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

[cruise cruise cruise]

Is there a website that tells me what conventions are going on during our stay?

I would love to know this info also. Can anyone help?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not that I am aware of.

 

[JimmyV]

Open up your favorite search engine and input the following search:
convention conference swan dolphin disney month year

You should be able to find hits for the major conferences taking place at that time.

 

[smithmac]

How does the size of the Dolphin main pool compare to the size of the pool at the Beach Club? Also, does anyone know how an Alcove room would compare to a standard room at the Beach Club. We usally stay at the Beach Club, but without Free dining being offered we are thinking of staying at the Dolphin. I'm worried about our decsion?

 

[MoonFaerie]

We're booked at the Dolphin Dec 13-19 under the Sunsational Savings promo in a standard room with a king bed. The promo rate includes "Complimentary upgrade based upon availability at check-in." How likely is it that they're be availability when we go? I'm trying to decide if I should just go ahead an upgrade the room. The difference is only $125 + tax, but I don't want to pay for it if I'd likely get it for free.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

We're booked at the Dolphin Dec 13-19 under the Sunsational Savings promo in a standard room with a king bed. The promo rate includes "Complimentary upgrade based upon availability at check-in." How likely is it that they're be availability when we go? I'm trying to decide if I should just go ahead an upgrade the room. The difference is only $125 + tax, but I don't want to pay for it if I'd likely get it for free.

Moonfaerie, we booked with the Sunsational savings for last December--same exact dates as you! We had a resort view and we were given a resort view room, no additional upgrade because of the sunsaver rate. The room was in the perfect location--just where I hoped it would be and I didn't give it a 2nd thought! I wanted a low floor so possibly that is why we didn't get upgraded to balcony. The hotel at that time of year was great! It was our first stay there and we totally loved it. Have fun! Mid way through our stay--a big convention checked in and it did get pretty packed!

I am trying to get a week in Nov if one of the sold out days open up and I will book the sunsaver again at the traditional room rate and hope for the upgrade.

 

[AKBrown19]

Hi everybody! We're staying at the Swan/ Dolphin (I believe the Swan specifically) from May 21-25. I've looked around online for maps regarding the Friendship Boats to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, but I'm not clear if it's worth it to take the boat, or quicker just to walk. Anyone have and transportation tips for me? Thanks!

 

[roydavid7771]

Hi everybody! We're staying at the Swan/ Dolphin (I believe the Swan specifically) from May 21-25. I've looked around online for maps regarding the Friendship Boats to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, but I'm not clear if it's worth it to take the boat, or quicker just to walk. Anyone have and transportation tips for me? Thanks!

The walk to EPCOT is only 5-10 minutes from the Swan, about 20 minutes to DHS. Boats every 20 minutes or so, and it's a pleasant enough trip, so you can't go wrong either way. Enjoy!

 

[vital]

Oh you dog, how 'bout some pic's when you come back?

I'll try my best to remember how to post them!

 

[JimmyV]

How does the size of the Dolphin main pool compare to the size of the pool at the Beach Club?

The overall length of the two pools is fairly similar, but I think the Swan/Dolphin pool is wider and has a greater volume of water.

...but I'm not clear if it's worth it to take the boat, or quicker just to walk. Anyone have and transportation tips for me? Thanks!

The way it works out, if there is an Epcot-bound boat pulling up to the dock as you arrive at the loading area, it is faster (or roughly equal) to board that boat and ride it. If you have to wait even as little as 2 or 3 minutes for the boat, then it is faster to walk to Epcot, especially from the Swan. For DHS, I think it is always better to take the boat. The walk is longer and rather uninteresting. Do it once to say you did it, but it is not something that I ever care to do regularly.

 

[Mouseteacher]

For DHS, I think it is always better to take the boat. The walk is longer and rather uninteresting. Do it once to say you did it, but it is not something that I ever care to do regularly.

Agreed

 

[AKBrown19]

Thanks everyone!

 

[mhf]

Hi everybody! We're staying at the Swan/ Dolphin (I believe the Swan specifically) from May 21-25. I've looked around online for maps regarding the Friendship Boats to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, but I'm not clear if it's worth it to take the boat, or quicker just to walk. Anyone have and transportation tips for me? Thanks!

We'll see you there! Arriving on the 21st too. I like to walk from Swan to Epcot in the morning: leave early enough to grab coffee at the lobby place and then stroll to Epcot for rope drop. Check under the resort photos at the top of the resorts page for a good map. But you can't get lost

 

[Chomperoni]

I would definitely recommend the Dolphin for you and your family, as it has the ice cream counter, Picabu's (24 hour eatery and small shop), gift shop, arcade, kids club etc under the same roof. We have stayed there with our family several times and love the convenience of it. Also the rooms are a bit bigger as well. If your kids don't want to share a bed, you can get a rollaway for $25 a night which fits in the room great, right by the window. We have always booked by ringing the hotel, either AA rate or AP rate, also keep an eye on their website for special offers. Hope that helps, any more questions just fire away.

Thank you.
We ended up booking at the Swan since the rate was about 250 dollars lower for our 6 day stay. Hopefully it is equally good...

 

[Belle83]

We'll see you there! Arriving on the 21st too. I like to walk from Swan to Epcot in the morning: leave early enough to grab coffee at the lobby place and then stroll to Epcot for rope drop. Check under the resort photos at the top of the resorts page for a good map. But you can't get lost

yay for may 21st! technically we'll arrive at the hotel from the airport around 1 am on may 22nd, but the 21st is our first vacation day can't wait.

 

[tuckerkeys]

Can someone from this thread please link me to where the instructions are on here on how to override the AC unit at the S/D?? My 3rd stay is coming up & for the life of me I can't remember how to do it! It was SO nice to have a chilly room for sleeping & not have the unit auto shut off! Thanks!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34547297&postcount=1415

Just did this over the past week, still works great!

Just make sure to set the temp up during the day while you are gone so as to not totally waste energy with nobody in the room.

 

[tuckerkeys]

'Thank you!!! Just bookmarked it for future stays too! I think the S&D are the best kept secrets on WDW property!

 

[scotty s]

Just booked our room at the Dolphin Oct 4-8 (teach Discount) for F&W festival!!! We are excited about this trip. It is our 1st trip without the kiddo's and our 1st stay at S/D. Quick question...I booked a room with a king bed and resort view, considering that we are SPG members (new) and AAA members, any chance we could get free upgrade to room with balcony and better view? should we ask at check-in? I can't see it being very crowded during our stay considering we are there during the week.

 

[Mazzy]

Just booked our room at the Dolphin Oct 4-8 (teach Discount) for F&W festival!!! We are excited about this trip. It is our 1st trip without the kiddo's and our 1st stay at S/D. Quick question...I booked a room with a king bed and resort view, considering that we are SPG members (new) and AAA members, any chance we could get free upgrade to room with balcony and better view? should we ask at check-in? I can't see it being very crowded during our stay considering we are there during the week.

YES!!! Definitely ask! We are also SPG and AAA members and have asked at check-in a couple of times, and it has always worked for us, we even went from a Restricted View (lowest priced room) to a balcony room, just had to wait half an hour, which was no biggie, we just went to Picabu for a snack. We have found that they are always very accommodating, especially to their SPG guests. Good Luck!