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

[lvdismagic]

It means your room will have a view of the lake.

Thanks LOL.

 

[SingingMom]

I love your positive attitude . I'll be arriving at the Dolphin on 1/18. The drinks sound wonderful! Never have had an expresso martini I hope you get into the dessert party!

I figure there is no point in being upset over things not in our power! At least we are still going to be there - just a few days later than planned!

Dolphin lobby Bar makes a great espresso martini - We love to sit on the comfy couches and people watch. Great lobby to relax in after a long day at the parks!

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

 

[RachelTori]

I figure there is no point in being upset over things not in our power! At least we are still going to be there - just a few days later than planned!

Dolphin lobby Bar makes a great espresso martini - We love to sit on the comfy couches and people watch. Great lobby to relax in after a long day at the parks!

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

Safe travels and have a wonderful trip!

Another place we love for cocktails is the lounge in Blue Zoo. We've had some fabulous Happy Hours there!

 

[SingingMom]

Safe travels and have a wonderful trip! Another place we love for cocktails is the lounge in Blue Zoo. We've had some fabulous Happy Hours there!

Forgot about the bluezoo Lounge! We will have to try that this week! We also like to sit poolside at the Cabana Bar.

You really can stay right at the Swan & Dolphin and never need to leave! I love the place! Prayers thar our revised flights all go smoothly!

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

 

[lvdismagic]

Praying you have a safe flight and a fabulous trip! Can't wait to read about it

 

[Gipperland]

My husband and I will be staying for the 1st time at The Dolphin in March, in a king traditional room. 2 years ago we stayed at the Swan, followed the advice for room requests from all the wonderful folks on these boards and got an amazing corner room with a fabulous view. I am looking for advice for room requests for the dolphin. I would greatly appreciate any help anyone could offer.

 

[nighttowll]

Has anyone heard how FP+ has been working at S&D. We arrive thurs and were wondering how fast they are gone each day-we have a number of days we will not enter until late afternoon.

Assuming all FP- will be gone, but hoping to hear some FP+ have been available later?

I'm not sure they are still doing the FP. I know it was a test, but if they are we didn't have any issues booking FP at the last minute. We changed times all day and never had any shortages on our options. We even booked one day an hour before the park closed with no issues. It seemed like it was a completely different pool of FP from the rest, so availability was never an issue. We even booked TSM mid morning with our choice of multiple times, and this was all during the busier Christmas season. My impression was that the majority of the guests have no idea this is even going on and aren't taking advantage of it. Maybe they have caught on by now, but back mid Dec there was very little signage about it, and no one at the resort ever mentioned it to us. If I hadn't seen the notice on their website, I never would have known. I had to seek the kiosk out, and if it wasn't for the fact that I knew where to look, I never would have even seen it.

 

[ckelly14]

"Testing" of FP+ is supposed to wrap up on Jan 12 at the S&D; anxiously awaiting what FP+ will look like after that. Hopefully someone on the boards will chime in...!

 

[Judy from Boise]

you are not alone ! We arrive the 22nd.

 

[vicb]

Just off the phone with S/D reservationist, trying to apply the "stay connected" discount to my 2 room reservation but alas, she informs it is not available for my dates in May. However I did find out I had not secured the AAA resort credit as I thought I had so she changed that for me and sent me updated confirmation. Atleast we can have dinner at the hotel with our $100 credit. So still waiting for another price drop hopefully before May... also waiting with everyone else to see how FP+ shapes up.

 

[SingingMom]

"Testing" of FP+ is supposed to wrap up on Jan 12 at the S&D; anxiously awaiting what FP+ will look like after that. Hopefully someone on the boards will chime in...!

Just checked in today!! Only enough time to drop bags and head to Epcot for dinner at Tutto Gusto and Illuminations. Front desk gave us info on FP+ and we saw the representative as we entered Epcot, but didn't stop tonight. We are here until the 18th and no one mentioned it finishing up on the 12 th....

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

 

[ckelly14]

Awesome! Keep us updated...

