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

[dfarner]

Dfarner and Danissmart - thanks for your updates! Always nice to hear what people think of our beloved Dolphin.

Next year we are planning things a little differently - no ADRS, spending more days at the Grotto Pool and more Evening EMH out and about. Here I am, looking forward to NEXT JUNE !

PS: Dfarner - I'm happy to hear I'm not alone in my thrill of the Dolphin lobby everytime I walk through!

Yes! Between the revolving doors, shooting stars, fountain, art gallery, Daisy's Garden, and elevators we really didn't even need to buy park tickets. It was as good as the Magic Kingdom! My girls loved, loved, loved the lobby.

 

[abh218]

We stayed at the Dolphin last fall and had a few glitches. We plan to go back and stay at the Swan this fall. I booked this time via Starwood (because I was using points) and not directly through the hotel. The reservation was for a "standard" view - it didn't appear to have the "automatic" Starwood upgrade. NOTE: On the last trip, our "automatic" Starwood upgrade gave us the lake view (actually the backside portion of the lake).

So following the advice of someone on the boards, I drafted a very polite email to management to inquire about linking my reservations (part on points, point out of pocket) and about the upgrade.

Today, I received a response saying we've been upgraded to a Boardwalk view. Is this the view of the Boardwalk Villas and the DHS waterway? Does anyone know what is really considered a Boardwalk view? I can't find that listed on any of the info sites!

If you've stayed in the Swan with a Boardwalk view, could you direct me to a photo?

TIA for any info!

 

[malcontent]

Last year when we stayed at the BC, we had Costco deliver 3 cases of bottled water before we arrived. Management held it until our arrival, and then delivered it to the room.

Will the S/D do the same thing?

 

[Dan Murphy]

The second picture here is a bit of the BW on the right......

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=489915


Some more here, further down........

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=981547


A few more, though not of the BW......

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1148748


Some at the top of this one........

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=864145

And I know there has to be some here........

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1359968

 

[ozziewags]

Dan, those pictures are gorgeous. YOu are quite the photographer. I loved the castle pics the best!

 

[Boatingmom]

abh218- Where exatally did you send your letter? I also booked a room, part out of pocket and part from points for a 4 day trip in Oct. It is a short birthday trip (50) After booking, I learned that the S/D offered a birthday special. I called, but found I was not eligible because I was actually checking out on my birthday. They did say they would update me though. I thought... Wasn't I already supposed to get an upgrade foro being a Starwood member? I want to make sure I'm not looking at a lot or roof. Suggestions anybody?


PS Tara from PA- Ever been to Knoebels? I'm going next week.

 

[TaraPA]

Hi BoatingMom - yes I've been to Knoebels many times. Not this year yet, but my kids went about 2 weeks ago with my in-laws.

It's funny you mentioned getting a roof-view standard room - have you seen my posting on the Worst Resort View thread? I used half points, half cash for a Dolphin stay in 2006 & got exactly that - roof and dumpsters & the loading area of the convention center. The hotel was full to capacity, so there were no upgrades available. So if the hotel is full, you're out of luck if you only book standard, and get the roof view!

 

[Boatingmom]

Thanks for the quick response TaraPA. I'm going to Knoebels next week. Hope the 9 & 11 yo DS & DD enjoy. Any suggestions from a local ? We were considering Reptileworld and Country Cupboard also.

I heard about the roof view. Thats why I'd like to send a letter. I guess free is free when using points, but for the out of pocket portion I would like something a bit nicer.

 

[abh218]

Boatingmom - I had the same concerns. I had seen the photo of that infamous roof/dumpster view that TaraPA had! I was also concerned because I have one night on points and five out of pocket. I wanted to be sure those reservation numbers were linked! Plus, I took it as a polite way to express my displeasure with some things that I had to deal with over at the Dolphin last fall.

Now, my curiosity is it really and upgrade or just the upgrade I would have gotten if I'd booked directly. I'll graciously take this one if it means we don't look at that infamous dumpster!

The email is what appears on your emailed confirmation - management@swandolphin.com! Good luck and keep us posted with your progress! I wish I could remember who originally posted this info about getting upgrade issues resolved (it wasn't on the main S/D thread)...I'd like to say thanks to him!

 

[carmiedog]

I check into this thread now and again so haven't read ALL of it. From the last couple pages...what are the shooting stars in the lobby? Something we missed during our stay, I guess.

 

[SingingMom]

I check into this thread now and again so haven't read ALL of it. From the last couple pages...what are the shooting stars in the lobby? Something we missed during our stay, I guess.

