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

[Dan Murphy]

Do Swan/Dolphin guests get the +10 benefit for FP+ reservations?

Actually, it is 60 days vs. 30 days. S/D do get the 60 days.

 

[SA mom]

Hey all, checking in again. I currently have a Swan 2Q standard room booked for Easter week (4th - 11th) on points. However, with our 2 year old daughter, going to be walking on eggshells at night/naptime a bit so was thinking of trying to upgrade to the Deluxe Alcove rooms and we can put her portacrib in the "table" area at least based on the floorplans I've seen. (Based on the floorplans for the Dolphin alcove rooms, I don't know if we get any additional "space" off to a side or whatever that would accomplish the same thing - right?)

2 questions:

- If I wanted to upgrade on points (I know people get different answers about ability to do this) would I call SPG or the hotel directly? I think its got to be SPG, but I've seen people elsewhere talk about "putting the request on the reservation" for an upgrade as well as discussing pre-arrival upgrades (without paying/points charged) which I would've thought would be the hotel directly, which leads me to my next question...:

- I'm Gold status and while I know mileage varies on "status upgrades" for Gold, if I were to check on the possibility of a pre-arrival status upgrade (or really just inquire on the possibility/likelihood of such an upgrade, and maybe even note I'd be willing to do it on points as well to see if I got someone friendly on the phone...) would that be through the hotel directly or SPG?

I guess the questions are kind of linked. Bottom line, if I wanted to call somewhere today and discuss upgrading my room to an alcove while checking to see if they might have the ability to do a status upgrade before using more points, should I try the hotel directly (would assume they are in charge of ultimately giving upgrades) or the SPG line (know you have to go through here to book on points)? Thanks!

We always stay on points. We are gold status. The difference in points for a standard room versus an alcove room was only about 1500 points last we checked. We booked standard last summer because we didn't have enough points to upgrade and we received a complementary upgrade to a Jr. Suite which was very similar to an alcove. Previously, our upgrade was to a room with a better view of illuminations. If you have the points, I would book the alcove rather than hoping for an upgrade. Easter week is really busy and your chances of a significant upgrade are slimmer.

 

[ckelly14]

Actually, it is 60 days vs. 30 days. S/D do get the 60 days.

Dan: I think he was asking if you can book length of stay at the 60 day mark, but maybe I didn't understand that correctly...

 

[jas80]

Dan: I think he was asking if you can book length of stay at the 60 day mark, but maybe I didn't understand that correctly...

Yes that's what I was asking. I know S/D gets the 60 days. But I saw in the previous posts that they don't get the +10 benefit on ADRs, so wanted to check if that applied to FP+ as well. Glad to hear that I will get that benefit though.

 

[ckelly14]

Yep, for FP+, S&D is exactly the same as any Disney resort.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dan: I think he was asking if you can book length of stay at the 60 day mark, but maybe I didn't understand that correctly...

Yes that's what I was asking. I know S/D gets the 60 days. But I saw in the previous posts that they don't get the +10 benefit on ADRs, so wanted to check if that applied to FP+ as well. Glad to hear that I will get that benefit though.

Ahh, I see, thanks for making that clear.

 

[thebs19]

We always stay on points. We are gold status. The difference in points for a standard room versus an alcove room was only about 1500 points last we checked. We booked standard last summer because we didn't have enough points to upgrade and we received a complementary upgrade to a Jr. Suite which was very similar to an alcove. Previously, our upgrade was to a room with a better view of illuminations. If you have the points, I would book the alcove rather than hoping for an upgrade. Easter week is really busy and your chances of a significant upgrade are slimmer.

Thanks!

I actually called to ask about making the switch (kind of gave my whole story as outlined above, was trying to prod a bit about upgrade availability that week, etc.), then finally asking about just booking on points - they told me right now I couldn't book an alcove on point, but could for a cash charge per night of $90 or a balcony alcove for $150. I didn't think that was economical at this point but the person also did not that they had me flagged in the system as gold and upon check in they would definitely look at what they could do, and also to check back in a few weeks.

I read on a flyertalk message board regarding SPG about using the online concierge service, if offered, to get a request in writing, as those would make it to the "right hands", as in someone who could make something happen if they wanted to rather than someone at the reservation desk who may not have such unilateral authority. So I actually did that, noting willingness to pay with points, etc. (had to request a crib anyway) and I got a note back a few days later saying that someone from their Guest Relations Ambassadors team was going to be reaching out to me in the coming days to discuss our upcoming stay. So, I guess, fingers crossed.

 

[ckelly14]

I used to pay for an executive suite with points. The last time (June) I was able to pay for the regular room in points but had to pay an extra 200 per night to get the suite. Seems like this is a new "policy"...

