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

[bluechic03]

I am 99% positive I am going to go with the Dolphin for a July trip. Unfortunately, I am not a teacher/gov/military so no discount for me. Does anyone know another way to get a discount or do you think there might be some for summer?

Also, since this will be the first time I will be at a resort that does not participate with Magical Express (and won't be renting a car) which is the best way to get from MCO to the Dolphin? Taxi? Limo? Which is the best way?

This thread is so informative. I truly had no idea that the Dolphin and Swan were so affordable. I really thought they would be priced same as the Disney EPCOT resorts.

Nicole

Hi there! I just wanted to tell you that I found my rate by searching my dates and choosing promotions/packages under the Special Rate ID...I checked for some July dates and found the best rate would be through AAA (assuming you have it....if you dont you should if you are staying there cuz you get 20% and most of the restaurants there too!) and i found a rate of 170.10 ($200 after alll fees/taxes)/night...although they tend to come out with specials I would book now and then see if you can find a better rate as your dates approach. I also know if you sign up for their newsletter they will send you stuff about rate packages...not to mention becoming a SPG if you arent already...

 

[NancyIL]

I am 99% positive I am going to go with the Dolphin for a July trip. Unfortunately, I am not a teacher/gov/military so no discount for me. Does anyone know another way to get a discount or do you think there might be some for summer?

Also, since this will be the first time I will be at a resort that does not participate with Magical Express (and won't be renting a car) which is the best way to get from MCO to the Dolphin? Taxi? Limo? Which is the best way?

This thread is so informative. I truly had no idea that the Dolphin and Swan were so affordable. I really thought they would be priced same as the Disney EPCOT resorts.

Nicole

For a family, I would rent a car from National or Alamo at the airport for drop-off at the Dolphin. Then do the reverse when it's time to go back to the airport.

Are you a nurse, AAA or AARP member, annual passholder, or Entertainment member? Any of those might help you get a lower room rate.

 

[nicole0992]

For a family, I would rent a car from National or Alamo at the airport for drop-off at the Dolphin. Then do the reverse when it's time to go back to the airport.

Are you a nurse, AAA or AARP member, annual passholder, or Entertainment member? Any of those might help you get a lower room rate.

This trip will just be me and my 9 year old daughter. I really do not want to have to drive this trip. I need to figure out my transportation from the airport to the Dolphin.

I am a AAA member and the Dolphin is coming up a bit cheaper than Swan. Is this usually the case?

Thanks again for your help. I really am getting about staying at the Dolphin!

 

[TaraPA]

nicole - I've often used the AAA rate, sometimes it's the lowest one out there (other than nurse/gov't). If you book it & a lower rate comes out they will refund you the difference if you email or call them about it. I've done that before.

We've always either hired a town car (about $125 + tip round trip) or taken a taxi to/from S/D. Last year a taxi was $65 one way, so about the same as a town car.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I meant the discount WDW park tickets you can get for being a conference attendee. I did find the info, there is a link to discount conference tickets directly from WDW in DH's company info & conference registration. There are "after 2pm" tickets, "after 4pm" tickets and whole day tickets for the attendee & family. (Not sure on the exact times, might be after 5pm or after 6pm). There's not a huge savings, but they are a few dollars cheaper than even the Mousesavers discount through Undercover Tourist.

How interesting! I did not receive any special link for WDW tickets for my conference - at least not yet. But I am most likely going to be at Disney enough next year that an AP ticket will be worth it. But I've got time!

 

[chell]

Last night we were talking about checking into the Swan and the walk to the elevators. My husband was shocked that I knew the turns from the front door to check-in to the elevators. He thinks I'm the only one who knows this. I told him the DIS is full of us!

We went to bed at 10 last night and at midnight we were still talking about the trip. We can't wait to get into that bed at the Swan. Of course we are looking forward to everything else too.

 

[Mouseteacher]

chell, I, too, can do the same walk.... from the east wing to the elevator to the JavaBar for morning coffee and pastries or to the bus stop at the front entrance. I can close my eyes and "see" the sights and smells of the Swan lobby.

Have a great trip and don't forget to report here!

