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

[paras4ri]

Quick questions concerning parking......
1. If you are staying at the Swan or Dolphin, you pay a daily parking rate correct? Correct - I think the rate for self-parking is about $10/day.
2.Also, do you have to pay to drive to the parks and park there? (MK, DHS etc..) No charge to drive to and park at the parks - just show your room card for free parking.
3. Can someone staying and paying to park at Swan/Dolphin visit friends staying at another Disney hotel (the GF in this case) and park there free of charge? Yes! We'll be heading to the GF for dinner on Saturday night.

Thanks in advance for replys!

Answers above.

 

[anbouk]

Have a WONDERFUL TIME!!! Stay COOL and drink lots of water!

SingingMom! Welcome back from your vacation at S&D! Sorry a bit late! Hope you guys had a wonderful time! So, will we hear all about it?

 

[akp12]

So I am attempting to book a trip for 2/13 - 2/21 and am a teacher and cannot seem to find any low rates!!! Called and they told me the Swan was booked already for this time and the lowest rate at the Dolphin was $439 a room... and that there werent many rooms left!! I find this hard to believe and was hoping to find a rate under $200 a night - anyone else planning to go during this time and have any better luck?!?! Help me!!!!!!!!

THanks =)

 

[TaraPA]

akp12 - how are you trying to book - by phone or online? I see all room types available for those dates, starting at $265, at both Swan & Dolphin.

While I can't imagine the only rate left is $439, I can believe that the hotel would be sold out for some of those dates - that's President's week, and that is peak travel time for many. So try again, either they gave you incorrect info, or what was given to you was limited info.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

The best I see is 299 a night these rates will probably come down and can be adjusted if they do. This is at www.dreamsunlimedtravel.com

Walt Disney World Dolphin
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Check-in Date: 02/13/2010
Check-out Date: 02/21/2010
Change Dates
8 Nights in 1 Standard View Room

Party Size: 1

Teacher / Education Support Staff Discount:
Please note that proof of eligibility is required to receive any discount. Failure to produce such proof at check-in will result in hotel charging the full, regular rate for that room. Maximum of 3 rooms.
Teacher and Education Support Staff Discount types will require a Work ID or letter from a supervisor on company letterhead stating employment or a recent Pay Stub.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposit Amount Due Now: $336.38

Day: Evening of: Room Rate: Taxes:
Saturday 02/13/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Sunday 02/14/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Monday 02/15/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Tuesday 02/16/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Wednesday 02/17/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Thursday 02/18/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Friday 02/19/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Saturday 02/20/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Totals: $2,392.00
$299.00

Overall Total: $2,691.00

 

[MOM POPPINS]

They also have the Swan for the same price. I also went on www.swandolphin.com and checked using the Government rate which is uually the same as the teachers and they have 265.00 a night. So I would call back and see if someone else tells you different. Have the rates from dreams ready as well as their own website. Good Luck!

Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Check-in Date: 02/13/2010
Check-out Date: 02/21/2010
Change Dates
8 Nights in 1 Standard View Room

Party Size: 1 Adult
Teacher / Education Support Staff Discount:
Please note that proof of eligibility is required to receive any discount. Failure to produce such proof at check-in will result in hotel charging the full, regular rate for that room.
Teacher and Education Support Staff Discount types will require a Work ID or letter from a supervisor on company letterhead stating employment or a recent Pay Stub. Maximum of 3 rooms.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deposit Amount Due Now: $336.38

Day: Evening of: Room Rate: Taxes:
Saturday 02/13/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Sunday 02/14/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Monday 02/15/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Tuesday 02/16/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Wednesday 02/17/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Thursday 02/18/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Friday 02/19/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Saturday 02/20/2010 $299.00 $37.38
Totals: $2,392.00
$299.00

Overall Total: $2,691.00

 

[TaraPA]

The $265/night is on www.spg.com -

Hotel & Room Information
Walt Disney World Dolphin
1500 Epcot Resort Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
United States
(407) 934-4000Check in
02/13/2010 - 3:00 PMCheck out
02/21/2010 - 11:00 AM1 Room, 1 Adult per room, 2 Double Beds, Non-smoking room
Room Features: Traditional Non-smoking , Heavenly Bed , Limited View , Cordless Phone , Minibar Rate Information
Rate Description: Book Now And Save - Fully Prepaid, Cancel Rules Apply, No Changes Allowed. Non Changeable. Advance Purchase Rate. Fully Prepaid. Ifcancell.** Ed Outside Of 72 Hours Of Arrival Before 4pm, Forfeit1 Night.** . If Cancelled Inside 72 Hours Of Arrival After 4pm,forfeit.** Entire Stay..rpkg.

