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

[shoreward]

I'm in the early stages of planning a trip in February.. I usually don't know this far in advance that I'm going, so I have more time to plan this time around. Since I usually book closer to my dates, the rates for the Dolphin are usually discounted by the time I book, but they still seem a little high for Feb. Should I book now to lock in my dates and try to re-book if the rates go down, or just wait and see if the rates go down before I book? I don't have plans to eat at any difficult to get ADRs, so I don't feel the need to start making them at 180 days.

As others have posted, I also suggest booking now. The points booking cost for the Swan, Feb into early March, is 16,000 points, instead of the usual 12,000 points per night. When I inquired about the increased cost, I was informed that these months were considered a "peak" period. This increased cost in both cash and points bookings has been the same for both 2017 and 2018, during those months. Though the points cost for the Dolphin in February is the standard 10,000 points, I'm not surprised that the cash cost is higher, than normal. So, again, I would suggest locking in a room, now, and keeping an eye on rates for a rate drop.

Interestingly, enough, the Swan happens to have some lower cash rates in February, which you may want to look at. The Swan is rated slightly higher, than the Dolphin. Their two-bed rooms have queen beds, instead of double beds found at the Dolphin.

 

[Clare Voince]

As you may have read, there are a number of conventions at the S&D. I found this makes it somewhat difficult to predict availability. I would highly recommend booking now and "tweaking" your reservation as time goes on.

This is what I would do. Get a reservation and work on it over the coming months.

Thanks! How difficult is it to change your reservation? Would it be easier if I went through a travel agent that checks for me?

 

[Clare Voince]

As others have posted, I also suggest booking now. The points booking cost for the Swan, Feb into early March, is 16,000 points, instead of the usual 12,000 points per night. When I inquired about the increased cost, I was informed that these months were considered a "peak" period. This increased cost in both cash and points bookings has been the same for both 2017 and 2018, during those months. Though the points cost for the Dolphin in February is the standard 10,000 points, I'm not surprised that the cash cost is higher, than normal. So, again, I would suggest locking in a room, now, and keeping an eye on rates for a rate drop.

Interestingly, enough, the Swan happens to have some lower cash rates in February, which you may want to look at. The Swan is rated slightly higher, than the Dolphin. Their two-bed rooms have queen beds, instead of double beds found at the Dolphin.

I'm surprised that Feb is considered peak. The beds aren't an issue for me, because I'm a solo traveler. I've thought about trying the Swan, but I had a fireworks view at the Dolphin last time, and I'd really like to get that view again.

 

[shoreward]

I'm surprised that Feb is considered peak. The beds aren't an issue for me, because I'm a solo traveler. I've thought about trying the Swan, but I had a fireworks view at the Dolphin last time, and I'd really like to get that view again.

There are some unbelievable fireworks views from the upper floors of the east wing of the Swan (not just from a guest room). I have seen Illuminations fireworks by looking slightly to the right and Wishes by looking off to the left - fireworks in stereo!
The king bed rooms at the Swan have a walk-in shower, while the queen bed rooms have a tub with shower head.

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks! How difficult is it to change your reservation? Would it be easier if I went through a travel agent that checks for me?

I use their website. You can modify or cancel directly. I have never used a travel agent for booking at the S&D.

 

[Clare Voince]

There are some unbelievable fireworks views from the upper floors of the east wing of the Swan (not just from a guest room). I have seen Illuminations fireworks by looking slightly to the right and Wishes by looking off to the left - fireworks in stereo!
The king bed rooms at the Swan have a walk-in shower, while the queen bed rooms have a tub with shower head. Both styles have a sink/vanity in the bathroom and an additional sink/vanity just outside the bathroom.

Hm. I'd like the walk in shower! Are those rooms 'resort view'?

 

[shoreward]

Hm. I'd like the walk in shower! Are those rooms 'resort view'?

I believe that all views have king bed rooms. I would suggest calling Swan/Dolphin reservations directly. They are very knowledgeable and helpful.
You can also ask about any promos available during your planned visit.
Reservations 888-828-8850

 

[Clare Voince]

I believe that all views have king bed rooms. I would suggest calling Swan/Dolphin reservations directly. They are very knowledgeable and helpful.
You can also ask about any promos available during your planned visit.
Reservations 888-828-8850

Sorry, I switched gears mid question.. I meant are the rooms that you can see fireworks from called 'resort view'? It seems the Swan doesn't have a fireworks view category.

 

[shoreward]

Sorry, I switched gears mid question.. I meant are the rooms that you can see fireworks from called 'resort view'? It seems the Swan doesn't have a fireworks view category.

Some "resort" views may not be of fireworks, while others might. Again, I suggest calling Swan/Dolphin reservations (not Starwood). They can give you specific info and place special room requests, if you book.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Thanks! How difficult is it to change your reservation? Would it be easier if I went through a travel agent that checks for me?

