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

[Zuzu03]

Current code, 70% off, is STEAK. If you have signed up on the site, you will get emails all the time with the current codes and % off.

Thanks Dan! I knew you'd know the answer! I haven't gotten any emails from them although I signed up hmmm, maybe I'd better try again. Thank you again! - Nancy

 

[NancyIL]

I have been buying my theme park tickets from Undercover Tourist to save a little money: www.undercovertourist.com. If you get the MouseSavers newsletter, there will be a link to UT in each e-mail newsletter (sent on the 15th of the month) to save a few more dollars off each ticket.

 

[Mouseteacher]

As far as the Starwoods pts, if you look at the Starwoods site, you'll see the number of pts needed for free rooms or for discounted rooms. There are also blackout dates.

Swan/Dolphin are category 4 resorts = 10,000points for a free night.

 

[lissiesmum]

okay guys, I"m interested in learning more about this restaurant . com. How does it work, and what is it? I took a quick peek and it looks interesting....Lots of S&D restaurants available to get a gift certificate from. Are there expiration dates on these certificates?

 

[SingingMom]

So here are my questions about Swan/Dolphin.

How can I find out what the teacher rates are? I tried looking up rates online and can only get rack rate.

I am sooo torn as which one to choose! Which resort is preferred and why? Are they both pretty much the same walking distance to Epcot?

I am DISNEY in every sense of the word. Will I regret not staying at a "disney" resort?

Thanks in advance!

Call the Dolphin or Swan reservations directly and ask about teacher's rate availability dates and prices.

I promise you - you will not regret staying at either resort - you still know you are in Disney!

As for the $64,000 question: "Which resort to choose?" - totally a matter of preference. Dan & Nancy are partial to the Swan - we are diehard Dolphin fans ! If you like a more reserved/quiet stay, I think the Swan is perfect; if you prefer hustle & bustle, like we do during vacation, then the Dolphin might be a better fit.

All right, after going blind reading the WHOLE thread--I need a hobby, I know, LOL-decided to book the Dolphin for June 2011.

Thanks for all the info on this thread-and I wish I could have one of those espresso martini's you like so much SingingMom!

Don't go blind - just ask us!
I vote for taking a stretch limo and then renting your car when you need it at the Dolphin's desk.
Make sure you think of me when you have your espresso martini!! Enjoy!!

I have been buying my theme park tickets from Undercover Tourist to save a little money: www.undercovertourist.com. If you get the MouseSavers newsletter, there will be a link to UT in each e-mail newsletter (sent on the 15th of the month) to save a few more dollars off each ticket.

I've been getting ours at www.officialticketcenter.com and have had good experiences with them, too. Just another option...

 

[Phlip]

Thank you everyone!

Now, where do I want my room??? Of course like everyone, close to the pool, restaurants, and walkway to the parks and far from noise...LOL!

But seriously-what are the good room choices and why?

If I book 2 standard rooms, when I check in do I just ask for an upgrade, how does this work? Do I have to pay, show my spg card-etc?

Thank you again!

 

[diskids2]

Thank you everyone!

Now, where do I want my room??? Of course like everyone, close to the pool, restaurants, and walkway to the parks and far from noise...LOL!

But seriously-what are the good room choices and why?

If I book 2 standard rooms, when I check in do I just ask for an upgrade, how does this work? Do I have to pay, show my spg card-etc?

Thank you again!

I like rooms off the central elevator bank. I feel they are close to bus/boats/pool.

I stayed in an Epcot view room in the East wing and thought it was a mile to the elevator....but I loved the view.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does anyone know if there's a new code for restaurant.com? We loved Garden Grove so much that we'd like to go again in December!

Current code, now 80%, is CLEARANCE.

 

[Zuzu03]

Current code, now 80%, is CLEARANCE.

Thanks, Dan! You're the best!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We love the Swan and when I first started planning our Disney trip for December Swan/Dolphin was booked for Dec 3-11 then I got a PIN so we booked YC. Then unexpected expense happened so today my husband said we might have to cancel. So I told him we can downgrade to MOD so I looked into which MOD while I was doing that my husband was able to get Dec 3-5 on POINTS at the Swan. Sorry for long story but I was really overwhelmed today and thinking we are cancelling the whole trip.
Anyway, I get to stay at the Swan for 2 nights and we will move to CSR so I was wondering how the luggage transfer works. Or is it better to get a taxi and bring all our luggage to the CSR to get our keys?
Thanks.

