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

[JJ2017]

Might as well post here first before calling Marriott. We've stayed at Dolphin 3 times so far all on Marriott points and have a 4th visit booked on points this November. That reservation is in hubby's name/Marriott account. A couple of days ago, I was credited a hefty amount of Marriott points and Dolphin is the hotel that is listed next to the refund. I got so nervous that my upcoming trip was cancelled, but it's not (and listed in my husbands account still). Has this ever happened to anyone else? The ONLY thing I can think of is for my trip last November, we had a huge issue due to the SPG/Marriott merge and maybe this was the end result (I don't even remember those details anymore). Thanks!

 

[ImprovGal]

Might as well post here first before calling Marriott. We've stayed at Dolphin 3 times so far all on Marriott points and have a 4th visit booked on points this November. That reservation is in hubby's name/Marriott account. A couple of days ago, I was credited a hefty amount of Marriott points and Dolphin is the hotel that is listed next to the refund. I got so nervous that my upcoming trip was cancelled, but it's not (and listed in my husbands account still). Has this ever happened to anyone else? The ONLY thing I can think of is for my trip last November, we had a huge issue due to the SPG/Marriott merge and maybe this was the end result (I don't even remember those details anymore). Thanks!

Is your husband an Ambassador elite ? There has been some sort of targeted "surprise & delight" promotion going on and one component involved some Ambassador level members receiving an award night's points refunded to them.

 

[JJ2017]

Is your husband an Ambassador elite ? There has been some sort of targeted "surprise & delight" promotion going on and one component involved some Ambassador level members receiving an award night's points refunded to them.

No, he's not that high. And this is on my account and I'm the lowest level. It clearly says Dolphin Redemption Rate and Upgraded Room Points. Next to both it says Refund (on the website) and Cancelled (on the app).

 

[SteveH]

@JJ2017 obviously I'd get on the phone ASAP, 800-627-7468. Does the November reservation still show up, if so I'd think you are ok, but that's very odd.

 

[JJ2017]

Do we know yet what dates Swan/Dolphin will be peak vs. off peak vs. regular in terms of Marriott points?

 

[shoreward]

Do we know yet what dates Swan/Dolphin will be peak vs. off peak vs. regular in terms of Marriott points?

That info will be available on 09/14/2019, the date the new award pricing takes effect. If you book an award stay before then and the pricing goes down you'll need to cancel and rebook, subject to availability at time of rebooking. However, if the points pricing goes up, your existing reservation will be honored.

 

[shoreward]

Update on Dolphin pool closure:

Dolphin outdoor lap pool renovation begins Sept 16th 2019 for 3-4 weeks. Heavy equipment on pool deck during this time. No impact to Dolphin grotto pool/kiddie pool/Swan lap pool.

 

[Babsy]

Is it me, or have prices gone up significantly since Marroitt took over? perhaps I am just looking at busy times? Also, it seems like discounts are not nearly as good or frequent. I miss Starwood!

 

[Dave006]

Pricing and discounts are directly related to occupancy levels. If the Swan / Dolphin are meeting their occupancy / revenue numbers there is no need to offer discounts. Their location within walking distance to HS and GE appears to be filling rooms that conferences don't already block.

The biggest thing that I have noticed is that under the Marriott model, they have moved to dynamic room pricing based on occupancy demand levels. As the number of available rooms per-day drops, the pricing of rooms goes up / down and in some cases "doubles" for even the lowest level of guest rooms. They still have had some great offers on Priceline Express recently.

The Swan / Dolphin are conference hotels and duing many parts of the year they are very busy. If it is a great time for you to go to WDW with good weather then it is also a great time to have a conference at the Swan / Dolphin. They also have some slow periods during the year just like WDW. For example: parts of May, July, August, Sept, Dec and January often have some good discounts.

Dave

 

[SteveH]

Is it me, or have prices gone up significantly since Marroitt took over? perhaps I am just looking at busy times? Also, it seems like discounts are not nearly as good or frequent. I miss Starwood!

