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

[DizneyLizzy]

Thanks for all the responses to my check in question! I will be ready for anything and just excited to be there!!

 

[MiamiMere]

Whew...made it through all 190 pages of this thread!!! Lots of good information. We are going to the Dolphin in May.... I have a random question. Do people swim in the lake by the beach/playground? I didn't see lifeguards so I wasn't sure if the beach was just for hanging out or people actually get in the water. Not that I would have any desire with the thought of a fresh water alligator or snake...YIKES! I just wondered...

Thanks!

 

[LexiC123]

Whew...made it through all 190 pages of this thread!!! Lots of good information. We are going to the Dolphin in May.... I have a random question. Do people swim in the lake by the beach/playground? I didn't see lifeguards so I wasn't sure if the beach was just for hanging out or people actually get in the water. Not that I would have any desire with the thought of a fresh water alligator or snake...YIKES! I just wondered...

Thanks!

As far as I know, none of the Disney lakes are suitable for swimming...lots of nasty bacteria in there, in addition to random critters!

I highly recommend the hammocks on the beach, though.

*not my own photo...thanks Google!*

​

 

[MiamiMere]

Yes, that's what I figured...but I was wondering. Being from Ohio, we are big lake people and do lots of boating/swimming in the lakes around here. I figured it was a different story in the lagoons around Disney.

The hammocks look great! I will be there with 3 year old and 7 year old boys...probably only get 30 seconds to relax in that hammock. LOL.... Sadly, my hammock days are long gone.

 

[cgattis]

Take a nerf football for the boys...DH and DS played beach football and DD stalked the ducks LOL. You might get to lie in that hammock for a little while anyway! Or send them out on the swan boats for 30 minutes

 

[Disney grandma]

I haven't seen any posts about this but could have missed it. Has anyone stayed in the Swan executive suite that has the king pull out sofa bed. I am wondering if it is comfortable and if the room is much larger than a regular room. Thanks!

 

[MiamiMere]

Also wondering if anyone has tips for eating on a budget with 2 young kids at the dolphin. I just can't do the $8 hotdog kids meals that I am seeing on some of these menus. That seems so outrageous to me!

I think we are going to splurge one night and do the southern barbeque at the Garden Grove. My 3 year old will love to see the characters. Do I need an ADR for this?

Other than that, I don't have any plans and I am not very familiar with this hotel yet or the boardwalk area. Although, I do plan on checking out Beaches & Cream as I LOVE root beer floats

Thanks all!!!

 

[SingingMom]

Whew...made it through all 190 pages of this thread!!! Lots of good information. We are going to the Dolphin in May.... I have a random question. Do people swim in the lake by the beach/playground? I didn't see lifeguards so I wasn't sure if the beach was just for hanging out or people actually get in the water. Not that I would have any desire with the thought of a fresh water alligator or snake...YIKES! I just wondered...

Thanks!

No swimming, but you can take a Swan boat and pedal around the lake!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[SRUAlmn]

Also wondering if anyone has tips for eating on a budget with 2 young kids at the dolphin. I just can't do the $8 hotdog kids meals that I am seeing on some of these menus. That seems so outrageous to me!

I think we are going to splurge one night and do the southern barbeque at the Garden Grove. My 3 year old will love to see the characters. Do I need an ADR for this?

Other than that, I don't have any plans and I am not very familiar with this hotel yet or the boardwalk area. Although, I do plan on checking out Beaches & Cream as I LOVE root beer floats

Thanks all!!!

Watch Restaurant.com! I got a few Garden Grove $25 gift certificates for $3 last year!!!

 

[ckelly14]

Peakabu downstairs in the dolphin has a cafeteria set up and has cheaper (but not cheap) carry out food- good for traveling with kids. Buy a refillable mug for free coffee and soda refills during your stay.

 

[ImprovGal]

Also wondering if anyone has tips for eating on a budget with 2 young kids at the dolphin. I just can't do the $8 hotdog kids meals that I am seeing on some of these menus. That seems so outrageous to me!

