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

[mhf]

The $119 is also available on-line by searching for Florida hotels on the SPG site.

And now a question: DH and I are probably checking in Sunday of Labor Day weekend lovestruc) after several days at a timeshare with family. If there are morning EMH that day, are we eligible and if so, how do we get in the parks? And how do we not pay for parking that morning as before I simply showed my Swan room key to park for free at MK?

Thanks!!

Melissa

 

[ATAfamily]

I just rebooked us at the Swan for our Labor Day get away and got the $119/night saving us almost $200. I booked it online first and then went back and cancelled our old reservation ($159/night). The only catch is that the reservation has to be prepaid ahead of time and there is a cancellation fee of one nights stay. I figured that since we already have our flights booked that there is a very slim chance that our dates will change so we decided to take a chance.

 

[Jenn310]

Is there any way to combine that 119 rate with the free birthday night? Probably not but just curious lol

 

[Dan Murphy]

The $119 is also available on-line by searching for Florida hotels on the SPG site.

And now a question: DH and I are probably checking in Sunday of Labor Day weekend lovestruc) after several days at a timeshare with family. If there are morning EMH that day, are we eligible and if so, how do we get in the parks? And how do we not pay for parking that morning as before I simply showed my Swan room key to park for free at MK?

Thanks!!

Melissa

Just check in first then head over to the park. Your key card is all you need for entry. Your room key will also give you free parking at the park.

 

[mhf]

Just check in first then head over to the park. Your key card is all you need for entry. Your room key will also give you free parking at the park.

Will Swan give me a (non-working) key card at 7 a.m.? I am assuming that my room won't be ready by the time morning EMH hours start. Am hoping that Epcot might have EMH A.M. that day. I much prefer getting up and heading over early than standing in line later!

M

 

[kath1210]

I just rebooked us at the Swan for our Labor Day get away and got the $119/night saving us almost $200. I booked it online first and then went back and cancelled our old reservation ($159/night). The only catch is that the reservation has to be prepaid ahead of time and there is a cancellation fee of one nights stay. I figured that since we already have our flights booked that there is a very slim chance that our dates will change so we decided to take a chance.

I was told the same thing when I booked by phone this morning, but the confirmation I received by e-mail states that there is no forfeit amount if I cancel at least 3 days in advance.

 

[FINFAN]

Is there any way to combine that 119 rate with the free birthday night? Probably not but just curious lol

Nope ( I tired) can't combine offers...so I guess just figure out which is you better deal, maybe make 2 ressies since the B-Day promo is a minimum 3 night stay, if you are staying longer, book that part ( in front or after) at the 119?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Will Swan give me a (non-working) key card at 7 a.m.? I am assuming that my room won't be ready by the time morning EMH hours start. Am hoping that Epcot might have EMH A.M. that day. I much prefer getting up and heading over early than standing in line later!

M

I would certainly think they could accommodate that.

 

[S'sMom]

Hello,

Do you mind if I join you

We got the Swan on yesterday . We had ressiess at the Buena Vista Suites and Regal Sun for next Friday the 5th (with a timeshare company ), but when we saw this email we jumped on it. This is my 2nd time here and I LUV it .

Now we dont have to spend the $$$ on the water parks because now we have a nice hotel with a nuce pool, and we save even more because we wont pay for parking. Ahhhhh

We are excited

 

[mamagoose]

Wow! A lot of people seem to be rebooking at this rate at the Swan. It's making me think we should do this too. Right now we are staying at the Dolphin at the teacher rate of $149. We sure would love the minifridge in the Swan room. Are there any drawbacks to switching from the Dolphin to the Swan besides a long walk to the Grotto pool??

 

[SingingMom]

Wow! A lot of people seem to be rebooking at this rate at the Swan. It's making me think we should do this too. Right now we are staying at the Dolphin at the teacher rate of $149. We sure would love the minifridge in the Swan room. Are there any drawbacks to switching from the Dolphin to the Swan besides a long walk to the Grotto pool??

Drawbacks? Probably not, but I am so partial to the Dolphin!
I absolutely LOVE the hussle and bussle of the lobby - we like to order a drink at the Lobby bar and "people watch" in the evening if we aren't out real late at the parks. I like the convenience of Picabu's 24 hours "just in case" I need something.

