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

[georgina]

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!

Thanks. My offer expires 12/31, just booked and charged the first night so I will be prepared to challenge them. The confirmation clearly says Westin

 

[Tiggr88]

Thanks. My offer expires 12/31, just booked and charged the first night so I will be prepared to challenge them. The confirmation clearly says Westin

Does the offer require you to pay the full amount of the stay prior to the expiration date and not just the deposit?

 

[jmasgat]

Does the offer require you to pay the full amount of the stay prior to the expiration date and not just the deposit?

I have used this offer before and not paid for the total stay price—the offer is capped at a max rebate, so it wasn’t worth it/necessary. (my current offer is max $50 back). So check the fine print on yours and see what the max is. Then you can decide what you want to charge in order to maximize it. But note, it is with a one time purchase, not cumulative spend.

 

[AngusIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have done this Chase offer multiple times on different cards this year (as recently as this week!) and unfortunately Swan has always coded as Autograph. I also went back and forth with Chase on it, emailed screen shots and the like, and was denied on them accepting it as a Westin hotel every time. Even though it IS a Westin, and clearly says Westin as the merchant on the transaction. I just made a payment for the Swan on my CHASE MARRIOTT CARD, which should DEFINITELY know the difference, and no luck. It paid out the Autograph offer.

I don't even bother wrangling over it now, just go into it with the expectation that it will hit the Autograph terms, not the Westin.

 

[SteveH]

I wonder if S/D is changing the Swan from Westin to Autograph? I don't understand what the advantages for them would be, they are both part of the "Premium" brands like Sheraton, Marriott, Tribute, Gaylord, etc. Which might make sense if Marriott was making more distinction between the Premium lines, or maybe they are shedding the older Starwood hotel lines. Makes no sense as a consumer. And really makes no sense have your Chase users have to fight to redeem offers.

 

[Dave006]

I wonder if S/D is changing the Swan from Westin to Autograph?

Well the Swan Reserve is already in the Autograph Collection so it might make sense for the Swan to also be in the Autograph Collection.

Stay tuned.

Dave

 

[AustinTink]

Is the store in the front of the Swan owned by Disney or Marriott? Wondering if they take either a Disney gift card or a Disney redemption card.

 

[Dave006]

Is the store in the front of the Swan owned by Disney or Marriott? Wondering if they take either a Disney gift card or a Disney redemption card.

Technically the both Disney stores at the Swan & Dolphin are owned by "Tishman Hotel & Realty" but both of the stores and even the Disney Planning Centers are operated by Disney.

Both of the stores sell, and accept Disney Gift Cards for purchases. I don't know what a Disney redemption card is but if it is related to the Disney Branded Visa Card, my guess is that they would also accept it.

Dave

 

[AustinTink]

Technically the both Disney stores at the Swan & Dolphin are owned by "Tishman Hotel & Realty" but both of the stores and even the Disney Planning Centers are operated by Disney.

Both of the stores sell, and accept Disney Gift Cards for purchases. I don't know what a Disney redemption card is but if it is related to the Disney Branded Visa Card, my guess is that they would also accept it.

Dave

Yes the Disney Visa redemption card. I have some dollars left to spend before we head home today.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes the Disney Visa redemption card. I have some dollars left to spend before we head home today.

Hope your trip has been going well, AT. Hope to hear about it when you return.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yes the Disney Visa redemption card. I have some dollars left to spend before we head home today.

Next time PYB. Anything Disney charged to your Disney visa you can redeem your Disney points against for 1cpp. No need to deal with special redemption card and you’ll get points for your purchases.

 

[AustinTink]

Hope your trip has been going well, AT. Hope to hear about it when you return.

It’s been lovely, Dan. It was our first time back to the Swan since 2011 or 2012. Our last hotel stays in the Epcot area have been at either the Beach or Yacht Club. We have decided we like the Swan better than either of those.

The Beach and Yacht can be so chaotic. The Swan was such a serene spot to come “home” to after the craziness of both Christmas and New Year’s in the parks. The lobby was always so quiet and peaceful. We would walk in and say “ahhhhh”.

We did the holidays in the parks, a first for us. Arrived at Universal on Christmas Day then switched over to Disney for the second half of our trip. Not sure we will do this time of year again but it was great fun! It honestly wasn’t as bad as people make it out to be. We zig when others zag and try to hit everything at off hours and close the parks out every night. It worked for us.

The Swan room was just right for our family of three size-wise. The last-minute scooter we had to rent fit just fine in the entryway. My husband broke his foot right before the trip. The CMs at Disney have been so kind to him/us while he hobbles around in his cast.

Housekeeping has been spot on, the room is in great condition. We booked a deluxe balcony resort view room and ended up with a balcony that faces the Swan reserve, so that’s is my view as I sit here typing. If I go sit out on the balcony and look right, the view opens up.

