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

[melliej]

Is it me, or do the Dolphin rooms seem to have more storage (both closet-wise & drawer space)? We spent our last trip at the Swan because I was set on the queen beds, the smaller building and the 2nd bathroom sink, but I felt like we did not have enough storage space. Most of my clothes had to stay in the suitcase and our empty luggage and laundry bag still had to be left out. I think I got spoiled too after our trip to the Yacht club where we had an enormous closet that fit our empty luggage, hanging clothes and dirty clothes + there were plenty of drawers for our belongings. I would gladly give up the 2nd bathroom sink to be able to put my things away at the Dolphin! Also, how small are the Dolphin double beds really? Would I be annoyed with my husband at the end of the trip if we are used to a queen at home ?

 

[pooh2001]

Anyone know where I can find a list of conferences at the Dolphin for this summer June into July ?

The Dolphin is totally booked when we arrive June 23 - so I assume a conference or two is occurring when we go this summer.

Thanks!

 

[PNO4TE]

We have an Owner's Locker, and according to their website they do deliver to both the Swan and Dolphin. Does anyone know if these two resorts charge a fee for that delivery?

 

[SRUAlmn]

Anyone know where I can find a list of conferences at the Dolphin for this summer June into July ?

The Dolphin is totally booked when we arrive June 23 - so I assume a conference or two is occurring when we go this summer.

Thanks!

Good Question!!! We also arrive on June 23, and I noticed the same thing! It's sold out from the 23-25/26. Yikes!

 

[Dan Murphy]

We have an Owner's Locker, and according to their website they do deliver to both the Swan and Dolphin. Does anyone know if these two resorts charge a fee for that delivery?

I do not know for sure, but with the various fees that are charged of late, I would say that if the resort accepts the locker, there would be a fee. If you were there to accept it, probably not. I would think a call to the resort would clarify for you though.

 

[chrisf21]

got a quote of 110 roudtrip from Ed for MCO to Swan, can have 1 grocery store stop on way. It's just my husband and I.

I hear Swan charges 15 to park each day. would that be per night We are staying 3 nights, but the 4th "Day" is when we fly home in early morning.

Some car company called Advantage is 49 dollars for the weekend. But... than there is gas plus the parking fee at Swan. So that makes the cost more like 100. I know nothing about Advantage... the next best price I found was Herz and I think it came to 89?? Have to check that. So with Herz it would be 89 plus Swan parking fee= 134. Should I go for the rental car, or just rely on Disney transportation for once we get the hotels... I can't decide! It limits us to just Disney than unless we pay for taxis... HELP decisions!

 

[NancyIL]

got a quote of 110 roudtrip from Ed for MCO to Swan, can have 1 grocery store stop on way. It's just my husband and I.

I hear Swan charges 15 to park each day. would that be per night We are staying 3 nights, but the 4th "Day" is when we fly home in early morning.

Some car company called Advantage is 49 dollars for the weekend. But... than there is gas plus the parking fee at Swan. So that makes the cost more like 100. I know nothing about Advantage... the next best price I found was Herz and I think it came to 89?? Have to check that. So with Herz it would be 89 plus Swan parking fee= 134. Should I go for the rental car, or just rely on Disney transportation for once we get the hotels... I can't decide! It limits us to just Disney than unless we pay for taxis... HELP decisions!

I have a similar situation in July, and decided to go with a town car service rather than a rental car plus the parking fee. The Swan charges the parking fee per night for resort guests.

 

[Dan Murphy]

got a quote of 110 roudtrip from Ed for MCO to Swan, can have 1 grocery store stop on way. It's just my husband and I.

I hear Swan charges 15 to park each day. would that be per night We are staying 3 nights, but the 4th "Day" is when we fly home in early morning.

Some car company called Advantage is 49 dollars for the weekend. But... than there is gas plus the parking fee at Swan. So that makes the cost more like 100. I know nothing about Advantage... the next best price I found was Herz and I think it came to 89?? Have to check that. So with Herz it would be 89 plus Swan parking fee= 134. Should I go for the rental car, or just rely on Disney transportation for once we get the hotels... I can't decide! It limits us to just Disney than unless we pay for taxis... HELP decisions!

Keep in mind the fees and taxes on a rental. If those are not included in those prices, they can easily add 20-40% if those are base charges.

 

[chrisf21]

The prices I mentioned for Advantage and Hertz are total including all taxes and fees. I always factor those in! The advantage is 9 dollars a day plus tax and fees came to 49 for 3 days (weekend rate on AAA)

Hertz I have to find the breakdown, but it was more like 19.99 a day plus tax and fees was around 89 total, need to find that page again to confirm.

Either way there is 45 in Swan parking fees plus gas... but we do get the convenience of being able to go anywhere... say we wanted to eat at the Grand Floridan... or Wilderness Lodge... I hear it takes a ferry and or several bus rides to get from hotel to hotel... We are doing Epcot for one night so that one we won't need a car... we may do Boardwalk the other night, I hear that is fairly close by? So maybe no car needed for that. .... hmmmm what to do... if I knew more about Advantage, that is probably the cheapest way to go and have the ability to go places.... just not sure about them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The Boardwalk is just a few steps away from the Swan, very close. I do like a car while there, for resort trips and DtD. But yes, with parking, it has become quite costly. Parking, as you see for you, can be as much as the car itself.

