Swan Info-staying First Time

[DisneyFans4]

I'll be stayng at the Swan at the club level this summer and it's my first trip there.
I wuold appreciate any info and would love to hear from those that have stayed there.
Thanks!

 

[Bojangles]

It's a beautitul resort, and it is very convenient being able to walk to Epcot and MGM.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Hey Bojangles!!
I just wrote you a reply at the Poly site! Nice to see you here.
As I said, I'm not staying at the Poly this year so this is what I've chose.
So what can you tell me about their concierge service?

 

[CarnotaurDad]

stayed at the Swan in November. We posted hotel review. If you do a search you will find a lot of information on the Swan. We had a fine time...not heavy on the Magic but a nice hotel with good location. My experience of the Club level was better than expected but it all depends on you expectations.

Please feel free to email directly with questions.
Karen

 

[DisneyFans4]

Karen
I just tried to e-mail you directly as you indicated I could but the pop up said that I couldn't.
I do have so many questions and would like to talk to you.
I had read the post but also had a few other questions.
Do they play the resort channel at the Swan to get all the park info?
Is the laundry room nearby?
How long does it take to take to Epcot via the walkway?
Do you recall the food service?
Thanks so much

 

[Miffy]

Hi DisneyFans4. We just spent 2 nights at the Swan (review posted in the Reviews section here on the board if you care to take a look) and I can answer some but not all of your questions.

Here goes:

Do they play the resort channel at the Swan to get all the park info?

No.

Is the laundry room nearby?

The laundry room is in the Dolphin. Its proximity depends completely on your room location and it may indeed be nearby or it could be farther away.

How long does it take to take to Epcot via the walkway?

Probably 15 minutes--a bit less if you walk really fast and a bit more if you're taking a leisurely stroll. They also have a boat that goes to Epcot and one that goes to MGM as well. Buses for everywhere else.

Do you recall the food service?

We didn't eat at the Swan, but I'll answer as much as I can here. They have 24-hour-a-day room service. There are also 2 restaurants and a sushi bar in the Swan as well as at least one other bar. Restaurants are Palio's (Italian) and Gulliver's (American menu--this exact place is called the Garden Grill, I believe, during the day). There's also food at the pool, but I don't have more details, sorry. There are also a couple of sit-down restaurants at the Dolphin, a dessert place, and of course Tubbi's Buffeteria at the Dolphin, open 24 hrs/day. You can read about all the restaurant options at S/D on their website: http://www.swandolphin.com/home.html

Of course you're right near all the Boardwalk food options as well.

HTH --miffy--

 

[Bojangles]

They have the resort channel but Disney changed it and there is no more Zip-a-dee-do-dah tip for today or dancing park hopper. Now it's a Travel Channel rip off type show called "top 10 WDW attractions" with a very annoying host.

The walk to Epcot was about 10 minutes. Beautiful stroll along the Boardwalk. We walked over to Illuminations every night over Thanksgiving. The busses and boats had very little wait time.

Room service was very good and fast. That was the only time we had dinner there, since the Boardwalk restaurants were so close.

The beds were wonderful and the room was spotless.

Club level had the typical continental breakfast.

I thought it had a very "Disney" quality, we were able to see ToT from our room. I had been a little apprehensive about trying anything new but were surprised that we were so happy with it. Service was incredible. The night before we checked out, they left a voicemail asking if we had any problems (we didn't) and how we enjoyed our stay. I thought that was a nice touch. One day the housekeeper forgot to leave more coffee...they sent someone up with it within 5 minutes.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Miffy
Thanks so much for the info but now I'm concerned about the laundry room.
Why doesn't the Swan have one? Are you sure they didn't have one? Seems odd not to have one. It may not seem a big concern for some but it is for me. There are 4 of us and we're staying 11 days so you can imagine.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Bojangles-
When you said the resort channel was changed did you mean for just the Swan or all Disney hotels.
The tune was a bit annoying but I do miss it.
I'm concerned that Miffy said there is no laundry room at the Swan. Did you use them or remember seeing one?
Sounds very nice the way your are describing it and I can't wait.

 

[Miffy]

Hi again DisneyFans4. I see we're both webbing at the same time.

AFAIK, the laundry is at the Dolphin for both Swan & Dolphin. I just doublechecked a couple of other web resources, and they confirmed this. I totally understand why it's a big deal. There are only 2 of us and we pack very light and use the laundry quite a bit while on vacation.

I'd like to correct my list of Swan restaurants. I totally forgot there's a steakhouse there too (Shula's). Please check their website for the total list of dining options. We didn't eat there once, so I only know about what I walked by on an exploratory tour.

There's a S/D FAQ at the top of this thread, I believe. Take a look there as well.

Also, regarding the Disney info channel: I assumed you were referring to the yellow-background channel that lists the weather, park hours, events, tours, etc. If they have it at the Swan, I never saw it on the tv and we flipped through all the channels a few times. We always view this channel at WDW resorts, so I missed having it.

If I can help with anything else, I'll try. --miffy--

 

[Bojangles]

It was the same resort channel they now have at the regular WDW resorts. They didn't have the DVC promotional channels.

I don't remember seeing a laundry at the Swan, but the Dolphin isn't far. Probably the same walk time we had from our room to the AKL laundry room.

We will probably be back at the Swan this summer for 10 nights. I really loved the location.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks Miffy and Bojangles-
You've both been such a great help.
I'll write WDW and ask about the laundry room at the Swan because that's important to me.
Bojangles--your right-it was a bit of a walk from the Hawaii building to the laundry room and your saying the Swan and Dolphin are so close so maybe the distance is the same.

 

[Miffy]

Hi again, DisneyFans4. You can telephone the Swan--it's an 800 number--and they'll tell you about the laundry over the phone, I'm sure. 1-888-828-8850.

Have a great trip. --miffy--

 

[DisneyFans4]

Miffy-
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE PHONE ###!!!
I'll call now.

 

[swilphil]

If laundry is that important to you, you might be able to switch your reservation from the Swan to the Dolphin. They are owned by the same company. Make sure you get a Dolphin renovated room so you get the Heavenly Beds.

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by Miffy

I'd like to correct my list of Swan restaurants. I totally forgot there's a steakhouse there too (Shula's). Please check their website for the total list of dining options. We didn't eat there once, so I only know about what I walked by on an exploratory tour.

Shula's is at the Dolphin.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Sherri
I originally wanted the Dolphin but they don't have double queen beds which is what I need for my family of 4. The Dolphin only has 2 double beds so I had to switch.

Miffy
I called the Swan and they did confirm they don't have a laundry room but the Dolphin does on the first floor and she said it's very easy to get to.
Thanks again!

 

[Mouseteacher]

There is only one laundry and it is located in the Dolphin lower level past Tubbi's.

The difference in queen beds at Swan and double beds at Dolphin is minimal.

We have eaten at Palio's in the Swan, Shula's at the Dolphin, the Dolphin Soda Fountain and the Garden Grille for breakfast.

I have stayed at both Swan and Dolphin and love both resorts. We stayed CL at the Dolphin and Jr. Suite at the Swan. Please feel free to PM with any questions.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by DisneyFans4
Sherri
I originally wanted the Dolphin but they don't have double queen beds which is what I need for my family of 4. The Dolphin only has 2 double beds so I had to switch.

I did hear that there is very little difference in the size of the beds with Swan and renovated rooms at the Dolphin. Dolphin is a little closer to the pool.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I didn't know then that the difference was minimal but it's okay, it's already been booked and the two hotels are so close so I'll just have to walk over.