HELP! Swan first timer!!!

[wendy1974]

I am planning on trying to stay at the Swan in May. Right now the Dolphin is booked at that time due to a convention. I need help from anyone who has stayed at the Swan before. Will it make a big difference because a convention will be going on while I am there (will I even notice)? Also, I have questions about transportation:Is it good to all of the parks and how long is the normal wait for a bus or water taxi? Will the Dolphin being at max. capacity affect transportation? Do guests at the Swan get to take advantage of early entry and extra magic hours? One final question...How is the eating situation? We are looking for quick meals in the morning (basically we are used to PORiverside)grabbing something from the bakery. I appreciate any advice or suggestions

 

[wendy1974]

Bumping

Please, Please, Please Help!!!

 

[finnie48]

Swan -

Hi Wendy,

We were at the Swan last August and had a great seven day stay. Of course the location can't be beat - walk or boat to MGM and Epcot, many dining choices, great pool. Not much of a quick breakfast selection at the Swan itself, but Tubbi's (24/7) at the Dolphin just a real short walk, and we had buns and such from the Boardwalk Bakery a few times on our way to Epcot. Lobby Court Lounge (Swan) has very good coffee which we preferred over what was in our room.

There was a convention while we were there, but hardly noticed as they did not overwhelm the resort at all. Transportation was excellent to all places. All the amenities that you would have a a WDW owned resort, you will have at the S/D, except for the ability to charge back to your room. And that incudes extra magic hours and resort delivery for packages.

Are you able to take advantage of the special discounts offered to gov't employees, nurses, or teachers? I believe they start at $149 for a standard room. Have a most magical trip!!!

Peg & Bob

 

[Conkozan]

My nephew loved Tubbies Buffeteria and pricing was not bad at all.

There was a Lotus Convention when we were there, and other than people dressed up around 5pm for their dinner parties, we barely noticed

connie

 

[CamColt]

I was at the Swan about a month ago when it was booked to capacity due to a convention.
Yes. I saw the people involved walking around the lobby area, in the hallways, and elevators quite a bit, but it didnt affect me at all. Once I started to feel a bit funny being in the elevator, surrounded by "suits" when I just returned from the pool. Then I thought, hey, they are the poor people that have to be here and work, Im having fun, what do I care what I look like.

During both my visits to the Swan, transportation has always been great. Never a long wait for a bus or boat. the only problem I had with the bus was on the last trip due to the convention, they had a ton of luggage out in the bus stop area. I went there to wait for a bus and soon saw one drive right by me. The bus stop had been changed to the other side of the entrance and they didnt have any signs noting that.

As for a quick breakfast I believe there is a little coffe stand in the lobby area that sells muffins, bagles and the like, however Ive never eaten there. Tubbies at the Dolphin is also good for a quick breakfast...and they have Krispy Kremes. We like to take a stroll to the BW(a very quick walk), grab a bite at the bakery and eat out along the water.

 

[swilphil]

The transportation from the Swan is excellent--you can walk to Epcot and the boat to MGM has never been too full to pick up everyone waiting during my two stays. The Swan is the first pick up on the bus route to MK, so you'll be assured a seat. You will get all the emh and disney transportation benefits of all the other Disney resorts. The only thing you can't do is charge to your room card. The convention goers never bothered me a bit. You see some people walking around in business suits, but I've never understood what the big problem is with that. It's not like your expected to tip toe around quietly when you're on vacation. Tubbi's a good place to grab a quick bite to eat in the morning, and they're open 24 hours a day in case you're an early riser or you want to get something the night before. Tubbi's also serves Starbucks coffee, and you can put that in your refillable mug.

 

[jwfla422]

Hi and don't worry!
You'll love the Swan. Just because the Dolphin is full does not mean anything. The Swan can be full and it's not really bad. As you figured there are probably a few conventions going on which will not have any affect on your WDW vacation. The Swan is practically our home away from home. We know many of the great CMs who work there too!

The little coffee stand CamColt mentioned is the lounge area you see when entering through the back doors. This is great for a quick bite (for muffins, bagels, juice, coffee, etc). If you want a bigger breakfast then Tubbi's at the Dolphin is a good alternative (we love Fresh at the Dolphin--which is also pretty quick).

The boats run every 10-15 minutes, they're great. The buses run about the same with a little more time between in the middle of the day. You can walk to either Epcot or MGM although it is a bit of a walk, but we've done it plenty of times. And as already mentioned you do have the same priviledges as those staying at WDW resorts do (EE, etc). The only thing you cannot do is charge to your room (you can only do this within the S/D resorts).

To be honest with you, we've stayed at PO Riverside once and IMHO I dont' think the 2 compare, the Swan is an upscale deluxe resort with the most comfy beds in all of WDW. We're just spoiled "deluxers" and when it was time to stay in a moderate I was a snob!! LOL!! (I think this April/May will be our 10th Swan stay!!)

 

[wld]

We stayed at the Swan a couple of years ago in May and loved it. The service and attention was the best we ever received at WDW. There was a convention there but the only time we saw them were at that little coffee shop. And like another poster I felt sorry that they were all dressed up for a meeting and we were on our way to the park. Transportation was never a problem whether by boat or bus. We walked sometimes. Seems like we only ate at the hotel once and that was the sit down restaurant. If I could get a decent rate I would be there again in a heartbeat conventions or not!

 

[wendy1974]

Thank you all so much for the wealth of valuable information. My sister works for the Four Points Sheraton/Westin resorts and will be able to check in March if there are any available rooms and if there are she will be able to get us an employee rate which can't be beat! I really hope that we are able to stay at the Swan after all of the great things that I have heard.

 

[Rhonda922]

Hi:

I'm also a Swan first-timer. I will be booking this week for May. Are some of the rooms better than others? It'll just be DH and myself. I'm wondering if there's a specific area/view/floor of the hotel that we should request.

thanks.

 

[PamNC]

We stayed there for the first time over Thanksgiving. We've only stayed at Disney owned resorts, so we were a little nervous about it. But, we got a great rate so we tried it. Turned out we LOVED the Swan. Water transportation was very good, plus you can walk to MGM and Epcot. We had a car so we didn't deal with the buses. There are so many dining options both at the Swan and Dolphin, not to mention the boardwalk area. You must have breakfast at Fresh. And, Garden Grove. Blue Zoo is excellent as well.
I can't answer your question about the convention, there didn't seem to be one going on when we were there. I don't think it would bother me. I'm so enthralled with the Disney spirit when I'm there, folks there on business couldn't spoil it for me.

The S/D are wonderful. You'll love the location, the customer service and the dining options. The grotto pool is nice too.

PamNC

 

[wld]

I just mentioned we would appreciate a room with a beautiful view and we got upgraded to a balcony room facing the lagoon where the boats dock. We could see some fireworks too.

 

[jenjersnap]

Anyone know if S&D discounts come out regularly and by what approximate schedule? Just curious if they usually have some sort of discount in May or whether convention season means that they do not have to discount ...