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

[4rkdz]

We really liked the Dolphin and would stay there again in a heartbeat. As mentioned here, I got the free SPG card, provided the number to the hotel before my arrival, and our room was upgraded to a 12th floor resort view room in the central tower. We could see HS and Epcot from our window including the Epcot fireworks each night.
I too was bummed that we could not get a Gardengrocer delivery to the room. Instead we packed one suitcase with breakfast supplies and used our limo stop for milk and drinks. The mini fridge can hold a couple half gallons of milk, a couple half gallons of OJ plus, a bottle of wine and a couple smaller items on the door. We had a party of 5, 2 adults and 3 kids 11, 9, 9 so we had a rollaway bed in the room. Even with the rollaway, we did not feel cramped in the room. We also felt like we had enough drawer and closet space to unpack all but one suitcase. Having only one sink was a minor drawback.
The pools were nice but the slide was nothing great for the kids. Still they enjoyed their pool time and there are activities going on at poolside each afternoon. The cabana serves good drinks and food. We also did our laundry while at the pool. The washers and dryers seem to be commercial size and can hold a lot of laundry. ($2/load)
Cinderella's Castle, The Osborne Lights, and The Candlelight Processional are all can't-miss sights.
We had a GREAT meal at Todd English Bluezoo on our parent's night out. Garden Grove was just OK. If you want a character meal your money would be better spent somewhere else.
We have stayed at several disney hotels over the years and would rank this right up there with BCV,CR etc. It is a beautiful hotel with great staff in a great location AND with the most comfortable beds we have experienced anywhere.

 

[Music City Mama]

We really liked the Dolphin and would stay there again in a heartbeat. As mentioned here, I got the free SPG card, provided the number to the hotel before my arrival, and our room was upgraded to a 12th floor resort view room in the central tower. We could see HS and Epcot from our window including the Epcot fireworks each night.
I too was bummed that we could not get a Gardengrocer delivery to the room. Instead we packed one suitcase with breakfast supplies and used our limo stop for milk and drinks. The mini fridge can hold a couple half gallons of milk, a couple half gallons of OJ plus, a bottle of wine and a couple smaller items on the door. We had a party of 5, 2 adults and 3 kids 11, 9, 9 so we had a rollaway bed in the room. Even with the rollaway, we did not feel cramped in the room. We also felt like we had enough drawer and closet space to unpack all but one suitcase. Having only one sink was a minor drawback.
The pools were nice but the slide was nothing great for the kids. Still they enjoyed their pool time and there are activities going on at poolside each afternoon. The cabana serves good drinks and food. We also did our laundry while at the pool. The washers and dryers seem to be commercial size and can hold a lot of laundry. ($2/load)
Cinderella's Castle, The Osborne Lights, and The Candlelight Processional are all can't-miss sights.
We had a GREAT meal at Todd English Bluezoo on our parent's night out. Garden Grove was just OK. If you want a character meal your money would be better spent somewhere else.
We have stayed at several disney hotels over the years and would rank this right up there with BCV,CR etc. It is a beautiful hotel with great staff in a great location AND with the most comfortable beds we have experienced anywhere.

Yay, another satisfied Dolphin guest!

 

[Music City Mama]

I'm having a serious dilemma . . . I need opinions.

So, we're going next June.

I could've booked a Dolphin rate for next June back in September for $161/night, but I decided to wait because last December I got a $152/rate (for this past June).

If anything, the rates have been going up. I have noticed that the Swan's rates are actually $20 cheaper per night than the Dolphin's for my dates. So, I was considering the Swan.

Yesterday, Disney released the 30% off discount for BC/YC/BWI and while that will cost more, maybe it's worth it.

This is the breakdown . . . WWYD?

Dolphin:
Prepaid rate for 6 nights (6th night is free with this prepaid rate):
$1,432 (includes taxes, resort fee and parking)
*I must prepay -- and if I cancel 5+ days in advance, I'm penalized 1 night's stay. If I cancel after that, you forfeit the entire amount. Not that I'm expecting to cancel, but you never know. I don't like that hanging over me.

