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

[Music City Mama]

Can I just say that I will never ever stay at a different hotel when I go to WDW?? LOVE the Dolphin. Can't find anything negative to say about this hotel. The rate is great, food, crowd control, restaurants, all fab. I will never stay at a Disney resort again, I'm a Dolphin convert-

I whole-heartedly agree!

 

[jessily]

I went to print my hotel confirmation (Dolphin) today and the Resort Charge in the email (we booked back in March) says $10/night. When I click on the link in the email that takes me to the Dolphin's website it shows me all the same info except the Resort Charge is $12/night. I know this went up recently, but figured since it said $10 when we booked that's what we'd pay. Does anyone know which we'll be charged? This isn't a big deal at all... but I'm just curious if it's worth trying to save the $2/night.

 

[RachelTori]

I went to print my hotel confirmation (Dolphin) today and the Resort Charge in the email (we booked back in March) says $10/night. When I click on the link in the email that takes me to the Dolphin's website it shows me all the same info except the Resort Charge is $12/night. I know this went up recently, but figured since it said $10 when we booked that's what we'd pay. Does anyone know which we'll be charged? This isn't a big deal at all... but I'm just curious if it's worth trying to save the $2/night.

So far, everyone who booked before the $2 increase has stated they were grandfathered to the old $10 rate. If you have the confirmation that shows $10, bring that -- you probably won't need it, but better to have it along.

 

[Music City Mama]

They charged me $10 (plus tax) -- made my reservation months before the increase.

 

[jessily]

So far, everyone who booked before the $2 increase has stated they were grandfathered to the old $10 rate. If you have the confirmation that shows $10, bring that -- you probably won't need it, but better to have it along.

They charged me $10 (plus tax) -- made my reservation months before the increase.

Thanks

 

[msvlg]

Hi,

I am looking forward to my first stay at the Dolphin in August. I have booked an Epcot fireworks view room but I am now second guessing myself. I wonder if a resort view witha balcony would be just as nice. I think I may like to have the option of sitting out on a balcony in the am/pm. Anybody have an opinion between the two. I don't want to pay additional to get the Epcot fireworks w/balcony so my options are either Epcot fireworks view or Resort view with balcony.

I am wondering the same thing: EPCOT fireworks view with balcony or resort view with balcony, those are the two choices that come up for my dates ( I need 2 rooms). We have never stayed offsite before and the price difference is very tempting. Can anyone tell me if these rooms are close to the grotto pool or are they far away from everything? We have recently beeen staying at Poly which is fairly compact, but prices are getting too expensive. Is Dolphin a kid friendly place? We would like a nice view, a balcony and close proximity to pool (we will be traveling with three children under 10). Any suggestions between the two views offered. I am having anxiety about staying off-site-but Disney is getting more and more expensive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

[TaraPA]

Here are the differences in views of Epcot Fireworks with balcony vs. Resort View with bacony so you can see:

Epcot Fireworks View:

zoomed in

View was nice but you can only see the top of the Illuminations fireworks from Epcot, and we're usually not back in our room by 9pm to see them anyway, so this isn't a category we'd pay for. Also - the Epcot View rooms are the FARTHEST from the Grotto Pool, and it's a long hike. Very very long! The Grotto pool is on the total opposite end of the hotel. This room was also a long walk to the elevators to get to the lobby & walkway to the buses, boats, Boardwalk, etc.

This is Resort View with balcony:

And this is another Resort View with balcony room:

this was my favorite view of all time!

The rooms themselves are identical, so unless you plan on being in the room at 9pm to see the fireworks (which again, to appreciate Illuminations you have to be inside Epcot - most of the show is done at water level which can't be seen from outside the park) - then don't pay for Epcot Fireowrks View. Every resort View we've had has been lovely.

 

[TaraPA]

For close proximity to the pool you'd have to request a West Wing room - which are facing DHS, on the opposite side of the hotel as the Epcot-facing rooms. And just to clarify, Swan & Dolphin aren't offsite, they are onsite hotels, just not owned by Disney. They are nestled right between Yacht Club & Boardwalk & have the same amenities as the Disney-owned hotels, other than ME, DDP & charge-backs to the room. Some folks go & find out they love S/D even more than a Disney Resort! Give it a try, you just might like it!

 

[gm]

I just got back from an 8 night stay. We had a room that did not have a balcony which was fine with us and it was in the east tower high floor facing water,swan,boats,etc. We booked a standard room and were upgraded due to spg gold. It was large, very spacious and remodeled room. The room was very clean. We did not do the green program because I thought it was for entire stay not each day. Wish I read it more because I would have taken advantage of it.

