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

[SteveH]

I really did like having the ability to drop off a car at the Dolphin. However...

 

[Laurieannc]

Thank you so much for the info on the lack of rental car drop off currently. Still love the resort regardless!

 

[Dave006]

@Laurieannc

If you rent from Enterprise, Alamo or National at MCO you may make use of the Disney Car Care Center (CCC) to drop off your rental car. Not as convenient as the Dolphin drop off but an option. CCC Operating Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM every day.

Dave

 

[Cfabar1]

Have an upcoming reservation at the Dolphin in a “Premium, larger guest room, 1king, limited view”.

Any ideas what that view means. Like only half of an AC unit? LOL. Or limited view of a park? Or the view of a large cement fish?

Last time I stayed there had a view facing MK and could see their fireworks from the room. Was kinda magically cool.

Thanks for sharing any info you might have.

I too have this for an upcoming reservation... The pictures make it (and the description) states that it is a 500 sq ft room with a division between the living and sleeping area.

I don't know anything about the view. FWIW it seems to be one of the nicest room categories one can book online.

 

[Laurieannc]

@Dave006 thanks so much! This is what we did on our last trip and likely what we will do this time around. We usually make a few stops on the way to the hotel from MCO so the rental for the day has been our best option. cost wise.

 

[RENThead09]

I too have this for an upcoming reservation... The pictures make it (and the description) states that it is a 500 sq ft room with a division between the living and sleeping area.

I don't know anything about the view. FWIW it seems to be one of the nicest room categories one can book online.

I’ll drop some pics in here.
It is 2 seperate rooms. Just no doors between. But a full wall.
One room has couch and small dining table and counter with TV on it and 2 seating chairs.

Other room has the bed and desk and dresser with TV on it and the bathroom attached.

My view is overlooking the parking lot where you drop off your car to valet so it is obstructed some by the roof of the main lobby. But not bad. I am on 9th floor.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Is there a current discount code?
AP discount code?

TIA!

 

[Karalee402]

Is there a current discount code?
AP discount code?

TIA!

AP code is QWH

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

AP code is QWH

Thank you!

 

[ah10is]

Just to say if you qualify for other discounts, it may be better than the AP. AAA gave me a better discount than the AP on my Swan Reserve booking in August. It's $20 less a night. So even though the AAA says is at 20% discount and the AP is 30% discount.....the AAA it worked out to be less.

 

[Cfabar1]

Yes, always check all discount codes. Another reason is room types might be available in some discounts but not others. Some of the savings rates are highly limited as to what kind of room you can book. Sometimes we don't care at all, but other times we want a specific kind of room.

 

[Karalee402]

Agreed! There is often a pretty decent teacher/first responder discount that we use.

 

[MsNewsradio]

Been out of the game for while (one trip last year while pregnant, which was definitely not our normal trip scenario, and the first since pre-COVID times). Planning a trip for January, but looks like dates will overlap with the Marathon weekend. Any hope of a decent rate at Swolphin, historically, or should we just assume prices will be high due to that event? We’ve got rooms reserved elsewhere to lock in a rate, but figured I’d ask here and see what it’s been like in the past.

 

[lmross]

Yes, always check all discount codes. Another reason is room types might be available in some discounts but not others. Some of the savings rates are highly limited as to what kind of room you can book. Sometimes we don't care at all, but other times we want a specific kind of room.

Based on a bunch of things I recently did it appears you can almost always pay $90 for an upgrade to an alcove room. I was able to do it on a points booking and a 3rd party booking I made. So even if you book the worst room with the discount there's a strong chance you can pay to upgrade also and it will likely be cheaper than rack rate for that room standalone.

 

[lmross]

Been out of the game for while (one trip last year while pregnant, which was definitely not our normal trip scenario, and the first since pre-COVID times). Planning a trip for January, but looks like dates will overlap with the Marathon weekend. Any hope of a decent rate at Swolphin, historically, or should we just assume prices will be high due to that event? We’ve got rooms reserved elsewhere to lock in a rate, but figured I’d ask here and see what it’s been like in the past.

