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

[ozziewags]

I had to do the same thing. I got so many confirmations before my trip I was amazed! I guess it just takes them awhile.

Karen, Have a great trip and don't forget to find an anniversary button. Celebrate it at every restaurant at which you eat. We had a ball at 50's PT. Sabrina was our waitress and she had her hands full with dh, the ultimate kidder. She took a picture of us with our elbows on the table then took my camera and took a picture of herself.
So many great memories. disney is the best place for that.

Minniemom, you will love your resort. If you have any issues just let them know. They are really friendly. The location is awesome. My kids asked to stay there over any moderate. They like to be where there is lots going on.
Be sure to report back so we can relive our disney trips!

 

[Mouseteacher]

minniemom on your confirmation email.

Thanks, Robin and Carol, for the good wishes. We are down to 3 days (not counting today!).

 

[chell]

Not only is the $99 deal not available for my November dates, both Swan & Dolphin are showing not available, booked solid. Oh well, I was excited there for a moment! I'm loyal to S/D but am excited to be trying a Treehouse Villa with friends. Next time I'll be back to S/D...

Good luck to everyone who gets the $99 rate.. I just had to play around on the spg website with dates to see it come up for some in September. I couldn't find anything beyond that, but keep checking, we all know these things (rates & availability) change daily!

If you go to Starwood Hotels it shows there that this sale is for dates from now to October 12. But keep an eye on that website because like I said earlier they had a similar sale that ended on July 20th. This sale ends July 27. I think they are trying to fill up some rooms. It never hurts to keep checking back.

 

[Sam345]

I stayed at the Swan this past week and it was AMAZING!! I was a little nervous about the rumored lack of Disney-ness but I got the $119 deal and booked a somewhat last-minute trip too late to rent BCV points (what I've done in the past - I can't actually afford deluxe prices!). It was my first trip to Disney in over 4 years. S/D now rivals BC as my favorite Disney resort! I was so, so impressed. I certainly never felt like I was missing out on anything.

Room was nice and just as pictured. We were put in a "limited view" room in floor 4 (probably because of my special room rate!) and right by the ice machine and elevators - made me nervous because I'm a very light sleeper but it turned out fine. Slept MUCH better than I had the first two nights of the trip when I stayed at Pop. (Oh, Pop. A great option but I can't do more than two nights there, although it did save me money and got me a one-way Magical Express trip. It was SO nice to walk into the Swan after those first two nights. To give Pop credit, their transportation/gift shop/food court was excellent and they were great about getting my luggage over to the Swan.)

Buses was good and I never had to wait long - granted, you share with BW, BC/YC but I was used to that when staying at BC. Loved the boats, never had to wait more than a couple of minutes.

Housekeeping didn't bother us the days we slept in (with do not disturb sign up) and the room was always clean by the time we returned later that evening.

I really liked the urban-ness of the interior of the resorts - maybe it's because it was just me and my boyfriend (in our mid 20s). I enjoyed walking in and seeing adults (conventioneers, probably) hanging out at the restaurant bars, etc. And all the pools, etc were great. Ate at Fountain twice and enjoyed (though it's no Beaches and Cream... but I made it over there too!)

S/D was a huge breath of fresh air and I hope I can get back there someday!

 

[llqool]

Still no $99 deals for our dates of Sep 25-28 (but can't complain since I am getting the complimentary night for my b-day!)

I just was reading on the Swan/Dolphin site that they are offering 50% off food and non-alcoholic beverages for military personnel (10% off for signature restaurants)....has anyone taken advantage of this? Did you just have to show ID?

 

[friarfan]

july16-22! Swan- $119 special! any questions?

 

[chell]

Still no $99 deals for our dates of Sep 25-28 (but can't complain since I am getting the complimentary night for my b-day!)

I just was reading on the Swan/Dolphin site that they are offering 50% off food and non-alcoholic beverages for military personnel (10% off for signature restaurants)....has anyone taken advantage of this? Did you just have to show ID?

The best I could find for your dates was at the Dolphin for $149/night before taxes. That isn't too bad though.

Sorry, but I don't know anything about the military discount. That is a great one though. I bet all you have to do is show ID.

