Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10032850.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Wishes Guests a Happy Birthday With a Free N</b></a> <p>The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is helping guests celebrate their birthday with a free night! Any guest who books at least a three-night stay over their birthday will receive their birthday night free. And, as an added surprise, birthday guests who dine at one of the resort’s signature restaurants during their stay will receive a complimentary cake prepared by the resort’s executive pastry chef and only two-time world pastry champion Laurent Branlard. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s signature restaurants include the celebrity chef venue Todd English’s bluezoo, the football-themed, award-winning Shula’s Steak House and the acclaimed Il Mulino New York Trattoria.</p>
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS It is my goal to eat at Shula's before I die. Really. This is a nice bonus for all the Floridians out there!
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Have the largest steak at Shula's. Shula's is overrated imho. Bluezoo is good though. <- Gives away his starpoints to his parents for use at this hotel since I will never stay here again. The mouldy rooms were disgusting. Starwood seems to be hurting more then other hotels. The one Four Points I stayed on regularly for business became a Holiday Inn (and to be honest is more luxurious now despite downgrading). The other one I stayed at regularly saw their rates drop from 280ish to the low 100's. (Westin in Michigan). I'll probably start traveling for business more next month, took a bit of time off. I now stay with Marriott My 2nd job company decided it was a better value. (Starwood seems to be losing business travel left right and center, which is their backbone of booking according to their gold agents). If you do book it ask for a complimentary upgrade to a SPG Preferred Room or if a member complimentary elite upgrade, request the hypo-allergenic pillows. And watch the billing. 1 in 10 bookings of mine with them always ended up with overcharges. (Seems to be a Starwood thing, maybe they do their accounting centrally?)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I have had some issues at Swan and Dolphin before with upkeep ... nothing like getting into a bed with fresh blood (someone else's) still on the comforter ... and being moved to another room that has nine-month old convention materials covered in dust and cereal in that one. That said, despite the one-time issues I love the resorts and have stayed many times and feel they are amongst the best places to stay on WDW property. And I love Shula's steaks! ~Nothing like having a Spirited good time in a Heavenly Bed~
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Only one of my family members finished their largest steak... (Another location though) Apparently not too many people order it. Bluezoo is a good value/quality proposition. If only the hotel rooms were as good as their restaurants . Then again growing up we stayed at the Poly, so my bias is there. IMHO the Heavenly Bed is overrated, my near top of the line King Koil is more comfy. Is Starwood copying Disney, at least with Disney you get 3 nights free
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Only one of my family members finished their largest steak... (Another location though) Apparently not too many people order it.>> I usually order the smallest steak ... at Shula's or elsewhere. To me, six-eight ounces of a filet with side items and nice dessert is a perfect meal. <<Bluezoo is a good value/quality proposition. If only the hotel rooms were as good as their restaurants . Then again growing up we stayed at the Poly, so my bias is there.>> I love the Poly too, but before its recent renovation there was no comparing the rooms there to Swan/Dolphin. <<IMHO the Heavenly Bed is overrated, my near top of the line King Koil is more comfy.>> I love those Heavenly Beds. And they started the whole trend of quality bedding in the hotel business. ~Nothing like having a Spirited good time in a Heavenly Bed AFTER a Shula's steak~
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer ^^ Ever price out what they want for one on their website? I'll buy the bedding but to pay that much for a Sealy/Serta bed... The quality of beds in the last decade has certainly gone up. Is it just me or is my last purchase twice as thick as my previous bed. When they upgrade to body showers with a rainfall head, then we'll start talking. Although I'll definitely take a Westin over a Sheraton anyday. Poly has large rooms and a greater chance of a patio Of course when we first went there the hotel was fairly young To each their own. I can think of one person on this board who is a Marriott convert. Have they renovated the Swan/Dolphin in the last couple of years?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I second the Blue Zoo comments - has been on my rotation last 3 visits - excellent!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Ever price out what they want for one on their website? I'll buy the bedding but to pay that much for a Sealy/Serta bed... >> Can't say that I have. But I sleep on a Serta that's about five years old now and it is the best bedding I have ever slept on ... it makes everything else seem like slabs of concrete! And, no, don't have any idea what I paid for it. <<The quality of beds in the last decade has certainly gone up. Is it just me or is my last purchase twice as thick as my previous bed.