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

[TheSouthernBelle]

Looking to maybe book Dolphin in Feb and have a quick bus question for those that have stayed there in the past...saw this on their web site (Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom® Park will be dropped off at Disney’s Ticket and Transportation Center)...

So, when leaving MK, do you have to go to Ticket and Transportation to catch bus back to resort OR do they have their own bus pickup like the rest of the Disney hotels just outside of MK exit?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, you catch the bus to/from Dolphin at TTC. You can catch a bc/yc/bw bus instead to/from MK, but either way you are walking and imo, I don't think the bus to/from TTC is that bad. Some trips we've done the ferry/mono back and forth and other times we'll grab another disney resort bus back, just depends on how much we feel like walking. But, you do need to build in some time if you plan to take the bus to/from TTC to get in/out of MK.

 

[MemoryMakers]

Yes, you catch the bus to/from Dolphin at TTC. You can catch a bc/yc/bw bus instead to/from MK, but either way you are walking and imo, I don't think the bus to/from TTC is that bad. Some trips we've done the ferry/mono back and forth and other times we'll grab another disney resort bus back, just depends on how much we feel like walking. But, you do need to build in some time if you plan to take the bus to/from TTC to get in/out of MK.

Great...thanks for the info.

 

[bwr827]

That is a tough one - non-standard rooms aren't always available for booking on points as they may be booked up with cash pays already. Marriott typically limits the type of room available on points so you'll just have to hunt for the right dates at the hotel - there are more suites at the Reserve and I've seen those available for booking on points.

Thank you - sounds like this plan will be tougher than I thought.

Coming from Canada, the notion of covering a big chunk of hotel stay with points is very enticing. (Even when the resort fee equates to $62 CDN with current exchange rates).

 

[gottalovepluto]

Great thread - I’ve read the last ~100 pages in recent days.

Question about booking with Marriott points. I’ve gathered that standard rooms vary from approx 45k to 85k points per night.

Can anyone share how many points I might need for a suite, or a dolphin alcove room?

I’m new to the Marriott program - just signed up for one of the credit cards with hopes of covering a 5-night stay next year.

Plan on paying cash for a room upgrade (I think if you call you can do that) and have a backup plan if you can’t get 5 nights in your point price range. You can look on the website right now and see what Feb’s point offerings are. 5 nights off one cc sounds rather optimistic to me these days for Swolphin but I don’t know anything about Canada credit card offers.

 

[bwr827]

Plan on paying cash for a room upgrade (I think if you call you can do that) and have a backup plan if you can’t get 5 nights in your point price range. You can look on the website right now and see what Feb’s point offerings are. 5 nights off one cc sounds rather optimistic to me these days for Swolphin but I don’t know anything about Canada credit card offers.

For some reason, I’m currently unable to see any points availability, but I’ll keep checking.

I thought I’d read that Marriott has book 4 nights on points, get the 5th night free. If I can collect 250,000 points I figure I’ll be in the right ballpark.

 

[gottalovepluto]

For some reason, I’m currently unable to see any points availability, but I’ll keep checking.

I thought I’d read that Marriott has book 4 nights on points, get the 5th night free. If I can collect 250,000 points I figure I’ll be in the right ballpark.

Weird you can’t see it Here’s a snapshot I pulled from the website for dolphin, you might have a shot but I didn’t check room types. You’ll need the same room type available and unfortunately prices are dynamic, they could change by tomorrow.



Personally I’d get that bonus as fast as possible.

 

[SnowChaser]

For some reason, I’m currently unable to see any points availability, but I’ll keep checking.

I thought I’d read that Marriott has book 4 nights on points, get the 5th night free. If I can collect 250,000 points I figure I’ll be in the right ballpark.

You’ll also want to be mindful that if your credit card rewards are free night certificates (rather than just points) the book 4 get the 5th free offer doesn’t apply.

 

[bwr827]

Weird you can’t see it Here’s a snapshot I pulled from the website for dolphin, you might have a shot but I didn’t check room types. You’ll need the same room type available and unfortunately prices are dynamic, they could change by tomorrow.

View attachment 857742

Personally I’d get that bonus as fast as possible.

Thanks very much for that screenshot! Helpful.

 

[luvallprincesses]

Yes, you catch the bus to/from Dolphin at TTC. You can catch a bc/yc/bw bus instead to/from MK, but either way you are walking and imo, I don't think the bus to/from TTC is that bad. Some trips we've done the ferry/mono back and forth and other times we'll grab another disney resort bus back, just depends on how much we feel like walking. But, you do need to build in some time if you plan to take the bus to/from TTC to get in/out of MK.

I think the biggest difference is if the weather is bad. There’s not cover at TTC while waiting for the bus to go back, unless the wait area has been moved. Not fun in downpours or really hot summer. Boardwalk and BC/YC has cover so at least during the waiting time there’s that.

 

[hedberg1661]

I think the biggest difference is if the weather is bad. There’s not cover at TTC while waiting for the bus to go back, unless the wait area has been moved. Not fun in downpours or really hot summer. Boardwalk and BC/YC has cover so at least during the waiting time there’s that.

This is a really good point. I am surprised they never added some covered areas at the TTC given the wonky weather you can experience there.

 

[Nimbus]

We have an upcoming Dolphin reservation and are Bonvoy Platinum. The last time we were there, Rosa Mexicana was not open, and the platinum breakfast benefit was like $10/pp at the grab and go.

