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

[PolyAddict]

Seems to be some good deals going on right now for very early summer stays.

We booked 6/1 - 6/8, 2 adults, 2 kids for $1180 (7 nights) - with $100 resort credit, free upgrade and waived resort fees. In all, about $168 per night. Was some "sunsational" promo.

We had a hard time finding another Disney resort (that wasnt a value resort) for anywhere near that price, much less in such an ideal location.

This is a great price...my Coronado rate May 26-June 2 is $1153. When i price out the Swan for our dates with the promo, it comes in at $447 more, but i'm paying resort fees and parking...how did you get resort fee waived?

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Hi Everyone, We will be staying at the Swan June 25-27 before heading to BLT. This will be our first stay at the Swan, me, DH, DS16 and we wanted to at least give it a couple of nights to see if we like it. If so and fingers crossed, after our stay we will be staying at the Swan again in the future. I have to say since I made the reservation, all the CM's that I spoken to have been wonderful. I have even received several emails from the Executive Assistant. If they are trying to win me over, boy it's working.

 

[olive]

On the right side of the S/D offers page, you can sign up to receive their newsletters. The Leap Year discount was sent out as part of the monthly recipe email.

The Swan/Dolphin and Starwood Hotels Facebook pages also frequently have information on specials and promotions, such as the Starpicks rates, which are released every Tuesday.

Thanks! Somehow I hadn't noticed!

 

[Rosanne]

So... question about the skipping the housekeeping for the 500 spg points.

I would actually be thrilled about skipping the housekeeping because...
1. We are quite tidy anyway.
2. I'm a germaphobe so once I've clorox-wiped everything I like it to stay that way. It seems unless I actually hide my toothbrush it always gets moved.

However... I do like fresh towels and want supplies like toilet paper and additional coffee and cups (and the water since we are paying the delightful resort fee anyway).

Can I get those things by going down to the lobby or do I still request them through housekeeping?

 

[RachelTori]

So... question about the skipping the housekeeping for the 500 spg points.

I would actually be thrilled about skipping the housekeeping because...
1. We are quite tidy anyway.
2. I'm a germaphobe so once I've clorox-wiped everything I like it to stay that way. It seems unless I actually hide my toothbrush it always gets moved.

However... I do like fresh towels and want supplies like toilet paper and additional coffee and cups (and the water since we are paying the delightful resort fee anyway).

Can I get those things by going down to the lobby or do I still request them through housekeeping?

There is an extension you call for any of your needs. When I have opted for the 500 points, I've called that extension to have more coffee and supplies brought to my room. I didn't request new towels, but I have the feeling that wouldn't be a problem either!

 

[NancyIL]

So... question about the skipping the housekeeping for the 500 spg points.

I would actually be thrilled about skipping the housekeeping because...
1. We are quite tidy anyway.
2. I'm a germaphobe so once I've clorox-wiped everything I like it to stay that way. It seems unless I actually hide my toothbrush it always gets moved.

However... I do like fresh towels and want supplies like toilet paper and additional coffee and cups (and the water since we are paying the delightful resort fee anyway).

Can I get those things by going down to the lobby or do I still request them through housekeeping?

I don't drink coffee, but two water bottles have been brought to my room - even on days when I refused housekeeping. Housekeeping will still clean your room every 4th day and bring new towels. I sure love the extra SPG points!

 

[sewer]

Hi Everyone, We will be staying at the Swan June 25-27 before heading to BLT. This will be our first stay at the Swan, me, DH, DS16 and we wanted to at least give it a couple of nights to see if we like it. If so and fingers crossed, after our stay we will be staying at the Swan again in the future. I have to say since I made the reservation, all the CM's that I spoken to have been wonderful. I have even received several emails from the Executive Assistant. If they are trying to win me over, boy it's working.

Yup, everyone I've had contact with has been fantastic!

