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

[lvinay]

Hello, looking for advice -

We are 3 families going May 8-15. We got the 40% off code (deluxe room only) and also qualify for the TEACH discount at the Swan/Dolphin. We stayed at Swan twice 7 years ago and loved the location, didn't miss the "Disney" feel. We are also SPG Gold, but only have about 5000 pts.

Now, our family is 5 (kids are 4, 12, and 15) the others are 4 people each, so we have to go to Dolphin. At the TEACH rate, with taxes, resort fee, etc. a standard room is $179/nt. (plus $25/night for a cot). The Disney Deluxes at 40% are still in the $280/nt. range. The Dolphin also quoted a Premium Studio at $279/nt.(with resort fee and taxes, TEACH rate for two double beds and a fold-out couch, lots of storage, two sinks, etc.). The agent said the Premium Studios are all recently renovated with new carpet, flat screens, new paint/bedding, etc. Not sure if that is important. Some of the pics I've seen here looks just like the rooms 7 years ago.

My question is, do we (the family of 5) go for the $279 a night or book a standard and hope for an upgrade? Is it worth the $75/night (since we wouldn't need a cot then) to just go ahead and book it? Is there a way to see which conventions will be at S/D then? The agent I spoke to didn't know, but said there were a lot of rooms available the week we want.

Also, I am a bit bummed that the meal-plan is not available to Swan/Dolphin guests. It seems like the Epcot sit downs are all in the $40 pp range or higher just for dinner (and the meal plan is that for the day). Anyone know if there is a way to add the meal plan if you stay at Dolphin?

Thanks!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Thanx for the tip i checked out the Tiffany Town service and just off the website they seem to provide the exact services I need. but from airport to swan is 60 and swan to port canaveral is abt 100. is this a reasonable price?

Sounds resonable but I don't really know about going to Port Canaveral as we have never done this. Check out the other town car services on line to compare prices.

 

[Ivette1980]

Well so far they seem to be the cheapest. The others are maybe $5-10 more. Thank you again for the tip. I just sent them an email for an exact quote since I'll have to use them a total of three times.

 

[DVCtinkerbell]

I know the Swan/Dolphin restaurants are not part of the DDP. Are there any discounts like AAA? The Disney restaurants are getting so expensive and I was hoping we could try a couple of the S/D restaurants this July. While BWV is home resort, we are required to stay at the S/D for the Irish Dancing National Championships. I am looking forward to staying at this resort.

 

[packofjedis]

Without going back through and reading all 118 pages of this thread.....do either the Swan or Dolphin (or both) have an arcade?

Also do they have a place to buy a 1/2 gallon of milk or snacks?

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know the Swan/Dolphin restaurants are not part of the DDP. Are there any discounts like AAA?....

20% discount at the non-signature restaurants. Here is a link to the various restaurants....

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/

ToA just added the signature restaurants.....

http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35090647&postcount=1704

An arcade is located in the Dolphin, as is the Picabu, see the restaurant link above.

 

[DVCtinkerbell]

Thanks Dan!

 

[PrincessAtta]

Ivette, I just researched towncars and booked Tiffany myself. We've used them before and they're excellent. Also, FYI, on another thread someone quoted the taxi rate from MCO at $65.

Dan, is the 20% discount you mention a AAA discount? Just show the card at Picabu, for example, and they'll discount the meal?

Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

Dan, is the 20% discount you mention a AAA discount? Just show the card at Picabu, for example, and they'll discount the meal?

Thanks!

Not Dan here, but I can answer.
Yes, show your AAA card at Picabu, Fresh, and The Fountain for a discount.

I think .. not TOTALLY sure, it is also applicable at The Cabana Bar on the food portion of your order. I seem to remember using it there, but it might have been one too many Rum Punches....

 

[Dan Murphy]

....Yes, show your AAA card at Picabu, Fresh, and The Fountain for a discount. ...

Also Garden Grove on the Swan side. Though not the Java Bar, as far as I know.

