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

[TaraPA]

Sounds like a great location Tara. I can't wait to see where our room is when we get there on Wednesday. I'll be sure to have lots of pictures to share here when we're back!

How long will you be there paras4ri? Your screen name - how do you say it? Is it like Paris Ferrari? LOL just wondering in case I run into you - I wouldn't know what to call you!!! What category room do you have booked? I'm thrilled with the upgrade, it was Starwood Gold upgrade, DH said they did mention that. The kids & I leave for the airport in less than 8 hours & I have so much to do yet.

 

[Needafix]

Ok, great!!! So, the total of $124 is it? (plus tip obviously) It just seems soooo reasonable compared to the others i have looked at! i am asking all this for my MIL as she pays the transportation for everyone, and i don't want to be made to look like a fool later if something goes wrong... KWIM?? LOL

Yep, that's what I thought to. It's so reasonable, I wanted to take it anyway, even though we're getting ME for our next trip, because I wanted to have more time at Disney and get the grocery stop in. Then I figured since we're only there 4 full days, we don't really need a grocery stop, so we're going with ME this time.

Long story short...that is the price I've heard others have had, with no hidden additions, other than the tip that you mentioned. It does seem to good to be true. I can't wait to hear a report on how you enjoyed Dolphin and now FL Tours.

 

[paras4ri]

How long will you be there paras4ri? Your screen name - how do you say it? Is it like Paris Ferrari? LOL just wondering in case I run into you - I wouldn't know what to call you!!! What category room do you have booked? I'm thrilled with the upgrade, it was Starwood Gold upgrade, DH said they did mention that. The kids & I leave for the airport in less than 8 hours & I have so much to do yet.

It's pronounced like Paris but you can call me Gail. My DS is 18 and DD is 15 - DS and DH will be mostly in Red Sox or Patriots or Celtics gear - or DS may be sporting University of Louisville. They'll be spending most of their time at ESPN the Weekend. My family, minus me, is also running in the 5K on Saturday.

We're booked for resort view with balcony and we can't wait to see where in the hotel our room is. I'm also looking forward to trying one of Singing Mom's favorite espresso martinis.

 

[paras4ri]

Tara - I sent you a PM but your mailbox is full!

Does anyone here have any picture requests or things I can check out on our trip?

 

[TaraPA]

Gail -I just emptied out some messages from my mailbox!

We'll be at ESPN Friday evening (Sci Fi ressie at 4pm) & probably most of the day Sat, maybe Sunday if they're having a good time. My plan is to ditch the kids with DH for ESPN on Saturday at some point (I don't like sports) and head off to Epcot or AK alone! If you want to escape with me let me know LOL!!

Mine will be in Philadelphia Eagles gear.

 

[MyTalula]

There is a small alcove with 2 computers in the Dolphin lobby solely for airline check-in & printing boarding passes. It's very near the front desk & entrance.

DH just called, he checked in to The Dolphin today (kids & I don't leave til tomorrow) and we were booked in a standard corporate rate room. The hotel is booked to capacity so I wasn't expecting much, but I held my breath as I asked him what he saw when he looked out the windows. "Um, that ball Dane calls Epercot. The guy at the front desk said we'll see the fireworks from here." Hel-lo!! East wing Epcot Fireworks view with balcony!!!!

NICE!!! Congratulations on the great room!!!

 

[NancyIL]

How long will you be there paras4ri? Your screen name - how do you say it? Is it like Paris Ferrari? LOL just wondering in case I run into you - I wouldn't know what to call you!!!

I think the 4ri is for 4 (people) in RI (Rhode Island).

 

[Dan Murphy]

I posted this on the Transportation board here, but thought I would also ask the experts here.......

As many times as I have been there, S/D, always with a car, never thought I would have a question, LOL.

I have a 4 day business trip, late April, to Miami. Flying Airtran to Fort Lauderdale (almost no flights to Miami), shuttle to hotel in Miami.

There is an Alamo office one block from the the hotel. Walking there on my last day in Miami, driving to WDW, four hour drive. I figure since I am in the neighborhood, should stop by WDW to spend a few days .

