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

[LBYC-19]

Have a wonderful first trip lovetheduck! We will look forward to hearing about it upon your return. You will love the Dolphin.

We were able to obtain a room for Saturday night (The poor reservation staff are no doubt relieved they will no longer be receiving my daily begging and pleading phone calls). My daughter is a teacher; those rates were gone, but we were able to get a AAA rate. Last-minute trip planning for Food and Wine two years in a row- not recommended! Lesson learned to book early next time! We can't wait to be back at the Dolphin again.

 

[Muppetfan3]

Can someone help me out with this question.....

We are getting ready for our upcoming trip to WDW and are so excited! There are three of us, DH, myself our DD. This trip is a huge surprise for her birthday. So, I am super excited. However, just a little concerned when I called asking about our room (we have a standard room), she said she will request a King bed with a pull out sofa but not all rooms have these. if it doesnt work out at check in, we can switch to 2 doubles. this worries me a bit. does anyone know about the King rooms. I guess in the end, it won't matter, as long as we have a room where we can all sleep. Do the Kings have pull out sleeper sofas or is just a couch?? I want our DD to be comfortable, of course. I am excited about our trip, but every time I've spoken to a customer service person from the dolphin/swan, they haven't been too cheery nor very ready to fill your request. dunno, i just don't get that magical feel that you get from the other resorts, but I'm still optimistic. if anyone has any insight on how the rooms actually are, i would really appreciate it. thank you!
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[N_Phoenix]

Can someone help me out with this question.....


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I believe all the king rooms have a sleeper sofa. We are specifically staying at the swan due to the queen size beds if a king room is not available. The four of us would not be comfortable on two doubles.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I am excited about our trip, but every time I've spoken to a customer service person from the dolphin/swan, they haven't been too cheery nor very ready to fill your request. dunno, i just don't get that magical feel that you get from the other resorts, but I'm still optimistic._

I totally agree. Unfortunately, I've had the same experience when I've called to check rates. Pretty gruff, not super helpful or willing to offer to check other rates, and acting sort of annoyed and huffing when I've asked to check multiple room rates or teacher/AAA/etc... rates. We're going to stay at POFQ because I don't want to stay somewhere that doesn't feel 'Disney' to me, and if that's how it felt on the phone, I'm guessing it will feel that way in person too. For $400 more than we're paying at POFQ, I'm not willing to take the chance.

 

[sophie832]

DH and I are thinking of doing either F&G or F&W at Epcot in 2012...or maybe both! Our possible F&G dates would be 4/25-4/29, and the F&W dates would be 10/14-10/21. We've stayed at YC before, and we loved the location, but it was really expensive and we're looking to try something different. So, we are thinking of the Swan or Dolphin for either of these trips.

I've been reading this thread, and I think we're leaning more towards a King bedroom at the Dolphin over a room at the Swan. If it meant a big price difference between Dolphin and Swan, we would even be ok with 2 doubles at the Dolphin (we sleep on a double bed at home).

We won't have APs for the April trip, but we might have them for the October trip. Neither of us are teachers (or any of the other highly-discounted occupations)...I work for local government in Los Angeles, but I doubt that helps. I'm a Starwood program member. So, it looks like right now our only options for April are a AAA discount or a Starwood member discount.

I noticed in this thread that we could potentially make AP discount reservations for next October right now! Should we be seriously thinking about that right now, in case the rooms fill up? Also, do you think there will be any other discounts offered for April? Right now the April rates that come up are around $200+ per night, and we're hoping for a better deal.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

We have used the Dolphin for many years. My husband also works for the local government. We have always been able to use the government discount by showing either his pay stub or work ID. I would give them a call! The locations of the Dolphin is wonderful as you know from staying at the YC. Good Luck to you!

 

[sophie832]

We have used the Dolphin for many years. My husband also works for the local government. We have always been able to use the government discount by showing either his pay stub or work ID. I would give them a call! The locations of the Dolphin is wonderful as you know from staying at the YC. Good Luck to you!

