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

[BrotherCraig]

Hello Swalphin experts! What rooms (if any) does either hotel have with 3 sleeping surfaces? Planning a girls’ trip with 3 of us, and we’d all like our own bed. I’m not seeing anything on the Marriott app, but I feel like I’ve heard there are additional room configurations that don’t show up online?

I 100% agree with the suggestions given. I have been looking at the same and the new Swan Reserve or go with a suite at the Dolphin or Swan. Don't forget - you can add a rollaway bed for $25 a night at Dolphin.

 

[Gitelfor]

I just had a laugh (not laughing at the poster) when I saw that someone thought the name of the new Swan Reserve was the Dolphin Preserve.

 

[Avery&Todd]

so this is totally strange but I booked a stay at the Swan for this November a few days ago and after about 24 hrs or so it allowed me to add it to my MDE, and I made 5 days of park reservations.

Now when I go into MDE, the hotel reservation is gone but the park reservations are there.....

is that a glitch, perhaps I need to log out/log in..or was MDE angry I added the Swan so it deleted it??

 

[Avery&Todd]

so this is totally strange but I booked a stay at the Swan for this November a few days ago and after about 24 hrs or so it allowed me to add it to my MDE, and I made 5 days of park reservations.

Now when I go into MDE, the hotel reservation is gone but the park reservations are there.....

is that a glitch, perhaps I need to log out/log in..or was MDE angry I added the Swan so it deleted it??

super strange - it let me re-add it to MDE....just now

 

[Scott R. Scherr]

so this is totally strange but I booked a stay at the Swan for this November a few days ago and after about 24 hrs or so it allowed me to add it to my MDE, and I made 5 days of park reservations.

Now when I go into MDE, the hotel reservation is gone but the park reservations are there.....

is that a glitch, perhaps I need to log out/log in..or was MDE angry I added the Swan so it deleted it??

I have had to add back my reservation four times now. Others have had the same issue. I am not sure what is going on.

 

[Avery&Todd]

I have had to add back my reservation four times now. Others have had the same issue. I am not sure what is going on.

With the announcement from Disney about cancelling Park reservations when there is not a ticket attached, I didnt want them to think I only had an AP attached to those park reservations and not a hotel reservation too - since APs can only hold 3 park reservations at a time and without that hotel reservation it shows that I have 5 park reservations booked..

yikes!

 

[DisneyMomma1]

I see that Swan/Dolphin does day passes for visitors wanting to use the pool, have any of you done this before? I did look on resortpass.com but they state no availability on the date I would like. I guess my main question is could I just walk up to the desk on the day of and hand them my money without booking in advance? Thanks!

 

[Dave006]

I guess my main question is could I just walk up to the desk on the day of and hand them my money without booking in advance? Thanks!

It is my understanding that this is not currently available due to Covid-19 safety and health guidelines. They also have suspended for now the ability for day guests to rent a Cabana.

It will ultimately come down to when are you visiting as the Guidelines for Orange County just changed today to reduce social distancing down to 3ft from 6ft. Here is the article from Jackie Gailey here at the DIS's web site.

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...or-announces-changes-for-distancing-mandates/
Dave

 

[Sam84]

Can anyone vouch for how comfy/big the sofa beds are? Considering switching over to the Dolphin from Boardwalk. We will be 3 adults and 1 child so thinking of getting the king alcove room for extra space but then we loose a bed. Also, do all rooms at the Dolphin come with the extra sink/vanity outside the bathroom?

 

[marsh0013]

Has anyone checked out early? I had originally booked a 2 night stay at the Swan at the passholder rate May 7-9 after our points stay May 1-7. Now we need to check out on May 8. Before the night sold out/went super expensive, I did book just the night of May 7 at the passholder rate, but it's about $40 more than the rate I have booked on the original reservation for the 2 nights. I'm not sure if I should keep the May 7-9 and ask to check out early. I wouldn't want to get stuck with a higher rate or having to pay for the second night we won't be using. If we'll be stuck paying the total for the 2 nights, then the 1 night I have booked costs less overall. The reservation for the single night of May 7 is $172 plus taxes and fees ($232.88 total), and the reservation for the 2 nights of May 7 and 8 are $135 and $140 plus taxes and fees ($388.13 total).

With Marriott in general, I know I've read if I call to try to drop a night in advance, I won't be able to keep the original rate. I've also read that people have been able to check out early and only pay for the night(s) they actually use at the original rate. But I haven't seen anything specific to Swan/Dolphin. So just wondering if anyone has any experience. Thanks!

Quoting myself to give an update. I called Swan/Dolphin in house reservations just now and was able to drop the night I didn't need from the 2 night/cheaper reservation. Before doing that, I asked if I could keep the same rate. She said the rate for the night would be the average rate of the stay, $137.50. That was completely fine with me, so it's done. Total including taxes and fees is $194.06. I'm very happy with this as now I don't have to worry about it once we arrive. The agent was also able to connect my 2 separate reservations so we will not have to worry about moving. Now we cross our fingers for an upgrade. My husband has platinum status, reservations are in his name. But it appears for at least our first night, the Swan is completely sold out. I do not have high hopes. It's fine, we were just kind of excited about the possibility as this is our first stay with his status.

