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

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the info. I've got a few other questions.

1. Can you use chase disney points at the s/d?

2. Does the Swan have rooms with 2 queens and a pullout?

3. Do any of the suites have a separate bedroom with a pullout?

Thanks all!

1. No - the Swan is not owned by Disney.

2. No - only king rooms have a sofabed.

3. If the bedroom of the suite is a king, it will probably have a sofabed.

 

[SingingMom]

Okay. I was wondering if the Dolphin or Swan are good for small-ish kids. 2 boys 10 and 11. We normally do CSR, but are thinking about a change.

In addition to what Dan posted, during "peak seasons" they offer added events: ie: dj, contests, sno-cones, etc. We always lament that we can't "do everything"!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Ok everyone, we've got a couple of lurkers out there. A co-worker and his wife just booked the Dolphin for this fall. They're hitting the big 4 restaurants at the Swolphin, too. He told me that he spent over 2 hours on the DIS the other night. I'm certain that they've found this thread.

Perhaps they can be encouraged to join in the fun, and post their Dolphin questions here. (we've served as their question proxy a little)


I know that they're both getting very excited to celebrate their first wedding anniversary at the Dolphin!

Come on guys, ask away!!!! And Happy Anniversary, and many many more.

 

[maggiew]

anybody looking for a good rate for the summer? just got the recipe club email and it's as low as $129 a night in july and aug. too bad i need that for october!

July 8 - 13
from $159
Dolphin

July 17 - 18
from $149
Dolphin

July 23 - 27
from $149
Swan

July 23 - 27
from $129
Dolphin


August 6 - 8
from $149
Swan

August 6 - 8
from $159
Dolphin

August 12
from $149
Swan

August 12
from $159
Dolphin

August 13 - 19
from $149
Swan

August 13 - 19
from $129
Dolphin

Those are nice rates! I'm looking for something checking in on Aug. 22.

So far the cheapest rate is the buy one night get one for 50% off. But it is non-refundable, so I am waiting to book that.

I am eligible for AAA and Teacher Rate and Entertainment book. But those are still more than the nonrefundable rate.

I can't find the 50% off rack rates with 1,000 starpoints offer.

Also, I can't find the last night free offer for the Swan/Dolphin.

Maggie

 

[Needafix]

Hi All, back from my fabulous trip to Disney/Dolphin. It was just soooo much fun and all the things I was slightly worried about wasn't a problem at all.

It was hot, but not nearly as hot or humid as here in PA, so it didn't bother us at all.

It was kind of scary how light the crowds were. Granted, we were there at opening many days or staying until 2am at MK twice, but we were also able to walk on ToT in the middle of the day. Crazy. Twice we watched Illuminations, then last minute decided to see if we could make it to MK for the fireworks. Both times we were on the far side of WS, but still made it in time - laughing hysterically the whole way.

New eating experiences:
CA Grill - fantastic! At first we were bummed to get the little room w/o MK view, but we still had a great view and it was much quieter.

Cape May Buffet - enjoyed it, but wouldn't do it again.

Rose and Crown - would do it again in a heartbeat.

Favorite part was the 1am dance party in Tomorrowland. My friend kept asking if MK was really a "dry" park b/c she's never seen so many people dancing and having so much fun. I've never seen the dance party before. How much fun to see everyone dancing with the characters. I was mesmerized.

Dolphin was fantastic as always. We had a wonderful, newly refurbished room. I never even told my friend about the heavenly beds, but she couldn't stop raving about them. I had forgotten how large the rooms were and how many dressers there were. LOVE the new decor, esp the curtains.

Only disappointment was the view and window/sliding door. We were on the 10th floor and directly even with the fountain thing. That was cool, but most of the view was roof in all directions. Obviously at one point, there was a balcony but they had the doors permanently sealed shut, which felt wrong. It would have been so cool to be on that balcony. Also, the window/door was beyond filthy both inside and out. It took 3 calls, 2 days to get the inside cleaned - and they only did 3 of the 4 panes. I realize it's hard to do the outside, but it was crazy dirty.

Singing Mom - LOVED our personal towncar to/from resort - Much nicer than ME (IMHO). Definitely made me feel special. LOVED our espresso martini, although they weren't able to use actual espresso. Still fantastic!

Loved all our meals at Picabu and found the prices very reasonable for Disney.

It did feel weird not having the boys with me, but it was cool to do an adults only trip. Now I'm obsessed with finding a good rate to get my son back there next summer.

PS - picked up my puppy Thursday - he's wonderful!!! Must be my new, relaxed attitude rubbing off on him.

 

[ImprovGal]

Thanks for the info. I've got a few other questions.

2. Does the Swan have rooms with 2 queens and a pullout?

3. Do any of the suites have a separate bedroom with a pullout?

Thanks all!

2) I know you are asking about the Swan but I know there are deluxe alcove rooms at the Dolphin with 2 doubles and a Pullout sofa since I got one of those as an upgrade in May.

3) As Nancy mentioned, if the attached bedroom is a King bed room, it will have a pullout sofa. Also, the sofas in the suite parlors are pullout beds. I think just about all of the suite parlors (in both the Dolphin and the Swan) are configured with 2 lockoff bedrooms -- one a King bed and the other with 2 beds (doubles in the Dolphin, queens in the Swan).

 

[mbvisitor]

I'm wondering how do park tickets work when staying at d/s and don't have KTTW? First time to WDW will be in March, just wondering what to expect?

I understand you still use your d/s room key for EMH, but what do you use to obtain fastpasses? What are you using when you park hop (a paper ticket? are park tickets on a card?)

Thanks!

 

[NancyIL]

I'm wondering how do park tickets work when staying at d/s and don't have KTTW? First time to WDW will be in March, just wondering what to expect?

