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

[danissmart]

I was just wondering what they had in terms of free weights. Is there a large selection of Dumbbells? Do they have a regular bench press bench with barbell? If anyone has worked out there it would be great to know ahead of time if I am going to be able to get in any good workouts. Thanks.

 

[TaraPA]

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

Actually in December I went with a girlfriend - no kids -and we both chose The Dolphin! If the Swan had a better rate I'd choose there, in the end, money talks. But if I get a choice it will always be Dolphin for me!

Lucky you SingingMom, you're soon heading back. I have 25,000 Starwood points burning a hole in my pocket....

 

[SingingMom]

Actually in December I went with a girlfriend - no kids -and we both chose The Dolphin! If the Swan had a better rate I'd choose there, in the end, money talks. But if I get a choice it will always be Dolphin for me!

Lucky you SingingMom, you're soon heading back. I have 25,000 Starwood points burning a hole in my pocket....

Yes, we will be there before we know it - but it is SO BUSY around here with the end of school and finals, etc.

This year we are taking my parents along. Mom & Dad haven't been to Disney in AGES and when they were looking at last year's pictures, Mom said she thought the Dolphin looked gorgeous and would love to just sit by the Grotto Pool and see Epcot again. It will be an "interesting" trip, to say the least. Not sure if she will be able to "keep up" - we might be parking her at the Grotto Pool and taking my Dad to the parks with us!

 

[paras4ri]

I can help with a few of your questions.

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

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?
The Epcot and Boardwalk views are from the two East wings and the pool complex is at the opposite end of the hotel. Depending on your actual room location you could have a bit of a walk to the pools.
4) Is there any way to see your reservation online after you make it?
If you provided your SPG number when making your reservation you should be able to view it online at spg.com.
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.Thanks in advance for all your help!
Our Swan/Dolphin resident expert posted not long ago that the minibars at the Dolphin will be switched to the refrigerators that the Swan has this summer - so you should have a real fridge by the time of your trip.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I am a DVC member and decided to save some weekend points and stay at The Swan. I got a great deal using hte new 119 code out there now.

A quick question though? I am bringing my oldr son's friend, once we switch to AKV we have bedding for the fifth person. AM I better off using a raised airbed or do they rent rollaways and are they good quality and comfortable?

 

[NancyIL]

I am a DVC member and decided to save some weekend points and stay at The Swan. I got a great deal using hte new 119 code out there now.

A quick question though? I am bringing my oldr son's friend, once we switch to AKV we have bedding for the fifth person. AM I better off using a raised airbed or do they rent rollaways and are they good quality and comfortable?

I believe the Swan is supposed to accommodate only 4 in a room. The Dolphin can accommodate 5 with a rollaway bed.

 

[rstanley]

I can help with a few of your questions.

Thank you!!! I was able to see my reservation online. I just wanted to make sure they had everything right

Can anyone else help with the following questions:

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

4) Someone mentioned there are a lot of conferences in October...is that the same every year?

 

[TaraPA]

There are always lots of conventions at Swan/Dolphin, all year round. They are convention resorts & can be full to capacity because of that. We've been to conferences there in May & October. December 2007 was sold out at The Dolphin because of conferences while we were there.

I've never booked a room higher than standard & just always hoped for an upgrade. In 2007 there were no upgrades available, because the hotel was full. One year we got upgraded to Resort View, last year we got upgraded to Resort View with Balcony. There are different levels of "free upgrades" depending on what level Starwood member you are. For example there are no suite upgrades available for Preferred & Gold members, but possibly for Platinum. Awhile back someone posted the different upgrades available for the different tiers of membership. I would assume you could get a room with a balcony with your membership, but I wouldn't expect the Presidential Suite!

 

[rstanley]

There are always lots of conventions at Swan/Dolphin, all year round. They are convention resorts & can be full to capacity because of that. We've been to conferences there in May & October. December 2007 was sold out at The Dolphin because of conferences while we were there.