The prices are online now? Can you not look? I just checked and they didn't seem outrageously high...

 

[MsNewsradio]

The prices are online now? Can you not look? I just checked and they didn't seem outrageously high...

I have looked, and they are higher than we’ve typically paid in the past to stay/when we’ve looked in the past for other dates (we’ve had decent luck finding rates under $300 a night usually). Assumed this would likely not be the case for that time of year considering the marathon/post-holidays, but wasn’t sure and thought someone here who has stayed at these properties more frequently might have some idea.

 

[lmross]

I have looked, and they are higher than we’ve typically paid in the past to stay/when we’ve looked in the past for other dates (we’ve had decent luck finding rates under $300 a night usually). Assumed this would likely not be the case for that time of year considering the marathon/post-holidays, but wasn’t sure and thought someone here who has stayed at these properties more frequently might have some idea.

FWIW you asked "Any hope of a decent rate at Swolphin" which the prices seem reasonable for an event weekend IMO. Everyone has different ideas of what a decent rate is. I see vloggers 2 years ago saying "I got a rate of $350 which is great deal" and I'm getting better deals today.

Right now, after tax the cheapest Epcot area resort is BoardWalk for $500 for next Friday (this is at a 30% discount). I was able to book the Dolphin for a rate between $185 - $230ish depending on discounts available.

For Jan 10th-12th - the cheapest Epcot area resort is Yacht club at $1,359.00 rack rate (30% discount would be 951.30) and the Dolphin's cheapest room is $879 rack rate ($731 passholder discount). So considering that there is no guarantee of a discount for Jan 2025 (though likely) the prices seem more than reasonable in comparison the surrounding resorts.

It's a crapshoot for Marriott, I don't think you can bet on trends due to how they have an insane amount of pricing fluctuation. Another point of insanity is that cash prices went down and points prices went up this month.

Anyway, not trying to be nitpicky but a reminder that what is expensive to some is not expensive to all...

ETA: Why not just book a refundable rate and modify your booking if prices go down?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Just to say if you qualify for other discounts, it may be better than the AP. AAA gave me a better discount than the AP on my Swan Reserve booking in August. It's $20 less a night. So even though the AAA says is at 20% discount and the AP is 30% discount.....the AAA it worked out to be less.

Just take it slow when booking AAA rates making sure you read the details. Some are refundable, some are not.

 

[ah10is]

Just take it slow when booking AAA rates making sure you read the details. Some are refundable, some are not.

Yes! I think this goes for several promos with these hotels.
Mine is refundable and works out to be $260 a night at the Swan Reserve including the resort fees. Very pleased with this rate.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Been out of the game for while (one trip last year while pregnant, which was definitely not our normal trip scenario, and the first since pre-COVID times). Planning a trip for January, but looks like dates will overlap with the Marathon weekend. Any hope of a decent rate at Swolphin, historically, or should we just assume prices will be high due to that event? We’ve got rooms reserved elsewhere to lock in a rate, but figured I’d ask here and see what it’s been like in the past.

Marathon weekend seems a lot more expensive this year as it looks like S/D is probably hosting a conference or event starting Sunday the 12th. That night in particular was NEVER available at a "typical" rate (I think it started over $800 when the calendar opened for booking which is not a typical rate even for holidays). It's worth it to keep checking in case they release some rooms at some point.




I would note that the Princess Weekend AP rates at both S&D are cheaper than staying at Pop, so sometimes it's just luck of the draw in terms of S/D's conference schedule and impact on room availability and thus rates.

I consider a "good rate" at S/D to be comparable to Disney moderate pricing. Any higher, and I would just rent DVC or book Disney Deluxe with a room discount. With AP/AAA you can often get closer to Pop rates at which I would always choose S/D over Pop. Disney moderates have gone up significantly in price, so I expect to pay more for S/D than I used to. But I have been pleasantly surprised and am paying less for both my upcoming stays than I did in prior years for the same dates, which I consider a win.