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

[Seventh_Evil_Ex]

Is there a huge difference between the two?

I appreciate it's probably a well-asked question, but I'm thinking of booking for one of these hotels next year and want to be sure.

All I can really find is that the Dolphin has a bigger lobby and more restaurants, and the Swan has bigger beds.

Is that essentially it?

I'll probably want a room with a balcony - is either hotel better suited for this?

 

[kevallen]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement!

I do have a question of all you veteran Starpoint users: I am at gold level, can I still ask for a room upgrade even though I'm staying on points?

 

[kevallen]

Is there a huge difference between the two?

I appreciate it's probably a well-asked question, but I'm thinking of booking for one of these hotels next year and want to be sure.

All I can really find is that the Dolphin has a bigger lobby and more restaurants, and the Swan has bigger beds.

Is that essentially it?

I'll probably want a room with a balcony - is either hotel better suited for this?

I'm not sure the Swan has bigger beds. When I made my reservation, I asked for either the Swan or Dolphin, wherever I could get a king bed and they reserved a room at the Dolphin for me....

 

[crostorfer]

I apologize if this has been asked already. Does the Grotto pool have a water slide? Does anyone have pics of it? I've been searching and I can't find any. With the military discount, the Dolphin is starting to look way more appealing than the Beach Club, especially if we currently get a food discount there as well.

 

[cjsm&d]

I'm not sure the Swan has bigger beds. When I made my reservation, I asked for either the Swan or Dolphin, wherever I could get a king bed and they reserved a room at the Dolphin for me....

The Swan has queens, the Dolphin double beds.

 

[cjsm&d]

I apologize if this has been asked already. Does the Grotto pool have a water slide? Does anyone have pics of it? I've been searching and I can't find any. With the military discount, the Dolphin is starting to look way more appealing than the Beach Club, especially if we currently get a food discount there as well.

My DS liked the slide. It is shorter than the CSR slide, but it goes through a tube and is much faster (DS expert opinion, not mine)

As much as we wanted YC/BC, we could not justify paying twice as much for the priviledge. Having now stayed at both the Swan and Yacht Club, we're more than happy with Swan/Dolphin.

 

[cjsm&d]

Is there a huge difference between the two?

I appreciate it's probably a well-asked question, but I'm thinking of booking for one of these hotels next year and want to be sure.

All I can really find is that the Dolphin has a bigger lobby and more restaurants, and the Swan has bigger beds.

Is that essentially it?

I'll probably want a room with a balcony - is either hotel better suited for this?

I think there are more balconey rooms at Swan, but both have them.

 

[collins316]

Hi Everyone!
About the gyms available at the Swan/Dolphin-
Does anyone know if there is a heat sauna at either hotel? Not the Disney "Sauna" that is really a hot tub.
I am looking for a dry heat, or maybe even a steam sauna. Like the ones at the gyms in Coronado and Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Thanks Everyone!
Bernie

 

[mikegood2]

I apologize if this has been asked already. Does the Grotto pool have a water slide? Does anyone have pics of it? I've been searching and I can't find any. With the military discount, the Dolphin is starting to look way more appealing than the Beach Club, especially if we currently get a food discount there as well.

Just a reminder that there is a S/D photo thread that has a nice variety of photos taken by people on this board. Haven't looked for awhile, but there are pool photos mixed throughout.

 

[kevallen]

I do have a question of all you veteran Starpoint users: I am at gold level, can I still ask for a room upgrade even though I'm staying on points?

 

[chicagoshannon]

I just got an email that if I call and make a reservation on St. Patricks Day and mention "Lucky" I'd get some sort of discount or perk.

I already have a reservation but am thinking of trying anyway.

 

[Music City Mama]

Thought this might help someone out!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As a special “Good Luck Charm” for Saint Patrick's Day fans, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is pleased to offer lads and lasses a sale that’s truly magical! From 7am – 7pm EST on Saint Patricks' Day, book your reservation and mention “LUCKY” to our charming reservations agent. As simple as that, you’ll instantly receive a "charm" drawn at random from our "pot of gold", that will be immediately applied towards your reservation!

