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

[Boatingmom]

Hi Singing Mom! Hope you're having a great time with your parents.

I have a question about activities...When I was at the Dolphin in April 2008 I wasnt aware of any activities, games, pool band, or cigar specials. We were at the Grotto pool every afternoon for seven days. (We even did a pool day.) Did I miss something? . I'm going back to S & D to stay at the Swan in October. On our last visit the kids did get tennis racquets in the health club and walked to the tennis courts, and my daughter did the hair bead thingy(rip off) How exactaly do I find out about the activities or is it hit or miss?

 

[SingingMom]

Hi Singing Mom! Hope you're having a great time with your parents.

I have a question about activities...When I was at the Dolphin in April 2008 I wasnt aware of any activities, games, pool band, or cigar specials. We were at the Grotto pool every afternoon for seven days. (We even did a pool day.) Did I miss something? . I'm going back to S & D to stay at the Swan in October. On our last visit the kids did get tennis racquets in the health club and walked to the tennis courts, and my daughter did the hair bead thingy(rip off) How exactaly do I find out about the activities or is it hit or miss?

There was a list posted (and copies available) at the Guest Services desk... We always come in June and there is always something going on in the afternoon for the kids at the Grotto Pool - DJ with music and contests, etc. Maybe because it is summer?

Always check at Guest Services to see what is going on!

 

[paras4ri]

Chiming in to say I've seen more organized activities in summer months than in the fall.

 

[NancyIL]

i need everyones opinion on the best room at the swan with a KING bed....Im making my ressies this week and need to know what to request.
please and thank you!

A king room is a king room! Did you book a resort view or a room with a balcony? Are you a Starwood Preferred Guest member?

 

[danissmart]

i posted this a few pages back and did not get any response. Does anyone know if the dolphin is doing online check-in?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not that I am aware of.

 

[TaraPA]

i posted this a few pages back and did not get any response. Does anyone know if the dolphin is doing online check-in?

Not that I know of!

 

[Chrissyb8885]

A king room is a king room! Did you book a resort view or a room with a balcony? Are you a Starwood Preferred Guest member?

I want to book a resort view room and am crossing my fingers to get upgraded to a balcony...and yes i am a starwood preferred guest member. I guess I am wondering if anyone had an exceptional view or corner room that maybe i could try to request when we arrive.

 

[NancyIL]

I want to book a resort view room and am crossing my fingers to get upgraded to a balcony...and yes i am a starwood preferred guest member. I guess I am wondering if anyone had an exceptional view or corner room that maybe i could try to request when we arrive.

The rooms on the front corners of the Swan are larger studios - now called Deluxe Alcoves (http://www.swandolphin.com/accommodations/images/S_DeluxeAlcove.gif), but the chances of getting an upgrade to that when booking a standard room are slim. A balcony room on a high floor of the east wing facing the Boardwalk/Epcot would give you a view of Illuminations...if the trees aren't in the way.

 

[teacher5]

Does anyone know if you can store food that needs to be refrigerated if your room is not ready when you arrive? We are staying at the dolphin.

 

[ozziewags]

If you book a higher room on the front of the Swan you can see Fantasmic. We had a corner room on the top floor and my kids watched F at night.

 

[ImprovGal]

i posted this a few pages back and did not get any response. Does anyone know if the dolphin is doing online check-in?

The Dolphin and Swan do not participate in online checkin.
If I've checked in before my room is ready, I've been asked to leave my cell phone number and have been personally notified when my room is ready. I don't know if that's a standard service offered or if it's an above-and-beyond service due to my frequent stays there and/or SPG Platinum status. I'm learning that the Swan and Dolphin really value repeat guests.

 

[teruterubouzu]

For anyone that has an iphone or ipod touch. The swan and dolphin have their own app in the itunes store. It's free and has photos and videos of the resorts and maps. Enjoy!

Thanks for posting that. I'm downloading it right now! I hope you don't mind, but I reposted your message in one of the iphone threads.

 

[paras4ri]

The Dolphin and Swan do not participate in online checkin.
If I've checked in before my room is ready, I've been asked to leave my cell phone number and have been personally notified when my room is ready. I don't know if that's a standard service offered or if it's an above-and-beyond service due to my frequent stays there and/or SPG Platinum status. I'm learning that the Swan and Dolphin really value repeat guests.

I believe they offer that service to all guests.
On two prior trips our room hasn't been ready upon arrival and we've always been asked to leave a cellphone number and were called when it was.

 

[Mouseteacher]

The same happened for us on our stay last summer. The CM told us our room should be ready by noon and they would call our cell (we arrived at the resort at about 10:30). We did run into a problem...the previous guests would not check out of their/our room. They did not have permission for a late check out - they just squatted! We had received this room as a comp upgrade - balcony room with an Epcot view. I did not want to give that up. The resort was doing its best to get them out but they cannot "evict" them. They kept reassuring us that the "guests" (squatters I call them ) were leaving soon. It was a pretty stressful time. We finally got in about 4:30 pm. The Swan was very apologetic and gave me 10K points on my spg account which we are using this trip for a free night.

 

[TaraPA]

I'm learning that the Swan and Dolphin really value repeat guests.

This is so true. I've only stayed at S/D 3 times, but DH travels weekly for work & Sheraton is one of his employer's perferred brands, so he has Gold status. When I've traveled to S/D (using his Starwood number) they bend over backwards to make me feel welcome. I've gotten much better service at S/D than from any WDW Resort.

 

[SingingMom]

They were very sweet to upgrade us to two balcony rooms. However, this is our fourth year in a row - I thought they might send us a wine and cheese tray or at least a "welcome back" message.

Activities for the rest of the week around the pool area sound like lots of fun, weather permitting... tonight "Dive-in Movie", tomorrow night Campfire and s'mores, pool relay races, water battles, Poolside DJ...

 

[Boatingmom]

Those activities sound fun. I hope they're still goingon for our OCT trip

 

[paras4ri]

Had lunch at the Cabana Bar while we waited for the rooms to be done - they called that one room was ready right as we were being served. By the time we finished lunch, both rooms were ready.

We're enjoying your live trip report! Can you please tell me the hours for the Cabana Bar?

 

[SingingMom]

We're enjoying your live trip report! Can you please tell me the hours for the Cabana Bar?

According to "The Resort Report" that you receive at check in (this might be new - first time in four years that we received it) it gives the hours of the Cabana Bar as:
"Open Seasonally for food service 11am - 8pm
Bar open from 11am - 10pm , weather permitting."

This is new from previous years - it used to close earlier. I actually wrote on my comment card a few years in a row that we'd love to see the Cabana Bar opened later - so ... you never know - sometimes things really do change when patrons make suggestions!

Tonight they are showing "Bolt" at the Grotto Pool, with kids floating in the pool. Very neat! We stopped by for a cocktail and watched for a bit.
I really love this place!