That being said - the rate looks great and let's face it - both hotels are lovely!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wow! A lot of people seem to be rebooking at this rate at the Swan. It's making me think we should do this too. Right now we are staying at the Dolphin at the teacher rate of $149. We sure would love the minifridge in the Swan room. Are there any drawbacks to switching from the Dolphin to the Swan besides a long walk to the Grotto pool??

The walk to the pool in marginally longer, obviously depending on your location in either resort. With the Dolphin size, I guess in some rooms, you could actually be further, though for most, probably a tad closer. Walking the entire resort, both sides, is easy.

The mini fridge is nice as is the bathroom setup with two vanity areas, if you guys are busy in the AM or afternoon cleanup time.

I also prefer the smaller size, more quiet of the Swan. Either choice if GREAT.

 

[Braque]

Can anyone tell me how a National/Alamo car rental return is handled if the retun is scheduled for after the rental desk is closed? I'd like to return the night before our originally planned AM return and save the $10 parking fee for that last day. I have heard that you just leave it with the valet, but then how is the receipt and checkout process handled?

 

[alliecats]

OMG, I can use this code!!! What does this mean (from the fine print on the offer): "do not include the mandatory Resort Service Package"? Not sure what the package is.

How much does the package plus parking add a night? Anyone? I hope to book today--waiting to hear from the petsitter.

Am so nervous my dates will be booked!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

OMG, I can use this code!!! What does this mean (from the fine print on the offer): "do not include the mandatory Resort Service Package"? Not sure what the package is.

How much does the package plus parking add a night? Anyone? I hope to book today--waiting to hear from the petsitter.

Am so nervous my dates will be booked!!

http://www.swandolphin.com/home.html

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/feedback.html

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/reserve.html

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html

 

[alliecats]

Thanks, Dan. Looks like that is the same thing as the resort fee we paid in 2004 dressed-up with a fancy name. Same price, too. Not bad for 5 years later.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I booked the Swan as well for 12/13 - 12/19. I liked the added vanity and mini-fridge. I have never stayed here before so I have a few questions if someone can answer! Are your park tickets attached to your room key as they are at the "official" dis resort hotels? How deep are the lap pools? Are there any reasonable on - site dining places? It seems that most of the restaurants are actually in the Dolphin. Since I booked a standard room with the special $159 rate, they said I would most likely be facing the front where the parking area is. How long of a walk to the Dolphin is it? I wish ME serviced the Swan/Dolphin. I would even be willing pay $20 per person for the service. That is the only dissapointing thing to me as we love the ME service. When booking, they told me that we could get discounted tickets for the parks right there in the lobby, cheaper than the gate price. Can anyone confirm that? How long of a walk to BW pizza? Love the swan boats--it reminds me of a ride from when I was a kid. The park was called Dutch Wonderland as it was in Lancaster PA and my sister and I got stuck and freaked out lol Anyway, what are the rates for those? I am excited to try out the Swan finally.Thanks!!

 

[SingingMom]

I Love the swan boats--it reminds me of a ride from when I was a kid. The park was called Dutch Wonderland as it was in Lancaster PA and my sister and I got stuck and freaked out lol Anyway, what are the rates for those? I am excited to try out the Swan finally.Thanks!!

Sorry - no more swan boats. They are now little motorized boats that don't move very fast at all. DD15 misses the swan paddle boats!

 

[mamagoose]

Well, we rebooked our June vacation for the Swan at the $119 price (for a total savings of $210). My husband said he would walk a little farther to the pool if someone gave him $200! Now I am hoping that cancelling our Dolphin reservations goes smoothly. We had booked online through Dreams Unlimited and the only way I could cancel was via e-mail. I have not heard anything back from them yet.

 

[Steven41782]

mamagoose,

We did the same thing. If you check your e-mail from Dreamsunlimited, it has two confirmation numbers. One for the Dreamsunlimited website and one for the Swan/Dolphin. I called the Swolphin directly and confirmed that my reservation was cancelled (and it was), but I still haven't received an e-mail from Dreamsunlimited. So you could call if you want to know.

Steven