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

[SteveH]

I've got two one-night stays at the Dolphin at the end of November - one for the night of Nov. 29, and one for the night of Nov. 30. Both are for the same room type. What are the odds that I can get Marriott/Dolphin to combine the reservations so that I won't have to switch rooms? Is that better done by calling Marriott ahead of time, or by asking at check-in? (I don't want to just book a two-night reservation because my original one-night reservation was cheaper than it is now. Modifying to two nights changes my rate to the current higher rate.)

I 100% agree, you want to call in advance. Call S/D direct, 407-934-4000 Mon-Fri 8-4 and ask for In-house reservations and see what they can do. Even if they don't combine the reservations they maybe able to keep you in the same room - which is also better for them since they don't have to clean the room. Once they assign rooms its harder to make changes.

How are the buses to Disney Springs? Are they better than the Disney buses?

As far as frequency, comfort, something else?

 

[Wood Nymph]

As far as frequency, comfort, something else?

I'm wondering if the buses to/from Disney Springs come frequently, like at least 20 minutes apart or are there sometimes huge waits and crowded buses. Thanks.

 

[anjuan]

I'm wondering if the buses to/from Disney Springs come frequently, like at least 20 minutes apart or are there sometimes huge waits and crowded buses. Thanks.

When we used them last week it seemed like the frequency was about the same as the park busses which was about every 20 minutes. The one thing I would say is that they drop you off on the west side of Disney Springs so it was a hike to most of the restaurants. We ended up just taking an uber back to the resort for about $11 (before tip) depending on the time of day.

 

[georgina]

Just got an email about our Sept 26th checkin at Swan Reserve. Not going to happen. Since we booked with 5 free night certificates, they did not automatically move us, merely offered for us to cancel through Marriott and try to rebook at other properties. These are DH's certs and he is out of town until Monday, not sure if they will talk to me if I try to call

Talked to Marriott and they too said he will have to cancel the Reserve reservation and wait for the certificates to go back on his account, then try to book the Swan. There is availability now, hope it stays that way for a few days. In my experience I have NEVER had a free night certificate go back to my account without a phone call to Marriott and an agent spending 30 mins or so to find it. I would book the Swan with my account temporarily if I had 200,000 points but I am a bit shy of that number.

And I take that back!The free night certs were available immediately to rebook the Swan. Phew! All done. I was looking forward to staying in a brand new hotel, but we will stay where we can.

 

[Coconut8473]

We have a trip scheduled for Aug 28th, and needless to say are strongly leaning toward not going. However, in the past two days, seeing that crowds and wait times are getting a little better, starting to think it might be doable if we alter our expectations and slow our usual vacation pace. I've seen trip reports and crowd reports for the parks, but can anyone who is there now or has been in the past 2 weeks speak to how S&D are handling distancing, masking, etc.? Is the pool a nightmare? We're two vaxxed adults, but 2 kids under 12. We're all pro-mask/highly mask compliant (we're in NYC and wear them regularly with no issues), but I recognize that's not the case among a lot of the visitors there, so would rely on distancing as much as possible.

 

[SteveH]

@georgina that really bites that they didn't move you over automatically. Free nights or not that's poor service. Glad to hear you got it rebooked but that's still not cool.

 

[Dave006]

Outdoor masking is being removed at Disney parks tomorrow Aug. 19 again. It has already been announced here on DIS.

Here is the link: https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...in-outdoor-queues-attractions-beginning-8-19/

ETA: added link information

Dave

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Is there anyone at the Dolphin right now? If so, can you message me? I need some info on the WiFi in the rooms so that I can do some work while I am on "vacation" and the Concierge today told me the block of IP addresses may be different for them/in the lobby than it is in the room.

 

[SteveH]

@TexanInTheMidwest I'm not there but I do belive they are a seperate system. Might have the same SSID but there was a "handoff" at one point I found. They used to have Ethernet in the rooms if that helps, but not sure if they are still there or not.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

@TexanInTheMidwest I'm not there but I do belive they are a seperate system. Might have the same SSID but there was a "handoff" at one point I found. They used to have Ethernet in the rooms if that helps, but not sure if they are still there or not.

