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

[anbouk]

NEVER saw anyone smoking at WDW Swan and Dolphin...

 

[Keokagal]

SMOKING...Just saw a man smoking outside near a receptical at the Dolphin.
FYI....DH and I noted multiple cigarette butts around, particularly the pathways around the Dolphin as we walked to Epcot this am. Flame me all you want smokers.....it is a filthy dirty habit/addiction. But those of you who throw even one butt to the ground are poluting our earth. Please stop. It's bad enough we have to smell you, but we shouldn't have to walk around in your trash too.
REMEMBER, if you flame me, make sure you read my words correctly, ok.
Peace Out and Smoke Out.

 

[CindeBella]

I think this should be clarified, lest people not familiar with the geography and location of S/D stumble on here thinking that they should request a view of Cinderella's castle. S/D is nowhere near the MK. From the S/D, the MK is almost literally seen on the horizon several miles away. And it is in the opposite direction from Epcot/Boardwalk, so the rooms on that side are definitely not preferred. They are actually the parking lot view rooms, and the MK just happens to be seen in the distance.

I did not insinuate that it was an upgrade ~ only that we were able to view the castle fireworks but thanks for clarifying.

 

[paras4ri]

I'll answer my own post. Just called and they had no idea what I was talking about. So while not 100%, I'm pretty 99% sure the dive-in movies aren't happening anymore. At least not at the swan/dolphin.

What are the dive-in movies? Never heard of them.

We're just back from the Dolphin and movies were shown on Saturday nights at the Grotto pool.

Every time we've participated in the EMH, we've had to show a room key for everyone in the party. This is for evening EMH, we've never done AM magic hours.

Our reservation was in my name only so all key cards had just my name. All 4 of us had key cards but we were only asked to show one for the whole party at EMH evenings at Epcot, MK and MGM.

 

[SingingMom]

We're just back from the Dolphin and movies were shown on Saturday nights at the Grotto pool.



Our reservation was in my name only so all key cards had just my name. All 4 of us had key cards but we were only asked to show one for the whole party at EMH evenings at Epcot, MK and MGM.

We were there this past June and they weren't showing the "Dive-In" movies... (same time last year, they were!) So, I don't think it is something you can "count on"

In June, we all had to show our key at EMH evening hours.

So, I guess what I'm saying is - be prepared for different scenerios...

 

[madge]

Our reservation was in my name only so all key cards had just my name. All 4 of us had key cards but we were only asked to show one for the whole party at EMH evenings at Epcot, MK and MGM.

really? I don't doubt you, Gail - it just surprises me. We've done evening EMH 3 times (each time at a different resort) and they've always scanned each ticket before handing out a bracelet. In fact, during one trip with a large group, one person didn't have her room card and they wouldn't give her a bracelet - even though it was clear we were all together!

I wouldn't go to an EMH without everyone's room card. If you don't need them all, good - but, I'd hate to be unprepared.

 

[spartanfan72]

Just returned from a week stay at the Swan. Here are a few of my observations....

The Swan & Dolphin are VERY nice, we've previously stayed at the All-Stars and Pop-Century.

The Swan was quieter and not as busy as the Dolphin.

The walk to refill our mugs at Picabu was a hike from the Swan.

The boat trip to and fro Epcot & MGM was nice and quick.

There was a convention going on, but it didn't have any negative effects on us. (it made for a more lively atmosphere, especially at the karaoke bar)

My girls LOVED the pool, but they closed the slide the last day we were there.

And last but certainly not least, my biggest complaint....

The elevators at the Swan absolutely REEKED. It smelled like burned fish. It was there all week, but on one day we were gagging it was so bad. It wasn't in our rooms or in the lobby, just the elevators.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Gail and Madge - when we stayed at the Dolphin in May, and wanted the extended hour bracelets, my name was on both room keys and we had no problem getting the bracelets at Epcot. Could it be that the person checking made the determination? Or that the policy changed since our trip?

 

[Dan Murphy]

......The elevators at the Swan absolutely REEKED. It smelled like burned fish. It was there all week, but on one day we were gagging it was so bad. It wasn't in our rooms or in the lobby, just the elevators.

The elevators on the Il Mulino New York Trattoria (previously Palio) side of the Swan (I think that is the east side) very often have/had a very strong garlic odor from the Italian cooking. I always get used to it after the first day. Sometimes makes me hungry, LOL.

