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

[patty57]

Here is 1 day of my bill (all the days were the same, Saturday to Thursday):
Room Charge Restried..338.77
Room Tax......22.02
Resort Tax.....22.33
Parking Overnight - Self..20.00
Sales Tax..... 1.30

I don't know what it means by "Restried ", although I did google it.
first non-Disney resort I've paid for here, so wanted to be sure these weren't just standard taxes.

Dan Murphy, you mentioned Sales and Resort Tax, but is this legitimate on top of a room Tax?

Unless I'm doing the math wrong (which of course is possible), I come up with 13.48% combined taxes. I wonder if the tax rates have gone up? It doesn't look like a resort fee though.

 

[RachelTori]

Swolphin has been getting very creative recently in the way they charge things! On a cash+points reservation, the deposit is $8.75 more than the actual cost ($110+resort fee+tax) -- they will credit that amount back to your credit card after your stay, but why don't they just charge the correct amount to begin with?!!

Now from WalkingintheFog's invoice I see they are breaking the tax into 2 separate charges. Interesting. And I agree with Patty: $44.35 tax on the room is over 13% so there might be an overcharge of a few cents here.

But good for you, WalkingintheFog, for getting the $25+tax resort fee removed!

 

[Dan Murphy]

As far as I know, state sales tax is 6.5% and room tax is 7%, combined is 13.5%. On $338.77, sales tax would be $22.02 and room tax would be $23.71. Looks like an undercharge of $1.38. For the Restried, all I can think of is shortened word for restricted.

http://www.floridasalestax.com/Flor...y/2015-FLORIDA-HOTEL-TAX-RATES-BY-COUNTY.aspx

 

[RachelTori]

As far as I know, state sales tax is 6.5% and room tax is 7%, combined is 13.5%. On $338.77, sales tax would be $22.02 and room tax would be $23.71. Looks like an undercharge of $1.38. For the Restried, all I can think of is shortened word for restricted.

http://www.floridasalestax.com/Flor...y/2015-FLORIDA-HOTEL-TAX-RATES-BY-COUNTY.aspx

Oops! For some reason, I thought it was still under 13% (wishful thinking on my part, maybe?!!!)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Oops! For some reason, I thought it was still under 13% (wishful thinking on my part, maybe?!!!)

Oops on my part.

The room tax should be 6%, not the 7% I listed. So that number should be $20.33 rather than the $22.33 listed. So a bit of an overcharge as I see it also. Not sure why that would be.

 

[patty57]

I've checked prices at both the Swan and Dolphin for some dates during March and April. The prices are high, and the discounts I've been fortunate enough to use in the past...AAA and/or nurse's discount, seem to be non-existent. As I mentioned in a previous post, in some cases the nurse's "discount" price is higher than the lowest standard price. I hate to see this. I only jumped ship to the Swan/Dolphin around five years ago from the WDW Epcot resorts. If the Swan/Dolphin ends up being around the same price as the discounted WDW Epcot resorts, I'll go back to staying at the WDW resorts for the few extra benefits such as Magical Express.

This is making me sad. I've grown to love the Swan/Dolphin resorts. I wonder if the Marriott merge is the cause?

 

[mikegood2]

Does anyone know how big of a remodel is going on at the Dolphin and for how long? I know they are always renovating, but it seems like this remodel is larger than usual?

We just tried to book an Executive Suite for June and they are currently all booked up. Looked like they had some, all at the Swan (?), for mid to late July, but the were priced fairly high (around $550+). We also looked into getting 2 regular rooms, but some June dates don't appear to have any openings.

We're traveling with 3 adults and 2 children and the Executive Suites spoiled us for out 2 family WDW trips in 2011 and 2013. We're not thrilled with the idea of staying in 2 standard rooms or a different resort though.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does anyone know how big of a remodel is going on at the Dolphin and for how long? I know they are always renovating, but it seems like this remodel is larger than usual?

All I know it is a complete renovation of all of the rooms, same as was completed at the Swan by end of 2015. Projected 2017 completion at the Dolphin.

http://www.**************.net/2015/...wan-dolphin-hotel-rooms-at-walt-disney-world/

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dolphin lobby renovation scheduled for 2017.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...n-coming-to-the-walt-disney-world-dolphin.htm

 

[Violet Parr]

That looks absolutely beautiful. Once they are done, I could totally see our family staying there on points exclusively. Beautiful hotel and lots of extra $$$ for dining and shopping? Perfect!

VP

 

[luvmarypoppins]

And in my constant quest to maximize my savings and miles has anyone booked a room at the Swan through Southwest Hotels (airlines), not a package, just a room only?

