Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE RESORTS Information & Questions

Hey everyone, just purchased our tickets from UCT yesterday in preparation for a July/August 2019 trip. Planning to use rewards points for our stay at either the Swan or Dolphin as I'm a marriott premier platinum member. I've been to Disney many time (30+, some at Swan/Dolphin), however none in the past 3 years and never when trying to use rewards points for a stay. I was hoping some of you could chime in on a couple questions I have.

1. We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 13 year old, 8 year old, 6 year old). I know the Dolphin has double beds and the Swan has Queen beds. Ideally we'd like to stay at the Swan, but it says standard room capacity limit is 4 people. Is there any issue booking Swan with our family of 5? Can you get a rollaway or cot with the queen beds in there?

2. Whether we book Swan or Dolphin, it will be on points. I also have suite upgrade credits that I can use. Does anyone have experience using marriott/spg suite upgrade credits or trying to book a suite with points? Is it even possible?

3. From what I've read so far, the Swan/Dolphin do not use magic bands for the rooms at all, is that correct?

I'm sure I'll have other questions as I think of them, but if any of y'all have pointers for staying with points or other tidbits you think are useful, thanks in advance!!!
 
1. You cannot put a rollaway bed in Queen rooms at Swan. You could buy a blow up mattress I suppose once you get to Orlando?? Actually, they might not let you book a Queen room with 5 people.

2. I don't know but I 'm sure someone will answer soon.

3. No you do not get Magic Bands for rooms at Swan and Dolphin but you can still buy your own and use them for Fastpasses and entry into the parks (just no charging privileges).
 
What a pain! I'm just kvetching here. I booked our 12/29 Swan reservation back in July and only had my DH's name on the reservation. I called today to add my name and my DD's name to the Swan reservation so I can try to book us FPs next week. The agent could not do it! She said it was because the hotel was sold out. She said she would make a note in my reservation and I had to explain to her how that wasn't going to fly with a Disney reservation. That I needed names on the reservation to link to MDX. I asked to speak to a manager who was a jerk (and I called him on being confrontational). He finally said that he had to send an email to the Swan to make the changes but it might take 2-3 days. *sigh* I'm calling back if it's not done in two!
 
What is the best way, and cheapest, to get to and from the Swan and Dolphin from MCO? We are looking to stay there for the New Years Eve weekend? I have stayed here before, but as a kid. From what I have read online Mears does runs to and from, but is the timing comparable to the ME?
 


What a pain! I'm just kvetching here. I booked our 12/29 Swan reservation back in July and only had my DH's name on the reservation. I called today to add my name and my DD's name to the Swan reservation so I can try to book us FPs next week. The agent could not do it! She said it was because the hotel was sold out. She said she would make a note in my reservation and I had to explain to her how that wasn't going to fly with a Disney reservation. That I needed names on the reservation to link to MDX. I asked to speak to a manager who was a jerk (and I called him on being confrontational). He finally said that he had to send an email to the Swan to make the changes but it might take 2-3 days. *sigh* I'm calling back if it's not done in two!
Who did you make the reservation through and to whom did you speak today (Marriott, Costco, Swan, TA, etc.)?

You might try contacting the Swan's Concierge for help.
https://swandolphinconcierge.com/

Others have reporting receiving good assistance.
 
Who did you make the reservation through and to whom did you speak today (Marriott, Costco, Swan, TA, etc.)?

You might try contacting the Swan's Concierge for help.
https://swandolphinconcierge.com/

Others have reporting receiving good assistance.
I made the reservation on the SPG website using points at the old value. It defaults to one guest and I missed it but didn't think it would be a big deal to add a couple of names. I called the current SPG line. Thanks for the info on the Swan Concierge. I'll call them if SPG/Marriott can't get it done in a couple of days. Tuesday is my FP day.
 


We will be at the Dolphin in just under two weeks!!! We have never been to HS. We planned on walking over to our 8:00 PPO breakfast. Should we consider the boat? What is the order of the boat route after pick up at Dolphin? We will have a double stroller.
 
What a pain! I'm just kvetching here. I booked our 12/29 Swan reservation back in July and only had my DH's name on the reservation. I called today to add my name and my DD's name to the Swan reservation so I can try to book us FPs next week. The agent could not do it! She said it was because the hotel was sold out. She said she would make a note in my reservation and I had to explain to her how that wasn't going to fly with a Disney reservation. That I needed names on the reservation to link to MDX. I asked to speak to a manager who was a jerk (and I called him on being confrontational). He finally said that he had to send an email to the Swan to make the changes but it might take 2-3 days. *sigh* I'm calling back if it's not done in two!

We had the same problem. Keep calling. We asked for "In House Reservations". They would tell us it was fixed, but nothing would change in the MDE account. (The reservation was showing, but not the correct number of guests.) We didn't need the Swan to add the actual names, just the number of guests. Once the number of guests was correct in each room, we were able to link it to our family members listed in our MDE account.
Good Luck! Keep calling!
 
We will be at the Dolphin in just under two weeks!!! We have never been to HS. We planned on walking over to our 8:00 PPO breakfast. Should we consider the boat? What is the order of the boat route after pick up at Dolphin? We will have a double stroller.
The FriendShips leave the Swan / Dolphin dock and the next stop is HS. Also on the return from HS, the first stop is the Swan / Dolphin dock. Just follow the signs and load on the correct side of the Dock for HS or Epcot.

Dave
 
The FriendShips leave the Swan / Dolphin dock and the next stop is HS. Also on the return from HS, the first stop is the Swan / Dolphin dock. Just follow the signs and load on the correct side of the Dock for HS or Epcot.

Dave
Oh, that’s nice although I guess it’s possible that the boat could be full by the time it gets to us (does that happen?). Is there any way to know when the first boat of the morning would come?
 
