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

[gottalovepluto]

I’m thinking about using my Platinum card there too. The rate is more expensive than the AP rate, but you get the $150 credit. I figure I would just use it for a meal or two. I was looking at going on 1/3-1/5 and if I do, I’ll report back.

My question is if I can use the credit at the Swan too. One of the restaurants we liike at the Swolphin is Kimonos. It’s been a while since I’ve stayed at either place, but I seem to remember that we can charge back to the room from either hotel.

You can charge to your room at any of the 3 hotels

 

[patty57]

I just checked pricing on a four night stay at the Swan, April 14-18, with an AP rate that comes to $1354 for the four nights. Perfectly acceptable. I checked the rate detail, it's refundable up to five days ahead, but will charge my credit card $878.64 to book the room. Wow! I know I haven't booked at the Swan/Dolphin for a couple of years, but never had to give more than a one night deposit before. Is this a new thing?

 

[Dave006]

I checked the rate detail, it's refundable up to five days ahead, but will charge my credit card $878.64

It might bill you the full amount but most times unless it is really a prepaid offer it should only charge you (1) night. It has shown the full pre-paid before but many guests have only been charged the (1) night rate.

If you want to wait until tomorrow you can call the resort directly to confirm at Reservations: 1-888-828-8850 (Not Marriott Call center). or Swan: 407-934-3000 (ask for In house reservations)

Dave

 

[jmasgat]

Belated data point….after several rounds of back and forth with Chase, they finally honored the Westin offer and gave me 10% for my late October stay. So yeah, it can be done!

 

[Sandi]

I just checked pricing on a four night stay at the Swan, April 14-18, with an AP rate that comes to $1354 for the four nights. Perfectly acceptable. I checked the rate detail, it's refundable up to five days ahead, but will charge my credit card $878.64 to book the room. Wow! I know I haven't booked at the Swan/Dolphin for a couple of years, but never had to give more than a one night deposit before. Is this a new thing?

Your deposit amount seems high to me, too. Make sure you factor in taxes and the resort fee in addition to the nightly rate. Also, I'm not sure if it is policy for them to pick the most expensive night of your stay to calculate the deposit, but that's what it seemed to be for us. We had one night that was almost $600 and the other nights were in the $350 range and our deposit appeared to be based on the $600 night. If you checked into it further, let us know how they came up with your deposit value.

 

[patty57]

Your deposit amount seems high to me, too. Make sure you factor in taxes and the resort fee in addition to the nightly rate. Also, I'm not sure if it is policy for them to pick the most expensive night of your stay to calculate the deposit, but that's what it seemed to be for us. We had one night that was almost $600 and the other nights were in the $350 range and our deposit appeared to be based on the $600 night. If you checked into it further, let us know how they came up with your deposit value.

The amount of $1354 was all in. Taxes and resort fee included. It would have been 65% of the total fee for the deposit. I haven't followed up with the Swan, and haven't booked it.

 

[Disneyhanna]

The amount of $1354 was all in. Taxes and resort fee included. It would have been 65% of the total fee for the deposit. I haven't followed up with the Swan, and haven't booked it.

The actual deposit never matches what it says in the booking. There really is no paper trail for the deposit either, other than your credit card bill. I always put it in my notes when I get the charge so I can make sure I get the correct invoice at check out (it's never been wrong, though).

I recently booked 4 nights in April at a $1300 total, and my deposit was $276. I have made a few bookings recently and the deposit is approximately = ( 1st night rate x 1.15 ) + $50.

 

[DisneyGamer11]

Sort of an obscure question, but has anyone stayed at the S/D recently and used Amex Platinum's FHR/THC program? I used The Hotel Collection at the Dolphin a couple years ago and they let me apply the $100 property credit towards the resort fee. It looks like the credit is $150 now, curious if the S/D is still allowing it. I'll risk it either way, but an extra $150 off certainly sweetens the deal.

I used it a couple of years ago and recall it definitely covered the resort fee - and maybe even the parking. 99% sure it covered the resort fee. Automatic - didn't have to even say anything.

 

[mickey916]

The actual deposit never matches what it says in the booking. There really is no paper trail for the deposit either, other than your credit card bill. I always put it in my notes when I get the charge so I can make sure I get the correct invoice at check out (it's never been wrong, though).

I recently booked 4 nights in April at a $1300 total, and my deposit was $276. I have made a few bookings recently and the deposit is approximately = ( 1st night rate x 1.15 ) + $50.

We booked an 8 day trip for May and, for the first time that I can recall, my DH got an email receipt for the deposit. Usually I do have to check my credit card as they only way to know. We were charged $442.13, not sure how they reached that figure. My first night is $295. My most expensive night is $343. It never seems to have much of a rationale.

