Why Not Dolphin?

[wdwcustar]

Hey Folks!

If you've read my prior posts, you know that I currently have a reservation to stay 4 nights at the Swan in late June. I need some advice... We have those four nights at the Swan and then we are following that up with 4 nights at Comfort Suites Maingate East, that's where we stayed last year. My dilema? Should I switch to Dolphin or stick with Swan? Here's the factors:

1. Last year, we got to come back to a Suite at night. That's a LARGE LARGE space to come back to, and I don't want it to be a "shock" coming back to an average hotel room. Since Swan is considered a "Deluxe Hotel", are the rooms bigger than normal hotel rooms? Or about the same size? Would it be worth it to switch to Dolphin for the extra footage?

2. One of the problems with switching is we would be sacrificing queen beds for double beds. Are we going to be cramped? It'll be just me in one bed, but both my parents (Ages 60 and 61) will be falling off the bed? Yes? No? Help!

3. We are also *hoping* for an upgrade (isn't everyone?). We are currently booked under the $129 nurse's rate, and from what I gather, this is pretty much a parking lot view. Is there any chance of getting an Epcot view? That would just make my mom's day! I have heard that if you book at the Dolphin, you are more likely to get an upgrade since there are more rooms? Yes? No? (We'd also "settle" for an upgrade to Club Level Status, but I soo highly doubt that)

4. There are new "heavenly" rooms at the Swan and there would no longer be any renovations going on there. This is a plus, is it not?

5. I have the impression that Dolphin is the more convenient hotel. Isn't it closer to the Grotto? Also, are the bus stops at the Dolphin, not the Swan. Yes? Tubbie's is at the Dolphin and we would most likely eat there or at the Dolphin Fountain if we ate anywhere at the resort... or if we got Refillable Mugs. Is this a convenience worth switching to the Dolphin? I just don't know what to do. If we cannot get an Epcot view, my mother would like a first floor room (she's scared of heights, but would be willing to forgo that for an Epcot view). Any suggestions from this point?

I could really use your help, as I'm at a loss of what to do. Thanks!

Jeff

 

[DisneyVa.]

Dear Jeff,
We stayed at the Dolphin this past August also on the teacher's rate of $129 and were upgraded. We loved our stay there. The beds though are smaller (we are used to queen at home) and my 17 year old daughter actually ended up sleeping in the floor to have more room. We will be staying at the Swan over New Years so maybe after that stay I will be able to share a better comparison! I do know that the heavenly beds are the best and the beds at the Dolphin were in real need of replacement!! I wouldn't stay at the Dolphin again until the beds have been replaced. Oh well I guess now that I am over 40 a good night's sleep is important. I'll let you know more after our Swan trip. Hope this info helps. Nancy

 

[Muffy]

Also, the Swan has some renovated rooms with heavenly beds! They really sound "heavenly" too!

 

[gschmerl]

The bus stops at BOTH the Swan and the Dolphin and the boat dock is the same for both hotels. We stayed at the Dolphin with the $129 rate. I joined SPG and e-mailed requesting an Epcot view on an upper floor. We were on the 14th floor with a view of Epcot, MGM and the Boardwalk!

 

[lorilori]

Hi Jeff; We've stayed several times at both Swan and Dolphin concierge and non-concierge levels. I'll give you my thoughts on your questions:
1. & 2. Depends how much time you'll be in your hotel room when not sleeping. The room size difference is only like 20sq. ft. Dolphin rooms are 360 and the Swan are 340 sq.ft. For us, we prefer the Swan because of the bigger (and heavenly) beds. I personally would not switch to the Dolphin for room size alone since a good night's sleep was paramount to a good vacation.
3. I had it written down somewhere and of course now I can't find it but there's approx. 1500 rooms at the Dolphin and 750 at the Swan. There are also more convention goers at the Dolphin. We have been upgraded twice at the Dolphin, once to club level and only once at the Swan. However, at the Swan we were given club-level privileges even though our room was only on the 3rd floor. But the trade-off was that the room had basically no view. We chose the club privileges over the view because we usually weren't in our room much in the daylight!
4. Our last stay in October we were in a new heavenly-bed room. It was gorgeous and we all had a very good night's sleep.
5. Yes, the Dolphin is closer to the grotto, BUT, big BUT here, it is really not a long walk to go over from the Swan. And there is a lap pool and jacuzzi at the Swan. Same for walking over to the Dolphin Fountain, etc. We did laundry while we swam; also not a big deal. The bus was fine. I think I remember it picked up at the Swan first. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Hope I've helped; good luck with your decision!

 

[wdwcustar]

Hey folks!

You've all been a GREAT help, but please: Keep it coming! So I think the Heavenly beds balance out the extra feet in the Dolphin, and everything else pretty much evens out too. EXCEPT: This whole upgrade business. I'm very excited to hear that folks have gotten upgrades at this rate. Should we request and upgrade to the Club level, or would we be better off just asking for an Epcot view. Honestly, we'd like the club level best, but if it's too much of a chance, we would MUCH rather have the Epcot view over nothing. And, I'm getting the impression that it would be best to switch to Dolphin if we wanted a better chance at upgrade. Am I wrong? Maybe? Anything? Also, as a side question, say we kept the Swan resie but they couldn't get us an upgrade at all. Could we asked to be switched to Dolphin if there is an upgrade available? How willing are the folks at Swan/Dolphin about assisting with upgrades? I know it's not Disney staff and I'm wondering if that makes them less willing to accomodate requests... Thanks again!

Jeff

Addition: When hoping for an upgrade to Club Priveledges, does one request that via e-mail prior to arrival, just like one does with views? If this is how you would do it, how would you suggest wording such a request. Thanks!