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

[pandora174]

Hi !

I just checked online for Dec 18 for 3 nights. I was quoted from the DIS with AP & then the Swan & Dolphin site the same price. $169 a night for Dolphin but $189 for the Swan. Is this a good price for that time frame ?

In doing some research I see that the Swan has 2 queen vs the Dolphin 2 full beds but I don't see any other major difference between the 2 hotels ? Am I right ? I really think the Dolphin looks awesome so why is it cheaper ?

Any thoughts or suggestions? Also are all the rooms renovated ? Have never been to either hotel but think the price is pretty good for such a crazy week !
We jsut want to enjoy the Christmas decorations, stay at a nice hotel & thought this would be a much better experience than a Disney moderate.

Thanks & opinions are really appreciated

 

[SingingMom]

Hi !

I just checked online for Dec 18 for 3 nights. I was quoted from the DIS with AP & then the Swan & Dolphin site the same price. $169 a night for Dolphin but $189 for the Swan. Is this a good price for that time frame ?

In doing some research I see that the Swan has 2 queen vs the Dolphin 2 full beds but I don't see any other major difference between the 2 hotels ? Am I right ? I really think the Dolphin looks awesome so why is it cheaper ?

Any thoughts or suggestions? Also are all the rooms renovated ? Have never been to either hotel but think the price is pretty good for such a crazy week !
We jsut want to enjoy the Christmas decorations, stay at a nice hotel & thought this would be a much better experience than a Disney moderate.

Thanks & opinions are really appreciated

At this point, I would guess most rooms are renovated, but remember, in a property this large, there is always "SOMETHING" neing renovated.

IMHO - the Dolphin is a MUCH BETTER experience than a Disney moderate. You will LOVE IT!!!!!

 

[ImprovGal]

Starting today, SPG has another airline partner for points redemption. You can now redeem SPG points for Southwest Rapid Rewards credits at a rate of 1,500 SPG = 1.0 RR credit. Or, another option is to set your SPG earnings preference to Southwest RR at a rate of 0.5 per STAY. (I don't suggest doing that if you're normally booking longer stays at the Swolphin.)

 

[lissiesmum]

a couple of random questions...

my DD needs a floatie that straps onto her back to swim...are these allowed in the pools?

Also, do the friendship boats have a horn that alerts you they're coming, like at the Poly? (I'm watching a live stream from the Poly right now and I'm missing my boat horns...hoping to hear some from the Dolphin,maybe?)

 

[SingingMom]

a couple of random questions...

my DD needs a floatie that straps onto her back to swim...are these allowed in the pools?

Also, do the friendship boats have a horn that alerts you they're coming, like at the Poly? (I'm watching a live stream from the Poly right now and I'm missing my boat horns...hoping to hear some from the Dolphin,maybe?)

I have never seen any problems with children wearing floaties/tubes/swimmies/lifejackets in the pools.

Must admit - I'm not sure if the boat horn blows each time it docks? Only been to the Dolphin for the past FIVE years, you'd think I'd remember that!!!!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

......Also, do the friendship boats have a horn that alerts you they're coming, like at the Poly? (I'm watching a live stream from the Poly right now and I'm missing my boat horns...hoping to hear some from the Dolphin,maybe?)

Typically when the boats approach either of the bridges, one leading to The Studios, the other leading to the BW/YC/BC area.

 

[NancyIL]

Hi !

I just checked online for Dec 18 for 3 nights. I was quoted from the DIS with AP & then the Swan & Dolphin site the same price. $169 a night for Dolphin but $189 for the Swan. Is this a good price for that time frame ?

In doing some research I see that the Swan has 2 queen vs the Dolphin 2 full beds but I don't see any other major difference between the 2 hotels ? Am I right ? I really think the Dolphin looks awesome so why is it cheaper ?

Any thoughts or suggestions? Also are all the rooms renovated ? Have never been to either hotel but think the price is pretty good for such a crazy week !
We jsut want to enjoy the Christmas decorations, stay at a nice hotel & thought this would be a much better experience than a Disney moderate.