I actually need to Whitelist the IP Address (or IP block) from a previously white listed IP. I have a "firewall" type software that deters hackers...but when I was in Ft. Myer's Beach over July 4th, I couldn't access 2 of the websites I manage because the IP block was blacklisted.

I am pretty sure I was fine in May, but after not being able to get into the back end of my main website (plus one I manage for a client) I am trying to be extra cautious.

(I have already whitelisted the IP addresses for the JW Marriot and the Delta Sky Lounge in Orlando and Cincinnati . but I am at the Dolphin for 5 nights so....)

 

[georgina]

@georgina that really bites that they didn't move you over automatically. Free nights or not that's poor service. Glad to hear you got it rebooked but that's still not cool.

Yeah, the Swan/Dolphin people said they had no access to Marriott certs so they couldn't do it. I am glad it worked out.

I'm keeping my expectations low for this trip. We will relax and enjoy ourselves, it's a few weeks before our 34th anniversary, so whatever happens, it's all good.

 

[SteveH]

I actually need to Whitelist the IP Address (or IP block) from a previously white listed IP.

I'm really kind of surprised that nobody there could help you or at least help you once your on site. Based on all of the business meetings they have your request is not all that unusual.

...I'm keeping my expectations low for this trip. We will relax and enjoy ourselves, it's a few weeks before our 34th anniversary, so whatever happens, it's all good.

Have a great trip, that's the kind of attitude that makes for wonderful vacations!

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

I'm really kind of surprised that nobody there could help you or at least help you once your on site. Based on all of the business meetings they have your request is not all that unusual.


Have a great trip, that's the kind of attitude that makes for wonderful vacations!

It could have been the person I chatted with. She told me that the IP Addresses were different for the hotel and the lobby than the rooms. I'll check back again. But if someone was there, I was going to have them do a little check for me so I can whitelist it before I arrive. On the off chance the IP block is on the blacklist, I'll have to drag my laptop with me to dinner one evening

 

[gottalovepluto]

Just got an email about our Sept 26th checkin at Swan Reserve. Not going to happen. Since we booked with 5 free night certificates, they did not automatically move us, merely offered for us to cancel through Marriott and try to rebook at other properties. These are DH's certs and he is out of town until Monday, not sure if they will talk to me if I try to call

Talked to Marriott and they too said he will have to cancel the Reserve reservation and wait for the certificates to go back on his account, then try to book the Swan. There is availability now, hope it stays that way for a few days. In my experience I have NEVER had a free night certificate go back to my account without a phone call to Marriott and an agent spending 30 mins or so to find it. I would book the Swan with my account temporarily if I had 200,000 points but I am a bit shy of that number.

And I take that back!The free night certs were available immediately to rebook the Swan. Phew! All done. I was looking forward to staying in a brand new hotel, but we will stay where we can.

#bonvoy

Glad you got it worked out but that’s ridiculous. When Marriott last forgot to return a cert of mine I got it back by DMing on Twitter.

 

[anjuan]

We were there last week and one thing I can share is that our cell service in the hotel was really bad. We have Verizon. So the Wi-Fi ended up being a better option for us. We were able to get boarding group 7 for Rise of the Resistance.

 

[luvallprincesses]

when I was in Ft. Myer's Beach over July 4th

small world…I was in Fort Myers Beach the week of the 4th…Pink Shell Resort by any chance?

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

small world…I was in Fort Myers Beach the week of the 4th…Pink Shell Resort by any chance?

The Gullwing!!

 

[kylenne]

We were there last week and one thing I can share is that our cell service in the hotel was really bad. We have Verizon. So the Wi-Fi ended up being a better option for us. We were able to get boarding group 7 for Rise of the Resistance.

Thanks for this, I have Verizon too. Looks like WiFi it is.

 

[Jhoyer5150]

Will Swan and Dolphin guests be included in the "guests staying at Walt Disney World" contingent that will be eligible to purchase Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations at 7am (vs park open for offsite guests)? Whew that's a mouthful, just wondering if this new onsite "perk" is applicable to Swolphin folk...a la Early Entry and Late Hours. Thx!

 

[SteveH]

So far S/D guests are getting all the features that onsite guests are getting, including Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours so I can't see why they wouldn't get the Di$ney Cash grab reservations too (yes my bias is showing)