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

[RachelTori]

Congratulations on the upcoming Wedding & honeymoon!

To add a little to what LexiC said:

I just booked (within the last 30 minutes!) 2 nights at Dolphin (Oct 7-9) using the AAA rate of $152.10+tax (approx $171). Swan's AAA rate was $10/night more. An awesome deal!


The only advice I want to add is don't wait too long! October can be difficult to get rooms at Swan/Dolphin (historically a big conference month) and this weekend (10/7-9) is when they're having their own Food & Wine Festival, besides Epcot's F&WF; plus it's a "holiday" weekend (Columbus Day).

If you want some real sticker shock, price one of the Disney-owned Epcot Resorts for that weekend!!!

 

[nickymaria]

Quick question to all of you Swolphin experts - we're leaving a week from today banana for our first Dolphin visit and I was wondering how crowded the pools will be? Are they as bad as other Disney resorts at spring break or a little better? Will we need to get to the pool early if we want a table or lounge chairs? We typically only visit during the off-ish season and have never stayed at the Dolphin so I am not sure what to expect.

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[Ramsfan28]

Quick question to all of you Swolphin experts - we're leaving a week from today banana for our first Dolphin visit and I was wondering how crowded the pools will be? Are they as bad as other Disney resorts at spring break or a little better? Will we need to get to the pool early if we want a table or lounge chairs? We typically only visit during the off-ish season and have never stayed at the Dolphin so I am not sure what to expect.

Thanks for any advice!!

I have stayed at the S&D various times of the year including March and April and never found the pools to be overly crowded. IMHO, they are better than what you would get at other Disney resorts.

 

[Dan Murphy]

There are so many pools and the pool area is so large. I don;t use the pools but have walked by them often and they have never been crowded.

 

[TaraPA]

I've never seen the Grotto pool area crowded at S/D. While there last week, the parks were very very crowded, but the Grotto pool was only about 1/3 full when we went around 5:30pm. Last year in March we went to the pool from 10am-noon on our last day & we were the only ones there for the 1st whole hour, and only about 10 people came at 11.

I leave tomorrow & just checked the forecast - it's going to be above 90 a few days that I'm there - I'll report back how full the pool is on those days.

DH cheked in last night & is in room 9131, 9th floor, west tower, no balcony. I asked what his view is of & he said "same as last year" which was some of Swan & some of Boardwalk. I'm thinking he must be in the main building (the little off-shoot wings don't have a 9th floor), with a resort view. Works for me!

 

[ClareH37]

Thank you so much to everyone who answered my question, really appreciate your honest responses.

I think sometimes you reach a point in life where you start to question spending so much money (i.e. non discounted rates) on resorts that are so expensive for what they are, although of course I appreciate they are 'Disney' resorts, but even so.

That aside the Swan is one of those resorts that I've liked the look of, and have had some great meals at their resort restaurants, but never quite made it to actually stay there.

 

[kevallen]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! I really like the idea of a week in the Caribbean and a week at Disney...relaxation + fun = the perfect vacation.

How long are you planning to be at Disney? The 42,000 points will buy you one room for 4 nights at the Swan (10,000 per night).

For multiple rooms, there's a promotion on this page where you get a second room for as low as $109 per night. I'm not sure what the first room will run, but I doubt it will be more than $179, as that's the best available rate for October.

If your group is staying for a full week, there's another really good promotion on the page linked above...the Sunsational Savings rate. With that plan, you get the 6th night free, a $100 food and beverage credit, and an upgrade to the next level of room category.

And if anyone in your party is a teacher, nurse, or works for a federal, state or local government, there are discounts in those categories, too.

Lastly, the AAA rates are also usually quite good. You can link to those rates from that S/D promotions page that I linked above.

Best of luck with your planning. You should keep checking this thread, as well, because if any other good deals are to be had, the folks here will find them.

Actually, with Starwood you can get 5 nights for the price of 4 at category 4 resorts like the Swan and Dolphin so for 40,000 points you should be able to get 1 room for 5 nights or 4 rooms for 1 night.

 

[LexiC123]

Actually, with Starwood you can get 5 nights for the price of 4 at category 4 resorts like the Swan and Dolphin so for 40,000 points you should be able to get 1 room for 5 nights or 4 rooms for 1 night.

Wow...that's even better! Thanks for the clarification.

 

[LexiC123]

I've never seen the Grotto pool area crowded at S/D. While there last week, the parks were very very crowded, but the Grotto pool was only about 1/3 full when we went around 5:30pm. Last year in March we went to the pool from 10am-noon on our last day & we were the only ones there for the 1st whole hour, and only about 10 people came at 11.

I leave tomorrow & just checked the forecast - it's going to be above 90 a few days that I'm there - I'll report back how full the pool is on those days.

DH cheked in last night & is in room 9131, 9th floor, west tower, no balcony. I asked what his view is of & he said "same as last year" which was some of Swan & some of Boardwalk. I'm thinking he must be in the main building (the little off-shoot wings don't have a 9th floor), with a resort view. Works for me!

Would work for me, too! If I were to stay at the Dolphin again, that's where I'd want my room. You've gotta figure that when you're that high up, the odds of having a dumpster or tree-blocked view are pretty slim!

 

[lissiesmum]

I've never seen the Grotto pool area crowded at S/D. While there last week, the parks were very very crowded, but the Grotto pool was only about 1/3 full when we went around 5:30pm. Last year in March we went to the pool from 10am-noon on our last day & we were the only ones there for the 1st whole hour, and only about 10 people came at 11.

