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

[NancyIL]

Nancy! Say it ain't so!

It is so! I am going with a friend in December, and we're going to do a split stay between AKL and WL. I figured if I was ever going to stay at either resort, early December was the time to do it - especially since I'll have a roommate to split the cost.

Don't feel too sorry for me, because I'll get my Swan/Dolphin "fix" when I stay at the Swan for the Food & Wine Festival in 2 weeks!

 

[SingingMom]

It is so! I am going with a friend in December, and we're going to do a split stay between AKL and WL. I figured if I was ever going to stay at either resort, early December was the time to do it - especially since I'll have a roommate to split the cost.

Don't feel too sorry for me, because I'll get my Swan/Dolphin "fix" when I stay at the Swan for the Food & Wine Festival in 2 weeks!

Have a WONDERFUL time!!

 

[vicb]

I just called and booked for July 2010 and got a teacher rate of 149.00. I had originally booked online and couldn't plug in a code for teachers, so I had to use the AAA discount. Didn't even come close to the teacher rate and I'm so glad I called! The reservations person at the Dolphin was sooooo nice and changed my original booking to reflect the new rate. On the Dreams Unlimited site after trying to plug in the teacher discount it said that the discount rates aren't out past May, 2010. So I would definately advise calling - it saved me $600.00! Love the Dolphin! Now, I'm waiting for annual passholder rates for the Poly for just after our Dolphin stay!

Nice, I'm happy for you!

I just had to cancel my Swan ressie for last week of Feb. The cheapest rate I could get between Swan and Dolphin was $221(includes taxes and fees, so was $188) at Swan with AAA discount (I don't qualify for teacher, military etc...). I booked the 4/3 package at CSR for the same price I was paying for 2 rooms at Swan but now I get 4 park hopper passes. Too good of a deal to turn down.

I really wanted to be in the Epcot area and really wanted to try Dolphin in particular. So I'll keep watching to see if I can get a lower room rate, maybe they will have some specials. So far nothing else has been released for 2010 other than the usual discounts (AAA, teacher....)

 

[WVParkfan]

I'm working my way through the thread, but haven't seen the answer to my question yet.

My question is this: Do the TV's at the Swan & Dolphin carry all of the Disney channels like the Disney Resorts?

 

[Sam345]

I'm staying at BCV (on rented points) from 1/11-1/15. Wanted to spend the rest of my stay at Swan or Dolphin from 1/15-1/18. Already have a free night on SPG credit card but would have to pay for the other 2 nights and it's over MLK weekend. Does anyone think the prices will come down from what they are now?? ($219 a night, can't justify that.)

 

[NancyIL]

Have a WONDERFUL time!!

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'm working my way through the thread, but haven't seen the answer to my question yet.

My question is this: Do the TV's at the Swan & Dolphin carry all of the Disney channels like the Disney Resorts?

http://allears.net/acc/resort_tv.htm#sd

 

[cassmat]

to this thread, why isn't it working?

 

[awaldo]

I just called and booked for July 2010 and got a teacher rate of 149.00. I had originally booked online and couldn't plug in a code for teachers, so I had to use the AAA discount. Didn't even come close to the teacher rate and I'm so glad I called! The reservations person at the Dolphin was sooooo nice and changed my original booking to reflect the new rate. On the Dreams Unlimited site after trying to plug in the teacher discount it said that the discount rates aren't out past May, 2010. So I would definately advise calling - it saved me $600.00! Love the Dolphin! Now, I'm waiting for annual passholder rates for the Poly for just after our Dolphin stay!

We will be there the same time, and got the same Teacher rate through our TA. Unless WDW comes out with a great package deal, that is well below a decent moderate rate. We did the 4/3 deal last year at POFQ and figured the room cost $130 a night, so that's a pretty good deal for the Dolphin!

 

[kimgg]

Is the 149 rate w/ or w/o the resort fee?

Also, is the gov't rate available to state gov't employees?

Thanks!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

$149 is w/o resort fee and taxes

state employees qualify

 

[Zuzu03]

We will be there the same time, and got the same Teacher rate through our TA. Unless WDW comes out with a great package deal, that is well below a decent moderate rate. We did the 4/3 deal last year at POFQ and figured the room cost $130 a night, so that's a pretty good deal for the Dolphin!

I agree, thank goodness for these rates! Let's hope they never change their policy! Can't wait to get back!

 

[kedz]

Can anyone tell me why did I get 3 different AAA rates..I called to inquire about room rates for the Swan, was told $170, then called back maybe 5 mins later to book it, and was give a rate of $206 plus taxes and fees, I back out at that point..After talking it over with my husband I called back a 3rd time,maybe 10 mins later and got a rate of $197 plus fees, ect..All 3 times I wanted a AAA rate with a standard view LOL..Anyone know why the rates changed soo much in a 15min period LOL?

Anyway I booked at the $197 rate LOL..

 

[LexiC123]

Can anyone tell me why did I get 3 different AAA rates..I called to inquire about room rates for the Swan, was told $170, then called back maybe 5 mins later to book it, and was give a rate of $206 plus taxes and fees, I back out at that point..After talking it over with my husband I called back a 3rd time,maybe 10 mins later and got a rate of $197 plus fees, ect..All 3 times I wanted a AAA rate with a standard view LOL..Anyone know why the rates changed soo much in a 15min period LOL?