SET or Corporate Account Number:

Average est. room total per night** Estimated total for your stay**
1 room(s) for 8
night(s)
Room rate: USD 265.00 USD 2,120.00
Room rate excludes the following:
Local Resort Tx: USD 15.90 USD 127.20
6.00 % Per Room / Per Night
State Sales Tax: USD 17.23 USD 137.80
6.50 % Per Room / Per Night
Resort Charge: USD 10.00 USD 80.00
USD 10.00 Per Room / Per Night
Estimated total*: USD 308.13 USD 2,465.00
Items marked with an * are required.

Starpoints will appear in your account approximately seven days after check out. If it has been less than seven days since you checked out, the Starpoints for that visit will not yet appear as part of your balance. If it has been seven days or more since your stay, please provide the information below and we\'ll be glad to help.
We are having trouble processing the credit card information. To continue, please ensure that the credit card number and the credit card type match and that the number is correct.


Terms and Conditions
Cancellation Policy:
The time for canceling without penalty has passed. If you cancel, the forfeiture amount will be a 1 night penalty. If you cancel after 4:00 PM hotel time on 02/10/2010, the forfeiture amount will be 100.00 percent. There may be additional applicable charges and taxes.
Rate Plan Description:
Book Now And Save - Fully Prepaid, Cancel Rules Apply, No Changes Allowed. Non Changeable. Advance Purchase Rate. Fully Prepaid. Ifcancell.** Ed Outside Of 72 Hours Of Arrival Before 4pm, Forfeit1 Night.** . If Cancelled Inside 72 Hours Of Arrival After 4pm,forfeit.** Entire Stay..rpkg.
GTD/Deposit Policy:
USD 2120.00 deposit is due on 08/03/2009 and will be charged to the credit card provided.
For reservations guaranteed with a form of payment at time of booking, rooms are held until hotel check-out time the day following arrival. For reservations not guaranteed with a form of payment at time of booking, rooms are held until set cancellation time per the rules of the reservation. In the event more guests arrive than can be accommodated due to hotel overbooking or an unforeseen circumstance, and hotel is unable to hold rooms consistent with this room hold policy, hotel will attempt to accommodate guests, at its expense, at a comparable hotel in the area for the oversold night(s), and will pay for transportation to that hotel.

 

[snjmorrison]

How do you arrange transportation from the airport when staying at the Swan Dolphin? What is the cost? I saw that the hotel has Alamo and National in the facility, so I was considering renting a small car to take us to the hotel. Thanks for any advice!

 

[willibl]

Just wanted to share the amazing deal I got on expedia.... 7 nights with air for $1400 at the Swan. We are going August 22nd-29th. We are all very excited!!

 

[LoveKermit]

Rejoining....

I was on last summer to get ready for Oct trip. Now we're looking at Jan if the teacher rates ever come out.

For those just asking a couple people above, I am looking at the last weekend of Jan and am also getting the $299 for all room types at both resorts with teacher discount. I also got the same stories from the direct website for my weekend as you did for Pres day. I think they haven't posted them yet.

I want to call today--do I call the 407 number in Florida or do I call an 800 number given on the website? I assume the 800 number.

We'll probably stay at the Swan unless Disney comes out with something we can't afford to miss.

SPG Question I have a Starwood member number but have recently moved and have no idea where the card might be (nor have I looked). Do you need to present the card at checkin?

 

[Boatingmom]

I just received 2 coupons from starwod for 50% off rack rates. Does anybody know if this a better deal than the AAA or gvt rate that may come out? Details are that you must stay one to five five nights and the offer expires by 5/31/10.

 

[vicb]

I just received 2 coupons from starwod for 50% off rack rates. Does anybody know if this a better deal than the AAA or gvt rate that may come out? Details are that you must stay one to five five nights and the offer expires by 5/31/10.

