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

[pepperandchips]

I never think to take pictures of the room itself. I want to go back right now and make up for that!

I can't take credit, I found the photo on google but confirmed it's the same type with my own eyes in April

 

[Tiffer]

I was told when I called the other day that the Deluxe Alcove in the Swan is different than the Family Deluxe Alcove at the Dolphin (which I was told holds more people) . I'm sure it will fabulous!

 

[ww52]

I was told when I called the other day that the Deluxe Alcove in the Swan is different than the Family Deluxe Alcove at the Dolphin (which I was told holds more people) . I'm sure it will fabulous!

it was a very wonderful reservationist at the "Swolphin" who suggested what we wound up with. I wanted four rooms at the Swan - she asked specially the number of people an how many in each room etc and said the Family Deluxe Alcove ( two sets of two rooms at opposite ends of the hall) would not only be more comfortable - it was actually cheaper!

Seriously, we were so happy when we saw it I couldn't believe it. Actually - my wife was VERY happy with it, which in turn made me happy because she is VERY picky when we travel.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I was at the Swan the last weekend in July


Room was wonderful. Pool was Great with outstanding wait service


Front desk was a disaster. Took 30 minutes to check me in. My key card never opened the parking gate. (And I went by the front desk 3 times trying to get that fixed). Housekeeping didn’t come until after 6 PM one night.


Not my best stay but still better service and better room that I get at a Disney Deluxe

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome home.

A few bugs there for sure.

The pools there sure are great, aren't they?

I was at the Swan the last weekend in July


Room was wonderful. Pool was Great with outstanding wait service


Front desk was a disaster. Took 30 minutes to check me in. My key card never opened the parking gate. (And I went by the front desk 3 times trying to get that fixed). Housekeeping didn’t come until after 6 PM one night.


Not my best stay but still better service and better room that I get at a Disney Deluxe

 

[ww52]

Front desk was a disaster. Took 30 minutes to check me in. My key card never opened the parking gate. (And I went by the front desk 3 times trying to get that fixed). Housekeeping didn’t come until after 6 PM one night.


Not my best stay but still better service and better room that I get at a Disney Deluxe

Well, that goes to show that we tend to remember the good things and not the bad.

One in our party never got the key card working in the parking lot (6 night stay).
Housekeeping failed to replenish the water 3 days. And never showed up at all one day. We got back at about 5 or 6 and called - they had gone home. (No compensation - though I didn't push for it).

Also - for some reason we never figured out, they wouldn't take my $400 in AmEx gift cards at check out.

Oh well - overall we were like you - felt it was a great hotel - great room - but some glitches.

 

[mrsdaly]

Well, that goes to show that we tend to remember the good things and not the bad.

One in our party never got the key card working in the parking lot (6 night stay).
Housekeeping failed to replenish the water 3 days. And never showed up at all one day. We got back at about 5 or 6 and called - they had gone home. (No compensation - though I didn't push for it).

Also - for some reason we never figured out, they wouldn't take my $400 in AmEx gift cards at check out.

Oh well - overall we were like you - felt it was a great hotel - great room - but some glitches.

if you are an SPG Member you can get the points if there is no housekeeping. There were a couple times when they wanted to come in the room at around 3 or 4 pm when little one was napping or we were getting ready for dinner, so I said no thanks. They didn't credit my account right away, so I reached out after our trip and they gave me the "Make A Green Choice" points for every night of our trip (except the first night). With Marriott I'm worried those points won't be nearly as valuable... my last Marriott stay they offered 250 marriott points per night (it was a Springhill Suites, which might be why) - as opposed to 500 SPG points.. that's like... 83 SPG points or something???

 

[MarBee]

if you are an SPG Member you can get the points if there is no housekeeping. There were a couple times when they wanted to come in the room at around 3 or 4 pm when little one was napping or we were getting ready for dinner, so I said no thanks. They didn't credit my account right away, so I reached out after our trip and they gave me the "Make A Green Choice" points for every night of our trip (except the first night). With Marriott I'm worried those points won't be nearly as valuable... my last Marriott stay they offered 250 marriott points per night (it was a Springhill Suites, which might be why) - as opposed to 500 SPG points.. that's like... 83 SPG points or something???