Anyway I booked at the $197 rate LOL..

Not sure why the rates quoted to you over the phone were so inconsistent. Did you price it out on-line? Might be worth trying, on the off chance the rate turns up even lower.

 

[chell]

Can anyone tell me why did I get 3 different AAA rates..I called to inquire about room rates for the Swan, was told $170, then called back maybe 5 mins later to book it, and was give a rate of $206 plus taxes and fees, I back out at that point..After talking it over with my husband I called back a 3rd time,maybe 10 mins later and got a rate of $197 plus fees, ect..All 3 times I wanted a AAA rate with a standard view LOL..Anyone know why the rates changed soo much in a 15min period LOL?

Anyway I booked at the $197 rate LOL..

Did you mention this when you called back? I would have. Always ask for the best rate possible after they give you the first quote; sometimes they hold back. I have no idea why it would change like that. Maybe if you had a different operator each time they were looking at different rates and didn't look at the best deal possible. Definitely call back and ask for a cheaper rate, especially since you were given one the first time.

 

[mnosky]

Due to DH's horrendous work travel schedule, (and me convincing him to only stay at SPG hotels so we can get more Disney trips!), he is now SPG platinum.

Any advice on asking for upgrades? We went in sept and didn't ask and got a blah room that smelled moldy, no balcony. He usually gets a concierge level for busines travel without even asking. We figured we probably should have called and asked but he was only gold then and the stay was totally on free nights so we didn't know if we'd get an upgrade.

Any tips on redeeming points? Do they have certain times where it is less, weeknds vs weekdays, etc? What's the best way to stay on top of this? This last stay was with the summer free weekend night promotion (awesome promtion!) DH actually earned so many nights we couldn't even use them all - and non transferable because we did try.

Any other tips would be appreciated too!
Thanks.
Michelle

 

[ImprovGal]

Due to DH's horrendous work travel schedule, (and me convincing him to only stay at SPG hotels so we can get more Disney trips!), he is now SPG platinum.

Any advice on asking for upgrades? We went in sept and didn't ask and got a blah room that smelled moldy, no balcony. He usually gets a concierge level for busines travel without even asking. We figured we probably should have called and asked but he was only gold then and the stay was totally on free nights so we didn't know if we'd get an upgrade.

Any tips on redeeming points? Do they have certain times where it is less, weeknds vs weekdays, etc? What's the best way to stay on top of this? This last stay was with the summer free weekend night promotion (awesome promtion!) DH actually earned so many nights we couldn't even use them all - and non transferable because we did try.

Hi, I'm SPG Platinum and I've had excellent experiences with upgrades at both the Swan and Dolphin. Upgrades when I was only Preferred Plus (from AAA) and Gold were usually there, but it was most often just a higher floor or perhaps a resort view when I booked standard view. Balconies are a few categories upgrade from standard views so it doesn't surprise me that you may not have gotten one as a gold upgrade. Once I started making reservations after I hit Platinum, my reservations have been pulled for upgrade in advance of my reservation (anywhere from 1 day to 1 week in advance) and I'm finding that they've upgraded me to suites (usually Grand, but I did have an Executive once and a Hospitality once).

First, make sure your husband's SPG number is on the reservation. If your reservation was made before your husband hit Platinum, it may not reflect his new status. I had that glitch when I first made Platinum. To make sure you've got your best available upgrade, when you check in have your husband present his Platinum card (or a printed copy if he hasn't received the plastic one in the mail yet) and nicely ask if the Platinum upgrade was available for his assigned room.

As far as the concierge (club) level upgrades your husband has had on his business trips, that's an automatic benefit for Plats but only when there is a club level available. There is no longer a club level at the Swan or the Dolphin.

Because the Swan and Dolphin are both Category 4 hotels, so it's always 10,000 points per night to redeem for a free standard night award. There's no variation based on day of week. I've found the best way for me to stay on top of promotions and such (like that awesome free weekend night promotion) is to read the SPG forum on the Flyertalk boards. There are two promotions going on right now -- bonus points per stay (but the Swan and Dolphin aren't participating in that) and then a requalifying promotion for current gold and platinum members (for golds, nights/stays count double; for plats, choose between double stays/nights OR have stays/nights count both towards this year's counts as well as next year's).

 

[awaldo]

Is the 149 rate w/ or w/o the resort fee?

Also, is the gov't rate available to state gov't employees?

Thanks!!

By my math, with the resort fee added and taxes, the 149 turns into just under 178. And as far as I read, that rate applies to all gov't employees, state, federal, educators, school support staff, etc. I was even told that a person can book 2 rooms under one ID for the discount.

 

[kath1210]

By my math, with the resort fee added and taxes, the 149 turns into just under 178. And as far as I read, that rate applies to all gov't employees, state, federal, educators, school support staff, etc. I was even told that a person can book 2 rooms under one ID for the discount.

The gov't rate also applies to local and municipal government employees, right? (Fingers crossed)

 

[awaldo]

I don't have the answer for that, but I would assume so. A quick phone call to them would put your mind at ease.