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

[luvmarypoppins]

Just popping in and saying we are going to the Swan 12-13-12/19. Youngest ds is coming with us for most of the trip as he got to get some time off from work.. he had to beg every nurse on the floor to switch with him, lol. But he is the newbie so he is lucky.

This is the quickest trip I ever booked, 8 days out. We are going to the Candlelight and MVMCP those tickets I need to get tomm. Got decent adr's too surprisingly, not the best times but still good for us.

And I got two nights of the Swan for free with dh ff miles and got him a return flight free on southwest with his miles,

Quick question - does the Garden Grove have the buffet during the week, not the characters or can you only order off the menu for breakfast and are the food offerings on the weekday buffet if there is one the same as the week end? We have only gone on the week ends but we will do Friday this time if it works out.

 

[Dan Murphy]

HI Mary. Have a great trip. Is your DS one of those that saw John, Ray and me on the bus years ago?

Here is GG menu, and yes, buffet and order off the menu choices.

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/menus/restaurant_menus/gardengrove/gg_bkfst.html

 

[Babsy]

what is the best and cheapest way to book? if they offer a discount at a later date and you have already booked, will they lower the rate?

You can call and ask for the different discount options and they will help you find the least expensive that you qualify for OR you can go online and enter your dates and select four discount possibilities and decide on the rate that works best for you. website is www.swandolphin.com. If you are a nurse, teacher or military you need to select 'special offers' at the top and then scroll down until you come to the link to get those special rates. They are usually the lowest rates of all the discounts available. The biggest difference in rate is usually on the standard room, though.

Once booked, if you see a lower rate, simply call 1-888-828-8850 and they will update your reservation to that lower rate. Very easy! We have gotten progressively lower rates as we neared our reservation dates. I go into reservations and check the rates regularly looking for a further discount or better offer..

Good Luck!

 

[Donald - my hero]

The Starbucks coffee is great. And if you want more than is set out for you, typically 3 regular and 1 decaf, you can ask housekeeping for as many as you want. I use decaf and always have 5 or 6 pods in the room. If you are looking for lots of water, the Speedway gas station is not too far, across from the Boardwalk resort, but I myself would not want to lug water from there. The tap water in the hotel itself is fine. It is not like the water in the parks.

THANKS! The issue isn't with the taste of the water it's the trouble it causes his tummy ... can't even have ice in drinks if we're not in our own city. He even needs to use bottled water to brush his teeth :O I'm getting so excited i already can't sleep! Not sure how i'll make it through the next 27 days ... we usually have about 5 years between trips and this has only been a tad more than a year. Whole new experience planning this time since we're not renting a car, not staying "on-site" and not using the Dining Plan. I think we've picked a great spot for this trip.

 

[Dan Murphy]

not staying "on-site"

When you check in, and when you head out to the parks, especially Epcot and the Studios, you will know you are staying on site.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

When you check in, and when you head out to the parks, especially Epcot and the Studios, you will know you are staying on site.

I completely agree, Dan. We were just there a month ago, we loved every part of the trip - we took the boat to the International Gateway as well as to DHS. We took the real Disney buses directly to the good drop-offs at the parks. Staying at the Swan and Dolphin isn't like staying at a Downtown Disney, oops, Disney Springs, Resort.....it is staying Disney Deluxe at moderate prices.

Tom

 

[Dan Murphy]

Several rate offers for next year, 2016.




Escape The Cold And
Soak Up The Sun!

Take a dip from
January 1 - February 29

Rates starting from:
$155 per night
Rate Code: SUNSHINE


Need A Romantic
Weekend Getaway?

Spend some time together
weekends in February

Rates starting from:
$199 per night
Rate Code: SUNWKDS


Take Some Time To Stop
And Smell The Roses

Take a break from
March 1 - April 15

Rates starting from:
$189 per night
Rate Code: SPRINGBK



Reservations: 1.888.828.8850

Resort Amenities:

Walk to both Epcot® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios™

Westin Heavenly® Beds and Baths

17 restaurants & lounges

Supervised Kids Camp

The Balinese-Inspired Mandara Spa

WestinWORKOUT® Health Club

Disney’s Extra Magic Hours

Complimentary transportation to Disney Theme Parks

Disney’s FastPass+ benefit

Complimentary parking at Disney Theme Parks

On site Disney character dining in Garden Grove

Preferred tee times at Disney golf courses

 

[anita46]

What website is this on??

