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

[FINFAN]

Hi Dan! ( not hijacking the thread, but bet the grandkids are going to be the cutest ever for Halloween tomorrow!)

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi, all - had a chance at a great rate for the Swan or Dolphin, but Trip Advisors most recent reviews are not good. I thought these resorts were rectnly renovated, both hallways and rooms?

Thanks much!

 

[SingingMom]

Hi, all - had a chance at a great rate for the Swan or Dolphin, but Trip Advisors most recent reviews are not good. I thought these resorts were rectnly renovated, both hallways and rooms?

Thanks much!

I have found (in my own experience, no flaming please.) that the majority of Trip Advisor reviews are from disgruntled people. It can be helpful in avoiding certain rooms or activities or time of year to visit, but I sense a lot of negativity on numerous postings..

My suggestion is for you to read through this thread and see why we LOVE the Swan & Dolphin, and then make your decision accordingly!

and yes - many rooms and hallways have been renovated.. I don't think EVERYTHING can be renovated at one time - such big places..

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I agree with you wholeheartedly about Trip Advisor for the most part, but sometimes good reviews are posted and I was looking for recent feedback without reading through this entire thread! , it is different than the Disney resorts, but we enjoyed our stay.

When S/D was brand new we stayed there fime times, all 6 ngt visits and loved it. I like being able to book what I want and know that's the view and balcony we will be assigned.

On the run right now, but will take the time to read back the last several pages.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi Dan! ( not hijacking the thread, but bet the grandkids are going to be the cutest ever for Halloween tomorrow!)

I know one is going to be Thomas the Train (?), one a bumble bee, not sure the third one, maybe a junior firefighter.

On the renovating, I do not think I have ever stayed there over past 9 years when there has not been renovation going on somewhere. Sort of like the Golden Gate Bridge, always getting painted.

 

[SingingMom]

I know one is going to be Thomas the Train (?), one a bumble bee, not sure the third one, maybe a junior firefighter.

On the renovating, I do not think I have ever stayed there over past 9 years when there has not been renovation going on somewhere. Sort of like the Golden Gate Bridge, always getting painted.

Exactly, Dan! We've stayed the past four Junes - and there was ALWAYS some sort of renovations.

And, Grandpa... it's Thomas the TANK ENGINE.

 

[chell]

I agree with you wholeheartedly about Trip Advisor for the most part, but sometimes good reviews are posted and I was looking for recent feedback without reading through this entire thread! , it is different than the Disney resorts, but we enjoyed our stay.

When S/D was brand new we stayed there fime times, all 6 ngt visits and loved it. I like being able to book what I want and know that's the view and balcony we will be assigned.

On the run right now, but will take the time to read back the last several pages.

Thanks so much!!

Hey Christine! We love the Swan. We were there for the first few nights of our Honeymoon last year before moving to SSR. Honestly, once we moved we wish we could have gone back to the Swan. We will be back at the Swan in 2 months. If you get a room you are not happy with I'm sure they will take care of you and move you to a better room. They really do care about their guests and won't let you stay in a sub-par room.

 

[Boatingmom]

Minni&nana- I stayed at the Swan two weeks ago and LOVED it. Clean, great service and great food. I would go back in a flash. I have also stayed at the Dolphin in the past too. I liked the SWAN better. I know its just an opinion. I have also written reviews for other stays at other hotels on Trip advisor. I am not a disgruntled traveler. I just write my reviews as truthful as possible and I report if I found a problem. I guess I'll go on Trip advisor and write a nice one for Swan. Hand's down I'd pick the SWAN again even without a gvt or AAA rate.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate the input - have been on the wire about this b/c no ME (do not drive) and the $10 a day resort fee. Could stay at BWI for almost the same cost, but it would 4 days whereas at the Dolphin would be 5 - decisions, decisions!!

Have not stayed at the Swan yet - yet another option!

(Hey, chell! Miss you & Angelrose)

 

[Beccabunny]

The one consistent complaint I see on Trip Advisor concerns moldy, musty-smelling rooms at the Dolphin. Yet, I never see that complaint here on this thread, and it seems a lot of you visit frequently. People are more likely to post a complaint than a positive review. However, Trip Advisor can definitely be helpful. I directed my sister to that site before she left for a vacation in Italy. She ignored the bad reviews and booked a hotel, got there and found they were accurate. She left her hotel after one night. I really want to stay at either the Dolphin or Swan next May, but I couldn't tolerate a musty-smelling room, not with my allergies. So, has anyone here ever encountered that, and if so, what was done about it?

 

[SingingMom]

The one consistent complaint I see on Trip Advisor concerns moldy, musty-smelling rooms at the Dolphin. Yet, I never see that complaint here on this thread, and it seems a lot of you visit frequently. People are more likely to post a complaint than a positive review. However, Trip Advisor can definitely be helpful. I directed my sister to that site before she left for a vacation in Italy. She ignored the bad reviews and booked a hotel, got there and found they were accurate. She left her hotel after one night. I really want to stay at either the Dolphin or Swan next May, but I couldn't tolerate a musty-smelling room, not with my allergies. So, has anyone here ever encountered that, and if so, what was done about it?

