The *NEW* SWAN & DOLPHIN RESORT Thread ~ April 2009 ~ Please read Post #1!

[SingingMom]

Here's my question - does anyone prepay beyond the first nights deposit? If you do, how do you do it?
Thanks in advance!

I don't, on the HIGHLY UNLIKELY chance that I need to cancel. Less hassle to try to get one night's deposit back.

 

[dizcrazee]

Don't worry. My mistake was not calling the right place. SPG reservations told me it could not be done. However, I since called the hotel directly and they arranged to have two rooms next to each other, with an adjoining door. Seems that SPG reservations cannot do this, but the hotel can.

Thanks for the update on the connecting rooms. I have changed to the executive suite thanks to the info posted in this thread. If anyone has any more thoughts/experiences related to the executive suite, I'd love to hear more about it! It sounds like it will be perfect for us (two families, 6 people in total, with two "tweenagers"). We are getting the two bedroom with the tweens sleeping in the parlor room.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Special Rates at the S/D from $149 a night thru 5/31

Details:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2423243

 

[FINFAN]

I just got that as well...but today.

got it too, need a deal for 6/5-10...( have $152 from 6/10-20, but 179 from 6/8-10 )but resort is pretty darn full that first week.

 

[Poohlovr]

Thanks for the update on the connecting rooms. I have changed to the executive suite thanks to the info posted in this thread. If anyone has any more thoughts/experiences related to the executive suite, I'd love to hear more about it! It sounds like it will be perfect for us (two families, 6 people in total, with two "tweenagers"). We are getting the two bedroom with the tweens sleeping in the parlor room.

It's been three years (yes, 3!!!!!!--long story about mis-behaving kids who needed to learn to appreciate these trips, again) since we've been to WDW, but, if there's any general information I can help you with on the suite, ask and I shall try to answer.

 

[f15robyn]

3 days!!!!!!!!!!

So excited to stay at the Dolphin for the first time.

(Plus I was kind of sad the thread had slipped all the way to page 4 )

 

[LexiC123]

3 days!!!!!!!!!!

So excited to stay at the Dolphin for the first time.

(Plus I was kind of sad the thread had slipped all the way to page 4 )

Lucky you! How long are you staying for?

 

[f15robyn]

Lucky you! How long are you staying for?

Thanks. Only 3 nights. It's a quick trip to check out the flower and garden festival (we've never been). And otherwise we're going to relax and enjoy the resort, Jellyrolls, Fantasia Gardens, etc.

 

[LexiC123]

Thanks. Only 3 nights. It's a quick trip to check out the flower and garden festival (we've never been). And otherwise we're going to relax and enjoy the resort, Jellyrolls, Fantasia Gardens, etc.

I'm so jealous. F&G used to be one of my favorite times to go, but it's hard for us to get away in the spring now.

You'll love the Dolphin...just a hop, skip and a jump from Epcot, the heavenly beds, the grotto pool. Just wonderful.

Hope you have a terrific time.

 

[Roo2]

I just wanted to let you all know that there are some great NON-REFUNDABLE rates available for the Swan and Dolphin right now at www.spg.com IF YOU ARE FIRM ON YOUR DATES
I went there last night and was able to book a room at the Dolphin for 8/13-8/18 for $119 a night- my credit card was billed for the full amount, and it is non-refundable- and this does NOT include the $10 per night resort fee, or taxes, but is still a super rate if you are firm on your dates. The Swan was available for similar dates for $149 plus resort fee and taxes. I booked my airfare first, so I know my dates are firm (have I emphasized this enough?!! Sorry, but I don't want anyone to get burned, thinking the dates are in any way flexible or refundable once you have booked- because they're not!)
I had to play around with the dates to get this rate, (and use points for two free nights to get a full week) but there were many days for $144, if the $119 wasn't available. Just going down from six nights to five changed my rate from $144 to $119 a night- the system seems to charge the higher rate for all nights. When I tried to call Starwood directly to check their rates, the best they could quote me was $155 a night.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

We LOVE the Swan and Dolphin, and this rate put it in our budget!

