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

[staceychev]

Has anyone here ever booked with a third party such as Expedia? Did the reservation connect okay in MDE. Thinking of adding one night for late hours at MK Xmas week.

I booked my reservations with Expedia. It took maybe two days until it was able to do so, but the reservation connected in MDE. (It's been several months, so I couldn't tell you if I had to add it manually or not with my reservation number. Seems logical that that's what I would have done.)

 

[SteveH]

Has anyone here ever booked with a third party such as Expedia? Did the reservation connect okay in MDE. Thinking of adding one night for late hours at MK Xmas week.

In the past there was a whole separate page on the S/D website that walked through the process. The reality is that the S/D systems are not links to the Disney systems so it has to be manually entered, or so we've heard. Thus it usually can take 48 hours after booking a site like Expedia, Hotels.com, Priceline since information if flowing in from multiple sources to S/D then they need to update things to Disney.

The bottom line is to call S/D direct after a couple of days and ask for in-house reservations, do this between roughly 8AM-5PM and they can usually resolve the issues, but even then it can still take a day or two to link up.

Quick question….
Is there a discount on meals with an AP?

I don't believe so., there is a AAA at some of the S/D restaurants, but not at the Signature restaurants like Shula's I believe.

 

[jmcross]

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Quick question….
Is there a discount on meals with an AP?

No. Only AAA as far as I know, at the non-signature restaurants.

ETA--missed your second part there, Steve

 

[aeasterling]

Has anyone staying at the Swan done the extended Evening hours? I'm wondering what they look at to verify you are a deluxe guest. I don't plan on getting Magic Bands for our trip. Wondering if they will take the MDE showing our hotel?

 

[buzz1fan]

I’m debating on staying at dolphin dec 22 only. We are at bonnet creek until now and this would be our last day. The only reason I want to move there here is for late hours. Do you think that is crazy? We would drive over early check in- and head to magic kingdom. Get our room later in day and then go back to magic kingdom in evening and enjoy later hours. Assuming they will offer week of Xmas.

 

[SteveH]

@aeasterling & @buzz1fan You both might want to check out this thread, Deluxe Extra Nighttime Hours as there is some discussion about S/D in the threads that might help.

 

[mtrak17]

I have a swan package, but don't see my tickets in MDE. My package (resort) shows up in MDE, but not the tickets themselves. I am also confused about the "pick up at the desk" verbiage in the final itinerary email.
I happen to have other packages reserved so I have park reservations for those overlapping days, but will be cancelling those package reservations and keeping the swan. Will my park reservations go away since I don't see the swan package tickets in MDE? Sorry if I'm not making sense! TIA

I had the same issue a few weeks ago. I have a Dolphin package and the resort showed up but not the tickets. I had to call customer service and be put through to IT. IT had to fix that. I was then able to make park reservations. I was also able to make dining reservations at 60 days for the length of stay (I was afraid that wouldn't work and I'd have to call again). The customer service/IT call took about an hour (FYI). Also, I had had an All-Star Music package with park reservations before cancelling that package and switching to the Swan. The All-Star park reservations were all cancelled out within about 48 hours after cancelling that package.

 

[jhlmendez]

Getting ready for our 1st stay in a couple of weeks. Wondering if magic bands are worth it for Swolphin guests. They would pretty just function as park tix, correct?

 

[TreAntDeu]

How, when, and where to book Amare for dinner?

 

[Pooh's World]

So Swan Reserve where is that located? On the hotel map it looks like it's next to beach club and behind Canada/UK in Epcot.

 

[SteveH]

Getting ready for our 1st stay in a couple of weeks. Wondering if magic bands are worth it for Swolphin guests. They would pretty just function as park tix, correct?

Correct, if you have them bring them if you're buying them then it's debatable. We bought them in the past though, but that was mostly for FastPass use.

How, when, and where to book Amare for dinner?

Just like the rest of the Swan Reserve it's not open and no announcement about when/how to book. Stay tuned here and grab the SwanDolphin Mobile App I am sure as soon as we hear about hotel officially opening we'll hear about the restaurant.

So Swan Reserve where is that located? On the hotel map it looks like it's next to beach club and behind Canada/UK in Epcot.

This might help to get a better idea where it's at, just give it a click.

 

[Jhoyer5150]

Hi, question about picking up theme park cards at the Swan/Dolphin. Last year at the Swan they had us go to the Disney shop across from check in desk and pick up the cards (we do not have magic bands). Is that still the case now? Also, does that store have certain hours - ie would it be a problem trying to get cards same-day prior to park open, for example 7am when parks open at 8 or 9? Much thanks for any assistance!

 

[Gitelfor]

Hi, question about picking up theme park cards at the Swan/Dolphin. Last year at the Swan they had us go to the Disney shop across from check in desk and pick up the cards (we do not have magic bands). Is that still the case now? Also, does that store have certain hours - ie would it be a problem trying to get cards same-day prior to park open, for example 7am when parks open at 8 or 9? Much thanks for any assistance!

There are limited hours at the onsite Disney stores, currently. Someone else will need to respond whether the Front Desk can assist, if the shops are not open.

 

[xfiles3010]

Is there still a link in the swan dolphin website where you can try to request a free room upgrade? Back in 2017, I requested free upgrade but can't remember how I submitted it.

 

[SteveH]

@xfiles3010 not really, you're always best to reserve the level of room you want. I've not had good replies via their email for general questions but you can try it, you'll find it under the Contact us section. There have been a few people get some upgrades but most will say they are offered to pay for an upgrade. The buyout of Marriott and Startwood changed a lot of things about S/D.

 

[Lewisc]

Is there still a link in the swan dolphin website where you can try to request a free room upgrade? Back in 2017, I requested free upgrade but can't remember how I submitted it.

People who have high loyalty status are entitled to free upgrades if available
those guests say Upgrades aren't usually available. Guests without status should pay and reserve what they want

 

[CBMom01]

I'm trying to upgrade my room for Dec but there's no availability for what I want so I just keep calling back. People like me who will book to ensure the room we want take up all the space these days.

(Not meaning that snotty at all by the way)

 

[Gitelfor]

I'm trying to upgrade my room for Dec but there's no availability for what I want so I just keep calling back. People like me who will book to ensure the room we want take up all the space these days.

(Not meaning that snotty at all by the way)

There is a minimum 5 day cancelation notice for room, only, reservations. So, something may open up closer to your date.

 

[chris benton]

Those carpets are clearly almost worn through. I mean, look at all those high-trafficked white sections on that pristine all-blue carpet!

Also, I don't see pix of Donald or Mickey anywhere. That means it's "sterile," and it might as well be in Iowa, somewhere.