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

[FancyNancy]

@SteveH Thanks for the reply. I was thinking it could go either way!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hopefully this change at Disney owned hotels won't filter over to S/D over time.

https://www.kennythepirate.com/2019/09/27/disney-world-eliminates-outside-vendor-drop-off-services/

 

[CJN]

Hopefully this change at Disney owned hotels won't filter over to S/D over time.

https://www.kennythepirate.com/2019/09/27/disney-world-eliminates-outside-vendor-drop-off-services/

I hope so, too, although at least one company (Gold Mobility) already does the face-to-face delivery and are extremely efficient about it.

 

[hedberg1661]

Hopefully this change at Disney owned hotels won't filter over to S/D over time.

https://www.kennythepirate.com/2019/09/27/disney-world-eliminates-outside-vendor-drop-off-services/

This is an extremely poor decision for Disney and I hope they get some very needed poor responses to their surveys because of this. IMO this is one of those things that has Chapek written all over it. That guy has got to go.

 

[blewits]

I’m super excited and have to share. Thank for y’alls advice on Swolphin. I am sitting on a reservation for 2 tower rooms at Gran Destino in December for 5 ppl. I booked a 2 bedroom executive suite w/balcony at The Swan yesterday!

Going to drop CSR tower.

I loose “free” dining plan but that’s fine by us. I’m coming out $1200 cheaper. Have a living room, large dining table, wet bar and balcony! Plus several more transportation options! Oh. AND 3 BATHROOMS! Our kids are young adults so, that’s a big one.

I’m so excited about this. We have never stayed there before. The suite is YUGE and the grounds are lovely. It’s not until early December but I will post photos when we go.

Y’all should post more room photos on here. Especially suites and alcove rooms. I never get tired of looking at those. Lol

Lastly, Abbey in reservations who helped me out, could not have been more helpful and friendly.

Thanks everyone.

 

[blewits]

This is an extremely poor decision for Disney and I hope they get some very needed poor responses to their surveys because of this. IMO this is one of those things that has Chapek written all over it. That guy has got to go.

PREACH!

 

[hedberg1661]

I’m super excited and have to share. Thank for y’alls advice on Swolphin. I am sitting on a reservation for 2 tower rooms at Gran Destino in December for 5 ppl. I booked a 2 bedroom executive suite w/balcony at The Swan yesterday!

Going to drop CSR tower.

I loose “free” dining plan but that’s fine by us. I’m coming out $1200 cheaper. Have a living room, large dining table, wet bar and balcony! Plus several more transportation options! Oh. AND 3 BATHROOMS! Our kids are young adults so, that’s a big one.

I’m so excited about this. We have never stayed there before. The suite is YUGE and the grounds are lovely. It’s not until early December but I will post photos when we go.

Y’all should post more room photos on here. Especially suites and alcove rooms. I never get tired of looking at those. Lol

Lastly, Abbey in reservations who helped me out, could not have been more helpful and friendly.

Thanks everyone.

I have worked with Abbey before and yes she is fantastic!

 

[shoreward]

Thank for y’alls advice on Swolphin. I am sitting on a reservation for 2 tower rooms at Gran Destino in December for 5 ppl. I booked a 2 bedroom executive suite w/balcony at The Swan yesterday!

Y’all should post more room photos on here. Especially suites and alcove rooms. I never get tired of looking at those. Lol

There are a few photos here to review:

https://www.swandolphin.com/accommodations/swan_exec.html

 

[Dan Murphy]

I’m super excited and have to share. Thank for y’alls advice on Swolphin. I am sitting on a reservation for 2 tower rooms at Gran Destino in December for 5 ppl. I booked a 2 bedroom executive suite w/balcony at The Swan yesterday!

Going to drop CSR tower.

I loose “free” dining plan but that’s fine by us. I’m coming out $1200 cheaper. Have a living room, large dining table, wet bar and balcony! Plus several more transportation options! Oh. AND 3 BATHROOMS! Our kids are young adults so, that’s a big one.

