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

[Dan Murphy]

I also, would say the breakfast is daily, for length of stay. To be sure though, I would call.

 

[si-am]

Hello, I have a question about parking at the Swan/Dolphin. Is the $10 parking fee per car? So if we have two cars, it will be $20 per day?

 

[SingingMom]

Hello, I have a question about parking at the Swan/Dolphin. Is the $10 parking fee per car? So if we have two cars, it will be $20 per day?

I believe it is per car.

 

[snels]

Thanks Singing Mom and Dan Murphy for your help. If the rate goes down, we may try the AAA breakfast rate.

snels

 

[si-am]

I believe it is per car.

Thanks!

When you add in resort fee, parking fee, extra adult fee, I don't think the Swan is really worth it. The rates look great until you add that stuff in!

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks!

When you add in resort fee, parking fee, extra adult fee, I don't think the Swan is really worth it. The rates look great until you add that stuff in!

But what are you comparing it to? The Swan & the Dolphin properties really are "deluxe" accomodations- so you have to keep that in mind.

As much as the moderates like Port Orleans, etc, are very nice, they are not the caliber of the Swan & Dolphin. Of course, this is all PERSONAL PREFERENCE. Everyone has to do what is right for their own family.

 

[dragitoff]

My family is going on a business trip with me this October and it looks like we're probably staying either the Dolphin or Swan. My biggest question is whether or not the Illuminations View rooms at Dolphin are worth the upcharge. We really like the location and convenience of both these resorts (being within walking distance to Epcot and the Boardwalk). Keeping the nightly rate around $300, what's the best room (going in mid-October). I'm a Mousesavers subscriber so I'll be watching for discounts between now and when I book.

 

[airhead]

What happens??? No more special Teachers' rate??? That would be so sad!

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks!

When you add in resort fee, parking fee, extra adult fee, I don't think the Swan is really worth it. The rates look great until you add that stuff in!

You will pay an extra adult fee at any WDW resort. If you plan to use the internet at a WDW resort, you will be charged a fee - which is included in the Swan/Dolphin's resort fee.

I LOVE the Swan/Dolphin's Heavenly beds and the great location. I did a split stay between AKL and WL in December, and both were very nice resorts. But I really missed being able to walk "home" after an evening at Epcot or Hollywood Studios.

 

[NancyIL]

Is it worth it to sign up for the Starwood Prefered Guest program even if you don't think you'll earn any points?

I looked at the website and it seems like they offer specials, but are they the same specials you would receive for signing up to be on the email list from the Swan/Dolphin website? Just wondering if there's any benefit other than earning points.

We honestly really don't go anywhere, so I don't forsee me earning enough points for free nights and I already use the Disney Visa to earn rewards dollars, so I don't think I would use their credit card to earn points either.

We have the Starwod AMEX card and I also have a Disney Visa. Starwood points earned for hotel stays or credit card purchases can be used for free hotel nights, or they can be transferred to airline frequent-flyer programs. I have transferred many SPG points to my American Airlines AAdvantage account, and you get 5,000 bonus miles for every 20,000 SPG points transferred.

Right now there is a promotion to earn up to quadruple SPG points, depending on the length of your stay: http://www.spgpromos.com/morerewards/index.cfm?IM=spg_hp_prim_Q1GLOBAL_GOLD_EN_40

 

[Mouseteacher]

My family is going on a business trip with me this October and it looks like we're probably staying either the Dolphin or Swan. My biggest question is whether or not the Illuminations View rooms at Dolphin are worth the upcharge. We really like the location and convenience of both these resorts (being within walking distance to Epcot and the Boardwalk). Keeping the nightly rate around $300, what's the best room (going in mid-October). I'm a Mousesavers subscriber so I'll be watching for discounts between now and when I book.

We had an Illuminations view balcony room at the Dolphin on one of our stays. It was the far east wing closest to the YC - 8th floor. The view of Illuminations was the high ones only. However, the overall view was absolutely beautiful. Our room was dead center view of Spaceship Earth and a panoramic view of the whole Epcot resort area.

I am more partial to the Swan but I must say that room was my favorite. I have a photo taken from the balcony as my desktop photo. It brings me back to our fav resorts each time I log on to my computer.

 

[Zuzu03]

What happens??? No more special Teachers' rate??? That would be so sad!

Wait, what?