I leave tomorrow & just checked the forecast - it's going to be above 90 a few days that I'm there - I'll report back how full the pool is on those days.

DH cheked in last night & is in room 9131, 9th floor, west tower, no balcony. I asked what his view is of & he said "same as last year" which was some of Swan & some of Boardwalk. I'm thinking he must be in the main building (the little off-shoot wings don't have a 9th floor), with a resort view. Works for me![/QUOTE

Tara, while you're checking out the pool crowds, can you also tell me how warm the water is? I keep reading about how chilly the water is at the main pool, and curious how it feels to you?
Enjoy your trip, and we'll look forward to hearing from you when you return. It will be my turn to post a review soon...30 days from tomorrow!

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks so much for posting!!! I am SO excited!! We are driving down and plan to arrive on Sunday morning (early) so we are taking it easy at the parks and would LOVE to take part in these activities on Sunday...now I am tempted to come in a day earlier!
Do you have dates/time specifics? Thanks again for sharing!

Hi there, sorry it's taken me a few days to respond...I left my paper with all the info at work, but I'll post the specifics for you tomorrow evening

 

[Dan Murphy]

Have a great trip, Tara.

 

[kentburns]

I'm loving this thread.. jazzed about our 19th anniversary with NO kids.

Quick question about asking for potential upgrades. I understand there's no guarantees, but when would you suggest calling the front desk to ask for any potential upgrades? I'd love to just have a good view.

Heading there July 9th. Thanks,

 

[lovingthemouse]

We have always waited until we reached the front desk to ask about any available upgrades. Not sure about others, but they have been able to accomodate us a number of times. Always worth asking.
Have a wonderful first trip.

 

[rgrutland]

Hi there, sorry it's taken me a few days to respond...I left my paper with all the info at work, but I'll post the specifics for you tomorrow evening

Thanks! No hurry! We are still 34 days out, so plenty of time to plan!

 

[TaraPA]

kentburns - I always wait until check-in to ask about an upgrade. Are you a Starwood member? Your chances of an upgrade are better if you are. Never guaranteed though!

I'm off this afternoon for The Dolphin! DH was a little confused - he doesn't have a view of Swan & Boardwalk like he told me on Sunday, he has a view of ToT and the beach area at The Swan. That's what I figured if he's in the West Tower! We have a separate ressie # for Fri-Sun since he's there right now for work, so if I love the room, I'll ask to stay in it the whole time. If I'm not loving it, I will see if there are any deluxe alcove rooms available & pay for the upgrade & switch rooms. He said he's right next to the elevator that goes down to Picabu so that might benefit us with the kids. It's going to be in the low 90's so we'll be using the pool which is also in that general area. I think that elevator also is near the exit for the WDW bus on the floor above Piacbu - no?

 

[LexiC123]

kentburns - I always wait until check-in to ask about an upgrade. Are you a Starwood member? Your chances of an upgrade are better if you are. Never guaranteed though!

I'm off this afternoon for The Dolphin! DH was a little confused - he doesn't have a view of Swan & Boardwalk like he told me on Sunday, he has a view of ToT and the beach area at The Swan. That's what I figured if he's in the West Tower! We have a separate ressie # for Fri-Sun since he's there right now for work, so if I love the room, I'll ask to stay in it the whole time. If I'm not loving it, I will see if there are any deluxe alcove rooms available & pay for the upgrade & switch rooms. He said he's right next to the elevator that goes down to Picabu so that might benefit us with the kids. It's going to be in the low 90's so we'll be using the pool which is also in that general area. I think that elevator also is near the exit for the WDW bus on the floor above Piacbu - no?

That sounds about right...it's definitely on the same side of the hotel.

So jealous of you heading down there again...we have snow in the forecast for tomorrow.

Have a great trip, Tara!

 

[jnfr2424]

kentburns - I always wait until check-in to ask about an upgrade. Are you a Starwood member? Your chances of an upgrade are better if you are. Never guaranteed though!

I'm off this afternoon for The Dolphin! DH was a little confused - he doesn't have a view of Swan & Boardwalk like he told me on Sunday, he has a view of ToT and the beach area at The Swan. That's what I figured if he's in the West Tower! We have a separate ressie # for Fri-Sun since he's there right now for work, so if I love the room, I'll ask to stay in it the whole time. If I'm not loving it, I will see if there are any deluxe alcove rooms available & pay for the upgrade & switch rooms. He said he's right next to the elevator that goes down to Picabu so that might benefit us with the kids. It's going to be in the low 90's so we'll be using the pool which is also in that general area. I think that elevator also is near the exit for the WDW bus on the floor above Piacbu - no?

Tara that is my fave room its the one that is directly next to the elevator for the west wing and yes you are correct that is the exit for the WDW bus!

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[funforfive]

April can't get here soon enough! It's supposed to in the 30's all week here...only 60 degrees cooler than Orlando

What location is best if we'd like to be near the main pool? How much does it usually cost to upgrade if you ask at the desk?? Same difference if I had booked the upgrade??

Thanks...only 25 days til we thaw

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

I've never needed to ask this before, but when I go in May, my friend will be renting an ECV for the parks.
1. Is there a charge for valet handicapped parking at the Dolphin?

Thanks.

Hi! I was searching for this info, but never saw a firm answer. Dose anyone know if they charge for valet handicapped parking?

Thanks!