 

[chell]

Thank you! Now I can show him I'm not the only one. I hope we can go to sleep at a decent time tonight. Last night we were still chatting away at midnight again. We better get some sleep tonight because we plan on going to the Studios tomorrow and they are open until 3 AM with the EMH. I've got to work until Noon then we are off to the airport.

My husband doesn't know this (he doesn't read here either) but I ordered some of the chocolates to be in the room when we arrive. I got him the 12 piece box so he can have some for a few days. He's going to love them! He loves chocolate. I can't wait to see the look on his face!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Have a great trip, Michelle.

 

[Zuzu03]

Have a safe and wonderful trip, Michelle! I know exactly what you mean about knowing your way around so well and all that. My husband thinks I'm crazy, he hasn't stayed there yet. He will next July and I hope he loves those beds as much as the rest of us do! Have fun!!!

 

[airhead]

Have a blast!!!!

 

[chell]

Thanks everyone!

 

[nicole0992]

I tried to search the thread but it's not working for me. Does the Swan/Dolphin have refillable mugs like the Disney resorts?

Thanks for answering yet another question of mine

 

[Mouseteacher]

I have not used the refillable mug option but I do believe other posters have confirmed that the refillable mugs are at Picabu in the Dolphin.

 

[ImprovGal]

I have not used the refillable mug option but I do believe other posters have confirmed that the refillable mugs are at Picabu in the Dolphin.

The mugs themselves are sold at Picabu, but they can be refilled at ANY restaurant in the Swan/Dolphin, including Kimonos, Il Mulino, and bluezoo.

 

[teacher31]

I saw on page 1 that it is possible to have your luggage transferred from the Dolphin to a Disney resort. I was wondering if anyone has had success going from a Disney resort TO the Dolphin? Doing a split stay at POR and the Dolphin in May. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!

 

[Sam345]

I saw on page 1 that it is possible to have your luggage transferred from the Dolphin to a Disney resort. I was wondering if anyone has had success going from a Disney resort TO the Dolphin? Doing a split stay at POR and the Dolphin in May. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year!!

Yes... in July I did a split stay at Pop/Swan and Pop transferred my luggage, no problems.

I'm doing a split stay Jan. 11-18 at BCV/Swan so this time I can just walk my luggage over

 

[polynor]

Has anyone booked this type of room? I searched this thread and also their website but cannot find the information if it is breakfast for your entire stay or just ONE breakfast included? Any info. would be greatly appreciated. I am thinking of staying at either Swan or Dolphin in June. I cannot decide which one to choose.

Thanks for your help!
Nicole

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. Still considering changing our ressies to the Swan... (I know it's a little late to change but )

Bumping this question back up -- I'd like to know as well. We're going at the end of June and I was surfing the westin site and found an INCREDIBLE AAA breakfast rate that I'm worried it's too good to be true -- I went ahead and booked it even though we aren't solid on our dates yet. Has anyone gone yet on this rate?

 

[teacher31]

Yes... in July I did a split stay at Pop/Swan and Pop transferred my luggage, no problems.

I'm doing a split stay Jan. 11-18 at BCV/Swan so this time I can just walk my luggage over

Great! Sounding stupid here, but how does it work? Do I take it to the lobby or leave it in my room? What time do you think it would be delivered? We are driving so we could do it ourselves, but I hate to leave luggage in the car while we are at a park touring and don't want to try to check in at the Dolphin before rope drop. Thanks for any details.

 

[Sam345]

Great! Sounding stupid here, but how does it work? Do I take it to the lobby or leave it in my room? What time do you think it would be delivered? We are driving so we could do it ourselves, but I hate to leave luggage in the car while we are at a park touring and don't want to try to check in at the Dolphin before rope drop. Thanks for any details.

Not stupid at all - I had no idea what to do. I called Luggage Services at Pop the night before and asked what to do. They said to call in the morning and let them know where to take the luggage, and to just leave the luggage in our room. I did that and also left a little note with a tip saying something like "Please transfer to Swan" because I was paranoid. We spent the whole day at the parks and got to the Swan around 3pm, and our bags arrived shortly after that. No problems!