WOOHOO!! I'm going to Disney AND the Dolphin!!
(now I just need to change my ticker!)

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I tried posting more updates during my stay last week but the internet connection was horrible. So much for paying that $10 charge per night for free internet. Of course, you can pay more for a better connection but I'm too cheap for that.

So I stayed for a week at the Dolphin and have some honest feedback:

1. Lobby - LOVED it! Big, smells 'oceany', lots of chairs and the fountain is so nice. There is a bar right near the lobby and everything is very central (well, except for picabu!).

2. Restaurants - Bluezoo - LOVED it! Picabu - it's ok but I commend them on their excellent oatmeal! The Fountain - not a very good burger considering the price.

3. Service - so so. Housekeeping was not very happy when I wanted to stay in my room but I tipped them to keep them from banging the doors all the time (can't sleep in at this resort). I called maintenance to get the bathroom vent fixed and they never did it. Front desk service was great.

4. Rooms - not the greatest. I was alone for 5 nights and had my mom with me for 2 nights. I totally noticed the small double beds but it was fine for just me. The room was not refurbished and it is definitely smaller than Disney deluxe hotels. The carpet was very worn and my lamp was rusted and glued back together. The bathroom is TINY! I banged my head on the door a couple of times and it barely closes without squishing your toes. With my mom there, we could not be in the bathroom there at the same time. I would NOT take my family of 4 to this type of room.

5. Location - lovely. It's the farthest Epcot resort but still very walkable.

6. Transportation - same as all other Disney resorts with the exception that on some of the buses, we stopped at Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk, Yacht club, AND beach club - that was excessive. Buses and boats are fine - bus to DTD is LONG.

7. Theme - It was nice but I like being immersed in Disney.

Would I go again? For a conference, yes. With my family, depends. If I could get a bigger room and it was a great price, I would consider it. But with the discounts I've gotten through Disney, I would probably be happier with the official resorts.

 

[ascardino]

I tried posting more updates during my stay last week but the internet connection was horrible. So much for paying that $10 charge per night for free internet. Of course, you can pay more for a better connection but I'm too cheap for that.

So I stayed for a week at the Dolphin and have some honest feedback:

1. Lobby - LOVED it! Big, smells 'oceany', lots of chairs and the fountain is so nice. There is a bar right near the lobby and everything is very central (well, except for picabu!).

2. Restaurants - Bluezoo - LOVED it! Picabu - it's ok but I commend them on their excellent oatmeal! The Fountain - not a very good burger considering the price.

3. Service - so so. Housekeeping was not very happy when I wanted to stay in my room but I tipped them to keep them from banging the doors all the time (can't sleep in at this resort). I called maintenance to get the bathroom vent fixed and they never did it. Front desk service was great.

4. Rooms - not the greatest. I was alone for 5 nights and had my mom with me for 2 nights. I totally noticed the small double beds but it was fine for just me. The room was not refurbished and it is definitely smaller than Disney deluxe hotels. The carpet was very worn and my lamp was rusted and glued back together. The bathroom is TINY! I banged my head on the door a couple of times and it barely closes without squishing your toes. With my mom there, we could not be in the bathroom there at the same time. I would NOT take my family of 4 to this type of room.

5. Location - lovely. It's the farthest Epcot resort but still very walkable.

6. Transportation - same as all other Disney resorts with the exception that on some of the buses, we stopped at Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk, Yacht club, AND beach club - that was excessive. Buses and boats are fine - bus to DTD is LONG.

7. Theme - It was nice but I like being immersed in Disney.

Would I go again? For a conference, yes. With my family, depends. If I could get a bigger room and it was a great price, I would consider it. But with the discounts I've gotten through Disney, I would probably be happier with the official resorts.

Thanks for your review. We stayed at the Dolphin (my DH & I) last month and mostly agree with your entire review. Going back in June with my 2 DDs and am hoping that I am not sorry with the bathroom setup. The hotel is beautiful and in a great location with a really nice pool but there are a couple things that I do not like.