Now normally, I always rent a car at MCO, have it for my entire time at WDW and drive back to MCO. This time, I am thinking of maybe dropping the car off at the Dolphin on my WDW arrival day, not having the car while there (strange as that would seem to me).

I have a one day rental, Miami pickup, WDW dropoff, full size, $42 total. A seven day, keeping the car for the time at WDW, $206 total, plus six days of parking, $60.


Any thoughts on getting back to MCO for return home? Or just maybe keep the car the whole time there?


Thanks for your thoughts, besides maybe I am making it too complicated, LOL?

ETA....Was able to do a National rental, $185. So $42 for one day, or $185 for the week.

 

[Needafix]

I used to love having a car at Disney, but found once I started staying at Dolphin I rarely ever used it, so why was I paying so much money? If I were you, I would ditch the car when you get there and get a shuttle to MCO. I know a van for 5 of us was only $124 thru FL tours, so it would be cheaper for just a car. Being so close to Epcot/BW I can think of a lot more things I could spend the money on than a car that sits there.

 

[TaraPA]

Dan Murphy has a question??!! Is there a "faint" smiley???

We've never had a car onsite. Most people hire a town car service to/from S/D, which we have also done a few times in the past. However, in recent years we just take a taxi - I never know ahead of time where I'll be on our last day - so if I want to head to DTD or a park up til the last minute, I don't have to figure in time to get back to S/D for the car service. I can just grab a taxi from wherever I am, right to MCO. Taxi service is the same price or a little less than a car service. I'll be doing this tonight, I can post the exact taxi cost once I'm back. I'm not technologically advanced enough to know how to post from down there. Although DS12 will have his iTouch, so I guess if we find a Wifi spot I can try.

 

[Needafix]

Dan Murphy has a question??!! Is there a "faint" smiley???

We've never had a car onsite. Most people hire a town car service to/from S/D, which we have also done a few times in the past. However, in recent years we just take a taxi - I never know ahead of time where I'll be on our last day - so if I want to head to DTD or a park up til the last minute, I don't have to figure in time to get back to S/D for the car service. I can just grab a taxi from wherever I am, right to MCO. Taxi service is the same price or a little less than a car service. I'll be doing this tonight, I can post the exact taxi cost once I'm back. I'm not technologically advanced enough to know how to post from down there. Although DS12 will have his iTouch, so I guess if we find a Wifi spot I can try.

Tara, that would be awesome if you could post the taxi costs from MCO to Dolphin.

Anyone have any idea what the costs are to take a taxi around Disney? In particular, I'm going to need one from Dolphin to Poly at least twice for our March trip. TIA

 

[NancyIL]

I posted this on the Transportation board here, but thought I would also ask the experts here....

As many times as I have been there, S/D, always with a car, never thought I would have a question, LOL.

I have a 4 day business trip, late April, to Miami. Flying Airtran to Fort Lauderdale (almost no flights to Miami), shuttle to hotel in Miami.

There is an Alamo office one block from the the hotel. Walking there on my last day in Miami, driving to WDW, four hour drive. I figure since I am in the neighborhood, should stop by WDW to spend a few days .

Now normally, I always rent a car at MCO, have it for my entire time at WDW and drive back to MCO. This time, I am thinking of maybe dropping the car off at the Dolphin on my WDW arrival day, not having the car while there (strange as that would seem to me).

I have a one day rental, Miami pickup, WDW dropoff, full size, $42 total. A seven day, keeping the car for the time at WDW, $206 total, plus six days of parking, $60.


Any thoughts on getting back to MCO for return home? Or just maybe keep the car the whole time there?


Thanks for your thoughts, besides maybe I am making it too complicated, LOL?

Unless you really need the vehicle at WDW, I would either do a one-way rental to go back to MCO, or book a one-way on Mears for $18.

I'll be at the Swan April 17-24. Will I miss you again?

 

[diskids2]

for you Tara. We had this view once and it is awesome!

diskids2~ The resort's computer for airline boarding passes did not have our airline. The concierge did the on-line boarding pass for us. It was easy.

