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

[wendow]

I've never experienced that, but my last trip there was 2017. Seems strange.
The service added fee is 13%. They added that maybe 7-8 years ago? They added it since most people do not tip there I think and the staff does do some bussing. I've always left a tip, even before the added fee. I just tip less now. I generally leave an additional $5 or so on the table. I always hate under tipping. No way around it that I know of. If you have/use AAA there, it about a wash.

I prefer to just tip. Again, the food is good and prices are decent. We are dvc so getting a nice discount. I cannot complain. Just was curious
thank you for your response!

 

[wendow]

I think you just penned your room request ☝

I also think you will be pleased with the Swan, there aren’t long and labyrinthine halls there like there are at the Dolphin (in my opinion).

The Swan is so small and uncomplicated. It’s close to pretty much everything. Love it! We do get lost in Dolphin but at least we are wandering around in the a/c

 

[Dan Murphy]

We’re here now. We’ve really enjoyed staying at Swan. Like really enjoyed it!!! So impressed.

Forgot to add.............enjoy your trip!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I prefer to just tip.

I agree.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

We’re here now. We’ve really enjoyed staying at Swan. Like really enjoyed it!!! So impressed. Just curious, why does Picabu have a service fee?!? We’ve eaten there three times now because the weather has been too bad at times to go elsewhere. Food is decent so not complaining but the fee is hefty. Anyway around that?

I was wondering the same exact thing. We’ve only eaten there once this week and we bought a refillable mug that time. I thought maybe the service fee was tacked on to the mug purchase, but clearly after reading your post I was wrong.

Edit: after reading subsequent posts, it makes sense that the service fee would be attributed to the staff’s bussing of tables.

 

[thor369]

Since we will be going with our kids 5 and 2, I think Swan standard room with 2 queen bed would be a better fit for us.
DO they have some kind of extra fees if there are more than 2 adults and 2 kids, extra charge for the 2nd child or something?

 

[jennypenny]

As long as they are listed as children on the reservation, there won't be a charge. They only charge for extra adults.

 

[amalone1013]

there aren’t long and labyrinthine halls there like there are at the Dolphin (in my opinion).

We felt like we would never reach our room on our wedding trip. But it was worth it as we had a corner room, balcony, and views of Epcot and DHS fireworks!

 

[Dave006]

Since we will be going with our kids 5 and 2, I think Swan standard room with 2 queen bed would be a better fit for us.
DO they have some kind of extra fees if there are more than 2 adults and 2 kids, extra charge for the 2nd child or something?

Yes the Swan would be a better match in my view for your group. The Dolphin would be my choice if you had 5 in your group. Two sink / mirror areas; 1 in room with toilet / shower and 1 additional sink / mirror area in addition to 2 Queen beds vs 2 Double beds in Dolphin. There is not charge for children staying in the same room subject maximum occupancy. Also the Swan is about 1/2 the size of the Dolphin and the Swan is the first pickup for the park buses & then the Dolphin.

Notes: Swan - Maximum Occupancy: 4, Extra Adult fee: $25 per night beyond 2 adults.
Dolphin - Maximum Occupancy: 5, Extra Adult fee: $25 per night beyond 2 adults, 1 Roll-away bed, 1 Crib

Dave

 

[SteveH]

I asked to use my AAA discount and the cashier said that they no longer discount unless I had a full meal on the tray and then only the full meal would be discounted. This was a new policy to me as I had always received the AAA 20% off on any item in the past.

Seems like they are splitting hairs, and just pissing off customers. Though I guess I can see if you just came in to buy a soda, but please. That's how you annoy a guest. Might be worth talking with a manager though.

Just curious, why does Picabu have a service fee?!? We’ve eaten there three times now because the weather has been too bad at times to go elsewhere. Food is decent so not complaining but the fee is hefty. Anyway around that?

In addition to what Dan shared, since the resort (particularly Dolphin) is a convention resort the automatic fee was added to offset that many were not tipping.

