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

[Dislifer]

Food advice....if you are a AAA member (or, maybe reason to join) you have a 20% discount on all the food places there, other than the 'signature' restaurants (currently three I think).

Thanks Dan. I am a AAA member and I know that almost everywhere in Universal there are AAA discounts. When you say that there are 20% discounts on all the food places...you are just talking about Dolphin/Swan, right? The "signature restaurants" that you are referring to are Blue Zoo and what else? I guess what I really want to know is where can I get a AAA discount at WDW?
Thanks!!!

 

[we1luv1dis]

Thanks soo much to everyone for the replies. Everyone on this board seems so knowledgeable about the Swan and the Dolphin that it's almost comforting. Any other information would be greatly apppreciated. One other question, how child friendly is the Swan/Dolphin? I have two daughters who will be aged 10 and 11 at the time of our next visit, mind you, they are extremely well behaved. Thanks again.

Our DD's (10 and 6) love the Dolphin, we are headed back in November and they cannot wait. I would say it is very kid friendly, the lobby is wonderful eespecially at the holidays. The pool has always been full of kids and the waterfall / slide is a blast. Have a great time.

 

[erik'smom]

Hello Swan and Dolphin gurus! Thank you for all of your help.
I am goiong to the Swan in 13 days! Anyway, I just read the hint about the best way (ie, fastest, not most scenic) to get to AKL, could you help me with the other parks. For instance, the best way to get to MK would be ? and what is better, to walk or take the boat to Epcot and MGM. Thanks.

 

[SingingMom]

Do you have any room # or food advice to share? We are going in December and I started to have second thoughts about staying there...but the price is good (teacher discount).

Picabu's is open 24 hours a day - cafeteria/counter ordering... tasty food. The Fountain has a sit down area for burgers, etc.. The Italian place, gee..the name escapes me right now.. serves a wonderful breakfast buffet with made to order items... they have lunch also, although we never tried it. My favorite is the pool bar/grill... alas, it is only open until 5pm. I would love that to be open later!

We didn't eat at bluezoo last year, but will try it next month. We did eat at Shula's and it was awesome!

 

[SingingMom]

Hello Swan and Dolphin gurus! Thank you for all of your help.
I am goiong to the Swan in 13 days! Anyway, I just read the hint about the best way (ie, fastest, not most scenic) to get to AKL, could you help me with the other parks. For instance, the best way to get to MK would be ? and what is better, to walk or take the boat to Epcot and MGM. Thanks.

We never walked to Epcot - we took the boats to Epcot and MGM. Pleasant ride, although it does make stops at the Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk. I don't think there is any "quick" way to get anywhere. But, I really prefer the boats to the buses!
We did take the boat to Epcot and then walk to the monorail to get to MK. I think that was more time than it was worth, if you are in a rush.

 

[tinkermamaof2]

Our DD's (10 and 6) love the Dolphin, we are headed back in November and they cannot wait. I would say it is very kid friendly, the lobby is wonderful eespecially at the holidays. The pool has always been full of kids and the waterfall / slide is a blast. Have a great time.

Thanks so much. I was really wondering about the pool situation with the children. Right now it's a toss up between The Swan/Dolphin and Animal Kingdom Lodge. I really love that The Swan/Dolphin is so close to Epcot and MGM, but I also really love the African theme of the AKL. Seeing pictures of the amazing views of the parks from The Swan/Dolphin is not helping my decision any easier.

 

[#1hockeymom]

That is what split stays are all about! The S/D and AKL are my two favorite places, also! You can't compare them, as they are so different, but each has its place in our heart and it doesn't seem like a REAL vacation unless we're in both places for part of our stay.

Debbie

 

[SingingMom]

That is what split stays are all about! The S/D and AKL are my two favorite places, also! You can't compare them, as they are so different, but each has its place in our heart and it doesn't seem like a REAL vacation unless we're in both places for part of our stay.

Debbie

You don't find splitting your stay a hassle, though? I can't imagine having to pack sooner than the end of our trip - and doing the whole check in - is the room ready - thing more than once!
Do you have any secrets to share that make the move go more smoothly?

 

[RachelTori]

You don't find splitting your stay a hassle, though? I can't imagine having to pack sooner than the end of our trip - and doing the whole check in - is the room ready - thing more than once!
Do you have any secrets to share that make the move go more smoothly?

My family ALWAYS does split stays anymore! The only disadvantage is that you can be "without a room" on moving day IF your room at the new resort isn't ready when you are! (In which case, we either head back to a park or head to the pool! )

Transporting the luggage is no problem. If we have a car, we do it ourselves (the bags can sit in the trunk all day if necessary); otherwise, bell services has always been efficient at getting our bags from resort #1 to resort #2 (even when it's to the Swan or Dolphin).

