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

[mikegood2]

We also loved the location, we walked to Epcot a few times and took the boat to Epcot and Disney Studios. The bus to DTD was a nightmare though! It took forever!

The rooms were nice, a bit smaller than I thought but nicely decorated. View was fine, nothing special. Biggest complaint: lack of fans in bathroom. By the last shower, the room was pretty stuffy. Thankfully the Swan had a separate sink outside the bathroom, I don't know how we would have managed otherwise. Wish there was more room for luggage. But overall, fine. Bathrooms could definitely use some sprucing up.

We really like the restaurant choices, we ate at Picabu a few times and the coffee shop at the Swan.

Any questions, feel free to ask!

Glad to hear that you had a great trip!

Do agree with you about the location and the nightmare of the bus ride to and from DTD. I still haven't decided if I will make a half day visit in June because of our experience with the buses.

Also agree with the lack of a bathroom fan. It's one of those items you don't appreciate until you don't have them!

I do have a question for you. Do the bathrooms have one of those pull out laundry strings for hanging bathing suits? I don't think they do but I do remember staying at a hotel, in the last few years that did.

 

[SingingMom]

Glad to hear that you had a great trip!

Do agree with you about the location and the nightmare of the bus ride to and from DTD. I still haven't decided if I will make a half day visit in June because of our experience with the buses.

Also agree with the lack of a bathroom fan. It's one of those items you don't appreciate until you don't have them!

I do have a question for you. Do the bathrooms have one of those pull out laundry strings for hanging bathing suits? I don't think they do but I do remember staying at a hotel, in the last few years that did.

The Dolphin bathrooms have the pull out clothes line.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[afcgirl]

I do have a question for you. Do the bathrooms have one of those pull out laundry strings for hanging bathing suits? I don't think they do but I do remember staying at a hotel, in the last few years that did.

I didn't see the laundry strings at the Swan but it's possible I just didn't notice.

 

[Dan Murphy]

There are laundry strings in the tub/shower at the Swan.

 

[ProudDanceMom]

Has anyone used Camp Dolphin? My girls are 11, 9, and 4 and we are hoping to use it at least once during our stay at the end of June. Just wondering if there were any opinions on it. Also, which Signature restaurant would you choose?

Thanks!

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

Has anyone used Camp Dolphin? My girls are 11, 9, and 4 and we are hoping to use it at least once during our stay at the end of June. Just wondering if there were any opinions on it. Also, which Signature restaurant would you choose?

Thanks!

Our kids went 3 years ago when they were 10 & 8. They enjoyed playing video games and making crafts. They also enjoyed the dinner, but my DD said the only thing they offered was pizza which I thought there would be more selections. Maybe it was just that night or maybe that is the way it always is there. I know the ones at the Disney resorts have selections.

We had dinner at Shula's and it was fantastic! Would definitely recommend for a great steak dinner and the key lime pie was the best I've had. I have read good reviews on Blue Zoo and and more so on Il Mulino.

Enjoy your night out!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey Dan - just a little over a week now til we connect. I am very much looking forward to this vacation...

See you soon, Caroline.

Has anyone used Camp Dolphin? My girls are 11, 9, and 4 and we are hoping to use it at least once during our stay at the end of June. Just wondering if there were any opinions on it. Also, which Signature restaurant would you choose?

Thanks!

I have not used Camp Dolphin, but have heard good things about it here. As for a signature, probably Shula's or Il Mulino.

 

[ProudDanceMom]

Thanks for the quick replies! We are staying for 10 nights on points, so we might be brave and try to take the kids to a signature restaurant one night too.

My next question is how much time should we plan on it taking to pick up a rental car (will be Hertz if it matters) and getting to the Dolphin from MCO? Our southwest flight is scheduled to land at 8:50am on a Sunday, so I'm wondering if we have any hope of making it to Garden Grove for the character breakfast or if I should just make a late lunch reservation somewhere in a park (if I can ever decide which park we are heading to that day).

