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

[Mouseteacher]

Can you purchase a bottle of wine on-site? Do not see this on pantry menu. If not, does the Hess station have this and is that walkable? Thank you!

Bottles of wine are sold at the store on the Boardwalk called Threads and Thimbles. One end of the store is a mini grocery store. It is a short walk from the Swan.

 

[santa's surpriz]

Hi all,

If you plan on visiting WDW during this time the Swan or Dolphin can both be booked for $121.21 per night. It's a 12/12/12 promotional discount for newsletter subscribers but I assume if you know the code it won't be a problem.

Call 888-828-8850 and ask for rate code: TWELVE.

Is the code only for new reservations? I am already booked with an allears discount, but that would save me another $250!

 

[RachelTori]

Is the code only for new reservations? I am already booked with an allears discount, but that would save me another $250!

Call the resort (888-828-8850), give them the code ("TWELVE") and ask them to apply the rate to your existing reservation!

 

[Marthasor]

Is the code only for new reservations? I am already booked with an allears discount, but that would save me another $250!

It's worth a shot! Otherwise, if you haven't prepaid and you aren't within a cancellation penalty period, you could always cancel your existing reservation and re-book. The offer is for 12/9 - 12/13. Good luck!

 

[Marthasor]

Hi everyone!

I have two questions - I see we can get 2 hours free at Camp Dolphin with the purchase of an adult entree at bluezoo. Do you have to enroll your child in the camp on the evening you go to bluezoo? Or can you use it another night? I am planning on taking my DS5 for dinner at bluezoo on a Friday and thought it might be nice to enroll him in Camp Dolphin the next evening - just wondering if they would accept my Friday night receipt?

Also (I asked this in another thread), I booked the Dolphin, but keep hearing how wonderful the Swan is. Is there a big difference? I heard you get double beds at the Dolphin and queens at the Swan, which is ok for our upcoming trip. Any other pros or cons? Thank you so much!

 

[jmpurdy]

Bottles of wine are sold at the store on the Boardwalk called Threads and Thimbles. One end of the store is a mini grocery store. It is a short walk from the Swan.

Ah, I remember that store now! We stayed at BW a couple of years ago. Forgot about the mini=store part. We bought items there. Thank you for the reminder!

 

[NancyIL]

Hi everyone!

I have two questions - I see we can get 2 hours free at Camp Dolphin with the purchase of an adult entree at bluezoo. Do you have to enroll your child in the camp on the evening you go to bluezoo? Or can you use it another night? I am planning on taking my DS5 for dinner at bluezoo on a Friday and thought it might be nice to enroll him in Camp Dolphin the next evening - just wondering if they would accept my Friday night receipt?

Also (I asked this in another thread), I booked the Dolphin, but keep hearing how wonderful the Swan is. Is there a big difference? I heard you get double beds at the Dolphin and queens at the Swan, which is ok for our upcoming trip. Any other pros or cons? Thank you so much!

I don't know the answer to your question about Camp Dolphin, but I suspect you get 2 free hours of child care only while the adults enjoy dinner. I think the idea is to discourage people from bringing young children into the more adult restaurants.

Each resort has its advantages. I prefer the Swan because most rooms have a sink inside the bathroom, plus another sink outside. The Dolphin's rooms have one sink outside the bathroom. The buses to the MK, AK, and DD pick-up and drop-off at the Swan before the Dolphin. The Swan is closer to the Boardwalk - for those who like to walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. The Swan is also half the size of the Dolphin, so it's easier to get around.

The Dolphin has a fabulous lobby that makes you say "WOW" the moment you see it. The Dolphin also has the laundry room, game room, ice cream (Dolphin Fountain), and Picabu (24-hour buffeteria). My first 4 stays were at the Dolphin, and I didn't think anything could be better - until I stayed at the Swan!

 

[Marthasor]

I don't know the answer to your question about Camp Dolphin, but I suspect you get 2 free hours of child care only while the adults enjoy dinner. I think the idea is to discourage people from bringing young children into the more adult restaurants.

Each resort has its advantages. I prefer the Swan because most rooms have a sink inside the bathroom, plus another sink outside. The Dolphin's rooms have one sink outside the bathroom. The buses to the MK, AK, and DD pick-up and drop-off at the Swan before the Dolphin. The Swan is closer to the Boardwalk - for those who like to walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. The Swan is also half the size of the Dolphin, so it's easier to get around.

The Dolphin has a fabulous lobby that makes you say "WOW" the moment you see it. The Dolphin also has the laundry room, game room, ice cream (Dolphin Fountain), and Picabu (24-hour buffeteria). My first 4 stays were at the Dolphin, and I didn't think anything could be better - until I stayed at the Swan!

Yikes - I don't know whether to stay at the Dolphin or switch to the Swan!!

Anxious to hear about the 2 hours at Camp Dolphin. I understand bluezoo is a more upscale restaurant, but they have a kids menu, so it seems to be welcoming children. I wouldn't have made the reservation otherwise. Perhaps the 2 free hours has more to do with giving parents a break than discouraging them from bringing the children to the restaurant? Either way, I can't wait to try it!

 

[NancyIL]

Yikes - I don't know whether to stay at the Dolphin or switch to the Swan!!

Anxious to hear about the 2 hours at Camp Dolphin. I understand bluezoo is a more upscale restaurant, but they have a kids menu, so it seems to be welcoming children. I wouldn't have made the reservation otherwise. Perhaps the 2 free hours has more to do with giving parents a break than discouraging them from bringing the children to the restaurant? Either way, I can't wait to try it!

If a restaurant has a children's menu, then it intends to welcome children. AllEars.net doesn't list a children's menu for Shula's, so perhaps that is less child-friendly.

 

[RaySharpton]

I am having a wonderful time at the Disney Swan Dolphin. I am trying to upload some more photos to photobucket, but having issues transferring photos from Windows Live Photo to photobucket. Still working on it.

I did learn some new things for me.

The coffe maker can use one coffee pod to make up to three separate cups of coffee with the supplied cup. Just fill you coffee cup with water from the supplied water bottle and then pour it in the top of the coffee maker. Place the coffee pod in. Hit the brew button and done.

The three supplied coffee pods are called caffeinated or decafeonated "Starbucks Medium/Moyenne Africa Kitamu floral and subtle spice ground coffee."

I'll try and post photos later. Great breakfasts Garden Grove buffet with fresh made omelettes.

 

[RaySharpton]

Okay...this only took an hour or more to transfer photos to photobucket. I guess website issues.

I had a second wonderful day the beautiful Disney Swan Resort.

Here is a photo of the Swan Lobby Christmas tree:

The beautiful lobby fountains:

I also enjoyed the outdoor, relaxing water fountains in the bamboo chair reading the USA Today newspaper placed outside my door.

A beautiful, all chocolate Christmas Santa Clause, presents, train, Christmas tree and fireplace on my way to breakfast.

I loved dining at the Swan Garden Grove on their raised circular dining room with a tree in the center and high ceilings. Olivia, my seater, was very intuitive and asked to change my table. Without me asking, she chose a wonderful table where I drove up their ramp and was able to back my mobility scooter up next two my two person table out of the way from all of the other guests way instead of a high traffic area. Brad, the omelette chef made a wonderful omelette with my choice of ingredients. He said today was his last day and that he was starting work at the prestigious Dolphin Resort Blue Zoo restaurant. Congrats, Brad. And Sue was a wonderful server, too. Here is a photo from my table:

And here is my breakfast with omellete, grilled potato wedges with green/red/yellow peppers and onions, and french toast, and bacon. Next time I want to try the make your own yogurt with all sorts of fresh fruit. They have a pastry/bagel etc. table; and a cereal/fruit/yogurt table; and several other tables with cereal, grits, oatmeal, waffle, french toast and I can't remember the rest. They do use the regular AAA 20% discount, too.

 

[blakelee]

It's worth a shot! Otherwise, if you haven't prepaid and you aren't within a cancellation penalty period, you could always cancel your existing reservation and re-book. The offer is for 12/9 - 12/13. Good luck!

We had an existing reservation from 12/7 to 12/15 with a AAA discount. I forwarded the newsletter to my travel agent and she called the Swan/Dolphin. They applied the TWELVE rate to 12/9-12/13 and left the AAA rate on the remaining days.

Good luck!

 

[patty57]

Ray,
We only ate at the Garden Grove for breakfast on our last day this past June. With three teen-aged boys...we got good value for our dollars. I'm hoping to try the seafood buffet on my trip in May. It was really pretty and felt like eating in a park.

 

[cgattis]

It's a shame this app doesn't have smell-o-vision...we were floored last year when we walked in the Swan lobby and SMELLED that gorgeous chocolate display!!! Mmmm! We haven't tried Garden Grove for breakfast, but we love Mediterranean night. Sounds like you're having a wonderful stay, Ray--thanks for sharing with those of us who can't be there this year!

 

[RaySharpton]

My Day 3 at the Disney Swan Resort has been so incredibly great. I have really enjoyed my stay. I have been just taking my time doing my favorite things. Wednesday, 11/27/2012, I spent time at Epcot Candlelight Processional and Illuminations Holiday Fireworks. Then I walked around the Boardwalk and enjoyed basketball on TV at the ESPN bar.

As I was walking over the bridge from the Boardwalk to the Disney Swan Resort, my caught this beautiful site along the causeway between the Swan and Dolphin Resorts.

And before entering the Disney Swan Resort, I looked down the causeway toward the Disney Dolphin Resorts with all other night lights that appear to be changing colors. But it could just me, I did have a few beers in Canada and United Kingdom's Rose and Crown and Germany and wine in France.

I walked down further to get a closer view of the Disney Dolphin Resorts cascading waterfall from the clam shells into their fountain.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Another reason to love the Swan and Dolphin (and I've never stayed there before!) I had read about the "TWELVE" code a few days ago on this thread (thank you Swan/Dolphin vets!) and thought it wouldn't apply to my reservation because I check in on Dec. 13 (the last day of the promo). I didn't realize I could apply it to my first night and then keep my AAA rate for our last two nights! I thought I might have to make two reservations to make it happen, but that wasn't the case - one reservation, two great discounts! Thank you Swan and Dolphin!

I am now saving $98 on my initial reservation. I am thrilled! Can't wait for our trip!

 

[patty57]

I booked the Dolphin with AAA123 (AAA rate plus $50 resort credit) for May 2-8. The resort credit didn't show up on my reservation, so I called in-house reservations. They said they would fix that and email me a corrected reservation, but it would take 15-20 minutes. That was around three hours ago. Think I'll make another call.
Has anyone else tried to book the AAA rate with resort credit and then the credit didn't appear? I've tried it a number of times, and can't get it to work. It accepts the dates...just doesn't give the $50 credit.

 

[NancyIL]

Ray - thank you for the beautiful photos! I'll look forward to seeing the same beautiful sights tomorrow!

 

[ahutton]

Don't forget the great wine shops in Epcot for a bottle to take to the room!

 

[PolyAddict]

It's coming up $206 plus fees and taxes.

Anyone else get cheaper?

thanks