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

[melissam2003]

Our trip is scheduled for OCT. we were originally flying in at night & would be a late check in however we are now a morning flight & will be arriving in Orlando around 11 am. My ? is should I ask for an early check in even though this isn't always guaranteed? & online where it says arrival time I'd assume to put our early time even though check in may not be available?

also I believe I read even if you cannot check in your bags can be left to go on with your day until check in is ready?

TIA

 

[SingingMom]

Our trip is scheduled for OCT. we were originally flying in at night & would be a late check in however we are now a morning flight & will be arriving in Orlando around 11 am. My ? is should I ask for an early check in even though this isn't always guaranteed? & online where it says arrival time I'd assume to put our early time even though check in may not be available?

also I believe I read even if you cannot check in your bags can be left to go on with your day until check in is ready?

TIA

It's hit or miss if your room will be ready for early check in but you can definitely leave your bags with the bellman and they will hold them so you can go out and enjoy your day! They will call you when your room is ready if you would like.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

After missing two summers of the Dolphin - last year we went on a cruise to Bermuda for our 25th anniversary, and this summer we just returned from an Adventures by Disney tour to London and Paris (simply wonderful!!!), we decided we missed our beloved Dolphin! Totally out of the box, we are returning in JANUARY for 8 nights!! Will be very interesting to see what we think of the weather, since we have done five straight blistery hot Junes!

DD doesn't return for the Spring semester of college until late January, so we thought we'd try a time when most are already back at school and we can leisurely stroll the parks.

What type of clothes do you pack for January?

How was Disney Adventures to London and Paris? We have been to London in the past but not with Disney Adventures.

 

[Ramsfan28]

The Swan bakery contacted me back and although they can do an cake with Eagle Scout design, they said they cannot do the Scout Mickey. Do you think it is because they are not part of Disney so they won't do characters?


Also another question is we have to be at DHS at 7:45am on Weds and Thursday morning of our trip for DS to take his class. Does boat transportation run at that time? TIA!

Boats run approximately 1 hour prior to park opening. You will have to make the short 15 minute walk to be there at 7:45 am.

I believe you are correct about the bakery, though they were able to put Disney figurines on a cake I asked for a few years back.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Does anyone know if the S & D release an activities calendar monthly? I just saw on the BWI and Y & BC threads that they released the June calendars for things like restaurant hours, pool hours, swim in movies, games/activites, etc... I was just wondering if this was something released at the S & D too? Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

How was Disney Adventures to London and Paris? We have been to London in the past but not with Disney Adventures.

ABD Cities of Knights & Lights was wonderful beyond words!!!
It was a belated high school graduation gift for DD. I had no desire to travel to Europe, but I couldn't see sending her and DH without me, so I relented. THANK GOODNESS I did! We had a fabulous time! We are already looking at the itineraries for next May! ABD takes care of everything - stress free traveling! Our guides were absolute angels and we laughed the entire week. We had a great group of fellow travelers and had so much fun with everyone. It was non-stop -we saw SO MUCH and learned so much. It was the most amazing trip!

 

[SingingMom]

Does anyone know if the S & D release an activities calendar monthly? I just saw on the BWI and Y & BC threads that they released the June calendars for things like restaurant hours, pool hours, swim in movies, games/activites, etc... I was just wondering if this was something released at the S & D too? Thanks!

They have a weekly schedule sheet available at the front desk, but don't recall anything beyond that.

 

[gumbo1009]

We're staying at the Dolphin for the first time --> I am very excited to be within walking distance of a park!!

I'm not planning on renting a car and instead plan on using WDW transportation combined with taxis (instead of paying for a car rental I plan to use the $ for taxi rides instead).

I have heard that during off season that the buses are shared by all the resorts in the Epcot area? Is that still true? Or are they now ALWAYS split into two groups? Or is the answer: "it depends"?

Epcot and DHS - getting there, sounds like walking is best (getting back I figure the boats may be a good option if my DD7 is cranky and tired)

Water parks - sounds like taxi cabs are the way to go ?? (was reading that the buses can be a nightmare)

DTD - also sounds like taxi cabs are best ??

