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

[*Belle*]

Can someone tell me whether you can have a roll-away bed for a child at the Swan in a standard room. There would be 3 people in the room total, not to exceed the limit of 4.
For some reason I thought I remember someone once mention it was only allowed at the Dolphin.

Thanks,
Belle

 

[SingingMom]

I know the S an D are convention hotels, but for some reason I figured the summer wasn't a popular time for them. Wouldn't you know, the Department of Defense is scheduled to be at the Swan from Aug 22-Aug 26. No wonder there is no availability at the Swan. I wonder how many of them will bring families? We will be at the Dolphin. Hopefully the pools won't have any private parties.

Anybody been there while a convention was going on?

Each time we've stayed at the Dolphin (five years in a row) there was a convention (or two or three ) going on. It did not affect us at all, except for an occasional Cabana Bar closure due to an evening "private event". Even then, the other pool areas were open. You have to remember, the place is really BIG. Convention or not, there are lots of rooms and lots of people. The public areas were built with that in mind - plenty of space.

Only time I really "noticed" it was at "happy hour" at the Lobby Bar - it can get rather noisy. But, we didn't mind. The lobby is so neat, with all the "comfy couches" that we really enjoy having a nightcap and people watching. Missed it this year - hope to be back again next year, even WITH the conventions!

 

[Dan Murphy]

....Anybody been there while a convention was going on?

I don't think I have ever been there without a convention or two going on. Never a problem.

 

[TaraPA]

Anybody been there while a convention was going on?

There are often 5-6 at each hotel going on at the same time. The hotels are immense & you won't ever feel crowded.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Can't ever remember 5-6, but there are always some taking place. Aside from the coffee bar in the Dolphin front lobby, which can be full before conventions begin in the morning, there is more than enough space, and you really do not feel crowded.
Enjoy yourself!!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Here's the info I posted on page 153 (it's from the AAA website):

Starwood Preferred Guest®
Join Starwood Preferred Guest® today, to enjoy AAA/CAA Preferred Plus® advantages:

* Instant upgrade to a Preferred room at check-in, and 4 pm late check-out. (Subject to availability.)
* 2 Starpoints for every $ USD spent.
* Instant Awards offering spontaneous indulgences, such as breakfast in bed, massage, and more.
* Advance notice of hotel offers and more.
* No Blackout Dates on free night awards.

Call 1-866-782-7737 to join Starwood Preferred Guest® or to upgrade your account today - simply mention enrollment code "AAA/CAA" to start enjoying the benefits now.


HTHs!

Thank you for the info. FYI- the above number is for reservations. The SPG number is 1-888-625-4988.

 

[GreenB]

Hi Everybody!!

I reviewed the rate they have at Travelocity, using my American Express with the discount code AMEX20H (20% off) and buying the park tickets from them (Travelocity), staying at the Dolphin.

The offer is too good to be true.

I am just about to make the reservation but I have 2 concerns before doing so.

1-In the park ticket offer, you pay for 5 days and get 2 free (7 in total).
We need 8 days at the parks. I understand I can add one extra day for $15 or so. Is this totally correct?

2-If I cancel my reservation later, there are no penalties, correct? Because I have to pay in advance for the full package to Travelocity.

My dates are from December 02, 2011 until December 11, 2011. 1 room. 2 adults and 3 children 11, 9 and 3.
9 nights total cost $2,681

Best Regards.

 

[LexiC123]

Hi Everybody!!

I reviewed the rate they have at Travelocity, using my American Express with the discount code AMEX20H (20% off) and buying the park tickets from them (Travelocity), staying at the Dolphin.

The offer is too good to be true.

I am just about to make the reservation but I have 2 concerns before doing so.

1-In the park ticket offer, you pay for 5 days and get 2 free (7 in total).
We need 8 days at the parks. I understand I can add one extra day for $15 or so. Is this totally correct?

2-If I cancel my reservation later, there are no penalties, correct? Because I have to pay in advance for the full package to Travelocity.

