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

[sdmom]

Checking into the Swan in 2 weeks for 6 nights then to Hard Rock for 3.
Found answers to all my questions:
-air con - how to adjust post #2791
-transportation - will probably use tiffany unless someone advises against it
-fridge - buy quart size milk
-coffee - starbucks
-personal pantry - prices seem reasonable (no delivery fee)
Thanks for all the info.
Can't wait for our trip!

 

[PolyAddict]

I just booked May 28 2011 for 7 nights at the Dolphin. With our AAA rate it was $189 per night with tax, not including parking. Is that still $10? We stayed at the Swan in 2008. Has anything changed much in the resorts since then? Thanks for the help. Very excited to be back in this area, the only thing that will drag us away is a 40% off code for our fav the POLY.

 

[Zuzu03]

I just booked May 28 2011 for 7 nights at the Dolphin. With our AAA rate it was $189 per night with tax, not including parking. Is that still $10? We stayed at the Swan in 2008. Has anything changed much in the resorts since then? Thanks for the help. Very excited to be back in this area, the only thing that will drag us away is a 40% off code for our fav the POLY.

Hahah, Michele, you are just like us - we can't decide between the Dolphin and the Poly ever, so we did a split stay a few weeks ago! The special rates at the Dolphin sure do make it even more attractive!

 

[rie'smom]

I always hear a problem with the smell of the hallway from the S&D. has it been fixed?

We're going back for our 10th Dolphin stay in November- so excited!!! Believe me I'm super particular and would never go back if there was a bad odor.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Can someone tell me about the dress code for men at Il Mulino? I am not sure these days exactly what business casual means! Honestly, not sure DS will even bring long pants and actual shoes with him. Are nice shorts with sandals acceptable? Come to think of it......it would be hard to even get DH to put on real shoes on vacation! thanks

 

[PolyAddict]

Hahah, Michele, you are just like us - we can't decide between the Dolphin and the Poly ever, so we did a split stay a few weeks ago! The special rates at the Dolphin sure do make it even more attractive!

I hear ya!!! That sounds perfect!! I am just too lazy to pack up and move. Like i say i love the POLY but i sure do love my money too!!!!

 

[SingingMom]

Can someone tell me about the dress code for men at Il Mulino? I am not sure these days exactly what business casual means! Honestly, not sure DS will even bring long pants and actual shoes with him. Are nice shorts with sandals acceptable? Come to think of it......it would be hard to even get DH to put on real shoes on vacation! thanks

We were just at Il Mulino's in June - DH did not bring any long pants on the trip - he wore kahki shorts and a polo shirt and sandals, and he was absolutely fine. He was actually more dressed up than most men there.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

That's great new Singingmom...thanks for letting me know that. I've called and made our ressie and am really looking forward to going. It seems like this is a favorite of a lot of people! We will be there on a Friday night and I just read that they now have live Italian music and I am so looking forward to that!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Just an FYI re: Il Mulino for those with smaller appetites - they do offer half portions of some of their entrees. We dined there last summer and I had a wonderful pasts dish (half portion) that was perfect for me.

I assume they are still offering this on their menu.

As with Singing Mom, my DH and DSs, also, wore shorts and polos and sandals to Il Mulino as did I and we were fine -not under dressed at all.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

For any Mandara spa veterans... I know nothing is ever guaranteed but are appointments here akin to ADRs and need to be made very early or can you usually get a massage appointment on the day/week of the request? Any insight is appreciated. And if you have any favorite treatments, feel free to make a recommendation! Thanks!

 

[disneymami]

Hello everyone
Does anyone know what is the teacher rate for a suite (not a standard room) for the swan/dolphin for late august? Thanks for the information.

 

[diskids2]

Hi all...I'm back....We had the best time...Great family trip! As always the Dolphin was great and the Alcove rooms are the BEST....we will ALWAYS get them.

I'll post more details of my stay in a TR...but any questions...feel free to ask.

 

[LexiC123]

Hi all...I'm back....We had the best time...Great family trip! As always the Dolphin was great and the Alcove rooms are the BEST....we will ALWAYS get them.

I'll post more details of my stay in a TR...but any questions...feel free to ask.

Welcome back!

Would love to hear/see more about the alcove room. We head down in a month and I've been toying with the idea of upgrading our reservation to an alcove room.

Can you give me a ballpark idea of the per night cost? Are they on par with the suites, pricewise?

 

[diskids2]

Welcome back!

Would love to hear/see more about the alcove room. We head down in a month and I've been toying with the idea of upgrading our reservation to an alcove room.

Can you give me a ballpark idea of the per night cost? Are they on par with the suites, pricewise?

I paid $184 per night plus the resort fee...but I have the gov't rate. My room rate for the patio rooms was $149, then I upgraded to the alcove room.

We had two rooms (18092 and 18114) both faced the side opposite the swan and we had views of space mountain and the castle. We could see Wishes from the distance.

The rooms had two double beds with a nightstand in between at the end of the beds was a high glass table and on the other side of that was a pull out couch facing a large (probably 42 inch) flat screen tv. There was a desk with two drawers in it...the same green with wood coloring. There were two chairs with a round table near the windows. A five drawer dark wood dresser was on the other side of the TV stand.

The bathroom was small (toilet and shower) and the single sink vanity was outside of the bathroom and you could not see it from the room. Opposite the vanity area was a sink with refrig under it and the coffee machine. Closet was the same size as a standard room that we have had before.

