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

[MyTalula]

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.

Ohhhh thanks for the response!! That would be my ideal room, the last one at the end of the hall!!!!

 

[Zuzu03]

Hi SD friends! Can anyone tell me if any of the ground floor rooms with patios have two double beds at the Dolphin? I had a beautiful ground floor room on the end of the building and with a patio but it had one king bed. Won't work this time with DD and DH and I together! Loved being on the ground floor and loved my patio! Thanks in advance!

 

[Ivette1980]

ok ... so I have been reading almost everything on this thread and came to stop on a discussion about Star points? What are these and its benefits? How does it differ from being a member at the DVC? Is it just for the Swan n Dolphin?

 

[Dan Murphy]

This should explain the points pretty well.........


http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/support/program_tour.html

 

[momof3lovebugs]

I have a question re: check in dates....We are flexible in our days and can book our trip pretty much whenever we'd like w/in a 30 day period. That being said, however, I am wondering b/c the Swalphin are 'convention' hotels if there are better days to be checking in so as to increase your odds of getting an upgrade w/SPG points?
I must keep in mind that airfare $$$ also play a part in this decision and we will need to fly on a cheaper rather than more expensive flying day.
We are coming in from Cali and our flight (unless we book nonstop-not likely ) will be getting into Orland very late (after 10 pm for most flights I have checked) so that is another concern.....b/c we are arriving so late will all the upgrades have been given away?
As I am writing, I am wondering if I should post this somewhere else?

 

[mollygirl13]

To those asking about the hairdryer:

We were there for NYE and the hairdryer in our room was a regular Conair hairdryer, not the one connected to the wall. It was just as good as the one I have at home and it dried my hair great.

I didn't even have to ask for it-it was already in the room when we checked in.

 

[PrincessAtta]

What are the rental car agency options at the S/D? We're flying into MCO, taking Tiffany to the hotel, then leaving from Disney to drive to South Florida.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ivette1980]

ok ... I read through the site but am confused. So how much does it cost initially to join, are you buying pts as needed, are the accrued or both? or are you started off w/ points.

 

[Ivette1980]

This should explain the points pretty well.........


http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/support/program_tour.html

oops my last post was for you. but anyone feel free to jump in.

 

[momof3lovebugs]

What are the rental car agency options at the S/D? We're flying into MCO, taking Tiffany to the hotel, then leaving from Disney to drive to South Florida.

Thanks in advance!

rental cars at Dolphin are National and Alamo...not sure about swan....

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

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

To those asking about the hairdryer:

We were there for NYE and the hairdryer in our room was a regular Conair hairdryer, not the one connected to the wall. It was just as good as the one I have at home and it dried my hair great.

I didn't even have to ask for it-it was already in the room when we checked in.

Thanks for the info on the hairdryers! I saw a photo of one of the rooms (but who knows when it was taken) with one of those dinky hair dryers on the wall which have no power and can't fit my diffuser (which is essential for curly hair in humidity!!). BUT, I found that at the Disney resorts, they are switching these out for 'regular' hairdryers. I had a dinky one at the Poly and it failed on me so housekeeping brought me a brand new regular onel. I'm hoping that S/D either has a good one in there, or I can call to housekeeping and get a regular one. I will call them to make sure. I just don't want to pack a hairdryer if I don't have to!! (oh, that's my hair without the diffuser - HA HA)

 

[Dan Murphy]

ok ... I read through the site but am confused. So how much does it cost initially to join, are you buying pts as needed, are the accrued or both? or are you started off w/ points.

No cost to join. You do not normally buy points, but rather earn them with stays, or charges if using an SPG/AMEX card. You can buy them, though probably not very cost effective. https://buy.points.com/spg/init.do?method=buy&PROMOCODE=&CAMPAIGNCODE=&c= Works the same as frequent flier miles or user points. I do not think you start with any given balance.

rental cars at Dolphin are National and Alamo...not sure about swan....

The Swan uses the Dolphin rental desk.

 

[Meteora]

Hi everyone!
A few questions--we planned a trip about a year ago for Easter week. My dad had surgery a few days ago and is hoping he will still be able to do the trip--and if the doctor's prognosis is right, he probably will be able to. So the question is this. We are renting a car. I know there is a fee to park at the resort. If we then decide to drive to a park, do we also have to pay the parking fee at the park? Obviously, it would be easier to take a bus, but dad will NEED to sit down, and that isn't always a guarantee on buses, particularly during crowded times. He isn't going to be using a wheelchair or a scooter; he will be able to walk and stand, but standing on a moving bus for several minutes is probably not a good plan. Also, is the resort parking fee once per day, or do you have to pay a fee every time you take the car out of the lot/put it back in? I remember there being some confusion about this for us on our last trip. What do you resort experts think? Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

As a S/D overnight guest, parking fee is a daily fee, not in and out. If not an overnight guest, it is in and out. And it also covers you at the parks.

 

[Tink1073]

Hi everyone!
A few questions--we planned a trip about a year ago for Easter week. My dad had surgery a few days ago and is hoping he will still be able to do the trip--and if the doctor's prognosis is right, he probably will be able to. So the question is this. We are renting a car. I know there is a fee to park at the resort. If we then decide to drive to a park, do we also have to pay the parking fee at the park? Obviously, it would be easier to take a bus, but dad will NEED to sit down, and that isn't always a guarantee on buses, particularly during crowded times. He isn't going to be using a wheelchair or a scooter; he will be able to walk and stand, but standing on a moving bus for several minutes is probably not a good plan. Also, is the resort parking fee once per day, or do you have to pay a fee every time you take the car out of the lot/put it back in? I remember there being some confusion about this for us on our last trip. What do you resort experts think? Thanks!

Parking is free at the parks for guests staying at the Swan and Dolphin, you just have to show your room key. You do have to pay to park at the resort though.

 

[kid-at-heart]

If I reserve a room with Starwood points and then have to cancel a week before my trip, will the points be moved back into my account? Also, do the rooms with a king bed also have a sofa bed?

 

[Mouseteacher]

To the best of my knowledge, your points will go back to your account. I have stayed in a King room on 3 stays and the rooms have had a pull out sofa. I would suggest you note on your ressie that you are requesting a king room with pull out sofa to be on the safe side.

 

[paras4ri]

If I reserve a room with Starwood points and then have to cancel a week before my trip, will the points be moved back into my account? Also, do the rooms with a king bed also have a sofa bed?

I've cancelled trips booked on points in the past - but a bit farther in advance than the week before. My points were back in my account in just a day or two. Just be sure you cancel before any penalties would be imposed.

 

[PrincessAtta]

Does anyone know where the Disney Car Care Center is located? Is it something on the transportation system or would there be transportation from the Swan? National and Alamo are all booked and we're working with Hertz.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Atotty]

We haven't stayed at the Dolphin since 2007 I think. I have a few questions:

We're SPG members. Does that get us anything like it did before like upgrades and waive resort fee, etc.? Or does it just earn us points now?

And really dumb question, but can you go out on the balconies or are they just for appearances? Last time we had a bottom floor room next to the water and could sit outside and watch the ducks. I don't remember if the upper levels could sit on their balconies or not.

And finally, how is Picabu? We attempted to eat there twice and it was horrible.....but it could have been the off times we were eating.

Thanks!