I’m so excited about this. We have never stayed there before. The suite is YUGE and the grounds are lovely. It’s not until early December but I will post photos when we go.

Y’all should post more room photos on here. Especially suites and alcove rooms. I never get tired of looking at those. Lol

Lastly, Abbey in reservations who helped me out, could not have been more helpful and friendly.

Thanks everyone.

What's not to like there???!!! And $1,200 to boot!! Enjoy your trip and resort.

 

[jennypenny]

May I ask what kind of rate you got? Actually, if anyone knows the typical Swan suite rates I'd love to know.


another Q: I have family joining us and they want to book the Senior rate, but the website implies that the reservation has to be paid in full at the time of booking. Is that right? It's two rooms for Easter week, so it's a few thousand dollars. I'm sure they won't want to pay in full in September for an April trip.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is an extremely poor decision for Disney and I hope they get some very needed poor responses to their surveys because of this. IMO this is one of those things that has Chapek written all over it. That guy has got to go.

I don't know. Disney shouldn't be expected to have to deal with all of the deliveries people want to have. I can totally understand them wanting you there to get your ecv. stroller, instead of having to have a CM deal with it. It has to eat up a ton of time and resources.

 

[hedberg1661]

I don't know. Disney shouldn't be expected to have to deal with all of the deliveries people want to have. I can totally understand them wanting you there to get your ecv. stroller, instead of having to have a CM deal with it. It has to eat up a ton of time and resources.

I only have experience with the ECV rentals but it took them more than 1 and less than 5 minutes to get the scooter to us. It’s been the level of service that we expect from a high priced resort. It’s not the end of the world but it’s yet another cutback.

 

[CJN]

May I ask what kind of rate you got? Actually, if anyone knows the typical Swan suite rates I'd love to know.


another Q: I have family joining us and they want to book the Senior rate, but the website implies that the reservation has to be paid in full at the time of booking. Is that right? It's two rooms for Easter week, so it's a few thousand dollars. I'm sure they won't want to pay in full in September for an April trip.

Once you get to the room options make sure to not click on the “Prepay and Save” tab. I accidentally did that once. Those, yes, will be charged right away. And those rates aren’t as low as senior rates either. I have reservations for the last week of March on senior rate and, just like normal, only the first night needs to be paid to hold it.

p.s. I’d also love to know more about suite rates, especially since I’m currently holding reservations for two rooms.

 

[maxiesmom]

I only have experience with the ECV rentals but it took them more than 1 and less than 5 minutes to get the scooter to us. It’s been the level of service that we expect from a high priced resort. It’s not the end of the world but it’s yet another cutback.

I don't think the resorts are set up for the large number of scooters and ecvs they are accepting. I know my last stay at the Swan just last month there was a large number of them parked outside, under dubious cover.

 

[blewits]

May I ask what kind of rate you got? Actually, if anyone knows the typical Swan suite rates I'd love to know.


another Q: I have family joining us and they want to book the Senior rate, but the website implies that the reservation has to be paid in full at the time of booking. Is that right? It's two rooms for Easter week, so it's a few thousand dollars. I'm sure they won't want to pay in full in September for an April trip.

Just saw this but going to bed. I’m happy to share.

I called the swan/ dolphin directly because I saw no 2 bedrooms available anywhere online. Come to find out, they only do more than one one bedroom stays via telephone.

I’ll share tomorrow or PM you. If you call, be sure to ask for Abby. She is phenomenal in reservations.

Oops. Also, I only had to pay deposit. Call directly.

 

[blewits]

Once you get to the room options make sure to not click on the “Prepay and Save” tab. I accidentally did that once. Those, yes, will be charged right away. And those rates aren’t as low as senior rates either. I have reservations for the last week of March on senior rate and, just like normal, only the first night needs to be paid to hold it.

p.s. I’d also love to know more about suite rates, especially since I’m currently holding reservations for two rooms.

