dukenilnil

Thanks, was hoping to save a few bucks off the Disney bankroll but not surprised it is no longer offered

Also, is there any trick to redeeming points for a suite? I just tried to book a suite for any 5 consecutive nights in September or Oct at either the Swan or Dolphin and was told no availability. The hotel has plenty of regular rooms on points and this is the slow time for DW. Do you still have to book a suite on points farther than 5-6 months out?

azeckel

You could always loiter around whatever conference is going on and use a make-shift nametag to score a muffin.

Flews

You're probably running into Convention pressure.

Cheers,

controller1

Correct! Slow time for WDW is prime time for conventions and conventions suck up the suites.

spellbound2

So far we have been having a fairly decent stay. Housekeeping seems to be hit or miss with coming before 3-4pm and no refresh of tea or lotion unless we follow back around but it seems pretty normal nowadays. The buffet at Garden Grove seems like a slightly higher quality with lots of berries and a yogurt bar but my better 1/2 likes the sticky buns at Fresh. 😊 we chose the "quiet" side of the Dolphin so we wouldn't hear the Friendship boats' horns morning, noon, and night and really enjoy the peace and quiet early in the morning - it's vacation after all. We tried Captain's Grille, Cabana, Flying Fish, Jiko, and Il Mulino so far and like Jiko the best by far- great short ribs, wild boar app, and monkfish. Looks like only 1 day of rain for all 9 days of our stay so we're loving the pools, too.

worldtravel123

Just finshed a stay at the Dolphin as a SPG Platinum.

Here is a run down of the benefits received -
- Upgrade from standard room to Jr. Suite
- The daily resort fee was waived
- Platinum gift choice of daily breakfast for 2, swan boat ride, or 500 points. I chose the breakfast. For breakfast you can eat at the Fresh Mediterranean Market in the Dolphin or at the Garden Grove in the Swan. Both places have buffet or a la carte. The plat gift includes a continental breakfast (you get them yourself and can grab yogurt, fruit, oatmeal, grits, pastries, and maybe a cpl other things). OR you can pay $8 per person to upgrade to the buffet. On weekends (Sat and Sun for sure, maybe Fri) the Garden Grove has a character meal with some combo of Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale. If you stick with the continental option you get a free character breakfast. This is a pretty good deal imo. We went to the Garden Grove arnd 10a and it got quiet quickly. It was dead and older children/adults at this time. It was the most peaceful character breakfast I had ever been too.
- there are no clubs lounges at the swan or dolphin (there used to be but are no more)

Note: they do participate in the green choice program at 500 pts/nt

returnoftheyeti

Quick Question,

What type of coffee makers are in the room? I usually bring my own coffee, and I need to know if I should stock up on Pods, or K-Cups or what.

Thanks,

Flews

I'm drawing a blank. But no need to bring your own. Coffee's free; they'll give you as much as you want if you ask.

Cheers,

rpk113

I think its the starbucks in the bags.. you stuff the filter bag into top of the coffee maker and pray for no spills..

returnoftheyeti

Ahh, yes, but ask my better half if that hotel coffee is good enough... :-)

kitkat77

It's the single cup kind where you stuff a pod-type thing into a coffee maker. Not K-Cup. All Starwoods seem to have these.

Like this (taken off the random internet): http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUXCWgH4bn...0/IMG_0248.JPG

returnoftheyeti

Perfect KitKat, thanks...

dingo

I'm booking a stay for early March. I will have my wife and daughter. I see they have something called "Family Rooms." The picture kind of looks like the rooms might have a pull out sofa bed.

Anyone have experience w/ these family rooms?

controller1

The description of the room specifically states it has a pull-out sofa bed.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/prefer...sId=1000042579

dingo

Thank you, and my bad for being lazy. I'd looked at the room descriptions on the booking pages but not at the hotel website. Thanks for linking it up for me.