 

[LBYC-19]

TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum: I think you are making a wise choice in your transportation; one I wish we made last November. We, too, were switching resorts and took Magical Express from MCO to our first resort. It was a nightmare (due to weather, the plane was delayed, we arrived at 1:40 a.m. to MCO and didn't get to CSR until 3:30 a.m.) During the day I understand it's a stellar service, not so much in the middle of the night! We can't control the weather, so the most perfectly laid-out plans don't always succeed. Getting a town car is a perfect choice also since Garden Grocer can't deliver groceries anymore to S/D. We had them deliver to CSR, and they were shipped over to the Dolphin w/our luggage (bell hop services were outstanding), but if we did it again, we would have used a town car.

We have used Mears our last two trips from Dolphin to MCO- the first time was a shuttle van - this was cheaper because it held more people, but you have to leave several hours ahead due to the multiple pick up stops at other resorts. In November the night before we left, we booked a private Mears cab- (the cost was $60 (before tip) for the two of us); this bought us more time on our last day, so it was well worth it.

I posted this a few months back but it's worth repeating- the pool bar had excellent food, and we took it back to our rooms for a quick light meal before heading out to the parks at night. The staff was so much fun, and the food was delicious and very reasonable.

Re: Housekeeping- We always opt for SPG points. Housekeeping carts are always on the floors and were so kind in providing extra linens, coffee, etc. Our water didn't arrive one morning, and the front desk said to pick it up on our way out to the parks. Customer Service at the Dolphin is exemplary. Hope this helps!
Joanne

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Yup, everyone I've had contact with has been fantastic!

This makes us very happy to hear. We are so looking forward to our stay in June.

For those of you S/D experts, I hope this doesn't sound too silly but are we able to charge our room key at both the Swan and Dolphin or just the Swan which we are staying at? TIA

 

[Mouseteacher]

Yes, you can charge to your room at any Swan and Dolphin restaurants, shops, etc.

 

[Rosanne]

There is an extension you call for any of your needs. When I have opted for the 500 points, I've called that extension to have more coffee and supplies brought to my room. I didn't request new towels, but I have the feeling that wouldn't be a problem either!

Thank you!

I don't drink coffee, but two water bottles have been brought to my room - even on days when I refused housekeeping. Housekeeping will still clean your room every 4th day and bring new towels. I sure love the extra SPG points!

Thanks to you also. I wish I was staying more than four nights.

I posted this a few months back but it's worth repeating- the pool bar had excellent food, and we took it back to our rooms for a quick light meal before heading out to the parks at night. The staff was so much fun, and the food was delicious and very reasonable.

Re: Housekeeping- We always opt for SPG points. Housekeeping carts are always on the floors and were so kind in providing extra linens, coffee, etc. Our water didn't arrive one morning, and the front desk said to pick it up on our way out to the parks. Customer Service at the Dolphin is exemplary. Hope this helps!
Joanne

Thanks for the help. I'm also happy to hear about the food at the pool bar. Might be a great way to multi-task.

I am so excited to be only 27 days away

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks for the help. I'm also happy to hear about the food at the pool bar. Might be a great way to multi-task.

I am so excited to be only 27 days away

Very nice atmosphere to sit at the Cabana bar, too.... we enjoyed a relaxing meal and drink there a number of times!!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Yes, you can charge to your room at any Swan and Dolphin restaurants, shops, etc.

I thought so but wasn't 100% sure. Thanks so much.

 

[princessmom29]

I have a quick question. We are considering Swan and Dolphin for our Feb 2013 trip. I qualify for the teacher discount, but it is not out for 2013 yet. Has anyone booked in Feb. on the teacher discount before? Our dates are over Mardi Gras, Feb 9-16, and the lowest rack rate right now is $239. Can anyone give me an idea of what the teacher discount might be and about when it will release for next year? I know mardi gras last year was higher becuase it was also presidents day week, but this year it is the week before.

 

[beachfan]

What specific things should I ask for with regard to getting the best possible Standard room at the Swan? I realize that a Standard room is a Standard room, but I am hoping to do the best I can in this category!!Looking forward to my first vacation there. Thanks in advance for any advice! beachfan

 

[pooh2001]

Your quote of lowest rack rate right now is $239 - sounds like no tax or fees added to it.
There is a $10 resort fee per night and I think tax is 12.5% added into the rate per night.

