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

[VickiVM]

We only have four in our family, but since our two teenaged sons prefer not to sleep in the same bed, we always bring our aero bed.

But does anyone know if they automatically charge for the bed for the 5th person, or only if requested.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I booked the AAA deal ($109/night) for my Sept trip and a day later I received an e-mail with additional info on the hotel and it said to let them know if my trip was in honor of any special celebrations. I wrote them back saying it was a combined birthday trip for myself and my Goddaughter, who would be turning 7. They wrote me back a very nice message thanking me for selecting the Dolphin and telling me they upgraded us from a standard room to a deluxe balcony room with an Epcot/Boardwalk view and will also be sending us each a slice of cake to enjoy on our birthday and an autograph book for my Goddaughter to take with her to the parks. I am a Starwood "preferred plus" (AAA) member so I was hoping to maybe get upgraded to a non-parking lot view upon check-in but how nice is that?!

Do any of you know if this class of room will have a view of the fireworks? Since they didn't say "fireworks" view I wasn't sure. Whatever the case, I am just happy for the upgrade.

So glad I took the time to send them an e-mail! I will report back after the trip. Thanks to everyone on this thread for sharing all of their info. I was initially a little bummed when I saw there weren't any moderate or All-star rooms available for my dates but I think this is going to turn out to be a better deal.

How wonderful - congratulations on a terrific upgrade! Those rooms do have a view of the top of IllumiNations...we were on the 7th floor twice. You will love it!!

Just wondering...Did you book on line or call? Thanks..happy planning!

(PS AARP members should be sure to have an AARP Starwood Preferred Guest Plus card, rather than just showing an AARP card at check in - offers the same benefits as AAA plus! )

 

[sjb459]

How wonderful - congratulations on a terrific upgrade! Those rooms do have a view of the top of IllumiNations...we were on the 7th floor twice. You will love it!!

Just wondering...Did you book on line or call? Thanks..happy planning!

(PS AARP members should be sure to have an AARP Starwood Preferred Guest Plus card, rather than just showing an AARP card at check in - offers the same benefits as AAA plus! )

Great, thanks! I booked on-line on the Swan/Dolphin site (I did also call a few days before booking on-line to ask about the free Birthday night - but I was told that promotion was only valid with the $219/night rate)

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Great, thanks! I booked on-line on the Swan/Dolphin site (I did also call a few days before booking on-line to ask about the free Birthday night - but I was told that promotion was only valid with the $219/night rate)

Your upgrade is far better than the free night!!

(thanks for the info. )

 

[llqool]

Great, thanks! I booked on-line on the Swan/Dolphin site (I did also call a few days before booking on-line to ask about the free Birthday night - but I was told that promotion was only valid with the $219/night rate)

that's weird, b/c when I found out about the birthday thing, I called up and was able to get it even though we have the $129 govt rate. You may want to call back and check up on that. I made them send me a confirmation email to make sure, and I'm looking at it and for the first two nights of our stay, the rate plan says "BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION" but still shows the 129 and then on the last night of our stay it says "BIRTHDAY PROMO NIGHT" with a rate of 0 (although it does say I need to pay tax and the $10 resort fee)

 

[CharlieGrl]

Hello everyone, newbie here to the boards and compared to everyone else on here new to Walt Disney world. Been only two times, both times so long ago that I barely remember anything (so everything will feel new to me). So my DH and DS (their first times) will be going with my FIL and MIL to Disney World. We will be staying free at the Swan/Dolphin September 20-24 because MIL has a conference there. I have become so obsessed the closer to the date I get.

 

[SingingMom]

Hello everyone, newbie here to the boards and compared to everyone else on here new to Walt Disney world. Been only two times, both times so long ago that I barely remember anything (so everything will feel new to me). So my DH and DS (their first times) will be going with my FIL and MIL to Disney World. We will be staying free at the Swan/Dolphin September 20-24 because MIL has a conference there. I have become so obsessed the closer to the date I get.

Welcome! You will LOVE the Swan/Dolphin!!!

 

[jaysbabe]

I followed the lead of a fellow poster and responded to the "welcome" email I received from the Swan/Dolphin. I advised them it was our anniversary!! So, we'll see if it helps with any upgrades.

