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

[NancyIL]

How far in advance do you typically book at the Dolphin? I was hoping to book a bounceback reservation when we're at Disney this November, but I'm not happy about the missing Fall Value season for 2011! I've always thought we'd like to stay at the Dolphin, and I'm thinking now may be the time!

Can I apply a bounceback offer for a stay at the Dolphin?

Can you book and then apply a discount code later, or is it better to wait until you have the discount in hand? I need to evaluate my usual system for booking a WDW trip (booking a year in advance and then watching for discounts), because I suspect going through Disney Reservations won't be the best way to go about it with a S/D stay.

I am a member of the recipe club, but I don't qualify for any of the other special rates...

Thanks in advance!

The Swan and Dolphin aren't WDW-owned resorts. Therefore, codes and discounts that apply to WDW resorts aren't applicable to the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[mapmakerj]

I thought I would ask the friendly folks on the S/D board 1st if there is anyone who would like 2 restaurant.com certificates. Our plans have changed so we won't be using them. There is one for Kimonos and one for Garden Grove. The Kimonos one is $25 off a min. $35 and the Garden Grove is $25 off min. 2 entrees. I got the Garden Grove one before they added the "dinner only" restriction, so this one should be good for breakfast too! They do not expire and I will mail them to the 1st person who PM's me they would like them.

They are now gone.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I thought I would ask the friendly folks on the S/D board 1st if there is anyone who would like 2 restaurant.com certificates. Our plans have changed so we won't be using them. There is one for Kimonos and one for Garden Grove. The Kimonos one is $25 off a min. $35 and the Garden Grove is $25 off min. 2 entrees. I got the Garden Grove one before they added the "dinner only" restriction, so this one should be good for breakfast too! They do not expire and I will mail them to the 1st person who PM's me they would like them.

That was very nice of you!!


Current 80% code at www.restaurant.com is BIG. Makes it $2 for $25 certificates.

 

[FloFlo71]

Hi guys, it's been a long while! I hope you're having a great summer

I just inquired about the teacher rate and it's hard to pass up for next year! I was thinking of doing an Epcot fireworks view, but am also considering a resort view with balcony. Looking at the front of the Dolphin, it looks like all the balconies face away from the front of the Swan and more out towards another wing so I'm wondering what the resort view with balcony really looks like...could anyone confirm if this is a nice view of the Swan or BW or TOT, and if there's a particular wing you would recommend or request? Can anyone share a picture of your resort view w/balcony? TIA in advance! Now I'm really getting excited for 2011!

Hi, can I be cheeky and ask what rate you quoted for next year. I am thinking about an August trip.

Thanks

 

[disneyaway]

I just booked an alcove room at the Swan for a week in Feb/March With the AAA rate, it was listed at $187/night which I thought was too good to pass up. Esp when I called the reservations line, the cheapest they had was 200+. Reading about how everyone seemed to love the alcove, I figured I just had to try it!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi guys, it's been a long while! I hope you're having a great summer

I just inquired about the teacher rate and it's hard to pass up for next year! I was thinking of doing an Epcot fireworks view, but am also considering a resort view with balcony. Looking at the front of the Dolphin, it looks like all the balconies face away from the front of the Swan and more out towards another wing so I'm wondering what the resort view with balcony really looks like...could anyone confirm if this is a nice view of the Swan or BW or TOT, and if there's a particular wing you would recommend or request? Can anyone share a picture of your resort view w/balcony? TIA in advance! Now I'm really getting excited for 2011!

We stayed at the Dolphin in the farthest east wing (wing close to the YC) on the 8th floor balcony room. We had an unobstructed - dead center view of the SE, Epcot, BW and so much more. A terrific view!

It was a looong walk to the elevator though. However, well worth it to have that view.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I just booked an alcove room at the Swan for a week in Feb/March With the AAA rate, it was listed at $187/night which I thought was too good to pass up. Esp when I called the reservations line, the cheapest they had was 200+. Reading about how everyone seemed to love the alcove, I figured I just had to try it!

The past 2 stays (2008 and 2009) we have booked the alcove room at the Swan and truly love the extra room. In 2002, 2003 and 2006, we stayed at the Dolphin but the Swan alcove suite is now our preference. Love the teacher rate!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....We had an unobstructed - dead center view of the SE, Epcot, BW and so much more.....

Sounds like Haunted Mansion.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Sounds like Haunted Mansion.

dead center

 

[LexiC123]

So I was all set to post about the great Swan/Dolphin Starpicks rates that just came out today...$99/night for the Dolphin, $109 for the Swan, available for August 19 through September 27 (exclusive of Sept. 23-24).

Then I saw this:

Room rate excludes:

USD 4.00 Per Room / Per Night $4 service pkg .
USD 5.00 Per Room / Per Night $5 service pkg .
USD 7.00 Per Room / Per Night $7 service pkg .
USD 7.50 Per Room / Per Night $7.50 service pkg .
USD 8.00 Per Room / Per Night $8 service pkg .
USD 9.00 Per Room / Per Night $9 service pkg .

plus USD 10.00 Per Room / Per Night resort charge .

plus charges and taxes.
​

The great $99 rate at the Dolphin is now $161.88, and the $109 Swan rate balloons up to $173.13!!!

What's worse is I called Starwood Hotels, Westin and the Swan directly, and no one could tell me what those six extra charges, totaling $40.50, were for.

