Swolphin

[AmyB2006]

What's the deal with these hotels? Are they considered on or off site?

Can you link your reservation number from these hotels to MDE? If you have a MB from a prior stay can you link your reservation once you get there so you can use the MB to access the hotel room etc?

 

[rteetz]

What's the deal with these hotels? Are they considered on or off site? Can you link your reservation number from these hotels to MDE? If you have a MB from a prior stay can you link your reservation once you get there so you can use the MB to access the hotel room etc?

they are on property but they are not owned by Disney they are Starwood hotels. They were once owned by Disney but that was a long time ago. You cannot link your swan or dolphin reservation to MDE because of this. And you cannot use a MB for hotel room access.

 

[Angel Ariel]

They are a hybrid offsite resort, like Shades. Reservations and such don't link to MDE, but guests do get benefits like EMH access. (not sure about Dining plan at Swan/dolphin..I know it's not available at Shades)

 

[AmyB2006]

Ok. That's what I thought. I knew they weren't owned by Disney, but didn't know if they considered them "onsite" for MB purposes. Thank you! Good to know they do get EMH though.

 

[rteetz]

They are a hybrid offsite resort, like Shades. Reservations and such don't link to MDE, but guests do get benefits like EMH access. (not sure about Dining plan at Swan/dolphin..I know it's not available at Shades)

not available at swan and dolphin either but I know they have their own mug service and a 24 hour cafe type thing

 

[Halloweenqueen]

No Magical Express, DMX, Magicbands or dining plan. They do offer EMH and buses.

 

[kbmets]

Book your first night at ALL-Stars, that way you can get Magic Express service to and from (from pick up at Boardwalk) and also get bands and prebook your FP+ rides. Then All-Stars will transfer your bags for free to Swan, and you can stay in Swan for rest of vacation. Your bands are then linked to MDE for remainder of stay, just did this myself.

 

[jade1]

They do offer EMH and buses.

And boats.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Can you charge to the room and have merchandise delivered to your room?

 

[jade1]

No Magical Express.

This is a factor to consider.

Really torn on this one. We for sure prefer ME on arrival, but the towne car for $65 plus tip was way faster when we departed from Dolphin. And they just sit there waiting for you to walk out.

We fly home evenings and even so-that extra hour is kinda nice.

I guess for us, we would forego ME for S/D if the other resorts on our list were sold out. Not just for price, but mainly location.

S/D for us is now right behind BW/BC/YC split week with BLT if its available.

Not interested in Value/Mods and the other deluxes.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Can you charge to the room and have merchandise delivered to your room?

No.

 

[Momtomouselover]

No.

I think you can have purchases delivered to the hotel but not your room. Here is a statement I found on the Swan Dolphin website.


5. Package Delivery: Guests of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin enjoy complimentary delivery of your shopping bags from within the Disney parks to your hotel. So you can enjoy the parks even more.

 

[ucfknight]

They were once owned by Disney but that was a long time ago.

The Swan and Dolphin were never owned by Disney. They were built and owned by Tishman. They were Disney's settlement offer to get out of a lawsuit by Tishman after Disney breached an exclusivity deal with the developer to be the sole builder of on-property convention hotels. As part of the settlement, Tishman got to build 2 convention hotels on Disney property wherever they chose. They decided to build them connected to Epcot. Tishman built and owns the hotels, and the hotels are operated for Tishman by Starwood. The land is owned by Disney and is on long term lease to Tishman (99 years I believe). Disney does get some cut of the revenue from the hotels, and the hotels do pay Disney for the few on-site-equivalent benefits which guests of the hotel receive.

Disney had some creative say in their final design, but the site Tishman chose unfortunately ruined the skyline of World Showcase forever.

 

[rteetz]

The Swan and Dolphin were never owned by Disney. They were built and owned by Tishman. They were Disney's settlement offer to get out of a lawsuit by Tishman after Disney breached an exclusivity deal with the developer to be the sole builder of on-property convention hotels. As part of the settlement, Tishman got to build 2 convention hotels on Disney property wherever they chose. They decided to build them connected to Epcot. Tishman built and owns the hotels, and the hotels are operated for Tishman by Starwood. The land is owned by Disney and is on long term lease to Tishman (99 years I believe). Disney does get some cut of the revenue from the hotels, and the hotels do pay Disney for the few on-site-equivalent benefits which guests of the hotel receive. Disney had some creative say in their final design, but the site Tishman chose unfortunately ruined the skyline of World Showcase forever.

thanks for the info I was under the assumption they were once owned by Disney

 

[amberpi]

Wanting to also reconfirm that you can get items delivered to the Swan and Dolphin and have EMH, but no ME or dining plan. As we don't enjoy the 2 latter services, it works out great for us

 

[goofy4tink]

Book your first night at ALL-Stars, that way you can get Magic Express service to and from (from pick up at Boardwalk) and also get bands and prebook your FP+ rides. Then All-Stars will transfer your bags for free to Swan, and you can stay in Swan for rest of vacation. Your bands are then linked to MDE for remainder of stay, just did this myself.

Not sure how you would get DME back to the airport. You have to be staying at a WDW owned resort, that is active on the day you leave. So, not sure why you suggest BW as a pick up spot for DME...no way is that going to work. The only options for return to the airport, from S/D, is a rental car, a car service, or the Mears shuttle.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

not available at swan and dolphin either but I know they have their own mug service and a 24 hour cafe type thing

Also 24 hr Room Service and a AAA discount in many of their restaurants.

There is a "dining program" for kids 12 and under: http://www.spgpromos.com/kidspass/?language=en_us&EM=VTY_SPG_KIDSPASS_PROMOTION_ENG

There is also a lot for kids (and kids at heart) to do around the resort, like basketball and volleyball, football if you want, etc. (Just go into the health club and thy'll lend out equipment with room key.)

Right now there isn't an ability to link to MDE, but I believe from what I've read it's in the works.

 

[W.E.D.]

The Dolphin does have one of the best restaurants for seafood! Blue Zoo!

 

[vicb]

No Magical Express, DMX, Magicbands or dining plan. They do offer EMH and buses.

This is a factor to consider.

Really torn on this one. We for sure prefer ME on arrival, but the towne car for $65 plus tip was way faster when we departed from Dolphin. And they just sit there waiting for you to walk out.

We fly home evenings and even so-that extra hour is kinda nice.

And I would add that they do offer lower prices than the nearby deluxes BWI and YC/BC... location is great as are the transportation options (walking, bus, boats).

I have always used towncar service over ME just for the time and convenience factors, love the grocery stop for water and snacks.