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

[disadventurer]

Sooooo excited to try the Dolphin We are a family of 5 who will be staying for Christmas. Had a death in the family earlier in the year, and want to try something different for the holidays, as I am sure this is going to be a tough one!

We are booked 12/24-12-29 with a resort view with a balcony AAA rate. Not sure what to request, so just said high floor, first time excited. They state that they can accommodate 2 adults and 3 children. I guess that means a rollaway ($25) no day bed?? Anybody ever have this situation? Is it true that the beds are doubles and not queens?

While staying at the YC, we decided to walk through the lobby, and boy it is just beautiful. Hope the rooms/view are the same. Everyone in my family loves the pool/hot tubs. Can anyone verify if they are open for this time period and are they 24 hours?

Also, doing a split stay. Do they accept luggage from another Disney resort?

Really always wanted to stay here, and this Christmas I want it to be magical so I hope everyone will be happy The hotel has such a beautiful design and it's just so different from anything Disney.

Anything else I should know or request or write into the concierge, please let me know. Appreciate everyone's comments, suggestions, etc.

Thanks in advance for all your valuable help.

P.S. Pics (any and all) are sooooo appreciated.

 

[jmasgat]

Beds are doubles at the Dolphin. And no daybeds. As for luggage, I don't think they'll transfer--last year we did a split stay BWV/Dolphin and we just walked our stuff over. Pools and hot tubs are open--don't know the hours.

They had some neat Christmas activities last year, out on the walkway between Swan & Dolphin, also in the lobby of both hotels. Santa was there, one night they had free cupcake decorating, hot chocolate. Check the web site when it's closer to Christmas.

Maura

 

[haleofafamily]

We did a split stay from VWL to Dolphin and they transferred our luggage. When I told the bellman where we were transferring too he said, "Oh the ugly step sister to the official Disney hotels." He went on to say that my bags would be transferred last blah, blah, blah. I didn't let it bother me. Our bags were there when we got there so it worked out perfectly.

 

[jnfr2424]

Effective October 1 (including any stays with checkout dates of Oct 2 or later), free night award and cash & points award stays will now count towards elite tier qualifying status.

Now this is great news since I'll be staying @ the Dolphin in October November and December!

 

[diskids2]

We did a split stay from VWL to Dolphin and they transferred our luggage. When I told the bellman where we were transferring too he said, "Oh the ugly step sister to the official Disney hotels." He went on to say that my bags would be transferred last blah, blah, blah. I didn't let it bother me. Our bags were there when we got there so it worked out perfectly.

I'm glad you didn't let that bother you! I'm annoyed just reading it...

 

[sewer]

Does anyone have knowledge of room numbers I can request if I want a "park view" room at the Dolphin. I'd really like to see the boats and the Boardwalk area. I know I want to be in the east wing to be in that area, I just don't know room numbers.

 

[disadventurer]

Beds are doubles at the Dolphin. And no daybeds. As for luggage, I don't think they'll transfer--last year we did a split stay BWV/Dolphin and we just walked our stuff over. Pools and hot tubs are open--don't know the hours.

They had some neat Christmas activities last year, out on the walkway between Swan & Dolphin, also in the lobby of both hotels. Santa was there, one night they had free cupcake decorating, hot chocolate. Check the web site when it's closer to Christmas.

Maura

Thanks for the great tips. Never been in Florida for Christmas so this will be a new experience for all. Really sounds exciting--hope the weather holds

 

[disadventurer]

We did a split stay from VWL to Dolphin and they transferred our luggage. When I told the bellman where we were transferring too he said, "Oh the ugly step sister to the official Disney hotels." He went on to say that my bags would be transferred last blah, blah, blah. I didn't let it bother me. Our bags were there when we got there so it worked out perfectly.

Nice to know that is possible. Thought it might be as it is a Disney resort category, but just wasn't sure. Probably send the bags and go over to see if check-in can be early. Too bad you had Grumpy though!!
Funny he called it the ugly step-sister

 

[disadventurer]

Effective October 1 (including any stays with checkout dates of Oct 2 or later), free night award and cash & points award stays will now count towards elite tier qualifying status.

