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

[warriorboy648]

I can't seem to find recent infor on the transportation at the Swan. I know that you can walk to MGM and Epcot or take a boat. How do you get to MK and AK. Also, what is the best way to get to the CL for Chef Mickeys?

Lastly, are any of these trips long so that I should have extra time if we have ADRs.

Thanks,I love having this source to ask all my questions.

 

[dreamflight99]

Wow...That's a BEAUTIFUL photo! Thanks for sharing such a lovely image. Brings back loads of memories.

glawgirl~Yes, the tuxedo strawberries are available at the dolphin, as we've enjoyed them many times in our suite. They will prepare them in chocolate or white chocolate as well (depending on availability and advance notice requests). I have several photos of different ones delivered, this being one of them:

They were super-fresh and delicious! Hope this helps (contact the concierge at the Dolphin desk for more information). BTW--we too have always shared stays with the PBH (club level suites) and enjoy the service there as well. The treats "whipped up" by the chef and kitchen staff of that property are also amazing. The Dolphin will surprise you, if given ample notice.

warriorboy648~There are loads of "ins and outs" to the transportation issue from these two resorts. The easiest way to get to the CR (where Chef Mickey's is located) is to either:
A]. DRIVE
B]. TAXI or
C]. Take the boat to MGM and hop the resort bus to the CR (very fast).

You could also take the monorail in Epcot to the TTC and over to the CR. I still think the MGM/Bus is the most expedient. We've maneuvered the transportation system many times over the past two decades of visiting WDW, and usually take whichever is most convenient at the time (depending on where we are).

Hope this helps!!

 

[Blondie]

What is FREE dining? I can't believe that anything would be FREE!?!?!

Don't worry, nothing really is "free." You're paying for it with rack-rate room prices. When you put pen to paper, it's not really free at all. It's a mind game. Just my humble opinion, ofcourse.

 

[dreamflight99]

Don't worry, nothing really is "free." You're paying for it with rack-rate room prices. When you put pen to paper, it's not really free at all. It's a mind game. Just my humble opinion, ofcourse.

Exactly...just as a CM informed me years ago. The rates for such packages are not actually "discounted" at all. They are merely put together as a convenience for guests. Therefore, the "food" in these packages are not FREE, they are only being marketed as such. Disney is in the business of making money, not giving too much away. The mere word FREE has been a cornerstone of most marketing promos. It always catches the eye of the prospective market/patrons, yet is rarely true. Just as Blondie wrote...if you take the time to put the pen to paper, and "do the math" yourself---you will undoubtedly see the difference in actual cost.

 

[warriorboy648]

Another question for the SWan experts. ( I asked on the restaurant thread and didn't get an answer) How is Gulliver's Grill? Does it offer buffet and a menu to order from? Also, is this a place to find out what buffet is on what day?? Thanks

 

[Blondie]

Another question for the SWan experts. ( I asked on the restaurant thread and didn't get an answer) How is Gulliver's Grill? Does it offer buffet and a menu to order from? Also, is this a place to find out what buffet is on what day?? Thanks

We've never eaten there, but here's a sample of their menu and buffet items:

http://www.allears.net/menu/menu_gul.htm

Also from allears:

Garden Grove Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a garden gazebo setting. The Garden Grove Cafe at the Swan offers a morning character breakfast buffet. Lunch offerings include fresh seafood and other grilled meats. Be aware that the dinner hours change the restaurant into Gulliver's Grill featuring seafood and steak. Desserts are made in an open kitchen, and watching the chefs through the window is an interesting stop on the way in or out of the restaurant. (Swan)

 

[BlueFairy]

Dreamflight99!!! So glad to see you here. I've been lurking so I can get your input on some things. Here are some questions from my previous posts that I haven't gotten the answer for. We made Sept ressies at the $125 rate for the Swan and are SO EXCITED to be going back.

We have stayed at Dolphin once before with DH and convention (last Feb with great success thanks to this thread).

What can I expect with a "standard" room at Swan? Particularly with view and location. We'd like a balcony so DD can nap and we can leave the room. Also, you can't get much better than the EPCOT view we had at Dolphin.

DH is SPG member, so I noted that with DU. Will that help?

Need bedrails for DD. She is a toddler. Too big for S/D cribs. Suggestions there?

Another SPG question - it has been 11 1/2 months since DH had any points added. I don't want to lose them in case we need to use them for upgrade in Sept. How can I keep them active? Buy more points? We don't have an SPG Amex.

SPG website says points can be purchased for $0.035 per point or $35 per 1000.

Also, do I understand that SPG members are eligible for room upgrades without points (if available, of course)? Or, would we need the 1000 points per night in order to upgrade?

Thanks!

Warriorboy: You could also take the bus to MK and then walk via the pathway to Contemporary or take the resort monorail. Doing the monorail certainly isn't the fastest, but it might be fun.

 

[minnie61650]

Don't worry, nothing really is "free." You're paying for it with rack-rate room prices. When you put pen to paper, it's not really free at all. It's a mind game. Just my humble opinion, ofcourse.

That is true but if a family is staying in value resort it quite offen pays off.