We put the do not disturb sign out until 11 am to 12 pm and our room was always cleaned but they never left the water. I inquired about this and they said that a different person brings water to the room. They said housekeeping does replenish coffee but waters are brought by different dept and that they come early in the mornings and if they see the do not disturb sign, they will not leave the waters due to not wanting to disturb guests. I wanted the waters because I was paying the resort fee and wanted full use of it.

On our 3rd night there we requested bedsheets changed for next day and they did not change them so I called again and they changed them immediately in the evening. Housekeeping was prompt and excellent when I called but just wish I did not have to call.

Health Club was great. Picabu does charge the 20 % . Realized this when I bought 4 small milk cartons for $4.00+ 20%.

Did not eat at the restaurants so cannot comment on those.

The pool was extremely crowded to the max while we were there this whole week. We even saw a pool fight between 2 grown men. We did not stay at the pool because it was so crowded and am glad because a thunderstorm approached and they emptied the pool so fast. They closed the pool at 4pm on Friday for a company private function. There was some kind of function at the pool every night but they did not close the pool except on Friday.

There were huge conferences every day of our stay so lots and lots and lots of suits everywhere. This did not bother us.

Overall it was a great stay except for minor issues. Even though I received offers of free dining and room discounts at disney resorts, I would only stay at the swan/dolphin due to receiving starwood points.

It has everything I need like very clean rooms, easy access to Boardwalk,Disney Studios and our Favorite Epcot along with affordable rates.

 

[Belle83]

I am wondering the same thing: EPCOT fireworks view with balcony or resort view with balcony, those are the two choices that come up for my dates ( I need 2 rooms). We have never stayed offsite before and the price difference is very tempting. Can anyone tell me if these rooms are close to the grotto pool or are they far away from everything? We have recently beeen staying at Poly which is fairly compact, but prices are getting too expensive. Is Dolphin a kid friendly place? We would like a nice view, a balcony and close proximity to pool (we will be traveling with three children under 10). Any suggestions between the two views offered. I am having anxiety about staying off-site-but Disney is getting more and more expensive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

The Dolphin isn't really off-site imo, but I get what you mean. The Dolphin is really nice, and Disney basically created the hotel. You are right in the middle of Disney, and Disney has at a gift shop in the hotel, so there's plenty of 'Disney feel'. It's kid-friendly, for sure.

The Epcot fireworks view rooms are the furthest you could possibly be from the grotto pool and the quick-service restaurant (Picabu). I would pay for a resort view, but not Epcot. Like others have said, Illuminations is mostly at ground level anyway. The closest rooms to the grotto pool are on the west side of the hotel (but those are also the furthest from the parking lot, which may be a factor if you are driving and not using buses).

Health Club was great. Picabu does charge the 20 % . Realized this when I bought 4 small milk cartons for $4.00+ 20%.

Did not eat at the restaurants so cannot comment on those.

Picabu is at 20%? In May it was 13%. We experienced the same thing with the water (different people bring it for som e reason). Glad you enjoyed your stay! Thanks for the review. I can't believe adults were fighting in the pool, so sad!

 

[ImprovGal]

Sheraton and Westin (and Four Points, Le Meridien, W) have been added back to the Mypoints shopping portal, offering 2 points per dollar. Remember to book through the appropriate link for the resort (Swan = Westin, Dolphin = Sheraton) to get proper credit.

 

[SingingMom]

Can I just say that I will never ever stay at a different hotel when I go to WDW?? LOVE the Dolphin. Can't find anything negative to say about this hotel. The rate is great, food, crowd control, restaurants, all fab. I will never stay at a Disney resort again, I'm a Dolphin convert-

LOL. We've converted another one!

We stay onsite now & then, but honestly, I miss "home" S/D when I'm there!

The fireworks view would only be for a short time each evening. A balcony you could enjoy anytime!

Just back from a cruise to Bermuda to celebrate (a few months early) our 25th wedding anniversary. Getting caught up on posts (and )

So happy to see so many new people realizing how lovely our Dolphin and Swan are!!
After you called about the water, did they bring it to you? It happened to us once and the sent someone right up with the bottles. I think I had to catch someone in the hall another time, but they always brought it when asked.

