January Swan/Dolphin Question About This Page:

[simbarel]

New job permitting (*crossing fingers* that I'll be newly employed soon) we're planning our next trip for January. I happen to own an Orlando timeshare (which I've never visited, I kind of "inherited" it) for the third week of January and I could only get DH to go back down to Orlando if I promised that we'd spend 2-3 days at US/IoA. I figured fine, that'd work out well since we'd be staying off-site.
Then about a day after we discussed this, we sailed into the Swan/Dophin/BW/YC/BC area and fell in love. We talked some more and since we're not going to WDW for a few years after 1/2005 ( ---however, he did say that we could sail a 7-day on DCL in 2006 ) and DH wants me to work my "magic" to get us a room somewhere in the beautiful Swan/Dophin/BW/YC/BC area for the final 3-4 days of our trip, and just ditch the timeshare for the remainder of the week.

Economically (which is typically the bottom line with us) I thought that the Swan/Dolphin would be the best route as I'd come across some stories about rates and discounts. On a preliminary search on the Swan/Dolphin's own booking site I noticed that the availabilty is kind of low for that week, and I was wondering if that was some hotel biz hocus-pocus to get us to book higher rates, or is the third week of January truly that booked for those resorts.
Does anyone have any tips on getting a lower rate at these resorts? Or should I focus on the BW/YC/BC instead? Just looking for some guidance, I read a story about someone getting a fantastic deal on Priceline, but obviously that can get risky. DH wants me to use my friend Pete to get a teacher rate. Any tips/stories/advice/anything? Many thanks!

[Colexis Mom]

The third week in January can run into Martin Luther King Day. That may be the reason that you're seeing less availability.

I've seen lots of people getting the Dolphin for $69 before taxes on Priceline. There's a great website www.biddingfortravel.com which gives you a ton of information on how to work priceline and how to decipher what all the hotel icons/amenities mean so that you have a pretty good chance of figuring out if it is truly the Dolphin.

You may want to look into that so at least you become familiar with it, and then just watch it for a few weeks. Good luck

[LisaJ]

I'm not sure if you could use your friend's teacher rate unless he is booking the vacation AND paying for it (of course which you would pay him back). I don't know how you could get around this, but you could try.

I'm not sure why it is crowded at that time of year, even with the MLK holiday, it still doesn't make too much sense, however, that just might be the case. I would try for the Boardwalk if it were me. Reserve a standard room, and then keep an eye out for codes, discounts, etc. Maybe you could also check the DVC boards and see if you could get a good rate on renting some points from someone. Just a thought...

I've used Priceline before and it was great, but you never know what hotel you will end up with. I would check out the suggested web site above.

[HiddenMickey]

I wouldn't go the Priceline route (at least not yet) as chances are you could get something other than Swan or Dophin and then be up the creek. Do, however, keep your eye on the BiddingForTravel site to see if and when people start getting good bids coming up for the hotels for your dates...then you could try.

In the meantime, look into getting an Entertainment book (wait until October/November when the ones for 2005 come out) for a discount rate for Swan or Dophin and check the Swan/Dophin website frequently for specials (they do announce them there sometimes).

Unless your teacher friend is coming with you, I don't think you'll be able to use his teacher status for the room discount.

I'm sure that the best deal you're likely to get will be through the Swan/Dophin though, as discounted rates for the Disney resorts in the Epcot area haven't been less than $200 a night (plus tax) for some time now. You can definitely get a room at Swan or Dolphin less than that.

Good luck with this. I think it's a bit early to be planning for January discounts right now, but you are on the right track with checking out what is there now, so you can compare later.

-HiddenMickey

[kv3291]

Swan/Dolphin regular season starts mid-January and runs til the end of April. THey usually don't discount much during their regular season. We have had our January 2005 reservations since this past January. At that time, we did not have a choice...the Dolphin was totally booked (or at least set aside for a convention and at a latter date may release rooms if it is not filled, but I was told sometimes the opposite happens and they take all the rooms + others at surrounding locals). We got the Swan club level for $217.50 using the entertainment card. The reservationist said that they only offer those discounts based on how full the room census is. I also know that around the second weekend is the marathon which brings in about 25,000-50,000 people. These might be some of the bookings your running into. I have 3 suggestions, 1. Look at www.swandolphin.com for their packages that include breakfast...these are usually offered even if the census is high. THat might be your best price. 2. Call the Swan/Dolphin directly and talk to them about rates, ie, packages, entertainment card, AAA, they also offer AP rates, teachers and nurses rates dependent on availability. 3. Call Starwood...they are part of the Starwood group...and see what they can give you. Good luck and maybe we will see you there!!!

[Connears]

We stayed at Swan last 12/28-1/04/04 at the teacher's rate for CL of $214/night. Jeanne at yourmagicaljourneys.com did all the work for us and they are wonderful! You may want to visit the site and see if they can help. Just a thought. If not, Starwood preferred guest program(free to join also) has had recent specials of book 3 and get 1 night free at Dolphin(even if you don;t have points yet). Join before you stay at either Swan or Dolphin because you accrue quite a bit with your stay.
Connears

[WDW Novice]

That's true that you accumulate quite a few Starwood points for just one stay. I stayed at the Dolphin for 5 nights in 2003 and just cashed in those points for a free night at a Sheraton over the upcoming July 4th weekend. And we got a room upgrade through the program at the Dolphin even though I had no points.

As for letting your friend book it, I'm not sure, but I think you probably have to show some sort of ID when you check in to get the discount.

Sorry I can't help with discount ideas--I was there for a convention and got a "special" rate for that, but my company paid for it, so I wasn't too concerned about the price.

Hope you find a good rate. I really enjoyed my stay at the Dolphin!

[DrDolphin]

If you want the teacher's rate - you have to bring your paycheck stub or school ID that shows you are a teacher and present it at check in - so the name on the paycheck stub or ID must match the name on the ressie. Hope this helps.

[simbarel]

Wow, thanks everyone for giving me sooo much more information than I was expecting! Looks like the teacher fakeout won't work (thanks for the heads-up, Terri!) I'm just gonna dig for rates.

I was also thinking about buying someone's BCV points from eBay. It looks like it might average about $160ish per night, Sunday through Thursday. Has anyone done this, or heard about anyone doing it?

[DrDolphin]

Rachel - have you considered renting points from a DVC member instead of buying them from EBay??

Here is a previous post:
renting DVC points post

[simbarel]

Wow, thanks! Maureen gave some great info there...I ran it past DH and he's A-OK with it (of course, he just HAD to add the obligatory "and this will be the last WDW trip for a few years, right??" )
Looks like I may become a regular in the DCL rooms after January!

I will say, though, that even if he puts on a front, DH is really excited over possibly staying at the BCV. We love the view towards the Boardwalk, and the location is excellent. We're largely excited about being able to take a mid-day nap, and we're both "transportation buffs" and this is the best of the WDW best.
Ok, I'm getting too excited now. Must go drag self back to daily dolldrum to help pay for future vacation.