The rack rate of a value room during value season is $82.
The cost of DDP is $38.99 for an adult and $10.99 for a child over 3.

If a family 4--2 adults and two children over 3 stays a value resort than the dining is truly free compared to the rack rate of a value resort.

The savings are less at mod and I for qne would never pay rack rates at a deluxe Disney resort just to get free dining!

Using a room discount and paying for the DDP would be much less costly.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Don't forget the AAA (if you are a member) 20% discount on many of the restaurants (Shula's and Blue Zoo not included) at S/D.

 

[warriorboy648]

I actually made up a little spread sheet to figure out what would be a better deal, my $125/night or free dining. Because we need 2 rooms, we would have to book a mod or below to save $$$. WL/AKL would probably be close in cost. It's hard to know what we will actually eat until we get there. The only reason I am leaning toward booking a mod if free dining comes out is because then I know that we will do at least 1 nice TS a day and eat at places I would normally avoid because it is so expensive to feed a family of 7.

So every night I think about my options and what I will do IF free dining comes out. I hate to give up those beds and location... My DH doesn't care about the food and is very happy to stay at the Swan. Is it terrible to hope for no free dining so I can be stress free!!!

 

[minnie411]

I know we can walk to MGM and Epcot from the Swan. But another person's person got me to thinking. Don't they have buses from the Swan to Ak and MK?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, buses to MK, AK, DtD and waterparks.

 

[warriorboy648]

Can I use a raft or float at the grotto pool? Do they have life jackets for younger kids and towels at the pool area.

 

[paras4ri]

Can I use a raft or float at the grotto pool? Do they have life jackets for younger kids and towels at the pool area.

Yes to all of your questions!

 

[Blondie]

That is true but if a family is staying in value resort it quite offen pays off.

The rack rate of a value room during value season is $82.
The cost of DDP is $38.99 for an adult and $10.99 for a child over 3.

If a family 4--2 adults and two children over 3 stays a value resort than the dining is truly free compared to the rack rate of a value resort.

The savings are less at mod and I for qne would never pay rack rates at a deluxe Disney resort just to get free dining!

Using a room discount and paying for the DDP would be much less costly.

When you put it like that for value season, it may be a good deal when staying in at a value resort, but it's my personal preferance to stay in a deluxe on a code or discount and pay out of pocket for our dining than to stay value and eat "free". Apples vs. oranges and all that.

I think paying Disney's rack rates for a deluxe just to eat for free is insane, and as I stated above a mind game that people buy into hook, line and sinker. But that's just my opinion. It's obviously been a huge marketing success for Disney. They can be geniuses when it comes to marketing, more power to them!

 

[NancyIL]

Long time, no see! I am counting the days until school ends this Friday so son and I can take off on our little roadtrip. It includes visits to grandparents in SC and FL, as well as 2 days at WDW - staying at the Swan!

 

[SingingMom]

Can I use a raft or float at the grotto pool? Do they have life jackets for younger kids and towels at the pool area.

Check the "buy vs rent" price for the float/tubes... last year we "bought" the tube instead of renting it for the day(hour?) It was a nice size, and we ended up deflating it and packing it to bring home! Floated around with it in our backyard pool the rest of the summer... dreaming of Disney!

 

[glawgirl]

Wow...That's a BEAUTIFUL photo! Thanks for sharing such a lovely image. Brings back loads of memories.

glawgirl~Yes, the tuxedo strawberries are available at the dolphin, as we've enjoyed them many times in our suite. They will prepare them in chocolate or white chocolate as well (depending on availability and advance notice requests). I have several photos of different ones delivered, this being one of them:

They were super-fresh and delicious! Hope this helps (contact the concierge at the Dolphin desk for more information). BTW--we too have always shared stays with the PBH (club level suites) and enjoy the service there as well. The treats "whipped up" by the chef and kitchen staff of that property are also amazing. The Dolphin will surprise you, if given ample notice.

warriorboy648~There are loads of "ins and outs" to the transportation issue from these two resorts. The easiest way to get to the CR (where Chef Mickey's is located) is to either:
A]. DRIVE
B]. TAXI or
C]. Take the boat to MGM and hop the resort bus to the CR (very fast).

You could also take the monorail in Epcot to the TTC and over to the CR. I still think the MGM/Bus is the most expedient. We've maneuvered the transportation system many times over the past two decades of visiting WDW, and usually take whichever is most convenient at the time (depending on where we are).

Hope this helps!!

Oh - thank you so much - you are a sweetheart. I am definately going to order the strawberries for him - he is going to love them and so am I. You are the best. Thanks again.

 

[momshark]

glawgirl~

Ohhh, that whole plate looks so yummy!! Can you tell me what it's "called". Can I have it delivered even if I'm not staying concierge?
Thanks for all of the very helpful information everyone!

 

[warriorboy648]

Need some help from the experts on what to request. I don't care about the view or a balcony, but would like to be as close to food and the pool as possible. What should I request. I also need connecting rooms. Is this as big an issue at the Swan as it seems to be at the Disney resorts?? Not going until August, bit I'm getting so excited