I know someone else was asking what the current breakfast is for platinum, so if no one else reports back, I can let you know in a few days.

 

[Dave006]

Sofa beds are just that "not" a real bed with a thick mattress and platform support. I think all the sofa beds in the Dolphin are doubles.

Also, do all rooms at the Dolphin come with the extra sink/vanity outside the bathroom?

No the majority of the Dolphin rooms only have 1 sink. The Swan is where you find the second sink outside of the bathroom in all standard rooms.

Dave

 

[DL1WDW2]

That checkin date beginning for the new Reserve 9/1/21 seems ambitious... I just drove past it today and I’m thinking still has a lot of interior, construction etc... . I was driving so not easy to get a good look. Maybe I can go back tomorrow since I can get my son to drive while I look and drive closer ... Curious because it would be a good suggestion for holiday travel for family . Currently they are thinking Hilton Bonnet Creek since WDW either n/a or expensive ...

In conclusion Dolphin has rollaway with Double size beds and 1sink
and Swan has no rollaway but queen size and 2 sink / vanity area...
and basically average transportation...

 

[MarBee]

I know someone else was asking what the current breakfast is for platinum, so if no one else reports back, I can let you know in a few days.

Thank you! It was me. This is the first time DH will have platinum status so I’m riding his coattails for a while
It’s all new to us, so any feedback you can give would be amazing!
I’ve also read on other places that they will reduce resort fees for platinum members if you ask, but I obviously hadn’t had any experience with that myself.
I hope you have an amazing trip and get tons of perks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Can anyone vouch for how comfy/big the sofa beds are

I personally can not vouch for their comfort, but I have seen many here on this thread in the past comment how great the sofa beds are. Not necessarily a Heavenly Bed, but a great bed nevertheless.

 

[Meglen]

If you book a package on the disney website for s/d does it get the disney payment method? 200$ down and cancelation policy? If you book on the s/d site they have a no cancelation policy which makes me worried about booking with them.

 

[Gitelfor]

If you book a package on the disney website for s/d does it get the disney payment method? 200$ down and cancelation policy? If you book on the s/d site they have a no cancelation policy which makes me worried about booking with them.

The Standard Rate bookings on the Swan/Dolphin (Marriott) site have a minimum five days notice for cancellation. The Non-refundable (Prepaid) Rate cannot be cancelled. Be sure to check the different rates, before booking. The Prepaid Rate may be the lowest, but there is the non-refundable risk. Discounts for AAA, Bonvoy, AP, Senior, and certain occupations are available with a five day cancellation policy.

 

[Scott R. Scherr]

If you book a package on the disney website for s/d does it get the disney payment method? 200$ down and cancelation policy? If you book on the s/d site they have a no cancelation policy which makes me worried about booking with them.

If you have AAA, the AAA rate is cheaper than the prepaid rate and is refundable until 5 days before your trip.

 

[dznylvr68]

Thank you! It was me. This is the first time DH will have platinum status so I’m riding his coattails for a while
It’s all new to us, so any feedback you can give would be amazing!
I’ve also read on other places that they will reduce resort fees for platinum members if you ask, but I obviously hadn’t had any experience with that myself.
I hope you have an amazing trip and get tons of perks!

I can chime in on this as we were there last week. For breakfast, they will give you vouchers about the size of a business card for each day that you are there with the dates on them. We were there 15 days, they gave us 15 cards.

In Java, each card will get you a juice or coffee, a pastry, and a yogurt or oats something along that line for each person. Or it can be used for $20 towards anything else such as breakfast sandwiches, snacks, wine... a couple of times we didn't use it until later in the day if we have ROTR boarding group, hence the wine

In Garden Grove, it allowed us to get two things from the continental breakfast section of the menu such as a cup of fruit and oatmeal plus a drink.

We didn't use them at the Dolphin so I'm not sure what would be offered over there.

Hope that helps.

 

[empedocles]

If you book a package on the disney website for s/d does it get the disney payment method? 200$ down and cancelation policy? If you book on the s/d site they have a no cancelation policy which makes me worried about booking with them.

Marriott site defaults to the nonrefundable rates (which I think is sneaky, but I digress). There are tabs at the top of the rate page that allow you to switch to flexible/refundable. S/D has a 5 day cancellation policy, and typically takes a one-night deposit. (Which is refundable if you cancel 5 or more days before your arrival date.)
You can check various discounts on the Marriott site, too. AAA, AARP, government/military, educator, healthcare, etc.
Also note the S/D rate details page usually says the deposit is equal to the entire stay. That seems to be a bug, as nobody has reported a deposit larger than 1 night.

 

[Dave006]

Or it can be used for $20 towards anything else such as breakfast sandwiches, snacks, wine... a couple of times we didn't use it until later in the day if we have ROTR boarding group, hence the wine

I think wine is a perfectly appropriate morning beverage while on vacation but thanks for the great details on the options available. Any other great thoughts or updates to share?

Dave