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

[hsmamato2]

As far a discounts go, I would recommend monitoring the S/D offers page on their website; sign up for the monthly newsletter; bookmark the Starpicks website ; and if you're on Facebook, 'like' the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, Starwood Preferred Guest and Starwood Hotels Travel Exclusives.

Between all those sources, you should be able to keep on top of the best rates for the S/D.

Happy planning!

thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

interesting....thanks! on the maps, it looks like swan is farther.....or maybe I'm reading it wrong......

It is further, but its really not a long distance. I wouldn't make a decision based on that.

 

[LexiC123]

interesting....thanks! on the maps, it looks like swan is farther.....or maybe I'm reading it wrong......

The Dolphin building is closer to Epcot...but only if you exit out the side door (which would be underneath the blue box labeled AA). Otherwise, you'd have to walk across the causeway towards the Swan to access both the Boardwalk path and the walkway along the Yacht and Beach Club.

And as OKW Lover stated, the difference really isn't a deal-breaker either way...at most, it's a 5-minute walk (and that's walking really, really slooooow) to go door-to-door between the two resorts.

 

[LexiC123]

I'm happy to say with all the help from you guys I finally booked our stay at the Dolphin for Oct 4-8th!!

Yay for you! You're going to love the resort.

And S/D + Food & Wine + October weather = perfection!

thanks!

My pleasure!

 

[MommyPoppins]

The Dolphin building is closer to Epcot...but only if you exit out the side door (which would be underneath the blue box labeled AA). Otherwise, you'd have to walk across the causeway towards the Swan to access both the Boardwalk path and the walkway along the Yacht and Beach Club.

So how do you find that door under the blue box labeled AA?

 

[Dan Murphy]

....And as OKW Lover stated, the difference really isn't a deal-breaker either way...at most, it's a 5-minute walk (and that's walking really, really slooooow) to go door-to-door between the two resorts.

I do walk really slooow and it is about a 2 minute walk for me, door to door. Now, if I am taking pictures on the way, maybe 30 minutes, LOL.

 

[LexiC123]

So how do you find that door under the blue box labeled AA?

There are several elevators in the Dolphin. If you take the East Elevators all the way down, there are signs leading to the exit.

 

[LexiC123]

I do walk really slooow and it is about a 2 minute walk for me, door to door. Now, if I am taking pictures on the way, maybe 30 minutes, LOL.

So true...there's no telling how much longer the trip is when you're snapping away!

 

[Music City Mama]

And as OKW Lover stated, the difference really isn't a deal-breaker either way...at most, it's a 5-minute walk (and that's walking really, really slooooow) to go door-to-door between the two resorts.

I do walk really slooow and it is about a 2 minute walk for me, door to door. Now, if I am taking pictures on the way, maybe 30 minutes, LOL.

This reminds me . . . When I made my reservation a couple of months ago for Camp Dolphin, I told the guy we were eating at the Swan at 6:00 and we'd drop the kids off at 5:45/5:50 -- he suggested that since we were eating "all the way over at the Swan" that I drop the kids off at 5:30. I was like, "What?! It takes 5 minutes to walk over there!" LOL I guess he was new.

 

[love~disney]

Thank you for all of your information about this resort. I have stayed here once before when I was a child but not when I have to book everything. lol Thanks for all of the tips and on how to get a good deal. Between the teacher's discount/ AAA and Starwood I'm pumped that I get a great deal. We are going with three adults and three children. The price comparison between the S&D and the Disney properties is a no brainer. We will get a better deal and more room.
I can't wait to book our trip for next summer!!!

 

[OKW Lover]

Please note that this map is not geographically accurate. Its an artist rendering that grossly misrepresents the spacial relationship of the various resorts. for a realistic view, go to Google Maps.

 

[wood145]

I was thinking the map wasn't accurate. I always felt the Swan was slightly closer. That being said, the difference is minimal.

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://binged.it/JV2OaT

 

[bas71873]

If we wanted to check out the S/D on our trip this summer and have dinner there and wander around, would we be charged to park?