 

[rcraw45425]

The prices I mentioned for Advantage and Hertz are total including all taxes and fees. I always factor those in! The advantage is 9 dollars a day plus tax and fees came to 49 for 3 days (weekend rate on AAA)

Hertz I have to find the breakdown, but it was more like 19.99 a day plus tax and fees was around 89 total, need to find that page again to confirm.

Either way there is 45 in Swan parking fees plus gas... but we do get the convenience of being able to go anywhere... say we wanted to eat at the Grand Floridan... or Wilderness Lodge... I hear it takes a ferry and or several bus rides to get from hotel to hotel... We are doing Epcot for one night so that one we won't need a car... we may do Boardwalk the other night, I hear that is fairly close by? So maybe no car needed for that. .... hmmmm what to do... if I knew more about Advantage, that is probably the cheapest way to go and have the ability to go places.... just not sure about them.

You are staying basically at the Boardwalk, no travel involved there. From Swan to GF you'd take monorail fom epcot to ticket and transportation center, then switch to resort monorail. WL you Gould take a bus from the bus lines at the front of EPCOT. Or you could take bus from Swan to MK then board the resort launch to WL. I'd allow about an hour travel time from swan to each hotel thanks to the transfers involved.

 

[NancyIL]

You are staying basically at the Boardwalk, no travel involved there. From Swan to GF you'd take monorail fom epcot to ticket and transportation center, then switch to resort monorail. WL you Gould take a bus from the bus lines at the front of EPCOT. Or you could take bus from Swan to MK then board the resort launch to WL. I'd allow about an hour travel time from swan to each hotel thanks to the transfers involved.

To get to the Grand Floridian from the Swan, you would also take the bus to the MK and then boat or monorail to the GF. Going through Epcot to take the monorail to TTC isn't a good idea unless you are leaving from Epcot.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Yes, $3 was the minimum fee to receive a letter at the Swan or Dolphin. I didn't have the heart to tell my husband that I had to pay to receive .his birthday card! It definitely isn't worth mailing inexpensive food items to the hotel before you arrive.

I had a great trip, as always! The weather forecast was for rain for 4 of the days. It did rain a little bit each of those days, but then it was pretty much over. Only 1 set of Off Kilter was cancelled on 2 days, and both were at 3:30! It cooled down a lot my last 2 days (high of 75/low of 50), and it was a pleasure to wear jeans in the parks.

That sounds like perfect weather to me! I don't think I will be as lucky in my June LOL. Glad you had a great time!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Here is a picture of the coffee packets. It is hard to see in this picture, but the left hand picture is decaf (it is written in blue), the middle packet is regular coffee (all the writing in orange and black), and the right packet is the obvious decaf.

Just something to be aware of......

Emily

Thank you! As a coffee addict, this is great to know. I can just see me accidentally drinking decaf and DS wondering why I am so grumpy LOL!

 

[pooh2001]

We are using a towncar service - $95 roundtrip with a 30 minute food store stop - gratuity $10 each way - total = $125 for 4 people and 4 suitcases.
MCO to Dolphin and then Dolphin to MCO.

And we can pick up goodies on on way to the Dolphin.

SRUAlmn so cool we arrive on the same day.

 

[SingingMom]

That room pic I posted was from 5 weeks ago. Nancy was just there - did you have this same furniture & decor?

In the picture I posted that bedding, drapery, carpet, wall paint color & headboard art are definitely "updated" since the early 2000's when it was the old teal & peach beach theme, but maybe I've just been missing rooms with something even newer.

Same with us - first visits were the peach & teal beach theme - last two visits were the new drapes, carpeting, bedding, paint, tv......

For the people looking to send peanut butter - having bagels, etc.... another option other than Picabus is the Boardwalk - the Boardwalk Bakery has baked goods and there is a gift shop that has beverages and small grocery items.

 

[SRUAlmn]

SRUAlmn so cool we arrive on the same day.

YES!! We're so excited! Look for us, we'll be the SUPER tall people with the SUPER big smiles

 

[drgnfly30]

Just found out today that I'll be attending a work conference at the Dolphin in June (not quite sure they are aware that they are paying to send me to "my happiest place on Earth")!

I've been wanting to stay here for awhile so I'm super excited!

Just wanted to pop in & say 'hey'!

 

[2bliss]

Thank you!

 

[pooh2001]

Just found out today that I'll be attending a work conference at the Dolphin in June (not quite sure they are aware that they are paying to send me to "my happiest place on Earth")!

I've been wanting to stay here for awhile so I'm super excited!

Just wanted to pop in & say 'hey'!

Congrats - the conference area is very nice.
IBM has had sales conferences at the Dolphin in the past (and current and most likely future)