Can anyone with firsthand knowledge comment on the following questions?

Are they still doing the dollar amount tickets as a benefit?
If so, how much are they worth and how many do you get per night?
If so, can they be used at Swan and Reserve as well?
What is the breakfast benefit if used at Rosa Mexicana?

 

[Nimbus]

Looking to maybe book Dolphin in Feb and have a quick bus question for those that have stayed there in the past...saw this on their web site (Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom® Park will be dropped off at Disney’s Ticket and Transportation Center)...

So, when leaving MK, do you have to go to Ticket and Transportation to catch bus back to resort OR do they have their own bus pickup like the rest of the Disney hotels just outside of MK exit?

Thanks in advance.

If you are arriving at Magic Kingdom at a busy time or leaving Magic Kingdom at a busy time, I would suggest taking the bus to/from Yacht Club or Boardwalk depending on which hotel (Swan, Dolphin, or Reserve) you're staying at. It is much easier, faster, and enjoyable to navigate a short, relatively flat walk on the Boardwalk or a walking path than it is to deal with the ramps and rush hour madness at the Ticket and Transportation Center. That is just my opinion, though.

 

[Nimbus]

For some reason, I’m currently unable to see any points availability, but I’ll keep checking.

I thought I’d read that Marriott has book 4 nights on points, get the 5th night free. If I can collect 250,000 points I figure I’ll be in the right ballpark.

Marriott does have 5th night free, so as long as you are averaging around 60k or less points per night for the room, you should be able to make that happen.

I almost never see Swan or Dolphin suites listed for points; I do regularly see Swan Reserve, though. A tip would be to book as soon as you find some dates/points that work but then KEEP CHECKING BACK. The points the room costs per night often will go down the closer you get to a stay. Using this strategy, if they go down you can cancel and rebook at the cheaper points price, and if they go up...well good thing you booked when you did!

 

[Dave006]

Can anyone with firsthand knowledge comment on the following questions?

Are they still doing the dollar amount tickets as a benefit?
If so, how much are they worth and how many do you get per night?
If so, can they be used at Swan and Reserve as well?
What is the breakfast benefit if used at Rosa Mexicana?

This is our experience.

1. $10 breakfast coupon (Continental breakfast)
2. 2 per room per day
3. Swan yes Reserve No
4. None as it is a third-party restaurant

Dave

 

[gottalovepluto]

Funny how no matter what the on-site prices at the hotels do the set dollar benefits never seem to go up…

 

[bwr827]

Marriott does have 5th night free, so as long as you are averaging around 60k or less points per night for the room, you should be able to make that happen.

I almost never see Swan or Dolphin suites listed for points; I do regularly see Swan Reserve, though. A tip would be to book as soon as you find some dates/points that work but then KEEP CHECKING BACK. The points the room costs per night often will go down the closer you get to a stay. Using this strategy, if they go down you can cancel and rebook at the cheaper points price, and if they go up...well good thing you booked when you did!

Great plan - on it! First I need to rack up the card bonuses.

 

[Nimbus]

This is our experience.

1. $10 breakfast coupon (Continental breakfast)
2. 2 per room per day
3. Swan yes Reserve No
4. None as it is a third-party restaurant

Dave

Hey, thanks for the info. So do I have it right then that the only place to actually use the breakfast vouchers at Dolphin is Fuel (or whatever that grab and go place is called)? I thought I had heard they could be used at Rosa Mexicano for the cold continental breakfast, so I just want to clarify.

thanks again.

 

[georgina]

Marriott does have 5th night free, so as long as you are averaging around 60k or less points per night for the room, you should be able to make that happen.

I almost never see Swan or Dolphin suites listed for points; I do regularly see Swan Reserve, though. A tip would be to book as soon as you find some dates/points that work but then KEEP CHECKING BACK. The points the room costs per night often will go down the closer you get to a stay. Using this strategy, if they go down you can cancel and rebook at the cheaper points price, and if they go up...well good thing you booked when you did!

I usually have success with Marriott just modifying my current reservation to the lower rate, both on $ bookings and points bookings.

 

[Sabine W.]

I usually have success with Marriott just modifying my current reservation to the lower rate, both on $ bookings and points bookings.

I do the same, and I recommend this instead of cancelling, as there is always a chance that a points rate will disappear during the time it takes to rebook. Just note that you cannot modify a points reservation in the app--you have to use a web browser. You can modify cash reservations in the app, though.

A few other things to be aware of: you still need to pay the daily resort fee (currently $45) even with a points reservation, plus the valet parking charge if you have a car. You do get the 5th night free with a points reservation, meaning you are forfeiting a free night if you book with points but only want to stay 4 nights. In general you will get the greatest value out of your Marriott points if you save them for 5-night stays (or only use them at extremely expensive hotels that would be unaffordable with cash).

I've noticed some very reasonable points rates at the Swan/Dolphin/Reserve for summer dates, but if you ever see outrageously expensive prices, be aware that there might be a conference going on and that the rooms are essentially on hold for conference attendees. The price might go down once the conference booking window ends.

 

[gottalovepluto]

If anyone is looking at Swolphin for last week of May check your price. I’m seeing some nice looking AP rates- pre-taxes and fees $150 Dolphin, $175 Swan, $209 SR.