My dates are from December 02, 2011 until December 11, 2011. 1 room. 2 adults and 3 children 11, 9 and 3.
9 nights total cost $2,681

Best Regards.

Hi, GreenB! I agree...that AmEx/Travelocity deal is terrific, especially since it covers the park passes, as well.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, you can upgrade your tickets at any of the parks and just pay the difference between the 7-day and 8-day ticket, which is around $8 per person for a non park-hopper ticket.

2. It looks like there is a cancellation penalty associated with the Travelocity package:

Any changes to, or cancellation of this booking are subject to a cancellation penalty. This includes a 1 night room charge plus applicable Tax Recovery Charge & Service Fees.
Cancellations or changes occurring within 3 days of 12:01 am (Central Time) on the day of check-in are subject to a cancellation penalty. This includes a 7 night room charge plus applicable Tax Recovery Charge & Service Fees.​

How sure are you of your travel dates?

PS - Welcome to the thread!

 

[Dan Murphy]

....The offer is too good to be true....
1-In the park ticket offer, you pay for 5 days and get 2 free (7 in total).
We need 8 days at the parks. I understand I can add one extra day for $15 or so. Is this totally correct?....

Not saying the offer is not a good one, I do not know what the total offer is. But, just wanted to point out that a lot of travel agents and packaging brokers will add a few additional park days, beyond 4 days, for free. Beyond 4 days, each additional day is a bit over $8, including tax. Here you can see the pricing grid on Deb's site. You can see the initial four days are the costly ones, with the first three as the most costly.

http://allears.net/pl/ticketchart.htm#MYW1

Have a great trip.

 

[Rich_NY]

Hi Everybody!!

I reviewed the rate they have at Travelocity, using my American Express with the discount code AMEX20H (20% off) and buying the park tickets from them (Travelocity), staying at the Dolphin.

The offer is too good to be true.

I am just about to make the reservation but I have 2 concerns before doing so.

1-In the park ticket offer, you pay for 5 days and get 2 free (7 in total).
We need 8 days at the parks. I understand I can add one extra day for $15 or so. Is this totally correct?

2-If I cancel my reservation later, there are no penalties, correct? Because I have to pay in advance for the full package to Travelocity.

My dates are from December 02, 2011 until December 11, 2011. 1 room. 2 adults and 3 children 11, 9 and 3.
9 nights total cost $2,681

Best Regards.

I did the Travelocity deal as well, stayed 7/16-7/23. It's the best deal out there. I'm not sure about the penalty, but from what I understand if you cancel for a proveable reason (ill with Dr.s note), they won't keep your money. Getting 20% off park tickets was an unbelievable surprise. The Dolphin was GREAT! Good luck!!

 

[GreenB]

2. It looks like there is a cancellation penalty associated with the Travelocity package:

Any changes to, or cancellation of this booking are subject to a cancellation penalty. This includes a 1 night room charge plus applicable Tax Recovery Charge & Service Fees.
Cancellations or changes occurring within 3 days of 12:01 am (Central Time) on the day of check-in are subject to a cancellation penalty. This includes a 7 night room charge plus applicable Tax Recovery Charge & Service Fees.​

How sure are you of your travel dates?

PS - Welcome to the thread!

Hi LexiC123!
Thank You very much for your prompt and accurate answer.
I am very sure of my travel dates as we are going to WDW to celebrate our daughter's birthdate on Dec 3.
What I'm not so sure about is to pay in advance for the whole package this far in advance.
My wife and I are very doubtful as we may find something better in the near future.
I truly don't know what to do.

Regards!

 

[livndisney]

The STARPICKS rate works out slightly lower: $790.50 ($125/night including taxes and fees - parking would be additional) for a resort view with balcony and king bed. The downside is that it's a prepaid, non-refundable, non-changeable rate.

There's also the possibility that the Starpicks rate will go even lower. They come out with new rates every Tuesday, which have to be booked by Friday of the same week. I've watched the Dolphin rate for August/September drop from $165 to $141 to $125 over the past few weeks. If you're feeling a little lucky, you might want to hold off another week to see what happens.

