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

[disneyduonj]

Can you get a fireworks view room at the Swan?

 

[disneyduonj]

How much are those "nominal fees" for things like sand art, tshirts hair braiding, ceramics etc?,

 

[pwrflpills]

Update: Got all my FPs at 60 days yesterday with no problem. Ready to roll.

 

[danjoan14]

You can do on line check in on the Starwood site. Even if you don't do it, you can still drop your bags off with bell services and head to the parks just like you do at a WDW resort.

That message won't change in MDE unless you booked through Disney. The Swan and Dolphin reservation systems are separate from Disney's and hence the reason detailed information is not available to MDE. If your party count is correct in MDE, you are good to go.

Thank you so much for the helpful information.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Can you get a fireworks view room at the Swan?

A higher floor, maybe 6 or higher, on the east side, would give you an Epcot view. You would be able to see the higher fireworks from there. YOu will be able to hear he fireworls from anywhere at S/D.

 

[Dan Murphy]

2016 Swan Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

http://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com

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[disneyduonj]

A higher floor, maybe 6 or higher, on the east side, would give you an Epcot view. You would be able to see the higher fireworks from there. YOu will be able to hear he fireworls from anywhere at S/D.

Thanks! I hear there is a bridge that works too - is that a better view?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Question, since someone has mentioned to watch out for this, has anyone experienced issues with paying something different than what is shown on the confirmation you get when you book?
I know there is a resort fee, that's shown on the breakdown on my confirmation. Along with taxes. We won't have a car, so no parking fees. I realize there are add ons like food, etc. But I'm not planning on making any charges back to the room. We'll use our stand alone credit card for all purchases. Is there something else that could generate a charge? Just so I'm prepared.

One thing I want to point out in case you didn't see it--make sure you bring your AAA card if you have one and use it for discounts at the casual restaurants. It's purported to be 20% at Picabu and The Fountain.

Picabu is like the resort food court, open 24/7 for sundries and snacks. The Fountain is a wonderful burger and ice cream place.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks! I hear there is a bridge that works too - is that a better view?

You might be speaking of the bridge that connects the Boardwalk area to the Yacht and Beach Clubs area, near the International Gateway. You would be able to see the high up fireworks fro there also. Much of the Epcot fireworks presentation of Illuminations is on the surface, not able to be seen from outside the park.

https://goo.gl/maps/BsR9QVD2KS72

 

[kappyfamily]

Ok experts, two questions.
1. Can I use my Disney rewards gift card (from my Disney visa) to purchase things at he hotel (gift shop, restaurants, etc)?

2. We booked at the Swan using Starwood points which we've never done before (basic traditional room, November 6-11). Does anyone know if we are able to call and pay for an upgrade to a nicer room? We are out of points but don't mind paying. Curious if anyone has had luck with that.

Thank you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

1. Can I use my Disney rewards gift card (from my Disney visa) to purchase things at he hotel (gift shop, restaurants, etc)?

You would be able to use the Disney gift cards at the Disney gift shops, one in each resort, as well as the Disney ticket desk, one in each resort.

I do not know about your second question.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Booking success but it was not easy!
We are staying at the Swan Oct. 17 and 18th with dh ff points. Thank goodness for them since the rooms are sold out. I havent checked what conference/event is going on yet.

I am not counting on getting a good room/view with it being sold out.

Then, yes, sorry we are going over to the Yacht Club for 2 days since its still sold out on Wed. and then we are coming back to the Swan again just for Friday.
So thats technically 3 resort changes for the actual 5 days but you gotta do what you gotta do to get a room during Food and Wine!!

Yes we will been those crazy people dragging our suitcases onto the friendship. We only do it during non busy times as usual.

At the bus stop is it still just combined with the Dolphin coming over to the Swan yet? The resort booking noted that.

 

[msb578]

Booking success but it was not easy!
We are staying at the Swan Oct. 17 and 18th with dh ff points. Thank goodness for them since the rooms are sold out. I havent checked what conference/event is going on yet.

I am not counting on getting a good room/view with it being sold out.

Then, yes, sorry we are going over to the Yacht Club for 2 days since its still sold out on Wed. and then we are coming back to the Swan again just for Friday.
So thats technically 3 resort changes for the actual 5 days but you gotta do what you gotta do to get a room during Food and Wine!!

Yes we will been those crazy people dragging our suitcases onto the friendship. We only do it during non busy times as usual.

At the bus stop is it still just combined with the Dolphin coming over to the Swan yet? The resort booking noted that.

My understanding is Disney and S/D are accommodating with moving bags between each other's resorts. Hopefully someone can personally verify this...

 

[luvmarypoppins]

My dh likes to have his stuff with him at all times so he doesnt mind moving the luggage himself plus his laptop is owned by the govt. so he has to observe someone putting into a locked storage room if our room is not ready.

 

[Dan Murphy]

My understanding is Disney and S/D are accommodating with moving bags between each other's resorts. Hopefully someone can personally verify this...

Yes, Disney to S/D and also the reverse.

 

[AngiTN]

Yes, Disney to S/D and also the reverse.

Really? So when I move from SS to Dolphin they'll move our bags? Nice. I was not expecting that at all. I'd told DH we'd need to take our bags over ourself.

 

[dansdad]

Really? So when I move from SS to Dolphin they'll move our bags? Nice. I was not expecting that at all. I'd told DH we'd need to take our bags over ourself.

Yup, they sure will!

 

[RachelTori]

My dh likes to have his stuff with him at all times so he doesnt mind moving the luggage himself plus his laptop is owned by the govt. so he has to observe someone putting into a locked storage room if our room is not ready.

I always roll my luggage between Swan/Dolphin and BC/YC or BWI as I rarely spend an entire trip at one resort!! Split stays at the Epcot resorts are so easy!!

 

[Robert P]

Ok experts, two questions.

2. We booked at the Swan using Starwood points which we've never done before (basic traditional room, November 6-11). Does anyone know if we are able to call and pay for an upgrade to a nicer room? We are out of points but don't mind paying. Curious if anyone has had luck with that.

Thank you!

When we used points in June, we were offered an upgrade at check in for an additional fee per night. It seems it depends on the occupancy level at the time of your stay.

 

[lizabu]

2. We booked at the Swan using Starwood points which we've never done before (basic traditional room, November 6-11). Does anyone know if we are able to call and pay for an upgrade to a nicer room? We are out of points but don't mind paying. Curious if anyone has had luck with that.

Thank you!

Yes. You have to speak to in house reservations at the hotel. You can confirm the upgraded room for a fee prior to check in.