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

[Mazzy]

Thanks for the suggestion! We are all really tall (5'8", 5'10", and 6') so I don't know if a rollaway would be very comfortable, but thanks again

We are a family of 4, with boy and girl teens, and my daughter who was 18 during our last stay at the dolphin slept on a rollaway bed, she is just under 5ft 9 and found it really comfy. I should mention this is a person who hates sofa beds and their springs, but she was amazed how comfy the rollaway was and slept really well.

Here's a couple of photos:
You can see in this photo that the rollaway bed next to the window is actually a bit longer than the other beds, even taking into account the headboard on the full size beds.:

This photo shows the depth of the mattress, they are proper mattresses, not the thin floppy 'springs digging into the spine' type you sometimes find on a rollaway bed:

We could leave the bed where it was the whole time as we could open the balcony door just fine, so it didn't cause any more inconvenience using a rollaway and was a brilliant way of just having the one room, everyone slept well, and we saved some $$$, which is always good! In fact, by doing this you could even use the extra in your budget to get the ultimate room - EPCOT Fireworks View with Balcony, we have done this once and it was totally amazing!

Hope that helps!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Me again Sorry for so many questions, just trying to figure this out

When I pull up some of the different rates the room types say

Deluxe
Deluxe Alcove

I know what the alcove room is, what is the regular deluxe room? In addition, I can't get a premium studio (as mentioned in the 1st post of this thread) to come up for anything. Is it listed as something different?

Thanks

 

[Mazzy]

Me again Sorry for so many questions, just trying to figure this out

When I pull up some of the different rates the room types say

Deluxe
Deluxe Alcove

I know what the alcove room is, what is the regular deluxe room? In addition, I can't get a premium studio (as mentioned in the 1st post of this thread) to come up for anything. Is it listed as something different?

Thanks

I think you have to ring up for studio rooms, but don't quote me on that. Have just posted some photos for you of the rollaway bed, which may change your mind.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We are a family of 4, with boy and girl teens, and my daughter who was 18 during our last stay at the dolphin slept on a rollaway bed, she is just under 5ft 9 and found it really comfy. I should mention this is a person who hates sofa beds and their springs, but she was amazed how comfy the rollaway was and slept really well.

Here's a couple of photos:
You can see in this photo that the rollaway bed next to the window is actually a bit longer than the other beds, even taking into account the headboard on the full size beds.:


This photo shows the depth of the mattress, they are proper mattresses, not the thin floppy 'springs digging into the spine' type you sometimes find on a rollaway bed:

We could leave the bed where it was the whole time as we could open the balcony door just fine, so it didn't cause any more inconvenience using a rollaway and was a brilliant way of just having the one room, everyone slept well, and we saved some $$$, which is always good! In fact, by doing this you could even use the extra in your budget to get the ultimate room - EPCOT Fireworks View with Balcony, we have done this once and it was totally amazing!

Hope that helps!

That helps a LOT!! I'm the 'shortest' one at almost 5'9" so it would probably be me sleeping on it I'll send your pics to my mom and see what she thinks. You're right! It could save us a lot of $$ that we could spend to get a better view What is the charge per night for the rollaway?

Thanks again!!

 

[Mazzy]

That helps a LOT!! I'm the 'shortest' one at almost 5'9" so it would probably be me sleeping on it I'll send your pics to my mom and see what she thinks. You're right! It could save us a lot of $$ that we could spend to get a better view What is the charge per night for the rollaway?

Thanks again!!

$25 a night for the rollaway, a LOT less than a studio or two rooms. Honestly my daughter is very fussy and she was really happy with it, especially being so close to the window, fab view at night-time and in the early morning!

 

[lovingmy2boys]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it! I think I'll wait until July/August to book!

We booked for Sept with the AAA rate of $129 a night at the Swan!

 

[SRUAlmn]

$25 a night for the rollaway, a LOT less than a studio or two rooms. Honestly my daughter is very fussy and she was really happy with it, especially being so close to the window, fab view at night-time and in the early morning!

