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

[kath1210]

I thought it warrented a mention. A couple of my friends just returned from a one wek stay at the S&D-last week of May (yep just got back yesterday). Provided they are a a young twenty-something newlywed couple but they were unfortunate enough to have had $240ish dollars stollen from their room in one day. They aslo said that their neighbors also reported a decent amount of cash stollen from thier room too after houskeeping had cleaned--same day even. Now I know maybe it wasn't the housekeepers but with both rooms being locked when they left them and the rooms being cleaned and locked upon returning makes one wonder if it could be much other than housekeeping. Hummm.... Sounds like maybe someone is going to be questioned (or has been already--maybe even lost their job).

I think it's horrible. I know it could happen to anyone especially if you leave your money in your room. I just still feel horrible for them and thought I would remind anyone planning a trip to ANY of the resorts Anywhere--YES it can happen to you too--please take all your money and cards with you to the attractions. Do not leave them in your room.

Happy vacationing!

Wow - that is so sad. Was the money left in the safe?

 

[chell]

Does anyone know if there are any connecting king rooms with standard 2 queens? We are in connecting rooms for an upcoming trip, but only need 3 beds. I thought it would be nice to have the sitting area.

It is my understanding that the connecting rooms are a king and 2 queens. The king rooms also have a sofa bed just in case that is needed.

 

[SingingMom]

A good endorsement to use the in-room safes there, and at any resort/motel/hotel. I alway leave most of whatever cash I bring (mostly for cash tips) in the safe throughout my stay, taking a bit each day for that day/night. Sorry to hear that.

I agree with you, Dan! We always use the safe. Even put the laptop in there, although we have to stand it on its end to do it.

 

[SingingMom]

It is my understanding that the connecting rooms are a king and 2 queens. The king rooms also have a sofa bed just in case that is needed.

ooo..ooo... do you know the room numbers? This set up would be wonderful for our trip in a few weeks!

 

[chell]

Wow - that is so sad. Was the money left in the safe?

I was wondering that as well. Don't you have to set a new code for the safe that no one else can open without a key? I'm guessing they couldn't have had the money in a safe. Last December our safe was broken and they offered us a safety deposit box downstairs (free of charge) because of this. They had to call someone special in which is why I didn't think just anyone there could open the safe after you set the code.

 

[chell]

ooo..ooo... do you know the room numbers? This set up would be wonderful for our trip in a few weeks!

I'm sorry, but I don't. We have 3 king rooms reserved for December and I had asked about connecting rooms. That's why I know. I was told they could give me a king connecting to 2 queens. All the adults in my family want king beds. HA! The kids have to sleep on the pull out sofa beds.

 

[SingingMom]

I'm sorry, but I don't. We have 3 king rooms reserved for December and I had asked about connecting rooms. That's why I know. I was told they could give me a king connecting to 2 queens. All the adults in my family want king beds. HA! The kids have to sleep on the pull out sofa beds.

Our DD15 usually doesn't mind a sofa bed and my parents would probably prefer a queen each. I'll have to see. We get an "employee discount" rate, so sometimes I have to just be thankful for my balcony upgrade.

 

[chell]

Our DD15 usually doesn't mind a sofa bed and my parents would probably prefer a queen each. I'll have to see. We get an "employee discount" rate, so sometimes I have to just be thankful for my balcony upgrade.

Call ahead and have them note that you want a king with a sofa bed. I just called to make sure they have my SPG number on my reservations and asked about the sofa beds to make sure. She said some King rooms don't have them. So make sure it is noted. Any kind of upgrade is great! Discounts are awesome! (Especially right now!)

We are thrilled to get to go this year. My husband gets laid off on the 26th of June, so we are especially thankful to be able to go this year. We were able to work the savings into our budget. He will be starting school in August so we aren't stressing over a new job for 2 years. We are looking for any and all discounts! We are hoping AirTrans will have the $49 airfare for our flights.

 

[mamagoose]

We just got our Swan reservation confirmation in the mail today! I have a couple of questions for those who have stayed here. We've never needed to use a safe in a hotel room before--is there a charge for using the in room safe? My other question is regarding the two water bottles that are part of the resort fee. Do they leave the bottles in your room after cleaning or do you need to ask for them?

 

[chell]

We just got our Swan reservation confirmation in the mail today! I have a couple of questions for those who have stayed here. We've never needed to use a safe in a hotel room before--is there a charge for using the in room safe? My other question is regarding the two water bottles that are part of the resort fee. Do they leave the bottles in your room after cleaning or do you need to ask for them?

Congrats on the confirmation!

Yes, there is a room safe. It isn't too large, not large enough for a purse.

They do leave the two bottles in the room without asking - at least that was our experience. Even if we didn't drink them that day we still put them in our suitcase because we knew we would be drinking them before we came home.

 

[SingingMom]

Congrats on the confirmation!

Yes, there is a room safe. It isn't too large, not large enough for a purse.

They do leave the two bottles in the room without asking - at least that was our experience. Even if we didn't drink them that day we still put them in our suitcase because we knew we would be drinking them before we came home.

Once last year we needed to ask for the water bottles to be replaced - just one day of the eight. I think the housekeeper just forgot.

