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

[TaraPA]

Originally Posted by catiesmom

I can book ADRs 180+10 days out, right?
Also are any of the Disney dining plans an option for us?

You will not be able to book ADRs for 180 + 10 at S/D unless that's changed since the last time I did it. You will have to call at 180 days out for each day of the trip to book them. You cannot get the DDP when staying at S/D.

Originally Posted by tjmw2727

Been a while since I was at the Dolphin so I wanted to confirm that there is still a coffee maker in the room and if so what type? (4 cup, Keruig, pod etc)

As of March it was still the single serve machine - not Keurig, but something similar with pods. It was not the Cuisinart single cup machine found in the Disney resorts either.

Originally Posted by PaDisneyCouple

Just reading up on the Swan over on All Ears. It says there that there is an airline boarding pass kiosk at Swan. Does anyone know if Southwest is an airline that you can print boarding passes for there?

It's an airline kiosk that connects you to the internet where you can log into your airline's website to print boarding passes. It's not specific to any airlines, as long as you can get to the Southwest website & they allow you to pre-print boarding passes, you can do it. The same kiosk is also at The Dolphin.

[Swan4Me]

Just checking this thread....how I wish i had a WDW/Swan trip coming up-
LOVE LOVE LOVE the swan!!

[tjmw2727]

Thanks TaraPA ! I will bring my pods.....

[Mouseteacher]

Just got back from 6 days at the Swan. It was terrific! The resort recognized our anniversary with champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries waiting for us upon arrival in our room. Two days later we came back from the parks and a bottle of wine and cheese and crackers were left for us wishing us a Happy Anniversary again.

We reserved a Deluxe Alcove room with balcony and were granted our request for our favorite section - east wing (7th floor). We overlooked the walkway to the Dolphin facing the lap pool and the boat dock. The 7th floor is the highest floor in this wing and we had the very end room.

We found the resort to be busy but it is summer. We anticipate this. There was a large convention called KIPP but they were mostly at the Dolphin. During the day, you rarely saw the conventioneers. Pool was terrific - we used it every afternoon. We use the Swan lap pool most times.

We had dinner at Shula's and Il Mulino. Il Mulino is our favorite - we all agreed. The food was outstanding. The service perfect. We had breakfast at Fresh on our last day. We, also, had lunch at the Fountain and at the Cabana Bar. BTW, we are all adults - DSs and DD-in-law and........... of course DH and me

The weather was so different than our other summer trips. It was somewhat not as humid as usual. Temps were in the high 80s and a breeze was happening on all our days. Of course, if you were in the direct sun, it was hot.

The parks were equally as busy but utilizing EMH in the morning and FP, works for us. Of course, we are veteran Disney goers, who have a routine down pat.

The only disappointing part of our trip was...............................................
coming home!

Any questions -- ask away and I'll try to answer.

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by Mouseteacher

Just got back from 6 days at the Swan. It was terrific! The resort recognized our anniversary with champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries waiting for us upon arrival in our room. Two days later we came back from the parks and a bottle of wine and cheese and crackers were left for us wishing us a Happy Anniversary again.

We reserved a Deluxe Alcove room with balcony and were granted our request for our favorite section - east wing (7th floor). We overlooked the walkway to the Dolphin facing the lap pool and the boat dock. The 7th floor is the highest floor in this wing and we had the very end room.

We found the resort to be busy but it is summer. We anticipate this. There was a large convention called KIPP but they were mostly at the Dolphin. During the day, you rarely saw the conventioneers. Pool was terrific - we used it every afternoon. We use the Swan lap pool most times.

We had dinner at Shula's and Il Mulino. Il Mulino is our favorite - we all agreed. The food was outstanding. The service perfect. We had breakfast at Fresh on our last day. We, also, had lunch at the Fountain and at the Cabana Bar. BTW, we are all adults - DSs and DD-in-law and........... of course DH and me

The weather was so different than our other summer trips. It was somewhat not as humid as usual. Temps were in the high 80s and a breeze was happening on all our days. Of course, if you were in the direct sun, it was hot.

The parks were equally as busy but utilizing EMH in the morning and FP, works for us. Of course, we are veteran Disney goers, who have a routine down pat.

The only disappointing part of our trip was...............................................
coming home!

Any questions -- ask away and I'll try to answer.

Welcome back! I'm glad you had a wonderful anniversary trip, and also got a break in the weather! I was there from the 25th-30th, and it was in the mid-90s every day and pretty humid. I spent most of my time at Epcot, and the park didn't seem very crowded. Maybe everyone was staying inside air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. I survived by ducking into stores/movies/bathrooms every now and then.

