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

[Tinkerbellie16]

Have you stayed there before? I hadn't and I was really pleasantly surprised. Our conference was all over both the Swan and Dolphin and it took me some time to find the conference rooms, especially at the Swan, so leave yourself plenty of time to get to your sessions. What was nice too was zipping over to the Boardwalk for lunch - the Ohio State-Michigan game was on the Saturday I was there and I had a fun lunch in between sessions at the ESPN sports bar (didn't want to leave). Hopefully you're taking some time too to enjoy the parks!

I have not stayed at S/D before and am really looking forward to trying out this hotel - even if it is during a conference! I am definitely going to the parks in the evening and I'm arriving a day before and leaving a couple days after the conference so I also have some full days. Thanks for the info!!

 

[dizmom2mwjk]

I have a reservation for the Dolphin hotel during Christmas 2010 for $149.00 per night ($177.63 by the time you add on tax and fees, etc.) it starts 22Dec and goes through New Year's Day. My family decided to go as a reunion trip, so we are renting a DVC villa instead, and I plan to cancel, but if someone wants this rate (good for December, I think), I can just switch it to your name...I can always shorten the ressie, if needed...It is also for 2 rooms, and I can always split them or cancel one...

Send me a pm if you are interested in this, otherwise I will just cancel it. I want to get my deposit back from my cc soon, so I need to know soon if anyone is interested...

 

[anbouk]

DizMom...I sent you an email already.



Hi SingingMom Nice to see you around!

 

[SingingMom]

Hi SingingMom Nice to see you around!

Thank you!! We are all booked for our 5th trip in a row to the Dolphin. Just what we need to think about as we await tomorrow's BLIZZARD!!!

Not making many ADR's this trip - but I must start looking into a Fantasmic! package. Maybe that's what I will do when we are snowed in tomorrow...

 

[diskids2]

Thank you!! We are all booked for our 5th trip in a row to the Dolphin. Just what we need to think about as we await tomorrow's BLIZZARD!!!

Not making many ADR's this trip - but I must start looking into a Fantasmic! package. Maybe that's what I will do when we are snowed in tomorrow...

What a great idea....plan, plan, plan in response to snow, snow, snow

 

[DisFan09]

Just returned from a fantastic week at the Swan. We were assigned Room 426 - one of the best rooms we've ever stayed in. It's a corner room with balcony in the East wing with windows on two sides and a view of Spaceship Earth. As a PP said, the two queen beds were "Heavenly"! The resort was nice and quiet, which made the experience even more enjoyable...

 

[disney4us2002]

I've read thru occasionally and glanced thru the first few pages but not clear about these questions.

1) Is there a refillable mug program at Dolphin? Does anyone have a pic?

2) We're staying at the Dolphin for one week at incredible rates due to dh's gov't conference. What are the chances we can get a room with balcony? I don't much care about a view, but just a relaxing area to sit out and have a drink at night or coffee in the morning.

Thanks.

 

[SingingMom]

I've read thru occasionally and glanced thru the first few pages but not clear about these questions.

1) Is there a refillable mug program at Dolphin? Does anyone have a pic?

2) We're staying at the Dolphin for one week at incredible rates due to dh's gov't conference. What are the chances we can get a room with balcony? I don't much care about a view, but just a relaxing area to sit out and have a drink at night or coffee in the morning.

Thanks.

1) The mugs are at Picabu and look like a "starbucks" plastic cup. I think there is a photo somewhere on this thread.

2) Are you a Starwood member? If there are rooms available, very often Starwood members can request a balcony upgrade.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Does the S/D have any service while you are at the pool? That is, do they have a waiter/waitress that will bring you drinks while you are chillin' by the pool?

 

[paras4ri]

Does the S/D have any service while you are at the pool? That is, do they have a waiter/waitress that will bring you drinks while you are chillin' by the pool?

Absolutely!

 

[SingingMom]

Does the S/D have any service while you are at the pool? That is, do they have a waiter/waitress that will bring you drinks while you are chillin' by the pool?

OH my,yes! favorite part of staying there!
I'll have a Bacardi cocktail, please!!!

