MCO on Wednesday, I'm sharing the cab with 2 others, so the cost won't be so bad.

OMG TWO MORE DAYS!!! YES CAPSLOCK AND I'M YELLING!

I returned from 6 nights at the Swan yesterday, and took Mears to and from the airport. You CAN book online in advance, or just buy your ticket when you get to the airport. It isn't the speediest way to get to the Swan, but it is probably the cheapest way, short of having a friend retrieve you! You'll be on a Mears van and not a Magical Express bus.

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks for the info Nancy. What kind of transportation did you have - a van or ME bus? I'm assuming the Mears counter is somewhere by the ME counters - how long did you wait for a ride after checking in at the counter? How many other stops did you make on the way to The Swan?

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the info Nancy. What kind of transportation did you have - a van or ME bus? I'm assuming the Mears counter is somewhere by the ME counters - how long did you wait for a ride after checking in at the counter? How many other stops did you make on the way to The Swan?

We were on a Mears van. (I haven't seen ME buses at the Swan/Dolphin in ages.) The Mears counter is on level 1 - near the car rental counters. We didn't wait very long for a shuttle, maybe 15 minutes, but we were the last of 4 or 5 stops when going to Bonnet Creek on the front end of the trip (pre-cruise/pre-Swan). At least when you go back to the airport, you have a scheduled pick-up time.