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

[Dan Murphy]

I usually do DTD by car, but have done it by bus. It is maybe a 20 minute bus ride (I think I recall stopping at a water park on the way). But, I would give yourself maybe 45 minutes, to be on safe side, in case you just missed previous bus.

 

[MyTalula]

Thanks Dan!

 

[airhead]

I know this is a "resort" board but I have a restaurant question about the Dolphin's Fresh,also I know I will get my answer here faster!
Do I need to make a reservation online through Disney's site? I don't ever remember making a reservation for this place for breakfast.

Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

Happy New Year, everyone! For some reason, my email notification has not been working and I haven't had a chance to stop by!

Just booked for a FIVE-PEAT to the Dolphin this June!
I was ok with skipping this year, but DH started to get melancholy that this is the last summer before "college planning" for DD, so he wants to take her to Disney one more time as a "true kid". Such a softie...

So - we are heading back to our wonderful Dolphin...
I am making a pledge right now that we PACK LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yeah right...) BUt I'm going to try SO HARD this year...

JetBlue had great flights $89 one way - that was the best we've seen in a long time.

I just read a post on another thread that says the pool complex closes down at 9pm. Is this right? even in summer?
Thanks

Covered seating areas are awesome in the heat of the summer.

A few years ago, there were many people in the pool later on (11 or thereabouts), however no lifeguards. But they didn't kick you out either. I don't know if they enforce the hours more strictly now or not.

We go in the summer and spend time in the pool way after 9pm and we have never been asked to leave.
Boy,seeing these pictures has really made me anxious for my trip!!!!
Thanks Dan!

. 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!!

The front desk rep told us that the lifeguards leave at the posted time and it is "swim at your own risk". Towels, etc are not available after the posted time, but it seemed that as long as you were not disrespectful to the time (remembering there are people who have rooms on the first floor) and kept the noise down, you would be permitted to use the pools.

Our only disappointed was this past June, when a conference had the entire Cabana Bar area reserved for a cocktail party/meeting. We had planned on having an evening meal at the Cabana Bar and a quick dip in the pool.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know this is a "resort" board but I have a restaurant question about the Dolphin's Fresh,also I know I will get my answer here faster!
Do I need to make a reservation online through Disney's site? I don't ever remember making a reservation for this place for breakfast.

Thanks!

Hi CJ.

I don't think Fresh even takes reservations. I have eaten there a number of times, breakfast only, and just walked in, never a wait. Great food too. Make sure to use your AAA card if you have one.

 

[SingingMom]

Hi CJ.

I don't think Fresh even takes reservations. I have eaten there a number of times, breakfast only, and just walked in, never a wait. Great food too. Make sure to use your AAA card if you have one.

I don't think you can make "advance reservations" but we have needed reservations on that day. Have waited for breakfast and were turned away once for lunch, so if you want to eat there, call ahead that day to pick a time, just in case...

 

[allicat1214]

Hello all...

I am soooo glad to be back on these boards planning another family trip to the World!!

I need some help in figuring out the best use of our starwood points..... We have a short window of availability: 5/31 - 6/4, four nights and I have a balance of 30,000+ points which would give me 3 free nights. The last night that we're going to be there offers cash and points, (bummer I wish it would start a little earlier but unfortunately other commitments prevent us from starting that day.)

I can also get the govt discount rate as my DH is a federal employee.

So, I'm thinking of using the govt rate of $149 for a standard room, which comes to $178 with resort fee & taxes for one night; using 20,000 points for two free nights, + $58 fees/taxes; and cash & points for the last night. So I'm thinking it will cost

24,000 points and $324 + $50 in parking = $374 or $93.5/night . Not bad at all!!

That would still leave me with 6,000 points to use for upgrades, if needed.

OR should I use all my points and get three free nights, along with the one night at the govt rate which would cost:

30,000 points and $178 + $84 (3days of resortfees & taxes) + 50 in parking costs = $312 or $78/night!

I am hoping to get an upgrade to an epcot view room. I am a repeat guest, as well as spg member.... do I need to use points for an upgrade or do I get one automatically???

I can't remember now how things worked the last time we stayed there (it was four years ago!!). One time we did have an epcot balcony and the second time was a view of HS w/o a balcony.

Your expertise is most appreciated!!

Regardless of $312 or $378 that price is pretty cool to me!! Plus if I get four adult 4 day park hopper passes (we're leaving early Friday for Kennedy Space center and not doing the parks) at a discount I priced at $1200. So that would be $1600 for a family of four for parks and hotel. We're not into the DDP, so this seems like a good deal to me!

I did get an email with a code and pin, but for a comparable price we'd have to stay at a value resort and I much prefer the dolphin's location and amenities!

