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

[lizabu]

Really??? That's insane! I'm putting Picabu on my list of places to avoid. Thx for the info.

The service charge is in lue of a tip. They bring your food out to you. They clean up after you.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Ooooh...intriguing! Maybe you stumbled upon an alternate Dolphin universe!

It is strange that the remodel has been mentioned several times, but no one has actually stayed in such a room. I think we need to send a DISpy on a top secret mission to infiltrate the 7th floor and bring back photographic evidence!

Challenge accepted! My husband and I check-in a week from today!

First time staying at the Dolphin or any Epcot area resort for that matter.

Can't wait to walk to Epcot!

 

[LexiC123]

Challenge accepted! My husband and I check-in a week from today!

First time staying at the Dolphin or any Epcot area resort for that matter.

Can't wait to walk to Epcot!

Awesome...good luck on your mission!

You're going to love staying in the Epcot resort area. It will spoil you from staying anywhere else.

 

[LoriJune]

Thank you Singing Mom and LexiC123 for the room and bed info!

 

[sab53085]

We are staying at the Dolphin next week. Does the alarm clock have an iPod/iPhone hookup attached to it? I'm wondering if I need to bring my portable speaker for music.

 

[melliej]

Thank you Singing Mom and LexiC123 for the room and bed info!

I second the thank you!
Looking forward to trying out the Dolphin on our next trip, even if it is a couple of years away! Maybe my husband will catch the Disney fever and suggest we go back sooner .

 

[lizabu]

We are staying at the Dolphin next week. Does the alarm clock have an iPod/iPhone hookup attached to it? I'm wondering if I need to bring my portable speaker for music.

No. Bring your speaker

 

[lovingthemouse]

Oh, for that heavenly bed in one week!!!!

 

[sab53085]

No. Bring your speaker

Thank you

 

[SRUAlmn]

I have a quick question about buying park tickets. You can buy them at the Dolphin, right? If so, where do you purchase them? Also, can you use Disney Gift cards to purchase them since the Dolphin doesn't take GCs? I think I read somewhere that you can use GCs in Daisy's Garden. Is that true? Thanks

 

[Mouseteacher]

The Disney ticket counter is located in the Dolphin lobby and there is one in the Swan, also. You can use the GC at Daisy's Garden as it is Disney owned.

We buy our park tickets at the Swan (where we stay).

 

[SRUAlmn]

The Disney ticket counter is located in the Dolphin lobby and there is one in the Swan, also. You can use the GC at Daisy's Garden as it is Disney owned.

We buy our park tickets at the Swan (where we stay).

Thanks! So we can use our GCs at Daisy's Garden, but we wouldn't be able to use our GCs to buy tickets since the Dolphin doesn't take GCs? This might not matter since we're now considering getting our tickets early before the prices go up!

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks! So we can use our GCs at Daisy's Garden, but we wouldn't be able to use our GCs to buy tickets since the Dolphin doesn't take GCs? This might not matter since we're now considering getting our tickets early before the prices go up!

Are you aware that you can save a few dollars by buying your park passes from one of the Disney-authorized discount ticket brokers (like Undercover Tourist)?

 

[SRUAlmn]

Are you aware that you can save a few dollars by buying your park passes from one of the Disney-authorized discount ticket brokers (like Undercover Tourist)?

Yes! We're considering that now so we can get them before prices go up, but I have an old ticket with one day remaining on it, and I can't upgrade it if I want to buy my tickets early. I'm weighing options right now to see which will be the better deal. I think the savings from Undercover Tourist + savings from getting tickets before prices go up would be close to the amount on my one day ticket, so it's basically a wash. Thanks for the suggestion

 

[aubriee]

I am considering upgrading from the POFQ to the Dolphin for my upcoming Sept 1st-8th trip. I love the boats to DTD and how small POFQ is though. However, using the Nurses discount I can get a standard room at the Dolphin for just $264.94 more than I'm paying for my current bounceback deal at POFQ. But then I would still have to add on the price of a towncar, since the Dolphin does not participate in DME. Anyway, I have a few questions:

1. Is the Dolphin worth the $380.00-$400.00 more it would cost (upgrade plus town car)?

2. Cheapest, reliable town car service? I know the Mears van would be cheaper, but if I'm going to stay there, I might as well pick up a few groceries and some sunscreen, since I plan on doing carry on only for that trip.

3. What would be the best room request for a solo traveler?

4. Any standard rooms with a decent view?

 

[robinbutterfly]

I am considering upgrading from the POFQ to the Dolphin for my upcoming Sept 1st-8th trip. I love the boats to DTD and how small POFQ is though. However, using the Nurses discount I can get a standard room at the Dolphin for just $264.94 more than I'm paying for my current bounceback deal at POFQ. But then I would still have to add on the price of a towncar, since the Dolphin does not participate in DME. Anyway, I have a few questions:

1. Is the Dolphin worth the $380.00-$400.00 more it would cost (upgrade plus town car)?

2. Cheapest, reliable town car service? I know the Mears van would be cheaper, but if I'm going to stay there, I might as well pick up a few groceries and some sunscreen, since I plan on doing carry on only for that trip.

3. What would be the best room request for a solo traveler?

4. Any standard rooms with a decent view?

For location alone I would say it is def. worth 400 dollars more!!!

 

[ctnurse]

DBF and I are planning a trip for October. This is an adults only trip for food and wine fest and MNSSHP. We tried to rent points at BWV but there was no availability. I refuse to pay rack rate, we had an AP rate last December when we stayed. I can get the nurses rate which is more reasonable. Is the Swan or Dolphin better for two adults? Which resort is closer to EPCOT? Thanks.

 

[SRUAlmn]

DBF and I are planning a trip for October. This is an adults only trip for food and wine fest and MNSSHP. We tried to rent points at BWV but there was no availability. I refuse to pay rack rate, we had an AP rate last December when we stayed. I can get the nurses rate which is more reasonable. Is the Swan or Dolphin better for two adults? Which resort is closer to EPCOT? Thanks.

I guess it depends on what type of adults you are Let me preface this by saying we've never stayed at either. These opinions are just based on what I've read on here and pictures I've seen, so do what you will with them

We are traveling with a group of 4 adults (myself, my DH, my mom, and my sister) and we're staying at the Dolphin. The Swan is quieter, smaller, has less "going on." The Dolphin has more to do, seems to be more "fun," and is a little more us. I don't know, the Swan seems a little stuffier or something?

I would say they are pretty equal in distance to EPCOT, but the Swan is slightly closer, since you have to walk from the Dolphin to the Swan to get to the bridge to walk to EPCOT.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I enjoy the Swan more. It is smaller, more compact, easier to get in and out of. I probably visit the Dolphin 2 out of 3 days, maybe 6-7 times during an 8-10 day stay, mostly for meals at Fresh, Picabu or The Fountain. As for staying there, just a bit too big for my tastes. But, it is stunning also, like the Swan.

 

[RachelTori]

DBF and I are planning a trip for October. This is an adults only trip for food and wine fest and MNSSHP. We tried to rent points at BWV but there was no availability. I refuse to pay rack rate, we had an AP rate last December when we stayed. I can get the nurses rate which is more reasonable. Is the Swan or Dolphin better for two adults? Which resort is closer to EPCOT? Thanks.

I agree with SRUAlmn and Dan! Especially for adults only, I would choose the Swan.