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

[MarBee]

Another Hotwire question- I have an upcoming stay on points but thinking of changing it and saving the points for later since this deal is so good...
If I book a stay through Hotwire, is there any chance of getting my nights credited towards getting SPG status?

 

[dansdad]

Another Hotwire question- I have an upcoming stay on points but thinking of changing it and saving the points for later since this deal is so good...
If I book a stay through Hotwire, is there any chance of getting my nights credited towards getting SPG status?

I am pretty sure you only get nights credited to your account by booking directly, not through a 3rd party.

 

[RachelTori]

Another Hotwire question- I have an upcoming stay on points but thinking of changing it and saving the points for later since this deal is so good...
If I book a stay through Hotwire, is there any chance of getting my nights credited towards getting SPG status?

Unless they’ve changed the rules in the past couple months, no.
3rd party nights/stays are not credited toward status. Sure would be nice though, wouldn’t it?!

 

[shoreward]

New SPG loyalty program (integrated into Marriott rewards):

https://members.marriott.com/spg/

There will be peak and off-peak points bookings. Elite status will be attained through number of nights stayed; number of stays will no longer be applied toward elite status.

Minimum charges on affiliated credit cards will still apply toward elite status, but new cards will be available.

 

[SteveH]

Another Hotwire question- I have an upcoming stay on points but thinking of changing it and saving the points for later since this deal is so good...
If I book a stay through Hotwire, is there any chance of getting my nights credited towards getting SPG status?

I had emailed after staying at the Swan, I knew I wouldn't earn points, but I had thought the number of stays would still count. Nope. Here was meat of the reply, "Third party bookings are not eligible to earn stay or night credits."

 

[Dan Murphy]

New SPG loyalty program (integrated into Marriott rewards):

https://members.marriott.com/spg/

There will be peak and off-peak points bookings. Elite status will be attained through number of nights stayed; number of stays will no longer be applied toward elite status.

Minimum charges on affiliated credit cards will still apply toward elite status, but new cards will be available.

I received that email yesterday. Glad I completed my lifetime gold last year.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'm curious to see if they kick Amex to the curb stay with the Marriott Visa, I might get one in that case, but I won't carry an Amex.

With the email only showing the Visa, I am thinking Visa only.

 

[Dan Murphy]

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We got a balcony at the Swan last year at Thanksgiving. We booked our room on Priceline Express Deals. Here's our view.

Nice location, great views.

 

[ginny65]

We have girl and boy young adult children. Our daughter (who is the shorter of the two) always gets stuck on a rollaway bed. I'm wondering if we shouldn't request a king bed (let them share with pillows dividing them) and DH and I sleep on the sofa bed. Are the king rooms larger than the rooms with the 2 full-sized beds, or does it just seem that way once you fold up the sofa bed? Also, are the sofa beds comfortable, or are they like grandma's sofa bed with the wire sticking you in the back? lol

 

[hedberg1661]

With the email only showing the Visa, I am thinking Visa only.

There will be SPG AmEx cards as well.

My big question is...I am currently a Marriott Card Holder. Given the new premier plus card I wonder what kind of deal they will offer if I want to upgrade?

 

[ginny65]

Can I get an item delivered from the Christmas Store at DS to the Dolphin? We always buy an ornament and have it engraved every time we go. This will be our first non-Disney resort stay so I wasn't sure about the delivery to the room. Thanks.

Yes! Pick up is at the Disney store inside the Dolphin.

Can we order this at the DS Christmas Store the day before we actually check in at the Dolphin and have them deliver it there even though we haven't checked in yet? It usually takes them a few days to monogram, and I don't want to cut it too close to our check-out date.

 

[Tess]

Can we order this at the DS Christmas Store the day before we actually check in at the Dolphin and have them deliver it there even though we haven't checked in yet? It usually takes them a few days to monogram, and I don't want to cut it too close to our check-out date.

Without a room number, I don't know how you would do it--I believe the stores require a room number along with the hotel.

 

[Dan Murphy]

There will be SPG AmEx cards as well.

Good to know.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Just found out my brother and his awesome family are going to Disney for their first trip and staying at the Dolphin. We will be in WDW at same time (staying at AKV) and were curious.... Would we be able to visit them at the Dolphin pool bar if we are not staying at Dolphin (we would not swim). They have a little one who would be enjoying the pool while the adults hang out for a bit.

Maybe a better Q- is there even a pool bar at Dolphin? We have never toured it! We could always just hang out at Epcot instead.... hmmmm... decisions!

 

[bluejasmine]

I called Dolphin added my spg number to my hotwire booking bc it can help with upgrading views from what Guest Services said.

 

[Derry Wade]

Trying to decide if I should jump on the Hotwire deal for Dolphin now for a trip in early September (after Labor Day), or hold out for Swan's price to come down? Right now I have a reservation at POFQ but would prefer to stay in the Epcot area. $82/night (plus $32/night resort fee) seems like close to best it can be for Dolphin (maybe $10 or so less per night at the lowest). Does anyone know about Swan's prices -- right now it's $212/night plus resort fee on Priceline Express (I think). Does it ever come down to around $150 on Priceline or Hotwire? Thank you!

 

[Tess]

Just found out my brother and his awesome family are going to Disney for their first trip and staying at the Dolphin. We will be in WDW at same time (staying at AKV) and were curious.... Would we be able to visit them at the Dolphin pool bar if we are not staying at Dolphin (we would not swim). They have a little one who would be enjoying the pool while the adults hang out for a bit.

Absolutely.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Absolutely.

WAHOO! Thank you!

 

[JerseyJanice]

We have girl and boy young adult children. Our daughter (who is the shorter of the two) always gets stuck on a rollaway bed. I'm wondering if we shouldn't request a king bed (let them share with pillows dividing them) and DH and I sleep on the sofa bed. Are the king rooms larger than the rooms with the 2 full-sized beds, or does it just seem that way once you fold up the sofa bed? Also, are the sofa beds comfortable, or are they like grandma's sofa bed with the wire sticking you in the back? lol

The sofa beds are comfortable. I slept in one for a whole week last September and it was fine. It wasn’t a Heavenly bed but was in no way uncomfortable.

If I were you, though, I would sleep with my daughter and have my husband sleep with his son. The rooms are the same size, but the king rooms do seem bigger because of the extra floor space.

 

[SteveH]

Trying to decide if I should jump on the Hotwire deal for Dolphin now for a trip in early September (after Labor Day), or hold out for Swan's price to come down?

I wouldn't bank on them coming down that low, while possible it's more likely that you'll miss out on that deal. If my wife wasn't a teacher I'd be booking a trip right now for September through that Hotwire deal.