Swan / Dolphin Questions on National/Alamo and parking etc

[biggroofy]

Happy New Year!

I haven't visited Swan/Dolphin before. I am going to stay there for one night and then also several in and out afterwards.

1). All WDW resorts have a Security Gate and requires your Resort ID / Parking Permit before letting you in. Does the same apply to Swan / Dolphin?

2). Anyone stayed in Swan/Dolphin and store luggages at Bell Services for a few days after check-out?

3). I noticed there is a charge for parking per day. Are there free short-term parking spots available in Dolphin (i.e. drop-off, pick-up, check-in etc).

Putting things together - this is my scenario. Upon checking out from GF, we will stay in Dolphin for one night, and then head off to Disney Cruise. After Disney Cruise we will stay in SSR for another 3 nights. Here are my plans - please comment if it is doable and possible

On the day (check out at GF), I plan to take a taxi to Dolphin and pick up a rental car in National/Alamo (is it in Dolphin lobby?)
- drive the car back to GF and pick up my family and all luggages
- Check in at Dolphin and then go outside WDW for grocery shopping (water, baby food, diapers etc for Cruise use)
- Dinner at Beach & Yatch Club (do i still need the car to travel between Dolphin & Yatch Club? I have an infant and a little kid though)

Next Day
- Return Vehicle (should I return it the night before???)
- check out at Dolphin. Hope to leave a few baggages behind and pick up after our cruise.
- Meet Towncar at Dolphin lobby

A week Later
- Towncar will take us from port to Dolphin
- Pick up our stored luggages with Bell Service
- Pick up another rental car at National/Alamo
- Drive to SSR

 

[Boatingmom]

Why are you renting a car? Disney will transfer your luggage to the Dolphin while you head off to the parks. You can also walk to the beach Club from the Dolphin. I'm not sure about the stored luggage thing.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Why are you renting a car? Disney will transfer your luggage to the Dolphin while you head off to the parks. You can also walk to the beach Club from the Dolphin. I'm not sure about the stored luggage thing.

That is exactly what I was thinking. . .I would call Dolphin though to see if they will store luggage. I am not sure they will for the length of a cruise.

 

[biggroofy]

Hello - DW insists to rent a car (actually a mini-van) for a day because:

a). We have 2 adults, 2 seniors, 1 infant and 1 DD4. Renting a car will be easier than getting a taxi
b). We will only stay in Dolphin for one night and then head right off to Port, DW afraid (just in case) any loss of luggage during transfer will screw us up - so she prefers us (actually only me) to handle the luggages
c). We need a car since she wanted to go out shopping in the afternoon - need to buy waters, baby food etc before the cruise.

Any suggestions/comments?