MK - is it easy to catch a bus to MK from Swan/Dolphin? Any tips? (eg walk to resort 'x' if you want a seat on the bus)

MK - early morning character breakfast - is there a CM near the bus stop monitoring the buses? (am trying to decide between bus and taxi)

AK - do folks take the bus here? would you recommend a taxi instead?

Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

We're staying at the Dolphin for the first time --> I am very excited to be within walking distance of a park!!

I'm not planning on renting a car and instead plan on using WDW transportation combined with taxis (instead of paying for a car rental I plan to use the $ for taxi rides instead).

I have heard that during off season that the buses are shared by all the resorts in the Epcot area? Is that still true? Or are they now ALWAYS split into two groups? Or is the answer: "it depends"?

Epcot and DHS - getting there, sounds like walking is best (getting back I figure the boats may be a good option if my DD7 is cranky and tired)

Water parks - sounds like taxi cabs are the way to go ?? (was reading that the buses can be a nightmare)

DTD - also sounds like taxi cabs are best ??

MK - is it easy to catch a bus to MK from Swan/Dolphin? Any tips? (eg walk to resort 'x' if you want a seat on the bus)

MK - early morning character breakfast - is there a CM near the bus stop monitoring the buses? (am trying to decide between bus and taxi)

AK - do folks take the bus here? would you recommend a taxi instead?

Thanks!

Here's my 2cents on some of your options
Epcot - walking, if it is not God-awful hot. Otherwise, boat is our choice for Epcot and Studios
MK- bus is fine, taxi would be good for early morning character breakfast
AK - we take the bus, but it can be a long ride
DTD - this would probably be where I'd take a taxi - the wait for a return bus can be very long.. although, once we DID time it just right! You never know.
Water parks - we always take the bus - I don't know that I'd want to be wet/damp in a taxi on the return.

 

[onelilspark]

Here's my 2cents on some of your options
Epcot - walking, if it is not God-awful hot. Otherwise, boat is our choice for Epcot and Studios
MK- bus is fine, taxi would be good for early morning character breakfast*have the taxi drop you off at the Contemporary and walk over. Otherwise the taxi will take you to the TTC and then you lose the time you saved by not waiting for a bus...
AK - we take the bus, but it can be a long ride
DTD - this would probably be where I'd take a taxi - the wait for a return bus can be very long.. although, once we DID time it just right! You never know.
Water parks - we always take the bus - I don't know that I'd want to be wet/damp in a taxi on the return.

My 2 cents on SingingMom's 2 cents above in red.

 

[Mackie Mouse]

I confess that maybe I'm just cheap or an over-planner, but the Disney buses/boats were more than adequate from the Dolphin during our stay last summer! I did not have any early morning character breakfasts planned, but I did always leave 1/2 hour to 45 min. of travel time in our morning and aimed to get to all the parks before rope drop. This was never a problem...in fact, my husband will tell you that I left way too much time on our MK day and he was cranky waiting in the August heat for a half hour for rope drop

When are you staying? I would absolutely walk to Epcot, and possibly the studios, if the temp. is reasonable. Epcot in particular is nice, as you enter through World Showcase and wind up opposite of the big crowds by Spaceship Earth before park opening. The CMs will walk you through World Showcase about 15-20 minutes before the parks open and get you there just in time for rope drop, then lead you straight down to Soarin'. DH and I were the FIRST people of the day on Soarin' for coming in this way! It was kind of awesome.

If it's too hot or you're too tired, the Friendship boat docks are very easy to find and the ride to or from Epcot or DHS is lovely and only takes about 5-10 minutes.

I was totally happy taking buses to MK and AK. We even bussed ourselves to Sanaa at AKL one night and easily made it back to AK in time for Wishes and the MSEP.

Our longest bus wait was at DTD...but again, leaving ourselves time and not rushing everywhere made this work out a-OK. I just can't justify spending $$ on a cab when the buses are "free"!

 

[Dan Murphy]

The breakfast buses start about 6:30 AM.

 

[sab53085]

We took the bus from DTD to Yacht/Beach club last week because we missed our Dolphin bus and didn't want to wait for another one. We then just walked to the Dolphin from there.

 

[gumbo1009]

Thanks for the transportation advice everyone! Love the DIS!

 

[SRUAlmn]

We're staying at the Dolphin for the first time --> I am very excited to be within walking distance of a park!!