Just became SPG members so this is good news! Just wanted to say that I love your ticker

 

[Lyric]

Hi All,

A table within the Unofficial Guide says that 69% of Dolphin customers say they would return but 100% of Swan customers say they would return. Is the Swan truly that much different? I thought the rooms were fairly similar?

Thanks- just confused!!

 

[jmasgat]

Beware statistics!

The Swan is smaller and getting to your room at the Dolphin can be an adventure (which elevator? which corridor?!), but really, it's very similar. I don't know why there would be such a disparity.

Of course, unless you know the sample size, the reasons for not wanting to return, etc. them it's hard to know what that survey really meant.

 

[GreenB]

Hi Everybody.

Today, Thursday September 29, 2011 all certificates at www.restaurant.com are on sale for only $1
This offer is only valid for today and does include several nice restaurants at the Swan-Dolphin (Il Mulino, Shula's, Todd English's Blue Zoo).
The offer is applied automatically when you check out, you don't need a promotion code.

I already bought mine for Shula's!!
Hope it helps.

 

[Lyric]

Beware statistics!

The Swan is smaller and getting to your room at the Dolphin can be an adventure (which elevator? which corridor?!), but really, it's very similar. I don't know why there would be such a disparity.

Of course, unless you know the sample size, the reasons for not wanting to return, etc. them it's hard to know what that survey really meant.

Good to hear- thanks for the info! Just looking at the hotels online, the Dolphin appeals to me a bit more and was quite taken aback from those stats.

 

[Magalex]

This is the first time I am considering staying at the Dolphin for a family trip in June 2012. Do they ever release general public discounts for the summer season for the Dolphin/Swan? When should I start looking for any possible discounts? Has anyone taken a cab or town car from the Dolphin to Universal? How much would it cost?

 

[jmasgat]

Magalex Since Swan/Dolphin aren't Disney hotels, they don't do discounts the same way as Disney. That said, they have discounts posted on their web site under "Offers"and you can book certain discounts for June already, e.g. AAA. Don't know for sure about when anything more "seasonal" will come out, but they always have some types of discounts going. Plus, you can always join their preferred guest program--they often have additional discounts for members.

 

[jnfr2424]

Bump!

 

[cschwally]

This is the first time I am considering staying at the Dolphin for a family trip in June 2012. Do they ever release general public discounts for the summer season for the Dolphin/Swan? When should I start looking for any possible discounts? Has anyone taken a cab or town car from the Dolphin to Universal? How much would it cost?

I went through AAA.com for our Thanksgiving reservations. I reserved back in April and havne't seen anything cheaper since. Thanksgiving and Summer are about the same rates, so I would think they would be the same.

 

[a1tinkfans]

anyone care to give me a quick synopsis on the difference, pluses or minus to each of these....the lack of the transport and dining throws me away from them as a choice.... WHY do people love them so much?? TIA

 

[SingingMom]

anyone care to give me a quick synopsis on the difference, pluses or minus to each of these....the lack of the transport and dining throws me away from them as a choice.... WHY do people love them so much?? TIA

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! ​

 

[kevallen]

anyone care to give me a quick synopsis on the difference, pluses or minus to each of these....the lack of the transport and dining throws me away from them as a choice.... WHY do people love them so much?? TIA

Pluses: Location (as above), Disney Transportation to Parks, etc., Heavenly Beds (better than Disney's), Starwood Preferred Guest points for free and discounted stays, Starwood (Westin and Sheraton) staff on par with Disney. great onsite restaurants, Disney Extra Magic Hours, discounts abound and the prices can be much better than Disney owned hotels.

Minuses: No Magical Express (from Orlando Int'l), no dining plan (but if you just put the same amount of money on a Disney Gift Card you'll probably end up ahead), can't charge in the parks to the rooms.