Does anyone know if they have the Celebration buttons at the Swan/Dolphin like they do at the Disney properties? I know it is not a Disney property but since they have EMH and transportation, wasn't sure if they participated in this as well.

 

[paras4ri]

Does anyone know if they have the Celebration buttons at the Swan/Dolphin like they do at the Disney properties? I know it is not a Disney property but since they have EMH and transportation, wasn't sure if they participated in this as well.

Each hotel has a Disney desk - staffed by Disney employees. The Swan's is on the hall leading to the East elevators. The Dolphin's is a bit harder to find - it's located just off the main lobby, in the same alcove as the car rental desk. Check there for buttons.

 

[SwanDolphin]

Updated info below on the return of the Swan boats:



Please advise all cast without e-mail that our Swan Boats have landed safely back in Lake Terrace after migrating from the Alaskan arctic tundra.



Swan Boat hours will be 11am-6pm through this Labor Day weekend, then Starting on Monday, September 7th, will be 11am-5pm, daily.

We have 2 boats that seat 4 and 2 that seat 2, for a grand total of 4 Swan Boats

If a guest is looking to rent the boats, they can visit the Cabana Beach Hut on the Grotto Pool Deck

Cost: $15.00 per half our (either 2 seater or 4 seater)

 

[SingingMom]

Updated info below on the return of the Swan boats:



Please advise all cast without e-mail that our Swan Boats have landed safely back in Lake Terrace after migrating from the Alaskan arctic tundra.



Swan Boat hours will be 11am-6pm through this Labor Day weekend, then Starting on Monday, September 7th, will be 11am-5pm, daily.

We have 2 boats that seat 4 and 2 that seat 2, for a grand total of 4 Swan Boats

If a guest is looking to rent the boats, they can visit the Cabana Beach Hut on the Grotto Pool Deck

Cost: $15.00 per half our (either 2 seater or 4 seater)

Oooooo! DD will be SO PLEASED!!!

 

[LexiC123]

Oooooo! DD will be SO PLEASED!!!

So cute!

Well, I may not have the TTA, but at least I have the Swan Boats.

 

[kpadalik]

I'm sure this is on the boards here somewhere, but does the Dolphin have refrigerators in their rooms? TIA!

 

[treehouse p]

Yes the rooms do have refigerators in them.

Those swanboats pulled into the parking lot while I was waiting for the bus yesterday morning.

 

[LexiC123]

So excited...I'm off to the Dolphin tomorrow! Hope to have lots of pics to post when I get back. All I have to do is figure out how to work my new camera on the flight down from NY, LOL.

Thank you so much to all those who have contributed their personal experiences and advice to this thread. It's been a great help to me in planning my trip, and is very much appreciated...

 

[sherry8253]

I am on chemo and have a handicapped sticker for my car because I tire quickly and it is difficult for me to walk long distances. I know Disney offers free valet parking for folks with handicapped stickers. Does anyone know if the Swan and Dolphin do the same thing? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Mouseteacher]

So excited...I'm off to the Dolphin tomorrow! Hope to have lots of pics to post when I get back. All I have to do is figure out how to work my new camera on the flight down from NY, LOL.

Thank you so much to all those who have contributed their personal experiences and advice to this thread. It's been a great help to me in planning my trip, and is very much appreciated...

Wishing you a magical trip and a super stay at our fav resort...S/D!

 

[SingingMom]

So excited...I'm off to the Dolphin tomorrow! Hope to have lots of pics to post when I get back. All I have to do is figure out how to work my new camera on the flight down from NY, LOL.

Thank you so much to all those who have contributed their personal experiences and advice to this thread. It's been a great help to me in planning my trip, and is very much appreciated...

Have a lovely time and make sure you stop back and tell us all about your trip!

 

[SingingMom]

I am on chemo and have a handicapped sticker for my car because I tire quickly and it is difficult for me to walk long distances. I know Disney offers free valet parking for folks with handicapped stickers. Does anyone know if the Swan and Dolphin do the same thing? Thanks in advance for your help.

Call ahead and ask - but I can't imagine that they wouldn't do that for you.

 

[LWcalif]

Can you buy park tickets at the S/D? If so, where? And how do I find out the hours they can be purchased?

We're planning on stopping to buy breakfast stuff & snacks on our way to the resort. Does Picabo's have a toaster to use? Can we bring our own bagels to toast, or do we need to buy them there?