>> Uhm ... I couldn't say since I haven't spent time in your bed!!! <<When they upgrade to body showers with a rainfall head, then we'll start talking.>> That would be nice. <<Have they renovated the Swan/Dolphin in the last couple of years?>> Much like Disney projects -- the work on the Contemporary started in 2004 and won't be finished until the BLT opens and the Cal Grill is redone -- Swan/Dolphin were both redone over a period of years. I recall staying in 2001-02 and nothing had been done ... and 2003 literally when the first floor of Swan was done ... and by mid 2004 most of Dolphin rooms were done. Last stay there was 2006 and it was the same room in very nice shape ... and I doubt anything has been done since. ~Wonder where Tyler went~
Originally Posted By TarzanRocked99-06 Actually quite a bit has been done since then. Starting in April of 2006 and set for completion at the end of this year the resort has invested just over $150 million in a complete re-design package for both the Swan and Dolphin. Both wings received brand new lobbies and common areas that did away with the outdated whimsical Michael Graves design and replaced them with a fresh urban contemporary look very much fitting of the Westin brand. The Swan has had the building completely re-sealed floor by floor which got rid of that Mold and Mildew problem. Actually if you walk into the Swan now you will be able to smell the Westin White Tea scent which is pumped into the air vents. Il Mulino New York has been added to the line up of signature dining restaurants at the property and the Cabana Bar and Beach Club has been added as well giving the resort a nice outdoor alternative for casual dining and nightlife. BlueZoo has had some recent upgrades to the lounge area that really enhance the mood of the restaurant and both the Garden Grove and the old Tubby's (now Picabu) have been totally re-designed as well. All the guestrooms in the Swan have now been completely rennovated once again and the Dolphin is currently underway and will be completed by years end. The rooms have had several enhancements with the re-design. Not as important to this forum but definitely crucial to the resort is the full re-design of all the meetings facilities bringing a level of sophistication not found in any other hotel on Disney property. If you want to stay in one of the renovated rooms while on your stay either book the Swan or request the Central Tower in the Dolphin as those are fully completed. cheers
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Tarzan do you work for that resort or its parent company by any chance?
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Oh and when I stayed at one of the hotels I think Swan it had bigger beds, will the Dolphin be upgrading to 2 Queens?
Originally Posted By TarzanRocked99-06 The Swan Rooms are a few feet longer which allow for 2 Queens instead of the two Doubles that you find in the Dolphin. The King bedded rooms in both buildings feature a pull out sofa as well. and to answer your question, I could possibly be sitting inside the Dolphin as I type this
Originally Posted By danyoung >...and the Cal Grill is redone...< Whoa whoa whoa - when are they doing this, and do you have any idea what they're going to do? This restaurant is the best thing Disney has to offer, and I love it just like it is. If they're just doing updated decor, then fine. But if they even THINK about changing the concept, they're gonna hear loudly from ME!!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 >...and the Cal Grill is redone...< Whoa whoa whoa - when are they doing this, and do you have any idea what they're going to do? This restaurant is the best thing Disney has to offer, and I love it just like it is. If they're just doing updated decor, then fine. But if they even THINK about changing the concept, they're gonna hear loudly from ME!!! I agree -- Danny- get the pitchforks and torches ready,if they screw up Cali Grill I'll be leading that assault on HQ with you
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The Swan Rooms are a few feet longer which allow for 2 Queens instead of the two Doubles that you find in the Dolphin. The King bedded rooms in both buildings feature a pull out sofa as well. and to answer your question, I could possibly be sitting inside the Dolphin as I type this>> Thanks for all the info. It's great to hear Starwood is investing in its rooms yet again because they weren't exactly in disrepair when I last stayed (Swan, 10/06) ... unlike Disney, which lets its rooms fall apart and in many cases are uninhabitable (CBR, 10/00 ... BC many times). Guess I'll have to check them out soon. ~A truly heavenly Spirit~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Whoa whoa whoa - when are they doing this, and do you have any idea what they're going to do? This restaurant is the best thing Disney has to offer, and I love it just like it is. If they're just doing updated decor, then fine. But if they even THINK about changing the concept, they're gonna hear loudly from ME!!!>> Relax Danny ... they are just updating the decor (and likely raising prices again ... they do so love renovating their menus!). I haven't dined there since last spring, and I've heard they have a new chef ... but as far as I know the California Grill is as wonderful as ever. ~Will wear a tiara for a free meal at the Cal Grill~
