When there's a spring convention at the Dolphin

[KIS]

We will be at the Dolphin 4/24 - 5/2, when there's a convention scheduled. We are not with the convention, but on our first trip to WDW and to the Dolphin. I've heard such nice stories about upgrades, about excellent service, but I wonder if we should lower our expectations given the fact that there is a convention going on.

At one point, I learned they sometimes close the Grotto for a convention parties. I hope that isn't scheduled for when my five year old has "down time" from the parks and may when to refresh with a swim.

I am also aware that the Dolphin club may well be full. I tried calling to reserve a place now, but was told it was too early for a reservation. I explained how I'd read that there was room for 15 kids only, but the woman explained that if it gets too big, they open up another room and that should a convention group fill the club to capacity, I should just mention that this woman said it was OK to add one more child, my daughter, when I call back at the suggested time (1 month prior).

I'd appreciate hearing from someone who knows about the Dolphin during spring conventions how things go when there's a crowd and you are the lowly, single family.

We have the SPG gold card, we've made our request for a better view on our teacher's discounted room which we booked in August. I am prepared to email the room reservation about a couple weeks ahead of time to make these requests better visible upon room assignment time. I'm using my AMEX to accrue points.

Still, if there's a convention, we may not get much support or help.

KIS

 

[3for Me]

We have never been there during a spring convention, but we were just there in October when the entire hotel was at capacity for a convention.

1. The pools were busy, but not full of moms and kids waiting for their husbands - and a few husbands waiting for wives during the day and there were shortened hours in some of the pools during the evening, but we spent A LOT of time at the pools and it was never a problem. Now, mind you this was fall, but it was HOT so people were out EN FORCE at the pools, so I would say you could compare it to the spring.

2. We got a great room with a great view that we did not use SPG to get, but did request certain floor, view and two queens non smoking - we got it all.

3. We used the kid's club and had NO PROBLEM at all making a last minute decision to send 3 kids on a Friday night no less.

I can not guarantee this will be your experience, but I will say that other than the pool and crowded lobby in the evening, you really didn't even notice the convention.

P. S. The busses were not crowded either, and transportation was really great in my opinion.

 

[Kaybee]

I was just wondering how did you find out there was a convention going on during that time you were going to be there?
I am going in May also, 7th to 15th and just wondered if there will be a convention going on when I am there. That sort of worries me too!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Both the Swan and the Dolphin are convention hotels. They actually do relatively little Disney only business. Of course their location encourages conventioneers to bring their families, but their mainstay is conventions.

Their off time is during the holidays. However, we stayed at the Dolphin Christmas week 2002 and were told by a bellman at check-in that a Japaneese tourist group had checked into over 1,000 rooms at the Dolphin. It was pretty obvious that they had.

 

[ozziewags]

They were also at the Swan!

 

[KIS]

When we were trying to make a reservation with our teacher/gov discount, we were initially told there were no rooms due to a convention. I called back a little later that day to find out if we could wait listed, but, somehow, beyond my ken, there was room. That's how I found out.

I don't know about the timing of the convention exactlty, only that initially it looked like we were out of luck because of one.

I hope we have a good experience despite the crowds.

KIS

 

[Muffy]

We arrive at the Dolphin on 12/29 and have been told there is an convention then also. Luckily the room controler was able to block us a Jr. Suite and CL privs as an upgrade (Plat SPG) but she said they are fully booked because of this convention.

 

[KIS]

Dear Muffy,

How did you book the upgrade so far in advance? Is thata the plat. card?

KIS

 

[PamOKW]

There is pretty much something always going on at the Swan and Dolphin -- they even enlarged their convention facilities. Sometimes it's a BIG group taking over the place, sometimes it's several smaller groups. The Dolphin has been a VERY popular Japanese hotel from the time it first opened. When Japan's economy dipped and tourism dropped off, I'm sure the Dolphin was effected. Maybe the tourists will be returning again.

 

[Muffy]

Originally posted by KIS
Dear Muffy,
How did you book the upgrade so far in advance? Is thata the plat. card?

KIS [/B]

My DH is a Platinum Starwood member. One of the perks of Plat. SPG is an upgrade to a Jr. Suite and CL if available. Two weeks in advance is not considered early for Platinum upgrades.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have been on both sides of the hotel convention issue. DH's company holds them 2/3 times a year and frequent the Starwood Properties. I have found that you are more likely to get an upgrade with the SPC - if you are not a convention guest. It seems that the convention rates are fairly deeply discounted and we have not yet been upgraded when we are staying with a convention. (even with gold!).