I’ll crunch my numbers and post tomorrow, if I’m not breaking any rules.

 

[Dan Murphy]

if I’m not breaking any rules.

You're fine.

 

[SteveH]

We were in the Dolphin, but the Swan pool was closed for an event and one Dolphin pool closed for renovations. I will say the pool wasn’t crowded last week.
Remember these hotels are part of Bonvoy-I used points. This is where my complaint has continued.

I'll be curious to hear if you get anywhere with a complain to Marriott. Please let us know.

@SteveH Thanks for the reply. I was thinking it could go either way!

I think they are missing out but not direct marketing to past customers, but I think they are so focused on being a conference resort that it drives everything.

Hopefully this change at Disney owned hotels won't filter over to S/D over time.

https://www.kennythepirate.com/2019/09/27/disney-world-eliminates-outside-vendor-drop-off-services/

Wow!
But to be honest I am really not surprised at all. I can see this from Disney's side that they were spending a lot of time dealing with these and they are not getting a cut. I did expect to see that Disney approved vendors would be exempt, but I'm not seeing that. I don't think it's totally unreasonable to to ask vendors to meet the customer, but my gut says that the grocery deliveries will come next. Though I guess my biggest surprise is that Disney didn't just add a few and use it as a profit center.

 

[blewits]

@jennypenny and @CJN here are my rate quotes.

Dec 15 - 20. 5 ppl. (2 17 year olds considered children)

Dolphin Premium studio with attached lock off bedroom with 2 full beds $506.25 per night 2 bathrooms. GT $2531.25

Dolphin grand suite $714.38 per night 3 bathrooms. GT $3571.88

Swan executive suite with balcony $770.53 per night 3 bathrooms GT $3853.13

Now, to be clear, compared to CSR Tower rate, this is more expensive (execption dolphin premium studio) but not by far. I was able to come out cheaper because I had to lock into a Disney package and we upgraded our dining plan to get one Ts Meal every day.

I will buy our park hoppers from undercover tourist and we will have more meals offsite. Or have them delivered. Bucket of chicken, pizza, whatever. Use our chase rewards points for meals on property. But here, I can walk, boat or skyline to two parks whereas CSR is bus to everything.

All rates posted include tax and resort fee. Not parking.

Hope that helps.

We do not have Bonvoy points. I signed up for it 5 minutes before I spoke with Abby in reservations just to get any discount on the rate. AAA rate was just a couple of dollars less but not worth me signing up for.

 

[CJN]

@jennypenny and @CJN here are my rate quotes.

Dec 15 - 20. 5 ppl. (2 17 year olds considered children)

Dolphin Premium studio with attached lock off bedroom with 2 full beds $506.25 per night 2 bathrooms. GT $2531.25

Dolphin grand suite $714.38 per night 3 bathrooms. GT $3571.88

Swan executive suite with balcony $770.53 per night 3 bathrooms GT $3853.13

Now, to be clear, compared to CSR Tower rate, this is more expensive (execption dolphin premium studio) but not by far. I was able to come out cheaper because I had to lock into a Disney package and we upgraded our dining plan to get one Ts Meal every day.

I will buy our park hoppers from undercover tourist and we will have more meals offsite. Or have them delivered. Bucket of chicken, pizza, whatever. Use our chase rewards points for meals on property. But here, I can walk, boat or skyline to two parks whereas CSR is bus to everything.

All rates posted include tax and resort fee. Not parking.

Hope that helps.

We do not have Bonvoy points. I signed up for it 5 minutes before I spoke with Abby in reservations just to get any discount on the rate. AAA rate was just a couple of dollars less but not worth me signing up for.

I very much appreciate the breakdown on your price quotes. I used senior rate and am currently holding two rooms at Swan for $261/night each, including tax and resort fee but have wondered if trying to find a suite would work out better. Our rooms are standard non-view but having two bathrooms and four beds with two teenagers along seemed more important than view anyway. I was pretty happy to get these for $522/night total but may call to see about other options. Thanks again!