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

[CRSNDSNY]

Thank you for answering my MB questions everyone!

 

[bostonminnie]

I'm really enjoying reading this thread as we are staying at the Swan for the first time next month. I am wondering if the Swan provides bed rails, and if so, is this something I need to request in advance? Thank you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'm really enjoying reading this thread as we are staying at the Swan for the first time next month. I am wondering if the Swan provides bed rails, and if so, is this something I need to request in advance? Thank you!

Enjoy your trip.

I did find this online. Maybe others can also confirm.

http://www.carriewithchildren.com/2013/03/review-swan-dolphin-resort-disney-world.html

Resort Accommodations
Our spacious room was located in the Swan building (with a balcony!) facing EPCOT giving us a great view each night for the fireworks. We could even see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom off in the distance – perfect spot! The room had two queen beds and I was so thankful that they had bedrails – that’s a lifesaver for a mama with toddlers!

 

[Robert P]

Is there a big event going on in sept or oc at this resort? I am looking for dates here in the uk for the swan or dolphin and can't find what we need as its all sold out. Wanted to see if anyone knew of a reason?

As PP said, if Gartner is there again, they swamp the place, and the surrounding resorts. Along with the Epcot F&WF, there is the Swan & Dolphin F&W Classic the last weekend of October. I am positive some of the rooms are blocked for that, since they offer packages for that event. And for Halloween or very near that date, the entire Epcot resort area is usually booked.
I agree, the blocks of rooms usually have their unused rooms freed up a certain number of days in advance, so they can be booked by others. It could be June/July before those get free though.

 

[bostonminnie]

Enjoy your trip.

I did find this online. Maybe others can also confirm.

http://www.carriewithchildren.com/2013/03/review-swan-dolphin-resort-disney-world.html

Great, thank you!!

 

[bobob1916]

I hope Marriott wins this one!

Marriott did not buy Starwood. A Chinese insurance company bought Starwood. (Marriott can counter that offer but it is doubtful they will.) China now has its foot in the door at the WDW resort.

Here is the latest about Marriott's "merger" with Starwood. In fact, we don’t anticipate launching a newly combined program until 2018. This means SPG will continue to run separately until then.


Nearly five months ago we shared the news that Starwood Hotels & Resorts is joining with Marriott International to create the world’s biggest and best hotel company — with 5,500 hotels and resorts in more than 100 countries. Today we’re pleased to announce that the shareholders of each company have approved the merger.

Since the original announcement, our members have asked many questions about the future of Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®). Soon we will begin the long journey to integrate the very best of SPG and Marriott Rewards®. Through this process, your perspective will help guide these discussions as we consider the following:

• ​

How do we continue to deliver the unique experiences, benefits and rewards you’ve come to expect both in and out of our hotels and resorts?

• ​

How do we take full advantage of the extraordinary new range of hotels, resorts and destinations that will be the hallmark of a combined Starwood and Marriott to add new recognition and benefits for you?

• ​

How do we protect the value of your currency and status, whether your Starpoints® balance, lifetime status or membership level?

Getting answers to these complicated, important questions will take time. In fact, we don’t anticipate launching a newly combined program until 2018. This means SPG will continue to run separately until then. In the meantime, we’re actively exploring ways to build bridges between the two programs to further enhance your experience.

In addition, we are not standing still: Among other things, we’re bringing you new access to one-of-a-kind hotels from Tribute Portfolio™ and Design Hotels™, plus exciting new SPG MomentsSM experiences through our unique partnerships with Major League Baseball®, Mercedes AMG Petronas and more.

Know that we’re listening to your feedback, and we value your input. Our merger is on track to close midyear, and as we have more news to share, we will reach out to you. You can also find the latest updates at spg.com/updates and via Twitter (@spg). Our members are at the core of everything we do, and that will not change. We remain at your service wherever you need us — in our hotels, at spg.com, on the SPG apps or via our Customer Contact Centers.

 

[NancyIL]

I just got the email from Starwood about their merger with MARRIOTT (yay!) and came here to see if anyone posted about it yet! Thanks, bobob1916.

 

[kappyfamily]

Can someone please answer these questions for me on Magic Bands at the Swan? thank you!!

*Does it still cost money to buy magic bands when staying at the Swan? Do you know what the current price is?

*When do we order those? When would we receive them?

*I have about 5 magic bands that I used on a couple solo trips I did last year. Am I able to use any of those for my husband and daughter so they dont have to buy one? If not I'm able to use one for myself and NOT buy a new one for me?

*We are planning on split staying and moving to the Poly for 3 nights after the Swan. Would we be getting Magic Bands for that stretch? can we just use them early so we dont have to buy them for the Swan portion?

Sorry for all the questions.... I normally only stay at Disney hotels, so the Swan and how it works is super new to me.

thank you so much!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does it still cost money to buy magic bands when staying at the Swan? Do you know what the current price is?

Yes it does, $12.95.

When do we order those? When would we receive them?

Upon arrival.

have about 5 magic bands that I used on a couple solo trips I did last year. Am I able to use any of those for my husband and daughter so they dont have to buy one? If not I'm able to use one for myself and NOT buy a new one for me?

You can not swap guests on previously assigned MB's.

We are planning on split staying and moving to the Poly for 3 nights after the Swan. Would we be getting Magic Bands for that stretch? can we just use them early so we dont have to buy them for the Swan portion?