 

[TinkOhio]

Hoping for some help from the S/D experts. We were going to spend the middle of our Christmas break trip at my parents' place, but my mom became very ill. We don't want to add to her stress, so we are trying to find a deal for Dec. 24-28 at the S/D. We have enough SPG points for one night, and we qualify for teacher, SPG, AAA and Entertainment discounts. I called down and was told that the best available rate for our dates is 269/nt. Seems like we could do better. Does anyone remember what, if any, discounts were available last year at that time? Any suggestions?

TIA for any help!

 

[jcb]

Hoping for some help from the S/D experts. We were going to spend the middle of our Christmas break trip at my parents' place, but my mom became very ill. We don't want to add to her stress, so we are trying to find a deal for Dec. 24-28 at the S/D. We have enough SPG points for one night, and we qualify for teacher, SPG, AAA and Entertainment discounts. I called down and was told that the best available rate for our dates is 269/nt. Seems like we could do better. Does anyone remember what, if any, discounts were available last year at that time? Any suggestions?

TIA for any help!

I happened to save S/D prices for December 2009 but not for the dates you want to go. My prices end on 12/22/09 with 219 for Dolphin rack rate and AAA, and $169 for government rate. I gathered these prices in mid-August 2009. I'm not sure it is real to compare prices from one year to the next, especially when the dates don't exactly coincide for this time of year. But you asked and I had some information. I also wanted to say I hope you mom gets better.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks, Jack. I thought 269 sounded pretty high for a discounted rate. Maybe I'll wait a bit longer and see if any better deals come along.

 

[Phlip]

Just checked S&D for June 2011--rates went up? Gaaaaa---
Now wondering if I should just bite the bullet and book now? Really don't have the $$ yet, but don't want to miss out!
What to do?????

 

[figmentgirl]

Hi everybody!

After an AGONIZING 2 weeks of research, DISboards, other websites, reading the UG and checking then rechecking pricing with my travel agent, I FINALLY booked at the Dolphin for our October 6th-10th trip

DH and I are planning a romantic getaway and this will be his first stay at an Epcot resort. I stayed at the Beach Club in 2005. It was wonderful but we cannot afford that right now. We are both huge foodies and are really excited about the Food and Wine Festival. We bought tickets to the Party for the Senses

So if you have stayed at the Dolphin before, tell me if I made the right choice. Will we still have a magical vacation even though we are not staying at a Disney resort? Help me get excited! I'm still nervous about a new hotel

 

[rie'smom]

Hi everybody!

After an AGONIZING 2 weeks of research, DISboards, other websites, reading the UG and checking then rechecking pricing with my travel agent, I FINALLY booked at the Dolphin for our October 6th-10th trip

DH and I are planning a romantic getaway and this will be his first stay at an Epcot resort. I stayed at the Beach Club in 2005. It was wonderful but we cannot afford that right now. We are both huge foodies and are really excited about the Food and Wine Festival. We bought tickets to the Party for the Senses

So if you have stayed at the Dolphin before, tell me if I made the right choice. Will we still have a magical vacation even though we are not staying at a Disney resort? Help me get excited! I'm still nervous about a new hotel:guilty:

I always feel that I've had a more magical trip after a Dolphin stay. One of the reasons is the money I save. The rooms are as nice or nicer than the WDW deluxe resorts but you pay a mod or sometimes even a value price. Personally, we like not having Disney shoved down our throats 24 hours a day. Having character themed bedding or decor adds absolutely nothing to our trip. Being able to walk to Epcot and DHS, having super nice staff, and great food choices at the Dolphin enhance our vacation.

 

[disneyxo]

I just wanted to say I am so thankful for this thread! I have learned a lot and am so looking forward to my first stay at the Dolphin. Thank you to all the people who have answered questions here and also thank you to the people who asked all the different questions.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....So if you have stayed at the Dolphin before, tell me if I made the right choice. Will we still have a magical vacation even though we are not staying at a Disney resort? Help me get excited! I'm still nervous about a new hotel

I have stayed at Dolphin several times, Swan many times. You will have a wonderful vacation, trust me. When I am there it is as Disney for me as any other Disney hotel.

 

[figmentgirl]

I have stayed at Dolphin several times, Swan many times. You will have a wonderful vacation, trust me. When I am there it is as Disney for me as any other Disney hotel.

Thank you! This is EXACTLY what I needed to here.

 

[figmentgirl]

I always feel that I've had a more magical trip after a Dolphin stay. One of the reasons is the money I save. The rooms are as nice or nicer than the WDW deluxe resorts but you pay a mod or sometimes even a value price. Personally, we like not having Disney shoved down our throats 24 hours a day. Having character themed bedding or decor adds absolutely nothing to our trip. Being able to walk to Epcot and DHS, having super nice staff, and great food choices at the Dolphin enhance our vacation.

You and I are of a similar mind when it comes to what we like at Disney. I am happy to hear the staff is super nice