The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ April 2012 ~ Please read post #1

[shannonstar]

Thank-you so much for posted the information about alternatives to Mears. We were trying to figure out how to get to MVMCP our arrival day after flying in and with Mears it looked impossible. The price isn't really all that different either. Love you guys!!!!

 

[patty57]

Hello everyone! Quick question: Can I request to have a microwave??
And do all rooms comes with fridges? Or do you need to request those?

Rooms have fridges in them. You can't get a microwave.

 

[rthib]

Check out a one way rental.
Pick up airport and drop at dolphin.
You would be surprised how reasonable the price is.

 

[zoey9989]

We just booked an illuminations view balcony room for dec 20 thru 23 at the dolphin. how good are the views really???

 

[Dan Murphy]

We just booked an illuminations view balcony room for dec 20 thru 23 at the dolphin. how good are the views really???

You can see the high up shells explode, hear, and feel them too, they shake the building. You can not see the lower fireworks, flames, globe, etc. Assuming you are high enough, you could see Spaceship Earth.

 

[collette0725]

Check out a one way rental. Pick up airport and drop at dolphin. You would be surprised how reasonable the price is.

That's exactly what I did

 

[bop28]

Just came back and wanted to mention this about the coffee situation in the rooms. Starbucks single serve envelopes are in the rooms plus the Starbucks cups and lids. No real cream, only the powdered stuff, but we walked over to the Screen Door store on the Boardwalk and bought a pint of real Half and Half ($2.19) and kept it in the fridge for the entire stay.

 

[3Leafs]

Just came back and wanted to mention this about the coffee situation in the rooms. Starbucks single serve envelopes are in the rooms plus the Starbucks cups and lids. No real cream, only the powdered stuff, but we walked over to the Screen Door store on the Boardwalk and bought a pint of real Half and Half ($2.19) and kept it in the fridge for the entire stay.

Thank You for posting this

 

[LovintheLodge]

Thanks everyone for all the transportation info and tips. We arrive at WDW tomorrow (first night at YC) and the Swan on Thursday!!

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[collette0725]

Anyone has pictures of the resort view room with balcony at the dolphin?

 

[Doofenschmirz Evil]

A few random observations from our recent stay. Some of these have probably been discussed elsewhere in the thread, but I didn't read it all.

-This really is an outstanding place to stay during the F&W festival. The international gateway entrance is outstanding and the Dolphin rate we got was much lower than any of the other Epcot resorts.

-The Dolphin had a card you could put on the door at night where you could elect not to have the room cleaned and then they would give you a $5 food discount. We don't really need new towels or to have the bed made every night anyhow, so this was fine with us. (They still deliver the water bottles.)

-But... The service charge at Picabu really irks me. Even if you just get a pastry and orange juice in the Picabu line they charge the service charge. I'm not a big fan of an automatic charge for the hot food, but at least then they brought it out to your seat. But why they would charge a service charge when you carry it to your seat and don't get any hot food is beyond me. This sort of negates any discount you get with the $5 off voucher.

-On the other hand, you are able to use the $5 off and your AAA discount at the same time.

-We ended up just using the bakery in the Boardwalk or in France as an alternative for a quick cheap breakfast. But it seems dumb to me that there was no cheap grab and go choice in the hotel.

-NEVER take the bus TO Typhoon Lagoon. This was our first trip to the water parks on a trip. But the bus trip to Typhoon Lagoon from the Dolphin was ridiculous. We walked out and caught the bus with no wait. But to get to Typhoon Lagoon it stopped at the Beach Club, the Yacht Club, the Boardwalk, and twice at Downtown Disney before finally dropping us off at Typhoon Lagoon. We were on the bus for 45 minutes. I can't imagine how annoyed we would have been if we had waited for the bus initially too (And it would have been one stop longer if we stayed at the Swan.)

-The bus back from Typhoon Lagoon and to and from Blizzard Beach was much faster.

-We walked all the way to the Business Center to think about pre-printing our boarding passes but they charged by the minute and by the copy. But the concierge printed our boarding passes for free.

-Overall, I would highly recommend the resort, especially if you get a good rate, and especially during F&W.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A few random observations from our recent stay.......The service charge at Picabu really irks me. Even if you just get a pastry and orange juice in the Picabu line they charge the service charge. I'm not a big fan of an automatic charge for the hot food, but at least then they brought it out to your seat. But why they would charge a service charge when you carry it to your seat and don't get any hot food is beyond me.......

-We ended up just using the bakery in the Boardwalk or in France as an alternative for a quick cheap breakfast. But it seems dumb to me that there was no cheap grab and go choice in the hotel........

-We walked all the way to the Business Center to think about pre-printing our boarding passes but they charged by the minute and by the copy. But the concierge printed our boarding passes for free.........

Thanks for the update, DE, sounds good.

As for the 13% automatic service/tip charge, I agree. Should not be added to carry out items. I know it is to compensate the staff there who probably get chiseled by many guests, but mandatory on carry items is not good. Would be like a mandatory 13% charge at Starbucks.

