Swan/Dolphin ??

[julfre]

I've decided to stop waiting on AP rates and other discounts and book my stay at the S/D. Now I'm debating which to go to. Please help me decide!

I have a few questions.
Does the Swan have a bus stop for the disney bus? Going through the FAQ thread, I found a map, but it only showed a pickup spot beside the dolphin.

Also, maybe most importantly, is the dolphin currently being remodeled? Will it be updates with the heavenly beds by early December?

Is there any place to grab a sandwhich and take it to your room at the Swan?

My feelings are, the Swan looks nicer, but the dolphin has more convieniences- closer to the grotto pool, bus stop(maybe), Fast food, etc.

Any help is appreciated!
Julie

 

[CBRorBust]

Oh I'm a swan newbie too! I can't wait till the Swan/Dophin Pro's help us out with some questions!

If I could add 2 question to your post?

1) Since this is not a "disney" hotel can we still make priority seating reservations with our S/D reservation number?

2) What do they do as far as turndown service, is it complimentary, and when should I request it?

 

[Muffy]

We will be staying for the second time at the Dolphin in Dec for 16 nights. We LOVE the Dolphin and found the location to be ideal! You are at the Boardwalk and close to Epcot and MGM. Restaurants galore all around S/D. Renovations should be complete at the Dolphin by the first quarter 2004. I am expecting the Dolphin to be 3/4 complete by Dec. Yes, they are getting Heavenly Beds! S/D both have there own bus stops plus a water taxi that they share. You can make PS while at the S/D. Turndown service must be requested and paid for unless you get lucky and get it comped. S/D is great about giving upgrades (views, balconies, club level, etc) Join SPG and possible get a comp upgrade. We are Plat SPG and get a complimentary upgrade to a Jr. Suite with CL privs. The Dolphin has a 24 hr food court, Tubbies, complete with the refillable mug program. Tubbies sells Starbucks Best coffee on property! We prefer the Dolphin over the Swan simply because it seems more grand. Check out the paino player in the lobby of the Dolphin during the evening. Hope this helps!

 

[julfre]

Thanks for the input Muffy. I'm starting to lean toward the Dolphin. I think both look nice so I don't think I can go wrong.

 

[jgates]

Tubbies has wonderful food as was mentioned. Make sure you look and ask to purchase your refillable mug - they had them up by the check-out the last trip and if we hadn't known we would have filled a regular paper cup and taken that up. Even if your stay is short, Julfre, the cup is a wonderful souveneir. I have my morning coffee every day in mine! Tubbies is a very easy walk from the Swan unless you might be physically challenged.

There is a bus stop in front of the Swan also. If you go out the main doors towards the parking lot and go to the left its under the canopy.

We never had S/D make our priority seatings for us, but when we were in the parks and dialed the ??*66 or whatever, they just asked for our name, hotel and room number and the Swan was accepted without question.

 

[hookedup]

1. Yes there are Disney bus stops right outside the Swan - we found the bus service to be good during our recent stay.
2. The boat docks for the Epcot/MGM are right outside the Swan as well.
3. The bridge over the the Boardwalk area is right outside the Swan and an EASY walk to the Bwalk area which can be quite fun in the early evening or late afternoon.
4. We were on Club Level and we had turn down service nightly so I can't answer that really regarding other rooms.
5. The concierge at the Swan was GREAT about making PS's for us during our stay (they do this for any of the hotel guests) we got all our PS's done by them and it was very convenient. I also made some of my own prior thru WDW-DINE too.
6. The Dolphin does have a "grander" lobby area - but we found the Swan to be really nice and I would not hesitate to stay there again. The CM's were really great. The distance to the big pool is not far from the Swan and except for the laundry area and Tubbies the Swan is just as convenient.
7. The Swan rooms are really really nice!

Hope that helps!

 

[Sammy]

We'll be staying at the Dolphin in 4 weeks for the first time too!! I'm so excited!! DH and I just LOVE that area....there's so much to see and do (and eat!)

Muffy....can you share the details about your upgrades? I'm an Spg preferred member, but how do you become a Platinum member? We are currently booked in a Standard room, but would love an upgrade.....even just a view upgrade!

Thanks for any and all information! I can't wait!

 

[DisneyFanatik]

We have ressies for June at the Dolphin. We booked a standard room at the Gov't Rate and on the reservation confirmation that we received in the mail it says, "Turndown Service" under "Comments from the hotel"..... I guess all of the rooms receive it.