Thank you so much!! Are the rollaways the same style and price for both the Dolphin and Swan? You are all so helpful! Thank you

 

[lovingmy2boys]

I have a question about Tiffany Town car since we are not getting in until 10:30PM will they still stop at the grocery store? I guess it isn't a huge necessity but we like to get the snacks for the kids and pick up a case of beer for the week as well.

 

[Mazzy]

Thank you so much!! Are the rollaways the same style and price for both the Dolphin and Swan? You are all so helpful! Thank you

You're very welcome! I've gained so much info from this forum over the years so it's nice to give something back when I can.

We've never stayed at the Swan, but I imagine the price is the same at both hotels. Keep in mind that the Swan rooms are a bit smaller so the rollaway may not fit in as well or might have to be lifted up against the wall when not in use, hopefully other DISers can help you with the Swan rooms.

 

[Mazzy]

I have a question about Tiffany Town car since we are not getting in until 10:30PM will they still stop at the grocery store? I guess it isn't a huge necessity but we like to get the snacks for the kids and pick up a case of beer for the week as well.

I would imagine it depends if the store is still open or not, we have had a 4 hour delay in the past but they still took us to the grocery store, but that was a few years ago so best to check with them direct. You could check store hours online if you can find out which store they would be taking you to.

 

[SRUAlmn]

You're very welcome! I've gained so much info from this forum over the years so it's nice to give something back when I can.

We've never stayed at the Swan, but I imagine the price is the same at both hotels. Keep in mind that the Swan rooms are a bit smaller so the rollaway may not fit in as well or might have to be lifted up against the wall when not in use, hopefully other DISers can help you with the Swan rooms.

Thanks, that's good to note. I noticed that some of the rooms at both resorts were listed as Deluxe. Does that mean they're a little larger?

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks, that's good to note. I noticed that some of the rooms at both resorts were listed as Deluxe. Does that mean they're a little larger?

Every room we've stayed in at the Dolphin (6 times now) has been the same size, whether EPCOT Fireworks View or a standard view, so wouldn't think so, but that's just my guess. The rooms are very large, don't know if you've stayed onsite at WDW before, but they are much larger than the moderate rooms and even feel larger than the rooms at the Poly, and also a lot lighter, with the huge floor to ceiling windows. I just love the brightness and open-ness of the Dolphin rooms, we found the Poly rooms a bit to dark for our liking.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Every room we've stayed in at the Dolphin (6 times now) has been the same size, whether EPCOT Fireworks View or a standard view, so wouldn't think so, but that's just my guess. The rooms are very large, don't know if you've stayed onsite at WDW before, but they are much larger than the moderate rooms and even feel larger than the rooms at the Poly, and also a lot lighter, with the huge floor to ceiling windows. I just love the brightness and open-ness of the Dolphin rooms, we found the Poly rooms a bit to dark for our liking.

Yes! We've only ever stayed onsite, so I was a little nervous about moving to the Swan & Dolphin, but we love the Epcot resort area, and we can save a lot of $$, so that's making it very attractive That's great to know that the rooms feel larger & lighter. I agree about the Poly (and also the Animal Kingdom Lodge) feeling very dark!

Anyone else know about the rooms listed as Deluxe? I can't find any info anywhere. Strange

 

[Mazzy]

Yes! We've only ever stayed onsite, so I was a little nervous about moving to the Swan & Dolphin, but we love the Epcot resort area, and we can save a lot of $$, so that's making it very attractive That's great to know that the rooms feel larger & lighter. I agree about the Poly (and also the Animal Kingdom Lodge) feeling very dark!

Anyone else know about the rooms listed as Deluxe? I can't find any info anywhere. Strange

We love the EPCOT Resort area too, just something magical about taking a boat to the parks isn't there? Which website are you seeing the Deluxe descriptions on? The link from the Dolphin's own website?