I'm not planning on renting a car and instead plan on using WDW transportation combined with taxis (instead of paying for a car rental I plan to use the $ for taxi rides instead).

I have heard that during off season that the buses are shared by all the resorts in the Epcot area? Is that still true? Or are they now ALWAYS split into two groups? Or is the answer: "it depends"?

Epcot and DHS - getting there, sounds like walking is best (getting back I figure the boats may be a good option if my DD7 is cranky and tired)

Water parks - sounds like taxi cabs are the way to go ?? (was reading that the buses can be a nightmare)

DTD - also sounds like taxi cabs are best ??

MK - is it easy to catch a bus to MK from Swan/Dolphin? Any tips? (eg walk to resort 'x' if you want a seat on the bus)

MK - early morning character breakfast - is there a CM near the bus stop monitoring the buses? (am trying to decide between bus and taxi)

AK - do folks take the bus here? would you recommend a taxi instead?

Thanks!

From our experience in 2009 when we stayed at BWI, they were always shared even IN season (summer.) It seemed like the Swan was normally the first stop, so we always got off there and walked over to BWI instead of having to wait. This may have changed since then, but that was the case in 2009.

 

[lovingthemouse]

When we were at the Dolphin last week, the buses were all shared but the wait was minimal. The only time we waited was when there was no room for my scooter on the bus.
Friendship boats were so "on time" and easy to take, and it was hot last week too. Boats were far more comfortable to take than the walk was, for me.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Just wanted to pop in and say hello to everyone and thanks for all the wonderful information! It's been many, many years since we've stayed at the Swan or the Dolphin.

REcently I booked the Dolphin for next week at a great SENIOR rate. A lot less than extending our stay at the BC for several more days, in fact, a third of the price!

What are our chances of getting a rehabbed room at the Dolphin?

TIA!

 

[Tess]

We were at the Dolphin from May 20-25, 2012 and had a wonderful stay despite the resort being overrun with MetLife Leaders! This was one mammoth group that involved families as well as attendees.

The pool was jammed to overflowing one day and we were all forced to the Swan lap pool one afternoon so the Grotto and Dolphin lap pools could be decorated for the MetLife private party that evening. The crowd at Swan that day was really overwhelming especially with the neverending sunshine and 95º temperatures. While we at the Dolphin were aware of the pool closures, the folks at Swan seemed unaware and a bit miffed. On yet another day, the entire Grotto and Dolphin lap pool area was packed with MetLife families and personnel for a "pool party" gathering sponsored by MetLife. We spoke with one of the recreation staffers the day after MetLife vacated the premises and she indicated that rec staff had no notice of the "pool party" day. They were understaffed for certain.

We actually enjoyed meeting all of the folks from MetLife and ended up hanging out with a group of them each day around the pool. Still, they did create quite a crowd.

We booked a king bed room and requested lobby floor. We were given room 3015 and could not have been more pleased--dual balconies and a great view, easy access to the lobby and not a long jaunt to the pool. Here are a few pics of the room and view:

We have been unable to book the Dolphin for our fall trip and have been trying since October or November. We can get part of our week, but not the weekend of arrival. At this point, we will be at Swan and hope we enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed our Dolphin stays.

All that said, we do miss our Disney Resort stays, but not enough to pony up the extra $500-$1000 for the week to do so since it is only my husband and I these days.

 

[sab53085]

We were at the Dolphin from May 20-25, 2012 and had a wonderful stay despite the resort being overrun with MetLife Leaders!
We have been unable to book the Dolphin for our fall trip and have been trying since October or November. We can get part of our week, but not the weekend of arrival. At this point, we will be at Swan and hope we enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed our Dolphin stays.

All that said, we do miss our Disney Resort stays, but not enough to pony up the extra $500-$1000 for the week to do so since it is only my husband and I these days.

My boyfriend and I checked in at the Dolphin the day that the MetLife group was all leaving. We had to wait a little longer to checkin because apparently our floor was taken up by them! We had a great stay and a great room! (No balconies available, however.) We are also looking to return in the Fall but that one weekend is unavailable. Is there a convention going on or something?

Tess - Also, what rates do you use? I just found out we can use our Starwood points to get 50% off rack rates for up to 5 days. I think that's a great deal! I love the Dolphin and can't wait to go again!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great pictures, Tess. And you will love the Swan too.