The set up of the alcove room at the dolphin was different from the picture and sketch of the alcove room at the swan. It is one big room where the swan alcove looks like the sitting area is off to the side.

I loved having a sitting/tv area...there was so much room. I also loved the location...seeing Wishes was so nice! I also liked the central elevator bank. The elevator went from floor 1, then lobby, then floor 14 - 20. It was fast and we never waited or had to stop at many floors. The central elevator bank was very convenient to the bus, boat, gift shop, pool exits, Picabu, game room, laundry, etc.

Anything else, let me know.

 

[LexiC123]

I paid $184 per night plus the resort fee...but I have the gov't rate. My room rate for the patio rooms was $149, then I upgraded to the alcove room.

We had two rooms (18092 and 18114) both faced the side opposite the swan and we had views of space mountain and the castle. We could see Wishes from the distance.

The rooms had two double beds with a nightstand in between at the end of the beds was a high glass table and on the other side of that was a pull out couch facing a large (probably 42 inch) flat screen tv. There was a desk with two drawers in it...the same green with wood coloring. There were two chairs with a round table near the windows. A five drawer dark wood dresser was on the other side of the TV stand.

The bathroom was small (toilet and shower) and the single sink vanity was outside of the bathroom and you could not see it from the room. Opposite the vanity area was a sink with refrig under it and the coffee machine. Closet was the same size as a standard room that we have had before.

The set up of the alcove room at the dolphin was different from the picture and sketch of the alcove room at the swan. It is one big room where the swan alcove looks like the sitting area is off to the side.

I loved having a sitting/tv area...there was so much room. I also loved the location...seeing Wishes was so nice! I also liked the central elevator bank. The elevator went from floor 1, then lobby, then floor 14 - 20. It was fast and we never waited or had to stop at many floors. The central elevator bank was very convenient to the bus, boat, gift shop, pool exits, Picabu, game room, laundry, etc.

Anything else, let me know.

That's a great description...thank you. I'm going back and forth debating if DH and I really need the extra room. But I just love the idea of a separate sitting area, and the location at the corners of the building.

And hey...if you can't splurge for your 50th birthday, when can you splurge?!

PS - I just called about the alcove room. I was told that upgrading to an alcove room from a standard room is an additional $75/night, $100 per night if it's an alcove room with a balcony. Now I just have to decide if the extra space is worth adding $525+ to our trip. I'm thinking it might be worth cutting out a few ADRs...dropping California Grill, Narcoosees and Blue Zoo just might cover it!

 

[chimommy]

we booked a 2 bedroom suite with the nursing rate and I think the price was around $329/night... hope this helps.

 

[disneymami]

we booked a 2 bedroom suite with the nursing rate and I think the price was around $329/night... hope this helps.

I didn't know they had 2 bedroom suites. Wow. I would love all that room.


I called to get the pricing for late august and with teacher discount. \
FYI for anyone who wants to know:

the standard room is $139 according to the website.
The alcove room is $214 with the teacher discount. I think that is big jump for a slightly bigger room don't you think?

The premier room is $239 with teacher discount, in late august, not including the $10 daily resort fee.

I'm not sure but am I getting a good deal?

 

[diskids2]

I didn't know they had 2 bedroom suites. Wow. I would love all that room.


I called to get the pricing for late august and with teacher discount. \
FYI for anyone who wants to know:

the standard room is $139 according to the website.
The alcove room is $214 with the teacher discount. I think that is big jump for a slightly bigger room don't you think?

The premier room is $239 with teacher discount, in late august, not including the $10 daily resort fee.

I'm not sure but am I getting a good deal?

IMHO, paying the increased price for the alcove room is well worth it. I have stayed in a standard rooms, in an epcot view balcony room, and now the alcove. I will always ask for the alcove room.

I loved the extra room. With four people, it made our trip much more enjoyable. Having the sitting/TV area was great because it kept people out from "under your feet" when you were getting ready or back to the room for a rest. Also, we were on the 18th floor and it was a short stride to the elevator (central) which was also convenient to everything. From our side of the "triangle" we could see the castle fireworks (wishes) and space mountain. We loved it!

 

[SingingMom]

IMHO, paying the increased price for the alcove room is well worth it. I have stayed in a standard rooms, in an epcot view balcony room, and now the alcove. I will always ask for the alcove room.

I am so glad you enjoyed the alcove room! I would love it too! However, WDW is the only place I never seem to look for "extra room" except for my beloved balcony! We are so rarely in the room!

Just back from a trip down to Cape May (the REAL one lol) and had a fantastically spacious room. Two queens, a sofa, two arm chairs, a desk... spread out and very comfortable. But we spend some time in the room after the beach to shower and relax in the air conditioning before heading back out for dinner, etc. In Disney, we never seem to get much of that time, we are always "on the go" !

I just never thought to book a larger room at the Dolphin! I DO wish we had two bathrooms, however! Even a family of three gets spoiled when you have 2 1/2 baths at home for 3 people, then have to "share"! (the horror! )

 

[Ramsfan28]

I didn't know they had 2 bedroom suites. Wow. I would love all that room.


I called to get the pricing for late august and with teacher discount. \
FYI for anyone who wants to know:

the standard room is $139 according to the website.
The alcove room is $214 with the teacher discount. I think that is big jump for a slightly bigger room don't you think?

The premier room is $239 with teacher discount, in late august, not including the $10 daily resort fee.

I'm not sure but am I getting a good deal?

They have a number of suites, 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms.

The extra bathrooms help when traveling with family and/or friends.