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

[Disneytam]

I asked this question once before and didn't get a response so I'll try again. I booked the Swan for one night since we are flying in late and will then be heading over to the BWI for the rest of our trip. The rate was much cheaper than the BWI but a few weeks later I noticed other guests on the Dis boards talking about even lower rates so I called the Swan and asked for the absolute lowest rate and explained to them why we were just booking for the one night. they came back with an even lower rate(YES!) and I told them to go ahead and switch them. Since we were only staying for the one night I was already paid in full and when I asked about a refund of the difference they said that it would be refunded when we check in. I looked at my bank statement the other day and it has not been refunded so has anyone else done this? It just sounds a little strange for them to hold onto the difference until we check in, were talking months here. I assume then they will refund me the difference? Anyone?

 

[lizabu]

I asked this question once before and didn't get a response so I'll try again. I booked the Swan for one night since we are flying in late and will then be heading over to the BWI for the rest of our trip. The rate was much cheaper than the BWI but a few weeks later I noticed other guests on the Dis boards talking about even lower rates so I called the Swan and asked for the absolute lowest rate and explained to them why we were just booking for the one night. they came back with an even lower rate(YES!) and I told them to go ahead and switch them. Since we were only staying for the one night I was already paid in full and when I asked about a refund of the difference they said that it would be refunded when we check in. I looked at my bank statement the other day and it has not been refunded so has anyone else done this? It just sounds a little strange for them to hold onto the difference until we check in, were talking months here. I assume then they will refund me the difference? Anyone?

I've cancelled and rebooked and my deposit was automatically refunded. If it's been more than 15 days you should call the hotel directly.

 

[TeresaWen]

They are real refrigerators. On the smaller side, like all resorts have (other than long term suite types like Residence Inns), but real nonetheless. They are not freezers.

Will two bottles of wine and some water bottles fit?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Will two bottles of wine and some water bottles fit?

I would say so, yes.

 

[RachelTori]

I asked this question once before and didn't get a response so I'll try again. I booked the Swan for one night since we are flying in late and will then be heading over to the BWI for the rest of our trip. The rate was much cheaper than the BWI but a few weeks later I noticed other guests on the Dis boards talking about even lower rates so I called the Swan and asked for the absolute lowest rate and explained to them why we were just booking for the one night. they came back with an even lower rate(YES!) and I told them to go ahead and switch them. Since we were only staying for the one night I was already paid in full and when I asked about a refund of the difference they said that it would be refunded when we check in. I looked at my bank statement the other day and it has not been refunded so has anyone else done this? It just sounds a little strange for them to hold onto the difference until we check in, were talking months here. I assume then they will refund me the difference? Anyone?

They gave you the correct information. When the rate is adjusted and they owe you $$$ they do wait until after the stay before issuing a refund. You might charge something to your room (like at Picabu or The Fountain) so they wait until after your final folio is issued and should they owe you any money, it will be refunded at that time.

When you cancel and rebook, that's a different scenario. They refund the original and charge the new.

I hope that helps!

 

[pepperandchips]

Will two bottles of wine and some water bottles fit?

Yes, did this last trip!

 

[Violet Parr]

Is the Cabana bar open between Jan 7-14?

VP

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is the Cabana bar open between Jan 7-14?

VP

What am I missing, why not?

 

[Violet Parr]

I read something that said it was open seasonally.

VP

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/cabana/

 

[Dan Murphy]

I read something that said it was open seasonally.

VP

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/cabana/

Interesting, never saw that before.

I called and guest services said, "as long as it is sunny and not raining, it will be open."

 

[Kteacher]

Just booked the Dolphin for next May! We had to cancel our Food & Wine Festival Trip due to Matthew and cancelled flights, but decided to go for the tail end of the Flower & Garden Festival. First time staying at the Dolphin

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's great, Kteacher!!! You'll love it there. And a great time to go, so pretty in Epcot.

 

[Violet Parr]

Thanks for calling! That's good to know.

VP

 

[Kteacher]

Thanks Dan!

That's great, Kteacher!!! You'll love it there. And a great time to go, so pretty in Epcot.

 

[AngiTN]

Wanted to pop in and say that we really enjoyed our stays at Swan and Dolphin. We were there during Matthew and had brought in our own food from Epcot so we didn't even venture out of our room from the time the parks closed till we checked out to switch to BWI during the "height of the storm" No complaints about our rooms or our service and wouldn't hesitate to stay again if the situation presented itself for us to.

