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

[chris benton]

I've seen waitservice from Cabana.
Towels are at the hut, but also, around the swan pool, there were PLENTY of towels for the taking.
Not sure about Dolphin side, because we would just grab towels from the Swan pool on our way to the Dolphin pool side. I'd almost assume that there HAS to be towels somewhere closer to the Dolphin side since the hut isn't always open.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I am new to this thread since we are planning our first stay at the Swan for this coming June. I booked through Costco and was very excited to try this new (for us) resort. Since then my enthusiasm has dimmed since I am unable to link our resort reservation to MDE. We booked on February 23 and despite three calls to Disney ((407) 939-1947), I still can't link my reservation. When I talk to Disney they just say they will work on it and let me know when it is working. So far I haven't heard a thing.

Do any of you have an idea of what I should try next?

Thanks for your help!

I like your username! A lot! I’m a Lou’s mommy too. LOL!

Call the Dolphin and ask for the reservation department. Explain that you need a number that will be recognized by MDE then try that number. Good luck!

 

[pepperandchips]

I have a couple of pool questions.... have stayed twice before but never used the pools .. I know lame! (well we did TL instead) Anyway we have two half days scheduled out for pool time for our upcoming May trip. I ate once at the pool bar on arrival day (great tip on this thread) so I know there is a pool bar on the Dolphin side... is there wait service around the pool area (Dolphin and themed pool) or do you have to go up to the bar yourself? Also I assume there are towels for hotel guest, do you have to get them from a pool hut or are there bins of towels? Planned our half days in morning (first FPs around 3pm) so we hope to be at the pool 10-2ish, hopefully won't be too crowded, we'll be heading out when the afternoon breakers coming in. One trip we tried to hit the pool around 4pm and never found a single chair!

Yes, there is poolside service, as mentioned above, but we have found it more expedient to just go grab drinks ourselves. We have always had to show a room key at the towel hut/recreation thingy to get towels but it sounds like your mileage may vary on that. We usually have good luck finding chairs since there are so many.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Over by the Swan pool, they have bins of towels, yours for the taking.

My sister and I were in the Swan pool one morning. A worker from the Splash Terrace came up to the water and told us very sweetly, “Anything you want, I am here to help. It doesn’t have to be something you buy. If you want towels or water or anything, please ask.”

Phenomenal service at the pool area. It’s like staying at a high end spa.

 

[Lou'sMommy]

This problem is not unusual. You have several options to try to rectify.

You can call the resort at 888-828-8850 and confirm that you have the DISNEY confirmation number; they can resend the number to Disney. It should take no more than a couple of days, if that will work with MDE.

Try adding a zero in front of the Swan's confirmation number in the MDE confirmation number enter space.

Or, the last time I called Disney web support, which did a great job in resolving the issue, after weeks with no luck. They can be reached at (407) 939-4357.

Thank you so much for your reply and the good ideas. I saw the "add a zero" one when searching this forum and had already tried that.
This afternoon I called the Swan directly as you advised. They did give me a new number, but it didn't work either. So, I called the Disney web support number ---- thanks for posting it! I talked with a really nice guy who tried for about 15 minutes to find my reservation in the Disney system. He wasn't able to, but did "escalate" the issue.

I am thinking that the new number from the Swan might work in a few days once it gets into the Disney system. I am trying to be patient, but not doing a very good job of it. I just want it to be linked long before my fastpass window opens toward the end of April. I will keep you all posted!

I do appreciate all the great info I have found here about the Swan & Dolphin. We are very excited about staying there especially since Epcot is our favorite park and the access should be great.

Mary

 

[vicb]

Thank you so much for your reply and the good ideas. I saw the "add a zero" one when searching this forum and had already tried that.
This afternoon I called the Swan directly as you advised. They did give me a new number, but it didn't work either. So, I called the Disney web support number ---- thanks for posting it! I talked with a really nice guy who tried for about 15 minutes to find my reservation in the Disney system. He wasn't able to, but did "escalate" the issue.

I am thinking that the new number from the Swan might work in a few days once it gets into the Disney system. I am trying to be patient, but not doing a very good job of it. I just want it to be linked long before my fastpass window opens toward the end of April. I will keep you all posted!

I do appreciate all the great info I have found here about the Swan & Dolphin. We are very excited about staying there especially since Epcot is our favorite park and the access should be great.

Mary

Yes!! I think this was my problem, once I got that new # from Dolphin I didn't wait long enough. Keep trying... hopefully you are on the right path.

 

[SteveH]

Do any of you have an idea of what I should try next?

You have to other options to call. Call S/D and talk with them first.
Second Call Costco Travel and get them working on it if S/D can't. If it was with in 10 days of booking I'd say hold on but at this point you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Dan Murphy]

From www.WDWMagic.com


Menu and specialty themed areas announced for the 2018 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wa...ld-swan-and-dolphin-food-and-wine-classic.htm

https://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/

 

[DisLaw]

Has anyone done the mobile check in on the SPG app? Just wondering if they send you your room number like Disney does or if there is any advantage to doing this?

 

[shoreward]

Has anyone done the mobile check in on the SPG app? Just wondering if they send you your room number like Disney does or if there is any advantage to doing this?

Yes, I've done it. You will still have to stop at the Front Desk, unlike the Disney resorts.

 

[chris benton]

PSA for Costco/Swolphin peeps:
They upped the game for travel dates of 5/1/18 - 9/30/18.
Not gonna help me, but if you were eyeing or booked those dates, you might want to check the new deal.

Hopefully they offer something similar for my dates, but I'm not counting on it.