We have a teacher rate for the prime time season - 4th of July weeks - we also pay an additional $25 per night for our DS age 20.
With tax & fees it comes to $265.50 per night.

Still a great rate for a deluxe resort near EPCOT and DHS.
Any deluxe in the area would charge the $25 for our DS each night.

Our room is a resort view room with a balcony looking at the pool (our request) - not the EPCOT fireworks.
I hope the above helps.

Without the extra $25 per night for our DS, I guess with tax and fees ($10) a night - per night would = $220.50

They should have rates for 2013 out by August 2012.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....There is a $10 resort fee per night.....

Now $14 per night, plus tax. Parking is $15 per night, plus tax.

 

[olive]

I have a quick question. We are considering Swan and Dolphin for our Feb 2013 trip. I qualify for the teacher discount, but it is not out for 2013 yet. Has anyone booked in Feb. on the teacher discount before? Our dates are over Mardi Gras, Feb 9-16, and the lowest rack rate right now is $239. Can anyone give me an idea of what the teacher discount might be and about when it will release for next year? I know mardi gras last year was higher becuase it was also presidents day week, but this year it is the week before.

We booked at the Swan for late Jan-early Feb 2013 a week or so ago and were quoted similar rate. I don't have my notes in front of me, but I was quite surprised given the time of year. Anyway, as the reservations person explained to me, no discounts are available yet for those dates (except the Superbowl promotion that expired last week). We are also interested in what rates around this time of year usually end up being. I can tell you that we paid significantly under $200/night - maybe around $175 - for an Epcot fireworks view at the Dolphin last spring over Memorial Day weekend and for a few days following. My hope/assumption is that the rates will be at least at that level for late Jan/early Feb. According to various guidebooks, the parks tend to be relatively uncrowded at this time of year. (We went early Jan one year and it was definitely not crowded at all.) I suppose a convention might raise rates, but I think we are in for a nice adjustment down the line. Last time around, they adjusted my rate with no problem at all each time a better offer came around. Everyone was pleasant and helpful on the reservations line.

 

[princessmom29]

Your quote of lowest rack rate right now is $239 - sounds like no tax or fees added to it.
There is a $10 resort fee per night and I think tax is 12.5% added into the rate per night.

We have a teacher rate for the prime time season - 4th of July weeks - we also pay an additional $25 per night for our DS age 20.
With tax & fees it comes to $265.50 per night.

Still a great rate for a deluxe resort near EPCOT and DHS.
Any deluxe in the area would charge the $25 for our DS each night.

Our room is a resort view room with a balcony looking at the pool (our request) - not the EPCOT fireworks.
I hope the above helps.

Without the extra $25 per night for our DS, I guess with tax and fees ($10) a night - per night would = $220.50

They should have rates for 2013 out by August 2012.

you are exactly right. with taxes and fees it oes out to around $280 a night. your rates at the 4th give me hope. I am hoping to get the Dolphin for under the $200 a night a moderate would cost us.

We booked at the Swan for late Jan-early Feb 2013 a week or so ago and were quoted similar rate. I don't have my notes in front of me, but I was quite surprised given the time of year. Anyway, as the reservations person explained to me, no discounts are available yet for those dates (except the Superbowl promotion that expired last week). We are also interested in what rates around this time of year usually end up being. I can tell you that we paid significantly under $200/night - maybe around $175 - for an Epcot fireworks view at the Dolphin last spring over Memorial Day weekend and for a few days following. My hope/assumption is that the rates will be at least at that level for late Jan/early Feb. According to various guidebooks, the parks tend to be relatively uncrowded at this time of year. (We went early Jan one year and it was definitely not crowded at all.) I suppose a convention might raise rates, but I think we are in for a nice adjustment down the line. Last time around, they adjusted my rate with no problem at all each time a better offer came around. Everyone was pleasant and helpful on the reservations line.

thanks or the info!

 

[Kar44]

We stayed at the Dolphin over president's/mardi gras week this year and we had a 15th floor resort view for $260 a night with teacher discount including all fees. We could have paid $20.00 less per night with a standard view.