how far is pool from swan/dolphin lobby?

[Crazy4mandms]

Just curious, from looking at the pics, the Grotto pool seems an awful long way from the lobby (and the rooms!). The one thing I really enjoyed about the ASsp and the POFQ is that the pool was less than a minute away from our room. I'm thinking of staying at the S/D in May (and also thinking of staying at the As again, or a mod or th AKL ...too many darn wonderul choices! Was hoping to maybe get S/D teacher discount). I would hate to have to take a 10 minute walk every time I wanted a quick dip!). Also, is one closer to the pool than another? Thank you

 

[Pea-n-Me]

There are several (very nice) pools, most are closer to the Dolphin than the Swan, although they are between the two. Our room at the Dolphin was in the last rear arm, we were a very short walk to the Grotto pool, probably took about 2 minutes to get there. I was surprised at what a short walk it was to get to our room from the lobby and most places we wanted to go. We really enjoyed our stay there. Good luck.

 

[LiteBrite]

I agree with Pea-n-Me, the walk from the lobby to the grotto pool is no big deal. (I'm talking from the Dolphin lobby, but since the pool is roughly midway between the two, I'm assuming the same is true for the Swan). It's shorter than it looks.

 

[AJKMOM]

Although I never stayed at either, I did go there to look around, and I also agree. There isn't a long walk anywhere, the maps make it look longer than it is. I was surprised at how close the pool was to both resorts. And, it looked like a really nice pool area.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, I have to say I was very impressed with the pools. Very clean and bright. Floats and such available. Beach balls everywhere with water basketball and volleyball nets. Nice slide. Plenty of space. Food, drinks. Beach. Hot tubs. Playground. On and on. Over near cabana bar there was a (real) basketball area and ping pong table, didn't notice what else. Swan boats available for rent. Watched fireworks from Illuminations from beach. I look forward to staying there again someday.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

When you watched the fireworks was the beach crowded? The S/D looks like it would be the cheapest way to go for our family of 5. I'm just not sure if I want to give up being immersed in that Disney magic!! Also, if I could ask one more question; is it a quick walk to the Boardwalk? Thanks so much!!

 

[wwaleye]

Stayed at the S/D a couple of years ago. Beautiful hotel!! Will never stay there again because it is so big. Anytime you want to go anywhere you have to walk at least 7-10 minutes. The pool is the farthest. Forgot your book you wanted to look at while soaking up the sun? Back to the room and then back to the pool. Got a kid that wants to use the room bathroom only? Back to the room and then back to the pool. Also, the last thing I wanted to do after walking in the park all day was an extra 15 minute walk to my room from the car. Nothing against the hotel at all, it just wasn't for me.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

LOL, we were the only ones on the beach - definitely no crowds. Granted, it was drizzling, and you couldn't actually watch Illuminations, just the fireworks - but we enjoyed it. At the same time there were fireworks coming from another direction - we summized it was the fireworks from MNSSHP which were also going on around the same time that night (we'd seen them earlier that week). I'll edit in a couple of pictures later on this post.

All I can say is we felt plenty of Disney Magic. We were immersed in it!! Maybe it was the fact that we could see Tower of Terror right from our patio, hop on a Friendship boat out front, shop Disney merchandise in the lobby, watch fireworks from the beach, or walk the Boardwalk before bedtime, I dunno. And oh yes, the walk around the resort was no longer than in any other resort we've stayed in at WDW.

ETA: Here is a picture I took from the top of the slide at the Grotto pool. It gives you a good idea of where things are. Straight ahead is the 4th rear arm of the Dolphin (far right arm on back) - our room was here, straight ahead. You can see the beach and swan boats in the middle. On the right is where you get the boat. On the left (where white car is) is where you get the bus. There are three other pools beside the grotto pool to the left - two kiddie and one lap - there is another lap pool at the Swan which you cannot see but is on the far right. Also to the right is a playground. We saw the fireworks (over to the right from Epcot and I think MK on the left) while we were right on the beach in the picture.

 

[Blondie]

The Dolphin is a large resort, there's no doubt about it! But most of the walking is done indoors out of the heat. As soon as you walk out the door by the Health Club there is a lap pool. Just beyond that and a few steps away is the Grotto Pool.

It's not that bad, really!

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Thank you so much!!

 

[WDWNicole]

I was also concerned that staying at the Dolphin wouldn't feel Disney-like, but it was great. We stayed there last Christmas and I think the service in the hotel was actually better than the Disney Resorts. They turned down our beds every night, changed the towels and emptied the garbage. All and all a great experience.

The pool was a little bit of a hike, but not that bad and it was nice to be able to walk to Epcot and MGM.

 

[swilphil]

From the lobby at the Dolphin, the Grotto pool is about a 3 minute walk. From the lobby of the Swan, it is about 4 minutes. If you get a room on the West Wing of the Dolphin, you will be closest to the pool. We did stay in the East Wing of the Dolphin, and the walk to the lobby took a little longer. We liked the Swan better because it was so much smaller, and the walk to the grotto pool is not bad at all.