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

[nicole0992]

I have found that their rates for the week I am thinking of in July is only $130/night. It beats the AAA rate by $400 for the same week. I have never used either of these sites but wondered if anyone else had booked the hotels not directly with S/D??

Thanks for helping me with yet another question...
Nicole

 

[tzolkin]

Is this the first they have offered the nurses' rate or is this a regular discount they do? I had never really looked into the Dolphin before because it's "not a Disney resort", so I haven't followed the discounts they've offered the past few years.

(I know there are websites for the history of Disney Resort discounts, but I don't know if any include the Swan/Dolphin)


We said we were not going to do a Disney trip this year, but....

 

[ugadog99]

Does anyone have a picutre of the refillable mug?

 

[NancyIL]

Is this the first they have offered the nurses' rate or is this a regular discount they do? I had never really looked into the Dolphin before because it's "not a Disney resort", so I haven't followed the discounts they've offered the past few years.

(I know there are websites for the history of Disney Resort discounts, but I don't know if any include the Swan/Dolphin)


We said we were not going to do a Disney trip this year, but....

There has been a nurse's discount since 2001. It might not be available for all travel dates, but it isn't new.

 

[hookedup]

Hello - It has been a long time since I have posted - we are planning our first trip back to WDW since 2006! I have booked 10 nights at the Dolphin this summer. I have been trying to catch up on this thread and understand any changes or updates that have taken place since our last visit.

My biggest question is about the fridge situation. Is it still a mini bar or is there an empty mini fridge in the Dolphin rooms?
I read on all-ears that it still listed mini bars with the $20 charge to clear them - but on this thread I am seeing posts about fridges so I am confused.

Also, do the king bed rooms at the Dolphin ALL have sofa beds or only some of them? I don't want to have to pay $25 per night for a rollaway!!

Also any other tips anyone is will to share that has recently visited - esp about a long stay there such as ours?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[tzolkin]

There has been a nurse's discount since 2001. It might not be available for all travel dates, but it isn't new.

Okay. I guess DH is right and we should wait until next year if it's something they offer regularly.

Can you book more than one room with the discount? (I would assume you would need to have one nurse per room, but maybe not.)

 

[momx2]

Hello - It has been a long time since I have posted - we are planning our first trip back to WDW since 2006! I have booked 10 nights at the Dolphin this summer. I have been trying to catch up on this thread and understand any changes or updates that have taken place since our last visit.

My biggest question is about the fridge situation. Is it still a mini bar or is there an empty mini fridge in the Dolphin rooms?
I read on all-ears that it still listed mini bars with the $20 charge to clear them - but on this thread I am seeing posts about fridges so I am confused.

Also, do the king bed rooms at the Dolphin ALL have sofa beds or only some of them? I don't want to have to pay $25 per night for a rollaway!!

Also any other tips anyone is will to share that has recently visited - esp about a long stay there such as ours?

Thanks so much!!!

Just got back from a 6 night stay at the Dolphin. I can't answer your question regarding the king bed situation, but I can the fridge. Yes, you have your own fridge in the room. It is a small square fridge. There is only room for (1) 1/2 gallon of milk or juice or whatever. We bought a 1/2 gallon of milk and a quart of soy milk for our youngest DD. DH and I were very glad we didn't buy a 1/2 gallon of soy, like we normally do because it would not have fit in the fridge with the 1/2 gal. milk. Other than that it worked perfect. We kept lots of drinks and sandwich meats in there.

Tips...be sure to ask for the AAA discount (if you have AAA) at all the resturarants (excluding bluezoo, shulas and Il Mulan). You will receive a 20% discount on your food. Another...do NOT eat the seafood buffet at Garden Grove. It was YUCK!!!! I probably will never even try their other offerings there because it was so bad. Also, eat at Cabanas for dinner. It was good food (pool food) and a lovely way to spend your evening. By the pool and relaxing and the kids could eat and then go jump in the pool! Have fun!!

 

[bouldertcr]

I have found that their rates for the week I am thinking of in July is only $130/night. It beats the AAA rate by $400 for the same week. I have never used either of these sites but wondered if anyone else had booked the hotels not directly with S/D??

Thanks for helping me with yet another question...
Nicole

Anyone? I'd like to know too!

Thank you!

 

[awaldo]

Okay. I guess DH is right and we should wait until next year if it's something they offer regularly.

Can you book more than one room with the discount? (I would assume you would need to have one nurse per room, but maybe not.)

Can't speak for certain about the nurse's rate, but I would guess it is the same as the Teacher's rate, and we were told we could book 2 rooms per "Teacher"...so I would assume 2 rooms per nurse as well. A great selling point for S/D as far as I am concerned!

 

[santa's surpriz]

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

Nicole, I called today regarding the teacher and support staff rate. I am glad did! As a school volunteer, I can present my volunteer id badge and a letter from my daughter's school that I am an active volunteer to receive the discount. He also confirmed this a front desk manager.

 

[nicole0992]

Anyone? I'd like to know too!

Thank you!