Thanks in advance! I'm trying to make this a fantastic trip...this will be my youngest's first visit and some much needed family time (my husband travels for his job including spending 6 weeks out of the country in the last 9 months).

 

[Music City Mama]

Has anyone used Camp Dolphin? My girls are 11, 9, and 4 and we are hoping to use it at least once during our stay at the end of June. Just wondering if there were any opinions on it. Also, which Signature restaurant would you choose?

Thanks!

My kids have been twice (will go again in June) and they like it. It's not that big, but they're well taken care of and they have fun. We have done Bluezoo and Il Mulino -- both were great, but I give the edge to Bluezoo. We thought about trying Shula's next time, but I think we're going to do Bluezoo again.

Our kids went 3 years ago when they were 10 & 8. They enjoyed playing video games and making crafts. They also enjoyed the dinner, but my DD said the only thing they offered was pizza which I thought there would be more selections. Maybe it was just that night or maybe that is the way it always is there. I know the ones at the Disney resorts have selections.

We had dinner at Shula's and it was fantastic! Would definitely recommend for a great steak dinner and the key lime pie was the best I've had. I have read good reviews on Blue Zoo and and more so on Il Mulino.

Enjoy your night out!

I'm guessing it was just that one night? Both times my kids went, they had about 4 choices.

 

[SingingMom]

My kids have been twice (will go again in June) and they like it. It's not that big, but they're well taken care of and they have fun. We have done Bluezoo and Il Mulino -- both were great, but I give the edge to Bluezoo. We thought about trying Shula's next time, but I think we're going to do Bluezoo again.

.

Shula's is nice, but if you have a Ruth's Chris near you, it is basically the same thing. We liked bluezoo, but LOVE Il Mulino! As an Italian girl who lives in the NY/NJ area and has access to fabulous Italian restaurants, I am VERY picky when it comes to Italian food! ;-). Il Mulino is the real deal!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[patty57]

Shula's is nice, but if you have a Ruth's Chris near you, it is basically the same thing. We liked bluezoo, but LOVE Il Mulino! As an Italian girl who lives in the NY/NJ area and has access to fabulous Italian restaurants, I am VERY picky when it comes to Italian food! ;-). Il Mulino is the real deal!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Ooooh...interesting about Il Mulino. I'm an Italian girl from RI, and hardly ever go out for Italian because I always think I can make it better. If an Italian girl from NY/NJ likes it, I might just have to try it. Going to check out the menu now...

 

[SingingMom]

Ooooh...interesting about Il Mulino. I'm an Italian girl from RI, and hardly ever go out for Italian because I always think I can make it better. If an Italian girl from NY/NJ likes it, I might just have to try it. Going to check out the menu now...

We were just there in January. The parmigiana cheese appetizer is great. We all enjoyed our dinners, except DH wasn't thrilled with the prosciutto & melon appetizer, since it was melon balls, and not prosciutto wrapped around melon slices, like usual. Atmosphere is terrific. We met our CM friend for drinks in the bar, then closed the restaurant. Lol. Server brought us homemade limoncello - I think to finally get us to finish and get out of there! Lol

It is authentic Italian!

Tutto Gusto Wine cellar in Epcot Italy is also very good, in the opinion of this "Italian restaurant snob." LOLOLOL ;-)

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[wishinon3stars]

Hi Everyone! Will be making my first stay at the Dolphin this June with my SIL who is attending a nurse's seminar. I'm looking forward to exploring the Swan and Dolphin. I usually travel with my family and stay at the BC so this will be a different trip for me.

I will be solo for most of the days until my SIL's seminar is over. Trying to figure out just what I want to do on my own.

My SIL and I will be landing at the same time at MCO but will be leaving at different times to go back to MCO at the end of our trip. This is my first trip travelling alone and would welcome any suggestions on the best way to travel to and from the airport.

Thanks for all the information on this thread. I appreciate all the time and information from everyone.

 

[RachelTori]

Hi Everyone! Will be making my first stay at the Dolphin this June with my SIL who is attending a nurse's seminar. I'm looking forward to exploring the Swan and Dolphin. I usually travel with my family and stay at the BC so this will be a different trip for me.