 

[mapmakerj]

Ok, I am now ready to eat my previous words. We stayed at the Swan in June 09 and I was a bit disappointed. Things were not up to what I expected and I had just given up AKL CL to save a ton of money on this trip. I loved the location, the hotel was very pretty, food options were good, the beds were ok (I didn't think they were heavenly, but they were fine) and my DS loved the pool. I fell in love with the EPCOT resort area and said that my next stay would be in that area, just not at the Swan/Dolphin. Well, we started to price things out and I cannot seem to justify the cost difference btw the S/D and the Disney owned hotels in that area, especially since DH is eligible for the gov. rate. I think we are going to give it another shot, this time at the Dolphin. I think the reason the Dolphin would be better as I hated trucking over there from the Swan every time we wanted a quick bite to eat, to get a drink at the Cabana or, the worst, having to haul the laundry all the way over there. I know the beds are smaller but are the rooms otherwise pretty much the same? I am getting antsy to get my reservations made, but since we are going June 11' I know I still have a bit to wait. Anyone know how far in advance they generally release the Govt. discounts? Thanks for your help. (FYI: I am also going to get to finally stay AKL CL for a few nights on this trip too!)

 

[allicat1214]

Ok, I am now ready to eat my previous words. We stayed at the Swan in June 09 and I was a bit disappointed. Things were not up to what I expected and I had just given up AKL CL to save a ton of money on this trip. I loved the location, the hotel was very pretty, food options were good, the beds were ok (I didn't think they were heavenly, but they were fine) and my DS loved the pool. I fell in love with the EPCOT resort area and said that my next stay would be in that area, just not at the Swan/Dolphin. Well, we started to price things out and I cannot seem to justify the cost difference btw the S/D and the Disney owned hotels in that area, especially since DH is eligible for the gov. rate. I think we are going to give it another shot, this time at the Dolphin. I think the reason the Dolphin would be better as I hated trucking over there from the Swan every time we wanted a quick bite to eat, to get a drink at the Cabana or, the worst, having to haul the laundry all the way over there. I know the beds are smaller but are the rooms otherwise pretty much the same? I am getting antsy to get my reservations made, but since we are going June 11' I know I still have a bit to wait. Anyone know how far in advance they generally release the Govt. discounts? Thanks for your help. (FYI: I am also going to get to finally stay AKL CL for a few nights on this trip too!)

I don't know how far in advance they release govt rate, but since you are so far out I would encourage you to join starwood preferred guest program and get a starwood amex card. Not advocating for you to charge your way into debt, but if you already have a credit card why not charge everyday items like groceries and gas and pay off every month. In the meantime, you rack up points big time. If your dates are somewhat flexible, you can use points & cash which would only be 4000 points and $60/night!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Does anyone know if they have a convention going on after Thanksgiving? I'm trying to look for rates for a week stay at the Swan or Dolphin but first choice Swan Nov 27 - Dec 5 but giving no rooms.

 

[TaraPA]

Does anyone know if they have a convention going on after Thanksgiving? I'm trying to look for rates for a week stay at the Swan or Dolphin but first choice Swan Nov 27 - Dec 5 but giving no rooms.

Swan & Dolphin are convention resorts, so there are pretty much conventions there 365 days a year. I had difficultY booking that same time frame in 2007 and 2008, but eventually the days did open up. Keep trying!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Swan & Dolphin are convention resorts, so there are pretty much conventions there 365 days a year. I had difficultY booking that same time frame in 2007 and 2008, but eventually the days did open up. Keep trying!

Thanks, I'll keep trying. When you went that timeframe was it good time...that time frame will be our first time. I want to see the Christmas decoration and go to a Christmas party. We had reservation last year but had to cancel.

 

[TaraPA]

That is our favorite week to go - we went the 1st week of Dec. in '06, '07 and '08. Everything is decked out for the holidays -and the tree in the lobby of The Dolphin is the most impressive in all of WDW (in my opinion!) Each year got progressively a little more crowded than the previous year, but still very manageable. There's nothing like WDW all dressed up for the holidays - it's simply spectacular! I'm nervous that I will miss the decorations on our trip next month.

Keep checking for availability for your dates, I'm sure something will open up. A lot of companies book entire blocks of rooms for their conventions but end up not needing them all. They release them back to the general public - then your dates might become available!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

That is our favorite week to go - we went the 1st week of Dec. in '06, '07 and '08. Everything is decked out for the holidays -and the tree in the lobby of The Dolphin is the most impressive in all of WDW (in my opinion!) Each year got progressively a little more crowded than the previous year, but still very manageable. There's nothing like WDW all dressed up for the holidays - it's simply spectacular! I'm nervous that I will miss the decorations on our trip next month.

Keep checking for availability for your dates, I'm sure something will open up. A lot of companies book entire blocks of rooms for their conventions but end up not needing them all. They release them back to the general public - then your dates might become available!