 

[robinb]

Has anyone used Marriott/Bonvoy e-gift card at the Swolphin? I'm planning a stay at each of them and have the opportunity to buy some e-gift cards at a discount. I would pre-pay for my stay and only owe the resort fee and anything extra I purchase (like food).

 

[Best Aunt]

Regarding the "how much will they charge for a deposit" question:

When I was there during the summer, the deposit charged was 1 night + resort fee of $50 for 1 night + 12.5% tax on both.

I had used the passholder rate, and every night of my stay cost the same.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Has anyone used Marriott/Bonvoy e-gift card at the Swolphin? I'm planning a stay at each of them and have the opportunity to buy some e-gift cards at a discount. I would pre-pay for my stay and only owe the resort fee and anything extra I purchase (like food).

I cannot speak to the e versions but unsolicited advice- give yourself extra time on checkout day to process the gcs. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it takes forever. (Do note you cannot prepay anything with a gc.)

 

[patty57]

I just checked pricing on a four night stay at the Swan, April 14-18, with an AP rate that comes to $1354 for the four nights. Perfectly acceptable. I checked the rate detail, it's refundable up to five days ahead, but will charge my credit card $878.64 to book the room. Wow! I know I haven't booked at the Swan/Dolphin for a couple of years, but never had to give more than a one night deposit before. Is this a new thing?

Update for this post is that I followed Dave's advice and called the Swan reservation line. They explained that it has to do with the fact that each night was a different rate...basically their system glitches when that happens. I ended up booking for the four nights, with a deposit of $338.63. A little better than $878.64

 

[AngusIsMySpiritAnimal]

Has anyone used Marriott/Bonvoy e-gift card at the Swolphin? I'm planning a stay at each of them and have the opportunity to buy some e-gift cards at a discount. I would pre-pay for my stay and only owe the resort fee and anything extra I purchase (like food).

Yes! Used 2 x 50 against room charges on our last trip with no issues. Got them cashing out old Bonvoy points to prevent them expiring. Did the application of the cards at the front desk.

 

[AngusIsMySpiritAnimal]

Has anyone used Marriott/Bonvoy e-gift card at the Swolphin? I'm planning a stay at each of them and have the opportunity to buy some e-gift cards at a discount. I would pre-pay for my stay and only owe the resort fee and anything extra I purchase (like food).

Side note, where are they selling discounted Bonvoy GCs? I didn't even know they could be purchased outside the Bonvoy site.

 

[robinb]

Side note, where are they selling discounted Bonvoy GCs? I didn't even know they could be purchased outside the Bonvoy site.

I saw some on Target’s website.

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

The swan pool is heated warm. Like, WARM.

All of the pools are heated, but The Grotto pool and the two that adjoin it are not as warm as the others. I think the rectangular pool in front of The Cabana is kept warm like the Swan pool, but the round spring pool between the grotto and the rectangular pool in front of the Cabana is REALLY warm, but only a few feet deep, maybe like three feet?

SO -
Rectangular pool right next to Swan - VERY WARM
Round pool closer to Dolphin VERY, VERY WARM
Rectangular pool closest to Dolphin - I think it's as warm as the Swan's pool.

Grotto pool - not kept as warm as those three.

The pools won't be too cold. The pools might be warmer than the air, and there's like 3 or 4 hot tubs too.

Is this information still accurate?? Next week looks cold, but maybe a couple low 70 degree days sneaking in. Looking for the warmest pool! Staying at Swan. Thanks!

 

[Dave006]

Next week looks cold, but maybe a couple low 70 degree days sneaking in. Looking for the warmest pool! Staying at Swan.

Yes the lap pool near the Health Club and the Splash Terrace is normally the warmest, and it is also closest to the Swan Building. And as a reminder the coldest time of day is normally just before 7 AM normally.

Dave

 

[jmcross]

Any idea why the Swan and Dolphin are completely sold out for my week from April 18-25? Convention maybe?
Any chance the convention could cancel? I'd like to see my rates go down. This is the most I have ever paid for a stay at the Swolphin.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Any idea why the Swan and Dolphin are completely sold out for my week from April 18-25? Convention maybe?
Any chance the convention could cancel? I'd like to see my rates go down. This is the most I have ever paid for a stay at the Swolphin.

Extremely low chance an entire convention cancels, the organizers would be out a lot of money. However, sometimes convention contracts release unsold rooms back to the hotel around the 30ish day mark. But sometimes conventions pick up more rooms in the time leading up to the convention, watched prices one trip go up, up, crazy up and then sold out.

Book what you are comfortable paying, keep checking but do not expect the rate to drop. If the rate seems inflated for what you’re getting check Disney options. Rarely Swolphin prices will hike so much they start getting comparable to Disney EP hotel prices if Disney is running a discount.