The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ September 2010 ~ Please read post #1

[Mouseteacher]

To some S/D does not have the Disney feel - the more I ask about elaborating the less response I get. It truly depends on your expectations. My personal joy when staying at S/D is hearing the ferry boats arrive at the dock in the causeway or seeing Characters in Flight rise in the east or seeing part of Illuminations at night or jogging around Crescent Lake to end up at an entrance to Epcot. I've been a DVC member for 3 years even though Bay Lake is our place my family home is at the Swan & Dolphin

We love to have a view of the Friendship dock and watch the boats come and go.

I, also, love the short walk to the BW. It has become my own little tradition on our last day, early morning, while my family is still asleep, to take my coffee from the Java Bar and walk to the BW. I sit on a bench overlooking the lake, BC/YC in the quiet of the morning reflecting on our trip and anticipating our next one! Simply the best!

 

[livndisney]

Do they have pool parties at Swan/Dolphin? We are hoping for a quiet, relaxing trip and I was looking forward to enjoying the pool. Do they play music and have "activities" at the pool? If so can it be heard in the rooms?

 

[roydavid7771]

Do they have pool parties at Swan/Dolphin? We are hoping for a quiet, relaxing trip and I was looking forward to enjoying the pool. Do they play music and have "activities" at the pool? If so can it be heard in the rooms?

Most of the pool activities happen at the grotto pool. The Swan has a lap pool that is usually much quieter than the grotto. Have a great time!

 

[livndisney]

Most of the pool activities happen at the grotto pool. The Swan has a lap pool that is usually much quieter than the grotto. Have a great time!

That is what I was afraid of. Do they have a DJ playing music at the grotto pool? One of the big reasons we are staying at the Swan is the grotto. If we wanted a lap pool we could stay home LOL.

Is there a phone number to recreation or something to ask the resort directly?

 

[Lex33]

We leave on Tuesday to stay near Sea World for a few days, checking in at the Dolphin next Sunday. Right now I have 2 car rental ressies; one for 1 week dropping off at the Dolphin for $125, and one for 13 days bringing back to the airport for $225. The cost difference between the two after getting back to the airport and a few taxi trips when we don't want to wait for a bus, is roughly $70
(I'm guessing.)

My question is about convenience. The early forecast is for rain, everyday. Not scattered showers, but rain. I don't mind going to the parks in the rain, but I don't want to be running for shuttles in the rain. So wwyd? Early plans for the 5 extra days in question are HS, Epcot, MK, and DTD probably once or twice. Is it more convenient to have the car available or is it a nuisance? We have always rented a car so I am a little reluctant to go the bus route. Is the self parking far from the hotel?

 

[roydavid7771]

That is what I was afraid of. Do they have a DJ playing music at the grotto pool? One of the big reasons we are staying at the Swan is the grotto. If we wanted a lap pool we could stay home LOL.

Is there a phone number to recreation or something to ask the resort directly?

I'm sure if you call the hotel they'll be able to tell you. If I remember correctly, they did not have a DJ poolside but they did have games and contests for the kids. Have a great time!

 

[wizzy99]

Has anyone recently sent their 3yo to Camp Dolphin? I see on the CD site it says 4-12, but disney.com and other sites say 3-12. I also found references to other's taking their 3yo's to the camp, so I'm wondering if either this is a recent change, or if 3yo's are officially accepted?

 

[bangzoom6877]

Do guests at the Swan and Dolphin have the same privilege when making dining reservations? Can they make them 180 days before check-in date, for up to 10 days? Guests of Disney operated resorts have this privilege, so I was wondering since my sister is planning to stay at Dolphin next summer, while we stay at our DVC home (Boardwalk), and we might be separating for a meal or 2 so she would have to make her own ADR.

 

[LexiC123]

Do they have pool parties at Swan/Dolphin? We are hoping for a quiet, relaxing trip and I was looking forward to enjoying the pool. Do they play music and have "activities" at the pool? If so can it be heard in the rooms?

I was just looking at the S/D materials that were given to me at check-in last Sept, and found this info on their schedule of daily activities:

Poolside DJ....Friday & Saturday 12-5​

It also lists a bunch of games, i.e. water balloon toss, relay races, that run on random days, between 1 and 5pm-ish.