\

Whoa, that's a deal I'd take since it goes into 2010. Do you mind sharing how you received that coupon? Via email or snailmail or something else?

I just joined Starwood a few weeks ago and haven't earned any points so not sure I'm even on their radar!

 

[akp12]

LoveKermit - Let me know what you find out!! I am getting anxious to book our trip but of course will wait it out for the price to DROP!!

 

[ozziewags]

How do you arrange transportation from the airport when staying at the Swan Dolphin? What is the cost? I saw that the hotel has Alamo and National in the facility, so I was considering renting a small car to take us to the hotel. Thanks for any advice!

We always use a car service. This year we used Fl Town Car (a sponsor here) and it was $109 round trip with a grocery stop. I looked at rental cars, but we didn't need it and it was more expensive. (we also tip both drivers) If you go to the Transportation board you will see a variety of posts about it.

 

[LoveKermit]

LoveKermit - Let me know what you find out!! I am getting anxious to book our trip but of course will wait it out for the price to DROP!!

Didn't get around to it. I plan to try tomorrow. I'd definitely say they haven't put out their group discounts yet as it seems to be the same price for any weekend I choose.

Any thoughts--FL number or 800 number?

 

[SingingMom]

We always use a car service. This year we used Fl Town Car (a sponsor here) and it was $109 round trip with a grocery stop. I looked at rental cars, but we didn't need it and it was more expensive. (we also tip both drivers) If you go to the Transportation board you will see a variety of posts about it.

We had a stretch limo this time due to five people (and a little splurge ).. round trip was approx $210 - just to give you an idea..

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

hi. I am trying to book 3 rooms for arrival on 12/30 for a week. I was told they are not taking new arrivals on 12/30 or 12/31 but if I arrived on 12/28 I could book through those same dates?

This is confusing for me because I figured people come and go at all different days and times. Should I push harder or how would you pursue?

 

[ibidforit]

hi. I am trying to book 3 rooms for arrival on 12/30 for a week. I was told they are not taking new arrivals on 12/30 or 12/31 but if I arrived on 12/28 I could book through those same dates?

This is confusing for me because I figured people come and go at all different days and times. Should I push harder or how would you pursue?

I have been trying to book a room for the 30th and 31st and all the booking sites I have checked say there are no rooms available at the Swan or Dolphin. I haven't tried with an earlier check-in date.

I wonder if you could book the reservation starting on the 28th, and then later cancel the first couple of days that you don't need? Anyone know if this would work?

Gretchen

 

[Mouseteacher]

We just returned from a wonderful 7 day at the Swan. Our alcove suite had a beautiful resort view. We were on the 3rd floor east wing.

An unusual event occurred one afternoon around 3:00 pm. We had just returned from the pool when there was a whole resort announcement coming through our room stating there was an emergency and that we needed to leave our rooms and the building immediately and to not use the elevators. The exit door was right outside our room. So outside we went. We saw the housekeeping staff already outside. It took about 10 minutes before we were allowed to go back in. We never did find out what was wrong.

We were granted a request for a late check out which was a help as we were not being picked up until 2:30 for the airport.

Our room was cleaned everyday by the time we requested each morning before leaving for the parks.

The only minor negative was that the conventioneers took over the Fountain, the Cabana Restaurant, and Fresh at the lunch hour. We have never seen this happen in all of our stays. It wasn't a problem for us as we usually eat lunch in the parks.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I have been trying to book a room for the 30th and 31st and all the booking sites I have checked say there are no rooms available at the Swan or Dolphin. I haven't tried with an earlier check-in date.

I wonder if you could book the reservation starting on the 28th, and then later cancel the first couple of days that you don't need? Anyone know if this would work?

Gretchen

I was able to put in your dates at ~ https://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/sd.cfm

Walt Disney World Dolphin
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Check-in Date: 12/30/2009
Check-out Date: 01/01/2010
Change Dates
2 Nights in 1 Standard View Room

Party Size: 1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposit Amount Due Now: $358.88

Day: Evening of: Room Rate: Taxes:
Wednesday 12/30/2009 $319.00 $39.88
Thursday 12/31/2009 $319.00 $39.88
Totals: $638.00
$79.75

Overall Total: $717.75