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

[tjay]

Does anyone know the price of a cab ride from Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin?

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Does anyone know the price of a cab ride from Orlando Airport to the Swan/Dolphin?

Using taxi fare calculator I found online, it says about $55 plus tip one way.

Many guests hire town cars to transport from the airport to the Swan/Dolphin ... comparable rate but nice ride and most include a stop at a grocery if there are items you'd like to pick up for your stay (snacks, water, etc.).

 

[luvallprincesses]

Planning way ahead for our 2014 trip. Due to school, we are stuck with having to do WDW on a holiday, either President's Day week or the week after Easter. Not only are crowd levels high, but likelihood of discounts extremely low. Thinking of trying out the Swan/Dolphin using the teacher rate. Does anyone know when 2014 rates and teacher discount availability will be out for Feb and April 2014?

 

[mikegood2]

If I remember correctly Mears shuttle service runs around $22 one way and $34 roundtrip. If your party is 3 or more I would look into a Towncar service. Most of them offer a complementary grocery stop which can come in very handy.

 

[Yank]

I am sure this has been asked befor but I could not find it. After you have paid for parking is it good for parking at the parks?

 

[LexiC123]

I am sure this has been asked befor but I could not find it. After you have paid for parking is it good for parking at the parks?

Yes...just show your room key.

 

[Zuzu03]

Hi Swalphin fans!!! I'm so happy to be going back to the Dolphin after TOO many years, but get this:

I'm actually MOVING DOWN TO NAPLES, FLORIDA AND STOPPING AT THE DOLPHIN ON MY WAY!!

Isn't that exciting! So my BIG question is where on earth do I park a 16 foot U-Haul at the Dolphin? I called and spoke to 3 different people who said it wouldn't be a problem, but if I remember correctly the parking lot isn't that big and I guess I'd be taking up like 3 spaces parking sideways, right??? I'm going to be by myself because DH is already working down in Naples and DD and her DBF are driving my Jeep to the Autotrain and arriving the next day! Any helpful suggestions about parking the beast? Hahaha! I'm just so happy to be going back!!!

Oh and DD and her DBF are staying at the Dolphin for 4 days after helping me unpack everything down in Naples! Love those teacher discounts!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sounds great, Zuzu. Best wishes on the move.

I think the parking lot is big enough. Just park further out from the close in rows. You can see some buses or RV's here on this map......

http://binged.it/Zb0LFw

 

[Zuzu03]

Sounds great, Zuzu. Best wishes on the move.

I think the parking lot is big enough. Just park further out from the close in rows. You can see some buses or RV's here on this map......

http://binged.it/Zb0LFw

Yay!!!! Thank you, Dan! I'm so excited!!!

 

[teacher31]

Well, our plans continue to change. We love the Dolphin and were sad its been sold out since August for our May/June trip. We booked POR, then upgraded to BWI before feeling huge guilt for spending so much. Now I booked the Dolphin for 7 nights before switching to BWI for the last 3 ( the ones sold out). Sooooo, can I have my bags transferred? Is there any more scuttlebutt about the pool being refurbished? I'm finally at peace for my stay. If only now I could make some decisions about what parks on what days!

 

[joanjett1976]

Planning on booking a 4 night stay for the Wine & Dine marathon weekend. So far, best rate I found was AAA (206$). One deal however seemed to be the breakfast package. Is this daily or a one time thing? ANyone have any idea whether these are vouchers that can be used anywhere or only at a specific location (picabu).

Thanks for your help!

 

[ImprovGal]

Planning on booking a 4 night stay for the Wine & Dine marathon weekend. So far, best rate I found was AAA (206$). One deal however seemed to be the breakfast package. Is this daily or a one time thing? ANyone have any idea whether these are vouchers that can be used anywhere or only at a specific location (picabu).

Thanks for your help!

I believe the breakfast vouchers are for every morning of your stay (equal to the # of nights) for up to 2 people in the room. Last time I checked they were good for the buffets at Fresh and Garden Grove.

 

[joanjett1976]

Thanks ImprovGal!

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Just read a post from someone who said they were at the Swan and moved over to the Dolphin due to construction noise.

Anyone aware of what is going on at the Swan?
Where? how long?

Looking to stay in July for first time and wondering if this will be an issue.

Thanks.

 

[LexiC123]

Just read a post from someone who said they were at the Swan and moved over to the Dolphin due to construction noise.

Anyone aware of what is going on at the Swan?
Where? how long?

Looking to stay in July for first time and wondering if this will be an issue.

Thanks.

I'll be there next month, and hadn't heard about this construction, so I asked about it on their Facebook page. Here's their response:

"We are only doing one section of one level at the Swan. If you are planning to visit before April 2013, we can try to keep you away from that one small section of the hotel. This is only for a very short time, so it should not effect your stay with us."​

PS - if you're on Facebook, it's worth subscribing to the S/D page. Lots of good information there, and every time I've asked a question, I've received an answer within an hour or two.

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

I'll be there next month, and hadn't heard about this construction, so I asked about it on their Facebook page. Here's their response:

"We are only doing one section of one level at the Swan. If you are planning to visit before April 2013, we can try to keep you away from that one small section of the hotel. This is only for a very short time, so it should not effect your stay with us."​

PS - if you're on Facebook, it's worth subscribing to the S/D page. Lots of good information there, and every time I've asked a question, I've received an answer within an hour or two.

Thanks so much for the quick answer! Sounds like it wouldn't be an issue.

No, not a "Facebooker" so appreciate the insight.

 

[LionKingRules84]

I plan on booking some days before the DIS cruise in august at the Swan. From what I read on the first page it seems you get all the basic perks with any other Disney resort except I don't see anything about Magical Express? Do they offer this or do you have to figure out how to get to the resort from the airport? Just want to know if I should budget for a town car since I really don't want to take a taxi from the airport to there and really enjoyed getting to the resort via Magical Express when I stayed at CSR back in '07.

I'm new to this resort but I've always wanted to stay here so I'm pretty excited! I always liked the boardwalk area and being a walk from at least two parks will be nice!(though I have a feeling if the weather is bad we will most likely bus or boat but the fact the option is there is nice)

 

[mikegood2]

While most of the Disney perks like EMH and buses are included Magical Express and room key/park ticket combo are not. If your party is less than 3 than you probably want to look at a Mears shuttle for $21 one way or $34 roundtrip per person. If you have 3 or more in your party than a town car is probably the way to go!

 

[LionKingRules84]

While most of the Disney perks like EMH and buses are included Magical Express and room key/park ticket combo are not. If your party is less than 3 than you probably want to look at a Mears shuttle for $21 one way or $34 roundtrip per person. If you have 3 or more in your party than a town car is probably the way to go!

Thanks for the response! I figured since it wasn't mentioned in the first post on here it wasn't included but figured I'd ask just in case.

I only need one way but I think even with just my husband and I a town car would be our best bet over the shuttle if just for the stop you get. I guess it will depend on how the end budget turns out if we can afford it or if we want to save money and go with the shuttle.

Anyway thanks again!

 

[patty57]

I have been lucky enough to have two price drops on my room at the Dolphin in May for my AAA discount. Nursing discount also dropped as well. I check every day just in case there might be more price drops. Price on both rates ticked up two days ago. I'll keep looking, but I think the price drops are probably over.