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

[FINFAN]

aaaack! This was way down on page 3!
OK, I took the plunge and switched our AAA rate to the new SPG one...went from 152 a night to 139! Since I am not a teacher/Gov etc., I am pretty happy. This raterequires you to pay in full at booking does carry the penalty of losing 1st night deposit no matter when you cancel so write that $ off as soon as you book,,,but you do get the balance back if you cancel ahead of 72 hours out. We have a hotel credit that HAS to be used ( due to last minute cancellation on DD illness) so The Dolphin has our $ for 1 night no matter what. Now we are starting our trip at WDW, then heading to Universal and on site at Royal Pacific @ 125 a night! We get to take a family vacation that is 11 nights long in Orlando and I am really looking forward to it. I have to head to Naples after that to help my mom with a lot of stuff, but so so happy to have the family time first. Best part? STAR WARS WEEKEND and we can WALK to it! This is our first time going to SWW but I do know you have to get up early making location of your resort GOLD when you have 2 teens who like to sleep. DS was bummed that we were originally staying at RPR first and then moving to the Dolpin, but now weare hitting WDW first and then USO. Good thing we are driving this trip, otherwise cost of transfers would be brutal...ahhhhh, Dolphin here we come!

 

[starhitter21]

Does the Dolphin offer Disney Wake-up calls? Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

Does the Dolphin offer Disney Wake-up calls? Thanks!

Not with characters - just your standard hotel wake up call.

 

[ascardino]

The last time that we flew to Orlando, we used Tiffany Towncar Service. They met us at the baggage claim with our name on a sign, took care of our luggage, stopped at a store for us on the way to our resort (you have to request that in advance), and then picked us up and took us back to the airport. No hassles, and quite affordable at around $125 roundtrip for your entire family (up to 7).
http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/

We also used on our trip in February and was picked up by a white, stretch limo! Very nice surprise and the driver who was great also offered us chilled sodas and water for the ride. We made a grocery stop that we had requested when we made the reservation. Would definitely use them again. Upcoming trip we are renting a car since we will be in Florida for almost 2 weeks.

 

[diskids2]

We also used on our trip in February and was picked up by a white, stretch limo! Very nice surprise and the driver who was great also offered us chilled sodas and water for the ride. We made a grocery stop that we had requested when we made the reservation. Would definitely use them again. Upcoming trip we are renting a car since we will be in Florida for almost 2 weeks.

We are using them this trip too. I hope the experience will be good!

 

[zumbergc]

are the swan paddle boats still there? Anyone know how much the rental is?

We are staying at the boardwalk

thanks

 

[Dan Murphy]

The swan paddle boats are there, however I do not know the price.

 

[mandy0528]

We are thinking of booking a trip for early May, nothing like a last minute trip! Anyway, we have not stayed at either the Dolphin or Swan. We have 2 small kids, is one hotel better than the other for any reason? Is one closer walking distance to Epcot or are the both equal? Just curious which one I should book. Thanks!

 

[FINFAN]

both are pretty equal,bu thte swan is a minute or 2 closer to the bridge to the boardwalk. The Swan is smaller in size overal, but the rooms have 2 Q beds where the Dolphin has Deluxe Doubles(I can't tell a difference to our Q at home)I believe the Swan rooms have 2 sinks and the dolphin 1. The main food court/cafeteris type eating is in the Dolphin, called Picabus open 24/7, the Fountain, burgers/dogs/sandwiches/ice cream is also in the Dolphin along with the laundry and athletic gym/spa. The main Grotto pool is also along the Dolphin building but some rooms at the swan are nt far at all form the Grotto pool and the Swan has it's own lap pool as well. The character meal ( Garden Grove) is at the Swan and also the sushi place, but most other sit down restaurants are at the Dolphin. The Swan tends to be more low key/calm where the Dlphin has more hustle/bustle to it's lobby etc. The Dolphin also has a larger lobby. Both are beautiful, both have a gift shop, both have use of the friendship boats and busses. The Dolphin tends to run 10 less per night than the Swan, sometimes more. Have fun choosing!

 

[Poly-Anna]

They have ones that accommodate 4 people and some that fit 2 people. We rented a 4 seater Easter weekend. An hour is enough. My DS6 and DH pedalled while I sat in back enjoying the sun! Cute diversion; my DS6 had fun.

 

[Poly-Anna]

We also had the worst Disney hotel experiences at WL a couple of years ago. We will never return. Checked in at 10 p.m. with 1 person manning the desk. Went to our room to find the entrance after you opened the door blocked by a huge garbarge container. Dirty towels all over the floor, the bathroom a mess, obviously not cleaned but housekeeping just left all supplies and the huge smelly garbage container in the room! We went back down stairs and it took 1 hour plus multiple requests for a supervisor before they would help us. Then the unbelievably rude supervisor took another hour to get us another room. Her attitude was as if we were putting her out! We were furious and vowed never to stay there again. Fortunately it was only for a 4 day stay.