If we could get a govt. discount, that would be awesome!!! We'll look into it, thanks

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Your welcome. The Dolphin resort is one of the only Sheratons/Westins that let us use the government rate when we are not there on government business but as a leisure trip. My husband works at a local city government as the Cheif building inspector. I don't think you will have any problems.

We now stay a lot at the Boardwalk since we are now DVC members but we have had many great trips to the Dolphin!

 

[mahannie]

A quick question for all of you who have stayed at the Dolphin.

I'm traveling with my mom, who has a heart condition. While she doesn't need a wheelchair (thank goodness), she's not up to walking for lengthy distances either. I'd read where there are rooms that are a 10 minute walk away from the lobby.

What area of the Dolphin would y'all recommend we should ask for? I'm looking for something closer to the boat docks if that helps.

Thanks for your help, this thread has been extremely helpful in planning this trip!

 

[jnfr2424]

A quick question for all of you who have stayed at the Dolphin.

I'm traveling with my mom, who has a heart condition. While she doesn't need a wheelchair (thank goodness), she's not up to walking for lengthy distances either. I'd read where there are rooms that are a 10 minute walk away from the lobby.

What area of the Dolphin would y'all recommend we should ask for? I'm looking for something closer to the boat docks if that helps.

Thanks for your help, this thread has been extremely helpful in planning this trip!

Request a room on the 3rd floor - that's the same floor as the lobby or request a room that is right next to the elevator. There are rooms that are directly next to the elevator in the west wing ( I stayed in one last October and I think it ended in 33 sorry I don't remember) and it was the best room ever! It took us directly down to the 1st floor around the corner from Piacabu and other eateries plus we were close to the pool, the gym and the causeway for the boats.

 

[jnfr2424]

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.

Thanks everyone I just checked my reservations and it is set for 10/11-10/15/12!

Can someone help me out with this question.....

We are getting ready for our upcoming trip to WDW and are so excited! There are three of us, DH, myself our DD. This trip is a huge surprise for her birthday. So, I am super excited. However, just a little concerned when I called asking about our room (we have a standard room), she said she will request a King bed with a pull out sofa but not all rooms have these. if it doesnt work out at check in, we can switch to 2 doubles. this worries me a bit. does anyone know about the King rooms. I guess in the end, it won't matter, as long as we have a room where we can all sleep. Do the Kings have pull out sleeper sofas or is just a couch?? I want our DD to be comfortable, of course. I am excited about our trip, but every time I've spoken to a customer service person from the dolphin/swan, they haven't been too cheery nor very ready to fill your request. dunno, i just don't get that magical feel that you get from the other resorts, but I'm still optimistic. if anyone has any insight on how the rooms actually are, i would really appreciate it. thank you!
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Here is a picture taken from a stay I had in June It was a King size bed and the couch on the left was a pull out sofa:

 

[Belle83]

I believe all the king rooms have a sleeper sofa. We are specifically staying at the swan due to the queen size beds if a king room is not available. The four of us would not be comfortable on two doubles.

We had two different king rooms last May. The first was a standard king room and it did not have a sleeper sofa. It was a corner room, I'm not sure if that matters.

The second was a junior suite or something like that, and it did have a sofa. I didn't check to see if it was a sleeper sofa (it was just 2 people in the room) but I bet it was.

Hotel Room Pics:

Room #1 (2 doubles)
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41310112

Room #2 (king)
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41312749

Room #3 (no idea, some type of suite, king bed)
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41316388

 

[Aliceacc]

I have another question. (Big shock I know!)

I'm thinking of booking a room at the Dolphin, and putting down a deposit. Then, come spring, canceling either the Dolhin or the Beach Club, depending on what discounts come out.

I know my MYW package at the BC is refundable, except for the Disney insurance. I can eat the $100 or so if there's a better deal elsewhere.

Those of you who love the Dolphin, how do you do trip insurance? Through whom? I'm thinking I'll want the flights covered, as well as our park tickets.