This deluxe Disney resort is located in the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort, within walking distance to Epcot® and Disney's MGM StudiosTM. Guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin receive special Disney benefits including the Extra Magic Hours benefit, complimentary Disney transportation throughout Walt Disney World®, Disney character dining, on-site Disney ticket desks and advance tee times on Disney championship golf courses.

Charms include, but are not limited to:

Grand Prize: Two nights free room accommodations (incl. taxes and resort service fee)
$100 food & beverage credit
In-room "Personal Pantry" stocked with 6 mixed sodas, 6 waters, 4 juices, 4 bags chips, 4 box cookies, 4 granola bars
One day, one park Disney ticket
Swan and Dolphin beach towels
Refillable Swan and Dolphin drink cup
Complimentary pool raft rental
"Poolside Piñas" for two at Cabana Bar and Beach Club
Two sushi rolls of your choice at Kimonos
AMC movie passes for two
Two kids eat free at Garden Grove Character Dinner
Additional 10% off room rate
Spray bottle fan
Chocolate box at check-in (made by two-time world pastry chef, Laurent Branlard)
Two Zooberry cocktails in bluezoo lounge
Two glasses of house wine in Il Mulino New York Trattoria
Ice cream cone or milkshake at the fountain for two
Complimentary breakfast credit for two
Milk & cookie turndown amenity
1/2 hour Swan paddle boat rental voucher
Complimentary one-category room upgrade
Mark your calendars before your luck runs out! This offer will magically disappear at 7pm EST sharp on March 17, 2011 and rooms will go quickly!

Offer is valid for stays 05/01 - 09/30, 2011. One-night/non-refundable deposit required at time of booking. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Contact (888) 828-8850 on March 17, 2011 to make your reservation and don’t forget to mention “LUCKY!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These are the terms and conditions:

Terms & Conditions

Offer is valid at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort only for stays booked on March 17, 2011 and consumed May 1 through September 30, 2011.

Guest must mention promo code "LUCKY" at time of booking to receive a prize

Offer is valid between 7am and 7pm EST on March 17, 2011.

Offer is not to be combined with other offers or promotions.

One night non-refundable deposit will be taken at the time of booking.

Offer can be booked by phone at (888) 828-8850

A limited number of rooms may be available at these rates.

One prize will be awarded per stay. One prize per reservation.

Valid for new reservations only

Basic room rates are per room, per night, based on single/double occupancy and availability at time of reservation and do not include additional per room, per night charges that may be imposed or state/local taxes. Rate does not include the mandatory Resort Service Package, daily parking fees (if applicable), applicable taxes or gratuities. Resort Service Package is $10 + tax per day and includes: Up to 60 minutes free local telephone calls, toll free and credit card access calls (10 cents per minute after 60 minutes), 20 minutes of domestic long distance per day. unlimited access to the resort’s health club facilities, in room high-speed Internet access & 2 bottles of water daily.

Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.

Offer is not applicable to groups or guests staying on a group rate plan.

Not responsible for omissions or typographical errors.

Void where prohibited by law.

Starwood reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time.

Starpoints, SPG, Starwood Preferred Guest, Sheraton, Four Points, W, Aloft, Le Meridien, The Luxury Collection, Element, Westin, St. Regis and their respective logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates.

 

[Music City Mama]

I just got an email that if I call and make a reservation on St. Patricks Day and mention "Lucky" I'd get some sort of discount or perk.

I already have a reservation but am thinking of trying anyway.

Looks like we were posting at the same time!

I don't think we can use it -- according to the Terms and Conditions:

Valid for new reservations only

 

[Dominus]

I do have a question of all you veteran Starpoint users: I am at gold level, can I still ask for a room upgrade even though I'm staying on points?

How'd you get the D/S ticker back? I tried and only got the text. Which code did you use? thanks.

