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

[almcg]

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!!

I'm already in full planning mode...much to my DH's amusement! Have a great time at the Dolphin. It really is a fantastic resort

 

[Belle83]

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!

Book the Swan just in case (look like you did!). You won't be as close to Picabu, but Garden Grove is there and that's great for kids. You are closer walking-distance to Boardwalk Bakery and the little convenience food area in the gift shop nearby.

 

[SingingMom]

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!

I know you will!!

 

[tuckerkeys]

The past couple of Septembers the S/D has had a $99 offer on rooms....Does anyone know when this offer was traditionally released? I don't have a trip planned, but this offer would put a trip on the calendar for me! I know they have rooms for $125 now, just wondering if anyone thinks they may go lower...Thanks!!

 

[LexiC123]

Hey Swan/Dolphiners!

Just came across this Groupon deal for Sunshine Limo.

You pay $50 and receive $100 worth of transportation services in the Orlando area...so the R/T cost of a town car to/from MCO would be $60, plus tip.

Here's the fine print:

Expires Nov 19, 2011
Limit 1 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts.
Limit 1 per visit. Subject to availability.
24hr cancellation or fee up to Groupon price may apply at appointment.
Must sign waiver.
New reservations only.
Credit card required at booking.
Valid only within 20mi of Orlando. ​

It sounds like a really good deal. I don't have any personal experience with this company, though. Has anyone used them before?

 

[LexiC123]

The past couple of Septembers the S/D has had a $99 offer on rooms....Does anyone know when this offer was traditionally released? I don't have a trip planned, but this offer would put a trip on the calendar for me! I know they have rooms for $125 now, just wondering if anyone thinks they may go lower...Thanks!!

Good morning!

I just checked some of my old posts and found that last year the $99 Starpicks rate came out around August 15th. The year before, in 2009, it was earlier...around July 24th. These were for the weeks around Labor Day.

 

[kevallen]

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 have reserved a room at the Dolphin on points for October and it says very clearly "King Bed" on my reservation on spg.com

If you have any questions on this call Starwood reservations to use your points and talk to an agent.

When I called, I told them that I didn't care if I was in the Swan or Dolphin, just that I could get a king bed. I got a room at the Dolphin.

 

[LexiC123]

Hey Swan/Dolphiners!

Just came across this Groupon deal for Sunshine Limo.

You pay $50 and receive $100 worth of transportation services in the Orlando area...so the R/T cost of a town car to/from MCO would be $60, plus tip.

Here's the fine print:

Expires Nov 19, 2011
Limit 1 per person, may buy 2 additional as gifts.
Limit 1 per visit. Subject to availability.
24hr cancellation or fee up to Groupon price may apply at appointment.
Must sign waiver.
New reservations only.
Credit card required at booking.
Valid only within 20mi of Orlando. ​

It sounds like a really good deal. I don't have any personal experience with this company, though. Has anyone used them before?

Update:

Found some good feedback about their service on line, so I decided to take the plunge and purchase the Groupon. It really was too good a deal to pass up.

So now I have an extra $50 in my vacation fund that I can put towards really important stuff...like Mickey ice cream bars and Grey Goose Slushies!

 

[ImprovGal]

I have reserved a room at the Dolphin on points for October and it says very clearly "King Bed" on my reservation on spg.com

If you have any questions on this call Starwood reservations to use your points and talk to an agent.

When I called, I told them that I didn't care if I was in the Swan or Dolphin, just that I could get a king bed. I got a room at the Dolphin.

While I don't believe Swan or Dolphin would intentionally give you a 2-bed room instead of 1 king, the SPG terms and conditions (section 9.2) do state:
"When using a Free Night Award, bedding and smoking preferences may be requested but are not guaranteed."

