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

[OHVolunteer]

We had reserved the SWAN RESERVE for the end of October and just got an email saying that the hotel had construction delays and will not be open as previously anticipated. They said we could switch to the SWAN OR DOLPHIN both which had availability, but they don't have availability for our night - I reached out to them via the email provided to see if they could do anything. We are Platinum Elite Marriott members so are pretty brand loyal - but this would have been our first stay at these properties. In the meantime I reserved a night at the JW which we've stayed at before but was hoping to be able to walk to EPCOT since its our parents night out at Food & Wine.

 

[Dave006]

They said we could switch to the SWAN OR DOLPHIN both which had availability, but they don't have availability for our night - I reached out to them via the email provided to see if they could do anything.

What night? It could be a real challenge due to The Swan & Dolphin Food and Wine Classic event is Fri, Oct 29, 2021 – Sat, Oct 30, 2021.

Dave

 

[staceychev]

Any thoughts on parking an expensive car at Swan? At the end of October, we are taking the AutoTrain down with our trusty base model Rav4, but my dad has asked me to also transport his Mercedes for the winter. Is valet parking maybe a better idea?

 

[Turksmom]

Any thoughts on parking an expensive car at Swan? At the end of October, we are taking the AutoTrain down with our trusty base model Rav4, but my dad has asked me to also transport his Mercedes for the winter. Is valet parking maybe a better idea?

I've never had any damage to my car while self parking at Swan.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Any thoughts on parking an expensive car at Swan? At the end of October, we are taking the AutoTrain down with our trusty base model Rav4, but my dad has asked me to also transport his Mercedes for the winter. Is valet parking maybe a better idea?

I'm sure you would not any problem. I've parked there many times over many years and never a problem. You could park in the last row of the lot, I'm sure nobody will be close to you.

 

[staceychev]

I've never had any damage to my car while self parking at Swan.

I'm sure you would not any problem. I've parked there many times over many years and never a problem. You could park in the last row of the lot, I'm sure nobody will be close to you.

Thank you both!

 

[kappyfamily]

Any thoughts on parking an expensive car at Swan? At the end of October, we are taking the AutoTrain down with our trusty base model Rav4, but my dad has asked me to also transport his Mercedes for the winter. Is valet parking maybe a better idea?

I travel a ton and (although this didnt happen at the Swan it did happen at a super nice hotel in Philly). I valet parked our brand new rental truck, super nice quad cab with only a couple hundred miles on it, and when valet brought it back to us the tailgate was smashed in. We filed a report and it took forever but basically they paid for it but now I ALWAYS walk around my car/rental when valet brings my car back (as well as take a full video walk around when you pick it up at the airport). It was a good lesson learned for us that it can still happen even with valet.

 

[Dave006]

my dad has asked me to also transport his Mercedes for the winter. Is valet parking maybe a better idea?

Valet parked cars tend to move more often and the valet drivers tend rush to park and retrieve cars. I would agree with @Dan Murphy about self-parking. That's what we have used for decades the worst that has happened was leaves after a week sitting.

Dave

 

[staceychev]

I travel a ton and (although this didnt happen at the Swan it did happen at a super nice hotel in Philly). I valet parked our brand new rental truck, super nice quad cab with only a couple hundred miles on it, and when valet brought it back to us the tailgate was smashed in. We filed a report and it took forever but basically they paid for it but now I ALWAYS walk around my car/rental when valet brings my car back (as well as take a full video walk around when you pick it up at the airport). It was a good lesson learned for us that it can still happen even with valet.

Sigh - I'm from outside of Philly, and this sounds just about right.

 

[staceychev]

Valet parked cars tend to move more often and the valet drivers tend rush to park and retrieve cars. I would agree with @Dan Murphy about self-parking. That's what we have used for decades the worst that has happened was leaves after a week sitting.

Dave

Oh wow - I don't tend to valet, so I never thought about this. Very good point!

