NEW-EST...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

[KalBen]

What dining is available off site (not Disney)near the Swan that would be good for a family? Is anything within walking distance? Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[NancyIL]

What dining is available off site (not Disney)near the Swan that would be good for a family? Is anything within walking distance? Any suggestions are appreciated.

There is nothing offsite within walking distance. You have lots of options at the Epcot resorts besides what's at the S/D. The Boardwalk and the Yacht/Beach Club have plenty of dining: Beaches and Cream, Cape May Clambake (dinner) & character breakfast, ESPN Club, Spoodles - to name places I like. You can also take the bus to Downtown Disney for more options: Planet Hollywood, House of Blues (a favorite), Earl of Sandwich, Raglan Road (a new favorite), Ghirardelli (YUMMY!), etc.

 

[BlueFairy]

What dining is available off site (not Disney)near the Swan that would be good for a family? Is anything within walking distance? Any suggestions are appreciated.

KalBen - if you are looking for non-Disney food in particular, from the S/D it will take you about 10 minutes or so to get to the dining/tourist areas outside Disney property (by car). We don't dine off site because of the hassle. There are 2 McDonalds on-site, but they have Disney pricing (one at DTD and one near the AK).

 

[SingingMom]

Hi! Even though I will be vacationing during peak season, 12/22-12/31, I still got a balcony room at the Dolphin for $289 per night....teacher rate. Do you think that this is good???????????????

This is always a "dangerous" type of thread, (just kidding) because somewhere along the line someone has a much lower rate, and you get disappointed! lol

However, Christmas week must be a very high priced time, so you probably did good with the $289 per night.

Last year, my educator rate in June rounded out to be about $250 a night. This year, June again, we are able to get my husband's employee rate (MetLife) and we are paying $139 a night.

And, the "doubles" at the Dolphin really feel more like "queens"...

 

[Dislifer]

This is always a "dangerous" type of thread, (just kidding) because somewhere along the line someone has a much lower rate, and you get disappointed! lol

However, Christmas week must be a very high priced time, so you probably did good with the $289 per night.

Last year, my educator rate in June rounded out to be about $250 a night. This year, June again, we are able to get my husband's employee rate (MetLife) and we are paying $139 a night.

And, the "doubles" at the Dolphin really feel more like "queens"...

That's funny...I know what you mean about this being a "Dangerous" thread!!! I see in your signature that you stayed at the Dolphin last year. Did you like it? Do you recommend it???

 

[Blondie]

I'm not Singing Mom, but we love the Dolphin and I highly recommend it!

 

[Blondie]

This is always a "dangerous" type of thread, (just kidding) because somewhere along the line someone has a much lower rate, and you get disappointed! lol

There are several things I tend to NOT discuss on message boards such as these; politics, religion and room rates!

 

[SingingMom]

That's funny...I know what you mean about this being a "Dangerous" thread!!! I see in your signature that you stayed at the Dolphin last year. Did you like it? Do you recommend it???

Oh yes - we LOVED it!! Location, location, location! And, as much as I love "All things Disney", the Dolphin gives you the feeling of staying in an upscale resort hotel with an "oh, by the way, you are also IN DISNEY!!" , if you know what I mean! I feel like we get "two vacation-atmospheres in one"...

I adored the fact that you can get to the Boardwalk, EPCOT, and MGM by water launch... such a more pleasant mode of transportation than a bus, in my humble opinion! The only thing I will change this year - we will take a taxi to Pleasure Island/Downtown Disney.... the bus seemed to take FOREVER.

Now... if we can figure out how to get the MONORAIL attached to the DOLPHIN & SWAN... I will be in HEAVEN.....

 

[MaggieS79]

Hi everyone! My husband and I are travelling to WDW in December, and we've decided to stay at the Swan or Dolphin (after much deliberation, mainly because of the nurse discount)... so... now... which one??

I think we've decided on a 'standard' king room (no frills, no balcony... ok maybe frills ), I'm just wondering which one we should choose. The main difference I've read is the food court being in the dolphin... is that my main perk? Any other factors? Tell me all the wonderfull things about both of them!

Please!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS, Maggie.

I prefer the Swan, smaller, easier to get around, more intimate feel to it. Dolphin, nice as it is, and with Picabu's (the 24 restaurant), is just a bit too big for me.