 

[olive]

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one.

We are also considering a 2 bedroom suite at either Swan or Dolphin; right now we have two rooms booked, one for my parents and one for us. We have shared 2 bedroom suites on other vacations - though not at the Swan or Dolphin - and everyone has a good time. How are views for these suites? I think I read on here somewhere that there are no Epcot/Spaceship Earth views available for those rooms?

Thanks!

 

[hsmamato2]

that Bing map ROCKS I can see what you mean now about swan being a quicker walk than dolphin- I can also see the walkway to the 2 parks! which hotel is better for room views? like of parks at night? And..it appears the pool area here is about as big as the Beach club(?!)

 

[OKW Lover]

If we wanted to check out the S/D on our trip this summer and have dinner there and wander around, would we be charged to park?

Yes. To avoid this, park across the street at the mini-golf. Or go to one of the parks/DTD and take the Swolphin bus from there.

 

[SRUAlmn]

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one.

We are also considering a 2 bedroom suite at either Swan or Dolphin; right now we have two rooms booked, one for my parents and one for us. We have shared 2 bedroom suites on other vacations - though not at the Swan or Dolphin - and everyone has a good time. How are views for these suites? I think I read on here somewhere that there are no Epcot/Spaceship Earth views available for those rooms?

Thanks!

Apricot Ball! That is so cute!!

As for the 2 bedroom suites...we are currently booked in a 2 bedroom grand suite at the Dolphin for June. When we booked they said there are none that have Epcot views, and there are none that have balconies. They did say that a couple in the Swan had balconies, but then they said "probably only 1 or 2," and that wasn't convincing enough for me (especially knowing that it would only be a request, and not guaranteed) I can let you know when we get back how our view was. We thought the suite was a way better deal then getting 2 rooms since we'll have 3 bathrooms, plus the living and dining areas. Our travel party is almost all girls, so the extra bathrooms and space for luggage is HUGE to us

 

[TaraPA]

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one.

We are also considering a 2 bedroom suite at either Swan or Dolphin; right now we have two rooms booked, one for my parents and one for us. We have shared 2 bedroom suites on other vacations - though not at the Swan or Dolphin - and everyone has a good time. How are views for these suites? I think I read on here somewhere that there are no Epcot/Spaceship Earth views available for those rooms?

Thanks!

Generally speaking, no, you cannot see Spaceship Earth with any view/category at The Swan. Now, you might be able to lean to one side really far & tilt your head & catch it, but nothing guaranteed!

We had a 2BR suite at The Swan that had 3 balconies but no view. It wasn't a bad view, but we were tucked in a corner of the bulding & overlooked the waterway between Swan & BW.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If we wanted to check out the S/D on our trip this summer and have dinner there and wander around, would we be charged to park?

http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html See item 5.

I have a question about views. Last spring, we booked an Epcot fireworks view room at the Dolphin, which we loved. I think we only saw the fireworks once or twice (were often in the parks or walking around the lake during them), but we adored seeing spaceship earth. Our son was so happy to see the "apricot ball" every morning and lit up at night. We have a BW view room at the Swan booked for our upcoming trip, but the reservations folks said there really is no Epcot view guarantee/category for the Swan. I'm thinking of switching back to the Dolphin based on the view. Does anyone know if Epcot views (meaning Spaceship Earth, not just the top of part of world showcase) are generally possible with the Swan? In case it is relevant, we don't care at all about having a balcony, and in fact prefer not to have one. We were told that BW views only have balconies, so for now we have one......

If you have Swan Epcot view, you will need to be about on 7th floor or higher to view Epcot.....SE, France is about it. I think there are 9 in the Swan.

that Bing map ROCKS I can see what you mean now about swan being a quicker walk than dolphin- I can also see the walkway to the 2 parks! which hotel is better for room views? like of parks at night? And..it appears the pool area here is about as big as the Beach club(?!)

Dolphin probably has more rooms with Epcot view.

The shared pool/beach area is huge, probably as big as shared Y&BC.