One strange question, and maybe it's hidden here in this thread somewhere, so I'm sorry if it's a repeat, what's up with the coffee they provide to use in the makers? They gave us pod things but they are for a full size pot, not a single cup, even the larger cups they provide were too small. So I had coffee syrup each morning. I like strong coffee so it worked ok for me, I just made sure the cup had as much water in it as it would hold. Still, I wondered what I was missing? Why use those big pod things for those coffee makers? At first I thought they'd left the wrong thing but when we switched to Dolphin they were the same.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great to hear you had a good stay, Angi.

As for the coffee, I use probably 3 or 4 pods a day, maybe 2 in the morning, another 1 when I return in the late afternoon to freshen up and maybe 1 more at night, all decaf. I do like a robust cup of coffee and, for me, even though the pods look like they are for a full pot, they seem to be just right for a full single cup. That's just me.

 

[chris benton]

Ok - Possible Overplanner here, but it sounds like there are a few experts monitoring this thread. I'm hitting The Swan for a stay this year, and have a few questions:

1. We're getting in late, probably checking in at 11:30pm on Wed, Nov 2. We booked through Costco travel, so our tickets will have to be picked up at the Disney desk of the hotel. We are planning to be at the gate for 8am EMH at Epcot on Thursday Nov 3rd. The Disney Desk is stated to be open at 7am. Is the desk generally a madhouse first thing in the am?(Trying to see if I should be there at 6:30am waiting to be first.)

1a. I think we are going to purchase magic bands for the extra 13 dollars or so. Can I buy those at the Disney Desk and ask the desk csr to link them to my tickets?

2. Seafood Sensation buffet. Recent experiences?

3. Cabana Bar bbq night. Recent experiences?

4. Is Picabu great eats for the prices? It seems like my kinda place - laid back, lots of options, open late.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lizabu]

Ok - Possible Overplanner here, but it sounds like there are a few experts monitoring this thread. I'm hitting The Swan for a stay this year, and have a few questions:

1. We're getting in late, probably checking in at 11:30pm on Wed, Nov 2. We booked through Costco travel, so our tickets will have to be picked up at the Disney desk of the hotel. We are planning to be at the gate for 8am EMH at Epcot on Thursday Nov 3rd. The Disney Desk is stated to be open at 7am. Is the desk generally a madhouse first thing in the am?(Trying to see if I should be there at 6:30am waiting to be first.)

1a. I think we are going to purchase magic bands for the extra 13 dollars or so. Can I buy those at the Disney Desk and ask the desk csr to link them to my tickets?

2. Seafood Sensation buffet. Recent experiences?

3. Cabana Bar bbq night. Recent experiences?

4. Is Picabu great eats for the prices? It seems like my kinda place - laid back, lots of options, open late.

Thanks in advance!

I haven't had great luck at the ticket desk at the hotel being able to do everything. I would probably just pick them up at will call at the park you will be visiting. If you get there early there aren't often a lot of people and you will still easily make rope drop. You can buy magic bands at the hotel gift shop and they seemed to be open later. You could probably buy them on your arrival night and just take them with you to the park if you need help linking them.

I haven't tried the buffets but we have eaten at Picabu numerous times. They have a family meal deal and a pizza deal that is fairly economical. The family meal was either chicken or roast beef with two sides for I think $25 and the pizza is a large pizza for around $20. I like to grab a salad too for around $5. You can eat there or take it back to your room.

Eta I just checked the hours of the gift shop and it looks like they close at 10pm. If you live in USA you could order your magic bands on the Disney store website before you go. Alternatively you could enter the park with your tickets and buy magic bands from any gift shop at some point during your first day.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is Picabu great eats for the prices? It seems like my kinda place - laid back, lots of options, open late.

I've eaten many times at Picabu, always good. It's a great all night place. Not an all nighter, but the Fountain is also very good. If you have AAA card, both discount 20%.

 

[chris benton]

I haven't had great luck at the ticket desk at the hotel being able to do everything. I would probably just pick them up at will call at the park you will be visiting. If you get there early there aren't often a lot of people and you will still easily make rope drop

Any knowledge if the will call window is available for the ppl using the International Gateway for Extra Magic hours? Rope drop will be 9am, but I'm more interested in the magic hours starting at 8am. I'd really rather not waste valuable touring time tinkering with trying to get the tickets I've already purchased, which is why I was hoping the Swan's Disney Desk could get things done at 7am for 8am Magic Hours.