 

[SingingMom]

Welcome to the DIS, Maggie.

I prefer the Swan, smaller, easier to get around, more intimate feel to it. Dolphin, nice as it is, and with Picabu's (the 24 restaurant), is just a bit too big for me.

We prefer the Dolphin, for all the reasons that you don't.
We like the big atmosphere, and the option of Picabu's being open 24 hours... I'm sure either one will be wonderful for you and your family!

 

[kapoof]

hi everyone! we were thinking about staying at the dolphin next trip! can anyone tell me how much the junior suites are? thanks!

 

[Blondie]

hi everyone! we were thinking about staying at the dolphin next trip! can anyone tell me how much the junior suites are? thanks!

The price for jr./studio suites vary on the time of year and availability. Best to call the resort directly to get the rates.

Hi everyone! My husband and I are travelling to WDW in December, and we've decided to stay at the Swan or Dolphin (after much deliberation, mainly because of the nurse discount)... so... now... which one??

I think we've decided on a 'standard' king room (no frills, no balcony... ok maybe frills ), I'm just wondering which one we should choose. The main difference I've read is the food court being in the dolphin... is that my main perk? Any other factors? Tell me all the wonderfull things about both of them!

Please!

When it's just DH and myself, we prefer the Swan. It seems more adult oriented, more elegant and just what we're looking for when it's a nice getaway for the two of us. Even though the room decor at both the S/D are identical it still seems more quiet and upscale for some reason.

When we bring our teen sons along, definitely the Dolphin! There's more for them to do with the arcade and Picabu 24 hour buffeteria being right there.

 

[iluvepcot]

If you are splitting your stay at a disney resort and swan or dolphin, do they transfer your luggage?

 

[Harambe]

I have a luggage ?, too! We normally go to a park on our last day, but check out before we go and store our luggage at the resort. We are at the Swan this trip and I hope we can still store our luggage and take off to a park.

I usually have everything packed up the night before and call the front desk early to have someone come and pick up the luggage. Does the Swan do this?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyFanatik]

Hi! Even though I will be vacationing during peak season, 12/22-12/31, I still got a balcony room at the Dolphin for $289 per night....teacher rate. Do you think that this is good???????????????

I got a government rate of $189 for a standard room from 12/22 - 12/30. I was automatically upgraded to a lake view room and I was told that there may be more upgrades available when I check in. I think that the gov't rate and the teacher rate are the same. I have stayed in a balcony room twice, and while they were very nice, I wouldn't spend an extra $100 a night for the room.

Unless you are obsessed with the prime location, I'd rather spend less than $289 and stay at Port Orleans or something like that. OR spend about the same at a disney deluxe.

The rates at Port Orleans for those dates is $199 for a standard view room. ($10 more than the standard gov't rate at the Dolphin). The Yacht Club is $475 a night!

 

[Dislifer]

I got a government rate of $189 for a standard room from 12/22 - 12/30. I was automatically upgraded to a lake view room and I was told that there may be more upgrades available when I check in. I think that the gov't rate and the teacher rate are the same. I have stayed in a balcony room twice, and while they were very nice, I wouldn't spend an extra $100 a night for the room.



The rates at Port Orleans for those dates is $199 for a standard view room. ($10 more than the standard gov't rate at the Dolphin). The Yacht Club is $475 a night!

Wow!!! DisneyFanatik!!! Thanks for the info!!! Balcony is not worth $100 per night for me either!!! I think I am going to call them back!!! Thank you so much!!!

 

[DisneyFanatik]

Wow!!! DisneyFanatik!!! Thanks for the info!!! Balcony is not worth $100 per night for me either!!! I think I am going to call them back!!! Thank you so much!!!

We're all here to help each other! I hope you can get the $189 rate!

 

[Blondie]

I have a luggage ?, too! We normally go to a park on our last day, but check out before we go and store our luggage at the resort. We are at the Swan this trip and I hope we can still store our luggage and take off to a park.

I usually have everything packed up the night before and call the front desk early to have someone come and pick up the luggage. Does the Swan do this?

Thanks!

Yes, you can do that.

Depending on how full the resort is at the time, you can also arrange for a later than normal check out (1:00pm vs. 11am) if you so desire.

 

[iluvepcot]

still wondering about split stay. Does Disney transfer luggage to or from S and/or D?