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

[JerseyJanice]

Has anyone stayed recently with the Costco package? I’m just curious how your room assignment was. I put in our reservation notes that we requested a family room upgrade if available or some rooms that I researched as the best. They called back saying it would be an additional $150 a night as those are Illumination rooms. $150 x 10 nights would be $1500 extra. At that rate I’d get a second room for the kids lol. So what’s the best way to make sure we don’t get a room with the tooting water craft horn going by? lol. Thanks in advance.

No way would I pay that much more for any view. And I just saw something that you can book a second room at the Swan or Dolphin for $149.

Regarding the boat horns, the Friendship boats come in and out of one side of the resort. There is a Causeway between the Swan and Dolphin building that blocks the boats from entering the water that forms a little beach near the pools. So if I were you, I would request a room close to the poolside of the building.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Landed a corner room Two big windows looking over the boardwalk far from the elevators

@Dan Murphy, Prime Now worked great. Thanks for the tip.
View attachment 298448

That's great, Steve! Beauful! I wish I was there, listening to fhe Friendship boat horns coming into the dock.

Nice to hear Prime Now worked nicely. I found it great.

 

[shoreward]

No way would I pay that much more for any view. And I just saw something that you can book a second room at the Swan or Dolphin for $149.

I recently posted about this. However, it sounds like there may be a number of restrictions, to qualify for the promotional rate on the 2nd room.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...tion-questions.3264274/page-246#post-58725281

 

[RachelTori]

they did last time I was there in December, tho you can't express checkout, you have to go stand in line to get the points at least I do)

You can stop by the front desk any time the day before your departure to have them apply your Green Choice points

 

[chris benton]

Has anyone stayed recently with the Costco package? I’m just curious how your room assignment was. I put in our reservation notes that we requested a family room upgrade if available or some rooms that I researched as the best. They called back saying it would be an additional $150 a night as those are Illumination rooms. $150 x 10 nights would be $1500 extra. At that rate I’d get a second room for the kids lol. So what’s the best way to make sure we don’t get a room with the tooting water craft horn going by? lol. Thanks in advance.

My only request was for queen beds. I'm sure you could make a request for "not near the friendship launch" or something. I'm guessing they'd know which rooms were boat horn rooms. We were given a courtyard view w/ balcony in the 320's. No boat noise whatsoever, very low elevator noise if any. No courtyard noise at all, but I'm guessing if anyone caused noise it could be pretty loud. Mostly only saw a few ppl drinking coffee and reading a paper in the courtyard seats.

 

[RLGNC]

Has anyone stayed recently with the Costco package? I’m just curious how your room assignment was. I put in our reservation notes that we requested a family room upgrade if available or some rooms that I researched as the best. They called back saying it would be an additional $150 a night as those are Illumination rooms. $150 x 10 nights would be $1500 extra. At that rate I’d get a second room for the kids lol. So what’s the best way to make sure we don’t get a room with the tooting water craft horn going by? lol. Thanks in advance.

No experience yet (going in July), but our Costco package includes a resort view upgrade. I'm hoping this guarantees a fairly decent room.

 

[SteveH]

@SteveH How do you like the new rooms?

I’m very happy about our room. Very quiet and the corner room with the two large windows is wonderful.


We had breakfast at Picabu, omelette was spot on.

My only minor complaint is the toilet runs a bit every few minutes. Really can’t hear it with the door closed. I did use the text service to ask it be fixed. But it wasn’t. So I’ll call in the morning before we hit the parks. No big deal, life goes on.

Had a blast today, got in 16 rides!!! Still on west coast time though.

 

[hsmamato2]

Thanks! Was even able to sign up via text

DH is spoiled now and disappointed we got a view of the roof

easy to get spoiled lol

 

[hsmamato2]

Thanks for that advice. Unfortunately it’s a non refundable deal through Costco. We will make it work. The reason we decided on this vs. the value resort is i believe it was still cheaper to stay at the Dolphin than a “Disney” resort. When we cruise, we ALWAYS get two rooms so not sure why it wasn’t on my radar lol. I was surprised to see the WDW hours are 9-9 ish without magic morning/evening. Disneyland is 8-midnight in the summer. So I do t think there will be a reason to leave to “rest” we will see though!!!

Ahh...don't feel bad- I'm a cheapskate,and we always get one room no matter where we go to save some $$$.... the best part about Dolphin/Swan is the lobby bathroom in case of extreme need... it works for us!

 

[Jen cook]

Ahh...don't feel bad- I'm a cheapskate,and we always get one room no matter where we go to save some $$$.... the best part about Dolphin/Swan is the lobby bathroom in case of extreme need... it works for us!

That’s what I thought lol!!!! That what we did on a cruise too! Took advantage of the bathrooms on every floor.

 

[hsmamato2]

That’s what I thought lol!!!! That what we did on a cruise too! Took advantage of the bathrooms on every floor.

it's a rule in our family lol....

 

[RLGNC]

And I just saw something that you can book a second room at the Swan or Dolphin for $149.

I recently posted about this. However, it sounds like there may be a number of restrictions, to qualify for the promotional rate on the 2nd room.

When I called the hotel directly about the 2nd room promotion, I learned that the cost for the 2nd room is based on what you're paying for the first room. It's like 20-25% off. So it can still be a good deal, but if you're paying a higher amount for the 1st room (based on time of year, availability, etc.) it will be more than $149 for the 2nd room.

 

[RLGNC]

I know that the Disney dining plan is not valid at the Dolphin, but can you use Disney gift cards or the Disney visa reward redemption card at the restaurants there? I'm guessing not, but thought I'd see if anyone knows for sure.

 

[shoreward]

I know that the Disney dining plan is not valid at the Dolphin, but can you use Disney gift cards or the Disney visa reward redemption card at the restaurants there? I'm guessing not, but thought I'd see if anyone knows for sure.

No, the Swan and Dolphin are not owned/managed by Disney. There is an official Disney ticket counter in the lobby; you may be able to use a Disney gift card there to purchase tickets.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Disney visa reward redemption card

If the Disney reward redemption card is a Visa card (as many reward cards are), you could use that, as it is really a Visa card.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

If the Disney reward redemption card is a Visa card (as many reward cards are), you could use that, as it is really a Visa card.

It's more like a gift card. Pretty sure it doesn't work at Swolphin.

 

[Dan Murphy]

It's more like a gift card. Pretty sure it doesn't work at Swolphin.

If like a gift card, for sure it will not work at S/D other than the two Disney stores and ticket desks.

 

[RLGNC]

If the Disney reward redemption card is a Visa card (as many reward cards are), you could use that, as it is really a Visa card.

It's more like a gift card. Pretty sure it doesn't work at Swolphin.

Yeah, it's the card that holds the Disney dollars that you earn through the Disney Rewards Visa.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

Yeah, it's the card that holds the Disney dollars that you earn through the Disney Rewards Visa.

I stand corrected. Just double checked and it's good at Cabanas at Swan and Disney Sundries and Gifts at Dolphin (I assume the gift shop)

 

[RLGNC]

I stand corrected. Just double checked and it's good at Cabanas at Swan and Disney Sundries and Gifts at Dolphin (I assume the gift shop)

Great, thank you!