Resort Thread Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE Resorts

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Curious @jbaysingar - did the pricing include the resort fees?

Because I have an annual pass, I book through Marriot directly and use the QWH code for Annual Pass Discounted rooms. Now, I do always get just the least expensive room because all of these trips have been meeting friends with only me in the room:

• For 7 nights in October $1770.75 (including taxes and fees) ($1329 without fees & taxes)
• In May, I stayed 6 nights for $1319.67
• in August, 5 nights for $1186.90

 

[geetey]

Thank you to everyone posting on this thread! I have a couple of questions as we have never stayed at the Swan and I'm looking for clarification.

App: I see using the app mentioned several times for requesting towels or asking questions. Is that the Marriott Bonvoy app or the Swan Dolphin app?

Water: Are free daily water bottles included in our rate? I was planning a delivery of a case of water for the week and it may not be necessary if I can get a daily bottle.

Busses: Can someone give me the low down on the busses? It was my understanding that only the 'outbound' MK bus route was different (Swan to TTC) but saw mentions of returning to the Swan from the parks as well as the Disney Springs route being different. Is it better to simply walk to YC or BW for any bus ride? Same for the return from any park - ride the YC or BW? Is one a better choice than the other?

Thanks for any help! We've stayed on Disney property many times but haven't been since 2019. Lots of changes since then!

 

[ckelly14]

Thank you to everyone posting on this thread! I have a couple of questions as we have never stayed at the Swan and I'm looking for clarification.

App: I see using the app mentioned several times for requesting towels or asking questions. Is that the Marriott Bonvoy app or the Swan Dolphin app?

Water: Are free daily water bottles included in our rate? I was planning a delivery of a case of water for the week and it may not be necessary if I can get a daily bottle.

Busses: Can someone give me the low down on the busses? It was my understanding that only the 'outbound' MK bus route was different (Swan to TTC) but saw mentions of returning to the Swan from the parks as well as the Disney Springs route being different. Is it better to simply walk to YC or BW for any bus ride? Same for the return from any park - ride the YC or BW? Is one a better choice than the other?

Thanks for any help! We've stayed on Disney property many times but haven't been since 2019. Lots of changes since then!

1. The Bonvoy app is used to communicate to the front desk.
2. The Swan and Dolphin hotels charge a daily resort fee. Guests are charged $35 plus tax. There are some perks that this fee brings. Guests now receive in-room high-speed internet, unlimited local and domestic calls, use of the hotel's fitness club, and two bottles of water.
3. All MK buses go to the TTC, so yes going to the YC or BW makes sense.

ETA: The S&D app has a number you can text for requests but is not part of the app per se.

 

[jbaysingar]

I am surprised you are seeing the same price on the Marriott site. I was seeing under $200 for a trip in April of this year and over $350 for a trip in April '22.

In my experience the last several years, the rates on the Marriott can fluctuate between around $200 and $400, and have usually seemed to hover around $350. I check back periodically to see if I can catch the price when it dips closer to $200.

Curious @jbaysingar - did the pricing include the resort fees?

Because I have an annual pass, I book through Marriot directly and use the QWH code for Annual Pass Discounted rooms. Now, I do always get just the least expensive room because all of these trips have been meeting friends with only me in the room:

• For 7 nights in October $1770.75 (including taxes and fees) ($1329 without fees & taxes)
• In May, I stayed 6 nights for $1319.67
• in August, 5 nights for $1186.90

Yes; all of the package prices I listed include taxes and fees, and I always make sure to check the "show price with taxes and fees" checkbox when quoting rates on the Marriott site so that I see what I'd actually be paying.

Unfortunately, we're not APs, or AAA members or any other group that is eligible for discounts, so Costco has been our best bet at getting decent prices, but that no longer seems to be the case.

 

[ckelly14]

In my experience the last several years, the rates on the Marriott can fluctuate between around $200 and $400, and have usually seemed to hover around $350. I check back periodically to see if I can catch the price when it dips closer to $200.

Agree, but I remember this spring the rates being the lowest I have seen in years due to Covid. Could have just been at the time I was looking...

 

[SteveH]

The reality is that a $200/night stay at the Swan or Dolphin is what all of us want, but not what the hotel wants. They are going to try to test the waters and push the price up, they can always adjust down if rooms stay vacant. Without knowing occupancy rates we're only able to assume. When or if the Swan Reserve opens that can help as it will allow those wanting a new hotel and maybe a bit more expensive to move there, thus freeing up rooms.

If they are able to book at $350 that means (hopefully) that things are returning to normal and maybe, just maybe, things like housekeeping will return. I don't doubt there will still be some $200/night rooms out there, but during the peak times (and April is one) you're going to see the $350/night listed. It's worth checking out the deal sites too, that seems to be a fav of S/D to off load some lower price rooms.

What's made this group great is sharing the deals we find, and commiserating when we don't find them. Keep sharing!

 

[cgattis]

and two bottles of water.

Is this supposed to be per guest or per room?

