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

[patty57]

Still here at the Dolphin - two more full days of vacation left before we return home Saturday! Pretty chilly today, tomorrow supposed to be a nippy 54!

FP+ still available for Swan/Dolphin guests. Table set up at Epcot international gateway again today. We picked a Soarin' and Mission Space FP+ . You can pick one from column A and two from column B. Test Track, Soarin' and Illuminations are all in column A, so you can only pick one. Lines are minimal this week, so except for Soarin', we haven't needed any FP.

I asked the CMs at the table if wristbands would be available in the future for Swan & Dolphin and he said "No. They chose not to be included." Now, I have heard a few versions if this, so I have no idea who has the right info! Lol. CM did say soon Swan & Dolphin guests will be able to choose their FP+ online prior to that day.

No paper FP at all now in MK & AK. Still a few stragglers in Epcot & HS.

Going to MK tomorrow. Will see if we can make FP+ for Wishes. Will let you know.

If weather warms up Friday, I may opt for a solo day at the Grotto Pool and Cabana Bar!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

SingingMom, Thanks for the update. I guess they have moved from "testing" through January 12th to this is the system they will use. I don't care about ever using MBs after reading all the problems some have had with them, but I sure would like to be able to book FP+ ahead of time. Guess we need to see how this plays out.
I vote for a solo day at the Grotto Pool and Cabana Bar for you! I sure hope it warms up though.

 

[SingingMom]

Swan & Dolphin can go directly to the regular FP+ kiosks now. We didn't see the special tables set up today at MK.

Very crowded today - and VERY cold!!! Tomorrow is our last full day. Looks like it won't be warm enough for lounging at the Grotto pool & Cabana Bar.
Oh well, there's always next year!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[patty57]

Swan & Dolphin can go directly to the regular FP+ kiosks now. We didn't see the special tables set up today at MK.

Very crowded today - and VERY cold!!! Tomorrow is our last full day. Looks like it won't be warm enough for lounging at the Grotto pool & Cabana Bar.
Oh well, there's always next year!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I'm sorry about the weather. I've had some crazy cold weather in WDW (December 2010), and I really don't like it. I just expect it to be warm and, if lucky, sunny in FL. Unrealistic expectations on my part. Bundle up and have a quick drink at the Cabana Bar.

I can't say I like that S/D guests will be treated totally as offsite guests for FP+. I didn't feel as though I were offsite before, and felt as though we had the best of all worlds at the S/D. I would definitely feel like an offsite guest now though. This would be a game changer for my family, and would probably move us back to WDW properties...which makes me sad.

Have a wonderful last day of vacation.

 

[SingingMom]

Patty- I got the impression from a CM that eventually the Swan & Dolphin guests will be able to make their FP+ Online ahead of time.

Two of my FP+ observations: (remember, this is ME. Lol)

1. I like paper. Lol. And the older I get, the sadder my short term memory. I need to check my ticket four times to remember the FP time. Sure, you can send it yo your My Disney App, email, or take a photo, but..... My iPhone kept running out of charge because I was using it to take pictures or check wait times! (Can someone suggest a good portable charger?!). Also.... If we didn't use a paper FP, we used to love to make someone smile and pass it along.

2. It seems like EVERYONE was using a FP now. . January lines were pretty intense the past two days. You used to need to make a little effort to get a FP. Now you can get them at 2 am in your pjs on your lazy boy.


I will have to see what I think after all the testing is done.

However - it isn't a deal breaker for us. The Dolphin still holds my heart! <3

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[lvdismagic]

Patty- I got the impression from a CM that eventually the Swan & Dolphin guests will be able to make their FP+ Online ahead of time. Two of my FP+ observations: (remember, this is ME. Lol) 1. I like paper. Lol. And the older I get, the sadder my short term memory. I need to check my ticket four times to remember the FP time. Sure, you can send it yo your My Disney App, email, or take a photo, but..... My iPhone kept running out of charge because I was using it to take pictures or check wait times! (Can someone suggest a good portable charger?!). Also.... If we didn't use a paper FP, we used to love to make someone smile and pass it along.

 

[SA mom]

For those of you there now, are the Swan/Dolphin FP+ kiosks separate from the off-property guests FP+ kiosks?