We had the same problem. Keep calling. We asked for "In House Reservations". They would tell us it was fixed, but nothing would change in the MDE account. (The reservation was showing, but not the correct number of guests.) We didn't need the Swan to add the actual names, just the number of guests. Once the number of guests was correct in each room, we were able to link it to our family members listed in our MDE account.
Good Luck! Keep calling!
That's good to know! I just need to have the number of people correct?
 
What is the best way, and cheapest, to get to and from the Swan and Dolphin from MCO? We are looking to stay there for the New Years Eve weekend? I have stayed here before, but as a kid. From what I have read online Mears does runs to and from, but is the timing comparable to the ME?
Last time I used FL tours. I was looking at maybe using access line transportation this time. They want $160 roundtrip for an SUV.
 
That's good to know! I just need to have the number of people correct?

Yes, the number of guests in the room and the reservation will need to be resent to Disney reservations. That could take 24-48 hours to process. I wouldn't wait around on SPG--I would get on the phone to the Swan concierge or in house reservations ASAP.
 
I made the reservation on the SPG website using points at the old value. It defaults to one guest and I missed it but didn't think it would be a big deal to add a couple of names. I called the current SPG line. Thanks for the info on the Swan Concierge. I'll call them if SPG/Marriott can't get it done in a couple of days. Tuesday is my FP day.
I wouldn’t wait. Call again. Today. And tomorrow if still not fixed. It could takes days to get it fixed and you don’t have time
 
I just wanted to verify that as of now there is no mention of stopping the 60 day FP is there? Also was wondering if swan qualifies for the 180 + 10 dining reservation? Planning a Feb 2020 trip, but need to have all details planned by Christmas to get all family on board.
 
Hey everyone, just purchased our tickets from UCT yesterday in preparation for a July/August 2019 trip. Planning to use rewards points for our stay at either the Swan or Dolphin as I'm a marriott premier platinum member. I've been to Disney many time (30+, some at Swan/Dolphin), however none in the past 3 years and never when trying to use rewards points for a stay. I was hoping some of you could chime in on a couple questions I have.

1. We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 13 year old, 8 year old, 6 year old). I know the Dolphin has double beds and the Swan has Queen beds. Ideally we'd like to stay at the Swan, but it says standard room capacity limit is 4 people. Is there any issue booking Swan with our family of 5? Can you get a rollaway or cot with the queen beds in there?

2. Whether we book Swan or Dolphin, it will be on points. I also have suite upgrade credits that I can use. Does anyone have experience using marriott/spg suite upgrade credits or trying to book a suite with points? Is it even possible?

3. From what I've read so far, the Swan/Dolphin do not use magic bands for the rooms at all, is that correct?

I'm sure I'll have other questions as I think of them, but if any of y'all have pointers for staying with points or other tidbits you think are useful, thanks in advance!!!

Anyone with experience with these questions?
 
I just wanted to verify that as of now there is no mention of stopping the 60 day FP is there? Also was wondering if swan qualifies for the 180 + 10 dining reservation? Planning a Feb 2020 trip, but need to have all details planned by Christmas to get all family on board.
I don't know why, but we were able to book 180+10 for our ADRS for this trip. We booked hotel on points and tickets through UCT and then linked them.
 
I just wanted to verify that as of now there is no mention of stopping the 60 day FP is there? Also was wondering if swan qualifies for the 180 + 10 dining reservation? Planning a Feb 2020 trip, but need to have all details planned by Christmas to get all family on board.
Officially no change to the 60 day FP+ window. The Swan / Dolphin don't qualify for the 180 + 10 ADR option but some guests including me have been able to make our ADR reservations for 180 + 10 with a reservation and the Swan or Dolphin. Your mileage may vary.

The biggest complaints about the Swan / Dolphin would be the lack of DME airport transfers and MagicBands.

Dave
 
Hey everyone, just purchased our tickets from UCT yesterday in preparation for a July/August 2019 trip. Planning to use rewards points for our stay at either the Swan or Dolphin as I'm a marriott premier platinum member. I've been to Disney many time (30+, some at Swan/Dolphin), however none in the past 3 years and never when trying to use rewards points for a stay. I was hoping some of you could chime in on a couple questions I have.

1. We are a family of 5 (2 adults, 13 year old, 8 year old, 6 year old). I know the Dolphin has double beds and the Swan has Queen beds. Ideally we'd like to stay at the Swan, but it says standard room capacity limit is 4 people. Is there any issue booking Swan with our family of 5? Can you get a rollaway or cot with the queen beds in there?

2. Whether we book Swan or Dolphin, it will be on points. I also have suite upgrade credits that I can use. Does anyone have experience using marriott/spg suite upgrade credits or trying to book a suite with points? Is it even possible?

3. From what I've read so far, the Swan/Dolphin do not use magic bands for the rooms at all, is that correct?

I'm sure I'll have other questions as I think of them, but if any of y'all have pointers for staying with points or other tidbits you think are useful, thanks in advance!!!
1. You can't book a standard room at either the Swan or Dolphin for 5. You will need to select one of the 2 types of Family rooms at the Dolphin: Deluxe Alcove Room or Dolphin Premium Studio. For the Swan it would need to be a Deluxe Alcove Room or a Suite.

2. Since the merger with Marriott, you will need to check directly with Marriott / SPG for suite upgrade credits.

3. Correct the Swan / Dolphin don't utilize MBs for room access or resort charging. However, you can bring your own, purchase them at the Swan / Dolphin or at Disney and use them for Disney park access. Both hotels have a Disney desk with actual Disney Cast Members that can assist with tickets, the purchase of the standard color MBs or activating ticket vouchers. Both gift shops also have additional Disney MBs for purchase.

Dave
 

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