Honestly - four years in a row at the Dolphin - at the end of JUNE each time -never had musty/moldy smell. But, the other thing that comes to mind when I hear this complaint is wondering sometimes where those travelers are from? :
Florida is muggy. Especially in the summer. I remember the first time we visited my brother-in-law and the towels in the linen closet were damp. That amazed this Yankee from New Jersey.

That being said -I have stayed other places, and if the room did not fulfill my expectations, I polietly asked to be moved. We just did this a few months ago in Manhattan. Five-star hotel - room reeked of smoke. They insisted it was a "non-smoking" room, I told them, "The room reeks of smoke, we need another room." And, we were moved.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....So, has anyone here ever encountered that, and if so, what was done about it?

I have not.

 

[turkeymama]

The one consistent complaint I see on Trip Advisor concerns moldy, musty-smelling rooms at the Dolphin. Yet, I never see that complaint here on this thread, and it seems a lot of you visit frequently. People are more likely to post a complaint than a positive review. However, Trip Advisor can definitely be helpful. I directed my sister to that site before she left for a vacation in Italy. She ignored the bad reviews and booked a hotel, got there and found they were accurate. She left her hotel after one night. I really want to stay at either the Dolphin or Swan next May, but I couldn't tolerate a musty-smelling room, not with my allergies. So, has anyone here ever encountered that, and if so, what was done about it?

Hi, another allergy sufferer here.
My husband and I stayed at the Swan once and we didn't notice anything smelling musty. However, the feather pillows did aggravate my allergies. They can give you different pillows upon request if it's a problem.

 

[chell]

Hi, another allergy sufferer here.
My husband and I stayed at the Swan once and we didn't notice anything smelling musty. However, the feather pillows did aggravate my allergies. They can give you different pillows upon request if it's a problem.

Yet another allergy sufferer here. I've never noticed the musty smell either. There is no way I could stay in a room like that because I wouldn't be able to breathe & would have a horrible headache.

 

[chell]

Thanks, everyone! I really appreciate the input - have been on the wire about this b/c no ME (do not drive) and the $10 a day resort fee. Could stay at BWI for almost the same cost, but it would 4 days whereas at the Dolphin would be 5 - decisions, decisions!!

Have not stayed at the Swan yet - yet another option!

(Hey, chell! Miss you & Angelrose)

Miss you too! I've also stayed at the Dolphin and loved it. That stay was several years ago and the Swan is just fresher on my mind.

When are you looking at going? Any time you can get in an extra day I say go for it.

Once you sleep in those beds you will be hooked too!!!

 

[Boatingmom]

I was there with a smelly room in April/May 2008. (I think they were trying to accomodate my brother's wishes at check in that we had rooms near each other) Needless to say, the room was damp and smelled. I could not have slept there. After about three minutes I told the kids to leave the bags alone we were moving. I went to the front desk and complained, nicely of course. Got another room with a balcony (I think it was an upgrade) and enjoyed our entire stay. Went back to Orlando in October to the SWAN, but used all the Dolphin facilities, shops, pool, restaurants,etc. If your room is not up to par, speak up and they appear to do everything to accomodate their guests. I'd definitely opt for the extra day even if the prices were the same. If you use a discount it's no where near the price of the BC.

 

[seidelhd]

The one consistent complaint I see on Trip Advisor concerns moldy, musty-smelling rooms at the Dolphin. Yet, I never see that complaint here on this thread, and it seems a lot of you visit frequently. .... So, has anyone here ever encountered that, and if so, what was done about it?

My wife and I stayed at the Dolphin for our Anniversary the very end of August. I requested a high-up room so we would have a good view. The room was almost at the top of the triangle, but it smelled horribly musty. My wife has asthma and I have allergies. I immediately went down to ask for another room. The next choice was an upgrade and very nice, but it was a connected room and the people next door were talking very loudly (and this was at 11pm that we checked in).

The third room had a view of the air conditioning units. Finally, the 4th room was perfect. A bit small but at the end of one of the hallways looking out towards the Boardwalk area with a fantastic, very private balcony.

We dealt with 2 different cast members at the front desk (due to shift change) and they were both very nice and very accommodating. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[Beccabunny]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. It's reassuring to know they will address concerns. We really do want to stay here, and I think we will if we can get a good rate.

 

[llqool]

We just came back from a stay at the Dolphin in September...I'm assuming it was a refurbished room since we had a fridge, etc.

We got a great govt rate, they gave me a free night b/c of my b-day *and* they upgraded us at check in!

Housekeeping was very responsive if we needed anything...brought us towels and coffee and anything else we needed very quickly (more quickly than most Disney resorts, even deluxe).

The only smell i found offensive was a strange/bad food smell in the central elevator area, esp down near the restaurants. It was there the whole time we were there, at all times of day. I don't know if their vents somehow leak out into that area or what, but it was *not* pleasant. However, the smell was not up on the floors of the hotel or near our room, so I was OK w/it.

 

[disney4us2002]

Can someone share their experiences with dining at Swan/Dolphin. Dh and I are headed there in March and I'm thinking Fresh for bkft definitely and we're looking at Il Mulino for dinner? Is that a good choice? We've dined at other Shula's so there is no real pull there for us. Any other suggestions are appreciated as well. This is our first trip without the kiddos since our honeymoon so we want to try all different restaurants that we know the kiddos would never try, lol.