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

[BlueFairy]

The Dolphin is being renovated in sections. The entire West Wing was shut down when we were there in late June, for the renovation, which made for a nice stay since that really cut into the number of guests using the hotel. Many of the rooms had ladders and tools inside, and some were covered in plastic, that you could see through the windows from Fresh. They did not say which section was going to be next. It was not a top to bottom thing, as it was the entire West Wing out of service, and there were no lights on at night on any of the floors (as there would be with guests present).

Well if that is the case one could assume that the triangle (upper floors) are done based on what I recall hearing when we were making our request in March. I'm sure they told me all the upper floors were finished. We were on 11 over the fountains.

 

[Luisfba]

I currently have a reservation for a 1 bedroom suite at the Swan. I'm told these all have resort view and not a view towards dolphin. The agent told me that most of these face towards Epcot, and one faces towards HS. Just wondering - what do you folks recommend as the better view? Didn't ask for a balcony (it's extra 25/night - I don't expect we would use it much). I didn't ask about if they are on the higher floors or some on lower floors.

To be honest the suite looks real nice and Swan looks great. I can handle not doing MDE, and the 5 min extra walk to Boardwalk, etc.. only thing I'm kind of bummed about is laundry.. it's at the Dolphin? seems like kind of a hike to haul the laundry?

 

[Dan Murphy]

what do you folks recommend as the better view?

I prefer Epcot view, higher floors if possible. Nice view.

only thing I'm kind of bummed about is laundry.. it's at the Dolphin? seems like kind of a hike to haul the laundry?

Laundry is about 850 feet from Swan exit to the laundry itself.

 

[butternut]

I'm assuming you don't magic bands while staying at S/D but can you purchase them and have your park passes loaded on them?

 

[DLgal]

I'm assuming you don't magic bands while staying at S/D but can you purchase them and have your park passes loaded on them?

Yes you can, or if you have old ones you can use them.

 

[butternut]

Thank you!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well some of my Swan planning just went out the window for Oct. I wanted to use the AA points for a room and I knew they were changing the program to earn miles. Dh is on a trip right now and he should have gotten approx 10,000 miles and now with the new earning and calculation system he gets about 3,600 miles. So less miles/points to rack up for a room. sigh, sigh and more sigh.

So when he gets home I am going to see all of his hotel miles to convert into AA miles to get the room and those starpoints with the bonus too. Not too happy with AA right now.

So based on that we wont have any miles/points left for a room for our Dec. trip and we will have to pay for that totally out of pocket.

 

[butternut]

I thought you couldn't use AA points for a room at S/D?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think you can transfer SPG rewards to AA, but not the reverse.

 

[ImprovGal]

I thought you couldn't use AA points for a room at S/D?

You can use AA miles to book hotels. It is like a travel agency booking and the miles fluctuate based on the cash cost of the room. It is usually not the best value of miles, but if you've got the volume to burn may be worth it.

 

[DJFan88]

I'll be staying at the Swan for one night in 2 weeks. I will be going to Epcot and then over to DHS. I want a convenient room for getting to the parks. What should I make for a room request? Thanks

We just got back and we're in 3053. It's on east side a few doors down from the lobby, a quick escalator ride down and out the front door., or to the restaurants. If you go by shulas, there is the other side elevators to take you down to picabu.
Great location! Looks at boat dock and Swan.
I don't like elevators. The only floors you can access stairs in this place is the 3rd and 4th. Otherwise you have to use the elevator. I mean, I can ride them but I don't like that being my only option, so my location was perfect. Also 3055, 3057, 3051 that area.

 

[amyy]

We just got back and most of our stay was in room 5125. It sounded like the construction was above us and I noticed down the hall was "blocked" with plastic sheeting. I only heard the construction once when I was trying to take a nap in the afternoon.

DJFan88-were you there for the fire alarm at 5:15 am? We had our chance to access the stairs

 

[DJFan88]

DJFan88-were you there for the fire alarm at 5:15 am? We had our chance to access the stairs

Lol, too funny. No, I think we must've just missed it. I tried to access both stairs but noticed the emergency only, and opened one and it looked like maid supplies. They must not have been sold out, because when I asked if she had a room on the stairs floors, she said no problem, she had rooms.

Guess you made early entry that day, lol!

 

[amyy]

When we were let back in I didn't want to use the elevators because they were mobbed with people. The first 2 staff members we asked didn't even know where the stairs were, LOL. (we had no trouble finding them on our way out which was a relief)

 

[lizabu]

.....only thing I'm kind of bummed about is laundry.. it's at the Dolphin? seems like kind of a hike to haul the laundry?

I always say I'm not going to do laundry and then I end up doing laundry.i prefer the swan and it is abit of a hike to the laundry. I always travel with a garbage bag and dirty clothes goes right in there. At times when I have to do laundry I put it in my rolling suitcase and roll on over there. I get my laundry started and go have a banana split at the fountain because I think if I have to do laundry while on vacation I deserve a treat. The benches in the laundry room are really uncomfortable so I prefer to sit somewhere else. You can get the wifi in the laundry room or any of the restaurants so you can be posting vacation pictures or check disboards while you wait for your laundry.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always say I'm not going to do laundry and then I end up doing laundry.i prefer the swan and it is abit of a hike to the laundry. I always travel with a garbage bag and dirty clothes goes right in there. At times when I have to do laundry I put it in my rolling suitcase and roll on over there. I get my laundry started and go have a banana split at the fountain because I think if I have to do laundry while on vacation I deserve a treat. The benches in the laundry room are really uncomfortable so I prefer to sit somewhere else. You can get the wifi in the laundry room or any of the restaurants so you can be posting vacation pictures or check disboards while you wait for your laundry.

Excellent viewpoint, Liz!!

 

[Gondingl]

With attendance being low and Disney offering unheard of room discounts for this fall - what do we think the probability of S&W offering one as well? Debating if I should just go ahead and book or wait for a possible promo

 

[Dan Murphy]

With attendance being low and Disney offering unheard of room discounts for this fall - what do we think the probability of S&W offering one as well? Debating if I should just go ahead and book or wait for a possible promo

Unless your were booking a non refundable rate now, there is nothing to lose by booking now. You can always change to a lower rate if they drop the price in the future.

 

[Gondingl]

Unless your were booking a non refundable rate now, there is nothing to lose by booking now. You can always change to a lower rate if they drop the price in the future.

Thats what I'm debating between. The prepaid rate is about $300 cheaper for the stay but wondering when that rate will go away - when does it become too late to prepay

 

[butternut]

Has anyone stayed in a newly renovated room at the Dolphin? If so how was it? New furniture? Has the moldy smell disappeared? Just upgraded and paid the extra fee to reserve one for October and hoping for some feedback!