Yes you will, and yes you can. This answer sort of negates the concerns in the previous questions.

I normally only stay at Disney hotels,

You'll love the improvement.

Enjoy.

 

[kappyfamily]

Yes it does, $12.95.

Upon arrival.

You can not swap guests on previously assigned MB's.

Yes you will, and yes you can. This answer sort of negates the concerns in the previous questions.

You'll love the improvement.

Enjoy.

Ok great thank you! Just so I have it right, even though I'm staying at poly after the swan I can use the free bands Disney sends me while staying at the Swan? Thank you for such a quick response, it is appreciated!

 

[Dan Murphy]

even though I'm staying at poly after the swan I can use the free bands Disney sends me while staying at the Swan

Yes, because they will be linked to your MDE account. Keep in mind that the bands will be of no use for the Swan....room key, charging. They will work at the parks.

 

[kappyfamily]

Yes, because they will be linked to your MDE account. Keep in mind that the bands will be of no use for the Swan....room key, charging. They will work at the parks.

Perfect thank you so much!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well I am in the midst of trying to book a May trip and of course the dates I want are sold out again, hmm, remember my December postings, this seems to be our luck and dh work schedule unfortunately.

With the above comments about the gartner conference I think we will book asap. I have learned my lessons for December too...
but now back to May.

I keep getting a pop up on the computer screen that says buy 1 night and get the 2nd night 40% off. Just wondering if anyone has booked this and did you have to call the reservations number.

I dont know if that is available to be booked on line etc.

I have had to get creative with my dates and am booking 2 nights at the Swan (that is why I want to find out about the discount) and then the 3rd night at the Swan which is sold out I am going to book with my dh ff miles. Thank God they hold rooms for that. Then I am jumping ship and probably going to the yacht Club for 3 days.

So if anyone has any info about the 40% off promotion, TIA.

 

[SnowChaser]

Does anyone have experience with the "Limited view" rooms at The Swan? I was hoping to book a king bed, but the only option for me there is a limited view. Will we be looking at a roof?

 

[ckelly14]

Does anyone have experience with the "Limited view" rooms at The Swan? I was hoping to book a king bed, but the only option for me there is a limited view. Will we be looking at a roof?

I have heard that there are wooden boards, in the shape of an X, blocking these windows, but I have never seen a picture. I'm sure someone here knows better then I do.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does anyone have experience with the "Limited view" rooms at The Swan? I was hoping to book a king bed, but the only option for me there is a limited view. Will we be looking at a roof?

There were posts on previous S/D thread of dumpster views. I searched and could not find the posts, forget who made the posts.

 

[MMR76]

Well I am in the midst of trying to book a May trip and of course the dates I want are sold out again, hmm, remember my December postings, this seems to be our luck and dh work schedule unfortunately.

With the above comments about the gartner conference I think we will book asap. I have learned my lessons for December too...
but now back to May.

I keep getting a pop up on the computer screen that says buy 1 night and get the 2nd night 40% off. Just wondering if anyone has booked this and did you have to call the reservations number.

I dont know if that is available to be booked on line etc.

I have had to get creative with my dates and am booking 2 nights at the Swan (that is why I want to find out about the discount) and then the 3rd night at the Swan which is sold out I am going to book with my dh ff miles. Thank God they hold rooms for that. Then I am jumping ship and probably going to the yacht Club for 3 days.

So if anyone has any info about the 40% off promotion, TIA.

Have you tried booking the Swan through Disney? The website was showing sold out for me in late May but I was able to book through Disney. Costco also had availability at the Swan.

 

[Tess]

Does anyone have experience with the "Limited view" rooms at The Swan? I was hoping to book a king bed, but the only option for me there is a limited view. Will we be looking at a roof?

I have heard that there are wooden boards, in the shape of an X, blocking these windows, but I have never seen a picture. I'm sure someone here knows better then I do.

There were posts on previous S/D thread of dumpster views. I searched and could not find the posts, forget who made the posts.

We have been "fortunate" enough to have had both the Xs and Os view (no king bed) AND the service area view (king bed).

We weren't as bothered by the Xs and Os, but the service view we declined. It was located on the lobby floor (3) and at the very end of the building, last room on the left--East Tower (YC end). Seriously, we had a view of the service entrance, employee smoking area AND to top it off, the ceiling was so low we could touch it. For perspective on that one, my husband and I are only 5'4" tall and while I have long arms, that ceiling was claustrophobic. The only plus was the king bed.

 

[ckelly14]

We have been "fortunate" enough to have had both the Xs and Os view (no king bed) AND the service area view (king bed).

We weren't as bothered by the Xs and Os, but the service view we declined. It was located on the lobby floor (3) and at the very end of the building--West Tower (YC end). Seriously, we had a view of the service entrance, employee smoking area AND to top it off, the ceiling was so low we could touch it. For perspective on that one, my husband and I are only 5'4" tall and while I have long arms, that ceiling was claustrophobic. The only plus was the king bed.

What exactly are the X's?

 

[Tess]

What exactly are the X's?

They are lattice type wooden structures that cover the entire window--at least it did on our floor--this was also on the lobby floor -- 3rd. You can see through the Os and between the lattice slats, but the view is definitely meh. As I said, it really didn't both us since we were only in the room to sleep and change for the pool.

Here's a photograph: