The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ April 2012 ~ Please read post #1

[chrisf21]

Hi,

I am curious, does the Garden cafe/ grill place at the Swan/Dolphin offer the a la carte breakfast menu on the weekends? I can't see doing the buffet-- its 19.95 a person and we just don't need that...

Looking for a place to sit down and have eggs or pancakes but not buffet...

Does anyone know?

Staying at the Swan Friday through Monday in June.

ty
Christine

 

[Dan Murphy]

I don't think a la carte is available as it is a character breakfast on the weekends and more money is needed to pay Disney for that.

 

[LexiC123]

Hi,

I am curious, does the Garden cafe/ grill place at the Swan/Dolphin offer the a la carte breakfast menu on the weekends? I can't see doing the buffet-- its 19.95 a person and we just don't need that...

Looking for a place to sit down and have eggs or pancakes but not buffet...

Does anyone know?

Staying at the Swan Friday through Monday in June.

ty
Christine

At Fresh, you can do the buffet or order off the menu. Picabu also has breakfast items, served cafeteria-style.

 

[Abharmagic]

Hi-
My family is planning a stay at the BC next spring we are in the process of trying to convince my parents (aged a very active/mobile 65 and 71) to come down for a few days and join us. I recommended the Swan/Dolphin resorts to them for a number of reasons- namely my dad was a traveling businessman and has club cards and points all over the place- and I am sure he can get a good rate. It also appears they run a bit better rates and are a bit nicer than the Deluxe category at WDW- which I think my parents will appreciate. They are big Marriott fans and these hotels look on par with a Marriott. I do have some questions though.

1. I chose these resorts b/c of the proximity to the Beach Club and the Boardwalk complex and the boats to Epcot and DHS. How far (approx) is the walk from Swan and the walk from the Dolphin to the BC?

2. They can do EMH-- correct? Also, they can use WDW transportation (except for Magical Express)-- correct?

3. Can my kids take an evening and hang out with them and swim in the pool at Swan or Dolphin or do they have to stay at the resort to do this? Dh and I are hoping to have a night or two kid free to spend together. I know my parents cannot use the BC pool- so I was wondering if my kids could use their pool.

Thanks so much!

 

[RachelTori]

Hi-
My family is planning a stay at the BC next spring we are in the process of trying to convince my parents (aged a very active/mobile 65 and 71) to come down for a few days and join us. I recommended the Swan/Dolphin resorts to them for a number of reasons- namely my dad was a traveling businessman and has club cards and points all over the place- and I am sure he can get a good rate. It also appears they run a bit better rates and are a bit nicer than the Deluxe category at WDW- which I think my parents will appreciate. They are big Marriott fans and these hotels look on par with a Marriott. I do have some questions though.

1. I chose these resorts b/c of the proximity to the Beach Club and the Boardwalk complex and the boats to Epcot and DHS. How far (approx) is the walk from Swan and the walk from the Dolphin to the BC?

2. They can do EMH-- correct? Also, they can use WDW transportation (except for Magical Express)-- correct?

3. Can my kids take an evening and hang out with them and swim in the pool at Swan or Dolphin or do they have to stay at the resort to do this? Dh and I are hoping to have a night or two kid free to spend together. I know my parents cannot use the BC pool- so I was wondering if my kids could use their pool.

Thanks so much!

I think Swan Dolphin (location-wise AND cost-wise!) would be a good choice for your parents. It's a 5 - 10 minute (at most) walk from BC to Dolphin or Swan (Dolphin being the closer of the 2).

Yes, on the EMH and Disney transportation (except DME).

I don't see why your kids couldn't spend time with your parents at the pool. As long as your children are with paying guests, it shouldn't be an issue at all.

 

[Abharmagic]

Thanks for the quick response!

One more thing:
I see there is a nightly charge for parking at the Swan and Dolphin resorts- are people who stay at these resorts also subject to pay for parking at MK and AK (I am sure my parents will take transportation or walk to EP and DHS). I know if you stay at the WDW resorts you do not have to pay to park at the parks-- how about Swan and Dolphin? The parking fee there is already steep.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Hi, Swan/Dolphin guests have complimentary park parking also.

 

[micheleq]

Hi everyone -- I've got a question for the S/D experts!

Does anyone have a list or perhaps a photo of the pantry items that are carried at Picabu? I'm a fan of having breakfast in the room before heading out to the parks when we try and make rope drop, so wondering what cereal they have, etc. My MIL lives off yogurt (she's had two gastric bypasses, so she eats several small meals a day) for example. I'm wondering if there are yogurts available so she can fill her mini fridge in the room? I know there is the "personal pantry" service, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what else is available. My ILs live in Florida and they'll be driving to WDW, so we can make a grocery run if needed. But I'd rather save time and get the few things we'll want right at the resort if that's possible.

TIA!

 

[Ramsfan28]

Hi,

I am curious, does the Garden cafe/ grill place at the Swan/Dolphin offer the a la carte breakfast menu on the weekends? I can't see doing the buffet-- its 19.95 a person and we just don't need that...

