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

[BlueFairy]

Hi all experts,

I am new to this forum. I am thinking to book room for Swan / Dolphin. I saw in reservation website, Dolphin has option to choose fireworks view room. Does that guarantee I have a good view and quite room? Or I still need to request for quiet room, high floor, etc?

Also, on Tripadvisor, I read bad reviews regarding hearing the noise of garbage truck, or the boat in the room. I would want to avoid these rooms.

Your advice and experience is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Speaking specifically of the Dolphin, you will not hear trucks if you have a fireworks view. But fireworks are at 2 parks, so 2 different directions. Some have balconies, so do not. If you want a quiet room, I would mention 2 possible issues - elevator noise. The large elevators in the central portion of the hotel have a hum that is quite noticeable. We've requested to be away from this area next time. We were in a fireworks room when we had this issue. The other is the boats. They sound a horn coming and going from the dock. So either request to face away from this area, or high floor, or both. We did not mind hearing this sound, but it is there. They are good with requests, so just ask.

 

[jtown9988]

@jtown9988 We stayed in a fireworks room at the Dolphin. No truck noise; I don’t think there is a road on that side of the building. I don’t recall any boat noise either, but I do remember having a nice view of the aerial fireworks from Illuminations from our balcony. We were on the fourth floor and normally prefer higher floors, but we got a free upgrade to that view and a balcony, so we weren’t complaining. LOL!

The only thing I didn’t like about the spot were the twisting hallways to/from the elevator. It was a ton of steps after full days of walking around the parks.

The resort itself is awesome. The pools, dining, common areas and nearby Boardwalk are all fabulous plus you’re walking or boating distance to two parks.

Speaking specifically of the Dolphin, you will not hear trucks if you have a fireworks view. But fireworks are at 2 parks, so 2 different directions. Some have balconies, so do not. If you want a quiet room, I would mention 2 possible issues - elevator noise. The large elevators in the central portion of the hotel have a hum that is quite noticeable. We've requested to be away from this area next time. We were in a fireworks room when we had this issue. The other is the boats. They sound a horn coming and going from the dock. So either request to face away from this area, or high floor, or both. We did not mind hearing this sound, but it is there. They are good with requests, so just ask.

Hi JerseyJanice and BlueFairy,

Thanks for your advice and experience. Sounds like fireworks view is a good choice. I did not think about elevator noise, and I will hear the horn from the boats. I will request to be away from this area, and to be in high floor as well.
Thanks again.

 

[MIZZOU Tigers]

Sounds great. Are you planning to keep your SPG card come August?

We are staying on points for a week here in a couple of weeks. I've claimed this offer on my account and with our stay we have $220 in resort fees that I assume would count towards this $300, any recommendations on $80 in purchases that we could make to get us to the $300 mark?

 

[Dan Murphy]

The other is the boats. They sound a horn coming and going from the dock.

One of my favorite sounds at WDW. I know I am home when I hear them. I love waking up with those horns in the morning.

 

[ww52]

Any word if full service is back for the boats?

 

[Dave006]

Yes Friendship boat service is back up and running to / from HS.

Dave

 

[MarBee]

SPG cardholders are really taking a hit. With the new valuation starting in August, points are worth about 0.5 cents at the S&D. Regular SPG card getting 2 points/dollar not a good return on spending.

I am still keeping my SPG business cards for now, which will get us the equivalent of 2 cents per dollar on gas/wireless/etc, but even then I think I can do better with other programs.

Kinda depressing...

I feel your pain.

 

[MarBee]

Just an FYI regarding grocery delivery. I reached out to Dizzy Dolphin, and they informed me they are the only grocery delivery service allowed at Swolphin, and there is no charge. They will only deliver to you in the morning, though. So if you check in on a Sunday, they will deliver Monday morning.
I’m going to try them or for our August stay.

 

[robinb]

I wanted to pop in and provide a data point for the 180 + 10 window for dining reservations at the Swan. We're there for NYE again and I DID NOT get the +10 window. I'm bummed because I was hoping to snag a BOG for 12/30 but I bet it'll be unavailable by the time I can make my reservation tomorrow.

I don't know if it was mentioned, the Dolphin was upgraded to the same SPG level as the Swan. I made a reservation for 12/31-1/5 at the Dolphin under the old points system (40K SPG points) and I tried to adjust it to 12/29-1/3 and I was told that we would owe more points with the change . For me, it's no longer worthwhile to stay at the Dolphin.

 

[ww52]

Yes Friendship boat service is back up and running to / from HS.

Great news. Thanks, Dave!

