Vacation Planning Help! Swan or Dolphin on Points

[writerguyfl]

Maybe I'm overly expecting an upgrade based on my past 10 hotel stays?

Realistically, I'd guess it will be tougher to get an upgrade at the WDW Swan or Dolphin. Although it's supposed to be automatic based on availability when you check in, don't be afraid to politely ask if an upgrade is available. Sometimes a little prompting can help.

Also, mentioning that this is your first visit to the hotel can help. I used to work in hotels and we had an unwritten rule to always try to impress first time guests. Happy first timers end up being repeat guests.

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Realistically, I'd guess it will be tougher to get an upgrade at the WDW Swan or Dolphin. Although it's supposed to be automatic based on availability when you check in, don't be afraid to politely ask if an upgrade is available. Sometimes a little prompting can help.

Also, mentioning that this is your first visit to the hotel can help. I used to work in hotels and we had an unwritten rule to always try to impress first time guests. Happy first timers end up being repeat guests.

Great! Thanks for the advice! Do you suggest then to not check in with the app, but wait to check in at the desk?

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Thank you all for the advice and input!

We ended up booking at Dolphin for check in on May 28th, and check out on June 3rd. When usi g points the only option of room I got was standard with 2 doubles, but they went ahead and gave us late checkout at 4pm (which was alreadfy a Gold perk.. so no big win there), but also asked us if we wanted to request early check in at 7am. Right now we said yes, but wanted to ask all those that might know... would such an early check in time be detrimental to our goal to upgrade to a better rrom with either a bigger set up or nicer view? We did go ahead amd request one of the following rooms if available: 8015, 7015, 6015, 5015, 4015, or 3015. These rooms came as suggested rooms to request from TouringPlans site... but can't really confirm if they're all that great or not.

Basically, would we be trading in the ealry check in for the potential to wait and get a better gig?

We really wanted to make October work, but because we'd need to check in by 9/30 at the latest, and that may not jive with my work, taking DD4 (will be 5) ouht of school for a week during her first month of K.. and the previously undisclosed fact that we may want to start adding to our Family of 4 sooner than later, we ended up booking for May. We'll definately loom at an October trip, probably for 2021 for WDW's 50th. At that time we think we'd more strongly consider taking kids out for all the newer stuff that won't be there this year)

 

[mdsouth]

We really wanted to make October work, but because we'd need to check in by 9/30 at the latest, and that may not jive with my work, taking DD4 (will be 5) ouht of school for a week during her first month of K.. and the previously undisclosed fact that we may want to start adding to our Family of 4 sooner than later, we ended up booking for May.

Great! You are booked. And it sounds like May is the better time to go for this trip with work and your plans to extend your family! How exciting!

We'll definately loom at an October trip, probably for 2021 for WDW's 50th.

Perfect compromise, planning another trip to go in October for the 50th celebration! Good idea!

 

[raddisneyfan]

I voted May at Dolphin given your pros and cons. Personally, in the 40 years (next year) that I have been going to WDW, I have stayed every month of the year. If I had a choice, it would be any month between November and April considering weather only. So, what trumps, crowds or weather. That's a tough one--I would say crowds in your case since Easter is the 2nd busiest time as you mentioned. I think it would bother me more not getting into the restaurants I want or on the rides I want or getting on the first bus that comes along than dealing with the heat. May can be okay, as can October. F&G may still be going on at the end of May--I think (that's I THINK) it went to the Sunday right before Memorial Day this year. For May, I would just plan your resort days for the weekend days and plan all of your park touring Tuesday to Friday--just my opinion. If you go in October, you'll have both the MNSSHP and F&W--I'll be there next month for 10 nights 9/16-26--so will definitely get both in--plan on spending much time at F&W. Regarding hotel, I think the rooms might be a little smaller at Dolphin, but not much. The main pool, as I recall, is closer to Dolphin. The thing you miss at Swan/Dolphin is DME, but, hey, you're basically staying for free, so I'm sure you can deal, right! If I were staying for free, when would definitely be much less of a concern--basically why I've stayed every month--had to go with the best deals. Have a great trip no matter what you decide.

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

The thing you miss at Swan/Dolphin are DME and EMH,

From my research, I thought EMH are, indeed, included also included is ability to book FP+ 60 days out? I know DME isn't included, but that won't matter for us as we'll be driving.

 

[raddisneyfan]

From my research, I thought EMH are, indeed, included also included is ability to book FP+ 60 days out? I know DME isn't included, but that won't matter for us as we'll be driving.

Quite right, just looked it up. I've edited my original post and taken that out. Sorry about that. Last of the 2 I stayed at was Dolphin many years ago, so my memories could be somewhat faulty!

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Quite right, just looked it up. I've edited my original post and taken that out. Sorry about that. Last of the 2 I stayed at was Dolphin many years ago, so my memories could be somewhat faulty!

No worries! I was shocked when a non-Disney Disney hotel actually included these perks. Hope that doesn't change between now and my trip, or if they do, they grandfather people in.

Thanks for your point of view. We love staying in the bubble, but free (or almost free after resort fees and parking) couldn't be beat. Our favorite resort thus far has been Coranado.

 

[writerguyfl]

Great! Thanks for the advice! Do you suggest then to not check in with the app, but wait to check in at the desk?

Personally, I never do any type of online check-in. I'm old school and I want the personal interaction. Plus, a Front Desk Associate who isn't brand new is going to know which rooms are better when compared to a randomly assigned room via computer. All buildings have quirks like locations of HVAC equipment, restaurant exhaust fans, or trees that completely block views. A person checking you in will (hopefully) know those quirks and be able to assign you the best room in the category booked (in an upgrade isn't available).