 

[macbitt]

My stay is scheduled over Superbowl Sunday next year. Does the Swan and/or Dolphin have a TV lounge area that someone would recommend for watching the commercials, I mean, game

 

[roydavid7771]

My stay is scheduled over Superbowl Sunday next year. Does the Swan and/or Dolphin have a TV lounge area that someone would recommend for watching the commercials, I mean, game

I would think the best place to watch the Super Bowl would be ESPN Zone on the Boardwalk, which is only a short walk away.

I don't remember if Shula's Steakhouse has a TV, I doubt it does. You never know though, with a restaurant owned by a former NFL coach....

 

[N_Phoenix]

I have reserved a room at the Dolphin on points for October and it says very clearly "King Bed" on my reservation on spg.com

If you have any questions on this call Starwood reservations to use your points and talk to an agent.

When I called, I told them that I didn't care if I was in the Swan or Dolphin, just that I could get a king bed. I got a room at the Dolphin.

As ImprovGal points out it depends on how booked the hotel is, as point stays are lowest on the totem pole. Unless your platinum. I reserved a king also but as others have mentioned it seems there aren't too many King rooms. Therefore I went the Swan in case nothing is available as I need a bigger bed with the queens. I could possible get placed at the Dolphin in doubles anyway. I plan on the hotel being full when we get there.

 

[kentburns]

I love it when I see posts like this - it makes me even more excited for my honeymoon - we've only booked standard rooms, but I hope hope hope they will be lovely!

Keep the positive comments coming!

I would suggest calling Reservations and asking for an upgrade. I called and told them it was our 19th anniversary, and they got me a King w/ 2 balconies. Awesome view too.

 

[kentburns]

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.

Just returned yesterday. I would speculate you can bring noodles, because they rent floaters there, and I saw folks with their own tubes.

 

[P13]

I would suggest calling Reservations and asking for an upgrade. I called and told them it was our 19th anniversary, and they got me a King w/ 2 balconies. Awesome view too.

Oh!! I hope we get the same luck...it will be our 19th,too. I emailed them, so I'm crossing my fingers for some magic!!

 

[macbitt]

I would think the best place to watch the Super Bowl would be ESPN Zone on the Boardwalk, which is only a short walk away.

I saw that, but because it is a popular Superbowl spot you have to line up hours ahead of time to get in. I was hoping for something more relaxed, but not in our room. I've read suggestions of spots in official Disney resorts with TV lounges, so wondering if the same was available for S&D.

 

[SingingMom]

I saw that, but because it is a popular Superbowl spot you have to line up hours ahead of time to get in. I was hoping for something more relaxed, but not in our room. I've read suggestions of spots in official Disney resorts with TV lounges, so wondering if the same was available for S&D.

There is a tv at the Lobby Bar in the Dolphin, but it isn't "big screen"... I wonder, given the size of the Dolphin Lobby in general, might they wheel in a big tv for the big game?

 

[LexiC123]

There is a tv at the Lobby Bar in the Dolphin, but it isn't "big screen"... I wonder, given the size of the Dolphin Lobby in general, might they wheel in a big tv for the big game?

I wouldn't be surprised...I mean, they wheeled in a bunch of big flat screens for the Royal Wedding!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1028775749.301360.248786110748&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1028775749.301360.248786110748&type=1&theater

 

[SingingMom]

I wouldn't be surprised...I mean, they wheeled in a bunch of big flat screens for the Royal Wedding!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1028775749.301360.248786110748&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...1028775749.301360.248786110748&type=1&theater

There ya go, then!

 

[kevallen]

As ImprovGal points out it depends on how booked the hotel is, as point stays are lowest on the totem pole. Unless your platinum. I reserved a king also but as others have mentioned it seems there aren't too many King rooms. Therefore I went the Swan in case nothing is available as I need a bigger bed with the queens. I could possible get placed at the Dolphin in doubles anyway. I plan on the hotel being full when we get there.

Wow! Thank you both for the information. I didn't imagine that they wouldn't honor the reservation room type! I hope I get the King bed that is on the reservation. For what it is worth, I am SPG Gold, so maybe that would help.????