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

[rstanley]

Which hotel-Swan or Dolphin-would be better for family of 4...DS12 and DD7?

We're booked at the Dolphin but now I'm wondering

 

[chell]

You use 1000 points for 5 nights at 50% off rack rates. Problem turned out to be rack was 410 per night when I found 237 through their site. Very disappointed.

Sign up for the Monthly Recipe Club. Right now they offer 50% off rack rate. That way you can save your points.

 

[chell]

Thanks, Michelle!

Even with the 4/3 "deal" I would save a whopping $700 if I switched to the Swan (would buy tix from UT), so I guess I know the answer! I will book before the 3rd.

Awesome!!! You better get those reservations made. Are you calling tomorrow? I feel like I'm asking my friend if she has called to make a doctor's appointment yet. She is horrible about calling the doctor. You can take that $700 to use at the spa over at the Dolphin when they call to tell you about one of the specials they are running. YOU really deserve a special spa treatment!

 

[mhf]

Just booked Swan for early Sept at $119 special rate. Comes to about $144 a nite with taxes. Now I need park hours to get ready for ADRs. Am hoping for EMH at Epcot.

Melissa

 

[teacher31]

Sign up for the Monthly Recipe Club. Right now they offer 50% off rack rate. That way you can save your points.

Would still be stuck with the 50% off rack rate, though. Thanks for the idea. I'm already signed up there, too! Hoping for a lower teacher rate/general rate. Really like anything under 150.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....What is it about the Swan that you stay there rather than the Dolphin?

Smaller, quieter, less hustle bustle, and I know the place like the back of my hand, LOL.

 

[TaraPA]

Which hotel-Swan or Dolphin-would be better for family of 4...DS12 and DD7?

We're booked at the Dolphin but now I'm wondering

As a family we prefer the Dolphin for 2 reasons....first, there is Picabu, a food court that is open 24 hours. There is nothing open 24 hours at The Swan, and no food court or quick food place at all. Second, the awesome Grotto pool is adjacent to The Dolphin, you have to walk over there when staying at The Swan. We also like the large lobby & more family feel of The Dolphin when the kids are along.

Other than that they're very similar!

 

[NancyIL]

As a family we prefer the Dolphin for 2 reasons....first, there is Picabu, a food court that is open 24 hours. There is nothing open 24 hours at The Swan, and no food court or quick food place at all. Second, the awesome Grotto pool is adjacent to The Dolphin, you have to walk over there when staying at The Swan. We also like the large lobby & more family feel of The Dolphin when the kids are along.

Other than that they're very similar!

I agree that for a family, the Dolphin has a higher "wow factor"! However, I usually go to WDW solo, and I prefer the Swan for the same reasons mentioned by Dan Murphy. In addition, the Swan is closer to the Boardwalk, and that's how I walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The bus also stops at the Swan before going to the Dolphin. I don't use the pools or eat at Picabu.

 

[crystal273]

Please help
Decided to take a Disney vacation this year last big family vacation DS is 14. Look at the Contemporary becase DH only wants to stay at a deluxe. going August 17-24 because DS starts school At begining of Sept. I wanted to Take advantage of free dining however with the price I was quoted for the CR very expensive now I am not to sure. Noticed a great deal at the Swan, although we would not have the free dinning we would be saving 1720.00. I am trying to explain to DH that the Swan is a deluxe hotel and that I doubt we would spend that much on food. WILL WE????
Please help me convince him or set me straight.

TIA

 

[rstanley]

Thank you Dan, Tara and Nancy! Based on your feedback I think we'll stick with the Dolphin

You can take that $700 to use at the spa over at the Dolphin when they call to tell you about one of the specials they are running. YOU really deserve a special spa treatment!

What spa specials are you referring to? I'd like to take advantage of that deal.

I just signed up for the e-mail yesterday...what other specials/discounts to they send out?

Also...I booked the Dolphin using the Magicard for $189 and upgraded to Resort view with the All Ears e-mail. Do you think I could do better than that? We're going Oct 12-18th...