In our case, a balcony is more important than view. We don't tend to be in the room at the exact moments that a fireworks view would benefit us - however - I LOVE my balcony in the early morning with a cup of tea, or after a shower, waiting for DD and DH to finish getting ready. Couldn't live without it. (Same as on the cruise ship - but we were SPOILED ROTTEN with a huge verandah and a Royal Suite with BUTLER! Once in a lifetime splurge to celebrate our anniversary!)

This is the first time in five Junes that we haven't been to the Dolphin. I missed it!
DD starts college in the fall - I'm hoping maybe we can find a quick trip during one of her breaks....

 

[TaraPA]

This is the first time in five Junes that we haven't been to the Dolphin. I missed it!
DD starts college in the fall - I'm hoping maybe we can find a quick trip during one of her breaks....

I was wondering how you were handling missing your "Six-Peat!!!"

Sounds ilke your cruise made up for it!

 

[P13]

We only stayed at the Swan 2yrs ago the night before our cruise. Loved it & now my DH won't stay any where else. In that, I saw the water in our room...are you not charged for that? Or is it included?

 

[RachelTori]

We only stayed at the Swan 2yrs ago the night before our cruise. Loved it & now my DH won't stay any where else. In that, I saw the water in our room...are you not charged for that? Or is it included?

Since they re-instituted the "resort fee" several years back, 2 waters per day is included!

 

[P13]

Since they re-instituted the "resort fee" several years back, 2 waters per day is included!

Good to know!! Thanks!

 

[Minnie]

I am wondering the same thing: EPCOT fireworks view with balcony or resort view with balcony, those are the two choices that come up for my dates ( I need 2 rooms). We have never stayed offsite before and the price difference is very tempting. Can anyone tell me if these rooms are close to the grotto pool or are they far away from everything? We have recently beeen staying at Poly which is fairly compact, but prices are getting too expensive. Is Dolphin a kid friendly place? We would like a nice view, a balcony and close proximity to pool (we will be traveling with three children under 10). Any suggestions between the two views offered. I am having anxiety about staying off-site-but Disney is getting more and more expensive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

We have stayed multiple times at many of the WDW resorts - YC for location & pool, or WDW for theming is two or our favorites.

Last weekend I stayed at the Swan at the end of a business trip as we were considering a great summer rate at the Dolphin and I was thrilled with many things about the hotel. Room was large, clean, and the layout was very nice - separate bathroom / vanity area was very nice. Landscaping was gorgeous, location would be tough to beat, and the pool area seemed very nice.

One issue and this could be huge for some people is.... don't be misled that the hotel is in the least bit Disney. No hidden Mickeys in the decor, theming, or touches (soap) etc. Now all you have to do is look out the window or walk out the door so that is not an issue for us.

Just go in looking for a great experience and not for the Disney feel and it is a wonderful hotel.... we booked for a week this summer

 

[gm]

I am still confused about the mandatory resort fee and here is why?

The 2 bottles in the room had a $2.00 fee or free with resort fee tag on each bottle. 2nd when you sign in to internet you have the option of paying for 24hrs or use it as part of the $12.00 resort fee.

After observing these, I wonder if the resort fee is really mandatory? Just an observation.

 

[RachelTori]

I am still confused about the mandatory resort fee and here is why?

The 2 bottles in the room had a $2.00 fee or free with resort fee tag on each bottle. 2nd when you sign in to internet you have the option of paying for 24hrs or use it as part of the $12.00 resort fee.

After observing these, I wonder if the resort fee is really mandatory? Just an observation.

It is "mandatory" but there are rare exceptions where they won't charge the fee.

IF you are charged the fee (most of us are), it includes free internet, 2 bottles water per day, and some free phone time too -- I don't recall the details since I never use a hotel phone.

I believe the "$2.00 fee or free with resort fee" is fair to make sure someone who wasn't charged the $12 fee knows they will be charged $2 if they drink that water! (They will also be charged the current Internet fee should they connect to the internet from their room.)

I feel the discounted room rates you can get at Swan/Dolphin are so reasonable that I don't think twice about paying the $12 fee.

 

[msvlg]

Thanks for all of the feed back in regard to EPCOt fireworks view with balcony verses resort view with balcony. I really want to be near the pool with three kids. Three more questions: Is there a resort view with balcony near pool refillable mugs, etc.and how are food prices? At WDW we usually get the dining plan so our meals are paid for so I am just wondering th costs. Can anyone tell me about the character breakfast there-how does itc ompare to the character meals at disney? Thank you so much, your information has been very helpful.