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

[kid-at-heart]

I'm very excited, I just booked a 3-night stay at the Swan for Nov. 5th-8th, 2010. I used Starwood points. For anyone who is in the Starwood program, practically the entire months of Sept., Oct., Nov. at least have the "cash plus points" option available. I just clicked the "dates flexible?" link to browse through available cash plus points availability dates. So, I'm booked for $60/night, plus 12,000 points.

Since my husband and I already have tickets, we just needed a hotel and cheap flight so that we can have a long weekend to ourselves.

Now, I just hope that the Food and Wine Festival is still happening then!!

Wonderful! I did not know the Swan had the option of cash plus points. How many points are needed per night when combined with cash?

Thanks for posting.

 

[duffy]

Wonderful! I did not know the Swan had the option of cash plus points. How many points are needed per night when combined with cash?

Thanks for posting.

It's $60/per night, plus 4,000 points/night too. Total of $180 and 12,000 points.

I try to use my Starwood AMEX card to pay for everything I can. I love accumulating those points!!

 

[toledo13]

Here's a $$ question to all my SD sorority members...

Which would be the best discount...

I have AAA
I work at a school so I qualify for the 'teacher discount'
I have an Entertainment Book
I am a Starwood Rewards member

We're going October 2010, just staying at the DOLPHIN for 2 nights... all the other nights we'll be offsite.

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[duffy]

Here's a $$ question to all my SD sorority members...

Which would be the best discount...

I have AAA
I work at a school so I qualify for the 'teacher discount'
I have an Entertainment Book
I am a Starwood Rewards member

We're going October 2010, just staying at the DOLPHIN for 2 nights... all the other nights we'll be offsite.

THANK YOU!!!!

Starwood points. I just posted a bit above you, I'm staying 3 nights at the Swan Nov. 2010, for $60 + 4,000 points per night. The Dolphin should also have roughly the same availability.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Teacher rate is better than the AAA or other discount rates. If there is no cash and points offered during your stay times, I'd suggest using the teacher rate and if you have enough spg points for a free night (10,000 points).

Our our stay this past summer, I had enough points for 2 nights free and stayed for our remaining 5 nights on the teacher rate.

 

[Zuzu03]

Yes, LOVE that teacher rate!

 

[duffy]

Teacher rate is better than the AAA or other discount rates. If there is no cash and points offered during your stay times, I'd suggest using the teacher rate and if you have enough spg points for a free night (10,000 points).

Our our stay this past summer, I had enough points for 2 nights free and stayed for our remaining 5 nights on the teacher rate.

Yes, I should have clarified and said, "IF" the cash + points option is available, it's the best deal. Yesterday, I checked and almost all of Sept., Oct., and Nov. 2010 had cash + points options available, now they don't have that option for those months.

 

[RachelTori]

Yes, I should have clarified and said, "IF" the cash + points option is available, it's the best deal. Yesterday, I checked and almost all of Sept., Oct., and Nov. 2010 had cash + points options available, now they don't have that option for those months.

Which is exactly why, if you see it, grab it!! (those cash+points days disappear without warning) And they can be canceled without penalty up until 6 days from check-in.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I officially booked my hotel stay at the Dolphin for the work conference. I'll be there 3/14 - 3/21 - wow!!! Now we just need to *beg* the grandparents to watch the kids for a few of the days so my husband can join me for the weekend.

Just to let you know, they TOLD me the reservations are for the Dolphin (I didn't have a choice) but they did allow me to request a King size bed room.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I have a friend who is a teacher, and is planning her first ever WDW trip.

Can anyone give me an idea of the teacher discount for July? If not what were the discounts like last summer?

Thanks!

 

[FINFAN]

I am not a teacher, but I believe I saw posting of anywhere from 119-149 as summer rates...keep in mind that there is a $10 per night resort fee and self parking is also 9 or 10 per night, valet I think is 16. Basically , if having a car add about $23 per night in fees and taxes to the base rate.

 

[MightyDuck001]

Does anyone happen to know if it's possible to use the disney reward dollars or disney giftcards at the swan or dolphin? especially in the restaurants? I'm going to be at the beach club and would to love to be able to use these to cut costs a bit.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I believe you can use your Disney dollars at the Disney stores located in the S/D not at any of the S/D restaurants or shops.

 

[Zuzu03]

I have a friend who is a teacher, and is planning her first ever WDW trip.

Can anyone give me an idea of the teacher discount for July? If not what were the discounts like last summer?

Thanks!

Hi there! I got a teacher rate of 149.00 a night at the Dolphin for July 8 - 15, 2010. Hope that helps!

 

[kerri0616]

Staying at the Dolphin for the first time for 1 night following our cruise. (First time at the Dolphin!)

Can Illuminations be seen/heard from anywhere at the Dolphin? Good viewing spots?

Thanks!

K

 

[ibidforit]

Staying at the Dolphin for the first time for 1 night following our cruise. (First time at the Dolphin!)

Can Illuminations be seen/heard from anywhere at the Dolphin? Good viewing spots?

Thanks!

K

We were just at the Dolphin last weekend and had a wonderful view of Illuminations from our room. We were in the central section, the 15th floor. We also had a view of Hollywood Studios, and the Boardwalk.

We have also watched Illuminations from the beach at the Dolphin. Of course you can only see the higher fireworks and none of the lower ones.

The music can faintly be heard if you are watching from outside. I think it depends on how the wind is blowing.

Gretchen

 

[awaldo]

Hi there! I got a teacher rate of 149.00 a night at the Dolphin for July 8 - 15, 2010. Hope that helps!

Going a little later that month and got the same Teacher rate. So I would guess that whole month must be $149 plus plus.

 

[woodleygrrl]

we just had 4 amazing nights at the Dolphin last weekend. We were in the East Side on the 9th floor, on the end closest to the lake. We had the most amazing view of Illuminations from our balcony.

When I checked in I just asked for a balcony room and the wish was granted.

From here on out, this is going to be our resort of choice for sure. For the same price we were paying at the CBR for the first two nights we had a luxury room with a balcony and all the amenities of the Boardwalk or the YC/BC, in my opinion.

The only downside that I can see is the inability to use the meal plan, but I guess that really isn't the biggest deal in the world.

We had a car there and while we had to pay for parking, we didn't have to pay to park in any of the theme park lots.

PLUS I got starpoints! That is huge because as we all know, there is no rewards program for frequent "stayers" at Disney properties.

 

[SingingMom]

I believe you can use your Disney dollars at the Disney stores located in the S/D not at any of the S/D restaurants or shops.

I think that is correct. Only at "Daisy's Garden" in the Dolphin...

 

[FINFAN]

Just saw on Travelocity Dolphin @ 129 a night in December THROUGH 12/24...that is for the non-refundable type booking. That is too risky for us so I called and they offered 139 for the regular 5 day out cancellation