Thank you, I'm crossing my fingers that they just block out the rooms for the convention and would release it back to the public and hoping that alot of companies are not paying to many business trips anymore b/c of cutbacks.

Anyway, my husband just booked a Mother's day vacation and we are Staying at the SWAN!!! 2 years ago he was trying to book a trip to stay at the Swan but they were booked so we Settled (yes settled) for the AKL and the first night we missed the heavenly beds and Location. 2 days we had bus problems (waited 45 mins for a bus to MK when 3 bus came and went to Epcot, 4 bus to HS and 3 to AK). We can't wait to go back to Swan. When we stayed at the Swan we never had a bus problem or even had to stand on the bus like we did when we stayed at GF or AKL. Great location and best resort for room service...hopefully it lives to our expectation on our May trip but I'm sure it will. Love the smell when you walk in the lobby.

 

[packofjedis]

We have always stayed at Disney owned resorts, but with no PIN coming our way this year and the excellent govt rates at the Swan, we booked there for our stay in November. I am actually SO excited about it. I think we're going to love the EPCOT resort area and having access to so many restaurants and things to do.

I did as suggested here become a Starwood Preferred Guest and put in my number when I booked the hotel. I've seen people here say that you show your card when you check in and sometimes get an upgrade. Starwood Preferred said I would receive my card after my first stay. So do I just tell them I'm a member and give them my number? Do you have to ask for an upgrade or do they just give it to you if it's available and you're a Preferred Member?

Thanks for helping me understand this.

 

[SingingMom]

. I think we are going to give it another shot, this time at the Dolphin. I think the reason the Dolphin would be better as I hated trucking over there from the Swan every time we wanted a quick bite to eat, to get a drink at the Cabana or, the worst, having to haul the laundry all the way over there. I know the beds are smaller but are the rooms otherwise pretty much the same? I am getting antsy to get my reservations made, but since we are going June 11' I know I still have a bit to wait. Anyone know how far in advance they generally release the Govt. discounts? Thanks for your help. (FYI: I am also going to get to finally stay AKL CL for a few nights on this trip too!)

We ADORE the Dolphin - I think you will enjoy being smack in the middle of things, instead of at the Swan, if as you say, you used most of the facilities. Don't worry about the beds being smaller - we have a queen at home and honestly, it isn't THAT much smaller. It is larger than a regular "double". If you are really concerned about that - book a King and get a rollaway for your child? Just an option to think about.
Good luck!

 

[TaraPA]

We have always stayed at Disney owned resorts, but with no PIN coming our way this year and the excellent govt rates at the Swan, we booked there for our stay in November. I am actually SO excited about it. I think we're going to love the EPCOT resort area and having access to so many restaurants and things to do.

I did as suggested here become a Starwood Preferred Guest and put in my number when I booked the hotel. I've seen people here say that you show your card when you check in and sometimes get an upgrade. Starwood Preferred said I would receive my card after my first stay. So do I just tell them I'm a member and give them my number? Do you have to ask for an upgrade or do they just give it to you if it's available and you're a Preferred Member?

Thanks for helping me understand this.

If you have your Starwood Preferred number on your ressie there's no need to show or request anything at check-in. They will see you're a Starwood member & give you impeccable service. You will automatically get an upgrade IF there is one available. Because these hotels are often full to capacity, there may not be a better room available for your dates. It never hurts to ask politely upon check-in, maybe something like "are there any upgraded rooms available for Starwood members?" Just don't go in expecting anything, and you'll be pleasantly surprised if you do get one. We've only had 2 free room upgrades, even as Starwood Gold members. Starwood Platinum might be a differnent story, they may have guaranteed upgrades at that level. Hoping to get to that level in 2010!!

One thing we love about S/D is that they really treat their guests, especially Starwood members, like royalty.

 

[paras4ri]

Does anyone know if they have a convention going on after Thanksgiving? I'm trying to look for rates for a week stay at the Swan or Dolphin but first choice Swan Nov 27 - Dec 5 but giving no rooms.

Major League Baseball Winter Meetings are Dec 4 - 7 and I believe they're at the Dolphin. That would definately book up rooms in both hotels.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Major League Baseball Winter Meetings are Dec 4 - 7 and I believe they're at the Dolphin. That would definately book up rooms in both hotels.

Thanks for the information but when I use the date Dec 3-Dec 11th I was able to get rates. I was trying to arrive after Thanksgiving and stay a week but when I try to arrive the date before Thanksgiving I'm able to get a room its the date of Nov 26, 27 and 28 start date that would not give me a rate. I was hoping to do the family obligation of Thanksgiving and then head to Disney for a week.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Now I'm trying the day before Thanksgiving and its not giving anymore rooms. Does the Swan or Dolphin get sold out this early for Thanksgiving weekend?