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

[patty57]

Tara, On a completely unrelated topic, I see you live in the Lehigh Valley. The trip to the Swan is to celebrate my son's high school graduation. He's going to Muhlenberg in the fall.

 

[TaraPA]

Tara, On a completely unrelated topic, I see you live in the Lehigh Valley. The trip to the Swan is to celebrate my son's high school graduation. He's going to Muhlenberg in the fall.

I'm familiar with Muhlenberg - I'm about 20 min. from the campus. Great school - congrats to your son!

Do you live outside the Lehigh Valley? If so & you need any suggestions on anything local just let me know!

 

[SRUAlmn]

How frustrating SRUAlmn! I have booked suites before at S/D and I will say that while what you experienced isn't the norm, suite bookings can be very difficult. There is only one department at S/D that does the suite bookings - and if you don't call them directly, you can get the run around like you did. I was told that they cannot book the suites at Westin/Sheraton/Starwood numbers, or by calling the S/D general reservations or direct hotel line. You also cannot pull up the suite ressie on SPG.com, and their live chat reps on that site also cannot give info on suites. I don't have the suite booking number on me right now, but I always deal with Paul there who is very helpful. I guess maybe because there are so few suites, and the configurations are all over the place, they have a special team devoted just to booking them.

As far as the rate - I've encountered the same thing at S/D. They base their discounts on "Best Available Daily Rates" - but their daily rates aren't set up seasonally like Disney - there's no value or peak season. I have no idea what they base this daily rate on, but it can vary 7 times in a week, as you've found out. One day a regular room can be $239 Best Daily Rate, the next day you check it's $299. It reminds me of how airfare varies!

You were smart to get everyone's names, because I actually don't think they were supposed to give you teacher rate and Stay Connected. I've never been able to get the Stay Connected rate in addition to a AAA rate or corporate rate. I've always been told rack rate on the 1st room only. Teacher/Gov't discount might work differently though, I'm neither, so I've never tried to book that. Has anyone else been able to stack 2 discounts together? If so, that's great!

You will love the room in the suite. We stayed in a 2BR ast year & it was so much larger than a 2BR villa onsite. Enjoy your stay!

Thank you so much for your response! I was starting to feel bad, like I was asking for difficult information or something. If you happen to come across the suite number to call, could you please post it or PM me? I had no idea there was a special department! That's great to know

As for the discounts, like a PP mentioned, you can use both I guess. It's not stacking two discounts, per say, because we're getting the Teacher rate on a 1 bedroom grand suite and then we're getting a Stay Connected rate on a second bedroom being attached to make it a 2 bedroom grand suite. Does that make sense?

Oh, and the rate variation is nuts! It makes me feel like I should call every day and check! Haha!

The rates have gone up since I booked a few weeks ago, the only problem I have with that is.... I still have 5 months to wait 'till I go!!!

Me too!!!! It's so hard to wait!

 

[patty57]

I'm familiar with Muhlenberg - I'm about 20 min. from the campus. Great school - congrats to your son!

Do you live outside the Lehigh Valley? If so & you need any suggestions on anything local just let me know!

We live in RI, so not familiar with that part of PA at all. If you know any good restaurants in Allentown, I would love to know.

 

[LexiC123]

Just wanted to give residents of NY and Massachusetts a heads-up that the S/D is once again offering a great Super Bowl promotion...Buy Two Nights, Get One Free for residents of the states of the two Super Bowl-bound teams.

There's a 3-night minimum, but you can also get an additional night free for every two you book. I just booked 6 nights at the Swan for October - with the two free nights, it works out to $139/night (plus taxes and fees, of course). The rate is good through next February (2013) and is fully refundable up to 5 days prior to arrival. It's a great deal...better than any of the other rates I've been pricing out (AAA, Teacher, Gov't, AARP).

Now I just need the Giants to win so I can upgrade!

Celebrate your team's conference football championship at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort!

Now that the match-up for the big game is set, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is once again rewarding fans with our “I’m off to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin!” deal for residents of each team’s state. For a limited time, residents of both New York and Massachusetts will receive a complimentary third night when booking two nights at our best rates by February 29, 2012 for stays through February 6, 2013. Plus, there's even more for in store for the champion of the big game. Residents of the winning team’s state will get to continue celebrating with an automatic complimentary one category room upgrade!*

While staying with us fans will have access to many special Walt Disney World benefits, including complimentary transportation and Extra Magic Hours at the theme parks. Fans can also enjoy a championship-caliber meal at any of our 17 restaurants and lounges including Shula’s Steak House, the restaurant of the NFL’s winningest coach, Don Shula. There’s no better place to celebrate a team’s victory than the place known for championship celebrations!

To book now call (888) 828-8850 and mention promo code NEWYORK or MASSACH.
*Residency I.D. required. Please see terms & conditions for complete details.​

 

[lizabu]

Has anyone gotten a government rate recently? When I look online the entire calendar is blacked out.
Do I have to call to get the government employee rate?

Another discount question - how is eligibility for the senior discount ("Primetime Rate") determined? Does it have to be everyone in the room, at least one person per room, or just the person making the reservation? We may be traveling with grandparents next time, but we would want separate rooms.

