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

[hsmamato2]

that Bing map ROCKS I can see what you mean now about swan being a quicker walk than dolphin- I can also see the walkway to the 2 parks! which hotel is better for room views? like of parks at night? And..it appears the pool area here is about as big as the Beach club(?!)

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by bas71873

If we wanted to check out the S/D on our trip this summer and have dinner there and wander around, would we be charged to park?

Yes. To avoid this, park across the street at the mini-golf. Or go to one of the parks/DTD and take the Swolphin bus from there.

[SRUAlmn]

Originally Posted by olive

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one.

We are also considering a 2 bedroom suite at either Swan or Dolphin; right now we have two rooms booked, one for my parents and one for us. We have shared 2 bedroom suites on other vacations - though not at the Swan or Dolphin - and everyone has a good time. How are views for these suites? I think I read on here somewhere that there are no Epcot/Spaceship Earth views available for those rooms?

Thanks!

Apricot Ball! That is so cute!!

As for the 2 bedroom suites...we are currently booked in a 2 bedroom grand suite at the Dolphin for June. When we booked they said there are none that have Epcot views, and there are none that have balconies. They did say that a couple in the Swan had balconies, but then they said "probably only 1 or 2," and that wasn't convincing enough for me (especially knowing that it would only be a request, and not guaranteed) I can let you know when we get back how our view was. We thought the suite was a way better deal then getting 2 rooms since we'll have 3 bathrooms, plus the living and dining areas. Our travel party is almost all girls, so the extra bathrooms and space for luggage is HUGE to us

[TaraPA]

Originally Posted by olive

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one.

We are also considering a 2 bedroom suite at either Swan or Dolphin; right now we have two rooms booked, one for my parents and one for us. We have shared 2 bedroom suites on other vacations - though not at the Swan or Dolphin - and everyone has a good time. How are views for these suites? I think I read on here somewhere that there are no Epcot/Spaceship Earth views available for those rooms?

Thanks!

Generally speaking, no, you cannot see Spaceship Earth with any view/category at The Swan. Now, you might be able to lean to one side really far & tilt your head & catch it, but nothing guaranteed!

We had a 2BR suite at The Swan that had 3 balconies but no view. It wasn't a bad view, but we were tucked in a corner of the bulding & overlooked the waterway between Swan & BW.

[Dan Murphy]

Originally Posted by bas71873

If we wanted to check out the S/D on our trip this summer and have dinner there and wander around, would we be charged to park?

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html See item 5.

Originally Posted by olive

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one......

If you have Swan Epcot view, you will need to be about on 7th floor or higher to view Epcot.....SE, France is about it. I think there are 9 in the Swan.

Originally Posted by hsmamato2

that Bing map ROCKS I can see what you mean now about swan being a quicker walk than dolphin- I can also see the walkway to the 2 parks! which hotel is better for room views? like of parks at night? And..it appears the pool area here is about as big as the Beach club(?!)

Dolphin probably has more rooms with Epcot view.

The shared pool/beach area is huge, probably as big as shared Y&BC.

[OKW Lover]

Can anybody tell me why the doormen seem to automatically call for a town car when you ask them to get you a taxi?

I'm guessing there is some kind of financial arrangement with the town car company and the hotel.

[LexiC123]

Originally Posted by olive

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one.

We are also considering a 2 bedroom suite at either Swan or Dolphin; right now we have two rooms booked, one for my parents and one for us. We have shared 2 bedroom suites on other vacations - though not at the Swan or Dolphin - and everyone has a good time. How are views for these suites? I think I read on here somewhere that there are no Epcot/Spaceship Earth views available for those rooms?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by TaraPA

Generally speaking, no, you cannot see Spaceship Earth with any view/category at The Swan. Now, you might be able to lean to one side really far & tilt your head & catch it, but nothing guaranteed!

We had a 2BR suite at The Swan that had 3 balconies but no view. It wasn't a bad view, but we were tucked in a corner of the bulding & overlooked the waterway between Swan & BW.

Tara definitely has more experience with suites than I have, but there are a few rooms at the Swan that offer views of the Apricot Ball.

A couple of years ago, we had this view from Room 592, a deluxe alcove room in the West Wing:

I'd imagine that the balcony rooms on the outer edge of the East Wing would also have some kind of a view, as well as the rooms on the eastern end of the 8th and 9th floors of the main part of the building.

[Mackie Mouse]

Originally Posted by melissam2003

I have read the thread & found so much helpful information!

I'm in the middle of planning our first trip to Disney which has been extremely overwhelming! We have friends that are planning to stay at a Disney All Star resort but however I've been leaning to the Dolphin resort!

-Again this is our first trip, no kids & we are both in our 20's considering this do you think the dolphin would be a great stay for us?
-I have major hotel phobias & by the looks of the photos I believe I would be content in staying here
-I have joined SPG after reading the thread & wondering if joinging AAA would be worth it also for us?

Thanks for all the information in this thread it has been EXTREMELY helpful, Hoping to have our room reserved within the next few days for beginning of Oct.

Not much to add here, except that I was in a similar position this time last year to you, except that I was a WDW vet getting ready to stay at the Dolphin for the first time. My husband and I honeymooned in WDW and on a Disney cruise in 2009 and were looking to go back for our anniversary last summer. (We are both in our late 20's and are still childless.) We made a HUGE mistake staying for two nights at the All Star Sports on our honeymoon! The hotel was perfectly lovely, but was far too noisy and filled with families and small children to make it feel like a proper honeymoon retreat.

