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

[Dan Murphy]

I know that the quick service offers a AAA discount, do you know off hand what other restaurants offer the AAA discount and how much it is?

The discount is 20%. Restaurants are Cabana, Fountain, Fresh, Garden Grove, Picabu and Splash.

I haven't checked this thread in several days, as I'm only now seeing this! I am so sorry to read that I won't see you at WDW next week, but I understand your reasons. I hope your heart and knee procedures will be successful so you'll soon be as good as new! I hope to see you next December - or sooner at a Chicago DIS meet!

Although I will greatly miss your company this December, I want you all healthy for next December. It just won't be the same without you at the Disney Swan Resort and all of the WDW parks. Please keep in touch with your progress and heal quickly.

Ray

Thanks again, Ray, and Nancy also. As for Chicago meets, I think those are part of history now. Have not heard of one in ages, but then I am not in the loop, so there may have been some.

 

[bakerworld]

Not sure why, but it took us a long time to stay at the Dolphin.

 

[patty57]

Not sure why, but it took us a long time to stay at the Dolphin.

It took us years and year to stay at the Swan/Dolphin even though we always stay in the Epcot resorts area. Silly of us. I thought I would miss the "magic". We are back to the BCV in May though, for the ability to book FP+ ahead of time. Really hoping that when this is completely rolled out, that the Swan/Dolphin will have that ability. I just like them so much.

 

[Jbeechuk]

Does the Swan have wifi available in their rooms? Is it included in the resort fee?

Thank you!

 

[ckelly14]

Yes and yes.

 

[Parrotheader]

Just got back from a trip to Swan 11/21 - 11/29 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the big, comfy beds, the unmatched selection of restaurants and the fantastic location. I was worried we might miss out on the 'magic' but that wasn't an issue at all.

My only complaints would be about the bus system. We were fortunate as the Swan is the 2nd stop on the BW-Swan-Dolphin route. But the Dolphin probably needs its own buses, at least for MK. It's bigger than some other resorts that have their own buses and I felt sorry for the people staying there as much of the time the buses would be full before we pulled up. Granted, it was a heavy week, but those are still 3 premium resorts with over 3,000 rooms between them being asked to share a single bus route.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Yes we just returned from Swan and the bus situation was not good. And the food was really extra over priced and made Disney food seem like a bargain. But they sure do know how to heat a pool! That 3 foot deep pool was heated to about 95! That was awesome, sure beats Disney chilly 82 degrees!

 

[bakerworld]

Just got back from a trip to Swan 11/21 - 11/29 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the big, comfy beds, the unmatched selection of restaurants and the fantastic location. I was worried we might miss out on the 'magic' but that wasn't an issue at all.

My only complaints would be about the bus system. We were fortunate as the Swan is the 2nd stop on the BW-Swan-Dolphin route. But the Dolphin probably needs its own buses, at least for MK. It's bigger than some other resorts that have their own buses and I felt sorry for the people staying there as much of the time the buses would be full before we pulled up. Granted, it was a heavy week, but those are still 3 premium resorts with over 3,000 rooms between them being asked to share a single bus route.

When staying at the Dolphin - or any of the venues around the lake - we walk thru Epcot and take the Monorail to the TTS. I doubt we're saving any time but we get to walk thru an empty WS, grab a coffee/water on our way out of EPCOT, catch the monorail and they we usually boat over to MK. All nice experiences. We avoid busses any way we can

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just got back from a trip to Swan 11/21 - 11/29 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the big, comfy beds, the unmatched selection of restaurants and the fantastic location. I was worried we might miss out on the 'magic' but that wasn't an issue at all.

My only complaints would be about the bus system. We were fortunate as the Swan is the 2nd stop on the BW-Swan-Dolphin route. But the Dolphin probably needs its own buses, at least for MK. It's bigger than some other resorts that have their own buses and I felt sorry for the people staying there as much of the time the buses would be full before we pulled up. Granted, it was a heavy week, but those are still 3 premium resorts with over 3,000 rooms between them being asked to share a single bus route.

Sounds like a great trip.

I know some guests (not me, I prefer the Swan) who stay at the Dolphin, will walk across the short causeway between the resorts and use the Swan bus stop. It takes a minute or so to walk between the two resorts.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

When staying at the Dolphin - or any of the venues around the lake - we walk thru Epcot and take the Monorail to the TTS. I doubt we're saving any time but we get to walk thru an empty WS, grab a coffee/water on our way out of EPCOT, catch the monorail and they we usually boat over to MK. All nice experiences. We avoid busses any way we can

You need a hopper for that though...