Looking for a place to sit down and have eggs or pancakes but not buffet...

Does anyone know?

Staying at the Swan Friday through Monday in June.

ty
Christine

You can order the buffet or from their menu.

 

[lizabu]

Hi everyone -- I've got a question for the S/D experts!

Does anyone have a list or perhaps a photo of the pantry items that are carried at Picabu? I'm a fan of having breakfast in the room before heading out to the parks when we try and make rope drop, so wondering what cereal they have, etc. My MIL lives off yogurt (she's had two gastric bypasses, so she eats several small meals a day) for example. I'm wondering if there are yogurts available so she can fill her mini fridge in the room? I know there is the "personal pantry" service, but I'm wondering if anyone knows what else is available. My ILs live in Florida and they'll be driving to WDW, so we can make a grocery run if needed. But I'd rather save time and get the few things we'll want right at the resort if that's possible.

TIA!

I remember for sure seeing yogurt, cereal and milk. They also had a lot of grab and go things like fruit salad and bagels. Whatever you can't find there you can find at the General store at Beach Club or if you want it cheaper at the Hess station across the street from the Beach club.

ETA- just saw this Travel zoo deal on the budget board for anyone interested in spa services

http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Orlando/Spa/15809

 

[micheleq]

Thanks Lizabu! The Picabu info is very helpful. I'm bummed that the Travezoo offer expires right before we'll be there, that's a great deal.

 

[lovingthemouse]

After all the yrs i have been on this board, I have never asked about the connection between Starwood and AAA. I am a Starwood Preferred member,but have i seen that you can upgrade with a AAA membership? Can someone please enlighten me? Thanks so much.

 

[lizabu]

After all the yrs i have been on this board, I have never asked about the connection between Starwood and AAA. I am a Starwood Preferred member,but have i seen that you can upgrade with a AAA membership? Can someone please enlighten me? Thanks so much.

The next time you make a reservation if you ask them to update your SPG account to show you are a AAA member it will change your account from preferred to corporate preferred. Some places will give you an upgrade at check in and a late check out for corporate preferred members but I don't think its an enforced published benefit.

 

[pooh2001]

Upgrades for Starwood members are only when rooms are available.

We are Starwood and AAA members - but the Dolphin is fully booked when we arrive, June 23.
So no upgrades planned.

We have a resort view with balcony, 2 double beds reserved.
I called and the Dolphin reservations said we could have a view of the pool, EPCOT, or the waterway, but not of the roof

We will see what we get when we arrive.
Hoping for a nice view of whatever

 

[NOLA_Tink]

S/D restaurants honor the Tables of Wonderland discount card program and 20% off any Starwood (S/D) restaurant with your AAA card.
AAA Card accepted at the following places ~
GARDEN GROVE in the Swan
FRESH in the Dolphin
MEDITERRANEAN MARKET in the Dolphin
THE FOUNTAIN in the Dolphin
CABANA BAR AND BEACH CLUB at the Grotto pool
SPLASH TERRACE & GRILL at the rectangular pool by the Swan
PICABU 24/7 in the Dolphin

I never knew this! Do you know if it also applies to the refillable mugs? (I'm not exactly sure where those are purchased.) Thanks!!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Does anyone know where in the Dolphin building the 2 bedroom grand suites are located? I know they said that none of them have balconies, so I'm assuming they aren't in the "arm" sections that stick off the front, and I'm pretty sure they told us there weren't any that had Epcot/Fireworks views, so I'm assuming they're down towards the pool area end. Anyone know for sure? Not that it really matters since we have no control over it , just thinking about it and wondering

 

[mlwolcott1]

We are planning a July 2013 trip and are looking at staying at S/D for first time. I found a good AAA rate. I am also a teacher but these rates are not out yet. If I make a reservation with the AAA rate now, can I change it later if a better rate comes out as a teacher?

 

[jcb]

We are planning a July 2013 trip and are looking at staying at S/D for first time. I found a good AAA rate. I am also a teacher but these rates are not out yet. If I make a reservation with the AAA rate now, can I change it later if a better rate comes out as a teacher?

Generally, yes. But be aware that some AAA rates are prepay in full. If you book one a prepay room, then you will not be able to cancel it and rebook at the teacher rate unless the S/D just happens to let you do it. The S/D website is very good at saying upfront whether the rate is prepay or not.

 

[mlwolcott1]

Thanks. Made our reservation and only asked for 1 night deposit. Will be able to change/cancel if I find a better rate such as Teacher. In reading further, saw that they have significant discounts for AP holders (we are getting them for the coming trip as we will be making 2 additional trips in the 12 month period). Does anyone have experience with the AP discounts. Info would be appreciated.

 

[Flews]

Thanks for this thread.

Just finished another wonderful 10 night stay at the Swan. This is now our favorite WDW property by far. Already booking our next trip back in October! Looking forward to trying the S&D food festival for the first time.

The new SPG Platinum breakfast amenity is a real money saver, especially for longer stays.

Cheers,