It does appear that the pricing system under Marriott is not as beneficial to the tourist from my tracking. Marriott devalued points pretty dramatically as well. In the past they seemed to offer more direct deals, now those deals seem to come more from third party sources. IMHO this goes against creating loyalty but does create better price integrity for them.

Pricing and discounts are directly related to occupancy levels. If the Swan / Dolphin are meeting their occupancy / revenue numbers there is no need to offer discounts.

Very true, but I do think there has been a strategic shift in their discounting methodology. I also think that S/D rates have become better known as a better value vs the Disney Deluxe rates, particularly during Food & Wine, plus I think they held to some higher rates with the anticipation of Star Wars.

If anyone else listed to this weeks Podcast you heard Pete's comments about how bookings are down, and the other hosts talkign how people are looking more at off site options to save. So that does mean that the S/D might be benefiting from Disney's price hikes.

 

[Selket]

If anyone else listed to this weeks Podcast you heard Pete's comments about how bookings are down, and the other hosts talkign how people are looking more at off site options to save. So that does mean that the S/D might be benefiting from Disney's price hikes.

That's very interesting. I've been trying to book a couple of nights at a WDW resort at the end of our stay at the Swan (at the Swan for a conference) and there's nothing with availability except the higher end most expensive rooms. Probably cause I'm only looking for 2 nights no package but you'd think if bookings were down they'd let us book! I had no problem getting the Swan for those 2 nights - at this rate I'm going to end up staying at the Swan if WDW doesn't want my money.

 

[Dan Murphy]

at this rate I'm going to end up staying at the Swan if WDW doesn't want my money.

Nothing wrong with that!!

 

[chris benton]

Nothing wrong with that!!

I'm still wondering why so many ppl think Swolphin isn't better than a lot of WDW Resorts. But, that probably keeps the prices low as well.

I'd probably stay at another EP resort with free dining if the price was the same or maybe a relevant amount more to offset food and transportation costs, but...just my opinion, Swolphin is just great for what our family wants.

 

[hedberg1661]

I'm still wondering why so many ppl think Swolphin isn't better than a lot of WDW Resorts. But, that probably keeps the prices low as well.

A secret I prefer we keep to ourselves!

 

[JJ2017]

@JJ2017 obviously I'd get on the phone ASAP, 800-627-7468. Does the November reservation still show up, if so I'd think you are ok, but that's very odd.

I did my due diligence. Called Marriott Rewards and they have no idea why the points were refunded to me. Called Dolphin, they have no idea. So.......might as well book another Dolphin trip! I'm still wary though!

 

[helenb]

We are a dedicated BC/YC family, but with the Marriott/SPG merger I find myself in possession of a ton of Bonvoy points. Additionally, my usual TA with 'exclusive agency offers' looks like Disney might not be playing ball with them next year, at least, not during my dates. So to hedge my bets, I booked us 5 nights at the Swan for next June (one night free!). We have never stayed at Swolphin before, although we are very familiar with the Epcot area resorts.

The more we look at the Swan booking, the more my husband likes it. After all, the cost is about $300 for 5 nights (after the points) when you throw in resort and rollaway fees. And I have Gold Elite status in Bonvoy, so we'd get a few small perks there. But I have a few questions for all of you experts.

- What is the shampoo/conditioner situation at Swan? Do they still use individual plastic bottles or have they converted to the cheap wall dispensers?
- How does it work without magicbands? Do you have to use your park ticket card for entering the parks and FPs? And you can't charge to your account/room?
- Can you use Disney gift cards to pay for your room?
- How frequently do the busses come for the AK and MK parks?
- Has anyone rented from the National in the resort? What was your experience?
- What is the best room location request if we want to be close to the walkway/bridge to the parks?
- What is the best place to go for a quick drink/soda? Will the price be the usual Disney-astronomical?
- Related to the previous question: are there fridges in the rooms in case we bring our own sodas?

Thank you for any assistance you can give!