The only reasons we would cancel would be a hurricane or some sort of medical emergency at home. But that would mean $2500 or so we would be out.

As I understand it, I would have to get insurance within 2 weeks of booking the first part of my trip-- putting down that deposit at the Dolphin.

Any words of wisdom?

 

[bear_mom]

I have another question. (Big shock I know!)

I'm thinking of booking a room at the Dolphin, and putting down a deposit. Then, come spring, canceling either the Dolhin or the Beach Club, depending on what discounts come out.

I know my MYW package at the BC is refundable, except for the Disney insurance. I can eat the $100 or so if there's a better deal elsewhere.

Those of you who love the Dolphin, how do you do trip insurance? Through whom? I'm thinking I'll want the flights covered, as well as our park tickets.

The only reasons we would cancel would be a hurricane or some sort of medical emergency at home. But that would mean $2500 or so we would be out.

As I understand it, I would have to get insurance within 2 weeks of booking the first part of my trip-- putting down that deposit at the Dolphin.

Any words of wisdom?

Whenever I pay for plane tickets, I am given the option of buying insurance. For the hotel you wouldn't need insurance, they have a normal cancellation policy, as long as it is 24 hours in advance, you can get a refund. So I don't think you would be out anything....... (except for tickets, unless you bought them once you were down there)

Emily

 

[mahannie]

Request a room on the 3rd floor - that's the same floor as the lobby or request a room that is right next to the elevator. There are rooms that are directly next to the elevator in the west wing ( I stayed in one last October and I think it ended in 33 sorry I don't remember) and it was the best room ever! It took us directly down to the 1st floor around the corner from Piacabu and other eateries plus we were close to the pool, the gym and the causeway for the boats.

, that is very helpful. I knew that a fellow DISer would have the answer!

 

[TaraPA]

I agree, West Wing near the eleveators is a great location for being close to the lobby, Picabu, pool, laundry, arcade & Disney bus transportation.

There aren't really any rooms located close to the Friendship Boat exit, since that is on level one, but a room near the lobby would be the closest.

 

[NancyIL]

I have another question. (Big shock I know!)

I'm thinking of booking a room at the Dolphin, and putting down a deposit. Then, come spring, canceling either the Dolhin or the Beach Club, depending on what discounts come out.

I know my MYW package at the BC is refundable, except for the Disney insurance. I can eat the $100 or so if there's a better deal elsewhere.

Those of you who love the Dolphin, how do you do trip insurance? Through whom? I'm thinking I'll want the flights covered, as well as our park tickets.

The only reasons we would cancel would be a hurricane or some sort of medical emergency at home. But that would mean $2500 or so we would be out.

As I understand it, I would have to get insurance within 2 weeks of booking the first part of my trip-- putting down that deposit at the Dolphin.

Any words of wisdom?

Cancellation at the Swan/Dolphin is 5 days in advance...same as at a WDW resort. I generally don't insure domestic trips. However, when I do buy trip insurance, it's from the Trip Insurance Store: www.tripinsurancestore.com. You can buy trip insurance at any time. The reason to buy insurance within the first two weeks or so of making the first trip payment is to get the waiver of pre-existing conditions, and not all trip insurance policies offer that.

Trip insurance is meant to cover pre-paid, non-refundable trip expenses. WDW tickets are good forever as long as they are unused, so that's not an expense to insure. (An insurance company is not going to reimburse you for tickets that can be used in the future - unlike plane tickets that are usually good only for one year from the original purchase date - minus the change fee.)

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm hoping to get YES tickets, which are dated for a particular time frame. So I'm pretty much talking about $1100 or so in airfare, and about $1000 in non-refundable park tickets.

 

[lizabu]

What would be the most economical way to get 7 people from the airport to the Swan? Do you often see taxi's that hold that many people at the airport?

 

[Ramsfan28]

Ask the S&D drivers to send over the Escalade, it can fit 7.