Yes, you should call to see if the government rate is available. Sometimes a rate isn't available 1 day of the whole stay so the whole thing shows up as the rate not available. You can actually book the rate for all the nights it's available and then book a different rate for the nights it's not available.

For the primetime rate you should make the reservation in the name of the person's name who is age 60+.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I have another question in regards to the parking rates. I probably already know the answer to this , but are there ever parking discounts or special deals? We are all driving down from separate states and meeting at the Dolphin for our trip, which means we will have to park 3 cars for a week. $15 per day x 3 = RIDICULOUS It's making me sick to my stomach to think of the tickets/food/souvenirs we could buy for that $300 (do they add tax to it as well? ) We're all staying in a grand suite together. Are there any perks to staying in a suite that offer deals on parking or discounts for additional vehicles?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know of no parking discounts, and tax is added. You might ask if there is based on the group though.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Thanks for the heads up on the Mass/NY resident's special. Hope we can take advantage of it. We are already booked but plan to call and rebook in the morning!!! If the Pats win, we are going for the comp room upgrade!!!

 

[patty57]

Wow, 2 nights with one free for Super Bowl states. I wonder if I can convince the management that they are the New England Patriots...not the Massachusetts Patriots? I'm in RI, 10 minutes from a MA border.

 

[becky11]

Wow, 2 nights with one free for Super Bowl states. I wonder if I can convince the management that they are the New England Patriots...not the Massachusetts Patriots? I'm in RI, 10 minutes from a MA border.

I know!! I'm a true-blue Patriots fan - originally from Maine. You know, the LARGEST state in NEW ENGLAND?!?! I even have a New England SSN! But, now I live in FL.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Well that deal stinks for states that don't even have an NFL team. We'd never have a chance

 

[lovingthemouse]

Called this morning - was told that 2 discounts can not be applied to one stay; the teacher discount ($149.+) will cost me $34. more than the Super Bowl one. I was fortunate last yr (thanks to this board) to get a prepaid rate of $129., so I am holding on to this rate.

 

[Annie78]

For the primetime rate you should make the reservation in the name of the person's name who is age 60+.

If I need 2 rooms and book both in her name, will the discount apply to both rooms? I know some hotel brands are lenient on senior discount rules, but some are very strict (Hyatt comes to mind).
Of course, I'd also like to get my Starwood points...

 

[lovingthemouse]

I believe that any discount can be applied up to three rooms.

 

[lizabu]

I believe that any discount can be applied up to three rooms.

Yes. I think this is true too except for when they specifically say otherwise like some government rates

ETA- for the Starwood points I would just make sure both your names are on the rooms

 

[LexiC123]

Just wanted to give residents of NY and Massachusetts a heads-up that the S/D is once again offering a great Super Bowl promotion...Buy Two Nights, Get One Free for residents of the states of the two Super Bowl-bound teams.

There's a 3-night minimum, but you can also get an additional night free for every two you book. I just booked 6 nights at the Swan for October - with the two free nights, it works out to $139/night (plus taxes and fees, of course). The rate is good through next February (2013) and is fully refundable up to 5 days prior to arrival. It's a great deal...better than any of the other rates I've been pricing out (AAA, Teacher, Gov't, AARP).

Now I just need the Giants to win so I can upgrade!

Celebrate your team's conference football championship at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in the heart of the Walt Disney World® Resort!

Now that the match-up for the big game is set, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is once again rewarding fans with our “I’m off to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin!” deal for residents of each team’s state. For a limited time, residents of both New York and Massachusetts will receive a complimentary third night when booking two nights at our best rates by February 29, 2012 for stays through February 6, 2013. Plus, there's even more for in store for the champion of the big game. Residents of the winning team’s state will get to continue celebrating with an automatic complimentary one category room upgrade!*

While staying with us fans will have access to many special Walt Disney World benefits, including complimentary transportation and Extra Magic Hours at the theme parks. Fans can also enjoy a championship-caliber meal at any of our 17 restaurants and lounges including Shula’s Steak House, the restaurant of the NFL’s winningest coach, Don Shula. There’s no better place to celebrate a team’s victory than the place known for championship celebrations!

To book now call (888) 828-8850 and mention promo code NEWYORK or MASSACH.
*Residency I.D. required. Please see terms & conditions for complete details.​

Just had to come back to thank the NY Giants for my room upgrade! October can't come soon enough!

 

[denvergirl]

YAY! I just booked a 40th birthday celebration!!!! So excited to have a reason to be back on the boards. This is our first family vacation to the S/D. We will be there from Nov 27 to Dec 4, 2012!

 

[LexiC123]

YAY! I just booked a 40th birthday celebration!!!! So excited to have a reason to be back on the boards. This is our first family vacation to the S/D. We will be there from Nov 27 to Dec 4, 2012!

That's great! You're going to love the S/D. Be sure to note that it's a milestone birthday on your reservation...they're really good about leaving little surprises in the room.

 

[LaurenT]

Just had to come back to thank the NY Giants for my room upgrade! October can't come soon enough!

WOW!!
I'm so glad I checked this thread!
The super owl special wasn't listed on the site I was checking!
I just booked 7 nights at the Dolphin in late August for a grand total of $974 - inclusive of all taxes and resort fees! AND we'll get a free upgrade because we're in NY! Woo Hoooo!!