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

[SwanVT2]

My husband and I love the balconies-my husband especially likes to sit out there and read, and we are looking forward to having the balcony this year with DD 1 1/2 so we can sit out there after she goes to bed.

 

[SwanVT2]

Actually, does anyone know if they have lower-level patio rooms at the Swan like they do at the Dolphin? Those look kind of neat.

 

[Meghatron]

Hello... I am dipping my toe into the WDW side of things for the first time. We are cruising on the Disney Magic in January and since we are driving from my folks in TN, we are considering spending the afternoon/evening before exploring the non-park stuff at WDW. I am looking at the Dolphin for two reasons:

1. Ability to sleep five, since there might five of us plus the baby. Do all rooms "fit five" which means we might end up having to use both a rollaway and a crib? Or would there be some kind of base level room that gets booked for five, like the "family" stateroom categories on the ships?

2. Fireworks viewing from the room, since our kids are so little. But I can't seem to find concrete info about this. The first post here says you have to request a room in a specific location, but when I go to book through the SPG site (we are members), I'm offered TWO different rooms categorized as "Epcot Fireworks", but only ONE of them claims a park view. It's very confusing.

Any help or information you can pass on would be very welcome. I'm so used to being a Disneyland AP and this is all very different from that experience. I'm about ready to blow the whole thing off and just stay at a motel near the port.

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[LovintheLodge]

Actually, does anyone know if they have lower-level patio rooms at the Swan like they do at the Dolphin? Those look kind of neat.

I just returned from the Swan last Wednesday. I don't remember any patio rooms as it seems the first floor is restaurants and such. There were not any in the wing I was in (boardwalk view with balcony). The first floor of my wing was the Il Mulino restaurant.

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[NancyIL]

Hello... I am dipping my toe into the WDW side of things for the first time. We are cruising on the Disney Magic in January and since we are driving from my folks in TN, we are considering spending the afternoon/evening before exploring the non-park stuff at WDW. I am looking at the Dolphin for two reasons:

1. Ability to sleep five, since there might five of us plus the baby. Do all rooms "fit five" which means we might end up having to use both a rollaway and a crib? Or would there be some kind of base level room that gets booked for five, like the "family" stateroom categories on the ships?

2. Fireworks viewing from the room, since our kids are so little. But I can't seem to find concrete info about this. The first post here says you have to request a room in a specific location, but when I go to book through the SPG site (we are members), I'm offered TWO different rooms categorized as "Epcot Fireworks", but only ONE of them claims a park view. It's very confusing.

Any help or information you can pass on would be very welcome. I'm so used to being a Disneyland AP and this is all very different from that experience. I'm about ready to blow the whole thing off and just stay at a motel near the port.

Sent from my Tricorder using DISBoards

Standard rooms at the Dolphin will accommodate 5 with the addition of a rollaway ($25/night charge, but may be waived for a child). I don't know if they would allow a 6th person - even though it's a baby.

 

[ammouse]

I just returned from the Swan last Wednesday. I don't remember any patio rooms as it seems the first floor is restaurants and such. There were not any in the wing I was in (boardwalk view with balcony). The first floor of my wing was the Il Mulino restaurant.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

we noticed some patio rooms on the ground floor. They were sort of back toward the pools. First time we had noticed them.

 

[LovintheLodge]

we noticed some patio rooms on the ground floor. They were sort of back toward the pools. First time we had noticed them.

I waited a bit to reply as I couldn't remember if there were any on that side of the resort! Thanks for clarifying!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[The Pluto People]

We intend for this trip to be super relaxing and want to spend quite a bit of time around the resort. That's why we're interested in the balcony. Years ago we had a balcony room looking towards EPCOT and we LOVED it. Probably the best view we ever had in WDW. I've talked to SPG twice about upgrading our free on points room with more points. Both SPG reps were wonderful but one said yes and the other said no. I'm going to call the Dolphin directly and ask if they allow point upgrades to the EPCOT balcony rooms. Thanks again for all the info - this thread is great!

