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

[kevallen]

While $191 per night is a good rate, and not great as others have said, if it isn't a pre-pay rate, go ahead and make your reservation on spg.com Normally, you can cancel up to 6pm on the day of the reservation. But at least you locked in a decent rate. It can only get better than that...

 

[NancyIL]

While $191 per night is a good rate, and not great as others have said, if it isn't a pre-pay rate, go ahead and make your reservation on spg.com Normally, you can cancel up to 6pm on the day of the reservation. But at least you locked in a decent rate. It can only get better than that...

Cancellation at the Swan and Dolphin is 5 days in advance.

** Well, it used to be 5-days in advance! Just checked one of my reservations, and you have to cancel by midnight the day before check-in.

 

[ImprovGal]

Cancellation at the Swan and Dolphin is 5 days in advance.

** Well, it used to be 5-days in advance! Just checked one of my reservations, and you have to cancel by midnight the day before check-in.

I just went via the spg website and made a dummy booking to check terms & conditions on new reservations, one at AAA rate, one at Best Available Rate. Both are showing 5 day cx.

 

[JLCJMC]

My favorite hotel. Leaving in less than two weeks.

 

[sewer]

Here now and don't know how it happened, but we got our resort view with two balconies!

 

[bumble]

The family and I will be checking in at the Dolphin on Tuesday afternoon! We still haven't told our 8 yr old DD. Planning to tell her when she wakes up Tuesday morning. Flight leaves at noon. She's going to freak.

 

[SRUAlmn]

We are currently booked at POFQ for December with a SUPER 35% off PIN code that we received in February. I have been reading this thread, however, and (out of curiosity) decided to search rates at the Swolphin for December. It turns out that the Teacher and AAA rates both would only add slightly less than $300 to our 5 night stay (including all resort fees and taxes.) I'm torn as to what to do for the following reasons:

1. We've never stayed in a non-Disney run resort
2. We enjoy using the room charge priviledge with our KTTW cards
3. We chose POFQ because it's been newly renovated and has sentimental meaning
4. POFQ rarely shares busses with anyone else (we've stayed at BWI and know that the Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk, Y&BC situation can be BAD!)
5. At POFQ we don't have to pay extra to park there
6. The size of the Swan and Dolphin initimidates me because I don't really know where things are (since we've never stayed there) and which locations would be near elevators, bus stops, etc...

However,
5. The Swolphin has a GREAT location (this is a HUGE factor)
6. We spend much of our time at Epcot
7. We'd only have to take busses to MK and AK (and not even MK if we walked into Epcot and took the monorail)


Any suggestions/advice? Thanks so much!!

 

[RachelTori]

We are currently booked at POFQ for December with a SUPER 35% off PIN code that we received in February. I have been reading this thread, however, and (out of curiosity) decided to search rates at the Swolphin for December. It turns out that the Teacher and AAA rates both would only add slightly less than $300 to our 5 night stay (including all resort fees and taxes.) I'm torn as to what to do for the following reasons:

1. We've never stayed in a non-Disney run resort
2. We enjoy using the room charge priviledge with our KTTW cards
3. We chose POFQ because it's been newly renovated and has sentimental meaning
4. POFQ rarely shares busses with anyone else (we've stayed at BWI and know that the Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk, Y&BC situation can be BAD!)
5. At POFQ we don't have to pay extra to park there
6. The size of the Swan and Dolphin initimidates me because I don't really know where things are (since we've never stayed there) and which locations would be near elevators, bus stops, etc...

However,
5. The Swolphin has a GREAT location (this is a HUGE factor)
6. We spend much of our time at Epcot
7. We'd only have to take busses to MK and AK (and not even MK if we walked into Epcot and took the monorail)


Any suggestions/advice? Thanks so much!!

I happen to LOVE all 3: POFQ, Dolphin and Swan! If a split stay is out, then I suggest you try Swan or Dolphin this time -- especially if you'll be spending lots of time in Epcot!

If you'd miss room charging, you might try what I've started doing. I load up on Disney Gift cards and use those! I refuse to use my credit card at WDW!