 

[katrina1122]

our gov't rate says turndown service as well, although that may be part of that special and not available to all guests? Then, I've never been so it's only speculation based on the previous comment about having to request and pay for turndown service.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I have stayed at The Swan two Decembers in a row. I got upgraded to a balcony room just because I was a Starwood member, and it was complimentary. I got upgraded twice and the room was wonderful.

I hardly ever see any mention of "The Dolphin Fountain" inside the Dolphin. It *looks* like it serves only ice cream, but last year I had the *BEST* cheeseburger and onion rings on all of Disney property in that place ! Try it !

 

[Muffy]

Sammy, Platinum requirments are 25 stays or 50 nights in a calander year at any Starwood property. They will also match 3 other Plat. hotel cards, Hilton, Hyatt or Marriot for 1 year. After the first year you have to earn it as they won't comp it twice. Find out more about Starwood at www.flyertalk.com Just click on Starwood from the drop down menu. It sounds like you may be Gold SPG. You will get an upgrade with Gold (view, blacony or club level, etc) Be sure to ask 3 days in advance and also when you checkin! Have a great time!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Sammy, I am Gold spg and last summer we got a comp uograde to CL at the Dolphin. This summer at the Swan we were comp upgraded to a Jr. Suite w/balcony!!! Awesome. All I did was ask at check-in if it were possible to upgrade to a balcony room. When the CM said "Sure, would a Jr. Suite do?" the look of pleasure on my face must have been priceless! BTW, we booked standard room w/teacher rate last July and this July took advantage of the spg cash and points promotion.

Claudia , I, too, love the Dolphin Fountain! Best BLTs ever!

 

[ladyjayhawk]

A few more questions comparing Swan and Dolphin:

1. Does the Dolphin still only have double beds?

2. Have any of the rooms at the Dophin been renovated already and if so, can you ask for them?

3. Is one resort better than the other regarding the restaurants? Is one better for kids regarding the food offered?

4. Which one is more kid-friendly?

And some general questions:

1. If you stay at S/D, do you get to park for free at the parks (like the other Disney hotels)?

2. Do you get unlimited use of the high speed internet?

3. At the Swan, what is the difference between a Deluxe room and a traditional?

Thank you for your help! We had been thinking about staying at POR but for the same price (with gov rate) we can stay at S/D. I really love the theme of POR but S/D sounds so nice and seems to have a great location. This is our first time to stay on-site. Which would you choose?

 

[Mouseteacher]

I would probably choose the Dolphin if I had young children b/c Tubbi's and the Dolphin Fountain are in the Dolphin for easy access.

The resort fee covers the internet access.

Yes, parking is free at the parks for S/D guests.

Dolphin had dbl beds and I believe the renovations are to the 5th or 6th floor. You can request a renovated room but it is not guaranteed.

A standard (traditional) room has a limited view - deluxe rooms could have a balcony or a resort or lake view.

The walk between both resorts to access the wonderful restaurants is so short to be not an issue.

 

[ladyjayhawk]

Thank you Mouseteacher!!

 

[magicmouse2]

We are considering the Swan and Dolphin for our next trip if APs do not come out. What views do the Balcony rooms at the Swan have ?

 

[swilphil]

Lady Jayhawk--
Hi! Is it hot enough in Kansas for ya?? When we stayed at the Dolphin, we were told the beds were between the size of a double and a queen. I read on the boards the Dolphin beds are an inch smaller than the Swan's. We have a queen at home, and I really didn't notice a difference. I would recommend a renovated room at the Dolphin if you can get it. You should be able to upgrade to at least a resort/lake view room, just by joining Starwood Preferred Guest. The Dolphin also has great junior suites and King Deluxe rooms with double balconies (and a King size bed). While parking is free at the parks, we didn't even rent a car while we were there and didn't miss it one bit. We paid for a car service from the airport, and it included a grocery stop. Since we were right by Epcot/MGM, all we had to do was take a bus to AK and MK. The Swan is the first bus on the route, and we were always able to get a seat.

Magic Mouse--
I think there are a variety of views, depending on what part of the building you are in. You could view Epcot, the Boardwalk, the Beach Club, the Dolphin with the lake around it or MGM (at least the Tower of Terror).

 

[GladysK]

Clarification.....

Dolphin has Double beds

Swan has queen beds

 

[ladyjayhawk]

Swilphil, thanks for the great info! Yea, Kansas is just too hot right now. I think it is supposed to be 106 today. Yuck!! The Swan and Dolphin both sound great. My DH wants to try the Swan because of the queen beds but it sounds like we can't go wrong with either one. This trip we need to rent a car because DH has a convention to go to off-site for the first few days, but when planning the next trip I will keep in mind that a car is not necessary. Thanks again!!