 

[PrincessAtta]

Rum punch by the pool sounds about right, too, even without a discount.

 

[SingingMom]

Rum punch by the pool sounds about right, too, even without a discount.

Cabana Bar menu:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=286#menu

"Tropical Breeze", to be precise...

 

[diskids2]

Does anyone know if I can get the 180 + 10 with my Dolphin reservation?

 

[awaldo]

Does anyone know if I can get the 180 + 10 with my Dolphin reservation?

No, I believe that's another disadvantage of the S/D. But Disney still reserves ADR space for the "true" 180 day mark.

 

[MyTalula]

I would like to have a quiet room as far away from elevators as possible. Have any of you made requests like that in advance or do you wait till check in to ask for that kind of thing?

If so, should I call the resort directly and ask that request be attached to our reservation?? I tried to put in the notes on the SPG page, but there weren't enough charachters allowed.

Any thoughts/experience specific to S&D??

Two weeks from right now we should be there!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[SwanDolphin]

I would like to have a quiet room as far away from elevators as possible. Have any of you made requests like that in advance or do you wait till check in to ask for that kind of thing?

If so, should I call the resort directly and ask that request be attached to our reservation?? I tried to put in the notes on the SPG page, but there weren't enough charachters allowed.

Any thoughts/experience specific to S&D??

Two weeks from right now we should be there!!!

Thanks!!!

Yes... best to call directly to the office 800-227-1500 to have them make advance notes/codes in your reservation record. Closer in rooms control uses those codes to assign certain rooms, or even at check-in.

 

[MyTalula]

Yes... best to call directly to the office 800-227-1500 to have them make advance notes/codes in your reservation record. Closer in rooms control uses those codes to assign certain rooms, or even at check-in.

Thank you SwanDolphin for the great information!!!

Edited to add: I just called and got super helpful and friendly Terry and she added the code to our ressie!! Thanks again for the great advice!!!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I would like to have a quiet room as far away from elevators as possible. Have any of you made requests like that in advance or do you wait till check in to ask for that kind of thing?

If so, should I call the resort directly and ask that request be attached to our reservation?? I tried to put in the notes on the SPG page, but there weren't enough charachters allowed.

Any thoughts/experience specific to S&D??

Two weeks from right now we should be there!!!

Thanks!!!

I too called up a week before our Swan stay and they were great. We had the last room at the end of a hall and we were upgraded too. It was nice and quiet.
Have a great trip.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Love this thread! Thanks to everyone for all the great info! I have more questions....

My mom might be coming to stay with me for the last 2 nights of the 7 nights I'm at the Dolphin. I have reserved the room with just my name and I will add my mom's name so she can get a key. Since I'm only 1 person, will they just let my mom stay there or will I have to pay extra for another person? No rollaway will be needed, just another room key

And can anyone who uses a hairdryer tell me if the one at the Dolphin is any good? Or will I want to bring my own? Is it stumpy or a regular hair dryer (I will at least bring my diffuser attachment and it doesn't attach to the stumpy driers)?

Thanks y'all!

 

[SingingMom]

Love this thread! Thanks to everyone for all the great info! I have more questions....

My mom might be coming to stay with me for the last 2 nights of the 7 nights I'm at the Dolphin. I have reserved the room with just my name and I will add my mom's name so she can get a key. Since I'm only 1 person, will they just let my mom stay there or will I have to pay extra for another person? No rollaway will be needed, just another room key

And can anyone who uses a hairdryer tell me if the one at the Dolphin is any good? Or will I want to bring my own? Is it stumpy or a regular hair dryer (I will at least bring my diffuser attachment and it doesn't attach to the stumpy driers)?

Thanks y'all!

I will bet they will just issue your mom a card - no reason to pay for an extra person....

I don't remember the hairdryer being extremely powerful. You might want to bring your own if you use it religiously., My hair is so thick I end up just putting it in a ponytail and heading back out. For some reason "glamour" and "disney world" just don't go together for me! Of course, in the middle of June and all that heat and humidity, why even try? lol