 

[Meglen]

Had a really weird situation the other day. They moved my reserve reservation no problem. It was automatic it showed in the app and online. I checked a few days later and a new reservation was listed for the same days but a different confirmation number. Same room same names and dates but was more expensive. Never got a email about this one. I called and made sure it got cancelled but I wonder what would have happened if I never checked.

 

[islandsnoopy]

We had reserved the SWAN RESERVE for the end of October and just got an email saying that the hotel had construction delays and will not be open as previously anticipated. They said we could switch to the SWAN OR DOLPHIN both which had availability, but they don't have availability for our night - I reached out to them via the email provided to see if they could do anything. We are Platinum Elite Marriott members so are pretty brand loyal - but this would have been our first stay at these properties. In the meantime I reserved a night at the JW which we've stayed at before but was hoping to be able to walk to EPCOT since its our parents night out at Food & Wine.

Marriott website still shows "Opening in October 2021". They should just say "Opening Sometime in 2021...Maybe!"

 

[CBMom01]

Marriott website still shows "Opening in October 2021". They should just say "Opening Sometime in 2021...Maybe!"

For at least a month the Bonvoy website has showed no availability until mid November. If I had a reservation for any date before it shows up on Marriott’s site I’d call, especially if not booked through Disney travel

 

[Meglen]

For at least a month the Bonvoy website has showed no availability until mid November. If I had a reservation for any date before it shows up on Marriott’s site I’d call, especially if not booked through Disney travel

Calling did not help me. I was about 15 days till my reservation and they could not move me untill the system alerted of the dates. So i dont think they can move folks way before idk.

 

[Gitelfor]

The first available check-in date at the Reserve currently is November 7. That could mean that is the revised opening date or the first date that is not sold out. It has been showing Nov 7 for about a couple of weeks, now.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

With Resort Guest early entry beginning today… I’m looking for any DPs on how people at Swolphin are being “authenticated” for early entry. Is it via MB, via a hotel key card… either? Something else?

If anybody is there and staying at Swolphin please report back if you have a chance

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

FYI - our good friend @gottalovepluto shared some wisdom on the here now thread.

I hit AK around 7:35 today. Staying at Swan. They’ve started EE today so if you aren’t staying on-site/at partner hotels effective today forget rope drop. Off-sites were being held back until opening. They tried scanning my swan room key but that didn’t work, I had MDE up showing my res and the CM glimpsed at that after the room key didn’t scan and let me in no issues. I probably should have had my AP out to scan as that is linked to MDE?…

I liked the EE benefit actually, would like it more if it was a whole hour but it is what it is. Spreading it out to all parks made it feel like an actual benefit today vs in the past where I’ve avoided it because it just seemed to cause a huge mass of crowds.

 

[CBMom01]

FYI - our good friend @gottalovepluto shared some wisdom on the here now thread.

The EE benefit and one one late night we’ll get at EPCOT were factors in our decision to stay at SR. I’m happy to hear this.

 

[georgina]

With Resort Guest early entry beginning today… I’m looking for any DPs on how people at Swolphin are being “authenticated” for early entry. Is it via MB, via a hotel key card… either? Something else?

If anybody is there and staying at Swolphin please report back if you have a chance

Checked into the Swan this morning. Scanned my MB for EE. Interestingly, my MDE still says we are staying at Swan Reserve, that reservation stayed on my account even though it was cancelled and rebooked at the Swan.

We walked on Soarin and Living with the Land, SE with a short wait, spent time at Aquarium, and did SR on TT all by 1:00.

 

[JennSaint]

With Resort Guest early entry beginning today… I’m looking for any DPs on how people at Swolphin are being “authenticated” for early entry. Is it via MB, via a hotel key card… either? Something else?

If anybody is there and staying at Swolphin please report back if you have a chance
[/QU

Checked into the Swan this morning. Scanned my MB for EE. Interestingly, my MDE still says we are staying at Swan Reserve, that reservation stayed on my account even though it was cancelled and rebooked at the Swan.

We walked on Soarin and Living with the Land, SE with a short wait, spent time at Aquarium, and did SR on TT all by 1:00.

Thanks for sharing your experience as we will be there in a 3 weeks!