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

[gottalovepluto]

Yea I agree it’s a horrible use of points nowadays…

It depends on the price. They are few and far between but sometimes the points prices are still good deals for some people depending on their situations. I would never suggest someone pile up points in order to redeem them here specifically though. It’s more of a if you have a huge points stash you should check it for your dates situation.

Marriott in general has devalued so bad, not unique to these places. I find myself using my points much more freely than I did in the past. The dynamic point situation has them going the way of Hilton pesos…

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

When was that? I can’t find anything on Marriott having allowed FNCs to count toward the 4 point paid nights required to get the 5th night free benefit.

2022 I just checked and it was the “Marriott Bonvoy Certificate” that was used for the fourth night to get the 5th night free. I tried it again in 2024 and it said it wasn’t allowed.

 

[gottalovepluto]

2022 I just checked and it was the “Marriott Bonvoy Certificate” that was used for the fourth night to get the 5th night free. I tried it again in 2024 and it said it wasn’t allowed.

Crazy. It should not have allowed it even then. You got quite lucky!

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Crazy. It should not have allowed it even then. You got quite lucky!

Here it is, was during winter break back when they kept it under 60k a night nowadays that same time frame would be around least 20% more points

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Yep you used to be able to do that

Have you tried calling? I know one of the hotel chains recently took away the ability to book online using a combination of points/cash/certs. I do think phone agents still can (if you find one who knows how).

I thought it was Marriott but could be wrong. An unfriendly move to make it harder to book....but it's Marriott so not surprising.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Have you tried calling? I know one of the hotel chains recently took away the ability to book online using a combination of points/cash/certs. I do think phone agents still can (if you find one who knows how).

I thought it was Marriott but could be wrong. An unfriendly move to make it harder to book....but it's Marriott so not surprising.

I did not. It said on the app when I tried to make the booking that it isn’t allowed. Didn’t know phone agents still could though

 

[gottalovepluto]

I did not. It said on the app when I tried to make the booking that it isn’t allowed. Didn’t know phone agents still could though

You did the impossible before so you should definitely try! Anyone else I’d say don’t waste time but you have some sort of crazy Bonvoy luck so I’d keep trying to ride that wave!

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

You did the impossible before so you should definitely try! Anyone else I’d say don’t waste time but you have some sort of crazy Bonvoy luck so I’d keep trying to ride that wave!

I did try it again………. and it didn’t work lol. They closed it and I don’t have the points to pull it off anyways for when we want to go.

 

[Bird003]

Booked dolphin on passholder rate for mid December . Cheaper than Caribbean beach on bounce back offer!

 

[swummyh20]

Has anyone used the pre-pay option for guaranteed early check-in or late check-out? I did a search and didn't see an answer but may not have put the best criteria in. I noticed these paid options on the welcome email that I received from the Dolphin. I do realize that this benefit can fluctuate with tier status. I would be paying in full which for my July date is $125 for early check-in.

Since I started moving my Marriott points out to my preferred airline every month, I have lost my Marriott status which is fine with me.


Thank you for your thoughts on this topic.

Curious about this too!

 

[rangerxenos]

Booked dolphin on passholder rate for mid December . Cheaper than Caribbean beach on bounce back offer!

Yep, I ended up booking Dolphin for my early December trip with the AP rate, it was cheaper than all the Disney Moderates. I have never stayed at any of the 3 hotels here, I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like.

 

[kylenne]

I booked dinner at Bourbon Steak on OpenTable for the night I switch over to Swan, under the assumption Epcot will be a nightmare the first Saturday night of Food & Wine. It'll be a great use of that resort credit I get from Amex. Tentative plan is to eat there and then head over to HS for Fantasmic.

Question since I've never done a split between a Disney resort and Swolphin and I've seen mixed answers in the past, will Disney transfer luggage from CR to Swolphin?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I booked dinner at Bourbon Steak on OpenTable for the night I switch over to Swan, under the assumption Epcot will be a nightmare the first Saturday night of Food & Wine. It'll be a great use of that resort credit I get from Amex. Tentative plan is to eat there and then head over to HS for Fantasmic.

Question since I've never done a split between a Disney resort and Swolphin and I've seen mixed answers in the past, will Disney transfer luggage from CR to Swolphin?

Enjoy that dinner, kylenne.

Everything I've read here says they will transfer. And the reverse also.

Enjoy.

 

[SteveH]

@kylenne I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Bourbon Steak! I agree with Dan, I think the luggage service transfer is back to normal, many of the comments were based on covid and staffing I think. If you want extra assurance use the S/D App and shoot them a text. Have a great trip.

 

[Karalee402]

Question since I've never done a split between a Disney resort and Swolphin and I've seen mixed answers in the past, will Disney transfer luggage from CR to Swolphin?

We stayed at the BWV and had our luggage transferred to the Dolphin with no problems at all just a couple of months ago. I had read conflicted reports, as well, but we had no issues!
Excited to hear what you think of Bourbon Steak!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Question since I've never done a split between a Disney resort and Swolphin and I've seen mixed answers in the past, will Disney transfer luggage from CR to Swolphin?

Yes. The only one that goes wonky is Pop. Mine has generally come in a bit later than Disney resorts, closer to 5pm.