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

[teacher31]

Have you seen the "promotion" on Travelocity for the Dolphin? They are setting the cost of a limited view, 2 dbl bed room for $129., so it appears that with taxes, (no resort fee), the room comes to $145. per night. Here's the catch - must be prepaid in full. Has anyone ever prepaid their room before? I have not and wonder if it is that good a deal.
Would appreciate any feedback. Right now with my teacher discount the room is $149 per night - with no taxes incl. This is for the end of May.Thanks.

I did this!! I, too, had a teacher rate. The 129 was too good to pass up. Here's the deal, though. I called and was told it would be 129 for all 10 nights. Had to think about it for a bit. Called back an hour later to confirm it was for all 10 nights and the same woman told me yes. Called back one more hour later and they said no. Not only that, but the teacher rate had gone from 149 to 179. I was upset. Talked to the manager, called Sheraton, everything. No luck. Called back at 7:00 the next morning and I got all 10 nights for 129 with prepaying it. I'm okay with that. I would have had to prepay my package with Disney, too. I would definitely try it. And by the way, they might try to tell you you can't book over X amount of days. I was originally told 5. Keep trying until you get what you'd like. Good luck!

 

[lovingthemouse]

I only need 5 nights - do I forfeit my Starwood points by booking through Travelocity?
Thank you so much for your feedback - sounds very tempting!!!

 

[teacher31]

I only need 5 nights - do I forfeit my Starwood points by booking through Travelocity?
Thank you so much for your feedback - sounds very tempting!!!

I'm not sure. I'd call and try directly to see if you get the price like I did. I did give them my SPG number and they noted that I have stayed there before. We've always gotten a balcony upgrade and I think that is due to the SPG and prior stays. May be wrong, but that is our thought of why we've gotten so lucky.

 

[AustinTink]

Good morning!

It's called White Tea. Westin sells candles, oils, etc. in this scent on their website. Amazon carries it, too.

Can you guys tell me if this scent is in the rooms also? My whole family is super sensitive to scents. We can't burn candles, use perfume, etc. Thanks for the info.

 

[LexiC123]

Can you guys tell me if this scent is in the rooms also? My whole family is super sensitive to scents. We can't burn candles, use perfume, etc. Thanks for the info.

Unless something has changed, no...the rooms are scent-free. I found the lobby smell a bit strong, but was fine once I reached the elevators.

 

[ImprovGal]

I only need 5 nights - do I forfeit my Starwood points by booking through Travelocity?
Thank you so much for your feedback - sounds very tempting!!!

SPG Terms & Conditions say you don't accrue points or stay/night credits for reservations made through third party sites (like Travelocity). YMMV, but the only points they'd be obligated to give you credit for would be those earned from food and beverage you charge to the room during the stay.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Just went on the Starwood site and they are now offering the same $129. rate as Travelocity for a limited time (this is prepaid). Hope this might help others.
Thanks for your responses. I love coming on this thread as I always gather so much valuable info.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Just went on the Starwood site and they are now offering the same $129. rate as Travelocity for a limited time (this is prepaid). Hope this might help others.
Thanks for your responses. I love coming on this thread as I always gather so much valuable info.

Could you please link me to where this deal can be found on the Starwood site? I can't seem to find it (maybe I am on the wrong site?) Thanks!!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Sent you a pm with the link. Good luck
I called the Dolphin reservations, talked to the rep, and he made the change for me. Nice to have the lower rate available.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Sent you a pm with the link. Good luck
I called the Dolphin reservations, talked to the rep, and he made the change for me. Nice to have the lower rate available.

Thanks so much! I responded I don't think it's available for our dates. I'm a teacher, so we have a variety of options, but have to stick to a time between June 5 and August 1.

 

[lovingthemouse]

I checked the dates beyond mine, and the rate seems to stop on the 1st of June. I do believe that the SPG rate of $129 is connected to the Travelocity rate. Perhaps the Trav. rate ends on the same date. Watch the Trav boards and when their rates are a "special", bet the SPG rate will be too.

 

[mikegood2]

Was just on the s/d website to check something out, and noticed that they did not list a coffee maker as one of the room items. While I'm sure they have them, believe I have read about them on this thread, I just wanted to make sure they were included in the rooms (we will be in an executive suite). Also if they do, are they one of the single/pod types or a regular coffee maker? I'm not a regular coffee drinker, but even less of an early riser, so I think coffee will be a must in the morning.

Also, for anyone who have been at the s/d recently, do the rooms offer wireless wi-fi or do they still require plugging in an internet connection? And if they are wi-fi, are they limited to the room or do you have access throughout the s/d?

 

[TaraPA]

Hi Mike!

Yes all rooms have a coffee maker - they are the single serve pod style. The Starbucks coffee packets they provide free in-room are single serve size. Every day you'll get 2 packets of regular & 1 packet of decaf, per machine (plus cream, sugar, napkins, stirrers & sturdy paper hot/cold cups with lids so you can take it with you). In a 1BR Executive Suite you'll have 2 coffee machines. In a 2BR Executive Suite you'll have 3 machines.

There is no wireless wi-fi that I'm aware of, but I could be wrong. DH used his laptop last week & he did have some sort of cord plugged in. My son was trying to use wi-fi at the pool & in the arcade last week & wasn't able to.

 

[Dan Murphy]

And if you want extra coffee, regular and/or decaf, just ask any housekeeper in the halls during the day and they will give you all you want.

If I recall, the rooms all both wi-fi and wired.

 

[Swan4Me]

I used my computer without the chord-so it must be wireless3

BTW-the coffeeshop in the lobby is NOT Starbucks as shown on the various Swan maps-but its good. Found the muffins very dry.

 

[mikegood2]

Thanks Tara, Dan and Swan4Me,

I knew they had coffee makers in the room, but was surprised it wasn't listed as included. Guess it must just be implied.

As far as the WiFi, I'll assume they have it, but will borrow (or steal) my dads Verizon Mi-Fi card just in case. Don't have a smart phone yet, because I am rarely away from wi-fi and can't justify the extra monthly fee. Will come in handy at all the parks for networking our 3 iPod touches. Anyone have any suggestion for Disney iPod apps for line wait times or anything else?

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks Tara, Dan and Swan4Me,

I knew they had coffee makers in the room, but was surprised it wasn't listed as included. Guess it must just be implied.

As far as the WiFi, I'll assume they have it, but will borrow (or steal) my dads Verizon Mi-Fi card just in case. Don't have a smart phone yet, because I am rarely away from wi-fi and can't justify the extra monthly fee. Will come in handy at all the parks for networking our 3 iPod touches. Anyone have any suggestion for Disney iPod apps for line wait times or anything else?

I didn't have wi-fi in the room last June at the Dolphin - had to use the wired connection... has it changed within the year?

 

[jnfr2424]

I didn't have wi-fi in the room last June at the Dolphin - had to use the wired connection... has it changed within the year?

When I was at the Dolphin in January I used my iPad on wifi in the room as well on the balcony. Wifi also works in the lobby.

 

[mikegood2]

When I was at the Dolphin in January I used my iPad on wifi in the room as well on the balcony. Wifi also works in the lobby.

Planning/hoping on using my iPad also, 3 of us will have them with us. Also just bought the camera connector kit which I plan on using to backup/view most of my photos and videos (not bringing a laptop this trip). If the wi-fi isn't too slow I would like to send a few photos out the the family a couple times during the trips. I'm sure my parents would love to see some photos of the nieces and maybe even my brother, sil and myself.

 

[Wings3496]

For the rooms where wifi isn't available - are there ethernet cords in the rooms for use, or should we plan on bringing our own?