The Dolphin has the Lobby Lounge and the Swan has the Java Bar, both for morning quick service. Nice choice of basic items.

Both resorts to offer a free walk up kiosk for online checkin and boarding pas print out for most of the airlines.

Lots of good points there, glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

[nancy drew]

Another transportation question, and which hotel...

Sorry guys. We are a family of 3 (1 adult 2 children) and are considering the Dolphin/Swan for an upcoming stay. We only need transportation one way to the airport (we will arrive at Disney via family). So... taxi? Town car? Mears? Renting a car is not an option. So, which is the cheapest/best alternative?

Also, is there a significant difference between the hotels? We will be spending our days at the parks, but might have a little time for relaxing/pool time (weather probably won't cooperate, but you never know). We already love the Boardwalk area and can happily spend hours there and eat there, but it would be nice to have food options on our way out or in the hotel. Also we have food allergies and restrictions, and need to work around that.

So any input would be appreciated!!!

 

[Robbi]

Another transportation question, and which hotel...

Sorry guys. We are a family of 3 (1 adult 2 children) and are considering the Dolphin/Swan for an upcoming stay. We only need transportation one way to the airport (we will arrive at Disney via family). So... taxi? Town car? Mears? Renting a car is not an option. So, which is the cheapest/best alternative?

Also, is there a significant difference between the hotels? We will be spending our days at the parks, but might have a little time for relaxing/pool time (weather probably won't cooperate, but you never know). We already love the Boardwalk area and can happily spend hours there and eat there, but it would be nice to have food options on our way out or in the hotel. Also we have food allergies and restrictions, and need to work around that.

So any input would be appreciated!!!

A taxi is about $52.00 plus tip
Fl Tours town car is $70 plus tip
Tiffany town car is $65 plus tip

The biggest difference between the S/D is the Swan has 2 queen beds while the Dolphin has 2 doubles.

Picabu, which is cafeteria like, is located in the Dolphin and is a family favorite. There are, I believe 17 different restaurants between the 2 from $$ to $$$$$.

If you think you're leaning this way, join the Starwood Preferred club. You can get better views sometimes at no extra charge.

We've always had wonderful stays at both.

 

[patty57]

Robbi, I see in your ticker that you are taking a grandchild for their first WDW visit. I can't imagine how much fun that will be! Have a great time.
Patty

 

[bakerworld]

Another transportation question, and which hotel...

Sorry guys. We are a family of 3 (1 adult 2 children) and are considering the Dolphin/Swan for an upcoming stay. We only need transportation one way to the airport (we will arrive at Disney via family). So... taxi? Town car? Mears? Renting a car is not an option. So, which is the cheapest/best alternative?

Also, is there a significant difference between the hotels? We will be spending our days at the parks, but might have a little time for relaxing/pool time (weather probably won't cooperate, but you never know). We already love the Boardwalk area and can happily spend hours there and eat there, but it would be nice to have food options on our way out or in the hotel. Also we have food allergies and restrictions, and need to work around that.

So any input would be appreciated!!!

The Mears shuttle is definitely the most inexpensive and fairly direct because they only stop at one other place. CAUTION: Don't be late because they give 5 minutes and expect you to be looking for them. We just automatically as bell services where the shuttle picks up but another family sat in the lobby and missed the shuttle.

 

[Robbi]

Robbi, I see in your ticker that you are taking a grandchild for their first WDW visit. I can't imagine how much fun that will be! Have a great time.
Patty

Thank-you, Patty. We're very excited. He'll only be 7 months old. We'll concentrate on Fantasyland which we haven't visited much for the past several years.

 

[bop28]

Just back from the Dolphin and I wanted to share a very surprising Wine deal at the Dolphin Lobby Bar. This is the bar that's on the Lobby level, at the top of the escalator. On our second night there, we noticed a large sign facing the lobby from the bar, advertising their Wine special for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5-7pm. They may call it Social Hour. The Sheraton Hotels have partnered with the Wine Spectator, who rates wines, and they are offering 10 -12 different wines rated at 89+ on that list. For just $5, you get 2- 2oz pours of red or white wines from the top rated list, or if you happen to like one wine over the others, they'll give you 1- 4 oz pour for $5. Also, they serve the wine in gorgeous long stemmed wine glasses that just makes the experience that much better. I have to say, we loved it so much, that we went all three nights, and tasted everything on the special menu, and then walked over to Epcot for the FOOD and Wine Festival. Great fun, and an unexpected budget deal. The bar tender told us this is a Nationwide special at most Sheraton Hotels.

 

[patty57]

Do you know if the wine special is just during food & wine, or (hopefully) something more permanent?

 

[bop28]

From what the Bartender said, Sheraton has done this for most of this year and it's a nationwide promo. I looked it up on the computer, and found lots of information about the Promotion from Sheraton Hotels and The Wine Spectator. It's really a great way to try wines without buying expensive bottles...