Very strange.

 

[NancyIL]

So I was all set to post about the great Swan/Dolphin Starpicks rates that just came out today...$99/night for the Dolphin, $109 for the Swan, available for August 19 through September 27 (exclusive of Sept. 23-24).

Then I saw this:

Room rate excludes:

USD 4.00 Per Room / Per Night $4 service pkg .
USD 5.00 Per Room / Per Night $5 service pkg .
USD 7.00 Per Room / Per Night $7 service pkg .
USD 7.50 Per Room / Per Night $7.50 service pkg .
USD 8.00 Per Room / Per Night $8 service pkg .
USD 9.00 Per Room / Per Night $9 service pkg .

plus USD 10.00 Per Room / Per Night resort charge .

plus charges and taxes.
​

The great $99 rate at the Dolphin is now $161.88, and the $109 Swan rate balloons up to $173.13!!!

What's worse is I called Starwood Hotels, Westin and the Swan directly, and no one could tell me what those six extra charges, totaling $40.50, were for.

Very strange.

I don't know what all those charges are, but the tax rate is 12.5%, and the resort fee is $10.65 ($10 + 6.5% tax) per night.

 

[LexiC123]

I don't know what all those charges are, but the tax rate is 12.5%, and the resort fee is $10.65 ($10 + 6.5% tax) per night.

That much I knew, from staying at the the Dolphin last year. I had the $99 rate, with taxes, resort charge and other fees it came to $121.38 per night...which was more than reasonable, I thought.

At least with the $10 resort fee, you're told what it covers. I just thought it odd that all sorts of other charges were tacked on and no one could tell me why there were so many of them, or what they were for.

 

[TaraPA]

I had those SAME EXACT fees applied to a special rate I had gotten for ESPN Weekend for $149 a night. When I called to ask about the fees they also could not tell me why they were showing up, but they assured me it was a computer glitch, and sent me an updated confirmation with the fees removed. I was sure to double check my charges at check-out & none of those fees were there.

So I can't tell you what they're for or why they're showing up, but it happened to us, and we were only charged the room rate, tax & the $10 daily resort fee.

 

[simonmunro]

Where do I find a Dolphin Starpick?

 

[LexiC123]

I had those SAME EXACT fees applied to a special rate I had gotten for ESPN Weekend for $149 a night. When I called to ask about the fees they also could not tell me why they were showing up, but they assured me it was a computer glitch, and sent me an updated confirmation with the fees removed. I was sure to double check my charges at check-out & none of those fees were there.

So I can't tell you what they're for or why they're showing up, but it happened to us, and we were only charged the room rate, tax & the $10 daily resort fee.

If it wasn't a prepaid rate, I might chance booking it and hope to have the charges adjusted. Maybe I'll call again tomorrow to see if I can get someone 'in the know' who can shed some light on things.

At least I know I have a pretty good rate to fall back on, should the rate turn out to be exactly as it seems.

Where do I find a Dolphin Starpick?

Here you go. Scroll down to United States...Florida...Lake Buena Vista.

New Starpick rates come out pretty much every Tuesday, unless it's a holiday week. The hotels vary from week to week.

 

[TaraPA]

LexiC123 - when I booked, I booked online through spg.com & used the live chat function - she had me wait while she called the hotel directly to question the fees. She was very nice & all went smoothly. So live chat is an option if you don't want to call back, or don't get the answer you were looking for when you do call!

 

[tracy51]

I've gotten through most of this thread but not all of it. So much wonderful information to absorb If this has already been answered, I appologize...

We're considering changing our reservation for October from Beach Club to the Dolphin. It'll be me, DH, and DD(16). I've checked online and there's availability. But all it asked for was the number of adults. I know kids 17 & under stay free in the same room but surely I need to add her to the reservation. Where or how to I do that??

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[SingingMom]

I've gotten through most of this thread but not all of it. So much wonderful information to absorb If this has already been answered, I appologize...

We're considering changing our reservation for October from Beach Club to the Dolphin. It'll be me, DH, and DD(16). I've checked online and there's availability. But all it asked for was the number of adults. I know kids 17 & under stay free in the same room but surely I need to add her to the reservation. Where or how to I do that??

Thanks so much in advance.

Call the Dolphin directly and make your reservation. We have the same age daughter and we just say 2 adults, and a child age 16. Have fun!!

 

[tracy51]

Thanks!

What does your daughter think of the Dolphin? Specifically the pool

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks!

What does your daughter think of the Dolphin? Specifically the pool

We just returned in June from our FIFTH year in a row at the Dolphin. If you skim through this thread, you'll see our daughter in a number of Grotto Pool and Cabana Bar (not drinking LOL) photos. She LOVES the Dolphin, as do we. The Grotto Pool area is lovely - she also likes the smaller round pool, just to dunk and quietly cool off after a long day at the parks. She loves the different restaurant options, that Picabu's is open 24 hours and has fresh brewed UNSWEETENED ice tea and really enjoys The Fountain's ice cream counter. We love to stop in the shops, lounge in the lobby. LOVE the close proximity to Boardwalk, not having to take buses to Epcot and the Studios. And those HEAVENLY BEDS!!!!!

I think it is a great spot for a teenager. Just enough "Disney" to know that's where you are, but more of a high class resort hotel feel.