Swan/Dolphin Questions

[FutureMrsC]

I know that the other WDW resorts have the "million dreams" refillable mug (the blue and white one), but are the Swan and Dolphin hotels participating in that?

We've booked "teacher discount" rooms at the Swan... haven't ever stayed there before ... is the walk from the Swan to the cafe/buffeteria a long walk? My parents are coming with DH and I and they were worried about having a long walk to get cokes after a long day in the park (my DM has feet problems and sometimes has difficulty walking around in the evening...)

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[mathgeek]

Since the Swan/Dolphin are not Disney run properties they do not have the Disney refillable mugs. When we stayed at the Swan I did not go over to Tubbi's Buffeteria (now Picabu) for anything so couldn't tell you about how far it is to walk. And because I really wanted a Disney mug and not the one at Tubbi's I bought one at the Boardwalk Bakery and refilled it there during the trip.

 

[FutureMrsC]

Since the Swan/Dolphin are not Disney run properties they do not have the Disney refillable mugs. When we stayed at the Swan I did not go over to Tubbi's Buffeteria (now Picabu) for anything so couldn't tell you about how far it is to walk. And because I really wanted a Disney mug and not the one at Tubbi's I bought one at the Boardwalk Bakery and refilled it there during the trip.

Thanks! I figured as much, but I thought it was worth asking

How long was the walk down to the Boardwalk Bakery? That's an idea that hadn't occurred to me!

 

[mathgeek]

The walk to the Bakery only took a few minutes, and I figured since I would have to leave the Swan anyway to go to Tubbi's it didn't matter much to me. Plus the Boardwalk early in the morning was just beautiful - hardly anyone was out, and it was a pleasant walk. And there were times when I refilled my mug in the afternoon (walking back from Epcot) and then took to boat from the Boardwalk back to the Swan.

 

[Roo2]

At least until recently, Picubu's did have a refillable mug program, just not as nice a mug as the Disney resorts (you could call the resort to confirm this). For $11.99 you could get unlimited refills on sodas (depending on the cashier, you could also get coffee and tea). Picabu's is on the bottom floor of the Dolphin, just a short 2-3 minute walk directly across from the Swan. If you are coming back from the parks, and bring your mug with you to the parks (great for holding ice water from any counter service or sit-down restaurant in the parks), you can wait to get off at the second bus stop (Swan is the first stop), walk through the Dolphin hotel, take the escalator down to the bottom floor, re-fill your mug, and continue on the short walk across to the Swan. You may even get to catch the live pianist playing in the Dolphin lobby in the early evening! This plan would also work in reverse- when going to the parks, you could walk from Swan to the Dolphin (enjoying the beautiful fountain on the way), get a refill, and walk on to the Dolphin bus stop right out in front of the hotel. And the boats to MGM and Epcot are located midway between the two hotels, which you pass on your way to Picabu's- an even shorter walk if you are going to one of these parks!
Hope you have a magical stay!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We have had issues with the drink problem too. Our one teen walked to the Boardwalk Bakery to get us breakfast one day. I have mobility issues so walking takes a long time for me and even the teens dont want to walk to get a drink after a long day in the park so before we check in we do a quick stop from our driver, Berkley Edwards Transportation, at the Hess Mini Mart which is right next to the hotels and do a soda stock up, usually 3 or 3 cases depending on the weather/how long we are there etc. Its 2 12 packs for $5 so that is a bargain compared to the park prices. We just let the cans chill in the ice bucket and they are ready by the time we get back in the room etc.

 

[Mazzy]

luvmarypoppins - that's a great price for drinks. Do they sell bottled water and also apple juice, if so, do you have any idea of the price?

We will be visiting Dolphin in August and it's going to be so hot I don't think we will stop drinking, LOL.

We will be booking with FL Tours for our transfers, and I'm sure they offer a grocery shop, but we've never used it before.

 

[nbodyhome]

I have photos of the Boardwalk walk here (the bakery is close to the pizza window).

http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=26&Itemid=52

I agree also on going to Hess, I'd have suggested that. This week the Cokes were 2 12 packs for $6.00. That is half the price of one mug. So it will actually be a lot cheaper for you in that way, getting soda by the can then getting refillable mugs. Hess also has snacks and beer, etc.

 

[FutureMrsC]

Thanks all! I'm glad to know that my questions can always be answered

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We really enjoy the Swan. The last time we were there, the rooms had been changed, but not the lobby yet. I'd love to see the new version, though I wonder how the Swan themed fountain fits in with the new decor, since it really went with the old lobby.

We sort of have always felt that going to the buffeteria wasn't worthwhile. Again that was before the place was remodeled (I think part of my distaste had to do with eating at a place called a Buffeteria - it just sounds bad) , but depending on what floor you are on, and how far you are from the elevators, the trip from your room all the way there can be a bit on the far side...mind, I also feel the walk at the moderates is quite far, too.

When we're at the pool there, we kind of like getting adult beverages anyhow. When DH had a conference at the Dolphin though, he found getting a mug for coffee to be a good deal though.

Another idea is to get water delivered to your resort. WE find we kind of prefer to drink water during the day anyhow.

they should have a soda fountain at the Swan that you can access.

the BB is one of our choices in the morning, but also in Epcot the Seasons eatery in the Land is a good place for breakfast too. The same kind of food as the Boardwalk Bakery, but the lines at the BB can be a bit long and slow. IF you go over tothe Land, you can grab a fastpass for Soarin' - then grab breakfast with little or no wait. After Soarin' and Living with the Land, the place is serving lunch...so you can eat lunch there too - but by then I'm ready to head out. That's the only downside to breakfast there - it's one of my favorite lunch locations, but I don't want to stay there all day. Still, if you're really commando - you can grab a pastry (or skip breakfast)- do the rides - then grab an early lunch before the place gets packed.

On theother hand, if you do decide o get refillable mugs - there's no reason why ALL of you have to go over to refill them. You can easily send one person to do it.

 

[FutureMrsC]

More great suggestions Thanks again! I'm definitely looking forward to this trip... the only problem is, it can't get here soon enough!