 

[madge]

Gail and Madge - when we stayed at the Dolphin in May, and wanted the extended hour bracelets, my name was on both room keys and we had no problem getting the bracelets at Epcot. Could it be that the person checking made the determination? Or that the policy changed since our trip?

I don't have any idea - I'm sure last year we had the same situation with the name on the room card. I don't think I've ever given them the names of our kids when we've checked it. I just know, when we were at the Animal Kingdom for an evening EMH that the CM scanned each room card individually before they gave us a wristband. In fact, my oldest wasn't with us when we got our bands, and we inadvertantly gave him a room card that had already been scanned and they wouldn't let him have a band. They ended up scanning all 5 of our cards before they found one that hadn't been used. LOLOL.

I wish they'd go back to showing one key for the group or something - carrying around 5 rooms keys is a hassle. LOL

 

[SingingMom]

I don't have any idea - I'm sure last year we had the same situation with the name on the room card. I don't think I've ever given them the names of our kids when we've checked it. I just know, when we were at the Animal Kingdom for an evening EMH that the CM scanned each room card individually before they gave us a wristband. In fact, my oldest wasn't with us when we got our bands, and we inadvertantly gave him a room card that had already been scanned and they wouldn't let him have a band. They ended up scanning all 5 of our cards before they found one that hadn't been used. LOLOL.

I wish they'd go back to showing one key for the group or something - carrying around 5 rooms keys is a hassle. LOL

Our three keys had my husband's name - we didn't have each of our names on them, but we did need three keys to show for three EMH bracelets in June. I agree - having to carry more than one key is a hassle! And the magic passes were so tiny, I was always afraid of losing one when I was getting our fast passes!

 

[TaraPA]

Back to the smoking question - I thought they just told me at Starwood reservations that both properties inside were 100% smoke-free - but I could have misunderstood. Just wanted to share that info in case the OP was counting on smoking in her/his room - might want to double check that it's not just in outside designated areas. Or someone correct me if I'm wrong (happens frequently ).

 

[yankeepenny]

do any of you know if the starbucks in dolphin takes the starbucks card? i thought i would load mine up beforehand and have have it ready
less cash, less hassle.....

 

[yankeepenny]

just an fyi---


i called the other day to confirm , called dolphin and asked that the alcohol be removed from the room prior to arrival
and that i understood it was a 20.00 fee. they were fine with that, and i also reiterated my request from when i booked that i wanted a room below the 5th floor.
flying does not bother me, i just am not big on standing next to a window and looking down
they were GREAT on that request!


3 weeks! can hardly wait!~

 

[spartanfan72]

The elevators on the Il Mulino New York Trattoria (previously Palio) side of the Swan (I think that is the east side) very often have/had a very strong garlic odor from the Italian cooking. I always get used to it after the first day. Sometimes makes me hungry, LOL.

I believe these were the East elevators. After you check-in and are leaving the lobby, you go to the right...past the Concierege and Ticket desks.

This was not garlic, or even a pleasant food smell at all. I LOVE seafood, but this was a disgusting fishy smell.

 

[Blondie]

I wonder if they were cleaning/greasing the cables of the elevator or something. We had some work done on our central A/C in the spring and whatever they used to clean the air handler with smelled fishy! I could even smell it as I was driving down the street away from our house! It was nasty!

 

[rugrats2001]

deleted

 

[rugrats2001]

do any of you know if the starbucks in dolphin takes the starbucks card? i thought i would load mine up beforehand and have have it ready
less cash, less hassle.....

Nice try, but there isn't really a Starbucks at the Dolphin. The just sell Starbucks branded plain and DeCaf coffee, instead of some generic brand.

 

[Blondie]

The elevators on the Il Mulino New York Trattoria (previously Palio) side of the Swan (I think that is the east side) very often have/had a very strong garlic odor from the Italian cooking. I always get used to it after the first day. Sometimes makes me hungry, LOL.

I love the scents coming from the S/D! The grilling from Shula's combined w/the italian restaurant makes me hungry too!

 

[spartanfan72]

I love the scents coming from the S/D! The grilling from Shula's combined w/the italian restaurant makes me hungry too!

Trust me...this wasn't one of those types of "scents". It wasn't a big deal because it was just in the elevator, not hallways, rooms, lobby, etc.

But the best I can describe it is "burned fish". It was nasty....