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

[Dan Murphy]

I have been lurking for forever, but finally am posting, so please forgive me if I do this wrong!

My questions about our upcoming stay at the Swan:
1) What are our potential views from a Swan Balcony room? Are there any bad views possible?
2) What are the chances of getting our request for connecting rooms with my parents (we have a queen/queen room booked and they have a king)?
3) If you purchase park tickets at the resort, can you charge them to your room (i.e. get Starpoints for the purchase) or are you buying the tickets through Disney?

Welcome to the dis, neighbor.

I would think all the views from balcony rooms are good. Different, but good. I know some offlook the lake between the resorts, others look out toward Boardwalk and Epcot area.

I would ask the reservation area at the resort on connecting rooms.

And as said above, I too would think they can not be charged to your room.

Have a great trip.

 

[saxman]

We just booked a standard room at the Swan for Nov. 19-23. Since we won't be able to see the fireworks from the room, where would be a good location on property or nearby to view them?

 

[Dan Murphy]

The Boardwalk would be a decent spot to see the higher firework displays from Illuminations. That is all you can really see from a room at the resort also.

 

[TaraPA]

We just booked a standard room at the Swan for Nov. 19-23. Since we won't be able to see the fireworks from the room, where would be a good location on property or nearby to view them?

Ditto what Dan said. You will be able to see the very highest fireworks from the far end of The Boardwalk by Jellyrolls, but Illuminations occurs mostly on the water inside Epcot, and none of that can be seen from anywhere outside of the park.

 

[SingingMom]

The Boardwalk would be a decent spot to see the higher firework displays from Illuminations. That is all you can really see from a room at the resort also.

Ditto what Dan said. You will be able to see the very highest fireworks from the far end of The Boardwalk by Jellyrolls, but Illuminations occurs mostly on the water inside Epcot, and none of that can be seen from anywhere outside of the park.

It's also nice to view them from the bridge past ESPN...

 

[goofyfordisney]

Which hotel has more balcony rooms?

Dolphin or Swan?

TIA!

 

[map57]

Is the Swan eligible for the transportation from the airport? Looking to fly in when we make our next trip...sure would be nice. If not, any suggestions that won't cost me too much?

thx,
map

 

[cleophus12]

I'm thinking that the Dolphin has more balcony rooms. Does the Swan have any?

 

[Tltorrez]

Is the Swan eligible for the transportation from the airport? Looking to fly in when we make our next trip...sure would be nice. If not, any suggestions that won't cost me too much?

thx,
map

No DME to Swan/Dolphin. The Mears shuttle service is an option. We're figuring the cost of a cab ($60 each way).

 

[MyTalula]

Is the Swan eligible for the transportation from the airport? Looking to fly in when we make our next trip...sure would be nice. If not, any suggestions that won't cost me too much?

thx,
map

Swan/Dolphin guests can't use ME if that's what you mean. However, car service is very resonable... we've used the same service every year, and its usually around 60 one way or 110 RT with a grocery stop.

Mousesavers often has car service discount codes.

Good luck!

 

[pamelasu1]

If I have Garden Grocer deliver to the Swan, will bell services accept the delivery for me? Do they have a refrigerator to keep perishables? Also does Swan bell services charge a fee for holding the packages for me?

TIA!
Pam

 

[REL1203]

So i am considering switching my December stay at AKL to either the Dolphin or the Swan. With the 35% off pin i got for AKL, we couldnt get savannah view (and refuse to pay more on top of savannah price for aruska view), so we have a standard room there, and i told myself that if my wife and i ever stay at AKL, it would be for the savannah view. With the current promo thats out for S&D, i can get a resort view for about the same price. I have a few questions though, cant remember, but either the S or the D cost more, is there any reason for this? Is one considered better than the other? Its just my DW and I for 7 nights, 2 weeks before xmas. I understand the no ME, which def sucks, but after 7 trips to DW in 7 years of marriage, figured it was time to try out the S&D, we spend most of out time at Epcot or Boardwalk at nights (love jellyrolls), but BW is way expensive for what you get i think. besides ME, and no room charging outside of hotel, what else would I love staying at S&D? Thoughts on Resort views?

Thanks

 

[vicb]

I decided to add a night to my Dolphin stay the week leading into Easter, low and behold the price had dropped $10 per night. I called, was able to add the night and get the slightly lower rate!

I'm going to keep watching and see if it drops anymore. Now paying $215 ($253 with all the taxes and fees ) per night for 2 double beds resort view, that is a AAA rate. I'm pretty happy with that so far considering it is Easter!