Unless you're already in Epcot, taking the monorail to MK will be an ordeal. You're much better off catching the bus in front of Swan or Dolphin.

Since the size of these resorts concerns you, I'd suggest Swan would be the better choice. It is smaller and quieter. But I love them both and actually prefer staying in the Dolphin for the convenience of the 24-hr restaurant, Picabu.

 

[Swan4Me]

We are currently booked at POFQ for December with a SUPER 35% off PIN code that we received in February. I have been reading this thread, however, and (out of curiosity) decided to search rates at the Swolphin for December. It turns out that the Teacher and AAA rates both would only add slightly less than $300 to our 5 night stay (including all resort fees and taxes.) I'm torn as to what to do for the following reasons:

1. We've never stayed in a non-Disney run resort
2. We enjoy using the room charge priviledge with our KTTW cards
3. We chose POFQ because it's been newly renovated and has sentimental meaning
4. POFQ rarely shares busses with anyone else (we've stayed at BWI and know that the Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk, Y&BC situation can be BAD!)
5. At POFQ we don't have to pay extra to park there
6. The size of the Swan and Dolphin initimidates me because I don't really know where things are (since we've never stayed there) and which locations would be near elevators, bus stops, etc...

However,
5. The Swolphin has a GREAT location (this is a HUGE factor)
6. We spend much of our time at Epcot
7. We'd only have to take busses to MK and AK (and not even MK if we walked into Epcot and took the monorail)


Any suggestions/advice? Thanks so much!!

I LOVED the quick trip from Epcot to the Swan at night-boats or walking
I used to dread any night buses back to resorts-lines seem so long

Swan is a deluxe-the hotel you've booked is a moderate
Swan is smaller-and very quiet-we did walk to Dolphin for many meals

 

[DizBub]

I'm sorry if this has been addressed before but is there some one who could give me some information about the Spa at the Dolphin? My DSonIL is running the Half Marathon Oct 1. We are staying at BCV and he REALLY wants to make a reservation for a massage at the Dolphin. I can't seem to find much info about it. I'd love to get him a gift certificate for his birthday.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I happen to LOVE all 3: POFQ, Dolphin and Swan! If a split stay is out, then I suggest you try Swan or Dolphin this time -- especially if you'll be spending lots of time in Epcot!

If you'd miss room charging, you might try what I've started doing. I load up on Disney Gift cards and use those! I refuse to use my credit card at WDW!

Unless you're already in Epcot, taking the monorail to MK will be an ordeal. You're much better off catching the bus in front of Swan or Dolphin.

Since the size of these resorts concerns you, I'd suggest Swan would be the better choice. It is smaller and quieter. But I love them both and actually prefer staying in the Dolphin for the convenience of the 24-hr restaurant, Picabu.

Thanks for the input! Do you happen to know the order of bus stops between Swan, Dolphin, BWI, Y&BC? I know when we stayed at BWI the busses normally went to the Swan first, so we just got off there and walked over. The times we've stayed at MK resorts the busses are SUCH a hassle having to stop at 3-4 other places before you're actually on the road or back 'home' at your resort! Oh, and thanks for the gift card tip

I LOVED the quick trip from Epcot to the Swan at night-boats or walking
I used to dread any night buses back to resorts-lines seem so long

Swan is a deluxe-the hotel you've booked is a moderate
Swan is smaller-and very quiet-we did walk to Dolphin for many meals

Thanks, I knew my resort was moderate and Swan & Dolphin were deluxe , however, I didn't know the Swan was smaller and quieter. Thanks for the info. Guests from the Swan and Dolphin can freely use the amenities of the other, right? I am really into the coffee bar at the Swan, but the rooms at the Dolphin currently have a much cheaper teacher rate.

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.swandolphin.com/activities/spa.html

http://www.mandaraspa.com/files/ms/WDWSPAPriceList.pdf

http://www.mandaraspa.com/files/MS/WDWSwanDolphinBrochure_FINAL.pdf

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have always found the buses great. Coming from MK, Swan has been first, a few times, if I recall, BWI was first, then Swan.

And yes, facilities of both are open to both. It's like one big resort.

 

[DizBub]

http://www.swandolphin.com/activities/spa.html

http://www.mandaraspa.com/files/ms/WDWSPAPriceList.pdf

http://www.mandaraspa.com/files/MS/WDWSwanDolphinBrochure_FINAL.pdf

Thanks!!

 

[Teacher03]

Thanks, I knew my resort was moderate and Swan & Dolphin were deluxe , however, I didn't know the Swan was smaller and quieter. Thanks for the info. Guests from the Swan and Dolphin can freely use the amenities of the other, right? I am really into the coffee bar at the Swan, but the rooms at the Dolphin currently have a much cheaper teacher rate.

I switched from POFQ to the Dolphin last night. Our trip is booked June of next year, and the Dolphin was approximately $150 less with the teacher discount. I looked at the Swan first, but Dolphin was cheaper.

I'm excited as we also spend alot of time at Epcot. It looks like a beautiful resort.

 

[RachelTori]

I switched from POFQ to the Dolphin last night. Our trip is booked June of next year, and the Dolphin was approximately $150 less with the teacher discount. I looked at the Swan first, but Dolphin was cheaper.

I'm excited as we also spend alot of time at Epcot. It looks like a beautiful resort.

Just an FYI: Dolphin is a "Sheraton"; Swan is a "Westin" and will usually always be $10-$20 more per night than Dolphin. My 2 favorite Starwood properties!

 

[SRUAlmn]

I switched from POFQ to the Dolphin last night. Our trip is booked June of next year, and the Dolphin was approximately $150 less with the teacher discount. I looked at the Swan first, but Dolphin was cheaper.

I'm excited as we also spend alot of time at Epcot. It looks like a beautiful resort.

Thanks!! I'm so tempted, but the 35% off deal we got at POFQ is rare, and the teacher rate at the Swan & Dolphin is always available, so I feel like we should take advantage of the PIN because we could stay at the Swolphin anytime with the teacher rate. Can you send purchases to your resort at the Swan & Dolphin like you can at the Disney resorts?

 

[bumble]

Hello all. I will be arriving at the Swolphin on Tuesday and will need to use the internet a few times during my stay.

I've heard others say the service is very slow. Has anyone else used the internet? What results did you have? I'm going to bring my broadband connection along just in case. We'll be staying at the Dolphin if that matters at all.

TIA.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....Can you send purchases to your resort at the Swan & Dolphin like you can at the Disney resorts?

Yes you can.

Hello all. I will be arriving at the Swolphin on Tuesday and will need to use the internet a few times during my stay.

I've heard others say the service is very slow. Has anyone else used the internet? What results did you have? I'm going to bring my broadband connection along just in case. We'll be staying at the Dolphin if that matters at all.

TIA.

The wireless as well as the wired ethernet connection have been just fine. You do have the option to purchase, at an additional charge, an even faster connection. I never have, the standard seems as fast as my home connection, which is almost instantaneous.

 

[SingingMom]

However,
5. The Swolphin has a GREAT location (this is a HUGE factor)
6. We spend much of our time at Epcot7. We'd only have to take busses to MK and AK (and not even MK if we walked into Epcot and took the monorail)


Any suggestions/advice? Thanks so much!!

I LOVED the quick trip from Epcot to the Swan at night-boats or walking
I used to dread any night buses back to resorts-lines seem so long

Swan is a deluxe-the hotel you've booked is a moderate
Swan is smaller-and very quiet-we did walk to Dolphin for many meals

I have stayed at Port Orleans and at Dixie Landings (dating myself!) and there is NO comparison to the RESORT feel you have at the Swan & Dolphin. We are Dolphin fans, as we enjoy more "hussle & bussle" and the proximity to the Grotto Pool/Cabana Bar, but the Swan is goregous and more relaxed. Either spot, if Epcot is your park of choice, the ease of getting back and forth is FABULOUS. If it's not too hot, we LOVE the stroll along the Boardwalk to and from. If the heat is too oppressive, then we take the Friendship Boat.

I also just enjoy the Deluxe vs Moderate feel. When I am on vacation, I like "deluxe". lol