 

[Dan Murphy]

- How does it work without magicbands? Do you have to use your park ticket card for entering the parks and FPs? And you can't charge to your account/room? If no MB's, use your park ticket. And correct, no charging back to your room.
- Can you use Disney gift cards to pay for your room? No
- How frequently do the busses come for the AK and MK parks? Same as any other resort, 10-20 minutes.
- What is the best room location request if we want to be close to the walkway/bridge to the parks? The east wing, Swan
- What is the best place to go for a quick drink/soda? Will the price be the usual Disney-astronomical? Picabu, Fuel, or the new quick place in the Swan. Yes, not priced like home
- Related to the previous question: are there fridges in the rooms in case we bring our own sodas? Yes

Thank you for any assistance you can give!

Don;t know the other answers.

 

[chris benton]

- How does it work without magicbands? Do you have to use your park ticket card for entering the parks and FPs? And you can't charge to your account/room?

- How frequently do the busses come for the AK and MK parks?

- What is the best place to go for a quick drink/soda? Will the price be the usual Disney-astronomical?
- Related to the previous question: are there fridges in the rooms in case we bring our own sodas?

Thank you for any assistance you can give!

You can use old MB's or buy new ones, and link them to your tickets. You can use the mb's for park entry, emh entry, and if I'm not mistaken, adr lookups (pretty sure I've used them to verify adr's emm, and dessert parties.) I've never carried park tickets. Matter of fact, I don't think I've ever had park ticket hard copies.

Swan/Dolphin use the Disney Bus system. They are on the same schedule as the other WDW Resorts.

Will the price be "Disney astronomical?" I'd assume the prices are "Nice Hotel astronomical," but not WDW astronomical, but I could be wrong. You'd have to compare apples to apples, but most nice hotels are not charging Walmart price for a can of Sprite. From my experience, overall, the food prices have either been a decent value in the realm of "Nice Hotel astronomical" if that makes any sense. In WDW, most of the food prices we've encountered at Swolphin have been surprisingly decent. Kimonos, Fuel's awesome sandwiches, Picabu...we are fans. Garden Grove, we have mixed feelings about, and The Fountain - mixed feelings as well. I know you've asked specifically about a drink/soda, but overall, I think the food quality vs price is pretty decent compared other places in WDW. I personally think Kimonos is an absolute gem, Fuel also. They also have a refillable resort mug if you are soda people. Depending on what kind of food you like, you might wonder why these places aren't always packed like A.J. said in Disney Food Blog. (I have no affiliation with DFB, other than I like watching their Youtube videos to get me in the planning mood when the time comes.)

The rooms have fridges.

 

[shoreward]

- What is the shampoo/conditioner situation at Swan? Do they still use individual plastic bottles or have they converted to the cheap wall dispensers? Individual bottles and bars of soap

- How frequently do the busses come for the AK and MK parks? About every 20 minutes (there is an electronic board that posts approx. arrival times for the different destinations)

- Has anyone rented from the National in the resort? What was your experience? Alamo/National counter is at the Dolphin. It's a very easy process. Resort valet handles the cars out front, but paperweork is inside at the National/Alamo counter.

- What is the best place to go for a quick drink/soda? Will the price be the usual Disney-astronomical?
A few options:
https://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/fuel/fuel_menus_r_9_2018.pdf
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/dolphin-hotel/phins/menus/
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/dolphin-hotel/cabana-bar-and-beach-club/menus/https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/swan-hotel/il-mulino-lounge/menus/https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/swan-hotel/java-bar/menus/lounge/

 

[helenb]

Thank you everyone for your fast responses! They are much appreciated.

By 'Disney-astronomical', I mean this. A bottle of soda is about $1.50-$2 at a convenience store/grocery store. It is $3 in a 'normal' hotel vending machine. It is $4 at an airport. Disney is just above that at about $4.50 (in parks). Obviously we're not going to get the $2 price on WDW property (we may well just buy some at the grocery store and bring it in... thanks to the fridge in the room!) but I was curious where on the scale the Swolphin was.

Thank you Shoreward for your experience with the rental car counter. We are thinking of renting a car when we leave WDW, so having the agency in the hotel is a big plus for us.