The only odd thing we encountered in the room has to do with the shower. I don’t know if it’s because the shower curtain is so short that it barely skims the top of the tub, or if the air vent in the room placement is to blame, but the air blows the shower curtain the whole time we are in the shower and wraps the curtain around us like a mummy while we shower. It’s serious ick factor. Just a minor blip in an otherwise fabulous experience at the Swan. No big deal.

Our family needed this trip big time. Very glad we chose the Swan. The employees are all so kind which was especially apparent coming over from Universal (Royal Pacific). It’s a whole different world here. Can’t wait to return.

 

[Dan Murphy]

It’s been lovely, Dan. It was our first time back to the Swan since 2011 or 2012. Our last hotel stays in the Epcot area have been at either the Beach or Yacht Club. We have decided we like the Swan better than either of those.

The Beach and Yacht can be so chaotic. The Swan was such a serene spot to come “home” to after the craziness of both Christmas and New Year’s in the parks. The lobby was always so quiet and peaceful. We would walk in and say “ahhhhh”.

We did the holidays in the parks, a first for us. Arrived at Universal on Christmas Day then switched over to Disney for the second half of our trip. Not sure we will do this time of year again but it was great fun! It honestly wasn’t as bad as people make it out to be. We zig when others zag and try to hit everything at off hours and close the parks out every night. It worked for us.

The Swan room was just right for our family of three size-wise. The last-minute scooter we had to rent fit just fine in the entryway. My husband broke his foot right before the trip. The CMs at Disney have been so kind to him/us while he hobbles around in his cast.

Housekeeping has been spot on, the room is in great condition. We booked a deluxe balcony resort view room and ended up with a balcony that faces the Swan reserve, so that’s is my view as I sit here typing. If I go sit out on the balcony and look right, the view opens up.

The only odd thing we encountered in the room has to do with the shower. I don’t know if it’s because the shower curtain is so short that it barely skims the top of the tub, or if the air vent in the room placement is to blame, but the air blows the shower curtain the whole time we are in the shower and wraps the curtain around us like a mummy while we shower. It’s serious ick factor. Just a minor blip in an otherwise fabulous experience at the Swan. No big deal.

Our family needed this trip big time. Very glad we chose the Swan. The employees are all so kind which was especially apparent coming over from Universal (Royal Pacific). It’s a whole different world here. Can’t wait to return.

Wow, thanks for your "while still there" review, AT. I also know that "ahhhh" feeling also. So nice sfter a long day on the go. The Swan is a very relaxing resort. Have a good trip home, AT.

 

[robinb]

We got a great deal for the Dolphin via our AMEX Platinum. We stayed 2 days and it came out to less than $140 per night all in.

We are checking out of the Dolphin now. We did get upgraded to a great view on the 18th floor. The $150 bonus money was used in one fell swoop for dinner at Kimono’s. Location was perfect.

The only downside is that we did not get late checkout . Even though my DH is Platinum for life and we booked through AMEX’s The Hotel Collection. We had wanted to come back from Epcot at 2:00ish, finish packing and move then. Instead, we had to pack and arrange to have our bags moved this morning, cutting into primo park time.

We also got free continental breakfast at Rosa Mexicano. It was very good!

 

[robinb]

Photos



Breakfast

 

[robinb]

Two more! We could also see the Studios. We watched Epcot’s fireworks from our room last night.

 

[SteveH]

The only downside is that we did not get late checkout . Even though my DH is Platinum for life and we booked through AMEX’s The Hotel Collection.

My guess is that they had a high occupancy rate and needed to flip the room for another guest, busy time of year. Plus, IMHO S&D, is not as likely to care about status levels. From things I've read some of the high tourist locations are like this.

 

[robinb]

My guess is that they had a high occupancy rate and needed to flip the room for another guest, busy time of year. Plus, IMHO S&D, is not as likely to care about status levels. From things I've read some of the high tourist locations are like this.

They offered my DH a 2:00 checkout when he checked in and said he could call later to arrange it. When he did, they said “no”. So, passive aggressive me told the bell hop that he couldn’t check us out when he took our bags for transfer. The room will now sit empty until our check out time.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We got a great deal for the Dolphin via our AMEX Platinum. We stayed 2 days and it came out to less than $140 per night all in.

We are checking out of the Dolphin now. We did get upgraded to a great view on the 18th floor. The $150 bonus money was used in one fell swoop for dinner at Kimono’s. Location was perfect.

The only downside is that we did not get late checkout . Even though my DH is Platinum for life and we booked through AMEX’s The Hotel Collection. We had wanted to come back from Epcot at 2:00ish, finish packing and move then. Instead, we had to pack and arrange to have our bags moved this morning, cutting into primo park time.

We also got free continental breakfast at Rosa Mexicano. It was very good!

Yeah, that's where Amex gets you "late check out, when available" so it's literally just what everyone else in the hotel gets lol

What a view you had though!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great rate and perks there, @robinb!! And those pictures! Nice views. Making me homesick. I miss those morning grits and/or oatmeal there.