Thanks & opinions are really appreciated

The Swan has a sink inside the bathroom as well as outside, vs. one sink outside the bathroom at the Dolphin. My personal preference is to stay at the Swan, and I would choose that if the prices were the same. However, with a $20/night difference, I'd be perfectly happy at the Dolphin - especially at holiday time. (The Dolphin may cost less because it has twice as many rooms to fill as the Swan.) The Dolphin's lobby can only be described as "WOW"!!!

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks Dan and Singingmom We decided on Epcot view with a balcony and I look forward to watching them come and go (with horns! )

 

[mydisneyobsession]

I booked today, too - Thanksgiving 2011 at the Dolphin! So excited!

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

I can't wait to get married at the resort next month!!!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Congrats would love to hear more about it!!!!

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

Congrats would love to hear more about it!!!!

Thanks! We are so excited!! Our ceremony will be at 3pm on the Crescent Terrace. I am working with my wedding planner, Karen from Just Marry and she is wonderful. We are having Mickey & Minnie at our ceremony for our first dance & cake cutting. Our cocktail hour & reception will be held at Il Mulino. We are planning on walking over to Jellyrolls after dinner. I'm looking forward to watching Illuminations on the Boardwalk @ 9 PM We invited around 80 guests and a total of 45 are coming! I can't wait to share all my pictures with you all when we return!! I'm off to my final dress fitting

 

[Dan Murphy]

Congratulations, DF!

I have seen a few weddings over the years, in the small courtyard within the Swan. Always beautiful.

 

[Zuzu03]

Hi Swalphin friends! I feel like I'm being unfaithful because we're going back to WDW but we're not staying at the Dolphin this time! We couldn't get a decent rate over Christmas compared to the AP rate, so we're staying at POFQ - sigh. Not that I'm TOO unhappy, but still, I'll feel like I'm "cheating" on the Dolphin! LOL!!! We'll be back though, I'm sure! In the meantime, I have to head over to the POFQ thread and introduce myself!

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks! We are so excited!! Our ceremony will be at 3pm on the Crescent Terrace. I am working with my wedding planner, Karen from Just Marry and she is wonderful. We are having Mickey & Minnie at our ceremony for our first dance & cake cutting. Our cocktail hour & reception will be held at Il Mulino. We are planning on walking over to Jellyrolls after dinner. I'm looking forward to watching Illuminations on the Boardwalk @ 9 PM We invited around 80 guests and a total of 45 are coming! I can't wait to share all my pictures with you all when we return!! I'm off to my final dress fitting

Looking forward to seeing your pictures!!

Hi Swalphin friends! I feel like I'm being unfaithful because we're going back to WDW but we're not staying at the Dolphin this time! We couldn't get a decent rate over Christmas compared to the AP rate, so we're staying at POFQ - sigh. Not that I'm TOO unhappy, but still, I'll feel like I'm "cheating" on the Dolphin! LOL!!! We'll be back though, I'm sure! In the meantime, I have to head over to the POFQ thread and introduce myself!

We'll forgive you - THIS ONE TIME -

 

[lissiesmum]

I have a transportation question for y'all...

We will be going to the AKL for a few dinners, and I'm wondering the best way to get there from the Dolphin? My thought was to take a boat to HS, then the bus from there? How much time would you allow?

 

[Zuzu03]

Looking forward to seeing your pictures!!



We'll forgive you - THIS ONE TIME -

HAHAHAHA! I promise, I'll be back to the Dolphin, I can't stay away too long!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would give yourselves the usual Disney point to point time frame, one hour. If early check out AKL a bit or have a cocktail.

 

[lissiesmum]

I would give yourselves the usual Disney point to point time frame, one hour. If early check out AKL a bit or have a cocktail.

Thanks, Dan...is goint to HS the best way? Is the bus area around the same place as where the friendship boats come and go? This will actually be our first time at HS!

 

[NancyIL]

I have a transportation question for y'all...

We will be going to the AKL for a few dinners, and I'm wondering the best way to get there from the Dolphin? My thought was to take a boat to HS, then the bus from there? How much time would you allow?

That will probably work going to AKL. However, if you finish dinner after the Studios have closed, you'll need Plan B! I would take the bus to the MK, if still open, and then a bus to the S/D. Plan C would be to take a taxi!