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

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html

 

[Mouseteacher]

S/D do not have ME nor do they have a shuttle service. We have used a town car service for all our stays at S/D. I love that that the driver is waiting for you and takes you right to your resort. No stops at other resorts.

 

[NancyIL]

I almost always go to WDW solo, so I usually take Mears from MCO to the Swan. When my mother in Cocoa was alive, I would rent a car from National or Alamo to visit her first, and then return it to the Dolphin.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I am still confused about paying with points. If you book a balcony room for a 7 nights and you get there an want to pay 3 nights with cash and 4 nights with points, can you? They won't downgrade your room because you are paying with points with they?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

FYI call Swan/Dolphin for their AP rates (1/2 off rack rates) as well its not online you have to call and mention you are an AP holder

Thank you so much for the tip!

 

[NancyIL]

I am still confused about paying with points. If you book a balcony room for a 7 nights and you get there an want to pay 3 nights with cash and 4 nights with points, can you? They won't downgrade your room because you are paying with points with they?

You get a 5th night free when using points for 4 nights, so you'd have to pay for only 2 nights. However, I would lock-in the room rate if you think that's what you want to do. If you wait until check-in to change from points to cash - you may end up paying a much higher room rate.

If the balcony room is already reserved as though you are paying cash, then you need to see if there are 5 days available using points.

 

[TaraPA]

Is there now a points schedule for different categories? Previously when using 10,000 points per night it was for a standard room, not balcony, Epcot Fireworks view, etc. Upgrades were possible but you couldn't actually choose a category at the time of redeeming points.

It did happen to us that we had to downgrade mid-stay when switching from a paid room to a points-reservation. We had an Epcot Fireworks View room, paid for by DH's work for 3 nights, then I had reserved 3 additional nights on points. They moved us across the hotel. I'm not sure you can even opt to change a cash ressie over to a points ressie mid-stay, if that's your intent. I think points nights generally have to be reserved ahead of time.

 

[RachelTori]

Is there now a points schedule for different categories? Previously when using 10,000 points per night it was for a standard room, not balcony, Epcot Fireworks view, etc. Upgrades were possible but you couldn't actually choose a category at the time of redeeming points.

It did happen to us that we had to downgrade mid-stay when switching from a paid room to a points-reservation. We had an Epcot Fireworks View room, paid for by DH's work for 3 nights, then I had reserved 3 additional nights on points. They moved us across the hotel. I'm not sure you can even opt to change a cash ressie over to a points ressie mid-stay, if that's your intent. I think points nights generally have to be reserved ahead of time.

That's my understanding too. You would need to have 2 separate reservations, although they would "link" them and they will try to keep you in the same room.

In my case (several weeks ago), it worked out that I kept the same room. And they were able to confirm that for me when I checked in. I'm sure a lot depends on how booked they are during your stay.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

You get a 5th night free when using points for 4 nights, so you'd have to pay for only 2 nights. However, I would lock-in the room rate if you think that's what you want to do. If you wait until check-in to change from points to cash - you may end up paying a much higher room rate.

If the balcony room is already reserved as though you are paying cash, then you need to see if there are 5 days available using points.

I am still confused. I booked the balcony room already. They didn't ask how I was going to pay. So if I show up and say I want to do some cash and some points what will they say? If you want to use some points do you have to make a special "points reservation?" They didn't mention any options when I booked.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

You get a 5th night free when using points for 4 nights, so you'd have to pay for only 2 nights. However, I would lock-in the room rate if you think that's what you want to do. If you wait until check-in to change from points to cash - you may end up paying a much higher room rate.

If the balcony room is already reserved as though you are paying cash, then you need to see if there are 5 days available using points.

How do you do that?

Thanks again

 

[NancyIL]

I am still confused. I booked the balcony room already. They didn't ask how I was going to pay. So if I show up and say I want to do some cash and some points what will they say? If you want to use some points do you have to make a special "points reservation?" They didn't mention any options when I booked.

Unless you specifically said you wanted to book the room using points, it would've been assumed that you were paying with cash. When you booked the balcony room, you should've received a confirmation that told you the price you were paying.

Yes, you have to book rooms using SPG points in advance. If you have 40,000 SPG points (10,000 points per night for 4 free nights) - you will automatically get the 5th consecutive night free - as long as it is available to be booked with points. If I were you, I would call the hotel and tell them you want to book some nights with points and pay cash for the rest. Also find out what price you are paying, and ask if there are any discounts (AAA, AARP, annual passholder, government employee, etc.).

 

[TaraPA]

I am still confused. I booked the balcony room already. They didn't ask how I was going to pay. So if I show up and say I want to do some cash and some points what will they say? If you want to use some points do you have to make a special "points reservation?" They didn't mention any options when I booked.