I generally tip well, but I don't tip at any Disney style counter service restaurants at restaurants when I place my order at a counter. Picabu acts like a buffet but wants to charge tipping like a table service. While 13% isn't much, it's not the point. They are adding a "service fee" on before the service is delivered. This is a pretty big bone of contention when reading reviews about Picabu. To a convention goer with an expense account it might not be a big deal, but to most everyone else it's an annoyance and leaves a bad taste. If they were running my food out or bringing my drinks I could see it a bit more, but basically you are paying for table busing. Generally speaking if a tip is automatically charged, I do not tip above unless the service really amazes me. Usually I find any place that automatically adds a tip the service is not stellar.

As you said the food was fine, we actually ate every breakfast there, sadly their offerings for late night are a bit to carb heavy for my preference.

 

[ginny65]

We just booked a 2-night stay at Dolphin in September. This is our first time staying here and we are looking forward to trying it!
There are 2 adults and 3 kids included in the room booking and I have a few questions.
I did not request a rollaway yet. Would a twin blowup or rollaway fit better in a standards room?
Are the beds full or queens?
Thanks!!

When requesting a rollaway, ask for the heavenly mattress on the rollaway. They are as wonderful as the mattresses on the beds! We requested that last time for our daughter and they brought the standard rollaway. We asked if they would mind bringing the nicer one and did so immediately. Plus, we were pleasantly surprised when they didn't even charge us! Such a nice surprise plus the staff was so nice and apologetic for bringing the wrong one. Good luck and enjoy your stay!

 

[MarBee]

I have not redeemed mine either, so I'll need to try this, as well:
https://points-redemption.marriott.com/hotel-redemption/marriott-bonvoy/And this footnote at the bottom of that page:
We will soon introduce peak and off-peak pricing for reward stays. This means that some hotel stays will increase in number of points necessary to redeem due to increased demand, while other will require fewer points for stays. This change will impact general points redemption for stays, as well as Free Night Awards earned through our credit card partner programs.


On a related note, I believe the award rates for peak and off-peak take effect on 08.18.2019.
Cat. 6 (Swan and Dolphin) Std = 50,000 points, Off-peak = 40,000 points, Peak = 60,000 points

Try using the Marriott web site instead of the app to book your free nights. Here are the basic steps for doing it from the web site:

• To use a Free Night Award e-certificate, select "Use Points" in the search form, pick your desired hotel and then choose a standard room.
• In the Reservation Details step, you will see an option to use your e-certificate(s). If you have multiple certificates and do not wish to use all of them, you may deselect some, and the balance of points you will pay for the reservation will go up to make up the difference.

Dave

Thank you both!

 

[Haley R]

Are there printers we can use for free if we’re staying at the dolphin? Does that area close at a certain time?

 

[shoreward]

Are there printers we can use for free if we’re staying at the dolphin? Does that area close at a certain time?

Both Swan and Dolphin have computers with printers, just off of the lobby, for printing boarding passes.

 

[shoreward]

The Swan's gift shop is open for business, again.

 

[Haley R]

Both Swan and Dolphin have computers with printers, just off of the lobby, for printing boarding passes.

Okay thanks. I found out today we need to print our confirmation for our AP preview at SWGE and we don’t have access to a printer at home so I’ll do it Friday night at the dolphin

 

[PPFlight75]

When requesting a rollaway, ask for the heavenly mattress on the rollaway. They are as wonderful as the mattresses on the beds! We requested that last time for our daughter and they brought the standard rollaway. We asked if they would mind bringing the nicer one and did so immediately. Plus, we were pleasantly surprised when they didn't even charge us! Such a nice surprise plus the staff was so nice and apologetic for bringing the wrong one. Good luck and enjoy your stay!

Nice! Thank you so much. I'll do that!

 

[jennypenny]

The Swan's gift shop is open for business, again.

Are you there now? How does it look?

 

[MarBee]

The Swan's gift shop is open for business, again.

If you are there do you happen to see any resort magnets?

 

[shoreward]

If you are there do you happen to see any resort magnets?

I am not on site. I inquired about the shop's status, when I sent in room requests. Sorry.

I wonder if the Swan's operator can connect you to the store, so you can ask. I'm not sure if the store takes phone calls, though.