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

[mamagoose]

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

Thanks, Steven!! You made me feel much better. I will call the Swolphin tomorrow to check that our old reservation was cancelled.

 

[Dan Murphy]

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!!

I think I can do a few of these........

Park tickets can not be on your room key, they are separate. Also, no discounts I have ever heard of, same as park.

Check the casual and quick service http://www.swandolphin.com/restaurants/index.html#top All those should take AAA, 20% discount. I have used AAA at Picabu, Fresh, Fountain, and Garden Grove.

BW is 5 minute walk, 3 minute run.

Dolphin is 1-2 minute walk from the Swan.

 

[florep1]

Just booked a 2 night stay at the Dolphin using spg points from June 21-23. We were originally booked for BCV for 7 nights then 7 nights at AKV Kidani but dh made me drop the 1st 2 nights at BCV bec he wasnt sure he could get those days off so I had to drop those nights last month. Last night he told me to try adding those 2 nights again at the Beach Club but they did not have any openings, no surprise there. What was surprising was, there was no availability at any of the DVC resorts for those 2 nights in either a studio or 1 BR so Dolphin, here we come! We stayed at the Swan 2 years ago and could have booked either one, but kids wanted to try the Dolphin. Looking forward to the grotto pool

 

[Steven41782]

I think I can do a few of these........

Park tickets can not be on your room key, they are separate. Also, no discounts I have ever heard of, same as park.

Check the casual and quick service http://www.swandolphin.com/restaurants/index.html#top All those should take AAA, 20% discount. I have used AAA at Picabu, Fresh, Fountain, and Garden Grove.

BW is 5 minute walk, 3 minute run.

Dolphin is 1-2 minute walk from the Swan.

Dan, Did you use a reugular AAA card or did you have the Diamond Card you get if you book through AAA?? I have regular AAA and was just wondering. PS Thanks for the tip, that will save us some money for sure.

 

[Braque]

You can get a AAA discount at all of those S/D restuarant locations????! Learn soimething new everyday! Just show your regular AAA card at time of billing?

 

[TaraPA]

I just have a regular AAA card & yes I got the 20% discount.

 

[abw]

Did y'all just show a regular AAA card at the time you paid for your food at those Swanolphin restaurants?

 

[florep1]

We just showed our AAA card and got 20% off at Picabu 2 years ago. Fresh or The Fountain would not honor the discount though.

 

[alliecats]

Got my dates!! Thanks, Tara, for the head's up about the code. I checked my inbox and I had gotten it right after.

They were very nice when I reserved the room and I had no trouble getting my dates and my room and applying the code. Excellent customer service just like last time.

I am beyond thrilled to be staying at the Swan again--last time I thought I had a good deal at $169 a night. I just paid more at a completely unspecial Best Western in the Panhandle.

Thanks again, for your help!

 

[SingingMom]

We just showed our AAA card and got 20% off at Picabu 2 years ago. Fresh or The Fountain would not honor the discount though.

"Table service" at the Fountain honored it for us last year, just not at the ice cream counter....

 

[TaraPA]

Got my dates!! Thanks, Tara, for the head's up about the code. I checked my inbox and I had gotten it right after.

They were very nice when I reserved the room and I had no trouble getting my dates and my room and applying the code. Excellent customer service just like last time.

I am beyond thrilled to be staying at the Swan again--last time I thought I had a good deal at $169 a night. I just paid more at a completely unspecial Best Western in the Panhandle.

Thanks again, for your help!

I'm so glad you got your dates - and everyone else that did! I wish I needed some of the $119 dates, but they don't work for me. It's an incredible deal for a mega-deluxe hotel (in my opnion!) I currently don't have a WDW trip planned in '09 - I'm having Swolphin withdrawal - I keep seeing my Dolphin view pic under my name over there to the left & I want to gooooooo!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

You can get a AAA discount at all of those S/D restuarant locations????! Learn soimething new everyday! Just show your regular AAA card at time of billing?

Dan, Did you use a reugular AAA card or did you have the Diamond Card you get if you book through AAA?? I have regular AAA and was just wondering. PS Thanks for the tip, that will save us some money for sure.

Did y'all just show a regular AAA card at the time you paid for your food at those Swanolphin restaurants?

Just a regular AAA card. I have never booked through AAA, so no Diamond card. I just gave the card to the waiter/waitress when s/he was getting my bill ready. Or at Picabu, at the register.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Thanks SingingMom and Dan! I wish I was going sooner then December!

 

[tink_lover]

For those SPG guests who have booked a discounted room with limited view - how often are you upgraded to a better view at check in? I can't decide where to stay for our fall vacation and just happened to be on the Starwood site (booking for a stay in lovely Green Bay, WI and decided to price it out. I cannot believe the savings. Even after I add on tickets and consider no free dining, it more than makes up for it. I just wonder if I would be happy with the limited view option and should look at a different category. Thanks for the input.

 

[TaraPA]

I've only had 3 Swolphin stays - 2 we got upgraded, 1 we did not, and it was the most horrendous view of the dumpsters & service area behind the convention center. I think it's still winning the "Worst View" on the Worst Room View Thread....Dolphin was full to capacity that trip! The little picture to the left under my screen name is the view we had from Dolphin in December - this was an upgraded room as SPG Gold. I was an awesome view from the balcony.

I'd say most times there will be availability for an SPG upgrade but just keep in mind these are both convention hotels, and can be full to capacity for business guests.

 

[SingingMom]

For those SPG guests who have booked a discounted room with limited view - how often are you upgraded to a better view at check in? I can't decide where to stay for our fall vacation and just happened to be on the Starwood site (booking for a stay in lovely Green Bay, WI and decided to price it out. I cannot believe the savings. Even after I add on tickets and consider no free dining, it more than makes up for it. I just wonder if I would be happy with the limited view option and should look at a different category. Thanks for the input.

I've only had 3 Swolphin stays - 2 we got upgraded, 1 we did not, and it was the most horrendous view of the dumpsters & service area behind the convention center. I think it's still winning the "Worst View" on the Worst Room View Thread....Dolphin was full to capacity that trip! The little picture to the left under my screen name is the view we had from Dolphin in December - this was an upgraded room as SPG Gold. I was an awesome view from the balcony.

I'd say most times there will be availability for an SPG upgrade but just keep in mind these are both convention hotels, and can be full to capacity for business guests.

Yes, Tara wins as receiving the ugliest ugly view.

We have been upgraded our three times to a "balcony". I don't know what this year will hold - we have two rooms since my parents are joining us. I'll let you know! Fingers crossed!

I do enjoy a nice cup of tea on the balcony, but we don't spend all that much time in our room to make it a necessity. (Now, on a cruise, I MUST have a verandah, so I'll pay extra upfront to guarrantee that! )

 

[Braque]

What are the boards suggestions for getting an upgraded room at or before check-in? Email the rooms assigner a few days before check-in? I remember in 2000/2003 a Mr. SwanDolphin on the Dis was VERY helpful. But in 2006, during checkin we were asked if we wanted to upgrade to a resort view room. When I asked if it was complimentary, I was looked at very strangely/sadly - lol

 

[abw]

Just a regular AAA card. I have never booked through AAA, so no Diamond card. I just gave the card to the waiter/waitress when s/he was getting my bill ready. Or at Picabu, at the register.

Thanks! Do you happen to know the restaurants that are allowed? So far, it seems:

• Picabu
• Fountain

Any others?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have also used at Fresh at the Dolphin and Grove at the Swan.

 

[abw]

Thanks for additional names of restaurants. Maybe this is something that could be added to the FAQ on the first post of this thread?