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

[bas71873]

Originally Posted by cgattis

Picabu is open 24 hours and has all sorts of grab-and-go stuff--both fresh and off-the-shelf items. It's sort of at the end of the buffet line, by the registers. They also have their own refillable mug, which I meant to ask about but forgot.

Originally Posted by Dan Murphy

Keep in mind there is a 20% AAA discount, but also, a 13% service charge at Picabu, apparently even on carry out items.

Thanks for the info. But that's just CRAZY that there's a service charge even on carry out items! What's that all about?


I have another question that maybe someone can answer before I call and ask. I booked our room at the Dolphin and got the AAA rate. There is also a AAA rate that includes breakfast at either the Grove or the Fresh place, but I wonder if that's just for the 2 adults in the room or does that also include DD? Will I have to pay OOP for DD to eat?

[SRUAlmn]

Originally Posted by bas71873

Thanks for the info. But that's just CRAZY that there's a service charge even on carry out items! What's that all about?

The most ridiculous part is that you walk through and pick what you want "cafeteria style, " pay the cashier, get your own silverware/ketchup/etc... and seat yourself. On some occassions you might have to "order" something like a burger that's made to order, but everyone pays the service charge, even if you didn't order something they have to bring to you.

[robinbutterfly]

At Swan now...just wanted to say, we love this place!!!

[RaySharpton]

Originally Posted by robinbutterfly

At Swan now...just wanted to say, we love this place!!!

I hope that you have a wonderful time. I can't wait to experience the same thing in November/December.

[ireland_nicole]

Here now- everything so far has been amazing! The room is immaculate, the staff has all been wonderful. I am I love with the view from my room - we are on the 12th floor over the top of the shell to the fountain - straight ahead I see the swan, 45 degrees to the right I can see a panoramic view of the studios and to the left I see most of world showcase- watched illuminations from the room last night after the most incredible dinner at Bluezoo- I definitely think I may have found my new WDW home- also very pleased with Tiffany Towncar.

[RaySharpton]

Originally Posted by ireland_nicole

Here now- everything so far has been amazing! The room is immaculate, the staff has all been wonderful. I am I love with the view from my room - we are on the 12th floor over the top of the shell to the fountain - straight ahead I see the swan, 45 degrees to the right I can see a panoramic view of the studios and to the left I see most of world showcase- watched illuminations from the room last night after the most incredible dinner at Bluezoo- I definitely think I may have found my new WDW home- also very pleased with Tiffany Towncar.

Now, that is what I call magical. I am so happy that you are having a wonderful time.

[Dan Murphy]

Originally Posted by robinbutterfly

At Swan now...just wanted to say, we love this place!!!

Enjoy the trip!!

Originally Posted by ireland_nicole

Here now- everything so far has been amazing! The room is immaculate, the staff has all been wonderful. I am I love with the view from my room - we are on the 12th floor over the top of the shell to the fountain - straight ahead I see the swan, 45 degrees to the right I can see a panoramic view of the studios and to the left I see most of world showcase- watched illuminations from the room last night after the most incredible dinner at Bluezoo- I definitely think I may have found my new WDW home- also very pleased with Tiffany Towncar.

Well, that sure sounds great to me, and sounds like the S/D I know.

[nessz79]

We'll be at the Dolphin tomorrow! Can't wait!

[GC&S]

Just returned from our first stay at the Swan. We were there from 10/10 - 10/17. Sadly we did not participate in the F&W party. But we walked through it several times while they were setting it up.

Our room was standard. No upgrade. No biggie because we are rarely in the room. We were on the 3rd floor and faced the front. We overlooked a roof but we could see the Boardwalk and tower of terror. We were close to the elevators and ice machine .

Our room was nice - pretty standard. Loved having two sinks. Hated no fan in the bathroom. DH hated the coffee until he figured out it as the water. When he started using bottled water he said it was much better .
No bedbugs.