 

[RachelTori]

So i am considering switching my December stay at AKL to either the Dolphin or the Swan. With the 35% off pin i got for AKL, we couldnt get savannah view (and refuse to pay more on top of savannah price for aruska view), so we have a standard room there, and i told myself that if my wife and i ever stay at AKL, it would be for the savannah view. With the current promo thats out for S&D, i can get a resort view for about the same price. I have a few questions though, cant remember, but either the S or the D cost more, is there any reason for this? Is one considered better than the other? Its just my DW and I for 7 nights, 2 weeks before xmas. I understand the no ME, which def sucks, but after 7 trips to DW in 7 years of marriage, figured it was time to try out the S&D, we spend most of out time at Epcot or Boardwalk at nights (love jellyrolls), but BW is way expensive for what you get i think. besides ME, and no room charging outside of hotel, what else would I love staying at S&D? Thoughts on Resort views?

Thanks

Swan is usually (although not always) more expensive than Dolphin. Swan is a "Westin"; Dolphin is a "Sheraton" branded resort. Swan has Queen beds; Dolphin has Double beds (both resorts also have rooms with a King bed). Room sizes are comparable.

Dolphin is the larger resort and has the 24-hour restaurant. Always lots of activity - which many of us love! Swan is the quieter resort.

I love them both.

Dolphin does have one area that has what is referred to as the "dumpster view" -- I've never had that view - those rooms would likely be facing the Yacht Club. I think if one requests a Boardwalk or Epcot view, you will be very happy with the view!

FWIW - I don't ever make any requests ahead of time. At check-in I ask for the best available view and am never disappointed. CMs really go out of their way to accommodate guests.

 

[REL1203]

Swan is usually (although not always) more expensive than Dolphin. Swan is a "Westin"; Dolphin is a "Sheraton" branded resort. Swan has Queen beds; Dolphin has Double beds (both resorts also have rooms with a King bed). Room sizes are comparable.

Dolphin is the larger resort and has the 24-hour restaurant. Always lots of activity - which many of us love! Swan is the quieter resort.

I love them both.

Dolphin does have one area that has what is referred to as the "dumpster view" -- I've never had that view - those rooms would likely be facing the Yacht Club. I think if one requests a Boardwalk or Epcot view, you will be very happy with the view!

FWIW - I don't ever make any requests ahead of time. At check-in I ask for the best available view and am never disappointed. CMs really go out of their way to accommodate guests.

Both have heavenly beds though right?

So are you saying, dont pay more for the better views, book the cheaper and just ask for the best view when checking in?

 

[Belle83]

So i am considering switching my December stay at AKL to either the Dolphin or the Swan. With the 35% off pin i got for AKL, we couldnt get savannah view (and refuse to pay more on top of savannah price for aruska view), so we have a standard room there, and i told myself that if my wife and i ever stay at AKL, it would be for the savannah view. With the current promo thats out for S&D, i can get a resort view for about the same price. I have a few questions though, cant remember, but either the S or the D cost more, is there any reason for this? Is one considered better than the other? Its just my DW and I for 7 nights, 2 weeks before xmas. I understand the no ME, which def sucks, but after 7 trips to DW in 7 years of marriage, figured it was time to try out the S&D, we spend most of out time at Epcot or Boardwalk at nights (love jellyrolls), but BW is way expensive for what you get i think. besides ME, and no room charging outside of hotel, what else would I love staying at S&D? Thoughts on Resort views?

Thanks

I know you didn't really ask this, but as much as I love the Dolphin, I would take advantage of the AKL discount. S/D seems to offer discounts much more frequently. If you've never stayed at AKL, I would try it.

To answer your question, the standard rooms are more $$ at Swan because they have queen beds instead of doubles.

If you are going during a not-busy time, I wouldn't pay for a resort view because they are pretty generous about upgrading you to one anyway. I have pics of our rooms in my trip report (we stayed in 3 different rooms, all resort views and one of which had a view of Tower or Terror/HS).

I love the Dolphin. Great location, and a beautiful property. Starbucks in the room is wonderful, and there are tons of great dining options nearby.

 

[RachelTori]

Both have heavenly beds though right?

So are you saying, dont pay more for the better views, book the cheaper and just ask for the best view when checking in?

Yes, both have the great beds -- different names though, I believe - one is "heavenly", the other is "sweet sleeper" or something like that!!

I'd suggest paying for the least expensive view you would find acceptable. They're usually very good about upgrading if they're not completely booked, but with the number of conventions - you can't count on it. I have to add though, in my 9 stays in the past several years, I've never had a room that I wasn't happy with (and I've never booked anything but a "traditional - limited view").

 

[melliej]

Has anyone booked one of the 2 bedroom Executive Suites with SPG points? Do you happen to know how many points you need per night? Wondering if it would make more sense than getting 2 separate rooms.

 

[TaraPA]

Dolphin does have one area that has what is referred to as the "dumpster view" -- I've never had that view - those rooms would likely be facing the Yacht Club.

LOL, you mean....this???

 

[LexiC123]

LOL, you mean....this???

It's been a while since that pic was trotted out. Still looks as bad as ever, LOL.