 

[anbouk]

Hi SingingMom So nice to see you around these boards again! Lucky you, your trip is coming up so quickly, huh? We'll be there the week before through Labor Day...can't wait !

Just chimining in to say at our last stay at the S&D some cash was taken from us, too! My daughter emptied her pocket with about $10 and placed it on top of the tv. Bet the maids thought it was a tip for them and they took it. I usually leave the tip in the bathroom by the mirror, though. We didn't say anything though...it was her fault for doing that. She learned her lesson and is more careful now. Thankfully it wasn't all that much cash, too! Guess you gotta be careful with cash wherever you stay.

Wishing everyone magical stays at the S&D! We've stayed in both hotels, they are equally beautiful!!!

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Hi Chell...thanks for the info and the offer of maybe sharing in on the ride! I am trying to convince Dh to stay 7 nights. If so, we would either be checking in on the 13th for 7 nights or the 12th for 7. I have to work on the 12th so we most likely would not be getting a flight until 3pm or so. I know on check out day, he likes to leave by 9am. Anyway, if anything, maybe we will meet up there! Speaking of AAA, I actually did not rejoin AAA when my membership expired in March. But I was looking through my Disney AAA brochure and it shows that if you book your package through AAA for Swan/Dolphin, you get a $200 gift card for stays of 7 nights or more. I booked with the Swan special rate for that week we are going so I do not know if they would stull honor that rate or not. I am going to call my AAA TA to check on this and that along with the 20% discount on the food, maybe that would convince DH to stay 7 nights! OT but I got a bit upset this morning....I was at work thinking about Disney and just put a call in to see if I had any pin codes attached to my address and I did! I had a pin for a $500 gift card that expires on June 6th for a 5 night min stay. I was all excited until she told me we had to travel by June 6th---it was valid for travel March something thru June 6th. I was confused because I was just there May 8th for 5 nights and wondered how this pin code came to me since I never got it. She said it was mailed by the marketing dept to my home. I never got it! I could ream my mailman--I've been having troubles with getting other peoples mail quite often and wondered what mail I wasn't getting. Now I know and I am mad! The CM asked me why I didn't ask when I booked BC for my recent trip and DUH--I didn't even think to ask so now if I am ever staying on property, I will ask for sure. When I think of what that gift card could have gotten me...... Can you use Disney gift cards at S/D or the Visa rewards there at their restaurants as well as the other properties? Thanks!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Hi all,
Seriously considering changing my 4/3 deal to the Swan. I went to the Swandolphin website and noticed the $119 rate (same rules regarding prepaying) but saw nothing about having to book by June 3rd (as some have said thru e-mails directly from the Swan). Do I take a chance and wait or will I really have to book by June 3rd???? If I have to cancel, I will lose one night's stay.

TIA

 

[chell]

Hi all,
Seriously considering changing my 4/3 deal to the Swan. I went to the Swandolphin website and noticed the $119 rate (same rules regarding prepaying) but saw nothing about having to book by June 3rd (as some have said thru e-mails directly from the Swan). Do I take a chance and wait or will I really have to book by June 3rd???? If I have to cancel, I will lose one night's stay.

TIA

I just double checked my email from them and it does have the June 3rd deadline. Does that help any? Like you said, their website doesn't mention the deadline.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I just double checked my email from them and it does have the June 3rd deadline. Does that help any? Like you said, their website doesn't mention the deadline.

Hmm...thanks. Maybe I should call. The website says nothing about a deadline, but then again, the rate comes up in the regular room search, not as a "special promo" or anything like that. Maybe it will still be available after June 3rd, but do I chance it?!

 

[teacher31]

Has anybody had luck booking the Dolphin with 50% through SPG? It said it was limited, but since I'm looking at June 2010 I think I'm early enough. Can I use two certificates to get 9 nights (each one is for 5 nights)? Just want to know my chances before calling. Thanks!

 

[rstanley]

We have reservations at the Dolphin Oct 12-18th...$189 per night.

I was able to get an upgrade to a resort view using the ALL EARS e-mail code.

What is the difference between a standard room and a resort view room?

Also...I am a Starwoods member...is it possible to get another upgrade at checkin? Or will that not work since I already have an upgrade through ALL EARS?

And what are the chances that the room rates will go down for this time period?

Thanks,
Robin

 

[teacher31]

Well, I just called to book. And didn't. I understand the 50% off rooms aren't out for next year. However, when I asked about the price it came up at $410 a night before the 1/2 off, not the $237 I saw online. Sounds like quite the little scam they've got going. Show you one price online, but to use the 50% you would have to call and get the higher price. Soooo disappointed.

 

[TaraPA]

Well, I just called to book. And didn't. I understand the 50% off rooms aren't out for next year. However, when I asked about the price it came up at $410 a night before the 1/2 off, not the $237 I saw online. Sounds like quite the little scam they've got going. Show you one price online, but to use the 50% you would have to call and get the higher price. Soooo disappointed.

The half off deals are on rack rate. It's the norm in the hotel industry to offer half off deals - but in the very fine print it almost always says "off rack rate prices." Not a scam. Frustrating though!