 

[NancyIL]

Please help
Decided to take a Disney vacation this year last big family vacation DS is 14. Look at the Contemporary becase DH only wants to stay at a deluxe. going August 17-24 because DS starts school At begining of Sept. I wanted to Take advantage of free dining however with the price I was quoted for the CR very expensive now I am not to sure. Noticed a great deal at the Swan, although we would not have the free dinning we would be saving 1720.00. I am trying to explain to DH that the Swan is a deluxe hotel and that I doubt we would spend that much on food. WILL WE????
Please help me convince him or set me straight.

TIA

If you will spend most of your time at the Magic Kingdom, then the Contemporary will be more convenient. I prefer to spend most of my time at Epcot, so I prefer to stay at the Swan or Dolphin.

Free dining isn't really free - as you discovered. You pay rack rate for the hotel in exchange for "free" dining". If you usually spend a lot of money at sit-down restaurants, then the Dining Plan will probably be better for you. I haven't much interest in the dining plan, because I don't want to have to decide way in advance where I will eat and then try to make reservations. I also don't normally eat dessert at every meal - unless I'm cruising!

 

[crystal273]

DH doesn't want to make ADRS, so this could be a good selling point too. We want to go to all the parks, so I don't think we would spend extra time at the magic kingdom. so, I think maybe I have my answer I think my DS would be happy eating at CS because he likes that type of food better. Swan is a deluxe hotel so the accomodations are the same as disney deluxe?

 

[TaraPA]

The only Disney Deluxe I've stayed at was AKL - and the rooms I've had at Swan/Dolphin were larger than that.

If you only eat sit-down meals, the DDP can be a good value. We did it once year, but won't again. We would rather not have to plan to be in a certain park at a certain time for an ADR, and we are quite content just picking our way around the parks with counter service & snacks.

You can't beat the location of S/D if you will spend a lot of time at Epcot or DHS. You also have The Boardwalk right there for more things to do.

 

[pooh2001]

I compared the Swan to the Dolphin. The SWAN won

Was I out of my mind to do this ? I just could not decide on which to do. We love the Dolphin, but now have a teacher rate for the Swan Easter 2010.

My DH said it was OK to walk across the beach to the Grotto pool and to walk across the water bridge to do laundry and get to Picabu's. DH said walking is healthy and we should not mind the extra steps

Below is what I did., my positives (pros) are in red

For the Dolphin:
Grotto Pool
1 sink
Double beds
2nd bus stop
360 sq ft
about $30 to empty the small “cooler” refrigerator
Easy fit areobed
Walk to EPCOT
Boat to DHS
NO DDP
Extra Hours
Fitness Center
4 star AAA
Closed closet
Hallways
Covered bus stop
Flat screen TV
Use VISA Disney Dollars for WDW restaurants (food)
13 positives

For th Swan:
Grotto Pool
2 sinks
Queen beds
1st bus stop
340 sq ft
Free mini cold refigerator
Good fit areobed
Walk to EPCOT
Boat to DHS
NO DDP
Extra Hours
Fitness Center
4 star AAA
Closed closet
Hallways
Covered bus stop
Flat screen TV
Use VISA Disney Dollars for WDW restaurants (food)
16 positives



Do you think I did OK with my comparisons ?

 

[NancyIL]

DH doesn't want to make ADRS, so this could be a good selling point too. We want to go to all the parks, so I don't think we would spend extra time at the magic kingdom. so, I think maybe I have my answer I think my DS would be happy eating at CS because he likes that type of food better. Swan is a deluxe hotel so the accomodations are the same as disney deluxe?

Without dining reservations during Free Dining, you could have problems finding a sit-down restaurant with availability when you want to eat.

I compared the Swan to the Dolphin. The SWAN won

Was I out of my mind to do this ? I just could not decide on which to do. We love the Dolphin, but now have a teacher rate for the Swan Easter 2010.