 

[SingingMom]

Is there a huge difference between the two?

I appreciate it's probably a well-asked question, but I'm thinking of booking for one of these hotels next year and want to be sure.

All I can really find is that the Dolphin has a bigger lobby and more restaurants, and the Swan has bigger beds.

Is that essentially it?

I'll probably want a room with a balcony - is either hotel better suited for this?

Who are you traveling with? I think that is a big factor. My personal opinion is the Swan is perfect for a quiet couple getaway or people without children. Seems calm and tranquil. The Dolphin is perfect for families - more things for the kids to do right there - but even without kids - it's a fun and lively place. I enjoy the hussle and bussle of the Dolphin. The beds are a little bigger than regular doubles, but the Swan has the queen size. Both are heavenly beds - which are very well named! lol

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Is the lap pool just that, for swimming laps? Is it an adults only pool or are children allowed?

Are innertubes/floating mats permitted in the main pool and or lap pool?

How long is the pool slide? Is any part of it inclosed?

Can one swim under and or behind the waterfall area?

Selfishly bumping up my post (above), it got lost a few pages back and I am still hoping someone can help answer my questions.
Thanks

 

[SingingMom]

Selfishly bumping up my post (above), it got lost a few pages back and I am still hoping someone can help answer my questions.
Thanks

I have used the lap pool and did nothing remotely close to swimming laps. (translate: sun in the corner with my mai tai....)

Inner tubes are allowed - can be purchased or rented at the cabana shack where you pick up your pool towels.

I forget the rest of the questions...

 

[LexiC123]

Thought this might help someone out!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Offer is valid for stays 05/01 - 09/30, 2011. One-night/non-refundable deposit required at time of booking. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Contact (888) 828-8850 on March 17, 2011 to make your reservation and don’t forget to mention “LUCKY!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Of course, this would be the year that I'm going down in October. LOL...figures!

Looks like we were posting at the same time!

I don't think we can use it -- according to the Terms and Conditions:

Valid for new reservations only

But what if you made a new reservation that day. Couldn't you just call back the next day and cancel your original reservation?

Selfishly bumping up my post (above), it got lost a few pages back and I am still hoping someone can help answer my questions.
Thanks

Maybe I can answer the last two questions...

Re: slide...it's a nice little slide, but it's not in the same league as the Shipwreck slide at Stormalong Bay. And no, it's not enclosed. THIS post in the Swan/Dolphin Picture thread illustrates it nicely.

Re: waterfall...yes, you can swim under and behind it. And there are deck chairs in that little grotto...perfect on those really hot July, August and September days.

 

[cjsm&d]

Selfishly bumping up my post (above), it got lost a few pages back and I am still hoping someone can help answer my questions.
Thanks

The quiet pool at Swan has a lane in the middle dedicated to swimming laps, but anyone can hop in the pool and hang (which is what I saw more of than swimming laps). My son hopped in a couple times after getting heated up playing basketball. I saw some kids in the quiet pool, but none playing with balls etc...

You can swim under or through the waterfall in the grotto pool, or just stand under it! Or just sit in a lounge chair in the cave behind it.

There is also a volleyball net in the water. DS and I played with some other dads and kids with a beach ball.

You do slide through a tube at the grotto pool, but it is a fairly short but fast slide according to my DS. He liked it.

 

[becky11]

Offer is valid for stays 05/01 - 09/30, 2011. One-night/non-refundable deposit required at time of booking. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Contact (888) 828-8850 on March 17, 2011 to make your reservation and don’t forget to mention “LUCKY!”

What if your stay *STARTS* on 09/30. Would I still be able to book and use the "LUCKY" chance? I'm looking to book Dolphin for the W&D Half Marathon, and I'd for sure start my stay the night before.

Actually, I'm booking Dolphin anyway, and I have no idea why I've been waiting. But since this came up, I figured that would be a good reason to book on Thursday. So, hope I can use this little 'perk'.