I think we are going to splurge one night and do the southern barbeque at the Garden Grove. My 3 year old will love to see the characters. Do I need an ADR for this?

Portions at Picabu are huge! I haven't seen the kids meals, though, but you might be able to split an adult meal between you and your kids. Showing your AAA card gets you a 20% discount there as well (AAA discount is also valid at Fresh, The Fountain, and I think Garden Grove as well.)

Also, if you are staying multiple days, you can opt in to their program to decline housekeeping. For each day you decline housekeeping service (up to 3 consecutive days) they'll slip a little card under your door that's good for either 500 starpoints or $5 off a food/beverage purchase. If you don't care about the starpoints, take the $5 discount.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Keep in mind there is a 13% service charge added to your bill at Picabu. It does not prevent me from eating there, but just be aware of it.

 

[bjakmom]

Does anyone know the answer to this strange question? lol

Can I be registered into and hold a room key in both a Swan/Dolphin room and a WDW Resort room for the same dates? I know that I cannot hold a room key to 2 WDW Resort rooms for the same dates, but am curious to know if WDW and Sheraton have a cross check between them that would prevent this.

If I use my points to go over and stay at the Dolphin once DD and family join my DVC reservation at BCV, it would be soooo much easier for me to have access to their room and pool to help watch and nap with the grandkids. We would still be within the allowed # of guests for the room at BCV

Anyone ever do this?

 

[RachelTori]

Does anyone know the answer to this strange question? lol

Can I be registered into and hold a room key in both a Swan/Dolphin room and a WDW Resort room for the same dates? I know that I cannot hold a room key to 2 WDW Resort rooms for the same dates, but am curious to know if WDW and Sheraton have a cross check between them that would prevent this.

If I use my points to go over and stay at the Dolphin once DD and family join my DVC reservation at BCV, it would be soooo much easier for me to have access to their room and pool to help watch and nap with the grandkids. We would still be within the allowed # of guests for the room at BCV

Anyone ever do this?

I have! Kept a room at WDW while staying 2 nights at Dolphin in the middle of the WDW stay! I booked the WDW resort through Disney and the Dolphin through SPG and those 2 systems do not cross-check!

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone know the answer to this strange question? lol

Can I be registered into and hold a room key in both a Swan/Dolphin room and a WDW Resort room for the same dates? I know that I cannot hold a room key to 2 WDW Resort rooms for the same dates, but am curious to know if WDW and Sheraton have a cross check between them that would prevent this.

First, there is no checking between Starwood (the parent of the Swan/Dolphin) and Disney on reservations - so no issue here.

Second, even within Disney its perfectly fine for you to book two rooms (even at different resorts) for the same dates. People with large families do this all the time.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Can I see Stacey and the other WDW resort information channels while I'm at the Dolphin?!

 

[PolyAddict]

I was trying to book March 2-6 2014. The rates at the Swan are reallly high. Don't they come down some for AAA and such?

thanks

 

[phillytwins]

Can I see Stacey and the other WDW resort information channels while I'm at the Dolphin?!

We just got back and the "Stacey channel" was not working the whole time we were there. It was complete static. The maintenance guy said that it's up to Disney whether or not the station comes in at the Swan/Dolphin. However, the first two times we went, the station did work.

So, I don't think you should get your hopes up. Sorry!

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I was trying to book March 2-6 2014. The rates at the Swan are reallly high. Don't they come down some for AAA and such?

thanks

Check Expedia or Travelocity...they have the best rates on non-Disney owned hotels...and sometimes Disney hotels too!

 

[LexiC123]

I was trying to book March 2-6 2014. The rates at the Swan are reallly high. Don't they come down some for AAA and such?

thanks

They will...it just looks like they haven't loaded the AAA rates for 2014 yet.

You can always book something and have the rate adjusted when it goes lower, or you can check back later in the spring/early summer to see what comes up.