On the other hand, our stay at the Dolphin last year was phenomenal! We signed up for SPG beforehand, and I used my teacher discount for the room. When we got there, they had noted it was our anniversary and upgraded us for free to a deluxe alcove room (with two separate balconies and an Epcot fireworks view!). Service was impeccable, especially when one morning my "everyday" necklace slid right down the sink drain. Maintenance was up there with a wrench fishing it out and ready with disinfectant for my beloved jewelry within about 15 min. The bartenders at the lobby lounge were friendly and ready on a few occasions to help us cap off our night, and a highlight of the trip was arriving "home" just in time to grab sundaes from The Fountain and watch Illuminations from our balcony. I can say without hesitation that last summer's trip was my favorite WDW trip ever, and it would take some VERY steep discounts to lure me away from the Dolphin!

I would also make sure you keep checking this thread for further discounts. As I said, I initially booked my room with the teacher discount. However, in January Starwood offered a "Superbowl" discount (anyone from the home states of the competing teams got a free night every third night, or something to that effect) and it turned out to save me a few extra dollars. Reps on the phone had no problem crunching the numbers for me and making the switch.

Anyway...ENJOY! Get ready to fall in love with everything about the World, especially your choice of hotel.

[melissam2003]

To Mackie Mouse thank you so much for the reassurance that I have made the right decision for our first WDW trip!!
Also thanks for the heads up to check discounts occasionally!

[Mackie Mouse]

Originally Posted by melissam2003

To Mackie Mouse thank you so much for the reassurance that I have made the right decision for our first WDW trip!!
Also thanks for the heads up to check discounts occasionally!

You are very welcome! On a weekly basis I find myself wishing I could re-live that trip. And oh...do not let the pool at the S/D pass you by! DH and I are not huge pool people, so I basically passed up how amazing the pool is in my research. Let's just say it puts the pools at the All Stars to shame and leave it at that! Enjoy the waterfall

If you want any tips on WDW activities for adults...don't hesitate to PM me!

[chrisf21]

So the countdown begins, less than a month till we stay at Swan. Thanks to the nice suggestions on the board, the other night I called up Starwood and had my AAA membership linked to Starwood Card and they upgraded it. The man on the phone was SUPER nice, I mean really really nice. We had a lovely chat. Tonight, I logged in and my reservation no longer says limited view, it says Resort View! I take that as an upgrade )))

Happy Dance! Time to start booking restaurant reservations soon.. I know where we will go at Swan, but undecided where to go at Epicot... I think I liked France last time... nice food from what I recall.

Need to find a nice restaurant at one other hotel just for variety... I heard good things about California Grille? But I also heard there are tons of kids everywhere so maybe not.... Just the hubby and I. The one at the Grand Floridian is too pricey the one that has no kids... I want nice ambiance and good food and some kids is ok, just not crazy loud running all over the place... any suggestions? Boardwalk maybe, or is there a good one at Animal Kingdom Lodge or Fort Wilderness or Downtown Disney? So excited for trip. Short but sweet. I think I may rent a scooter too, I'm concerned about how the heat and walking will affect my RSD. (complex regional pain syndrome) Not looking forward to the lines, but I am determined to try and have a stress free break

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by chrisf21

So the countdown begins, less than a month till we stay at Swan. Thanks to the nice suggestions on the board, the other night I called up Starwood and had my AAA membership linked to Starwood Card and they upgraded it. The man on the phone was SUPER nice, I mean really really nice. We had a lovely chat. Tonight, I logged in and my reservation no longer says limited view, it says Resort View! I take that as an upgrade )))

Happy Dance! Time to start booking restaurant reservations soon.. I know where we will go at Swan, but undecided where to go at Epicot... I think I liked France last time... nice food from what I recall.

Need to find a nice restaurant at one other hotel just for variety... I heard good things about California Grille? But I also heard there are tons of kids everywhere so maybe not.... Just the hubby and I. The one at the Grand Floridian is too pricey the one that has no kids... I want nice ambiance and good food and some kids is ok, just not crazy loud running all over the place... any suggestions? Boardwalk maybe, or is there a good one at Animal Kingdom Lodge or Fort Wilderness or Downtown Disney? So excited for trip. Short but sweet. I think I may rent a scooter too, I'm concerned about how the heat and walking will affect my RSD. (complex regional pain syndrome) Not looking forward to the lines, but I am determined to try and have a stress free break

Just a quick suggestion: you might enjoy Narcoossees at Grand Floridian. It is Signature Dining, but not as expensive as Victoria & Alberts. We've had some wonderful meals there.

[chrisf21]

Originally Posted by RachelTori

Just a quick suggestion: you might enjoy Narcoossees at Grand Floridian. It is Signature Dining, but not as expensive as Victoria & Alberts. We've had some wonderful meals there.

Thank you for the suggestion, I am going to look them up Narcoossees sounds interesting.

[Dan Murphy]

Originally Posted by chrisf21

.....Need to find a nice restaurant at one other hotel just for variety... I heard good things about California Grille? But I also heard there are tons of kids everywhere so maybe not.... Just the hubby and I. The one at the Grand Floridian is too pricey the one that has no kids... I want nice ambiance and good food and some kids is ok, just not crazy loud running all over the place... any suggestions? Boardwalk maybe, or is there a good one at Animal Kingdom Lodge or Fort Wilderness or Downtown Disney? ...

Yachtsman Steakhouse at Yacht Club, Artist Point at WL, Jiko at AKL, Flying Fish at BW, Portobellos at DtD..

[melissam2003]

Just wondering if you combine your AAA & SPG and happen to get an upgrade does it normally happen closer to your stay?
No big deal if we don't get an upgrade but of course it would be nice!