 

[vicki_c]

For those of you there now, are the Swan/Dolphin FP+ kiosks separate from the off-property guests FP+ kiosks?

There are no separate kiosks for S/D.

 

[SingingMom]

For those of you there now, are the Swan/Dolphin FP+ kiosks separate from the off-property guests FP+ kiosks?

They were gone mid-week last week. Now you use the same ones every guest does. There are signs and CMs to assist. Be prepared - lines got very long, even on light crowd days.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[SA mom]

They were gone mid-week last week. Now you use the same ones every guest does. There are signs and CMs to assist. Be prepared - lines got very long, even on light crowd days.

Not what I wanted to hear. Hopefully we'll get some additional benefits soon.

 

[SingingMom]

Not what I wanted to hear. Hopefully we'll get some additional benefits soon.

I don't look at it as a Swan/Dolphin issue, though. I think it is Disney sorting out how the whole system works.

I guess I don't plan my vacation so specifically that I want to schedule my rides online in advance. Maybe in high capacity months it makes more of a difference, or the people that are only in a park one or two days. Guess we'll see how things shake out!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[lvdismagic]

I've only done Epcot (yesterday) but we had separate kiosks right after we entered through the International Gateway.

 

[jagfanjosh3252]

So. Looking at the FAQs. There is basically an extra $32 charge per day correct? With the parking and resort fee?

 

[Dan Murphy]

$35, plus tax

 

[ckelly14]

So. Looking at the FAQs. There is basically an extra $32 charge per day correct? With the parking and resort fee?

Yep

 

[harddog]

I for one am not very happy that S&D have not been included with being able to book FP+ in advance. We have been staying there for the past 15+ years and love the quick access to DHS & Epcot. And usually use as many FP- as we could to maximize ride times.

In everyone's experience so far (I know it has only been a few days) - - does being limited to booking day of restrict times. I mean, obviously there are times that get blocked out because the on-site guests take up those FP+ before we would be able to get there?

Question - - if we know we are going to park hop that day, and went to DHS in the morning and MK at night, when we get to DHS can you book a MK FP+ or do we have to wait until we get to MK?

 

[dansdad]

Question - - if we know we are going to park hop that day, and went to DHS in the morning and MK at night, when we get to DHS can you book a MK FP+ or do we have to wait until we get to MK?

The way the system is right now you would have to wait until you get to MK.

 

[harddog]

The way the system is right now you would have to wait until you get to MK.

Thanks, but that was NOT what I was hoping to hear - - let's hope things change before the late summer

I know rumors are just that, but anyone hear if it might change by then?

 

[dansdad]

Thanks, but that was NOT what I was hoping to hear - - let's hope things change before the late summer

I know rumors are just that, but anyone hear if it might change by then?

Actually the rumors are that it will not change. If you believe what's being discussed over on the Theme Park board it's not going to change in order to make staying in a Disney resort more attractive.

 

[JimmyV]

I've only done Epcot (yesterday) but we had separate kiosks right after we entered through the International Gateway.

What is the current Rope Drop procedure for people coming through the International Gateway? Is it:

1. Go through turnstile before official park opening and use kiosk, and then head toward Future World;
2. Go through turnstile before official park opening, but kiosk is not activated until official park opening, so you queue up and wait;
3. Cannot go through turnstile until official park opening, so you wait until then to enter and use kiosk.
4. Other

The last time I was at WDW, they let you in early and you could walk to the "circle" in Future World and were held there until they officially opened the park. But I know that this chages from time to time. Arrival in 24 days, and trying to sort this all out. Thanks.

 

[lvdismagic]

What is the current Rope Drop procedure for people coming through the International Gateway? Is it: [*]Go through turnstile before official park opening and use kiosk, and then head toward Future World; [*]Go through turnstile before official park opening, but kiosk is not activated until official park opening, so you queue up and wait; [*]Cannot go through turnstile until official park opening, so you wait until then to enter and use kiosk. [*]Other The last time I was at WDW, they let you in early and you could walk to the "circle" in Future World and were held there until they officially opened the park. But I know that this chages from time to time. Arrival in 24 days, and trying to sort this all out. Thanks.

Option 3