Disney Orlando: Dolphin or Swan? 2007-present [Master Thread]
#136
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: DCA
Posts: 292
We just realized that tonight because I was too tired to look at the display in the park. My sink at the Dolphin is outside of the bathroom. I have a room with two doubles which is actually pretty spacious. I do like the balcony except for the jerk that keeps smoking outside on his when all the literature said you are not supposed to do that.
#137
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
We just realized that tonight because I was too tired to look at the display in the park. My sink at the Dolphin is outside of the bathroom. I have a room with two doubles which is actually pretty spacious. I do like the balcony except for the jerk that keeps smoking outside on his when all the literature said you are not supposed to do that.
#139
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 5
I am planning a 10 day family trip to disney in September/October time frame. I am a platinum member but was just short of getting the suite nights this year. I was wondering if I would be better off to do 1 5 day trip at each property or just one 10 day. i am hoping to get an upgrade so which one would give me the best possibility?
#140
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
I am planning a 10 day family trip to disney in September/October time frame. I am a platinum member but was just short of getting the suite nights this year. I was wondering if I would be better off to do 1 5 day trip at each property or just one 10 day. i am hoping to get an upgrade so which one would give me the best possibility?
Cheers,
#141
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
I am planning a 10 day family trip to disney in September/October time frame. I am a platinum member but was just short of getting the suite nights this year. I was wondering if I would be better off to do 1 5 day trip at each property or just one 10 day. i am hoping to get an upgrade so which one would give me the best possibility?
I've done many 10 night trips at the Swan and would hate to have to switch properties after 5 nights. Interesting strategy though. Odds of upgrades are dependent on conventions at the hotels and other WDW events, such as the fall food festival. All you can do is research, and hope for the best.
Cheers,
Cheers,
However, with that said, upgrades, if available, would be easier to secure for a five-night stay than a ten-night stay since the upgraded room would need to be available for the entire stay to be upgraded upon check-in. If upgrades are your top priority then go with two five-night stays. If not spending half a day changing hotels during your vacation is a higher priority, go for a ten-day stay realizing you may be decreasing the likelihood of an upgrade.
#142
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
The other thing you can try, especially for point stays, is consecutive 5 night stays at the same property. That way, if you get lucky with one, you might only need to move rooms, not properties. I have always found the swan to have good Plat recognition.
Cheers,
Cheers,
#143
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 5
Thanks for all your help. I never really thought of the inconvenience of moving and losing a day. It would be nice though to have at least a nice view of the fireworks for the kids even if only for a few nights. What are the free plat. breakfast options an do they still waive the resort fee? When is convention season there? Thanks again for all your responses.
#144
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Thanks for all your help. I never really thought of the inconvenience of moving and losing a day. It would be nice though to have at least a nice view of the fireworks for the kids even if only for a few nights. What are the free plat. breakfast options an do they still waive the resort fee? When is convention season there? Thanks again for all your responses.
The Plat breakfast, in lieu of 500 point amenity, is a fairly decent/standard continental, at either Garden Grove, or Mediterranean Market. There's a buy up option if you want the full buffet, I forget how much.
As far as I know, ie: as of last April, they still waive resort fees for Plats.
Not sure if there is a convention "season". There always seem to be conventions year round. The fall is no exception; in fact, I suspect it is one of the busiest times for Conventions. There are a couple that pretty well take over the hotels. Just Google around, I guess, or call the hotel.
Enjoy,
Cheers,
#145
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Programs: UA-1k, 1mm, Marriott-LT Platinum, Hertz-Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,355
Going for 3 nights and will only spend 1 day at Epcot. Other 2 at Universal and Discovery Cove. Have the Swan booked now, but is the area packed in June ? Also will rent a car so is that a PITA or easy to do self park and get out of the place?
Thinking about moving but what do you guys think? BTW they waiving resort fee for plats still?
Thinking about moving but what do you guys think? BTW they waiving resort fee for plats still?
#146
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: United Platinum, Marriott Platinum, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 222
Food delivery options?
Am looking to save on food costs for a family of four for a five night stay at the Swan. Are there off Disney pizza or Chinese restaurants (pizza, Chinese etc) that can deliver to the Swan or the Dolphin? Or is renting a car and driving off property for meals the only option? Also, anyone has experience with asking for microwave in the room - do they provide it and is there a charge for it?
#147
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7
Going for 3 nights and will only spend 1 day at Epcot. Other 2 at Universal and Discovery Cove. Have the Swan booked now, but is the area packed in June ? Also will rent a car so is that a PITA or easy to do self park and get out of the place?
Thinking about moving but what do you guys think? BTW they waiving resort fee for plats still?
Thinking about moving but what do you guys think? BTW they waiving resort fee for plats still?
I suggest also considering the Westin Universal as it's closer to Universal and Discovery Cove. It's newer and nicer but the pool is not as nice and large as the Swan/Dolphin. I've stayed there 3 times and have been upgraded to a two bedroom suite every time.
#148
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 731
We had our parking and resort fees waived in April, so I'm not sure if they still do but they did then. They also had an off-site pizza delivery service that had a brochure in the room that looked affordable for families though we didn't try it ourselves. Cabana was really good and not not too expensive by the Dolphin pool.
#149
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Going for 3 nights and will only spend 1 day at Epcot. Other 2 at Universal and Discovery Cove. Have the Swan booked now, but is the area packed in June ? Also will rent a car so is that a PITA or easy to do self park and get out of the place?
Thinking about moving but what do you guys think? BTW they waiving resort fee for plats still?
Thinking about moving but what do you guys think? BTW they waiving resort fee for plats still?
There is onside car rental at the Dolphin. Daily parking fees though.
Resort fee waived for plats.
I would stay elsewhere if I was only doing Epcot for one day.
Not sure how you can do 3 attractions on a 3 night stay, but YMMV.
Cheers,
#150
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Am looking to save on food costs for a family of four for a five night stay at the Swan. Are there off Disney pizza or Chinese restaurants (pizza, Chinese etc) that can deliver to the Swan or the Dolphin? Or is renting a car and driving off property for meals the only option? Also, anyone has experience with asking for microwave in the room - do they provide it and is there a charge for it?
You can order pizza. Probably Chinese too.
Check the Dis boards or some for tips to save money on food. you can get breakfast and lunch groceries, sodas and drinks, at the boardwalk. I would never rent a car to at offsite, but YMMV.
Cheers,