Thanks Tara and Mouseteacher!

 

[Caitsmama]

Can someone please help me with comparison of food at the S/D vs staying at a Disney resort (CBR in particular) that has a "food court"? We are thinking of switching our november ressies from the CBR to the Dolphin (DH gets a gov. empl. discount) but i am concerned about losing the food court at the CBR - we are trying to stay on a budget, and we don't like to do sit down "fancy" dining.. more of the food court or cheap sit down type.. LOL Didn't know how the Dolphin would compare -- any advice?

 

[NancyIL]

Can someone please help me with comparison of food at the S/D vs staying at a Disney resort (CBR in particular) that has a "food court"? We are thinking of switching our november ressies from the CBR to the Dolphin (DH gets a gov. empl. discount) but i am concerned about losing the food court at the CBR - we are trying to stay on a budget, and we don't like to do sit down "fancy" dining.. more of the food court or cheap sit down type.. LOL Didn't know how the Dolphin would compare -- any advice?

The Dolphin has Picabu - which is basically a 24-hour cafeteria. Prices are a bit higher than at WDW food courts, but you can save 20% if you're a AAA member.

I LOVE the convenience of staying at the Swan/Dolphin, and I almost always stay there. I did a split stay between AKL and WL in December. Both resorts were very nice, but I really missed being able to walk "home" to the Swan after an evening at Epcot.

 

[Caitsmama]

I agree, we have stayed at the BC/YC several times, and we love that area, and being able to walk..

And what do you do to save the AAA discount on food? Just show your card when you pay? And, is that the only rest. that offers the AAA discount on food?

 

[Caitsmama]

Also, can someone clarify the pools to me? I know they each have their own lap pool, and i know the grotto pool is the shared "main" pool (is that closer to the dolphin btw?) but, what is the "Spring Pool"?? Can anyone share pics of the spring pool? Also, how is the hot tub situation? My MIL is big into having her quiet time and hot tub time! LOL

 

[NancyIL]

I agree, we have stayed at the BC/YC several times, and we love that area, and being able to walk..

And what do you do to save the AAA discount on food? Just show your card when you pay? And, is that the only rest. that offers the AAA discount on food?

Yes, you show your AAA card at checkout to get the discount. It is also good for a discount at Dolphin Fountain and Fresh, and possibly elsewhere. I know the AAA discount isn't available at the high-end restaurants like Shula's and Blue Zoo - but those restaurants are now included in the Tables in Wonderland discount for FL residents and AP holders.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I used to love having a car at Disney, but found once I started staying at Dolphin I rarely ever used it, so why was I paying so much money? If I were you, I would ditch the car when you get there and get a shuttle to MCO. I know a van for 5 of us was only $124 thru FL tours, so it would be cheaper for just a car. Being so close to Epcot/BW I can think of a lot more things I could spend the money on than a car that sits there.

When there, I use car mainly for DtD and resort visits, if any. And trip to and from MCO.

Dan Murphy has a question??!! Is there a "faint" smiley???

We've never had a car onsite. Most people hire a town car service to/from S/D, which we have also done a few times in the past. However, in recent years we just take a taxi - I never know ahead of time where I'll be on our last day - so if I want to head to DTD or a park up til the last minute, I don't have to figure in time to get back to S/D for the car service. I can just grab a taxi from wherever I am, right to MCO. Taxi service is the same price or a little less than a car service. I'll be doing this tonight, I can post the exact taxi cost once I'm back. I'm not technologically advanced enough to know how to post from down there. Although DS12 will have his iTouch, so I guess if we find a Wifi spot I can try.

You are too funny, LOL.

And yes, interesting to see the charge.

Unless you really need the vehicle at WDW, I would either do a one-way rental to go back to MCO, or book a one-way on Mears for $18.

I'll be at the Swan April 17-24. Will I miss you again?

I will be there 4/21-4/27.


And I did get a $185, seven day price, full size, from National.



AAA is for non-signature restaurants. And signature ones now are part of AP's ToW. And yes, just show card.

 

[Caitsmama]

Thanks so much!! Now i just need some info on that spring pool! LOL