 

[FINFAN]

We also had the worst Disney hotel experiences at WL a couple of years ago. We will never return. Checked in at 10 p.m. with 1 person manning the desk. Went to our room to find the entrance after you opened the door blocked by a huge garbarge container. Dirty towels all over the floor, the bathroom a mess, obviously not cleaned but housekeeping just left all supplies and the huge smelly garbage container in the room! We went back down stairs and it took 1 hour plus multiple requests for a supervisor before they would help us. Then the unbelievably rude supervisor took another hour to get us another room. Her attitude was as if we were putting her out! We were furious and vowed never to stay there again. Fortunately it was only for a 4 day stay.

sorry your trip started off so badly, kinda bummed to hear someone else had similar issues as we did. I know the majority on these boards love WL, just did not work out for us. It is concernign about leaving all the supplies in your case too...what's up with that? Really, just not safe at all and just , eeewwwww.

 

[jreeves628]

I am hopefully going the book the Swan/Dolphin with the points/cash option and was thinking of doing a split stay. I wanted to do 4 nights at the Swan/Dolphin then 4 nights at the Poly. I just realized that I can't book the dining plan on the Poly portion since I will already have my tickets. Would doing the Poly first then "downgrading to the Dolphin not be a good idea?

Also, I read that when you do DVC you can add dining when you check-in. So, can I do the Swan/Dolphin then rent some points for the AKV and add the dining plan at checkin or do I still need to buy a ticket to add the dining plan?

Hopefully I am making some sense and you guys understand my question.

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi guys! It's been awhile! I finally made it through all of the photos on the S/D photo site, and I was looking at the Epcot view photos...and I'm thinking I'm not all that impressed by the view! I booked Epcot fireworks view, but from most of the pics, it looks like you see mostly the YC/BC??? It seems like resort view actually has prettier views, even though you can't see the fireworks from your room...I would need a balcony, so I'm wondering if we went with a resort view room instead, what are the different possibilities of views I might request? I love the view of the Swan and looking towards DHS...are there any balcony views facing that direction, and what would I request?

 

[SingingMom]

are the swan paddle boats still there? Anyone know how much the rental is?

We are staying at the boardwalk

thanks

They were back last June - previous year they had changed to motor boats that moved at a snail's pace - so DD was happy to see the Swans return.
However, be forwarned that there is not always an attendant available for you to use them. If you don't find someone at the dock, check at the pool rental kiosk and they might be able to help you.

 

[FINFAN]

I am hopefully going the book the Swan/Dolphin with the points/cash option and was thinking of doing a split stay. I wanted to do 4 nights at the Swan/Dolphin then 4 nights at the Poly. I just realized that I can't book the dining plan on the Poly portion since I will already have my tickets. Would doing the Poly first then "downgrading to the Dolphin not be a good idea?

Also, I read that when you do DVC you can add dining when you check-in. So, can I do the Swan/Dolphin then rent some points for the AKV and add the dining plan at checkin or do I still need to buy a ticket to add the dining plan?

Hopefully I am making some sense and you guys understand my question.

Well, we have stayed at both and the room size at the Poly is larger, and the overall theming is more beleivable as in being on the islands...but other than that I htink that service is a bit better ( from our experience) at the Dolphin, more food options, we thought the beds were a bit more comfy, and even tho the POLY is a MK resort, we think the location of the Dolphin offers more being able to walk/boat to 2 resorts. I know the POLY is right off of the TTC so you can monorail to Epcot/MK, but still seemed to take a while compared to the Dolphin. Both are awesome. If it meant being able to keep the dining plan I would not have an issue doing a split stay this way. You will not be able to use DME at the end of your trip if you need it tho. If you know what dasy youplan on which parks, that may help you decide...I mean if you KNOW the best days for you in the beginning of your trip are DHS and Epcot, then maybe opt out of the DDP and go for resort location, KWIM? If it does not matter, Stay with your plans, enjoy the DDP and staying at 2 really nice places for your trip! We have never rented DVC so I can't help you there, but hopefully someone else can.

 

[mandy0528]

Can you use Magical Express when staying at the Swan/Dolphin. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach in December and I am almost 100% positive the magical express continued on to the Swan & Dolphin. However, we just called the hotel to sign up for it and they told us that they have never off Magical Express services.

 

[Dan Murphy]

No ME available for S/D. You may have seen a Disney/Mears bus used in transporting cruise people, they are used for that.

 

[Needafix]

Wow, no wonder why I've been in a slump. Somehow I must have unsubscribed from this thread accidentally. I've missed keeping up, so just saying hi so I can resubscribe. 2 months and 3 weeks until I'm back at Dolphin for an entire week!!!

 

[SingingMom]

Wow, no wonder why I've been in a slump. Somehow I must have unsubscribed from this thread accidentally. I've missed keeping up, so just saying hi so I can resubscribe. 2 months and 3 weeks until I'm back at Dolphin for an entire week!!!

Missed you!

10 weeks for us! Are we there the same time?!