The *NEW* SWAN & DOLPHIN RESORT Thread ~ April 2009 ~ Please read Post #1!

[MOM POPPINS]

Dates in June, July and August that are currently available are listed in post #2 of this thread. I used the discounted room using the pull down menu and government rates.

[TaraPA]

The $129 rate was on their banner last year as well. I called (because I was not pulling up anything close to $129/night on the spg website) & was also told that is only nurse, teacher, military, gov't etc. rate. They WERE however, able to find a rate lower than the $229/nt AAA rate I was booked for. So it never hurts to call. Actually - I don't think I even called - I used the "talk to an agent" button on the spg website, it's live chat with a Starwood employee. I ended up getting 2 nights free on points, then paying $189/nt for the last night. Got a great complimentary Starwood Gold upgrade to a deluxe room as well.

[CarolinaChick]

Thank you for the informative thread MomPoppins! I just booked the Swan for the end of August for my family - 6 nights on points and 2 nights cash+points. Total for 8 nights $120!
We have never stayed at either Swan or Dolphin so I have a few questions...

How far is the parking lot from the Swan? I read in the UOG that it is distant, so wondered just how distant is distant? We were thinking of driving our car to MK and AK.

I have read somewhere that the Swan rooms have a stocked mini-bar refrigerator but you have to pay $20 or $25 to have it cleaned out for you to put your own stuff in there - is that still true?

Last but not least (a dork question ) - does the Swan/Dolphin get the Disney resort channels on TV?

Thank you so much for your replies.

[CJN]

I need to subscribe to this thread. Our trip isn't until February 2010 but we want to stay at the Swan again so I might as well come here and read about it for the next ten months .

[TaraPA]

Originally Posted by CarolinaChick

Thank you for the informative thread MomPoppins! I just booked the Swan for the end of August for my family - 6 nights on points and 2 nights cash+points. Total for 8 nights $120!
We have never stayed at either Swan or Dolphin so I have a few questions...

How far is the parking lot from the Swan? I read in the UOG that it is distant, so wondered just how distant is distant? We were thinking of driving our car to MK and AK.

I have read somewhere that the Swan rooms have a stocked mini-bar refrigerator but you have to pay $20 or $25 to have it cleaned out for you to put your own stuff in there - is that still true?

Last but not least (a dork question ) - does the Swan/Dolphin get the Disney resort channels on TV?

Thank you so much for your replies.

I don't know the answers to all of your questions...but I know The Dolphin DOES have the WDW TV channel (the ones with Stacy), I was just there in Dec. & watched them every day (I'm a dork too!)

When we stayed at the Swan we had a car & I don't remember the parking lot being far from the resort at all - I thought I remember it being right there at the entrance - but that stay was almost 9 years ago so anything could have changed (or my memory night just be wrong!)

We did not use the fridge or the mini bar at any of our 3 Swan/Dolphin stays so I can't help you out there.

Lucky you getting points & cash as an option for Swan/Dolphin. That has never come up as an option for me when checking the dates I need.

[ibidforit]

Originally Posted by CarolinaChick

Thank you for the informative thread MomPoppins! I just booked the Swan for the end of August for my family - 6 nights on points and 2 nights cash+points. Total for 8 nights $120!
We have never stayed at either Swan or Dolphin so I have a few questions...

How far is the parking lot from the Swan? I read in the UOG that it is distant, so wondered just how distant is distant? We were thinking of driving our car to MK and AK.

I have read somewhere that the Swan rooms have a stocked mini-bar refrigerator but you have to pay $20 or $25 to have it cleaned out for you to put your own stuff in there - is that still true?

Last but not least (a dork question ) - does the Swan/Dolphin get the Disney resort channels on TV?

Thank you so much for your replies.

In my opinion, the parking lots at the Swan or Dolphin are not too far from the front entrance. I think the Swan's is a little closer. At the Dolphin I think you have to walk past the Convention Center? Still, we always just self-park and then wheel/carry our luggage inside to check-in. It isn't that far, or I wouldn't want to do that!

The Swan rooms have a fridge, if I remember correctly. The Dolphin rooms have only a stocked mini-bar. I have never called to have it cleaned out though.

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by TaraPA

Lucky you getting points & cash as an option for Swan/Dolphin. That has never come up as an option for me when checking the dates I need.

Tara, it must be a sign of the bad economic times, but I was SHOCKED that I was able to book 2 stays this year at the Swan with points+cash: late September (during Food & Wine Festival) and December (right before Christmas). Like you, I've NEVER had my dates work out for points+cash in the past. I just wish that wasn't such a sad commentary for what's going on in this country (and the world).

[TaraPA]

Originally Posted by RachelTori

Tara, it must be a sign of the bad economic times, but I was SHOCKED that I was able to book 2 stays this year at the Swan with points+cash: late September (during Food & Wine Festival) and December (right before Christmas). Like you, I've NEVER had my dates work out for points+cash in the past. I just wish that wasn't such a sad commentary for what's going on in this country (and the world).

I agree that it might be the economic situation that is prompting them to open up more offers for discounted rooms. I only have enough points right now for 2 free nights - so cash plus points would really help me out for a cheap fall getaway. 2 and 3 years ago when planning my Dolphin stay it was booked to capacity both times - it took a lot of watching & checking to get what I wanted. Not the case anymore I guess.

I gues we better take advantage of it while we can!

[anbouk]

What type of room can be expected with cash and points? I hope not the dumpster view? I may be considering this for a short stay, as well. Wondering if someone has used this in the past.

[TaraPA]

Originally Posted by anbouk

What type of room can be expected with cash and points? I hope not the dumpster view? I may be considering this for a short stay, as well. Wondering if someone has used this in the past.

I've never used cash & points but have used all points, or some nights free with points combined with paying for the rest of the nights. I'm pretty sure you're booked into the "standard" category anytime you use points or cash & points (unless you're using points for an upgrade). I've had the most horrendous dumspter view (hotel was full to capacity - no upgrade for Starwood members) - then last year got an upgrade to a gorgeous deluxe balcony room overlooking The Boardwalk & part of Epcot (mini picture of the view under my name to the left). You just never know, and unfortunately won't know until you get there!

[3xthejoy]

We stayed at the Dolphin during the last week of March & loved it. Due to the number of our party,we opted for one of the suites instead of a standard room. Here are a few pictures:

[Paula13]

We will be staying on 6/12..night before our cruise. Rec'd a GREAT deal! We have never stayed at the dolphin/swan...any tips, suggestions on what to do, where to eat? We probably won't be getting there until aroun 3:00.

TIA,
Paula

[ATAfamily]

3xthejoy,
Thanks for taking the time to post the pictures of the room. Looks like the extra room really came in handy for your family. Your kids are adorable. You are one lucky mommy

[NancyIL]

Thanks for starting a new thread, Mom Poppins!

3xthejoy - thanks for sharing your pictures of your suite at the Dolphin. Just so others know, I can tell by the decor that the suite hasn't been renovated yet.

Paula13 - there are a number of places to eat at the Swan/Dolphin, but I would probably go to ESPN Club on the Boardwalk or Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club for a casual lunch or dinner. I have stayed at the Swan and Dolphin quite a few times, but I've never used the pools. I've heard the Grotto pool is great!

[anbouk]

Say...does anyone know if any of the 'suites' or larger than standard size rooms at the Dolphin contain balconies? All of stays have been on the East side facing Epcot...that is what our preference is, just curious if there exist larger room types there?