 

[KLAIT]

Can you expand in this Costco upping their game? I looked at Costco travel and am not sure

Thanks

 

[chris benton]

Now, for a 6 night stay during that timeframe:
Included Extras

• Two-category upgrade to a newly renovated Fireworks-View Room (reflected in price)
• $100 resort credit (per room, per stay)
• Complimentary upgrade to a Park Hopper® Plus Ticket provides access to Disney's Water Parks

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

I have a couple of pool questions.... have stayed twice before but never used the pools .. I know lame! (well we did TL instead) Anyway we have two half days scheduled out for pool time for our upcoming May trip. I ate once at the pool bar on arrival day (great tip on this thread) so I know there is a pool bar on the Dolphin side... is there wait service around the pool area (Dolphin and themed pool) or do you have to go up to the bar yourself? Also I assume there are towels for hotel guest, do you have to get them from a pool hut or are there bins of towels? Planned our half days in morning (first FPs around 3pm) so we hope to be at the pool 10-2ish, hopefully won't be too crowded, we'll be heading out when the afternoon breakers coming in. One trip we tried to hit the pool around 4pm and never found a single chair!

If you are looking for just a drink here or there, be prepared to wait a long time. You'll be better off just walking to the bar.

If you are buying buckets of beer or ordering meals or things like that, the service is usually top notch.

 

[shoreward]

For those who have complained about paying to park their vehicle in the Swan or Dolphin parking lot, Disney will now be charging their resort guests to park overnight.

Parking fee for BWI, BC, and YC (and other Deluxe resorts): $24.00 each night of stay

Those who are dining at "select" locations at the resort, will be given four hours of free parking. DVC members booked on points at the resorts and those with a valid handicapped parking permit will be exempt from overnight parking fees.

This change tales effect for reservations made on 03/21/2018 and after.

Parking fees at moderate and value resorts are lower.

Maybe it won't be much longer until Disney also starts to charge a resort fee.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Regular parking lot fee at Disney resorts

https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wa...ng-at-its-walt-disney-world-resort-hotels.htm

Valet parking at Disney resorts

https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wa...arking-at-walt-disney-world-resort-hotels.htm

 

[SteveH]

For those who have complained about paying to park their vehicle in the Swan or Dolphin parking lot, Disney will now be charging their resort guests to park overnight.

I've never complained, in fact I think it makes perfect sense. Parking lots cost money to build, and maintain. Makes more sense to ask those that use them to pay for them. Though I don't care for resort fees I do feel that the Resort fee at a true resort makes sense, but I've been charged at a few hotels and were most defiantly not a resort and I objected. This is really no difference then the airline industry; it's all about the having the lowest initial price point. While we all used to expect a meal on the airline, now we pay for a box of cheese and crackers.

 

[ryeguy2486]

My SO and I are looking to stay at the dolphin in June. We were looking to book through Costco as it looks like there is a pretty good deal with a fireworks view room. And we’ve always wanted to stay at an Epcot resort. My question is for those who have booked through Costco how do you receive the tickets? We are actually annual pass holders, but have family that are coming at the same time but at a different hotel. Wondering if I could link the tickets from the package to them? Or would that not be possible. Thanks!

 

[robinb]

I've never complained, in fact I think it makes perfect sense. Parking lots cost money to build, and maintain. Makes more sense to ask those that use them to pay for them. Though I don't care for resort fees I do feel that the Resort fee at a true resort makes sense, but I've been charged at a few hotels and were most defiantly not a resort and I objected. This is really no difference then the airline industry; it's all about the having the lowest initial price point. While we all used to expect a meal on the airline, now we pay for a box of cheese and crackers.

Well, the last time I stayed at the Dolphin we dropped our car off at Alamo so I didn't have to pay for parking. IMO, the parking lot is part of the resort. I don't use all parts of the resort but I pay for them in my room charge. Should only people above the 3rd or 4th floor pay for the elevators? The lower floors may not use them. What about the work out room? Or the pool? I didn't use the pool once last trip but you bet your bippy that "Pools cost money to build, and maintain." and I paid for that in my room fee. Why not just reduce the price of the room and let people pay ala carte for what they actually use? Yes, let's try that and I'll be happy to forgo paying for the exercise room and pools in return for paying for parking.

 

[SteveH]

My SO and I are looking to stay at the dolphin in June. We were looking to book through Costco as it looks like there is a pretty good deal with a fireworks view room. And we’ve always wanted to stay at an Epcot resort. My question is for those who have booked through Costco how do you receive the tickets? We are actually annual pass holders, but have family that are coming at the same time but at a different hotel. Wondering if I could link the tickets from the package to them? Or would that not be possible. Thanks!

I am pretty sure that you can do what you are thinking. But I'd call Costco Travel and ask to make 100% sure. Looking over my confirmation email I don't see why I couldn't have attached the ticket code to any magic band I wanted to (for example).

Well, the last time I stayed at the Dolphin we dropped our car off at Alamo so I didn't have to pay for parking. IMO, the parking lot is part of the resort. I don't use all parts of the resort but I pay for them in my room charge. Should only people above the 3rd or 4th floor pay for the elevators? The lower floors may not use them. What about the work out room? Or the pool? I didn't use the pool once last trip but you bet your bippy that "Pools cost money to build, and maintain." and I paid for that in my room fee. Why not just reduce the price of the room and let people pay ala carte for what they actually use? Yes, let's try that and I'll be happy to forgo paying for the exercise room and pools in return for paying for parking.

Or how would you feel if they just raised rates by $25 and said it was to cover parking fees, when you never park? While I understand your logic, there is a point when I can see why they charge for parking for those that actually use it. But let's face it, "it's all about the money" more than anything else.