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

[Mouseteacher]

Everybody who is leaving soon, get packing.

Already ahead of it, Dan. I love the pretrip excitement and that includes packing....because.....we're going to Disney World!

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....we're going to Disney World!

Sounds like you just won the women's World Cup Soccer.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Sounds like you just won the women's World Cup Soccer.

Better than that!

 

[Minnie]

One month from today we check into the Dolphin

 

[P13]

Already ahead of it, Dan. I love the pretrip excitement and that includes packing....because.....we're going to Disney World!

I told my DD yesterday to lay out all her clothes...she said.."geeze mom we have 3 wks"...NO, we don't 2wks to be exact!:rotfl She thinks I'm anual..imagine that!!

 

[Rustysmom]

I told my DD yesterday to lay out all her clothes...she said.."geeze mom we have 3 wks"...NO, we don't 2wks to be actually!! :rotfl She thinks I'm anual..imaine that!!

Hmmm, I have even less than you. I better get the suitcases out!

 

[AKbabe]

Me too!!

Me three Well, close anyway. It's 13 days from today that we leave, but we're spending 2 nights at the Contemporary first, then 2 weeks at the Dolphin.

I think this will be my 5th stay there, but I still have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer for me:

1. Since it's been awhile since we've used the pools, can you use noodles like at Stormalong Bay? If you can, do they rent them (and how much), or can I bring my own?

2. I usually drink the Starbucks in my room or refill at Picabu, but if they put me in the east wing like they did in April, it can be quite a hike to refill at Picabu (by the time I get back to my room, I already need to refill again). I swear I read somewhere that you can also refill at the Lobby Lounge, so I tried to check it out in April (but I didn't ask the CM there; I felt like an idiot since he was busy stocking up). So does anyone know if I can refill my mug with coffee at the Lobby Lounge in the morning, and if so, do you know what time it opens?

Thanks for any help! Can't wait!! I'm already packed—well, my OL is already there, so I just have to pack my clothes, but since I'm currently on vacation in NC, that task is already done!

 

[MAGIC...itis!]

Coming back from the HS- the order is the Swan/Dolphin; either Yacht/Beach Clubs or Boardwalk, depending on the traffic at each and then finally Epcot.
Did you look at any of the specials Starwood is offering that might be less than the AAA?

lovingthemouse: Thank you for the Friendship boat info. I booked Swan the other day with AAA discount. Today when I checked, Swan came up with a prepay discount for my date for about $25.00 off the AAA price. So I think I should be pretty happy with that, considering I'm making these plans soooo close to my check-in date (so not my style).
.

 

[almcg]

DH, DD11 and myself are just back from a trip to WDW. We looked around a few resorts including the GF and CR and we thought we would would go and stay at the CR next year. Then we went to the Swan/Dolphin and completely fell in love with them both The location is fantastic and we absolutely loved The Boardwalk. We were prepared to pay deluxe prices to stay onsite and I don't think my DH can believe how reasonable the prices are! We also ate at The Fountain and we loved the food. DD11 loved the candy store so planning is in full swing for next year!

 

[RachelTori]

DH, DD11 and myself are just back from a trip to WDW. We looked around a few resorts including the GF and CR and we thought we would would go and stay at the CR next year. Then we went to the Swan/Dolphin and completely fell in love with them both The location is fantastic and we absolutely loved The Boardwalk. We were prepared to pay deluxe prices to stay onsite and I don't think my DH can believe how reasonable the prices are! We also ate at The Fountain and we loved the food. DD11 loved the candy store so planning is in full swing for next year!

Personally, I think Swan & Dolphin are amazing resorts, especially when you factor in the location and the room cost -- so reasonable!!

My ticker says AKL-CL but the first three nights are at Dolphin (and this will be my 11th or 12th stay there in the last 5 years! )

Have fun planning next year's adventure!!

 

[N_Phoenix]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of reading this whole thread. Thank you for all the info!


Now, I need some room help. We are coming on the Friday after Thanksgiving and I plan on both hotels being full. I would like to stay at the Dolphin for my kids. I plan on reserving a room with a King bed using SPG points. My fear is that I might get assigned a double bed room which wouldn't work for us (I'm 6'5") due to availability and nothing is guaranteed when you book with points.

I'm thinking maybe I should book the swan since it has two queens which would work. From what I gather though, the dolphin would be better since most of the kid things are there. TIA!

 

[TaraPA]

I am also under the assumption that a king room is not guaranteed on points, but just from what others have said, not from personal experience. I think you would be smart to book at The Swan to guarantee queen beds! Definitely request a king room at The Swan, but they are far & few between & like you said, they will probably go to a cash reservation over a points reservation.

We prefer The Dolphin when the kids are along just for the fact that they have the only quick service food place - Picabu - 24/7. They also have the casual Fountain for burgers, sandwiches & ice cream too. Laundry & arcade are only at The Dolphin, and The Grotto pool is closer to most Dolphin rooms. That being said, however, there are some rooms at The Swan that are just as close to The Grotto pool than from the far East wing of The Dolphin!

It really is a short walk over to The Dolphin from The Swan for anything for the kids, I wouldn't stress about it.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[JLCJMC]

I am here at the Dolphin now

It is all as lovely as I remember

Check in was smooth (even with a VERY delayed flight that got us in very early the next morning.) The staff here is just so nice and helpful.

We have a lovely view, I can even see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Just so pleased I wanted to share.

 

[TaraPA]

I am here at the Dolphin now

It is all as lovely as I remember

Check in was smooth (even with a VERY delayed flight that got us in very early the next morning.) The staff here is just so nice and helpful.

We have a lovely view, I can even see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Just so pleased I wanted to share.

I'm jealous!

 

[Swan4Me]

Me three Well, close anyway. It's 13 days from today that we leave, but we're spending 2 nights at the Contemporary first, then 2 weeks at the Dolphin.

I think this will be my 5th stay there, but I still have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer for me:

1. Since it's been awhile since we've used the pools, can you use noodles like at Stormalong Bay? If you can, do they rent them (and how much), or can I bring my own?

Can folks from Dolphin use storm-a-long Bay?

 

[RachelTori]

Can folks from Dolphin use storm-a-long Bay?

Only guests of Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Beach Club Villas can use Stormalong -- and they are very strict. You must show your room key in order to be let in to Stormalong Bay.

DVC members have certain "pool hopping privileges" -- Stormalong is never one of them!

Otherwise the pool would be ridiculously crowded as it is very popular.

 

[mommytoxzande]

I just had to report that I took the plunge and booked our next Disney World vacation at The Dolphin! We will be there April 4th through the 10th. I hope that my family enjoys it as much as all of you!

 

[N_Phoenix]

It really is a short walk over to The Dolphin from The Swan for anything for the kids, I wouldn't stress about it.

Enjoy your stay!

Thank you very much. I'm going to reserve a king at the swan.

 

[ImprovGal]

I am here at the Dolphin now

It is all as lovely as I remember

Check in was smooth (even with a VERY delayed flight that got us in very early the next morning.) The staff here is just so nice and helpful.

We have a lovely view, I can even see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Just so pleased I wanted to share.

I'm glad to hear that service is still excellent! I'll be arriving there tomorrow.

 

[AKbabe]

Can folks from Dolphin use storm-a-long Bay?

Hi,
Not sure if you took my question to mean that I wanted to know if I could swim at Stormalong Bay and use their noodles, or if you realized that I was asking if you could use and rent noodles at the Dolphin, like you can at Stormalong Bay, and whether you were just curious if swimming there was an option. If it's the latter, then Rachel is correct—you can't swim at the YC/BC unless staying there.