 

[pooh2001]

Sorry to hear your Dolphin room was not up to par.

We stay at the Dolphin in 2007 and found the rooms to be top notch.
Could 3 years worn the rooms down that much ?

Maybe you should have asked for another room with a better lamp and cleaner rug ?

Also- loved the summer rates $144 a night is great. Is that a teacher/govt rate or AAA or general public on-line rate ?

I am hoping rates like that are out for June/July 2011

 

[R and C's momma]

I've read so many good reviews on this property, and now I'm nervous. We just booked our trip last night and chose the Dolphin. I wanted to go to the Parc Soleil but we are meeting family and that was the location THEY chose so to be close to them we are staying there.

This is our very first trip to Disney and I hope I'm not disappointed.

 

[LexiC123]

Our room was wonderful...clean, updated. I wonder if it's just random rooms that are somewhat run down, or if it depends on the section of the hotel.

 

[TaraPA]

Not all of the rooms are refurbed yet - we found that out 3 wekes ago. We had a split stay & had to change rooms - our 1st room was an old room - not even Heavenly beds - but our 2nd room was refurbed. I guess it's luck of the draw what you get!

 

[ascardino]

I've read so many good reviews on this property, and now I'm nervous. We just booked our trip last night and chose the Dolphin. I wanted to go to the Parc Soleil but we are meeting family and that was the location THEY chose so to be close to them we are staying there.

This is our very first trip to Disney and I hope I'm not disappointed.

I do not think there is reason to worry. I stayed at the Dolphin last month and am going to stay there again in June, although if I had the choice of choosing the Swan for the same price, I would because of the extra sink and the larger beds. As posted all over this thread, the resort is perfectly located with beautiful grounds and great restaurants and amenities. Everyone's taste is subjective. I am a DVC owner and am selling my points to stay here because of extremely limited availability planning 3 months in advance as well as price. Comparitively, it costs me less to stay here at a deluxe hotel with a better location than use my points if I could plus I get daily mousekeeping!

Check out the pics, don't worry!

 

[jnfr2424]

I've read so many good reviews on this property, and now I'm nervous. We just booked our trip last night and chose the Dolphin. I wanted to go to the Parc Soleil but we are meeting family and that was the location THEY chose so to be close to them we are staying there.

This is our very first trip to Disney and I hope I'm not disappointed.

Don't be nervous one person's bad luck does not mean its going to be a total disaster. The location alone will not disappoint. It's your first trip to Disney and I am sure it will not be your last!
Try the Dolphin this time and if its not up to your standards there are plenty of other resorts to try out (trust me I 've stayed at every single one!!)

I had an issue with the Dolphin one Thanksgving where they cancelled my reservation, told me they had no where for me to stay etc (just think Murphy's Law) after I vowed never again I gave them a second chance and they regained me as a customer - I will be back again in April
Breathe Relax and Enjoy!

 

[SingingMom]

Honestly, I don't think the rooms are ever "done"... The place is just too big. I'm sure once they "finish" renovations, they just start right back again.

I do agree that the bathroom is small - even though we are just a family of 3, we have three bathrooms in our home, so it's hard to go back to just one when we are on vacation. That being said, we stagger our usage - DD and I shower at night, DH showers in the morning. I used the mirror by the coffeemaker for sunscreen application and the ever useless attempt to do something with long thick hair in the weather of Florida in June.

I think there has to be a better way to get to DTD than that bus ride! I am going to persue that in June.

I'm very surprised housekeeping was anxious to get you out of the room! I always call when we leave, so they WILL do the room, otherwise we find them in there when we are returning from a park, wanting to freshen up for dinner.

Sorry to hear you weren't totally blown away by your stay. Hope you still had a magical time.

 

[NancyIL]

I definitely prefer the Swan's bathroom with the extra sink. However, even the Disney deluxe resorts have the tub and toilet in a separate small room with the sinks outside - similar to the Dolphin's set-up.