 

[bakerworld]

We intend for this trip to be super relaxing and want to spend quite a bit of time around the resort. That's why we're interested in the balcony. Years ago we had a balcony room looking towards EPCOT and we LOVED it. Probably the best view we ever had in WDW. I've talked to SPG twice about upgrading our free on points room with more points. Both SPG reps were wonderful but one said yes and the other said no. I'm going to call the Dolphin directly and ask if they allow point upgrades to the EPCOT balcony rooms. Thanks again for all the info - this thread is great!

You can also ask at check-in and they will try to accomodate you. We asked for an upgrade because our pkg indicated we had one - she said for $38/day she could give us a nice view. I told her I just wanted the upgrade that came with our pkg. She found us a nice water view.

 

[tuckerkeys]

We just returned from the Dolphin -

Upon checking in, I was pleasant & nice and asked if there was any way for an upgrade to an alcove room. " No problem! " was the response I got & we spent the week in a wonderful alcove room! The place was at capacity too. Maybe we caught the front desk check in person on a good day....Maybe she was appreciative of a nice person, who knows...But the worst thing someone can say to you is " No, I'm sorry..." So it never hurts to ask! every time we have stayed at the dolphin they ALWAYS give us an upgrade, just for asking. This time I thought I'd be more specify & it worked! LOVE the Swan & Dolphin!!!

 

[bas71873]

We just returned from the Dolphin - Upon checking in, I was pleasant & nice and asked if there was any way for an upgrade to an alcove room. " No problem! " was the response I got & we spent the week in a wonderful alcove room! The place was at capacity too. Maybe we caught the front desk check in person on a good day....Maybe she was appreciative of a nice person, who knows...But the worst thing someone can say to you is " No, I'm sorry..." So it never hurts to ask! every time we have stayed at the dolphin they ALWAYS give us an upgrade, just for asking. This time I thought I'd be more specify & it worked! LOVE the Swan & Dolphin!!!

How was your park experience without access to FP+? Curious because I have a room booked at the swan and at the YC. Trying to decide what to do for the first week of December.

 

[ckelly14]

How was your park experience without access to FP+? Curious because I have a room booked at the swan and at the YC. Trying to decide what to do for the first week of December.

I hear ya. Have dual booking for Feb and I'm keeping a close eye on things...

 

[luvallprincesses]

I hear ya. Have dual booking for Feb and I'm keeping a close eye on things...

I'm in the dual club for Jan...currently BC and Dolphin at just about equal cost. Going with BC for now, buying tickets separately from the RO discount and then linking them to MDE for now because its almost MB customize and FP+ time. If the Dolphin comes up with a better rate in the next 2 months AND FP legacy is still available, I will be going that route instead and forfeiting the FP+. Gotta keep checking everything!!

 

[#1eeyoregirl]

ok - I finally got thru all 199 pages and still have a couple of questions

We are staying at the Dolphin (for the first time) June 14-21 and it will just be me and my DD10 (will be 11 when we go) and DS6 (will be one month shy of 7). Since we are going in June (and yes we have been to WDW in June before) I am planning on hitting the parks when they open, taking afternoon breaks and the hitting the parks again in the evening. By doing this, we will of course want to utilize the EMH. I have read that several people recommend getting room keys for their children. Do I need to do this or will my children be fine based on their ages and it will only be two or one adults accompanying them?

My second question is about Kimonos. My DD10 LOVES sushi!!! Do you see many kids in there or is it more adult oriented. My kids are well behaved a restaurants, but i still don't want to take them somewhere that there are not usually other kids.

TIA!!

 

[patty57]

ok - I finally got thru all 199 pages and still have a couple of questions

We are staying at the Dolphin (for the first time) June 14-21 and it will just be me and my DD10 (will be 11 when we go) and DS6 (will be one month shy of 7). Since we are going in June (and yes we have been to WDW in June before) I am planning on hitting the parks when they open, taking afternoon breaks and the hitting the parks again in the evening. By doing this, we will of course want to utilize the EMH. I have read that several people recommend getting room keys for their children. Do I need to do this or will my children be fine based on their ages and it will only be two or one adults accompanying them

Definitely get room keys for them. They will probably have to show them at EMH. Sorry, I don't have an answer to your question about Kimonos.