Just wanted to give you some food for thought. Good luck making your decision.

Looks like I messed up following this advice. I should have booked at the lower rate last week. The rate for my dates in Aug/Sept jumped up 20-40 a nite today. It is back up to 165.

 

[NBCGal]

There are often 5-6 at each hotel going on at the same time. The hotels are immense & you won't ever feel crowded.

We've never been inconvenienced by a conference going on while we were there. Only one time (last October) did we even run into a large group as they had reserved part of the beach by the pools for an evening private event.

 

[Lex33]

Looks like I messed up following this advice. I should have booked at the lower rate last week. The rate for my dates in Aug/Sept jumped up 20-40 a nite today. It is back up to 165.

There is also a special rate of 40% off a second night. That may work for you.

 

[LexiC123]

Looks like I messed up following this advice. I should have booked at the lower rate last week. The rate for my dates in Aug/Sept jumped up 20-40 a nite today. It is back up to 165.

No, unfortunately the Swan and Dolphin are not included in the Starpicks for this week.

There's always the possibility that the prices will drop again...that's why I check every day, several times a day, right up until the week before our vacation.

 

[collins316]

I just got an AP rate for 145/nite plus tax, plus the resort fee - For September.
King bed, regular view. (resort view was 170/night)

She had given me 166 and 187 night for the AAA rate, regular and resort views for King bed.

So of course, I went with the better AP rate.

With the cancel by the week before with no penalty, do you just call back occasionally to see if better AP rates come up? Is that something that normally happens? 145 seems like a pretty good rate to begin with,, but of course it would be awesome to get lower.

How low can we go?
thanks
Bernie

 

[livndisney]

No, unfortunately the Swan and Dolphin are not included in the Starpicks for this week.

There's always the possibility that the prices will drop again...that's why I check every day, several times a day, right up until the week before our vacation.

I knew it was possible that the rate would not drop, but I did not know it would jump.

 

[G8r4evr]

Looks like I messed up following this advice. I should have booked at the lower rate last week. The rate for my dates in Aug/Sept jumped up 20-40 a nite today. It is back up to 165.

Ouch, I just saw that. I was hoping to cancel and rebook at a lower rate today. There is always next week though!!

The expedia rate for resort view balcony went up to $269, it was only $169 last week. Thats a huge jump. Im guessing they filled the rooms. WOW

 

[LexiC123]

$118/night for the Dolphin, $128/night for the Swan. Not a pre-paid rate, either...fully refundable as long as you cancel at least 5 days in advance.

Link to S/D Offers Page

It’s not too late to get away for an end-of-summer vacation. Book today through August 17 and take advantage of great savings Labor Day Weekend, September 1- 6, 2011. Rates at the Dolphin start from $118 per night – that’s just $59 per person!

But the $59 fun doesn’t end there! As our guest you can also take advantage of a $59 25-minute massage or facial at Mandara Spa or Play All Day for $59 at any of the four Walt Disney World® 18 hole courses.

Book online or call 888-828-8850 to reserve your room today
*Based on double occupancy . ​

 

[MamaToDavis]

$118/night for the Dolphin, $128/night for the Swan. Not a pre-paid rate, either...fully refundable as long as you cancel at least 5 days in advance.

Link to S/D Offers Page

It’s not too late to get away for an end-of-summer vacation. Book today through August 17 and take advantage of great savings Labor Day Weekend, September 1- 6, 2011. Rates at the Dolphin start from $118 per night – that’s just $59 per person!

But the $59 fun doesn’t end there! As our guest you can also take advantage of a $59 25-minute massage or facial at Mandara Spa or Play All Day for $59 at any of the four Walt Disney World® 18 hole courses.

Book online or call 888-828-8850 to reserve your room today
*Based on double occupancy . ​

Wow! I wish I could get a rate like that for our Jan. trip. Thanks for posting!