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

[jmasgat]

Additional pluses: Better TV channels (OK, it's a small thing and who spends a lot of time watching TV, but it beats non-stop Disney channels!)

Additional minuses: Resort fee, parking fee.

 

[NancyC1000]

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

As others have said it is all about location! The S/D has some great rates (i.e. teacher's discount, discount for nurses/gov't employees, AAA, etc) and if you qualify you get the same location as the BC/YC and Boardwalk for a great price. Even adding in the resort fee and airport transportation costs, we always seem to do better at the S/D. I love the BC/YC and even with a 35% PIN I still got a better rate at the S/D (including resort fee and airport costs). It is a great resort and we have never really had any major problems staying there. We never have a car when we go but the parking fee is a definite minus for sure.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dining plusses...

20% AAA discount at non signature restaurants

TiW discount at signature restaurants

 

[lomillerin]

When I try to book a room, Dreams unlimited does say if they room is a King or double. Is there a way to book a King room? This would be for just my hubby and me and we want a King bed.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Book direct.

 

[lomillerin]

Book direct.

Why? I am a teacher and teacher rates don't show up on the direct website.
Is there a reason not to use Dreams unlimited?

 

[LexiC123]

Why? I am a teacher and teacher rates don't show up on the direct website.
Is there a reason not to use Dreams unlimited?

Teacher Rate here

As for Dreams Unlimited, I'm sure there are others who are happy to give the responsibility of booking their trip over to a travel agent...I'm just not one of them. I like (and enjoy) the process of finding a good deal on my own. And it has been my experience that Dreams Unlimited prices are always higher that the prices I get from the S/D website. Again, maybe that isn't true for everyone, but it has been true for me on the occasions that I've used them to price a trip.

For example, for the random dates Oct. 22-26, 2011, the Dreams Unlimited teacher rate for 2 adults in a standard room at the Dolphin is $219, plus taxes and resort fee. The same room, when booked directly through the S/D, on the Sheraton hotel site (the Dolphin is a Sheraton property) comes up much less expensive...$159 per night, plus taxes and fees. But the cheapest rate of all doesn't require any code at all...the pre-paid rate is $139 per night. The only caveat with that rate is that it's non-refundable, so you really should be locked into your dates to book that one.

And the rate is the same for two double beds as it is for a king bed; the S/D room categories are based on views and whether or not the room has a balcony.

Sometimes the website does not give you the option of booking a king bed, but I've often found that additional room options are available by calling...to either the hotels directly; or to the Sheraton or Westin reservation numbers; or to the Starwood Preferred Guest number).

Again, I can only speak from my own experiences. Best of luck with booking your trip.

 

[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

Here's another "pro" for my family - but it could be a "con" in another family:

we love that the "Disney Theme" isn't being shoved down our throats at every turn of every corner of the resort.

Believe me, we love as much as the next person, but, what we adored when DD was 3 and 7 is much different than what we now love with her 18 years old. We just find we don't "need" the constant theming, but instead, we adore the real "resort" feel that the Dolphin has while still being right in the midst of all the Disney magic.

Again - strictly OUR family's opinion.

 

[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.

Do you mean to tell me that any of the experts who post here don't have any idea of room numbers I'm asking about? Come on show a little love here!

 

[kentburns]

We had #9016 in July. It was on the East wing facing the Studios and Swan. It had two baconies facing 2 differnet directions. 1 King size bed and a couch. Great room

 

[sewer]

We had #9016 in July. It was on the East wing facing the Studios and Swan. It had two baconies facing 2 differnet directions. 1 King size bed and a couch. Great room

Now we're getting somewhere, keep 'em coming!

 

[LexiC123]

Do you mean to tell me that any of the experts who post here don't have any idea of room numbers I'm asking about? Come on show a little love here!

To be honest, I think you'd have more success just requesting something like "the highest floor with a balcony that faces Epcot"...assuming, of course, that you've paid for that category room.

For what it's worth, though, this is the view we had in '09 from room #2017 in the East Wing, facing the Y&BC and Epcot:

Pretty view, but we were the second-to-last room in that hallway and it felt like the Bataan Death March walking back to our room at the end of a long day of touring the parks!

