The Fountain at Swan and Dolphin

[jen7233]

How is seating at the Fountain? How was the food? Is it very crowded, and is there any outdoor seating if it's full inside? It's labeled as casual dining, so I don't see a place to make a reservation. I was hoping to get a reservation at Beaches and Cream, but can't, so I'm looking for an alternate burger/ice cream sit down place that's walkable from the Beach Club. Thanks!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

No outdoor seating that I recall. I don't think they take reservations. I've only been once at lunch and it wasn't crowded at all. Decor nothing special but bugers were great. ESPN also has several burgers on the menu and the new Ample Hills Creamery is a few steps down the Boardwalk. Crews Cup (lounge next to Yachtsman) also has a burger on the menu (could get takeout ice cream from Beaches & Cream for dessert). Have fun!

 

[georgina]

It was not crowded last time I was there, which was Sept 2015 for lunch. I enjoyed my meal and the laid-back, quieter atmosphere on a hot day!

 

[OKW Lover]

We prefer the Fountain burgers over the ones at Beaches & Cream. They've also got a pretty good cheese steak sandwich. Good fries & shakes too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It really depends on the time of day. We had lunch there once around 11:30 am and it was very easy to get a table. Stopped by around 10:30 pm one night and it was really crowded. Because you can't make reservations, it's going to be hit-or-miss depending on day and time. If you can't get in, another alternative may be heading to the Boardwalk and having burgers at either ESPN or Big River (both walk-ups) and then having ice cream at Ample Hills?!

 

[jen7233]

Great, I think we'll try it. We do have reservations for ESPN already, planning on trying the nachos there! And we'll have to try Ample Hills that sounds good, or the ice cream place in France at Epcot. Now this sounds like too much ice cream to try and not enough time

 

[JZCubed]

How is seating at the Fountain? How was the food? Is it very crowded, and is there any outdoor seating if it's full inside? It's labeled as casual dining, so I don't see a place to make a reservation. I was hoping to get a reservation at Beaches and Cream, but can't, so I'm looking for an alternate burger/ice cream sit down place that's walkable from the Beach Club. Thanks!

It's certainly walkable from Beach Club.

Start at ESPN and walk all the way towards the Dance Hall. Then go around the bend and over the lovely paved walkway to the Promenade that is between the Swan & Dolphin.

So when you get inside the Dolphin, The Fountain is right there (inside the doors, past the real fountain outside).

The seating is pretty much in the open. Nothing special at all.

They serve burgers, but meh.

The ice cream is very good (I think better than Beaches'n'Cream).

A better meal is available outside at the poolside restaurant - Cabana.
http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/
http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/menus/pdf/cabana-menu.pdf

You can also stop in at either ESPN or Big River Grill for a bite to eat and then stop in at Ample Hill for ice cream dessert.

 

[Parker Clan]

How is seating at the Fountain? How was the food? Is it very crowded, and is there any outdoor seating if it's full inside? It's labeled as casual dining, so I don't see a place to make a reservation. I was hoping to get a reservation at Beaches and Cream, but can't, so I'm looking for an alternate burger/ice cream sit down place that's walkable from the Beach Club. Thanks!

We liked the food a lot actually! We got a burger and philly cheesesteak sandwich and enjoyed both
On a side note, I like your picture we have a bull dog too

 

[rosiebean]

It's walkable from the YC/BC area. We went on a Friday night last December (8ish) and walked up and got seating for eight.

The burgers were ok. Other food, ok. Shakes were good.

Service was awful. It was indifferent to bad. Our server took our drink orders quickly, but it took forever to get them. Our group ordered a selection of appetizers and burgers (some had apps b/c they weren't as hungry, others had burgers). Food was bought out at different times with no explanation...as in, two burgers bought out quickly and 15 minutes goes by until two more burgers come out. One app was sent out after all the burgers were out. We had to flag down another server to get drink refills.

I waited tables in college, and I know firsthand how some places just have bad nights. That said...I am not in a hurry to go back. I could deal with an off night for service, but given the just ok food and the other options nearby that have been better...it's just not a place that appeals to me.

 

[Best Aunt]

It's certainly walkable from Beach Club.

Start at ESPN and walk all the way towards the Dance Hall. Then go around the bend and over the lovely paved walkway to the Promenade that is between the Swan & Dolphin.

You're basically saying Beach Club to Boardwalk toward Swan to Dolphin.

Do you think that's a better way to go than Beach Club to Yacht Club to Dolphin? When you go this route, you have to wrap around the Dolphin to get to the entrance - it's not "as the crow flies."

 

[coup2516]

How is seating at the Fountain? How was the food? Is it very crowded, and is there any outdoor seating if it's full inside? It's labeled as casual dining, so I don't see a place to make a reservation. I was hoping to get a reservation at Beaches and Cream, but can't, so I'm looking for an alternate burger/ice cream sit down place that's walkable from the Beach Club. Thanks!

Honestly the ice cream at Fountain blows away B&C. We have tried every ice cream joint at WDW and Fountain is one that we actually go out of our way to go to. The Apple Pie sundae is unbelievably good. Ample Hills and the one in the France pavilion are also very good. Ample Hills is a bit pricey even by WDW standards.

 

[coup2516]

You're basically saying Beach Club to Boardwalk toward Swan to Dolphin.

Do you think that's a better way to go than Beach Club to Yacht Club to Dolphin? When you go this route, you have to wrap around the Dolphin to get to the entrance - it's not "as the crow flies."

You can go a bit off the beaten path but it ends up taking longer than shooting across the bridges from YC to BW to S&D.