Swan/Dolphin questions

[maxiesmom]

I am trying to make a decision on where to stay for July 3 & 4 next year, and I am considering the Swan/Dolphin resort. But I have a couple of questions. First, is the S/D considered a Disney hotel when it comes to the parks reaching capacity? If they start having to close the Magic Kingdom, are they considered off site hotels or on? And second, do they have a resort airline check in desk? TIA!

 

[copper68]

They definitely have the airline check in - we just used it last month...

Not 100 percent positive on the park capacity deal...I would assume it is though...you pretty much get everything at the S&D that you would at any Disney resort except package delivery back to the hotel and the magical express service...

if you don't get any other response, I would just call the hotel and ask them to make sure...

 

[maxiesmom]

I know that you are NOT able to charge back to the room either, which is what is making me wonder about how they are treated with regards to park capacity. If they are not considered a Disney resort when it comes to that, then I will definately not stay there in July, when I am almost positive the parks will reach capacity.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

Not 100 percent positive on the park capacity deal...I would assume it is though...you pretty much get everything at the S&D that you would at any Disney resort except package delivery back to the hotel and the magical express service.....

You can get package delivery. They deliver to the gift shop in the Dolphin, not sure about the Swan. You shouldn't have an issue with park closing because you will be using Disney transportation. The easiest way to restrict access is to close the parking lots and/or the T&TC center. I have never seen it when they stopped Disney transportation to the parks, although if they did you are only guaranteed access to "a" park, not the park of your choice.

 

[rie'smom]

We were able to gain access to the MK when it was open only to resort guests and we were at the Swan. I guess as a previous poster said it's because they share WDW transportation. The parks very, very seldom reach capacity.
You do not get:
Magical Express
Charging to your room
Disney Dining Plan

 

[tjmw2727]

They definitely have the airline check in - we just used it last month...

Not 100 percent positive on the park capacity deal...I would assume it is though...you pretty much get everything at the S&D that you would at any Disney resort except package delivery back to the hotel and the magical express service...

if you don't get any other response, I would just call the hotel and ask them to make sure...

Actually, the Swan or Dolphin do not have the Resort Airline Check in - where you can check in for your flight including checking your luggage thorugh to your home airport. They do have a self serve kiosk where you can check for your flight and get boarding passes but unlike RAC you must bring your own luggage to the airport and arrange for your own transportation.

And..you Can have your park purchases delivered to the Swan and Dolphin, just like the other WDW resorts your packages arrive in the gift shop the next day.

The only WDW resort privlidges you don't get at S/D are room charging from the parks, dining plan packages and magical express. You do get WDW resort transportation, extra magic hours, and are considered as a "WDW resort gest" for park closings. Remember though that although you are guaranteed admission to a park as a resort guest it isn't always the park of your choice. So regardless of which WDW resort you visit if you want to see the fireworks at a specific park get there early and plan to stay.

TJ