AAA rate for 6 nights (includes $50 resort credit)
$1,598 (includes taxes, resort fee and parking)
*I pay one night's deposit -- if I cancel 5+ days in advance, I lose nothing. After that, I lose my deposit.

Swan:
Prepaid rate for 6 nights (6th night is free with this prepaid rate):
$1,331 (includes taxes, resort fee and parking)
*I must prepay -- same strict cancellation as Dolphin above.

AAA rate for 6 nights (includes $50 resort credit)
$1,416 (includes taxes, resort fee and parking)
*I pay one night's deposit -- if I cancel 5+ days in advance, I lose nothing. After that, I lose my deposit.

Beach Club or Yacht Club:
$1,906 (includes taxes)

Boardwalk:
$1,953 (includes taxes)

I've never stayed at BC, YC or BW.

Opinions? Thanks.

 

[Dan Murphy]

AAA rate for 6 nights (includes $50 resort credit)
$1,416 (includes taxes, resort fee and parking)
*I pay one night's deposit -- if I cancel 5+ days in advance, I lose nothing. After that, I lose my deposit.

 

[Music City Mama]

AAA rate for 6 nights (includes $50 resort credit)
$1,416 (includes taxes, resort fee and parking)
*I pay one night's deposit -- if I cancel 5+ days in advance, I lose nothing. After that, I lose my deposit.

That's what I'm heavily leaning towards, Dan.

I think I have definitely ruled out the 6th night free promotion at either Swan or Dolphin. The savings is just not worth that kind of cancellation policy to me.

I asked my DH what he thought and he was of no help.

We're also adding US/IOA (onsite there) after WDW, so considering we'll have those added costs, I'd probably be foolish to add $400-$500 onto the cost of the trip to stay at BC/YC or BW.

Do you feel like's it's a hassle at all going over to the Dolphin from the Swan (to go to Picabu, use the washers/dryers or use the grotto pool)?

 

[lizabu]

That's what I'm heavily leaning towards, Dan.

I think I have definitely ruled out the 6th night free promotion at either Swan or Dolphin. The savings is just not worth that kind of cancellation policy to me.

I asked my DH what he thought and he was of no help.

We're also adding US/IOA (onsite there) after WDW, so considering we'll have those added costs, I'd probably be foolish to add $400-$500 onto the cost of the trip to stay at BC/YC or BW.

Do you feel like's it's a hassle at all going over to the Dolphin from the Swan (to go to Picabu, use the washers/dryers or use the grotto pool)?

Have you called them to make sure those are the best rates too? Depending on what you do they sometimes have promo rates for nurses, teachers, government workers, military, people who have annual passes and more.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I usually stay at the Swan, though remember, I am solo. I do go over to the Dolphin probably every day...Picabu, Fresh, Fountain, etc...never a problem. I do not use the Grotto, but have walked there often to take pictures. Seems equidistant from both resorts.

 

[N_Phoenix]

That's what I'm heavily leaning towards, Dan.

I think I have definitely ruled out the 6th night free promotion at either Swan or Dolphin. The savings is just not worth that kind of cancellation policy to me.

I asked my DH what he thought and he was of no help.

We're also adding US/IOA (onsite there) after WDW, so considering we'll have those added costs, I'd probably be foolish to add $400-$500 onto the cost of the trip to stay at BC/YC or BW.

Do you feel like's it's a hassle at all going over to the Dolphin from the Swan (to go to Picabu, use the washers/dryers or use the grotto pool)?

I was in the East towers of the Swan and didn't mind walking over to the Dolphin or Grotto. Maybe took 5 minutes. If you like the boardwalk the east towers are the closest.

 

[Music City Mama]

I think I'm going ahead and booking the AAA (with $50 resort credit) rate for Swan -- I know in my post above I quoted total amounts, but just for reference, it's $188/night -- I think that's a decent rate for the Swan for that time of year. The Dolphin, while typically less, is actually $215/night (that's the lowest rate available for my dates -- at least as of right now -- crazy).