 

[Mazzy]

By the way, as you are all teachers you will be able to get the Teacher Rate, think you have to ring up for that. Not sure what room type that gives you, as I've never booked it myself. Another tip is when you check in, mention you are SPG and ask if you could possibly have 'a balcony' 'a high floor' or whatever you would like, we have found that they treat their SPG guests VERY well and have even been upgraded from a Restricted View (lowest price room in the hotel) to a Resort View with Balcony, by waiting half an hour - no hardship we just went to Picabu for a snack. They are very nice at the Dolphin and will give you what you ask for if they have it, that's our experience anyway.

 

[Mazzy]

Have just put some dates in, and all rooms, from the cheapest Restricted View to the EPCOT View are described as being 360 square feet in size. None of them are described as Deluxe Rooms, they are described by their view, that's on the Sheraton booking website for the Dolphin, using the link at www.swandolphin.com Hope that helps.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We love the EPCOT Resort area too, just something magical about taking a boat to the parks isn't there? Which website are you seeing the Deluxe descriptions on? The link from the Dolphin's own website?

Yes, on the Swan and Dolphin website. For example, here are some of the options that come up when I search our dates:


Swan
Deluxe Non-smoking, Heavenly Bed, Resort View With Balcony, Hollywood Bath, Mini-fridge

Dolphin
Epcot Fireworks, Park View, Balcony, Heavenly Bed, Deluxe Non-smoking

Both of these room categories are also listed without the word Deluxe for a lower price.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Have just put some dates in, and all rooms, from the cheapest Restricted View to the EPCOT View are described as being 360 square feet in size. None of them are described as Deluxe Rooms, they are described by their view, that's on the Sheraton booking website for the Dolphin, using the link at www.swandolphin.com Hope that helps.

Thank you As for the teacher rate, I wish we could search that rate online. I'm trying to determine if AAA or teacher rate would be cheaper in July, but I'd hate to call and monopolize their time by having them search multiple room categories for each and then tell them I have to call back after I speak to my family

 

[Mazzy]

Swan
Deluxe Non-smoking, Heavenly Bed, Resort View With Balcony, Hollywood Bath, Mini-fridge

Dolphin
Epcot Fireworks, Park View, Balcony, Heavenly Bed, Deluxe Non-smoking

Both of these room categories are also listed without the word Deluxe for a lower price.[/QUOTE]

That's interesting. A way to find out is if you click on the 'rates info' on each of those, the box that comes up also gives you the room description, including the square feet of the room, so you should find the answer there as to whether the Deluxe room is bigger than the others, or you may even find something else in that descriptive box which gives an indication as to what makes them deluxe.

Thank you As for the teacher rate, I wish we could search that rate online. I'm trying to determine if AAA or teacher rate would be cheaper in July, but I'd hate to call and monopolize their time by having them search multiple room categories for each and then tell them I have to call back after I speak to my family

I really wouldn't worry about calling them, they are happy to take your call and have always been really helpful when I've rung them and asked questions, they will understand that you need to discuss with your family before deciding, so please don't worry about that.

 

[SwanDolphin]

By the way, as you are all teachers you will be able to get the Teacher Rate, think you have to ring up for that. Not sure what room type that gives you, as I've never booked it myself. Another tip is when you check in, mention you are SPG and ask if you could possibly have 'a balcony' 'a high floor' or whatever you would like, we have found that they treat their SPG guests VERY well and have even been upgraded from a Restricted View (lowest price room in the hotel) to a Resort View with Balcony, by waiting half an hour - no hardship we just went to Picabu for a snack. They are very nice at the Dolphin and will give you what you ask for if they have it, that's our experience anyway.

A little trivia ... the Teacher's (and later Nurses) discount rate program came into existance after noticing that there were so many teachers who posted here on the DIS! After 9/11 we were looking at ways of expanding our leisure base and this was one of the "vertical" markets rate plans created then.