I’m also curious about what points are being offered now after the merger. We are staying next week, so I will report back. Just curious if anyone else knows...

 

[OKW Lover]

Front desk was a disaster. Took 30 minutes to check me in.

Wondering if you have "status" with SPG? (I ask because I know your screen name also from FlyerTalk.) If so, did you use the their special line?

 

[ww52]

if you are an SPG Member you can get the points if there is no housekeeping

Thanks, Mrs D. I will look into that. While we are SPG members, we rarely accumulate points and I don't track it.

That's same with airline miles etc. We just don't accumulate a lot. We use a cash back Visa card and AmEx points (which in the whole scheme are not really that special compared to other options. Their exchange rate on things is pretty poor - though we did get a full week at the Sonoma Marriott with it).

Now in my "senior years", I regret not being more diligent in determining a better card rewards strategy. (Come to think of it, I probably don't get all the senior discounts I'm entitled to either!)

 

[mrsdaly]

I’m also curious about what points are being offered now after the merger. We are staying next week, so I will report back. Just curious if anyone else knows...

I think it will be 500 Marriott, but I'll be checking in in a couple weeks so I guess we will find out.

 

[shoreward]

SPG changes:

https://members.marriott.com/spg/

 

[Texans_loyal]

Hello,

Does anyone know if either resort offers airline check in?

 

[shoreward]

Hello,

Does anyone know if either resort offers airline check in?

These are not Disney-owned resorts; therefore, no RAC. However, there are computers in each lobby for you to check in and print off boarding passes.

 

[Texans_loyal]

These are not Disney-owned resorts; therefore, no RAC. However, there are computers in each lobby for you to check in and print off boarding passes.

That makes sense, thanks!

 

[rznhal]

Does anyone take an Uber from the hotel back to the airport? We've got transportation to the hotel at the start of the trip, but nothing for the return. Do you think it's safe to rely on Uber for a very early flight?

We had trouble with a super early flight back in January....Uber driver was 25 min late....when we got to MCO the frontier check in counter and security lines were so long we nearly missed our flight (they closed the plane door behind us!!!) we’ve used Uber many other times and had only one other less than great experience!

 

[e mcduck]

i feel like i have a super newbie question that i thought i knew the answer to and im now doubting myself. im staying at beach club for five days and booking a 9 day park ticket. im moving off site for a few days for a conference where i wont come to the parks, and then im coming back to the swan where ill use the last 4 days on my park ticket from my beach club reservatoin - all within the 14 day window. i can just continue to use my magic band from the beach club reservation for my park ticket and fast pass, right?

 

[ClapYourHands]

i feel like i have a super newbie question that i thought i knew the answer to and im now doubting myself. im staying at beach club for five days and booking a 9 day park ticket. im moving off site for a few days for a conference where i wont come to the parks, and then im coming back to the swan where ill use the last 4 days on my park ticket from my beach club reservatoin - all within the 14 day window. i can just continue to use my magic band from the beach club reservation for my park ticket and fast pass, right?

Right. Your ticket is a 9-day ticket with a 14-day window. It is not “on” your magic band. Your magic band is what “connects” your ticket to the turnstiles and ride entrances in the park. Once your ticket is linked to your MB, it doesn’t matter where you reside.

We’re starting our next trip at Pop, and then moving to the swan. We will keep our MBs for the whole trip.

 

[NancyIL]

I think it will be 500 Marriott, but I'll be checking in in a couple weeks so I guess we will find out.

500 SPG points are worth 1500 Marriott points. With the Marriott and Starwood programs merging - I hope the Make a Green Choice option will be 1500 points per day without housekeeping, in order to be an equivalent value. However, the Starwood AMEX card didn't keep up when it joined Marriott. The 2 Marriott points per dollar earned since August 1st on non-Marriott/SPG spending is worth 2/3 of its previous value. That credit card will now be used only for Starwood and Marriott hotel stays.

 

[RachelTori]

I’m giving up my SPG Amex at its anniversary date (January).

Not sure if I want the Marriott card. I think we have enough Chase cards already! (Disney, SWA, Freedom Unlimited)