 

[SingingMom]

The best I could find for your dates was at the Dolphin for $149/night before taxes. That isn't too bad though.

Sorry, but I don't know anything about the military discount. That is a great one though. I bet all you have to do is show ID.

I'd book the $149 and keep checking for a change in rate... they have adjusted for us in the past if the rate has dropped....

 

[Zuzu03]

july16-22! Swan- $119 special! any questions?

Nice one! Hoping for a good rate next summer!

 

[friarfan]

Swan was great! great location good service with quick response on any issues. Had a problem in room a couple of nights in moved to upgraded room. great to walk to epcot and dhs. 20 minute walk from front of swan to dhs. it was hot but we liked to walk. only have to bus to mk,ak and downtown disney.

 

[JackTwo]

How does the shared bus transportation work with the Swan/Dolphin, Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwald resorts? Is there one bus stop shared for all of the resorts? Or do the buses make different stops at each of the resorts? If the latter, what is the order of the stops for the AK and MK buses (for both outgoing and incoming buses)?

 

[friarfan]

This time of the year it was boardwalk,swan dolphin from dd. going to mk and ak-since we got on at the swan not sure who was on before us-then went to dolphin and directly to parks. all hotels have their own pickup spots, shared at dd,mk and ak.

 

[JackTwo]

This time of the year it was boardwalk,swan dolphin from dd. going to mk and ak-since we got on at the swan not sure who was on before us-then went to dolphin and directly to parks. all hotels have their own pickup spots, shared at dd,mk and ak.

Sweet. We're staying at the Dolphin so it sounds like we don't have to make any stops before MK or AK. Did you find the buses crowded by the time they got to the Swan? We have 2 kids (ages 5 and 3). I hope we don't have to stand every time we head to the parks.

For the return trip, when you said all hotels have their own pickup spots, did you mean that there are separate return buses for BC/YC, Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk coming from AK and MK (straight shot to the hotel from the park w/o making diff. stops)?

 

[friarfan]

Sweet. We're staying at the Dolphin so it sounds like we don't have to make any stops before MK or AK. Did you find the buses crowded by the time they got to the Swan? We have 2 kids (ages 5 and 3). I hope we don't have to stand every time we head to the parks.

For the return trip, when you said all hotels have their own pickup spots, did you mean that there are separate return buses for BC/YC, Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk coming from AK and MK (straight shot to the hotel from the park w/o making diff. stops)?[/QUOTe

The return trip from the parks is shared with all these hotels and can be crowded at park closing; first stop boardwalk, then swan, dolphin, rest. This is always subject to change! heading to the parks never seemed to be a problem.

 

[paras4ri]

Just wanted to add that most trips to and from AK also include a stop at Blizzard Beach - unless it is closed for the day.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Oddly enough, our experiences (I think 7) at the Dolphin have brought a much superior bus service each time even with all the stops compared to our stays at the Port Orleans resorts.... which one would assume would be the opposite as the Dolphin travels to a larger number of resorts.

Don't worry about the buses, it will be great and your stay will be memorable!

 

[dobball23]

Why does the "dolphin" on top of the Dolphin Resort look like a normal fish and not a dolphin? I know I have heard the answer before, but can't remember.

Thanks!

 

[jcb]

Why does the "dolphin" on top of the Dolphin Resort look like a normal fish and not a dolphin? I know I have heard the answer before, but can't remember.

Thanks!

The S&D Marketing Director answered this on a podcast. You can listen to the podcast at http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable119-120308.mp3 It is about 20 minutes in (just a guess).

 

[abh218]

What is the S/D procedure for delaying a check out for 1-2 hours? Our flight is later in the afternoon which means limo pick up after lunch. I'm thinking we might get in a couple more park hours that morning if we can check out around 12:30. Any ideas?

 

[NancyIL]

What is the S/D procedure for delaying a check out for 1-2 hours? Our flight is later in the afternoon which means limo pick up after lunch. I'm thinking we might get in a couple more park hours that morning if we can check out around 12:30. Any ideas?

Unless you are a Gold Starwood member or above, you will be charged for late checkout. Late checkout is subject to availability - even to those with elite status.

You can leave your luggage with bell services while you enjoy a few hours in a park.