 

[loves to dive]

You will need to purchase through the normal Retail channel. There is no options for Discounted MBs with a Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve reservation linked to MDE. You can use Shop Disney online or even purchase them in the Disney store in the Swan & Dolphin.

Note: Even Disney guests don't get Free MBs after Jan. 1, 2021 for new new reservations. They do get the option to purchase discounted MBs with a Disney resort stay.

Dave

I'm not sure they get them before that. I had to make a reservation at CS for Dec. because I couldn't find a date/price at my beloved Swan/Dolphin and I didn't get offered a free one. I did get offered paid ones. Thankfully, I have every color of the original ones and the second puck type ones that came out so I don't really need one.

 

[loves to dive]

Is this supposed to be per guest or per room?

I think that is random. When I stay solo, there are usually two bottles. My last trip was with my son and his SO and myself (and their baby). When we got there, there were 6 bottles but every time they replaced them there were 4. I did request more our second day and they brought me 4. They came in on Wens. to do a light clean (make the bed, replace the towels, empty the trash) and left 4. You can request more every day though so even if they don't leave 2 per person, you can just request them.

As far as the app. I used the text feature on the Swan/Dolphin app to request things. They usually answered almost right away and when I requested towels and water they were knocking on my door within 20 min.

 

[loves to dive]

Thank you to everyone posting on this thread! I have a couple of questions as we have never stayed at the Swan and I'm looking for clarification.

App: I see using the app mentioned several times for requesting towels or asking questions. Is that the Marriott Bonvoy app or the Swan Dolphin app?

Water: Are free daily water bottles included in our rate? I was planning a delivery of a case of water for the week and it may not be necessary if I can get a daily bottle.

Busses: Can someone give me the low down on the busses? It was my understanding that only the 'outbound' MK bus route was different (Swan to TTC) but saw mentions of returning to the Swan from the parks as well as the Disney Springs route being different. Is it better to simply walk to YC or BW for any bus ride? Same for the return from any park - ride the YC or BW? Is one a better choice than the other?

Thanks for any help! We've stayed on Disney property many times but haven't been since 2019. Lots of changes since then!

The buses: we were there a few weeks ago. We took the Dolphin bus to AK. They let off and pick up where the other shuttles do, which is pretty close up in the parking lot. There is a covered shelter to wait in. We used them for AK since they are the charter buses and we had a stroller. They put those in the bottom so you don't have to deal with them in the way in the bus. They also had the forward facing padded seats, which were nice.

For MK, we walked over to YC because it's my favorite resort on property and I have to at least visit it every trip. They did not do the YC/BC pick up, there was a bus that drove through the pick up area that said BC on it and we did not go to BC to pick up there. It was not one of the old Disney buses with the plastic seats but it was configured the same way, just padded seats and we had to take the stroller on board. We took the monorail back to Epcot since we had PHs and were hungry.

Funny story. For MK. There was only one other family waiting, they had a double stroller and two girls, one who was probably around 4 or 5 and the other maybe 2 or 3. The man did not want to break down the stroller because "it was a pain". The bus driver refused to move until he did, you go bus driver. We went up to the back since the baby was in the carrier that comes off the stroller and we wanted to be able to put that on the seat instead of holding it. They stayed in the front in the seats that face each other. The older of the little girls thought it was great fun to stand on the seat and swing from the hand straps that are for people standing up. The mom thought it was a good idea instead of sitting down to stand up there holding the smaller girl and let the girl swing into them. I was just waiting for that child to swing and fall and screaming about suing Disney to start but everyone made it in one piece. We stepped off and to the side out of the way to put the stroller back together, they stepped off and stood right where other people were trying to board to put theirs back to together. Gotta love some people.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

In my experience the last several years, the rates on the Marriott can fluctuate between around $200 and $400, and have usually seemed to hover around $350. I check back periodically to see if I can catch the price when it dips closer to $200.



Yes; all of the package prices I listed include taxes and fees, and I always make sure to check the "show price with taxes and fees" checkbox when quoting rates on the Marriott site so that I see what I'd actually be paying.

Unfortunately, we're not APs, or AAA members or any other group that is eligible for discounts, so Costco has been our best bet at getting decent prices, but that no longer seems to be the case.

It may be worth checking AAA rates and see if the savings is significant - a one year membership to AAA is under $50....

 

[chris benton]

Funny story. For MK. There was only one other family waiting, they had a double stroller and two girls, one who was probably around 4 or 5 and the other maybe 2 or 3. The man did not want to break down the stroller because "it was a pain". The bus driver refused to move until he did, you go bus driver. We went up to the back since the baby was in the carrier that comes off the stroller and we wanted to be able to put that on the seat instead of holding it. They stayed in the front in the seats that face each other. The older of the little girls thought it was great fun to stand on the seat and swing from the hand straps that are for people standing up. The mom thought it was a good idea instead of sitting down to stand up there holding the smaller girl and let the girl swing into them. I was just waiting for that child to swing and fall and screaming about suing Disney to start but everyone made it in one piece. We stepped off and to the side out of the way to put the stroller back together, they stepped off and stood right where other people were trying to board to put theirs back to together. Gotta love some people.

