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

[ckelly14]

Anyone at the Swan or Dolphin currently- please post your experience with FP+! People are dying to know...

 

[SwanDolphin]

Some extra information below about the program as far as current locations:

Magic Kingdom Park: Town Square Theater

Epcot: Outside Guest Relations and Kiosk outside of the merchandise shop at International Gateway

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind

Disney's Animal Kingdom: Service Center at Guest Relations

 

[minniebeth]

I know we're a few weeks ahead of ourselves here, but looking for times information for the holiday activities~ such as tree lighting, the Dancing Lights Spectacular on the causeway, etc.
Does anyone have any idea of where to find the times? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[NancyIL]

Some extra information below about the program as far as current locations:

Magic Kingdom Park: Town Square Theater

Epcot: Outside Guest Relations and Kiosk outside of the merchandise shop at International Gateway

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind

Disney's Animal Kingdom: Service Center at Guest Relations

Thanks, SwanDolphin!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Some extra information below about the program as far as current locations:.....

Thanks for the heads up, S/D.

I know we're a few weeks ahead of ourselves here, but looking for times information for the holiday activities~ such as tree lighting, the Dancing Lights Spectacular on the causeway, etc.
Does anyone have any idea of where to find the times? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks so much!

As for the lights on the causeway, if you mean in Epcot, those are gone for several years. As for times on other things, best is to check Steve's site, updated weekly. Click on colored tabs at top for each park.

www.wdwent.com

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the heads up, S/D.

As for the lights on the causeway, if you mean in Epcot, those are gone for several years. As for times on other things, best is to check Steve's site, updated weekly. Click on colored tabs at top for each park.

www.wdwent.com

I thought she meant the lights between the Swan and Dolphin, and the lighting of the Dolphin's tree.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I thought she meant the lights between the Swan and Dolphin, and the lighting of the Dolphin's tree.

Stupid me, haha.


Well, I think all that starts day after Thanksgiving at S/D. (Key word is think, not sure)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Looks like everything kicks off on Friday the 29th.


http://www.santasfavoriteresort.com/calendar2013.pdf

 

[binkblum]

So what makes that a fastpass plus? Most fp are gone the day of! I am not seeing the benefit here!

Me either - no benefit. Confused - did Swan & Dolphin think that this would be a perk? Can't everyone use the kiosks that aren't staying on Dis property?

 

[binkblum]

I have heard from Kenny the Pirate via WDW Prep to Go podcast, that the FPs are all gone for major attractions by 10 am. This may be due to the "testing" phase although I have a feeling that this is going to be the norm.

 

[ckelly14]

I think that FP+ as a same day selection, MAY have a benefit compared to regular FP- if you can choose a ride on the mobile App or at an EFFICIENT centralized kiosk near the entrance. Otherwise I see no benefit over FP-. In fact, I think it is worse than FP- since a number of FP spots will be taken up by people pre-booking.

Fortunately, I don't think this is the way FP+ will look in a few months.

I'm really curious if FP+ testers will receive a special RFID card or will it be tied in some way to their existing tickets? Hopefully, people currently on vacation will comment soon...

 

[SwanDolphin]

Me either - no benefit. Confused - did Swan & Dolphin think that this would be a perk? Can't everyone use the kiosks that aren't staying on Dis property?

No, it is a dedicated spot in each park (two in Epcot) just for Swan & Dolphin guests where you have to show your guest key to recieve them with special access/inventory.

 

[binkblum]

No, it is a dedicated spot in each park (two in Epcot) just for Swan & Dolphin guests where you have to show your guest key to recieve them with special access/inventory.

Oh okay, those locations are listed above, correct? How does it work at these Kiosks which are Swan and Dolphin guests only? You provide your key and then what? I am sorry, less confused but still confused. Do you use mydisneyexperience app for the FP+ at the kiosks?

 

[ckelly14]

No, it is a dedicated spot in each park (two in Epcot) just for Swan & Dolphin guests where you have to show your guest key to recieve them with special access/inventory.

Edited- see same questions above- beat me to it! (So, you show your key and then what? Is your selections stored on some type of RFID media to carry to the actual ride?)

 

[SwanDolphin]

Edited- see same questions above- beat me to it! (So, you show your key and then what? Is your selections stored on some type of RFID media to carry to the actual ride?)

Thank you for questions ... actual hard copy fastpasses issued there after you show your Swan/Dolphin room key. I spoke with many guests today at the boat launch to inform of the starting day of the test so hope to get some guest feedback shortly.

 

[ckelly14]

How the heck is this a test of FP+??? Do you have any interface with a kiosk or MDE?

 

[NBCGal]

I am at the Swan now. We are back from a morning at the parks and will be heading out again shortly. I will be trying the Fastpass+ out and will let you know my experience. Attendance at the parks the past few days has been low to moderate, and aside from Toy Story Mania this a.m. we've not had to wait long and regular fast passes have been available. As far as I know, until today Fastpass+ has not been available to anyone other than Disney Resort guests. I'm excited that I will be able to try this out! Follow up: Yesterday there was a bit of confusion at EPCOT as to how Swan/Dolphin guests obtain FP+ - interesting to note that Swan/Dolphin staff were the ones working the kiosk, but it did work and I was able to get on Test Track using FP+. I was glad as regular FP's were out for the day by this point. Today at the Magic Kingdom everything went very smoothly! This time it was manned by WDW staff and they knew exactly what to do. Plus I was told that I could change my FP+ reservations anywhere in the park once I had them for the park for the day. One thing they made clear was that FP+ will be available to all - even offsite guests, eventually. Swan/Dolphin is the beta test for this eventual roll out. I also found out that the Swan/Dolphin will be going through a major redo, hopefully within the next year.

Update 2/

BTW - no paper FP issued - FP+ info stored on your WDW RFID tickets. My Disney Experience isn't linked to your FP+ reservations though. Only Dining Reservations through WDW restaurant are shown. I was told by WDW cast member they don't recommend linking park tickets through My Disney experience as it doesn't do anything. They eventually want to link Swan/ Dolphin room reservations with MDE, but that will be a long time coming.

 

[HappyGrape]

I am at the Swan now. We are back from a morning at the parks and will be heading out again shortly. I will be trying the Fastpass+ out and will let you know my experience. Attendance at the parks the past few days has been low to moderate, and aside from Toy Story Mania this a.m. we've not had to wait long and regular fast passes have been available. As far as I know, until today Fastpass+ has not been available to anyone other than Disney Resort guests. I'm excited that I will be able to try this out!

Exiting! Let us know how you get on! And off course have fun

 

[lizabu]

How exciting! I'm looking forward to hearing how it went. Also if someone can describe where the kiosks are found or what we should be looking for that would be great.

 

[dansdad]

Me either - no benefit. Confused - did Swan & Dolphin think that this would be a perk? Can't everyone use the kiosks that aren't staying on Dis property?

Not yet, no.