That's one of the reasons we stay at the Swan now...much shorter hallways, LOL.

 

[sewer]

To be honest, I think you'd have more success just requesting something like "the highest floor with a balcony that faces Epcot"...assuming, of course, that you've paid for that category room.

For what it's worth, though, this is the view we had in '09 from room #2017 in the East Wing, facing the Y&BC and Epcot:

Pretty view, but we were the second-to-last room in that hallway and it felt like the Bataan Death March walking back to our room at the end of a long day of touring the parks!

That's one of the reasons we stay at the Swan now...much shorter hallways, LOL.

Now that's exactly the view I'm looking for! We're on a roll now, so all of the odd numbered rooms on the east wing face that way?

 

[LexiC123]

Now that's exactly the view I'm looking for! We're on a roll now, so all of the odd numbered rooms on the east wing face that way?

Sounds like a reasonable assumption. They'd be along the outer-most facade in this photo (not mine...from the net).

 

[Dan Murphy]

Why? I am a teacher and teacher rates don't show up on the direct website.
Is there a reason not to use Dreams unlimited?

Teacher Rate here

As for Dreams Unlimited, I'm sure there are others who are happy to give the responsibility of booking their trip over to a travel agent...I'm just not one of them. I like (and enjoy) the process of finding a good deal on my own. And it has been my experience that Dreams Unlimited prices are always higher that the prices I get from the S/D website. Again, maybe that isn't true for everyone, but it has been true for me on the occasions that I've used them to price a trip.

For example, for the random dates Oct. 22-26, 2011, the Dreams Unlimited teacher rate for 2 adults in a standard room at the Dolphin is $219, plus taxes and resort fee. The same room, when booked directly through the S/D, on the Sheraton hotel site (the Dolphin is a Sheraton property) comes up much less expensive...$159 per night, plus taxes and fees. But the cheapest rate of all doesn't require any code at all...the pre-paid rate is $139 per night. The only caveat with that rate is that it's non-refundable, so you really should be locked into your dates to book that one.

And the rate is the same for two double beds as it is for a king bed; the S/D room categories are based on views and whether or not the room has a balcony.

Sometimes the website does not give you the option of booking a king bed, but I've often found that additional room options are available by calling...to either the hotels directly; or to the Sheraton or Westin reservation numbers; or to the Starwood Preferred Guest number).

Again, I can only speak from my own experiences. Best of luck with booking your trip.

What Lexi said above.

 

[diskids2]

To be honest, I think you'd have more success just requesting something like "the highest floor with a balcony that faces Epcot"...assuming, of course, that you've paid for that category room.

For what it's worth, though, this is the view we had in '09 from room #2017 in the East Wing, facing the Y&BC and Epcot:

Pretty view, but we were the second-to-last room in that hallway and it felt like the Bataan Death March walking back to our room at the end of a long day of touring the parks!

That's one of the reasons we stay at the Swan now...much shorter hallways, LOL.

Oh you had me laughing....I felt the SAME way when we had a room on the East wing with balcony, by the end of our 10 night trip I was wondering if the view of Illuminations was worth the walk back every night! For our family, we decided not! Now I request, Central high floor.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.......Pretty view, but we were the second-to-last room in that hallway and it felt like the Bataan Death March walking back to our room at the end of a long day of touring the parks!

That's one of the reasons we stay at the Swan now...much shorter hallways, LOL.

Another plus of the Swan.

 

[SunnyDey]

I am staying at the Swan & Dolphin for the first time with my DH and toddler in November. I plan on spending some time out on the beach/playground area with our daughter while DH attends his conference. Does that area have any sand toys available or would we need to buy/bring our own? Thanks!

 

[Tltorrez]

On our last trip at BWV we shipped back a box of souvenirs. I was able to buy the box from the business center and then drop it off to be shipped on our last day.

Is there a similar service available at S/D?

 

[macbitt]

The Swan is a part of this week's Starpicks.

For select days in October and November, including all of Thanksgiving week, the Swan and other Starwood properties are offering discount rates when you book by this Friday. See the site for all details.