I went ahead and booked my trip at the Swan for 7/14/10-7/21/10 via Lastminutetravel.com. The rate for 7 nights was $1,055.00. The rate on the Swan website even with my AAA was over $400 more! I really researched and feel confident booking with them. The customer service rep. I spoke to reassured me.

The rate for the Dolphin was the exact same. Also, 1800hotels.com have the same rates available. I can only go in July so I just checked the weeks I wanted.

I am just thrilled to have this awesome rate and my trip finally booked. Now I can relax about the hotel and start planning my days and dining! I am so excited!!!!

 

[tzolkin]

Can't speak for certain about the nurse's rate, but I would guess it is the same as the Teacher's rate, and we were told we could book 2 rooms per "Teacher"...so I would assume 2 rooms per nurse as well. A great selling point for S/D as far as I am concerned!

That would be great!

We want my parents to join us on our next trip, so we would want to book two rooms at the Dophin. They want to do the dining plan (we don't), but maybe they'll go without if we can get a discount on their room as well.

 

[diskids2]

Can't speak for certain about the nurse's rate, but I would guess it is the same as the Teacher's rate, and we were told we could book 2 rooms per "Teacher"...so I would assume 2 rooms per nurse as well. A great selling point for S/D as far as I am concerned!

I was able to book two rooms at the government rate as well for July. We have stayed at the Dolphin a few times and it is a GREAT hotel. We love it! A deluxe feel for a less price. Taking a boat or walking to both Epcot and DHS is fantasmic and the transporation to AK and MK is not bad either by bus. The pool is wonderful, the waterfall so much fun. The slide is also nice (not blizzard beach type at all, but still nice).

 

[diskids2]

Just got back from a 6 night stay at the Dolphin. I can't answer your question regarding the king bed situation, but I can the fridge. Yes, you have your own fridge in the room. It is a small square fridge. There is only room for (1) 1/2 gallon of milk or juice or whatever. We bought a 1/2 gallon of milk and a quart of soy milk for our youngest DD. DH and I were very glad we didn't buy a 1/2 gallon of soy, like we normally do because it would not have fit in the fridge with the 1/2 gal. milk. Other than that it worked perfect. We kept lots of drinks and sandwich meats in there.

Tips...be sure to ask for the AAA discount (if you have AAA) at all the resturarants (excluding bluezoo, shulas and Il Mulan). You will receive a 20% discount on your food. Another...do NOT eat the seafood buffet at Garden Grove. It was YUCK!!!! I probably will never even try their other offerings there because it was so bad. Also, eat at Cabanas for dinner. It was good food (pool food) and a lovely way to spend your evening. By the pool and relaxing and the kids could eat and then go jump in the pool! Have fun!!

Just some clarification on the refrigerator....the last time we stayed there I think it was still a mini bar.....you mentioned the milk, but how many waters or soda cans do you think can fit in the refrig? Is it as big as the refrigerators at CBR?

 

[jessandtwo]

Has anyone brought their child's report card for the Straight A club? I think my boys would really enjoy the free ice cream.


From the swan/dolphin site

The “Straight A Club” recognizes the importance of hard work in school by giving special attention to kids with straight A’s on their report card. By showing a report card with all A’s at check-in, each student receives a “Straight A Club” cap. Kids wearing the cap are entitled to a free cup or cone of ice cream at the hotel’s ice cream parlor. In the restaurants, parents receive a 20% discount off the child’s meal.

 

[jessandtwo]

Where is the refrigerator located in the Swan rooms? It's a normal mini fridge now, correct?

 

[ozziewags]

Just some clarification on the refrigerator....the last time we stayed there I think it was still a mini bar.....you mentioned the milk, but how many waters or soda cans do you think can fit in the refrig? Is it as big as the refrigerators at CBR?

We stayed at the Dolphin in June and it was not a mini bar, but an empty fridge. I think the whole hotel has room fridges now. It is a small cube but will hold several cans and bottles of water.

 

[NancyIL]

Where is the refrigerator located in the Swan rooms? It's a normal mini fridge now, correct?

The refrigerators are behind one of the cabinet doors in the long dresser/desk (or whatever it's called). Yes - it's a normal mini-fridge.

 

[TinkOhio]

Has anyone brought their child's report card for the Straight A club? I think my boys would really enjoy the free ice cream.


From the swan/dolphin site

The “Straight A Club” recognizes the importance of hard work in school by giving special attention to kids with straight A’s on their report card. By showing a report card with all A’s at check-in, each student receives a “Straight A Club” cap. Kids wearing the cap are entitled to a free cup or cone of ice cream at the hotel’s ice cream parlor. In the restaurants, parents receive a 20% discount off the child’s meal.

My children have the hats. The last time we did this, DD was about 9 and the hats they had were pretty small. It just barely fit her head, and it was dusty! They gave out royal blue baseball caps with the S/D logo in white on the front. The employee we first talked to didn't know about the program and had to ask for help. No mention about the icecream or the discount was ever made. We still have the hats --they're good for a giggle!

 

[peanutgirl]

My daughter brought her report card 2 weeks ago. They gave her a cap but they do not do the icecream anymore, they gave us a 15 dollar credit to the room that my daughter spent in the gift shop. It was not a bad perk for just showing her report card.