My DH said it was OK to walk across the beach to the Grotto pool and to walk across the water bridge to do laundry and get to Picabu's. DH said walking is healthy and we should not mind the extra steps

Below is what I did., my positives (pros) are in red

For the Dolphin:
Grotto Pool
1 sink
Double beds
2nd bus stop
360 sq ft
about $30 to empty the small “cooler” refrigerator
Easy fit areobed
Walk to EPCOT
Boat to DHS
NO DDP
Extra Hours
Fitness Center
4 star AAA
Closed closet
Hallways
Covered bus stop
Flat screen TV
Use VISA Disney Dollars for WDW restaurants (food)
13 positives

For th Swan:
Grotto Pool
2 sinks
Queen beds
1st bus stop
340 sq ft
Free mini cold refigerator
Good fit areobed
Walk to EPCOT
Boat to DHS
NO DDP
Extra Hours
Fitness Center
4 star AAA
Closed closet
Hallways
Covered bus stop
Flat screen TV
Use VISA Disney Dollars for WDW restaurants (food)
16 positives



Do you think I did OK with my comparisons ?

If the Swan costs less than the Dolphin, that is a BIG positive that wasn't mentioned! I would give the Swan a try for your next trip. If after staying there you still prefer the Dolphin - then you'll know what to book for future trips.

 

[rstanley]

If the Swan costs less than the Dolphin, that is a BIG positive that wasn't mentioned! I would give the Swan a try for your next trip. If after staying there you still prefer the Dolphin - then you'll know what to book for future trips.

I didn't realize the Swan was cheaper??? Where should I go to see the comparison...the website only contains the "rack rates"?

Also...since all of you have been so helpful I thought I’d ask a couple more questions

We are staying at the Dolphin Oct 12-18th…

1) We were upgraded to a resort view room using an All Ears code. Is it possible to get another upgrade since I am a Starwoods member?

2) I have not put in a room request yet but I’d like to stay away from noise…are there certain areas I should avoid?

3) Is it possible to get a good view at the pool end of the hotel? I’m afraid we’ll be too far from the pool if I request a Boardwalk or Epcot view…any thoughts on this?

4) Is there any way to see your reservation online after you make it?

Now a couple questions about food and refrigerators…

5) Should I (or can I) request a fridge for the week in advance?

6) Are the rental refrigerators colder than the minibar? I read a post saying the mini bars were not cold enough for milk storage.

7) Will the Dolphin accept groceries from Garden Grocer before you arrive and keep items cold until you check in? (similar to the Disney hotels)

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[NancyIL]

I didn't realize the Swan was cheaper??? Where should I go to see the comparison...the website only contains the "rack rates"?

The previous poster got a teacher rate at the Swan. Call the resort to ask about special rates, or check with Dreams Unlimited.

 

[rstanley]

The previous poster got a teacher rate at the Swan. Call the resort to ask about special rates, or check with Dreams Unlimited.

Sorry... I missed the teacher rate part. I looked at Dreams Unlimited and it's still very pricey...almost $250 per night. The Orlando Magicard price is so much cheaper all year round and the card is free...I think all you have to do is mention it!

 

[NancyIL]

Sorry... I missed the teacher rate part. I looked at Dreams Unlimited and it's still very pricey...almost $250 per night. The Orlando Magicard price is so much cheaper all year round and the card is free...I think all you have to do is mention it!

There are a number of discount rates - including AAA, AARP, teacher/nurse, government employee, Entertainment, WDW passholder, etc. Keep the rate you have, but check periodically to see if there are any special discounts offered. October is a big month for conventions at the Swan and Dolphin, so you may not find anything lower than the Magicard rate you already have.

 

[SingingMom]

As a family we prefer the Dolphin for 2 reasons....first, there is Picabu, a food court that is open 24 hours. There is nothing open 24 hours at The Swan, and no food court or quick food place at all. Second, the awesome Grotto pool is adjacent to The Dolphin, you have to walk over there when staying at The Swan. We also like the large lobby & more family feel of The Dolphin when the kids are along.

Other than that they're very similar!

That's how we feel, too, Tara, even though DD is almost 16 now.