 

[dragitoff]

We had an Illuminations view balcony room at the Dolphin on one of our stays. It was the far east wing closest to the YC - 8th floor. The view of Illuminations was the high ones only. However, the overall view was absolutely beautiful. Our room was dead center view of Spaceship Earth and a panoramic view of the whole Epcot resort area.

I am more partial to the Swan but I must say that room was my favorite. I have a photo taken from the balcony as my desktop photo. It brings me back to our fav resorts each time I log on to my computer.

Any chance you'd post that pic? I'm really leaning towards getting this room. Neither of those hotels are one of the host hotels for my convention (no Disney property or property near Disney is), but if the rates are comparable to the convention hotels, we'll stay there. Based on current discount site's prices, I think we'd be in line with about $300 per night which would allow us to get one of the Illumination view rooms.

 

[momof3lovebugs]

first THANKS for all the pics and info on this thread!!!
wow, this is making my decision life so much harder!!! I was all set to book a mod resort b/c we can't afford to get a dlx w/o a pin but then stumbled upon the teacher rate....149.00/nt in Oct. seems so good! Now we'd have to add the 10 resort fee nonsense and the parkg fee b/c we will likely get a rental but those beds sound so awesome!
Are the resorts really walking distance for children to go to Epcot and Studios? Ours will be 10 and 7 in Oct. I would hate to hear any whining b/c of long walks, kwim? Takes a little wind out of the magical disney sails.....
And AAA gives 20% off at some of the dining places here? Is that correct? That would make life much nicer too. Is there a cafeteria style restaurant like at the mod resorts that allows you to pick what you'd like and take it back to a table? we are not big sit down restaurant types.
The lack of theme park charging privileges is not a deal breaker for me as the big thing would be shipping things back to our room, which is offered right?

So tell me, is it really coming down to preference? I mean are the mod resorts (specifically CBR) not anywhere close to this place in terms of location and amenities and if we are spending the majority of our time at the parks, is it worth it? If we end up w/one of those pin codes it will be 43.00-50.00/night price difference-over a 10-12 night stay, that does add up.
One last one (for now ) if I book S/D for October and we get a pin code sent to us are we able to xc l& rebook w/pin code for a moderate?
Thanks in advance for any replies. I am THE vacation planner in our house and every time I plan I have this fear that no one will have a good time if I get it wrong. But then again, it's WDW, how can that be bad no matter where we stay, right?

 

[disneymum2201]

What happens??? No more special Teachers' rate??? That would be so sad!

If you are over 50 you can join aarp and get the seniors discount

 

[Mouseteacher]

Any chance you'd post that pic? I'm really leaning towards getting this room. Neither of those hotels are one of the host hotels for my convention (no Disney property or property near Disney is), but if the rates are comparable to the convention hotels, we'll stay there. Based on current discount site's prices, I think we'd be in line with about $300 per night which would allow us to get one of the Illumination view rooms.

 

[dragitoff]

Nice! I'm stuck now on whether to stay at the Dolphin or Swan or get a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge (unless I catch a great deal sometime during the year on a Savannah View Room). UGH! Decisions, decisions, decisions. I guess it's a good problem to have.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Nice! I'm stuck now on whether to stay at the Dolphin or Swan or get a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge (unless I catch a great deal sometime during the year on a Savannah View Room). UGH! Decisions, decisions, decisions. I guess it's a good problem to have.

We stayed at The Swan and AKL (Savannah View)...we love The Swan better. The Swan had bette beds (after 1 night stay at AKL my husband called The Swan/Dolphin to switch but they were booked for that week...my husband said next time we go to Disney its either the monorail resort or The Swan). The Swan has better location (being so close to Epcot has a perk...you can that a boat ride to more different restuarants.) The Swan had better service. We liked staying at the Savannah view and glad we did stay there but it was too far for us to get to other parks. We had a preschooler that still took mid-day naps and after the naps we just stayed in the resort instead of going back to the parks b/c of the buses. I know alot of people say they love the buses b/c it did not share with other resort but when we went to MK 2 days we had to wait for 45min for a bus and it was a mob seen to get on the bus. DTD we were waiting for 45 mins until my son got too tired waiting so we went back inside and went to the pool instead. Then the bus to Epoct was long wait too and walking back to the bus stop to get back to the resort was a long walk...I feel like I could have walked to The Swan and be in our room already. This was our experience at AKL so for our family (even my DS) wants to stay at the Swan b/c of the location, bed and better service (great room service too)...room always done by 11 a.m.