[Mouseteacher]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

Welcome back! I'm glad you had a wonderful anniversary trip, and also got a break in the weather! I was there from the 25th-30th, and it was in the mid-90s every day and pretty humid. I spent most of my time at Epcot, and the park didn't seem very crowded. Maybe everyone was staying inside air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. I survived by ducking into stores/movies/bathrooms every now and then.

Nancy, the weather was quite a surprise. It ranged from 88 / 90 / 91 but the breeze every day made it feel cooler. DH and I sat many times in the parks waiting for our DSs to do thrill rides and sitting in the shade was quite comfortable.

The night we went to see Wishes, we left the Swan at 9:15 and the temp was 77 degrees. It has just finished raining - a short downpour at about 8:30 pm.

MK was extremely crowded. It may have been because of the EMH morning. Epcot, AK and HS were somewhat more manageable.

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by Mouseteacher

Nancy, the weather was quite a surprise. It ranged from 88 / 90 / 91 but the breeze every day made it feel cooler. DH and I sat many times in the parks waiting for our DSs to do thrill rides and sitting in the shade was quite comfortable.

The night we went to see Wishes, we left the Swan at 9:15 and the temp was 77 degrees. It has just finished raining - a short downpour at about 8:30 pm.

MK was extremely crowded. It may have been because of the EMH morning. Epcot, AK and HS were somewhat more manageable.

The MK is always crowded! We did the Wishes Dessert Party our first park night, and returned the next night for evening EMH. (Loved the dessert party, and would do that again!) We found the Studios to be pretty quiet on a Thursday morning, and my son had no problem riding Expedition Everest several times in a row. (My daughter and I didn't go to AK.) Other than a few sprinkles late at night - we had no rain.

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome back, Karen and Nancy. Sounds like good trips.

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by Dan Murphy

Welcome back, Karen and Nancy. Sounds like good trips.

Thanks, Dan!

[goofeygirl]

I always stay at the Dolphin when I am in Disney...which is about two times a year. I have never stayed at the Swan though. I guess you get comfortable with one and stick with it.

I love everything about it. You are not so far out of the way and can walk around the boardwalk and to Epcot center. I love the other hotels but feel you get more bang for your buck at these hotels.

[catiesmom]

Thank you all for your answers!! Very helpful and appreciated Initially we were planning to stay at the Contemporary Resort to be close to MK but we just couldn't pass up the free rooms via Starwood. So I'm getting very excited about the Swan now!

[hsmamato2]

Originally Posted by catiesmom

Thank you all for your answers!! Very helpful and appreciated Initially we were planning to stay at the Contemporary Resort to be close to MK but we just couldn't pass up the free rooms via Starwood. So I'm getting very excited about the Swan now!

how do you get free rooms via starwood? do earn by staying?

[TaraPA]

Originally Posted by hsmamato2

how do you get free rooms via starwood? do earn by staying?

Starwood properties have a rewards program (Westin & Sheraton brands). When you are a Starwood member you earn points for all stays & purchases. You can earn 1-2 (maybe 3) points per dollar spent depending upon what level you are with Starwod, Preferred, Gold or Platinum. It's one of the perks that keeps me going back!

You can get details at www.spg.com.

[jcondrad]

Hi everyone. We were planning to stay YC for our December trip, but with a new baby we want to save some money and try out the swan/dolphin. We were going to go to a mod but love the location of Epcot resorts!!

I read through most of the pages and had a couple questions...
1. I read you can call and update rates if you find a lower one after you put in a reservation. Just wanted to make sure that was correct.

2. I was quoted 161.10 for dec 9-17 on AAA discount standard room at Dolphin. Govt employee rates weren't available during our stay and not sure if they offer AP rates like Disney does. Does that rate sound decent for that time period?

Thanks in advance and thanks for the great thread!! Had most of my answers just by reading first page!

[kaceyisme]

Originally Posted by jcondrad

Hi everyone. We were planning to stay YC for our December trip, but with a new baby we want to save some money and try out the swan/dolphin. We were going to go to a mod but love the location of Epcot resorts!!

I read through most of the pages and had a couple questions...
1. I read you can call and update rates if you find a lower one after you put in a reservation. Just wanted to make sure that was correct.

2. I was quoted 161.10 for dec 9-17 on AAA discount standard room at Dolphin. Govt employee rates weren't available during our stay and not sure if they offer AP rates like Disney does. Does that rate sound decent for that time period?

Thanks in advance and thanks for the great thread!! Had most of my answers just by reading first page!

That sounds about right for that time of year. Make sure that you book the AAA Resort Credit Offer - it's the same nightly rate, but you get a $50 resort credit.