What request should I make? When we went to the Dolphin earlier this year, my only request was a renovated room -- even though I paid a standard rate, I was upgraded to a resort view (beautiful view of Swan) -- in the west tower. I loved being so close to the amenities, so my one request this time was going to be the west tower.

Since the amenities I want, for the most part, are at the Dolphin, I'm not sure what kind of request to make at the Swan for a standard room. Should I just ask for a renovated room like I did w/ the Dolphin?

 

[Dan Murphy]

You pretty much can only come out a central entrance/exit, front or back, at the Swan. You could cut a few steps by exiting outside, the back, facing the Dolphin, through exits right near the elevator banks, east or west. But not a lot of steps saved, like you would over at the Dolphin, where the walking can be much greater.

 

[LBYC-19]

I also agree w/Dan re: AAA rate vs. pre-pay. We just returned after Veteran's Day (I posted a report a few weeks back). We stayed at the Dolphin (AAA), booked standard rate, got upgraded (SPG) to a beautiful resort view. We always request the west side, as it is close to everything- lobby, restaurants, boats, busses, etc.

Dan (and everyone else about to go); have a wonderful trip!

 

[summersalt]

Has anyone ever stayed at the Dolphin the week after Christmas? I know from experience that the Disney parks will be a madhouse! So what can I expect from the resort? Will at be overcrowded or even overbooked (I'm arriving around midnight which makes me nervous).? I'm so excited I can hardly wait!!

 

[Rosanne]

Hello all! I've read through about 100 pages of threads and I'm so grateful for the information. Myself and my DD (10) and DD (5) will be staying at the Dolphin in a resort view balcony room. We are ecstatically excited. Many long years ago I stayed at the YC but my girls have only stayed at the values and CBR. I love the look of the Epcot resorts at night from the pictures.

Only bummer so far in the reading is the resort fee. We bring our own smaller bottles of water and won't be using wi-fi or gym. Still, the price is so much better than comparable resorts at Disney so we are still gleefully happy.

Three questions...
1. I read that parking is $11 a day. Is that per 24 hour period or per calendar day? So... if we are arriving on-site on the 2nd at 1:00 p.m. and leave at 11:00 on the 6th is it four days or five?
2. In either case, if I am checking out on the 6th in the morning but would like to visit Epcot for a few hours before driving north is my car still okay to be parked at the S/D on the day of checkout even if it is later than I actually checked out? (Hope that made sense).
3. I may have read this at some point but is there a teeny freezer section in the fridge. Daily's has a single serving to-die-for Strawberry daquiri in a foil bag that I would love to bring along for quiet reflections after the girls go to bed.

Finally, I'm afraid we will love the resort area so much we will not make the most of our park tickets.

We are going to be there in April. Wish it could be longer than four nights but we'll make the most of it.

 

[Music City Mama]

Hello all! I've read through about 100 pages of threads and I'm so grateful for the information. Myself and my DD (10) and DD (5) will be staying at the Dolphin in a resort view balcony room. We are ecstatically excited. Many long years ago I stayed at the YC but my girls have only stayed at the values and CBR. I love the look of the Epcot resorts at night from the pictures.

Only bummer so far in the reading is the resort fee. We bring our own smaller bottles of water and won't be using wi-fi or gym. Still, the price is so much better than comparable resorts at Disney so we are still gleefully happy.

Three questions...
1. I read that parking is $11 a day. Is that per 24 hour period or per calendar day? So... if we are arriving on-site on the 2nd at 1:00 p.m. and leave at 11:00 on the 6th is it four days or five?
2. In either case, if I am checking out on the 6th in the morning but would like to visit Epcot for a few hours before driving north is my car still okay to be parked at the S/D on the day of checkout even if it is later than I actually checked out? (Hope that made sense).
3. I may have read this at some point but is there a teeny freezer section in the fridge. Daily's has a single serving to-die-for Strawberry daquiri in a foil bag that I would love to bring along for quiet reflections after the girls go to bed.