 

[allicat1214]

first THANKS for all the pics and info on this thread!!!
wow, this is making my decision life so much harder!!! I was all set to book a mod resort b/c we can't afford to get a dlx w/o a pin but then stumbled upon the teacher rate....149.00/nt in Oct. seems so good! Now we'd have to add the 10 resort fee nonsense and the parkg fee b/c we will likely get a rental but those beds sound so awesome!
Are the resorts really walking distance for children to go to Epcot and Studios? Ours will be 10 and 7 in Oct. I would hate to hear any whining b/c of long walks, kwim? Takes a little wind out of the magical disney sails.....
And AAA gives 20% off at some of the dining places here? Is that correct? That would make life much nicer too. Is there a cafeteria style restaurant like at the mod resorts that allows you to pick what you'd like and take it back to a table? we are not big sit down restaurant types.
The lack of theme park charging privileges is not a deal breaker for me as the big thing would be shipping things back to our room, which is offered right?

So tell me, is it really coming down to preference? I mean are the mod resorts (specifically CBR) not anywhere close to this place in terms of location and amenities and if we are spending the majority of our time at the parks, is it worth it? If we end up w/one of those pin codes it will be 43.00-50.00/night price difference-over a 10-12 night stay, that does add up.
One last one (for now ) if I book S/D for October and we get a pin code sent to us are we able to xc l& rebook w/pin code for a moderate?
Thanks in advance for any replies. I am THE vacation planner in our house and every time I plan I have this fear that no one will have a good time if I get it wrong. But then again, it's WDW, how can that be bad no matter where we stay, right?

We have stayed at the Dolphin twice before...first time our kids were 8 & 12. Let me take your questions one by one:

Kids walking back from Epcot & Studios: walking is doable...but after a long day at the parks, you could definitely take a friendship boats. Usually very short wait.. We have walked back from Epcot, but not Studios. The walk back from Epcot has a lot to look at with the Boardwalk and Yacht Club.

Cafe.-style restaurant: Dolphin has a cafeteria-style buffet type restaurant called Picabu Buffeteria. See menu and pics here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=465

AAA 20% discount: This I can't personnally answer, but i have seen it on these boards.

Packages to room: I do not believe you can send it back to your room at the Dolphin....but not sure about this one. Anyone know for sure? It is not listed as a Disney benefit on the swandolphin.com page.

Cancelling: Yes, you only need to put down one night's stay deposit and you can cancel with full refund up to five nights before.

More info on Dolphin can be found here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/SwanDolphin/sdmainpage.htm

We LOVE the Dolphin!! I joined Starwood after our first stay using a govt rate. I have a starwood amex card and charge everyday items on it like gas, groceries and just keep letting them build up. I now have enough points to pay for one night on govt rate and get the other 3 nights for FREE!!

Because it is NOT a Disney-owned property, you will have to purchase your tickets separately. But I have found that this is usually a cheaper way to go anyway. you can get them with discounts at undercovertourist.com .

I'm the planner in my family, too! My mantra has always been: you can't complain/whine/fuss, etc., because we are in Disney World!

 

[dragitoff]

We stayed at The Swan and AKL (Savannah View)...we love The Swan better. The Swan had bette beds (after 1 night stay at AKL my husband called The Swan/Dolphin to switch but they were booked for that week...my husband said next time we go to Disney its either the monorail resort or The Swan). The Swan has better location (being so close to Epcot has a perk...you can that a boat ride to more different restuarants.) The Swan had better service. We liked staying at the Savannah view and glad we did stay there but it was too far for us to get to other parks. We had a preschooler that still took mid-day naps and after the naps we just stayed in the resort instead of going back to the parks b/c of the buses. I know alot of people say they love the buses b/c it did not share with other resort but when we went to MK 2 days we had to wait for 45min for a bus and it was a mob seen to get on the bus. DTD we were waiting for 45 mins until my son got too tired waiting so we went back inside and went to the pool instead. Then the bus to Epoct was long wait too and walking back to the bus stop to get back to the resort was a long walk...I feel like I could have walked to The Swan and be in our room already. This was our experience at AKL so for our family (even my DS) wants to stay at the Swan b/c of the location, bed and better service (great room service too)...room always done by 11 a.m.

Wow, thanks! I think that makes up my mind for me. I love the "Heavenly" beds.