Grotto Pool @ Swan/Dolphin Pictures Opinions?

[maui2k5]

I will be staying at the WDW Swan from Sept 22-Oct 1 with my girlfriend and my parents. I have always stayed previously at Disney owned hotels so this will be a first at a non Disney hotel. One thing I was wondering about were opinions from those of you that stayed at the Swan or Dolphin and your thoughts on the pool area? Is it crowded? Is it open 24 hours? Is it heated? Is the water over chlorinated? How does it compare to other Deluxe pools on Disney property? Does anyone have pictures (I saw the ones on swandolphin.com and wdwinfo.com) but visitor pics are good to see also.

Thanks and just about 3 weeks left until we are there! First trip in 6+ yrs!!!

 

[paras4ri]

We've enjoyed the Grotto pool on our 2 past visits to the World. It's beautiful and big and it has several sections so even when there are many people there it doesn't seem crowded. We've never had trouble finding chairs.

Both of our stays were in the summer so the pool was certainly warm. I've heard others say that as it gets cooler in Florida (winter) it does seem cooler than other pools - but that could be because it's so large. I don't think you'll notice that since you're going in just 3 weeks. I've never had any trouble with chlorine and my eyes are sensitive.

 

[xmelissax]

I'd like to see more pictures too if anyone has any. I'll be staying at the Dolphin for the first time in Jan. and though I know it might be cold I still plan on swimming

 

[Sammy]

We loved the grotto pool! Even DH was going down the water slide! There is a section behind the waterfall with chairs and changing rooms/bathrooms....my kids got a big kick out of sitting behind the waterfall! I do have one nice photo of the waterfall...hope this works:

Sammy

 

[*Fantasia*]

Are there a lot of shallow areas? I mean under 4ft. And the slide, how deep is the water where the slide dumps you? Are the floaties allowed when going down the slide? My daughter is not a swimmer yet. Thanks for any infos you can share with me.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We just returned from a GREAT trip to WDW. The first part of our stay was at the Dolphin (first time there). Unfortunately I didn't take any pics while in the pool, but I was impressed with the Grotto pool area. The grotto pool was huge compared to the disney deluxe resort pools. (I have stayed at all deluxe except the BWI.) We were there the middle of August and the water was warm, the pool was not crowded at all (Disney pools are so much smaller and seem too small for the size of the resorts, IMO and are usually pretty crowded during the summer), the slide is lots of fun. My girls spent 3 hours swimming one afternoon- and that is unusual as we have our own great pool and they are usually "swimmed out" and not interested in swimming too much on vacation. We arrived at the pool about 11 am on a SUNNY HOT day and didn't have trouble finding a couple lounge chairs for our stuff. In fact, I moved our stuff with no trouble to different areas of the pools so that I could keep an eye on it There is a little stand on the side of the pool where you can buy frozen drinks and snowcones and there is a lady doing hair wraps, too.


Fantasia - I brought water wings for my 5 yr old. She can swim, but I just worry about her if she gets out of my sight. The grotto pool did not have a lot of shallower areas. I think it was mostly 4 feet and a bit deeper. The slide, I believe empties into 4 foot water. There is a life guard right there at the bottom and one at the top of the slide. They have life vests for the kids to use and that is what we did. They wouldn't let us use the wings on the slide. My girls really enjoyed the slide.

There are several pools right there in addition to the grotto pool. One is a huge round pool that is shallower (maybe 3 feet) at the edges and gets deeper toward the center. Those are the two we used, but there is also a lap pool and maybe one other.

The pool area is lovely. Very lush with pretty tropical plants and waterfalls. There is a hot tub - which we did not use in the 95 degree heat!! There is a white sandy area adjacent to the pool area where they rent swan pedal boats.

I think the S/D pool area puts the Disney deluxe pools to shame a bit. I like some of the Disney resorts better, but the pool area at the S/D is great.

Have fun, everyone!

Lives4Disney :earsgirl

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

I have to say that after visiting/staying in the various resorts of WDW, other then Yacht/Beach Club pool ... the Grotto Pool is a definite SECOND! It's so big like everyone says and has so much to offer. Multiple types of pools, a nice slide, great jacuzzi, beach, food, everything! People put down the Swan & Dolphin, are they MISSING OUT! They even have a basketball court and open area where you can play sports! Add the great beach where you can walk along, this place is great!

Try it out and hopefully you will see how great of a resort the Swan & Dolphin is!

 

[DisneyFans4]

You will love the grotto pool. It is so big that it never seems crowded to me. If you want some quiet then you have the choice of the 2 quiet pools which are against each hotel. The grotto pool also has a jacuzzi area which is very nice.
I did not feel the pool was overcholorinated at all and I could never smell it on me after coming out which is good. I too don't like alot of cholorine in a pool but it was never an issue at the grotto pool.
New this year they have pool activities which usually start around noon. You can go to their website to see the different activities. At least once a week at night they have a "dive-in movie" which is shown by the waterfall and guests can float on tubes and watch the movie. During our stay they were playing The Incredibles.
In my personal opinion people say these hotels are non-Disney but to me they are even more Disney oriented. You may not getting a Mickey wakeup call or have Mickey toiletries but let me tell you my experience....I had an Epcot view and every morning I saw Spaceship Earth. We watched Illuminations from our balcony every night that we weren't in Epcot and sitting in the club lounge having breakfast I'm staring at the Tower of Terror. Where else can you get views like that except at the Swan/Dolphin?
Epcot and MGM were a walk away if you didn't want to take the boat and we walked the Boardwalk every night since it was right there. I loved watching the boats go by also and truly felt I was at Disney.
From our balcony I could even see the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.
You will truly love your stay here!!!!