 

[ckelly14]

ok - I finally got thru all 199 pages and still have a couple of questions

We are staying at the Dolphin (for the first time) June 14-21 and it will just be me and my DD10 (will be 11 when we go) and DS6 (will be one month shy of 7). Since we are going in June (and yes we have been to WDW in June before) I am planning on hitting the parks when they open, taking afternoon breaks and the hitting the parks again in the evening. By doing this, we will of course want to utilize the EMH. I have read that several people recommend getting room keys for their children. Do I need to do this or will my children be fine based on their ages and it will only be two or one adults accompanying them?

My second question is about Kimonos. My DD10 LOVES sushi!!! Do you see many kids in there or is it more adult oriented. My kids are well behaved a restaurants, but i still don't want to take them somewhere that there are not usually other kids.

TIA!!

As with most Disney area restaurants, kids are certainly welcome in Kimono's. We went when our kids were 5 and 6 without an issue.

I always was able to use my Dolphin room key for EMH; never had anything for the kids in the past...

 

[patty57]

I always was able to use my Dolphin room key for EMH; never had anything for the kids in the past...

I would still advise getting room keys for the kids. Suppose you get a CM that insists upon seeing them, and you don't have them. It isn't difficult to have them made and keep them on you.

 

[Flews]

ok - I finally got thru all 199 pages and still have a couple of questions

We are staying at the Dolphin (for the first time) June 14-21 and it will just be me and my DD10 (will be 11 when we go) and DS6 (will be one month shy of 7). Since we are going in June (and yes we have been to WDW in June before) I am planning on hitting the parks when they open, taking afternoon breaks and the hitting the parks again in the evening. By doing this, we will of course want to utilize the EMH. I have read that several people recommend getting room keys for their children. Do I need to do this or will my children be fine based on their ages and it will only be two or one adults accompanying them?

My second question is about Kimonos. My DD10 LOVES sushi!!! Do you see many kids in there or is it more adult oriented. My kids are well behaved a restaurants, but i still don't want to take them somewhere that there are not usually other kids.

TIA!!

Kimonos IS mostly adults. However I have been taking my 5-year-olds since they were 2, no problem. We often bring sushi up to our room instead of eating in the restaurant. Either way, Kimonos is most accommodating.

Cheers,

 

[Shula]

ok - I finally got thru all 199 pages and still have a couple of questions

We are staying at the Dolphin (for the first time) June 14-21 and it will just be me and my DD10 (will be 11 when we go) and DS6 (will be one month shy of 7). Since we are going in June (and yes we have been to WDW in June before) I am planning on hitting the parks when they open, taking afternoon breaks and the hitting the parks again in the evening. By doing this, we will of course want to utilize the EMH. I have read that several people recommend getting room keys for their children. Do I need to do this or will my children be fine based on their ages and it will only be two or one adults accompanying them?

My second question is about Kimonos. My DD10 LOVES sushi!!! Do you see many kids in there or is it more adult oriented. My kids are well behaved a restaurants, but i still don't want to take them somewhere that there are not usually other kids.

TIA!!

I read every page also! I was too afraid of asking something discussed to not too!

We will be doing the walk of shame as you are checking in. It's our first stay at Dolphin and can not wait for it to get here.

What rate did you get? I'm hoping we can get our rates to come down a little more before it's all said and done. If we could have gone 2 weeks earlier the price is $26/nt cheaper. We have 4 rooms total booked. 1 room w/AAA rate of $215 and 3 w/teacher rate of $209.

Michelle

 

[binkblum]

How was your park experience without access to FP+? Curious because I have a room booked at the swan and at the YC. Trying to decide what to do for the first week of December.

Have you received feed back yet? I am in a tizzy about no magic bands, etc. We are going for NYE and with the crowd calendar at 10, I am thinking that this may be an interesting trip. I have read about guests going into the park early am only to get a fast pass for 6 pm at night!