I will be solo for most of the days until my SIL's seminar is over. Trying to figure out just what I want to do on my own.

My SIL and I will be landing at the same time at MCO but will be leaving at different times to go back to MCO at the end of our trip. This is my first trip travelling alone and would welcome any suggestions on the best way to travel to and from the airport.

Thanks for all the information on this thread. I appreciate all the time and information from everyone.

The most economical way would be to use Mears. You can purchase a round trip for around $36. You're transported in a Mears van. The disadvantage being you will probably stop at another hotel or 2 along the way.

Or the 2 of you could get a town car for the ride to Dolphin (since it sounds like you'll ride in together); then book the Mears van back to MCO (last time I booked a one way it was $21 Dolphin to MCO).

 

[wishinon3stars]

then book the Mears van back to MCO (last time I booked a one way it was $21 Dolphin to MCO).

Thanks! I was thinking along those same lines. Maybe we could split a town car for the way to the Dolphin and then do Mears back since I'll be by myself.

How much time should I allow if I book Mears back to MCO? I know when we do the ME they pick you up 3 hours prior to your flight. My flight will be taking off at 8:05pm on a Sunday night. Do I need to allow 3 hours for Mears too

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks! I was thinking along those same lines. Maybe we could split a town car for the way to the Dolphin and then do Mears back since I'll be by myself.

How much time should I allow if I book Mears back to MCO? I know when we do the ME they pick you up 3 hours prior to your flight. My flight will be taking off at 8:05pm on a Sunday night. Do I need to allow 3 hours for Mears too

3 hours is plenty sufficient. You could realistically do it 2-1/2 hours, but I'm one of those who likes to get to the airport plenty early (even though I've checked in online!)

The only issue (and really it's not an issue at all) with booking Mears for the one way back to the airport is that you have to do it at the Mears desk at Dolphin.

I like to do things online. MCO to hotel and round trip can be booked online -- but when you are going hotel to MCO, you can't do it online. I stop by the desk the day prior to my departure and make my reservation.

 

[vicb]

I didn't love Il Mulino... I almost feel bad saying it but it is true. It was loud the night we were there, not romantic. The food was pretty good and our server was fine. We were never offered the Limoncello . There was a private party in the bar area and outside so it was very busy. I didn't care for the atmosphere in the restaurant.

I didn't eat at any of the other restaurants in S/D but I thought a better, more romantic setting was our dinner at Jiko. Very quiet, excellent food and service. We enjoyed a walk outside before the sun went down to see the animals then in for dinner.

Other trips when our kids were little and we had them go to the kid's club at BC we ate at Epcot restaurants so that is a possibility too.

 

[SingingMom]

I didn't love Il Mulino... I almost feel bad saying it but it is true. It was loud the night we were there, not romantic. The food was pretty good and our server was fine. We were never offered the Limoncello . There was a private party in the bar area and outside so it was very busy. I didn't care for the atmosphere in the restaurant.

I didn't eat at any of the other restaurants in S/D but I thought a better, more romantic setting was our dinner at Jiko. Very quiet, excellent food and service. We enjoyed a walk outside before the sun went down to see the animals then in for dinner.

Other trips when our kids were little and we had them go to the kid's club at BC we ate at Epcot restaurants so that is a possibility too.

Sorry you didn't enjoy it. We didn't go for a romantic dinner, it was to have dinner with a dear friend, but it wasn't too loud. We talked all night! Lol.
We weren't offered the limoncello our first visit; I think it had something to do with the addition of our very handsome guest this time. ;-) teehee

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[RachelTori]

We've eaten at Il Mulino a number of times and have always been offered the limoncello as the "traditional way to end the meal".

I don't think they'd get me out of there at this point unless they offered it to me!

 

[SingingMom]

We've eaten at Il Mulino a number of times and have always been offered the limoncello as the "traditional way to end the meal".

I don't think they'd get me out of there at this point unless they offered it to me!

LOLOLOL Love it!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards