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

[McKelly]

Does anybody recall if the Swan/Dolphin offered any type of discount between Xmas and NY's last year?

 

[Teacher03]

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

That is so great to hear! As I previously posted, we just switched from Port Orleans to the Dolphin and couldn't be more excited. I don't know why I didn't remember there are teacher discounts at the Dolphin when I first booked, but I stumbled upon this thread and decided to check it out. So glad I did. Now I just have to find a way to be patient until next June!

 

[SRUAlmn]

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

Thank you so much!! That's how I feel too, unfortunately, my husband is more of a penny pincher and needs a little more convincing The Dolphin seems to be a more affordable option than the Swan, but the resort is so huge I don't even know where to begin as far as room type/location. Time for some more research

That is so great to hear! As I previously posted, we just switched from Port Orleans to the Dolphin and couldn't be more excited. I don't know why I didn't remember there are teacher discounts at the Dolphin when I first booked, but I stumbled upon this thread and decided to check it out. So glad I did. Now I just have to find a way to be patient until next June!

Yes!! Love the teacher rates!! I just wanted to mention to check the AAA rates too (if you're a member.) The teacher rate is usually lower, but for our dates in December the AAA rates at the Dolphin were about $7-$8 lower per night. Not a big deal, I know, but that extra $40 would be great to have for a meal or a souvenir

 

[SRUAlmn]

Ok, so I've been You Tubing videos of the Dolphin trying to get the lay of the land. It looks like the resort is a large rectangle with arms sticking off the front toward the Swan, right? How many arms stick off? It looks as though the only balcony rooms are located in those 'arms.' Does that mean if you book a balcony room you wouldn't be in the tall section? (I'm not a fan of heights ) In addition, it looks as though some of the rooms face inward toward one of the other 'arms.' If you book a balcony room, does this view mean 'resort view?' If you book a balcony room with an Epcot or Fireworks view would that mean you'd be on one of the ends? Where in relation to these 'arms' are the bus stops and pool area? Thanks, and sorry for so many questions

 

[Dan Murphy]

You should be able to zoom in/out, rotate, etc to get various views. Drag map and use controls at bottom center.

http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/?org=aj#/0wxl5dzl5kklsnwn

 

[SRUAlmn]

You should be able to zoom in/out, rotate, etc to get various views. Drag map and use controls at bottom center.

http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/?org=aj#/0wxl5dzl5kklsnwn

Thank you so much! I've been comparing your wonderful map with the layout map on allearsnet. Where do the busses pick up? Beside the port cochere? It looks as though our preferred areas would be on either end arm, either facing the Epcot resorts or facing the pool on the other end. What would these views be called? Where are the elevators located? Thanks, and sorry again for so many questions!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Page 4

Dolphin buses at #19, Swan buses at letter O.

http://www.swandolphin.com/pdf/Resort_Report.pdf

 

[bumble]

Yes you can.

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.

Thanks Dan.

I appreciate your help.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Page 4

Dolphin buses at #19, Swan buses at letter O.

http://www.swandolphin.com/pdf/Resort_Report.pdf

Thanks, Dan, you're awesome!! That's much easier to read than the smaller version I previously found

 

[kentburns]

We are arriving at Dolphin on 7/9. I rented a car one-way for the trip from MCO. We'll be dropping the car near DTD after dropping our luggage at the hotel. Here's the quesiton.....am I required to check into the parking lot and pay $11 for parking just to check-in and drop off luggage? Or is there a spot you could park near the front door just for a few minutes to drop and run?

I'd prefer to avoid paying $11 for 15 minutes of checking in.

Any ideas? I was thinking about dropping my wife and luggage at Dolphin and then parking at Boardwalk for temporary.

Thoughts?

 

[Rustysmom]

We have a 6:20 PM flight home. Does anyone know if we can keep our luggage at the hotel (Dolphin) after we check out so we can go to Epcot for a little while before we go home?

 

[jnfr2424]

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!

I have to disagree I stayed at the Swan in June and it was $ 30 cheaper than the Dolphin Yes it surprised me as well

 

[Dan Murphy]

We have a 6:20 PM flight home. Does anyone know if we can keep our luggage at the hotel (Dolphin) after we check out so we can go to Epcot for a little while before we go home?

Yes, the bell desk will hold for you.

We are arriving at Dolphin on 7/9. I rented a car one-way for the trip from MCO. We'll be dropping the car near DTD after dropping our luggage at the hotel. Here's the quesiton.....am I required to check into the parking lot and pay $11 for parking just to check-in and drop off luggage? Or is there a spot you could park near the front door just for a few minutes to drop and run?

I'd prefer to avoid paying $11 for 15 minutes of checking in.

Any ideas? I was thinking about dropping my wife and luggage at Dolphin and then parking at Boardwalk for temporary.

Thoughts?

You can leave your car for a short time at the hotel entrance. The doorman will tell you where to park. Just let them know what you want to do.

 

[kentburns]

Thanks Dan....I appreicate the help.

 

[Mouseteacher]

We have a 6:20 PM flight home. Does anyone know if we can keep our luggage at the hotel (Dolphin) after we check out so we can go to Epcot for a little while before we go home?

Yes, just go to the bell desk in the lobby. The bellman will tag your luggage and store it until you come back. We do this all the time as our flights are usually after check-out time.

 

[haPevraftr]

My husband's schedule has forced us to cancel our WDW 2012 spring break plans. Because I teach, our travel times are locked into certain times of the year. I had the teacher discount for the Dolphin booked for Easter week and when I called to cancel, I found out it was available for the last week of July/first week of Aug. 2012. I went ahead and just transferred my reservation to give me time to assess the plans.
We love WDW in April and have no problems dealing with the crowds. We have done it over Easter week before and have become masters at avoiding the crowds with rope drops, etc.. I am not concerned about the crowd as much as the heat. We have never done Disney in the summer, but really want to take a 2 week trip for our 10 year anniversary.
So, fellow teachers (or anyone else) who have done WDW in the summer.... I would love to hear your thoughts on traveling there at this time of year. We are a family of 4 (me, DH, DS 5, DD 8--at the time of travel). We have never stayed at the Dolphin before and would also like to hear about the pool and ways to stay cool at theesort because we will be there in the afternoons to avoid the heat of the parks.

 

[NancyIL]

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.

I had checked my October reservation details, and the cancellation deadline was midnight the day before. I just now checked my December reservation, and that has a-5 day cancel policy. Therefore, when in doubt - assume you have to cancel 5 days in advance!

 

[kevallen]

We have never stayed at the Dolphin before and would also like to hear about the pool and ways to stay cool at theesort because we will be there in the afternoons to avoid the heat of the parks.

We are wimps, living in the dry air of Colorado, and went once to WDW in the Summer and vowed to never do that again. BUT, judging by the crowds, many disagree with us. I think if you get up early and spend those morning hours in the parks, spend afternoons in the pool or resting at the Dolphin, and then evenings (after sunset especially) you will have a great time.
You will love the Dolphin, and especially the pool at that time of year!

 

[permavac]

Well, my DH and I are getting ready to check out a day early and are REALLY regretting our choice of staying at the Dolphin instead of elsewhere on Disney property I have to say first it's not the WHY of what happened to us here, it's the HOW. We were here for 8 nights (cut down to 7 now) and sometime during our stay someone backed into our vehicle in the parking lot. We thought we had done everything right - we parked in the far corner where there weren't many other cars. When we went in to inform security and inquire as to the policy for when something like this happens we were told there is no policy and given a "sucks to be you" speech. While I realize that the person who hit our car was probably not a hotel employee I do think the security person whom we spoke with could have been more sympathetic to a pretty traumatic experience for us. We love our vehicle - it is only a couple years old and was pristine. Now, we can't open the passenger door because of the damage. In this situation I just wish they had trained their employee better to handle the process. It was like pulling teeth to get any information out of him (like is there a policy for this type of situation?) and after speaking with this individual, I felt WORSE than if we had not spoken to someone at the hotel (and started crying in the lobby). I was so upset with this individual's attitude that I called to speak with a hotel manager and at least that individual seemed to care that I was upset by the situation and he said he would speak with the security group to make sure they are more sympathetic to the next person. Anyway, writing this and still burning up about the whole thing. I am not usually one to allow little inconveniences to spoil my good time but honestly, this one just has ruined our trip. I know there are worse things out there but I guess my emotional state is fragile right now. My DH and I booked this trip to celebrate a successful outcome to surgery that I had for cancer in May and I guess that's why I am taking this so hard. It just stinks that we were looking for help from the hotel staff and were treated pretty poorly.

To be fair, some of the other points from a first-time visitor to the Dolphin (we come to Disney often and are DVC members - our last visit before this was in February):

- You get tons of cigarette smoke smell in the bathroom in the morning - I'm guessing smokers use the bathroom hoping not to be detected. We did not report this to the front desk since we didn't think they could do anything about it.

- We were pleased with our room location. 14th floor in the central section. We booked the Annual Passholder rate which was reasonable for the time of year and the rate included an upgrade to resort view.

- We were doing the "green" housekeeping and didn't have the housekeepers come in every day. When we saw them in the hall they were very cheerful and helpful - offering towels and sundries without us even asking (but we didn't need them). The day we were scheduled for service the housekeeper followed all of our requests. The housekeepers were a highlight and credit to this hotel.

- The quick service restaurant Picabu was overpriced - was going to get a bag of popcorn - $6 for a medium-sized bag. It seems to be a bit higher than the high prices at other Disney stores.

- We were excited to hear from guest services every time we made a request - they would call back to make sure that whatever we requested had been taken care of/delivered. Unfortunately, about half the time, we had not yet received whatever it was. We requested they send up our bottled water (not their fault since we would spend the mornings in the room with the do not disturb sign on) but it would always take a while for them to bring it up and one time we had to call back. Our do not disturb sign was stolen twice - it was replaced quickly the first time but the second not at all after we called. Two times someone knocked on our door with issues that didn't involve us - claiming that we had called about the TV not working and the AC not working but they had the wrong room. The manager I spoke to about the poor experience with the security staff said he would be sending something up for us yesterday afternoon - he didn't mention what it was - we thought maybe a fruit basket or whatever - but nothing ever arrived. Since we didn't care about it, we didn't bother to call back but that did bother me. I hate when someone says they're going to do something but then they don't. He did say he would waive any early departure fee - let's hope we don't have trouble when we go to check out.

Well, thanks for letting me vent. Before the business with our vehicle we were having an ok stay - not stellar because of the other issues mentioned but we probably would have stayed here again. Not now - I know these things happen and there are inconsiderate people staying at other Disney hotels who might do a hit and run to your vehicle, but I can't help but think I wouldn't have been crying in the lobby of Boardwalk Villas because of our interaction with the security personnel. Ok, off to find a body shop to make sure we will be safe to drive all the way home to Michigan. Ugh!

Terri

 

[NancyIL]

Well, thanks for letting me vent. Before the business with our vehicle we were having an ok stay - not stellar because of the other issues mentioned but we probably would have stayed here again. Not now - I know these things happen and there are inconsiderate people staying at other Disney hotels who might do a hit and run to your vehicle, but I can't help but think I wouldn't have been crying in the lobby of Boardwalk Villas because of our interaction with the security personnel. Ok, off to find a body shop to make sure we will be safe to drive all the way home to Michigan. Ugh!

Terri

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with someone hitting your car in the lot, but that could've happened at ANY WDW resort.

**By the way, I would've reported the cigarette smoke to the front desk, as they ought to do something about it...like FINE the people smoking!