 

[Needafix]

Thanks for that news. I guess we had better do the same thing. Book a room somewhere else, just in case, and hope for the best.

Did you call them direct and ask for the discount, or go through the website? I wasn't able to get a discount to come up for our trip in March, but when I called them they were able to find something at the Dolphin. Plus, I've also booked for part of the trip and called periodically until something opened up and it always has so far, but then again it wasn't during the holiday season.

I believe they block off a bunch of rooms for conventions, then start to open them up as the companies realize they won't need quite as many rooms.

 

[wantsomedis]

Do the rooms at the Dolphin have a refridgerator???

 

[SingingMom]

Do the rooms at the Dolphin have a refridgerator???

they do, as of June 2009

 

[TinkOhio]

Did you call them direct and ask for the discount, or go through the website? I wasn't able to get a discount to come up for our trip in March, but when I called them they were able to find something at the Dolphin. Plus, I've also booked for part of the trip and called periodically until something opened up and it always has so far, but then again it wasn't during the holiday season.

I believe they block off a bunch of rooms for conventions, then start to open them up as the companies realize they won't need quite as many rooms.

I called directly to the S/D and was told that the discount is only available through the 24th of December. We've been able to book discounts past those dates in the past. Maybe I'm dreaming, but I think that DH even sayed there for free one night when his b-day fell during our dates.

 

[Needafix]

I called directly to the S/D and was told that the discount is only available through the 24th of December. We've been able to book discounts past those dates in the past. Maybe I'm dreaming, but I think that DH even sayed there for free one night when his b-day fell during our dates.

I believe it was last year that they were giving away a free night on your b-day, which is why I booked mid-March for this year. Now they don't do it and I'm stuck with spring break week. Stupid me, I should know better. Oh well.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if something opens up as it gets closer to your dates. I know there have been a lot of conventions in Jan in the past and they may just be holding rooms until they see how many they need. That being said though, I know I also like to have things like the room and flights firmed ASAP. Good Luck!

 

[disney4us2002]

1) The mugs are at Picabu and look like a "starbucks" plastic cup. I think there is a photo somewhere on this thread.

2) Are you a Starwood member? If there are rooms available, very often Starwood members can request a balcony upgrade.

Thank you SM. I will peruse the thread and perhaps run across the pic, lol. Glad to know the option exists.

I did join Starwood but only have my paper printout of the card/number since we haven't actually been to a Starwood resort yet. We really want a balcony. This is (while a convention) almost a second honeymoon as we haven't vacationed without the kids before.

If we want wine/champagne do you suggest packing it in checked luggage, buying at the airport, or buying at the resort. We have to use Mears and won't have a car for groceries or booze stops.

 

[SingingMom]

Thank you SM. I will peruse the thread and perhaps run across the pic, lol. Glad to know the option exists.

I did join Starwood but only have my paper printout of the card/number since we haven't actually been to a Starwood resort yet. We really want a balcony. This is (while a convention) almost a second honeymoon as we haven't vacationed without the kids before.

If we want wine/champagne do you suggest packing it in checked luggage, buying at the airport, or buying at the resort. We have to use Mears and won't have a car for groceries or booze stops.

Call to have your Starwood number added to your reservation, and bring along the printout. I don't know how it will work since you are with a "convention", but you can always try. (it wouldn't hurt to mention that "second honeymoon - first time vacationing without kids" tidbit! )

As for the champagne.... personally, I would just buy it at the hotel. I know it is more expensive, but I put a price on "hassle" too. I worry about it breaking in checked luggage, and I don't know that it will be much cheaper in the airport.

One of our favorite things to do is sit in the Dolphin lobby with a cocktail and "people watch". They make an AWESOME espresso martini....

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

We have decided to go back to Disney in May 2011. We have decided on the Dolphin. Soo, when should I book? I was going to wait till this time next year since presently they have a "Mother's Day" discount for May 2010, but now I'm reading about black-out dates, and we are quite set on our resort decision, I would be crushed if we couldn't get our dates!!! TIA

 

[TaraPA]

I'd book as soon as you can. S/D are very good at accomodating any discounts that come up in the meantime. I've done this twice - either called or gone online to have them change my rate to a current promotion.