 

[Donald Duck888]

I just read this email I received yesterday. 2019 will see "Off-Peak" and "Peak" added to the mix so our Category 6 Swan & Dolphin could be as low as 40,000 points/night (how often do you think dates will be classified "Off-Peak"? ) and as high as 60,000 points/night during "Peak".

"SEE OUR NEW FREE NIGHT AWARD CHART.
Our Free Night Award Chart takes effect starting in August—and it has something for everyone. Your next vacation might be closer than you think.

Best of all, there will be no blackout dates across all 6,500 participating hotels."

About the only part of this whole program that's acceptable to me is the "no blackout dates"!!!

So I am guessing these are Marriott reward points listed here? So the Starpoint system is going to be merged into the Marriott point system?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just an FYI regarding grocery delivery. I reached out to Dizzy Dolphin, and they informed me they are the only grocery delivery service allowed at Swolphin, and there is no charge. They will only deliver to you in the morning, though. So if you check in on a Sunday, they will deliver Monday morning.
I’m going to try them or for our August stay.

Who is Dizzy Dolphin, never heard of them

I wanted to pop in and provide a data point for the 180 + 10 window for dining reservations at the Swan. We're there for NYE again and I DID NOT get the +10 window. I'm bummed because I was hoping to snag a BOG for 12/30 but I bet it'll be unavailable by the time I can make my reservation tomorrow.

I don't know if it was mentioned, the Dolphin was upgraded to the same SPG level as the Swan. I made a reservation for 12/31-1/5 at the Dolphin under the old points system (40K SPG points) and I tried to adjust it to 12/29-1/3 and I was told that we would owe more points with the change . For me, it's no longer worthwhile to stay at the Dolphin.

What a bummer, Robin.

 

[BlueFairy]

So I am guessing these are Marriott reward points listed here? So the Starpoint system is going to be merged into the Marriott point system?

Yes. They are operating as one now under 2 brands. 3 Marriott Points = 1 Starpount. Redemption rates have already changed at least once, but the big change comes in August.

 

[RachelTori]

Yet another (negative) change:

As a reminder, members who have linked their SPG® and Delta SkyMiles®accounts can continue to enjoy reciprocal benefits before the program ends July 15, 2018.

Through this date, qualifying Elite SPG members will continue to receive in-airport benefits and earn Starpoints® when flying with Delta, and qualifying SkyMiles Medallion® Members will continue to enjoy in-hotel benefits and earn miles for SPG hotel stays.

After July 15, 2018, members can continue to earn miles on SPG stays by selecting miles as their preferred currency or can convert hotel points to miles.


Oh, well - it was nice while it lasted!

 

[MarBee]

Who is Dizzy Dolphin, never heard of them

I don’t know if I’m allowed to link their web site or not, but it’s their name plus the word delivery dot com.

They’re a grocery delivery service (similar to Garden Grocer). I’ve never personally used them, but they’ve gotten good reviews on these and other boards.

I’ll let you know how they work out in August!

 

[Dan Murphy]

they informed me they are the only grocery delivery service allowed at Swolphin, and there is no charge.

Other services can be used at no cost. We used Amazon Prime One last August, no charge, worked great. But thanks for this additional one.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to link their web site or not, but it’s their name plus the word delivery dot com.

They’re a grocery delivery service (similar to Garden Grocer). I’ve never personally used them, but they’ve gotten good reviews on these and other boards.

I’ll let you know how they work out in August!

Sure, it can be linked, unless the dis people are mad at them.

https://www.dizzydolphindelivery.com/


https://www.disboards.com/threads/opinions-on-dizzy-dolphin-delivery.3601169/

 

[MarBee]

Other services can be used at no cost. We used Amazon Prime One last August, no charge, worked great. But thanks for this additional one.

Thanks! I just remember someone posting about Prime accidentally delivering to bell services and them being charged by the pound. I was hoping to avoid that potential mix up with these guys. Hopefully I don’t hit any bumps in the road

 

[CJN]

One of my favorite sounds at WDW. I know I am home when I hear them. I love waking up with those horns in the morning.

I’m with you. When I wake up to the horns in the morning I know I’m someplace special before I even open my eyes.

 

[edk35]

What are the "extra fees" you pay for staying at either the Swan or Dolphin? Parking? Resort fee per day? TIA

 

[Dave006]

What are the "extra fees" you pay for staying at either the Swan or Dolphin? Parking? Resort fee per day? TIA

Parking is no longer extra since Disney is also now charging for parking. The Disney fee is $13 per night at Value resorts, $19 at Moderate resorts and $24 at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts as of 3/21/2018.

So that only leaves the Swan / Dolphin resort fee of $31.50 per day as an extra fee.

Dave