 

[lvdismagic]

Glad you made it safely. Looking forward to hearing details of your trip!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just checked in today!! Only enough time to drop bags and head to Epcot for dinner at Tutto Gusto and Illuminations. Front desk gave us info on FP+ and we saw the representative as we entered Epcot, but didn't stop tonight. We are here until the 18th and no one mentioned it finishing up on the 12 th....

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

Sounds great, enjoy!!

 

[michaelsr]

We are staying at the Dolphin in April (4/12-18). It looks like during the test phase, S&D had their own places in the parks to go to arrange FP+ reservations. Now, it looks like they are rolling out FP+ for all offsite guests in AK and MK. Seems safe to assume the same will happen shortly in EP and HS. My question is, after FP+ is completely rolled out, and the FP- machines are gone, will Swan and Dolphin guests still have their own special line for FP+ reservations, or will they wait in line with the rest of the offsite guests?

 

[gogo]

My husband and I will be staying for the 1st time at The Dolphin in March, in a king traditional room. 2 years ago we stayed at the Swan, followed the advice for room requests from all the wonderful folks on these boards and got an amazing corner room with a fabulous view. I am looking for advice for room requests for the dolphin. I would greatly appreciate any help anyone could offer.

I've never stayed at the Swan or Dolphin in all the years going to Disney. We booked a room on our arrival night at the Dolphin. The next day we started our Disney vacation package at one of their resorts.

We wanted to have dinner at Shula's restaurant in the Dolphin so I knew we wanted to stay in the Boardwalk area. Disney's Epcot/Boardwalk resorts were much more expensive than the Dolphin and I didn't want to overspend to just stay the night. The Dolphin fit the bill. We booked a resort view room with a balcony. I don't remember the room # offhand but I may have it in my suitcase. We were in the East wing, top floor facing Epcot. I believe this was an upgrade to Epcot view and it was fantastic. I love having a balcony, worth the upgrade to me, and the Epcot view was great. I didn't hear the boat horns with the door closed but opened they are loud and quite often. It didn't bother me but it may some people.

If the Dophin would spruce up the lobby area and give it some atmosphere/warmth it would easily be a 5 star in my book with a much lower price tag than 5 star. We had a really nice stay!

 

[patty57]

We are staying at the Dolphin in April (4/12-18). It looks like during the test phase, S&D had their own places in the parks to go to arrange FP+ reservations. Now, it looks like they are rolling out FP+ for all offsite guests in AK and MK. Seems safe to assume the same will happen shortly in EP and HS. My question is, after FP+ is completely rolled out, and the FP- machines are gone, will Swan and Dolphin guests still have their own special line for FP+ reservations, or will they wait in line with the rest of the offsite guests?

No one knows yet.

 

[SingingMom]

Yesterday was our first full day - 80's and very humid! Freezing rain at home, so I will deal with the humidity. Lol. We took the all day Backstage Magic Tour. Very interesting, but a bit too long. Lunch at Whispering Canyon was great! We had enough time after the tour to catch our favorite Aladdin in MK and got back for dinner at Flying Fish on the Boardwalk with a CM friend. Busy day! Nothing better than ending it with a Dolphin Heavenly Bed! We are on the 9 th floor, with a balcony overlooking the fountain and lake & Boardwalk. The hallways have new carpeting & wall coverings. Very crisp & clean. Our room is very nice, but this is the first time we don't have the nook with coffee pot, makeup mirror, & fridge. Still have the items, just not in that extra area, which I always liked. Ends up with lost drawer space, but I am not complaining. I am at my favorite hotel in the Happiest Place on earth! Today we are heading to AK, mass at the shrine, and dinner at Il Mulino with a friend who lives in the area! Happy Birthday to DH - he loves celebrating here!! "SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[patty57]

Last day for the S/D FP+ "testing". Singing Mom, or anyone else staying onsite, let us know if anything changes tomorrow. Have a great day today, and stop by the Cabana Bar for me! They have a drink with a star fruit that I really liked...among others.

 

[MiamiMere]

Question... Does the dolphin have grills by the pool that guests can use? We stayed here last summer and I can't remember seeing any? Trying to budget for food this year and considering grilling out if that's an option.

Thanks!!!!