 

[twirly123]

Yep, for FP+, S&D is exactly the same as any Disney resort.

I made 14 days worth of FP at 60 days pre-departure earlier this week and it worked fantastically

 

[twirly123]

If I wanted to pick up our paper tickets the night before our first park day (as a back up - I have already linked to old MBs), where is the nearest will call window to the Swan?

 

[Dan Murphy]

If I wanted to pick up our paper tickets the night before our first park day (as a back up - I have already linked to old MBs), where is the nearest will call window to the Swan?

It would either be at Epcot's International Gateway or Hollywood Studios guest services booth. Either a medium walk or boat ride away.

 

[hsmamato2]

Just stayed at Dolphin for 8 nites in a lovely room,that was really big,I think the kind checkin person upgraded us from an ordinary room I don't know if its considered a regular room or something else, we had a partial view of studios,and a huge bathroom,counterbarea,but only one sink in bathroom. Then we got snowed in, and booked another 2 nites ( cash and points) and got a normal room with small bathroom.the view was out back,over service entrance...not impressive,but we could see AkLnand MK in the distance.....turns out we had a nightly view of the wishes fireworks from our room..... The awesomeness of this hotel,esp. Using their points program,along with the lovely pool area,and restaurants..... It's my favorite hotel on property at this point!

 

[BOST99]

Hi All,

I'm exploring all my options for a Christmas time trip (sometime during the first two weeks of December). Looks like they are booked completely the week after Thanksgiving and the following week rooms are $300/night. Does this seem right or is it maybe just too early and better rates/availability will be offered closer to December?

Just seemed very expensive compared to what rates may be offered at BC/YC/BWI at that time.

thanks!

 

[ckelly14]

Hi All,

I'm exploring all my options for a Christmas time trip (sometime during the first two weeks of December). Looks like they are booked completely the week after Thanksgiving and the following week rooms are $300/night. Does this seem right or is it maybe just too early and better rates/availability will be offered closer to December?

Just seemed very expensive compared to what rates may be offered at BC/YC/BWI at that time.

thanks!

Unfortunately, S&D rooms have increased in price so finding a great deal isn't what it used to be, and, although I love the S&D, I wouldn't pay $300 per night to stay there. Also keep in mind the S&D charges a parking fee and resort fee that can add substantially to the total.

Regarding availability, the S&D is a convention resort that often has large blocks of rooms reserved for conventions that are released much closer to your travel date. For example, I last went in June 2014 and, when I booked in August 2013, they had no suites available, but had plenty in December 2014 when I called back.

I would recommend calling to make a reservation for the BC/YC/BW for those 2 weeks just to make sure you have some place to stay. I would then check back in early May when they have historically released room-only discounts for those resorts and to see if you can get a discount of 30-35%. At the same time, I would check back to the S&D every few weeks and see if there is any availability or discounts.

I have absolutely no moral issues with holding multiple reservations at one time until I find a price/resort that I am happy with. All these resorts allow cancellations up to a week before travel and I would take advantage of this if I was you.

 

[ckelly14]

I looked at the historical discounts from last year and just realized the 30% off was "blacked-out' in 2014 for the same dates you are travelling. Must be much busier then it used to be. I wouldn't count on major discounts during this time...

 

[rpcvpanama]

I apologize in advance that I didn't read all 55 pages of this thread...we have booked Swan for September and I know we get the 60 day FastPass+ booking...but, how do I do that? MyDisneyExperience doesn't recognize my Swan reservation #. Is there a way to add it so that we can do the booking on-line or do I have to call? TIA.

 

[rcraw45425]

Do you have your tickets already? You have to have ticket media in hand (or the ticket number) to get it to pull up

 

[ckelly14]

I apologize in advance that I didn't read all 55 pages of this thread...we have booked Swan for September and I know we get the 60 day FastPass+ booking...but, how do I do that? MyDisneyExperience doesn't recognize my Swan reservation #. Is there a way to add it so that we can do the booking on-line or do I have to call? TIA.

The reservation could take a few days to get into the MDE system. If it's not there in a week or so, I would call the Swan front desk. The reservation should show up whether you have ticket media or not.

 

[Wings3496]

I apologize in advance that I didn't read all 55 pages of this thread...we have booked Swan for September and I know we get the 60 day FastPass+ booking...but, how do I do that? MyDisneyExperience doesn't recognize my Swan reservation #. Is there a way to add it so that we can do the booking on-line or do I have to call? TIA.

MDE absolutely should recognize your Swan reservation. If it's getting near to your 60 day window date and it still isn't there, I'd call Disney (or use the online chat feature) and they should fix it for you.

 

[rcraw45425]

I had this issue (booked with a TA) and had to use their phone number IIRC