 

[JulieODC]

Those deals cover dates we were planning to book this weekend - but I just looked and it appears there are no rooms at all at either hotel in Feb 29-mar 3rd. is that even possible? I'm so mad at myself for not booking last weekend.....

 

[anita46]

Call the number...I reserved after a conversation about the code...got the Swan for 229.00 she couldn't find anything at $189 for the first week of March.
THANKS for the post Dan!!!

 

[JulieODC]

My husband called - apparently we are on a wait list for our dates now. Fingers crossed, but in the meantime I need to go book a back-up!

Anyone ever been on the wait list? Are our chances good for getting off between now and March?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

HI Mary. Have a great trip. Is your DS one of those that saw John, Ray and me on the bus years ago?

Here is GG menu, and yes, buffet and order off the menu choices.

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/menus/restaurant_menus/gardengrove/gg_bkfst.html

Yes Dan that was our 2 youngest ds. Now the youngest is a nurse and going with us on this trip. I know Ray goes around this time but usually earlier, so I don't know if he will be there when we are this time.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Another question - since we will qualify for the emh, do they actually check your magic band to go on the rides or can you show them your resort (Swan) id card. I dont know if ds old magic band works and I dont feel like buying him a new one.

Only asking because I know our magic bands are going to be a mess since we booked part of the reservation with dh ff miles and I will have to track down that conf. number as they have to get it through a wholesaler or agent they said.

 

[Clare Voince]

Another question - since we will qualify for the emh, do they actually check your magic band to go on the rides or can you show them your resort (Swan) id card. I dont know if ds old magic band works and I dont feel like buying him a new one.

Only asking because I know our magic bands are going to be a mess since we booked part of the reservation with dh ff miles and I will have to track down that conf. number as they have to get it through a wholesaler or agent they said.

They did at evening EMH. I've never done morning EMH, so I don't know about that.. Maybe they only need to do it when you enter the park for morning.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes Dan that was our 2 youngest ds. Now the youngest is a nurse and going with us on this trip. I know Ray goes around this time but usually earlier, so I don't know if he will be there when we are this time.

Those were fun times back then. Nice to hear about your son.

They did at evening EMH. I've never done morning EMH, so I don't know about that.. Maybe they only need to do it when you enter the park for morning.

Another question - since we will qualify for the emh, do they actually check your magic band to go on the rides or can you show them your resort (Swan) id card. I dont know if ds old magic band works and I dont feel like buying him a new one.

Only asking because I know our magic bands are going to be a mess since we booked part of the reservation with dh ff miles and I will have to track down that conf. number as they have to get it through a wholesaler or agent they said.

As Clare said above, they do check at night, but not in the morning, since you are checked upon entry. I don't think the bands would work at the S/D for emh, as the resort information is not in your MDE account. You would need your S/D room key card. I do not do emh, but I think that is correct though. If not, someone will correct.

 

[Tess]

As Clare said above, they do check at night, but not in the morning, since you are checked upon entry. I don't think the bands would work at the S/D for emh, as the resort information is not in your MDE account. You would need your S/D room key card. I do not do emh, but I think that is correct though. If not, someone will correct.

You are correct Dan, you need to have your room key for EMH whether a.m. or p.m. EMH.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

The conversation about room keys for EMH made me think of another question - will they issue us three room keys, meaning will I get one for my young daughter as well? Want to make sure we don't have any problem at PM EMH at DHS. Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

The conversation about room keys for EMH made me think of another question - will they issue us three room keys, meaning will I get one for my young daughter as well? Want to make sure we don't have any problem at PM EMH at DHS. Thanks!

You can get as many room keys as people in your room.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

You can get as many room keys as people in your room.

Thanks so much!

 

[anita46]

Dan,
What website was the 2016 offers posted on...?
Thanks,
Anita