I've never booked a room higher than standard & just always hoped for an upgrade. In 2007 there were no upgrades available, because the hotel was full. One year we got upgraded to Resort View, last year we got upgraded to Resort View with Balcony. There are different levels of "free upgrades" depending on what level Starwood member you are. For example there are no suite upgrades available for Preferred & Gold members, but possibly for Platinum. Awhile back someone posted the different upgrades available for the different tiers of membership. I would assume you could get a room with a balcony with your membership, but I wouldn't expect the Presidential Suite!

Thanks...I'm at the bottom of the totem pole...I just signed up for the membership since we're staying at this hotel. I usually stay at Hilton's. A Resort view with a balcony would be great but I'm happy just to have the resort view...I'll just hope for the best

 

[tigergrad]

I booked my room through DU as a pre-cruise stay w/DCL. I am a Starwood member. How can I get my membership number added to my reservation? Can I call the hotel or do I need to go through DU?

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

I booked my room through DU as a pre-cruise stay w/DCL. I am a Starwood member. How can I get my membership number added to my reservation? Can I call the hotel or do I need to go through DU?

Just hand them your card when you check in.

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

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?

If you are just a regular Starwood member, it is highly unlikely (~5% chance) that you will get any kind of upgrade. I am a gold member, and I probably get upgraded ~25% of the time, and mostly that is just to a room with a better location. I get upgraded to a suite probably ~10% of the time, and I travel a pretty good amount for work and always try to stay at a Starwood property when possible. I have talked to a few platinum members and they get upgraded ~75% of the time.

 

[abw]

I booked my room through DU as a pre-cruise stay w/DCL. I am a Starwood member. How can I get my membership number added to my reservation? Can I call the hotel or do I need to go through DU?

You can also use the "contact us" link on the SPG website, including both your Starwood number and your confirmation information. They linked mine for me.

 

[danissmart]

Just getting us swalphin folks back to page 1. Also still wondering about the fitness center. Does anyone have any info regarding free weights?

 

[Mouseteacher]

I am a spg preferred plus member And I have Starwood AMEX cc and I have stayed 4 times at the S/D with a fifth stay coming us this summer. Each time I have booked at the teacher rate/standard room and each time I have received wonderful upgrades ... on one Swan stay we were upgraded to a junior suite with balcony. I have stayed at the Sheraton in Boston and a Sheraton in PA and each time received nice upgrades.

I must say Starwood and Swan/Dolphin have been the best!

 

[pooh2001]

From the rooms at the Swan what are the views of ?
From the East side ? West Side ?

Can you see EPCOT ? DHS ? AK ?
The Grotto Pool ? The basketball courts ?
The Swan quiet pool ?
The front driveway ?
Ever views of garbage or delivery area ?

Please tell us what wing or side of the Swan we should request.

Thank you !

 

[mamagoose]

Can you see Illuminations from anywhere outside the Swan/Dolphin? Or are there too many trees/buildings in the way?

 

[NancyIL]

Can you see Illuminations from anywhere outside the Swan/Dolphin? Or are there too many trees/buildings in the way?

I have been able to see Illuminations from my room at the Swan a few times, but it needs to be on the side facing the Boardwalk, and high enough so the trees don't block your view. However, I think Illuminations is much more impressive when you can also hear the music.

**Edited to add - the last time I could see Illuminations from my room was last December. They have Holiday Illuminations then, which is the regular program plus a special holiday ending that is REALLY something to see - even without the music!

 

[SingingMom]

I have been able to see Illuminations from my room at the Swan a few times, but it needs to be on the side facing the Boardwalk, and high enough so the trees don't block your view. However, I think Illuminations is much more impressive when you can also hear the music.

I agree with you, Nancy.
For some reason, though, my DD15 doesn't like the heat from the torches (go figure ) so we have enjoyed viewing it from the end of the Boardwalk at the bridge. That's why I love staying at the Dolphin - what a great location to do all these things!!

 

[kath1210]

When DH and I were at the Dolphin last month, we had Room 15097. It had to be an upgrade because the bellman said that we could see both the Epcot and DHS fireworks from our window. We could also see the Tower of Terror to our right and the Epcot ball to our left.

Unfortunately, we were never in the room during Illuminations or Fantasmic, to enjoy our upgrade.