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

We stayed at the Swan but went over to see the Dolphin Christmas tree. We all looked at each other...it was the ugliest Christmas tree we have ever seen! I wouldn't even take a picture of it, it was so hideous. It was like a giant white cone shape! What do you all think of it?

 

[Dan Murphy]

We stayed at the Swan but went over to see the Dolphin Christmas tree. We all looked at each other...it was the ugliest Christmas tree we have ever seen! I wouldn't even take a picture of it, it was so hideous. It was like a giant white cone shape! What do you all think of it?

Sadly I will be missing the gorgeous S/D Christmas display this year.

I am always torn between the subdued classic elegance of the Swan displays of life sized chocolate Santa and setting and lobby trees and displays, or the more modern and massive, though equally elegant Dolphin displays, with its beautiful towering 'snow' covered tree with large-enough-to-ride train at its base. The lobby areas, the whole resort, is beautiful at this time of the year. I especially like the recent addition of their own S/D mini Osborne Light display on the causeway between the two resorts.

http://youtu.be/HYcrW7K0Oqk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsu8JBIJKos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHdDv1hXyz0

 

[RachelTori]

Sadly I will be missing the gorgeous S/D Christmas display this year.

I am always torn between the subdued classic elegance of the Swan displays of life sized chocolate Santa and setting and lobby trees and displays, or the more modern and massive, though equally elegant Dolphin displays, with its beautiful towering 'snow' covered tree with large-enough-to-ride train at its base. The lobby areas, the whole resort, is beautiful at this time of the year. I especially like the recent addition of their own S/D mini Osborne Light display on the causeway between the two resorts.

http://youtu.be/HYcrW7K0Oqk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsu8JBIJKos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHdDv1hXyz0

I'm at Swan now - arrived yesterday. The tree at Dolphin is something we've grown to love, but I'm disappointed that the little train that always circled it is gone.

The lights/music on the causeway are a nice touch! I'm enjoying it!

 

[troll buster]

We stayed at the Swan but went over to see the Dolphin Christmas tree. We all looked at each other...it was the ugliest Christmas tree we have ever seen! I wouldn't even take a picture of it, it was so hideous. It was like a giant white cone shape! What do you all think of it?

I agree! Big ugly, blue and Fake pointsettia tree!

 

[RaySharpton]

I am at the beautiful Disney Swan Resort for my second time and I just love...love...love it here.

So beautiful in the day and at nighttime.

Excellent service from admission to service.

I just saw NancyIL about an hour ago in the Swan Resort as I was coming back from the Epcot Candlelight Processional and Holiday Illuminations.

Nancy was the first DISer that I have seen so far this trip.

I hope to see many more and make new friends, too.

I saw the two Swan/Dolphin Staff as I entered Epcot at the International Gateway this afternoon. I presume they were helping with Fast Pass customers. They were located on the right as I entered the Epcot Park.

Ray
Beautiful day and night.

 

[patty57]

Lucky, lucky travelers. Have a wonderful time at S/D.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Sadly I will be missing the gorgeous S/D Christmas display this year.

I am always torn between the subdued classic elegance of the Swan displays of life sized chocolate Santa and setting and lobby trees and displays, or the more modern and massive, though equally elegant Dolphin displays, with its beautiful towering 'snow' covered tree with large-enough-to-ride train at its base. The lobby areas, the whole resort, is beautiful at this time of the year. I especially like the recent addition of their own S/D mini Osborne Light display on the causeway between the two resorts.

http://youtu.be/HYcrW7K0Oqk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsu8JBIJKos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHdDv1hXyz0

There was no train at the base

We did love the Swan display, so cool!!!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'm at Swan now - arrived yesterday. The tree at Dolphin is something we've grown to love, but I'm disappointed that the little train that always circled it is gone.

The lights/music on the causeway are a nice touch! I'm enjoying it!

What a bummer, Laura. I always enjoyed seeing that train when I would stop over to the Dolphin, usually for a meal in one of the many restaurants. And little? It was big, for a toy train, but fit so nicely with the big, beautiful tree.

Enjoy your stay, you also, Ray. Sorry I am not there, today would have been my arrival day. Looking towards next year.

 

[hsmamato2]

LOL while we were there, they closed the fountain and workmen were building this (at 7 p.m.,the only 'un-disney' thing we experienced) and the next morning,the pretty fountain was gone,and replaced by this! hideous....but a short walk takes you to the beach club,with the best display in the world,so no worries!

 

[SingingMom]

I wish the decorations would still be up for our January visit, but as long as I can sit on the comfy couches with my espresso martini, I will be happy!!! See you soon!!

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