I understand you still use your d/s room key for EMH, but what do you use to obtain fastpasses? What are you using when you park hop (a paper ticket? are park tickets on a card?)

Thanks!

You use paper park tickets just as they are when you buy them.

 

[SingingMom]

Hi All, back from my fabulous trip to Disney/Dolphin. It was just soooo much fun and all the things I was slightly worried about wasn't a problem at all.

It was hot, but not nearly as hot or humid as here in PA, so it didn't bother us at all.

It was kind of scary how light the crowds were. Granted, we were there at opening many days or staying until 2am at MK twice, but we were also able to walk on ToT in the middle of the day. Crazy. Twice we watched Illuminations, then last minute decided to see if we could make it to MK for the fireworks. Both times we were on the far side of WS, but still made it in time - laughing hysterically the whole way.

New eating experiences:
CA Grill - fantastic! At first we were bummed to get the little room w/o MK view, but we still had a great view and it was much quieter.

Cape May Buffet - enjoyed it, but wouldn't do it again.

Rose and Crown - would do it again in a heartbeat.

Favorite part was the 1am dance party in Tomorrowland. My friend kept asking if MK was really a "dry" park b/c she's never seen so many people dancing and having so much fun. I've never seen the dance party before. How much fun to see everyone dancing with the characters. I was mesmerized.

Dolphin was fantastic as always. We had a wonderful, newly refurbished room. I never even told my friend about the heavenly beds, but she couldn't stop raving about them. I had forgotten how large the rooms were and how many dressers there were. LOVE the new decor, esp the curtains.

Only disappointment was the view and window/sliding door. We were on the 10th floor and directly even with the fountain thing. That was cool, but most of the view was roof in all directions. Obviously at one point, there was a balcony but they had the doors permanently sealed shut, which felt wrong. It would have been so cool to be on that balcony. Also, the window/door was beyond filthy both inside and out. It took 3 calls, 2 days to get the inside cleaned - and they only did 3 of the 4 panes. I realize it's hard to do the outside, but it was crazy dirty.

Singing Mom - LOVED our personal towncar to/from resort - Much nicer than ME (IMHO). Definitely made me feel special. LOVED our espresso martini, although they weren't able to use actual espresso. Still fantastic!

Loved all our meals at Picabu and found the prices very reasonable for Disney.

It did feel weird not having the boys with me, but it was cool to do an adults only trip. Now I'm obsessed with finding a good rate to get my son back there next summer.

PS - picked up my puppy Thursday - he's wonderful!!! Must be my new, relaxed attitude rubbing off on him.

Needafix: so happy you had a great time! I agree about the Cape May Buffet (we were disappointed - I must conclude my last few day of our trip soon. lol)

DD loves Rose & Crown - this year we didn't go to the sit down, but she had take out fish & chips and was just as thrilled.

Sorry about the dirty windows!

Glad you enjoyed the town car! such a VIP feeling. lol

So happy I have made another fan of the espresso martini !

You use paper park tickets just as they are when you buy them.

I ordered through another vendor and received plastic "credit card" style parkhopper tickets instead of the paper ones. Also - make sure you ask the Swan/Dolphin to issue EACH member of your party a room key - you will need that to take part in EMH.

what's the puppy's name?!

 

[Chrissyb8885]

does anyone know if the s/d normally offer good discounts in november??? i cant find any historical info on it...thanks
oh and PS- when do they usually come out if they do?

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Needafix.................so glad you have a nice trip! Sounds like the crowds have been more managable this summer. Welcome back!

 

[puggymom]

Glad to see everyone is having great trips, less than 2 months until my Swan stay.

Can't wait to try Il Mulino, it sounds so good!

Has anyone tried the Madarin Spa, I'm thinking of treating myself one day, maybe a massage.

Love to hear some feedback.

 

[chimommy]

singingmom-

what transport company did you use? I'm looking for a limo, for my group 6, for our airport transport.

thanks!

 

[mbvisitor]

I ordered through another vendor and received plastic "credit card" style parkhopper tickets instead of the paper ones. Also - make sure you ask the Swan/Dolphin to issue EACH member of your party a room key - you will need that to take part in EMH.

SingingMom, can you share with me where you bought your park tickets? I'd much rather deal with a plastic one than paper. Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

singingmom-

what transport company did you use? I'm looking for a limo, for my group 6, for our airport transport.

thanks!

SingingMom, can you share with me where you bought your park tickets? I'd much rather deal with a plastic one than paper. Thanks!

I will PM you. Also remember to always check out the sponsors here on the DISBoards for information on these services. Good to get recommendations from all over.

 

[NancyIL]

I have an annual pass, but I buy other WDW park tickets from Undercover Tourist. They are paper, as are most WDW tickets.

Ticket prices are expected to increase in August, so buy them soon - if you haven't already done so.

 

[SingingMom]

I have an annual pass, but I buy other WDW park tickets from Undercover Tourist. They are paper, as are most WDW tickets.

Ticket prices are expected to increase in August, so buy them soon - if you haven't already done so.

We bought from the "official ticket center" twice now, and they have been the plastic "credit card" style.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....I'd much rather deal with a plastic one than paper. Thanks!

Keep in mind that the 'paper' tickets are actually a Tvek type material, much more durable than the plastic ones.

And welcome home, Needafix.

 

[SingingMom]

Keep in mind that the 'paper' tickets are actually a Tvek type material, much more durable than the plastic ones.

And welcome home, Needafix.

Dan - I've had both - we much prefer the "plastic" ones.

 

[diskids2]

I got the plastic ones, ordering through the website. I had the other durable paper one's when I bought them at the Swan and dolphin desk.

Just giving myself a shout out!!!!!!!!!! Six more days!!!