We had a $100 credit that came with our package. It was a little confusing because no one really knew how it was applied or the limitations of it. So we ended up charging to the room and then the credit came off at the end. We just had to keep track of how much we spent so we knew when we used it all.

We ate at the Fountain 3 times, once for dinner, twice for ice cream. Very good and good service. We got milk at Picabus. Wished we could have bought milk at the Swan.

The pool was gorgeous. But the main pool was freezing. Very few people could swim in it. We ended up in the lap pool where it was warmer. DH did not know the pool was having issues before we got there (rumors about it being closed for refurb). He said they were probably trying to kill algae by keeping it so cold. But it was disappointing that it was too cold to swim in it. We asked a couple employees why it was so cold and they said they didnt know but several people had complained about it. But it is a nice pool and dd enjoyed it. It onlt took a couple hours to get her body temp back to normal .

I dont know if we would return. It was a nice place but it was so business like. We didnt see a lot of families and sometimes almost felt out of place. When we arrived a conference group was checking in and we waited in line for 1/2 hour as only one person was checking people in. They finally brought out another employee. We were not able to get luggage assistance (were told conference attendees were being assisted first and there was a lot of them).

We did the mini golf at Fantasia Gardens which was a lot of fun (but really hot!). We used our water park and more feature and it was only good up until 4p.m. We literally ran to the golf as it was 3:50 when we found out. We had just returned from Typhoon Lagoon and I was exhausted! But it was really cute.

The Dolphin was gorgeous and I would have loved to eat at the Blue Zoo. DD (10) was not interested and I dont think we had the appropriate clothes.

We used Tiffany Town Car and it was great. We couldnt find our driver when we got to baggage claim but he showed up about 15 minutes later and all was well. Nice not having to stop at other resorts on the way to ours.

I'm glad we tried it but would probably stay at YC or BC if we stayed in the Epcot area. Of course if we got a great rate for the Swan/Dolphin, I'm sure our minds could be changed quickly.

[SingingMom]

Originally Posted by nessz79

We'll be at the Dolphin tomorrow! Can't wait!

Have a great time!! We have to wait until JANUARY!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

[Flews]

Originally Posted by GC&S

Just returned from our first stay at the Swan. We were there from 10/10 - 10/17. Sadly we did not participate in the F&W party. But we walked through it several times while they were setting it up.


The pool was gorgeous. But the main pool was freezing. Very few people could swim in it. We ended up in the lap pool where it was warmer. DH did not know the pool was having issues before we got there (rumors about it being closed for refurb). He said they were probably trying to kill algae by keeping it so cold. But it was disappointing that it was too cold to swim in it. We asked a couple employees why it was so cold and they said they didnt know but several people had complained about it. But it is a nice pool and dd enjoyed it. It onlt took a couple hours to get her body temp back to normal . .

To each their own I guess. We're here now, and have been for a week. The pool feels a bit cool - probably because the air is so hot - the temperatures have been consistently in the mid-to-high 80s. But we've been in every day, along with many other families. We also warm up in the hot-tubs.

Oh we'll, off to AK for the "scary dinosaurs". Then back to the pools before heading off to Epcot again this evening.

Cheers,

[NancyIL]

I'll be back 6 weeks from today!

[Debrn]

At Dolphin now. Love it. Called to try and get nurses rate for end of Feb. was told dolphin is sold out and cheapest room with the discount at Swan is 269 per night. I will be keeping my BC reservations.

[hoglund]

I have two children, aged 5 and 2. We've been to Disney a couple of times with them and we've stayed at a suite those times.

We are booked in for a standard room in the Swan and we're wondering if anyone has any feedback on what the noise level might be like (i.e. from the hallway, from the attached rooms).

Thanks in advance!

[Dan Murphy]

I never hear anything in the hotel room at all. I do hear (and enjoy) hearing the toots from the Friendships outside on the waterway. Not too loud though, just right. If in your room when Illuminations goes off, you can hear (and feel) the louder, more powerful blasts. Again, not terribly loud though. I think you can hear both the boats and Illuminations throughout the Epcot resort area.