These are the types of folks I truly believe do not have the ability to comprehend that there are other ppl on the planet besides themselves. I'm guessing they didn't even know other ppl were on the bus, or that they were in the way of other ppl trying to board.

 

[jbaysingar]

Oof. I went to re-check the package prices today, and when re-running the Disney package quote, I realized that I had not selected Park Hopper when I was quoting prices yesterday, and the current Disney package price is actually $200 more than what I thought it was, making it $1100 more than what we paid for the exact same package less than two months ago, and making the Disney package more expensive than booking room-only through Marriott @ $371/night (plus taxes & fees) and buying tickets separately.

I've updated my previous posts with the correct price information.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Also, the S/D app has lots of current info on restaurant hours, etc. and many other things at the resorts. A very useful app to have and use.

 

[Gitelfor]

F&W Classic packages may again be available for the Food & Wine Classic, this year. Previously, a “sold out” notice was posted for the packages, with only event tickets being available.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Not sure I really care but I cannot link my Swan reservation on points to MDE. I tried the one from my Marriott confirm - no go. I called the Swan and they tried to help me... gave me a different number... no go. Reservation was made back in April so it's not like it's too new, lol. Oh well - not sure if even matters or will affect anything like Early Entry Benefit or Deluxe EMHs.

Anybody have any other thoughts or tips?

Fun Update... Got bored so I called the Swan to try this again. It's comical how many different answers you get...

When I called last month, they gave me a DIFFERENT number to try than what I saw in my Marriott account... that did nothing... So I gave up at the time.

First call today, they transfer me to Marriott's MAIN reservation line... they had no idea what I was talking about... they transferred me to the wrong place. I realized it immediately when the person answered... Wasted 10 minutes on hold.

I call back, they transfer me to IN HOUSE reservation line... this agent said that they would re-send my reservation to Disney and to try again in 24 hours. She had no clue what I was talking about with this "alternate number" I was given a month ago... but was very adamant that the reservation number I see in my Marriott account should work tomorrow after 24 hours.

This is madness... And I only care about this linkage if this is the way they monitor early entry. If it is not... then this is just a royal waste of time anyways because I don't need to see my hotel in MDE to know where I'm staying! LOL!

 

[islandsnoopy]

Fun Update... Got bored so I called the Swan to try this again. It's comical how many different answers you get...

When I called last month, they gave me a DIFFERENT number to try than what I saw in my Marriott account... that did nothing... So I gave up at the time.

First call today, they transfer me to Marriott's MAIN reservation line... they had no idea what I was talking about... they transferred me to the wrong place. I realized it immediately when the person answered... Wasted 10 minutes on hold.

I call back, they transfer me to IN HOUSE reservation line... this agent said that they would re-send my reservation to Disney and to try again in 24 hours. She had no clue what I was talking about with this "alternate number" I was given a month ago... but was very adamant that the reservation number I see in my Marriott account should work tomorrow after 24 hours.

This is madness... And I only care about this linkage if this is the way they monitor early entry. If it is not... then this is just a royal waste of time anyways because I don't need to see my hotel in MDE to know where I'm staying! LOL!

Have you contacted Disney? In previous Swan reservations, I just used the Marriott reservation number and was able to add the reservation to MDE. You'll need the linkage for the early theme park entry and other benefits.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Have you contacted Disney? In previous Swan reservations, I just used the Marriott reservation number and was able to add the reservation to MDE. You'll need the linkage for the early theme park entry and other benefits.

I’m not sure there are any other benefits - at least none material to me. And we don’t have any DPs yet on what will be required for early entry, but certainly hope folks share that here when it starts in a week.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Fun Update... Got bored so I called the Swan to try this again. It's comical how many different answers you get...

When I called last month, they gave me a DIFFERENT number to try than what I saw in my Marriott account... that did nothing... So I gave up at the time.

First call today, they transfer me to Marriott's MAIN reservation line... they had no idea what I was talking about... they transferred me to the wrong place. I realized it immediately when the person answered... Wasted 10 minutes on hold.

I call back, they transfer me to IN HOUSE reservation line... this agent said that they would re-send my reservation to Disney and to try again in 24 hours. She had no clue what I was talking about with this "alternate number" I was given a month ago... but was very adamant that the reservation number I see in my Marriott account should work tomorrow after 24 hours.

This is madness... And I only care about this linkage if this is the way they monitor early entry. If it is not... then this is just a royal waste of time anyways because I don't need to see my hotel in MDE to know where I'm staying! LOL!

A quick email (or two) to reservations@swandolphin.com should resolve it. Like you, they gave me an alternate reservation #, which didn’t work. They apologized and gave me another, which loaded easily into MDE.

This was for a booking I made through Amex Travel.

 

[ljcrochet]

Unfortunately, we're not APs, or AAA members or any other group that is eligible for discounts, so Costco has been our best bet at getting decent prices, but that no longer seems to be the case.

We rejoined AAA one year while pricing a vacation stating at a Westin resort. The AAA discount more than paired for the card.