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

[marksmith]

just posted a review of swan, got back yesterday. happy to answer any questions

 

[phillytwins]

I was actually joking in my above posts about rooms being left - when I check through spg.com there are NO ROOMS AVAILABLE for my dates. Argh!! It's a long way off though...I'll keep checking...this happened once before & the rooms literally opened up 2 weeks before I went. Whew.

No rooms available in Nov.?? I'm sure something will open up...and I'm sure you'll keep checking Did you check the Swan?

We're heading to the airport in a couple hours!! I have been up at 6am for the past couple days, which is not like me. Must be the Disney excitement!

 

[TaraPA]

No rooms available in Nov.?? I'm sure something will open up...and I'm sure you'll keep checking Did you check the Swan?

We're heading to the airport in a couple hours!! I have been up at 6am for the past couple days, which is not like me. Must be the Disney excitement!

There are rooms at The Swan for that time, still nothing at the Dolphin. I think you should consider the girls trip & come with us!

Have a GREAT trip, you lucky duck, and tell us all about it when you get back, I'll be waiting!

 

[phillytwins]

There are rooms at The Swan for that time, still nothing at the Dolphin. I think you should consider the girls trip & come with us!

Have a GREAT trip, you lucky duck, and tell us all about it when you get back, I'll be waiting!

Thanks! I'll report when I get back. I will certainly consider the girls trip...DH is a different story. I won't mention it to him for a little while. With my 3 trips in 2008, he thinks an intervention is in order.

 

[LexiC123]

A question for the experienced S/D guests: Do you usually book on-line, through the Westin/Sheraton websites, or do you call the shared S/D reservation number?

I initially booked the Swan for our September trip - by phone - but I'm thinking of canceling and rebooking through the Sheraton website, to take advantage of Fat Wallet's cashback program. (Only 3%, but still...a $ is a $.)

Just wondering how the majority of book your trips. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Oh, and PS - I also noticed that Sheraton's website does not recognize the confirmation number given to me when I booked by phone. Is that par for the course?

 

[jcb]

I use Dreams Unlimited to book S/D as the rates they offer have been lower than I could get directly from the S/D websitehttp://www.disboards.com/www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

See post two for the rates through June 2009 but note that DU's website is: www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com (not as it is in post 2).

 

[LexiC123]

I use Dreams Unlimited to book S/D as the rates they offer have been lower than I could get directly from the S/D websitehttp://www.disboards.com/www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

See post two for the rates through June 2009 but note that DU's website is: www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com (not as it is in post 2).

Actually, when I plugged in my dates on the Dreams Unlimited website, they came back with a much higher rate: $189.50, vs. the $129.00 I booked directly with the Dolphin. Both were AARP rates.

I told DH that getting a rate this good was the silver lining to turning 50, LOL.

 

[TaraPA]

I've always booked online through spg.com...if you see a lower rate & call they will apply the lower rate if it's available, and the same category you have booked.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi,
I hadn't considered Swan/Dolphin before because I love MExpress, lol. But am considering it now. Trying to decide between the two, if I do.
Question:

Can we make our ADR's at the same advance time as we can for Disney resorts?

Thanks a bunch! tink

edited to add that I decided not to stay at Swan/Dolphin afterall, even with the good deal they offer now. I really like ME and they don't have it. Also, when I researched the Swan/Dolphin threads here and reread how they handled the incident with the one DISer who got booted from there a week before she was supposed to leave for WDW, I would rather not deal with them.

 

[anbouk]

Actually, when I plugged in my dates on the Dreams Unlimited website, they came back with a much higher rate: $189.50, vs. the $129.00 I booked directly with the Dolphin. Both were AARP rates.

I told DH that getting a rate this good was the silver lining to turning 50, LOL.

How do you get a AARP rate, do you have to become a member?

 

[Mouseteacher]

I believe you must be an AARP member ... same as being an AAA member to get their rate. I have both memberships (oops revealing my age bracket )

But...

The best rate is the government/teacher/nurse rate. I am so thankful to Starwood for offering this rate. It is a first perk for teachers that I know of! I have used it several times at other Starwood properties and choose a Sheraton or Westin first because of this rate. Oh, and points, too.

 

[LexiC123]

I've always booked online through spg.com...if you see a lower rate & call they will apply the lower rate if it's available, and the same category you have booked.

That's good to know, thanks.

Have you ever made special requests when you book on-line? We'll be celebrating our 20th anniversary, so I was hoping for a little extra pixie dust, if you know what I mean.

How do you get a AARP rate, do you have to become a member?

I wasn't asked for DH's membership number when I booked, but I assume that he'd have to produce his membership card when we checked in.

AARP sent DH membership info a week before his 50th birthday...he was not amused, LOL. He was actually going to let his membership lapse until I pointed out how much money we could save. Best $12.95 we ever spent!

I believe you must be an AARP member ... same as being an AAA member to get their rate. I have both memberships (oops revealing my age bracket )

But...

The best rate is the government/teacher/nurse rate. I am so thankful to Starwood for offering this rate. It is a first perk for teachers that I know of! I have used it several times at other Starwood properties and choose a Sheraton or Westin first because of this rate. Oh, and points, too.

Save room for me...I join your bracket next year!

 

[TaraPA]

That's good to know, thanks.

Have you ever made special requests when you book on-line? We'll be celebrating our 20th anniversary, so I was hoping for a little extra pixie dust, if you know what I mean.

I have made comments on the online reservation (because DH is the actual Starwood Gold member, not me, and sometimes I travel without him - so I make sure my name is on there somewhere as his spouse) - but I've never made a room request on it. If you're an SPG member you'll get an upgrade automatically if one is available, so I just go & hope for the best!

I worked for AARP for 13 years - back then membership was only $5 - it's gone up!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Ok- finally have time to get on the internet. We stayed at the Dolphin on Thursday evening and they upgraded us to an east wing, Swan/Studio view!! Not only that but we had a tray of cheeses and crackers, fruit and a bottle of wine from the Fresh staff. I do have a friend who is an excellent waitstaff there. My late husband and I stayed there on a yearly basis and developed this fwonderful friendship over our stays.
For all of you heading this way, enjoy your trips!!!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Sounds great Caroline! You deserve a great visit to WDW! I am happy its off to a great start! We are headed down 1 month from tomorrow, not that I am counting. I will cherish every moment of our trip.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi, Caroline! What a great way to begin your magical stay!

 

[Deb0323]

I've read here on the boards that they have recently discontinued the wrist bands for EMH, and we have to show our room keys at every ride. Will this cause problems with CM's who aren't familiar with the Swan/Dolphin EMH policy, you think?

 

[TaraPA]

I've read here on the boards that they have recently discontinued the wrist bands for EMH, and we have to show our room keys at every ride. Will this cause problems with CM's who aren't familiar with the Swan/Dolphin EMH policy, you think?

I'm sure it won't be a problem. We stayed at The Dolphin in December & had to show our keys for EMH & it wasn't an issue at all.

 

[Deb0323]

Great - good to know, thanks!

 

[cpbjgc]

I've seen a number of people mention you need to call to get the special rates (in our case, I was hoping to get a government employee rate for next January). For those that have called in the past, do you call the resort directly, or the reservations line?

Thanks!