We find it very easy to pack up and move because we pack our outfits in those "Jumbo 2.5 Gallon" Hefty Ziplocks! Each bag gets an outfit, complete with socks, undies, etc. - makes unpacking and repacking a snap!

HTH!

 

[debsays]

We'll be staying at the Dolphin in a few weeks. Our flight doesn't arrive until around 11 p.m. Would you call the Dolphin that week to inform them of a late arrival? Also, does the pool have a slide and how deep is the area where you end up.....waiste deep, etc. Has anyone just returned, if so what shops are in the lobby, any bookstore, etc. Thanks

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks Dan. I am a AAA member and I know that almost everywhere in Universal there are AAA discounts. When you say that there are 20% discounts on all the food places...you are just talking about Dolphin/Swan, right? The "signature restaurants" that you are referring to are Blue Zoo and what else? I guess what I really want to know is where can I get a AAA discount at WDW?
Thanks!!!

On Deb's list here...http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_dol.htm about half way down, the ones I know for sue do discount are Fresh Mediterranean Market, Dolphin Fountain, Picabu, The Cabana Bar and Grill, Garden Grove Cafe, Splash Grill. I know that Shula's, BlueZoo, Il Mulino New York Trattoria do not, not sure about Kimonos. I do not know of other AAA discounting in WDW.

Hello Swan and Dolphin gurus! Thank you for all of your help.
I am goiong to the Swan in 13 days! Anyway, I just read the hint about the best way (ie, fastest, not most scenic) to get to AKL, could you help me with the other parks. For instance, the best way to get to MK would be ? and what is better, to walk or take the boat to Epcot and MGM. Thanks.

I use the bus for MK, boat for MGM, about half and half boat or bus to Epcot, bus, sometimes drive to AK, drive to DtD.

 

[SingingMom]

On Deb's list here...http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_dol.htm about half way down, the ones I know for sue do discount are Fresh Mediterranean Market, Dolphin Fountain, Picabu, The Cabana Bar and Grill, Garden Grove Cafe, Splash Grill. I know that Shula's, BlueZoo, Il Mulino New York Trattoria do not, not sure about Kimonos. I do not know of other AAA discounting in WDW.

I use the bus for MK, boat for MGM, about half and half boat or bus to Epcot, bus, sometimes drive to AK, drive to DtD.

Dan - how easy is it to get a taxi to and from DtD while staying at the Dolphin? Last year we used the bus, and it took FOREVER. And then we couldn't really find the return bus late at 11pm. It was the only time I felt a little leery in WDW. thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dan - how easy is it to get a taxi to and from DtD while staying at the Dolphin? Last year we used the bus, and it took FOREVER. And then we couldn't really find the return bus late at 11pm. It was the only time I felt a little leery in WDW. thanks!

Taxis are always either waiting there in the circular drive or within a moments call by the valet folks.

 

[SingingMom]

Taxis are always either waiting there in the circular drive or within a moments call by the valet folks.

Yes - we did well with a taxi to church and Sea World... but, what's the best way to get a taxi BACK to the Dolphin from Downtown Disney? Any tips?
Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have never actually taken a taxi, except once when running late for the early morning train tour at the MK. But I would think that taxis are easy to come by at DtD, what with all the activity, Cirque, etc and the drinking places there in PI. I recall seeing taxi stands and taxis there always. No tips though from me, have never taken.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Split stays are not only easy, but they make you feel like you're getting two very different vacations being that the resorts are so different from each other. I have let them transfer my luggage and I have just loaded it in a taxi and done it at once. Luggage transfers go both ways, so don't worry about that.

Taxi service. Any deluxe, including the S/D has given me excellent and immediate service. Worth its weight in gold when you need it or you're running behind on a sorority/lizard meet dinner! You can get taxi service at all the resort levels, but deluxe has them standing by in the queue.

Debbie

 

[#1hockeymom]

Yes - we did well with a taxi to church and Sea World... but, what's the best way to get a taxi BACK to the Dolphin from Downtown Disney? Any tips?
Thanks!

There are at least two taxi queues at DTD for your return trip.

 

[SingingMom]

There are at least two taxi queues at DTD for your return trip.

Thank you! I will look for them next month.

 

[Mazzy]

We always use a taxi to DTD whether staying at POFQ or the Dolphin (our two faves!) as the buses do take forever!

We have never had to wait for a taxi at DTD, there have always been plenty waiting there in the taxi line.

 

[Dislifer]

We always use a taxi to DTD whether staying at POFQ or the Dolphin (our two faves!) as the buses do take forever!

We have never had to wait for a taxi at DTD, there have always been plenty waiting there in the taxi line.

Do you have a "ballpark" figure for what the fare is to MK to/from Dolphin, DTD to Dolphin, etc. etc.
TIA!!!