Finally, I'm afraid we will love the resort area so much we will not make the most of our park tickets.

We are going to be there in April. Wish it could be longer than four nights but we'll make the most of it.

1. I believe parking is charged per night you stay there (like your room rate), so, you'll be charged for 4 nights regardless of the exact times you check in/out.
2. Just hold onto your room card (don't just leave it in the room). That is what you'll need to get out of the parking lot. I think as long as you leave the parking lot the same day you check out, it shouldn't be a problem.
3. I don't recall a freezer section, but that could just be because I didn't use it. Someone else probably knows.

I agree that staying at the Epcot resorts area spoils you from staying anywhere else. Have fun!

 

[Rosanne]

Thank you, Music City Mama!

Two more questions for whomever can answer them.

1. Are there bedrails available like there are at Disney? I'm guessing not but hoping so. Both of my girls move like whirling dervishes (sp?) while sleeping so I don't get much sleep trying to keep them from falling on the floor.

2. I have an excellent room upgrade that was granted by a member of the S/D managerial staff for a booking mix-up. I currently have four nights booked but I'm wishing I had five and was thinking of adding another night. I have concerns...
a. Would adding a day at the end go for the same rate as when I booked the first four days?
b. Is it risky adding the days in that someone other than the managerial staff member that upgraded me could inadvertently lose/drop my upgrades?

TIA!

 

[RachelTori]

Thank you, Music City Mama!

Two more questions for whomever can answer them.

1. Are there bedrails available like there are at Disney? I'm guessing not but hoping so. Both of my girls move like whirling dervishes (sp?) while sleeping so I don't get much sleep trying to keep them from falling on the floor.

2. I have an excellent room upgrade that was granted by a member of the S/D managerial staff for a booking mix-up. I currently have four nights booked but I'm wishing I had five and was thinking of adding another night. I have concerns...
a. Would adding a day at the end go for the same rate as when I booked the first four days? If the rate has gone up since you booked, your original 4 nights will now be charged at the higher rate. I know that for a fact. The way you could get around that is to book the additional night as a separate reservation, then link the 2. There would be the chance that you would have to change rooms, but Swan/Dolphin is very good about keeping you in the same room. I also know that for a fact!

b. Is it risky adding the days in that someone other than the managerial staff member that upgraded me could inadvertently lose/drop my upgrades? No, that shouldn't be risky but you might want to ask to speak with a supervisor just to be on the safe side.

TIA!

I can't answer about bedrails, but see above in red. .

 

[Rosanne]

Thanks, RachelTori,

Wow, I had no idea adding a day could revert the whole reservation to a higher price. I will definitely not do that

I think I'll just arrive early (noonish, not expecting to check in yet) and leave the area (one of the parks) late on day of departure (2-3 ish but having cleared out my room and checked out by 11:00) to make the most of our four nights.

Last spring we stayed only four nights at ASMovies. We thought since we'd been to Disney several times that we wouldn't need to spend longer. Wrong.

 

[RachelTori]

Rosanne,

The afternoon before your departure day, ask at the front desk if you can get a late check-out. It depends on how full the resort is, but they may be able to grant you a 1pm or later check-out. Never hurts to ask!

 

[Rosanne]

Yes, that would be a nice possibility. I had read somewhere that AAA SPG members might be able to enjoy a later checkout. I know I read 4 pm but I can not imagine it could truly be that late.

 

[RachelTori]

Yes, that would be a nice possibility. I had read somewhere that AAA SPG members might be able to enjoy a later checkout. I know I read 4 pm but I can not imagine it could truly be that late.

It really can be that late! Depends on many factors at the resort, but staff will know the day before if they can grant late check-out requests and if so, what time. (I've gotten 1 and 2pm )


DD & I will be checking into Dolphin on 12/12 (our first 2 nights are at OKW). They are offering a Holiday Treat for their Facebook friends who check-in through December 31st. Just another one of the many little things that make Swan & Dolphin such a wonderful place to stay!