Going to the Swan next week - any tips?

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hey everyone,

Yesterday I decided to attend a trade show in Orlando on 8/7. Called my sister and she's going to meet me at WDW on 8/4 and we're going to stay at the Swan.

Just wondered if you could give me any hints, tips etc about this hotel, good places to eat, that kind of thing. Never been to the Swan OR Dolphin before. Kinda skimmed through the Swan/Dolphin threads but they are huge!

We booked a std room, 2 queens with heavenly beds (can't wait to try that!). Have Starwood Gold number in ressie. Is there a specific area of the hotel to ask for - good views etc? Can we expect an upgrade with Starwood Gold?

Thanks! I'm so excited!

 

[Connears]

We loved the Swan last 12/28-1/02/04. We were on 11th floor with is CL and really enjoyed all the lounge offerings, service and staff. You can ask to upgrade at check-in. We had a view of TOT at MGM. waterway to MGM and BWV. We actually had a great view of the fireworks at Fantasmic. You can ask for a view upgrade to Epcot/Boardwalk view. we did not have a balcony, but views are not that important to us. Location is great-walked to Boardwalk and Epcot or boated;boat to MGM and bussed to MK and drove to AK. Eat at Fresh in the Dolphin for breakfast/lunch..it is wonderful. We walked in with no PS on 12/30 at 1pm and were seated immediately. You can see the menu at allearsnet.com Dolphin Fountain is good for burgers and icecream( a close second to Beaches and Cream. The grotto pool is really nice. Friends of our ate at Palio and loved it, but we did not try it. Service all around was wonderful. I would try for CL with SPG gold. Have fun!
Connears

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks Connears, for the tips. Sounds like you had a wonderful stay! I'm excited because I've never stayed at an Epcot area deluxe resort. Hope we can get a good view - can't wait to try those beds!

 

[swilphil]

I think that is the time they are running a special that includes an upgrade and late check out at 4 pm. Make sure you have the code, or what ever it is, added to your ressie. There should be info at the top of this board on the Swan/Dolphin DIS special or call the Swan. If you have lots of points on your spg gold card, you might be able to upgrade to Club level or a suite. I'm like the other poster, view is not that important to me. We are never in the room for fireworks, so I'd rather have another type of upgrade. A balcony might be nice. If nothing else, you'll have someplace to dry your bathing suit!

We stayed at the Swan two weeks ago. Our room was around the corner from the elevator but not too close. The ice machine is by the elevator and it is noisy. One thing I loved was that the concierage desk in the lobby will make PS's for you. We were able to get several supposedly hard to get restaurants. Just stop by the desk and see what they can do for you. You don't have to be staying concierage or Club Level for this service.

If you're coffee drinkers, Tubbi's has Starbucks and you can buy a mug at the beginning of your trip with free refills on both coffee and soda. Many of the WDW restaurants, though they are wonderful, have absolutely horrible coffee. It was so nice to be able to go to Tubbi's for the good stuff.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks Sherri,

Don't drink coffee but are big diet soda drinkers. If we're staying at the Swan is it really out of the way to go to the Dolphin for drinks?

The Starwood points are my sister's but I did notice she had thousands of 'em (does lots of business travel). Do you have any idea how many points it would take to upgrade to a suite, or CL? I guess we can talk about it all at check in but it'd be nice to have a idea . . .

That is great that they'll help you with PS's. I was concerned about that as we are going on short notice, my sis and I live in different states, and we probably won't talk about dining until we get there. That is a great tip!

Does it ever happen that you just get a free upgrade? The DIS special doesn't start until the 13th unfortunately. We are going 8/4 - 8/8. Too bad, that's a good deal. We ended up just using a AAA discount.

Thanks again for the help

 

[DisneyFans4]

LadyTramp
Have a great trip!
I'm going to the Swan for the first time myself but we'll just miss you. We're arriving on Aug. 10.

Sherri-
Thanks for letting me know that Tubbi's has Starbucks! You didn't tell me that before.....I know we have the in room coffee and I am staying CL but it's nice to know that a coffee shop from home is there.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Sherri
If I'M staying CL, is it still worth it to buy the refill mug?
Wait!! Maybe it is if I can refill with Starbucks. I'm going to need that pick me up when I get up early to do that laundry which I think I remember your telling me is right next door to the laundry room.
Is Tubbi's open 24 hrs?
Let me know....

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks DisneyFans4 - hope you have a great trip also!

 

[DisneyFans4]

LadyTramp-
If you can, let me know how your trip went when you return since I won't be leaving on Aug. 10 and I'd love to know how your trip went and if you enjoyed your Swan stay.
Thanks!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I will. If I come up with any tips I'll let you know

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks!
Wow..girls only. Lucky you!!
Have a great time.

 

[BuzzMe]

Enjoy every minute! We love the Swan. We upgraded to CL at check in this past June for 1250 pts (which still haven't been deducted from my account).

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks!

Yes, it will be a short but very fun trip I'm sure

Oh, we have plenty of points for an upgrade

Can't wait to see the Swan.

Hope you guys have wonderful trips!

 

[PamNC]

at the Swan or Dolphin but we're considering trying it at some point if we can tear ourselves away from the Poly. Get yourself some sushi at Kimonos - it's fantastic! And they have nightly karoake which is loads of fun if there are enough people.

Blue Zoo - one word - DELICIOUS! It's at the Dolphin and it's a tremendous, trendy restaurant. We were blown away.

The Swan has a great breakfast place - Garden Cove Cafe. Fantastic buffet and we don't typically like buffets. The eggs are cooked to order.

All of this talk makes me want to take advantage of the DIS code and go for a quickie trip.

PamNC

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

You should! I've had a hard time tearing myself away from the Disney resorts to try the Swan or Dolphin too. It just happened to work better for us this trip and I'm looking forward to checking them out.

I'm thinking I wish we had more than a few days to try all these places to eat!

Thanks for the reviews!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Pam
Thanks for the reviews on the restaurants since as you've seen in prior posts this is our first visit to the Swan also and I can't wait. It's just a matter of time now.
My DH and I are big sushi fans so I'm anxious to try that there.