Swan check-in logistic planning

[TOBS2010]

Anyone have experience with getting their hotel room at the Swan prior to the check-in time? Pre-pandemic when we stayed on property we were often alerted by Disney that our room was ready by the time we landed at the airport---post pandemic I have found this to no longer be the case even outside of WDW/Florida.

Just trying to make the best plans. Will the Swan hold groceries like other Disney Hotels---including anything needed for refrigeration? Not planning on having alcohol delivered. Can we gain access to the pool prior to our room being ready that day? Assuming we can store luggage if our room isn't available. Appreciate anyone's recent experiences.

 

[I Believe in Pixie dust]

Anyone have experience with getting their hotel room at the Swan prior to the check-in time? Pre-pandemic when we stayed on property we were often alerted by Disney that our room was ready by the time we landed at the airport---post pandemic I have found this to no longer be the case even outside of WDW/Florida.

Just trying to make the best plans. Will the Swan hold groceries like other Disney Hotels---including anything needed for refrigeration? Not planning on having alcohol delivered. Can we gain access to the pool prior to our room being ready that day? Assuming we can store luggage if our room isn't available. Appreciate anyone's recent experiences.

We were there the last week of June and stayed at the Swan for two nights after staying at Pop. We got there at 12:00pm and our room was ready. We also had things we needed to stay refrigerated on our checkout day and bell services took our items and refrigerated them until we had to leave to catch our flight. If you room isn’t ready you will be able to leave your luggage at bell services and use the pools. The one in the Dolphin is huge, but busy. Have fun! It’s a great resort!

 

[SteveH]

Just trying to make the best plans. Will the Swan hold groceries like other Disney Hotels---including anything needed for refrigeration? Not planning on having alcohol delivered. Can we gain access to the pool prior to our room being ready that day? Assuming we can store luggage if our room isn't available. Appreciate anyone's recent experiences.

I'd invite you to check the Swan, Dolphin & Swan Reserve Resorts thread, a great group of regulars and great place for Q&A of all things S/D. Also be sure to download the S/D Mobile App, its where the latest info is and you can also use the Text Us! feature.

As for holding items, the official policy on holding items is "Please note the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin accepts packages for our guests, however we are unable to accommodate any deliveries that require refrigeration of any kind." Reference Link and there is more details here. My guess is that offer to hold items on check out, is probably more likely then having groceries delivered and held just to the sheer volume. I wouldn't bank on having items refrigerated before check-in.

 

[VickieMouse]

We were there in May (Memorial Day weekend). We checked in on the app a few days before or whenever it was available. Got a message while in our ride share from MCO at 9:00 am that our room was ready.

 

[Disnsyncey]

In hotels in general, if you put your arrival time on your reservation, it helps you AND the hotel prepare for your arrival. Unless they want to make money by charging you for an early arrival, they would rather get you through the check in process (even if it's remote, because SOMEONE has to at least click a button to release the room for your check in!) when you arrive or earlier than check in time if it's ready rather than have hordes of people beating down the door at check in time. If the room isn't ready, they will hold your luggage

 

[Sandi]

I have stayed at Swan several times and have NEVER gotten our room early despite doing all the right things. I love Swan and know it's just an ask. Also, one time I called in advance and asked about refrigerating grocery items and was told they could do that; when we dropped our bags, bell services said they'd refrigerate the yogurt and string cheese; when we returned after finally getting a notification that our room was ready, bell services said they didn't have refrigeration and did we want our dairy products back?

That's just been my experience and I haven't taken a chance on the refrigeration since. (My daughter is a great negotiator and got the management to give us a credit for use in the coffee shop.)

 

[maxiesmom]

Checked into the Swan the day after Memorial Day. Didn't get our room until after 5 pm. We ended up shifting dinner plans we had to the following night as we wanted to shower and get prettied up. We were transferring over from the Pop and had hoped to get a room early. No luck.

No, the Swan/Dolphin/Reserve will NOT keep food items cold if you have them delivered.