I dont want to change the reservation I have but the price was almost identical, just $20 more, so I dont know if that was due to when we booked last month and usual price fluctuations but I saw from this booking dh could have 378 southwest points. So if we charged the room with another airline card for miles we could get those miles/points too?

Also if you have booked through them have you ever done it when the S/D website said there were no rooms available for your selected dates?

A week from Monday I will be smelling Chocolate Santa as we walk to the boat dock, lol!

TIA if anyone has any info

 

[ImprovGal]

And in my constant quest to maximize my savings and miles has anyone booked a room at the Swan through Southwest Hotels (airlines), not a package, just a room only?

I dont want to change the reservation I have but the price was almost identical, just $20 more, so I dont know if that was due to when we booked last month and usual price fluctuations but I saw from this booking dh could have 378 southwest points. So if we charged the room with another airline card for miles we could get those miles/points too?

Also if you have booked through them have you ever done it when the S/D website said there were no rooms available for your selected dates?

A week from Monday I will be smelling Chocolate Santa as we walk to the boat dock, lol!

TIA if anyone has any info

I never book through 3rd party websites like the airlines as that would disqualify my stay from earning spg points and I would rather earn those.

 

[Violet Parr]

Does the Dolphin fitness center have showers? I am a very early riser (especially at Disney) and I was thinking that I could slip downstairs early for a quick run and a shower before any of my people even wake up. This would also probably get us all out the door faster for the day because one less person would have to use the shower in the morning.

VP

 

[Dan Murphy]

Does the Dolphin fitness center have showers?

Yes it does.

http://www.swandolphin.com/activities/health.html

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/health.html

 

[Violet Parr]

Thanks, Dan! I didn't think to look it up on their website. For some reason, I always forget they have an external website with plenty of info. The info on the Disney/SPG pages seems to be less thorough.

VP

 

[Dan Murphy]

The info on the Disney/SPG pages seems to be less thorough.

You're welcome.

I did not even know they had a Disney/SPG site, but I am sure it is a lot less.

 

[jsrowdon]

Couple of questions for people more familiar with the S&D than myself.

We are wanting to take a trip during the Christmas season next year using SPG points. We do not have any set dates but any time after the Thanksgiving week but before Christmas seems good. I looked today and there are already multiple days in that time frame that are not available using points at the Dolphin.

So, 1 question I have is do they normally release more rooms that are available for points bookings later in the year or would someone have to cancel for rooms to become available.

Also, what happens if I book a room now and they have an increase in the amount of points it takes to book a room? Will I be grandfathered in since I already have the room booked or will I have to pay the increased amount of points for the stay?

Thanks in advance

 

[Violet Parr]

Couple of questions for people more familiar with the S&D than myself.

We are wanting to take a trip during the Christmas season next year using SPG points. We do not have any set dates but any time after the Thanksgiving week but before Christmas seems good. I looked today and there are already multiple days in that time frame that are not available using points at the Dolphin.

So, 1 question I have is do they normally release more rooms that are available for points bookings later in the year or would someone have to cancel for rooms to become available.

Also, what happens if I book a room now and they have an increase in the amount of points it takes to book a room? Will I be grandfathered in since I already have the room booked or will I have to pay the increased amount of points for the stay?

Thanks in advance

Not sure about releasing more rooms, but once you pay with points, they won't raise the rate on you. The points will be deducted from your account, and that is considered the same as payment. So just like they won't ask for more money if rates go up once you've paid for a room, they won't ask you for more points.

VP

 

[jsrowdon]

Not sure about releasing more rooms, but once you pay with points, they won't raise the rate on you. The points will be deducted from your account, and that is considered the same as payment. So just like they won't ask for more money if rates go up once you've paid for a room, they won't ask you for more points.

VP

Thanks!! I was hoping that was the case.

Thinking I might just go ahead and book the Swan and if the dolphin has rooms that become available then I can look into switching over. I actually prefer the Swan anyway but was trying to save some points since it is a little more per night.

 

[wendydarling33]

Couple of questions for people more familiar with the S&D than myself.

We are wanting to take a trip during the Christmas season next year using SPG points. We do not have any set dates but any time after the Thanksgiving week but before Christmas seems good. I looked today and there are already multiple days in that time frame that are not available using points at the Dolphin.

So, 1 question I have is do they normally release more rooms that are available for points bookings later in the year or would someone have to cancel for rooms to become available.

Also, what happens if I book a room now and they have an increase in the amount of points it takes to book a room? Will I be grandfathered in since I already have the room booked or will I have to pay the increased amount of points for the stay?

Thanks in advance

I tried to book the dolphin a year out and it was totally booked for my dates. A few months later they opened up rooms and had plenty of availability. Also if the rate goes up you should be fine as long as you don't try to change your dates. I booked the swan before the swan increase and recently tried to shift the dates a bit but they would not honor the lower cost.