As a regular guest I have had lots of great surprises with gold and without. My rule of thumb is always to reserve and pay for what I really want or need and not count on the upgrades. Not saying you are of course but this avoids dissapointment on my part.

As for the pool, even if they do close the Grotto pool there are several others you can swim at during an afternoon break. My girls liked the spring pool and the lap pools better anyway. The grotto pool was chilly compared to the others.

You will find the "conventioneers" out and about but they are usually tightly scheduled and having events at the convention center.

HTH
TJ

 

[Kapp]

last month when there were 2 big conventions going on. The only time we noticed it was when they had large socials by the pool area. These were in the evening when most had left the pool area but the area around the lap pool was closed off.

There also were not doing usual upgrades, per the desk clerk. Since most most of the attendees were on expense accounts, I guess they paid full price for CL, better rooms, etc. We used our SPG points (5 days out) to get the CL upgrade. Our clerk said it was a good thing we did that in advance as a lot of the convention folks were asking for and/or paying for the upgrade at check in.

The only other time we really noticed the convention folks was in the evening in the lobby lounge at the Dolphin. It is a VERY small and VERY open area so the convention people were everywhere and very loud.

The S/D are GREAT hotels. You will have a blast!

 

[mnbrowns]

How is the hotel parking when Swan and Dolphin are at capacity with conventions?

 

[madge]

Originally posted by KIS
We will be at the Dolphin 4/24 - 5/2, when there's a convention scheduled. We are not with the convention, but on our first trip to WDW and to the Dolphin. I've heard such nice stories about upgrades, about excellent service, but I wonder if we should lower our expectations given the fact that there is a convention going on.

At one point, I learned they sometimes close the Grotto for a convention parties. I hope that isn't scheduled for when my five year old has "down time" from the parks and may when to refresh with a swim.

I am also aware that the Dolphin club may well be full. I tried calling to reserve a place now, but was told it was too early for a reservation. I explained how I'd read that there was room for 15 kids only, but the woman explained that if it gets too big, they open up another room and that should a convention group fill the club to capacity, I should just mention that this woman said it was OK to add one more child, my daughter, when I call back at the suggested time (1 month prior).

I'd appreciate hearing from someone who knows about the Dolphin during spring conventions how things go when there's a crowd and you are the lowly, single family.

We have the SPG gold card, we've made our request for a better view on our teacher's discounted room which we booked in August. I am prepared to email the room reservation about a couple weeks ahead of time to make these requests better visible upon room assignment time. I'm using my AMEX to accrue points.

Still, if there's a convention, we may not get much support or help.

KIS

I have stayed at the Dolphin when the resort is full due to a convention. It is always in the fall, but a convention is a convention Our most recent stay was October 2003, and there was a large convention at the resort. The Dolphin was sold out 2 nights of our stay.

A few things about conventions at the Dolphin. You won't be the only family....especially during Spring Break. A lot of convention-goers bring their families, and there are many other families there because of the discounts, etc. I won't lie to you...it's hard to miss the convention, especially in the lobby in the evenings. It can be pretty busy at that time. As far as the grotto pool closing, it's always a possibility. If it's closed, there should be sufficient notice, so you can plan around it. There are other pools to swim in, though.

The good news about conventions is that they (usually) don't last very long. 3-4 days at the most. it's likely that your whole vacation won't be shared with a convention.

I would put a note on my reservation through www.SPG.com that you would like a complimentary SPG gold upgrade and a renovated room there is also a place at www.swandolphin.com to make room requests, but I don't know if that is overkill or not. one request should do it. You might make a follow-up call a few days before your arrival, express your concerns about the convention and see if they can block you away from all the activity.

good luck!

 

[Mainebound]

Someone asked upthread about finding out when conventions are scheduled. I'm sure there is a faster way, but you can use Google -- just put in terms like Dolphin + Disney + 2004 + April + convention and you will get some hits. You have to be really bored and very caught up with your work to even attempt this. This is how I found out about a huge Dolphin convention March 1-3 and chose the Swan during our stay (but I really have no sure way of knowing that the Swan won't be full of conventioneers too, and it probably will!). As for pool closings, I believe they are usually late afternoon into evening, and as a previous poster has pointed out, there are always other pools to use.