Look up at the ceiling in the front entry of the Dolphin lobby and you will see sparkling stars with a shooting star. Very "magical"!

 

[carmiedog]

Look up at the ceiling in the front entry of the Dolphin lobby and you will see sparkling stars with a shooting star. Very "magical"!

I'll have to remember this next time. I was too busy chasing my brats to be looking up a the ceiling.

 

[dfarner]

Here are some pics from our trip. Between our camera and Photopass we have almost 600 pictures! These were taken in the Dolphin, Swan, and Boardwalk/Beach Club area. There are also a few of the Castle and the fireworks at the MK. I had many more of the lobby and swimming pool, but they had my girls in them and I don't like posting those. Many of these I'm sure you all have seen, but who gets tired of looking at Disneyworld pictures?

http://s598.photobucket.com/albums/tt66/dfarner/Disney 2009/

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Awesome pictures!! I couldn't tell from the picture that had your 'room view' but does the suite have a balcony? It's not a big deal and I doubt I would even use it but maybe the other four adults would like to if there was.

Here are some pics from our trip. Between our camera and Photopass we have almost 600 pictures! These were taken in the Dolphin, Swan, and Boardwalk/Beach Club area. There are also a few of the Castle and the fireworks at the MK. I had many more of the lobby and swimming pool, but they had my girls in them and I don't like posting those. Many of these I'm sure you all have seen, but who gets tired of looking at Disneyworld pictures?

http://s598.photobucket.com/albums/tt66/dfarner/Disney 2009/

 

[dfarner]

Awesome pictures!! I couldn't tell from the picture that had your 'room view' but does the suite have a balcony? It's not a big deal and I doubt I would even use it but maybe the other four adults would like to if there was.

No balcony.
I forgot to post in my original review that we could see the Fantasmic fireworks from the room. One night my daughter was watching tv on the bed and squealed "Mommy, Daddy...Fireworks!" You would have thought Mickey Mouse had just knocked on the door, she was so excited.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

No balcony.
I forgot to post in my original review that we could see the Fantasmic fireworks from the room. One night my daughter was watching tv on the bed and squealed "Mommy, Daddy...Fireworks!" You would have thought Mickey Mouse had just knocked on the door, she was so excited.

Wow, I found that odd with the suites then it seems there aren't views minus the realllllllllly expensive Presidential Suite LOL. Luckily it's not a make-or-break issue, but they stress views/balconies so much when booking your room at the hotels

I'm just excited to go, bring me whatever room is available (minus rooftop/garbage views LOL)

 

[SingingMom]

Very pretty pictures! Thanks for sharing!

I am a "sucker" for a balcony. I love to sit there for a few minutes of quiet time with a cup of tea. This trip I had parts of two days that I needed to leave the parks and sit quietly - and I enjoyed the balcony with my book and being ALONE.

I haven't had to pay for one yet (always an upgrade, which has been lovely) but I find I really like it.

On the Disney cruise, however, it was a MUST - and after having the verandah, I would NEVER do without one. That's the one upgrade I WILL pay for.

 

[llqool]

I have seen several people post about birthday specials....I will be checking into the Dolphin on my birthday in September. I looked up the Starwood birthday special online, where you get a special rate on your birthday and then subsequent days are at your birth year rate (so if you were born in 1969, you'd pay $69). I tried calling the national Starwood number and they were clueless and then I called the Dolphin directly and they said they don't do this and that they have their own birthday special, which is apparently not very special because it was considerably higher than the rate I was already booked at.

Has anyone had experience getting the "regular" Starwood birthday special at either the Swan or the Dolphin?

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Free night on your birthday. It has to be on the day and a minimum 3 night stay.

In addition to Walt Disney World’s offer of a complimentary theme park ticket on your birthday, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, a Four Diamond luxury resort ideally located in the heart of Walt Disney World®, is offering the following:

•A complimentary room on your birthday with a minimum three-night stay*
•PLUS, dine in one of the resort’s signature, award-winning restaurants (Todd English’s bluezoo, Shula’s Steak House, or Il Mulino New York Trattoria) and receive a complimentary birthday cake prepared by our two-time world champion pastry chef, Laurent Branlard
•A second room may be purchased for an additional $99 per night
Please make your reservations for dinner at Todd English’s bluezoo, Shula’s Steak House, or Il Mulino New York Trattoria at least five days prior to allow for delivery of birthday cake. Dinner reservations can be made by calling 407-934-1609.

Call 1-888-828-8850 and ask for rate code: BDAY

You can see this by going to www.swandolphin.com and clicking on rates and packages.

Good Luck and Happy Early Birthday!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

http://www.swandolphin.com/rates/index.html