Yes you have to book ahead using points, not once you're there. It can be done by phone or at www.spg.com - I've always booked my points stays on the website. I double checked & it's still just a standard room with points, so I don't think they can apply your points to your current stay if it's a balcony room category. You may have to cancel & start a new reservation - half with cash & halof on points (or do the 4nts on points get the 5th free promo).

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Yes you have to book ahead using points, not once you're there. It can be done by phone or at www.spg.com - I've always booked my points stays on the website. I double checked & it's still just a standard room with points, so I don't think they can apply your points to your current stay if it's a balcony room category. You may have to cancel & start a new reservation - half with cash & halof on points (or do the 4nts on points get the 5th free promo).

Hmmm, balcony is important to us so I guess I can't use our points. That's disappointing. Thank you for the info.

 

[melliej]

Hmmm, balcony is important to us so I guess I can't use our points. That's disappointing. Thank you for the info.

You can get a balcony room on points, they are just a bit more (11,000/night instead of 10,000). It is all based on availability. I believe they need to have "Best Available Rate" rooms available in order to reserve with points, so definitely give them a call.

 

[lovetheduck]

We are leaving Friday for our first stay at the Dolphin!
Does anyone know if they still sell refillable mugs?
Also, in the refrigerator is there a freezer section to put ice packs?


TIA!

 

[NancyIL]

We are leaving Friday for our first stay at the Dolphin!
Does anyone know if they still sell refillable mugs?
Also, in the refrigerator is there a freezer section to put ice packs?


TIA!

There is no freezer section in the room refrigerators. I don't use the refillable mugs, but I think they are still available.

 

[brookelizabeth]

FYI call Swan/Dolphin for their AP rates (1/2 off rack rates) as well its not online you have to call and mention you are an AP holder

I just spoke with the Swan/Dolphin and it depends on your dates as to what the AP discount will be. For example, looking at next October, the current discount is $179 per night for a Standard Room, that is not 50%. But, the woman said, many times during our conversation, "The discount varies" so a better one COULD come out, but it's not guaranteed.

If you were able to get 1/2 off, what are your dates? Just curious!

 

[jnfr2424]

I just spoke with the Swan/Dolphin and it depends on your dates as to what the AP discount will be. For example, looking at next October, the current discount is $179 per night for a Standard Room, that is not 50%. But, the woman said, many times during our conversation, "The discount varies" so a better one COULD come out, but it's not guaranteed.

If you were able to get 1/2 off, what are your dates? Just curious!

The AP rates is half off the rack rate meaning the fullest price possible for a room so when she quoted you $179 that was the 1/2 off the rack rate of $358. I am holding my room for next October at that $179 for now and I will be there for S/D Food and Wine Festival ( 10/4/12 - 10/8/12). Last year (2010)we used the Food and Wine package, before I left we used our AP and booked a room for October 2011. In March 2011, I changed that reservation to an executive suite and when I was leaving this year, I booked an AP room for October 2012. If a better rate comes out I will book accordingly.

 

[RachelTori]

The AP rates is half off the rack rate meaning the fullest price possible for a room so when she quoted you $179 that was the 1/2 off the rack rate of $358. I am holding my room for next October at that $179 for now and I will be there for S/D Food and Wine Festival ( 10/4/12 - 10/8/12). Last year (2010)we used the Food and Wine package, before I left we used our AP and booked a room for October 2011. In March 2011, I changed that reservation to an executive suite and when I was leaving this year, I booked an AP room for October 2012. If a better rate comes out I will book accordingly.

If you're planning on attending the Swan Dolphin Food & Wine Classic in 2012, you might need to reschedule your dates. If you are indeed booked for 10/4-8/2012, you'll be a week early. The Classic is 10/12-13.

 

[Tess]

The AP rates is half off the rack rate meaning the fullest price possible for a room so when she quoted you $179 that was the 1/2 off the rack rate of $358. I am holding my room for next October at that $179 for now and I will be there for S/D Food and Wine Festival ( 10/4/12 - 10/8/12). Last year (2010)we used the Food and Wine package, before I left we used our AP and booked a room for October 2011. In March 2011, I changed that reservation to an executive suite and when I was leaving this year, I booked an AP room for October 2012. If a better rate comes out I will book accordingly.

If you're planning on attending the Swan Dolphin Food & Wine Classic in 2012, you might need to reschedule your dates. If you are indeed booked for 10/4-8/2012, you'll be a week early. The Classic is 10/12-13.

I was just going to post that after I got an email notification on my phone. It seems that original misinformation wasn't corrected here.