I booked Dolphin for Feb 28- March 4, already nothing available Feb 27 at either Swan or Dolphin. I decided to do one night at Poly on 2/28, so needed to cancel 2/28 but keep 3/1-3/4. Tried on website, then called Starwood. They said the hotel was completely booked and they couldn't re-book me because no rooms are available. They suggested I call Dolphin directly, which I did & they were able to just cancel the one day without having to rebook the whole ressie.
So I would definitely just book now and then call directly if you need to change it.

 

[SA mom]

We just booked for 2nd week of March. We are so excited to be returning after 4 years. We were still able to get a room at 12,000 at the Swan. Dolphin was booked.

 

[JerseyJanice]

We just booked for 2nd week of March. We are so excited to be returning after 4 years. We were still able to get a room at 12,000 at the Swan. Dolphin was booked.

You will love the new rooms at the Swan. They are sumptuous.

 

[shoreward]

We just booked for 2nd week of March. We are so excited to be returning after 4 years. We were still able to get a room at 12,000 at the Swan. Dolphin was booked.

Your planning worked out well. The Swan resets to 12,000 points on March 12.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

As others have posted, I also suggest booking now. The points booking cost for the Swan, Feb into early March, is 16,000 points, instead of the usual 12,000 points per night. When I inquired about the increased cost, I was informed that these months were considered a "peak" period. This increased cost in both cash and points bookings has been the same for both 2017 and 2018, during those months. Though the points cost for the Dolphin in February is the standard 10,000 points, I'm not surprised that the cash cost is higher, than normal. So, again, I would suggest locking in a room, now, and keeping an eye on rates for a rate drop.

Interestingly, enough, the Swan happens to have some lower cash rates in February, which you may want to look at. The Swan is rated slightly higher, than the Dolphin. Their two-bed rooms have queen beds, instead of double beds found at the Dolphin.

I wonder if it's peak for conferences. Spring break isn't usually until at least March, sometimes April. I'd expect "peak" to be Spring Break. Our Spring Break next year is last week of March, ending with Easter.

 

[shoreward]

I wonder if it's peak for conferences. Spring break isn't usually until at least March, sometimes April. I'd expect "peak" to be Spring Break. Our Spring Break next year is last week of March, ending with Easter.

I believe there are some large medical conferences at Swan/Dolphin every year at that time.

 

[MarBee]

I've tried starting from the beginning of the threat but some of the info is outdated.
Hope you don't mind a few questions that are probably somewhere in here.

1. Im pretty sure you still get the 60 advance for fast passes but do you get the ability book the 180 plus 10 for dining?
2. Is the fridge empty? I feel like years ago it was more like a minibar? Need to be able to store milk and snacks for the kids

Thanks!

Although you aren't technically supposed to be able to do dining at 180+10 at this hotel, I just did it. Others have had luck too. Try it and see!

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I believe there are some large medical conferences at Swan/Dolphin every year at that time.

There are a number of medical conferences held in January-February every year, so it seems likely.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Although you aren't technically supposed to be able to do dining at 180+10 at this hotel, I just did it. Others have had luck too. Try it and see!

I'm hoping it will work for me, especially since our first night is Poly, followed by Dolphin.

 

[CarolinaBlue99]

We had the appropriate number of guests and correct names and still had a problem. The names appeared correctly on the MDE site (after discussions with customer service) and the 60 day window only appeared as 30 on days 60 and 59.

Has anyone else had this issue? I've booked the Swan on the SPG site using points for 3/3-3/9 (hooray!), then linked our reservation to MDE using the reservation number. All our names show on the reservation on MDE. Are we all set or do I need to contact Disney customer service to be sure we are ready to book Fast Passes on the first day of the 60 day window?

I'm planning on calling SPG tomorrow to inquire about adding a balcony to our reservation for 1k points per night (thanks for letting me know that's an option!), so should I also ask about whether we are linked to MDE? Could they even help me with that or is that a Disney issue? What's everyone's usual process when booking through the SPG site? Thanks for any advice! (First time poster, long time reader ...)

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Has anyone else had this issue? I've booked the Swan on the SPG site using points for 3/3-3/9 (hooray!), then linked our reservation to MDE using the reservation number. All our names show on the reservation on MDE. Are we all set or do I need to contact Disney customer service to be sure we are ready to book Fast Passes on the first day of the 60 day window?

I'm planning on calling SPG tomorrow to inquire about adding a balcony to our reservation for 1k points per night (thanks for letting me know that's an option!), so should I also ask about whether we are linked to MDE? Could they even help me with that or is that a Disney issue? What's everyone's usual process when booking through the SPG site? Thanks for any advice! (First time poster, long time reader ...)

When I booked last year on points, I had no issues. Used the number SPG gave me, linked reservation, booked FP's
I am booked for next March as well, so haven't booked dining/FP yet, but I did SM to have them add DS since I forgot him on the reservation. The reservation now shows all 3 of us.