And lastly, the brochure says to call the Health Club for details about poolside seasonal activities and entertainment. No phone number or extension is listed, but I'm sure the operator can connect you.

 

[LexiC123]

Do guests at the Swan and Dolphin have the same privilege when making dining reservations? Can they make them 180 days before check-in date, for up to 10 days? Guests of Disney operated resorts have this privilege, so I was wondering since my sister is planning to stay at Dolphin next summer, while we stay at our DVC home (Boardwalk), and we might be separating for a meal or 2 so she would have to make her own ADR.

Hi...

Yes, you can make your ADRs 180 days out, but S/D guests do not have the "+10" privilege.

With on-line reservations, it only took me a few minutes each morning to make my plans, so I didn't really find it an inconvenience.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi...

Yes, you can make your ADRs 180 days out, but S/D guests do not have the "+10" privilege.

With on-line reservations, it only took me a few minutes each morning to make my plans, so I didn't really find it an inconvenience.

Thanks so much for the quick response! This is fine...it would probably be only one meal, MAYBE 2.

 

[jnfr2424]

We leave on Tuesday to stay near Sea World for a few days, checking in at the Dolphin next Sunday. Right now I have 2 car rental ressies; one for 1 week dropping off at the Dolphin for $125, and one for 13 days bringing back to the airport for $225. The cost difference between the two after getting back to the airport and a few taxi trips when we don't want to wait for a bus, is roughly $70
(I'm guessing.)

My question is about convenience. The early forecast is for rain, everyday. Not scattered showers, but rain. I don't mind going to the parks in the rain, but I don't want to be running for shuttles in the rain. So wwyd? Early plans for the 5 extra days in question are HS, Epcot, MK, and DTD probably once or twice. Is it more convenient to have the car available or is it a nuisance? We have always rented a car so I am a little reluctant to go the bus route. Is the self parking far from the hotel?

Keep in mind that you will have to pay for parking at the Dolphin if that is not a concern then keep the car especially for DTD trips

 

[P13]

That is what I was afraid of. Do they have a DJ playing music at the grotto pool? One of the big reasons we are staying at the Swan is the grotto. If we wanted a lap pool we could stay home LOL.

Is there a phone number to recreation or something to ask the resort directly?

We were just there 7/26-8/3...there was not a Dj...Friday night they did a movie, shut off the waterfall, gave people floaties & projected the movie where the waterfall was. They did have some games for kids, but they did them off to the side by the basketball court. Hope this helps!

 

[livndisney]

We were just there 7/26-8/3...there was not a Dj...Friday night they did a movie, shut off the waterfall, gave people floaties & projected the movie where the waterfall was. They did have some games for kids, but they did them off to the side by the basketball court. Hope this helps!

Thank you, that is very helpful. Relaxing on a floaty watching a movie sounds wonderful!

 

[Mouseteacher]

We were just there 7/26-8/3...there was not a Dj...Friday night they did a movie, shut off the waterfall, gave people floaties & projected the movie where the waterfall was. They did have some games for kids, but they did them off to the side by the basketball court. Hope this helps!

We were there 7/27-8/1. I heard the movie from our balcony. They also set up a flourescent vollyball game on the sand - 2 nets - one evening. I thought I heard music/DJ coming from the beach area near the game. Many people were watching.

 

[P13]

We were there 7/27-8/1. I heard the movie from our balcony. They also set up a flourescent vollyball game on the sand - 2 nets - one evening. I thought I heard music/DJ coming from the beach area near the game. Many people were watching.

Oh, I forgot about that. We saw them setting up the volleyball nets, but we were going back to Epcot that night.

 

[Dan Murphy]

That is what I was afraid of. Do they have a DJ playing music at the grotto pool? One of the big reasons we are staying at the Swan is the grotto. If we wanted a lap pool we could stay home LOL.

Is there a phone number to recreation or something to ask the resort directly?

The Grotto pool is located between both resorts. Each also has their own lap pools closer in to each.

 

[NBCGal]

We love to have a view of the Friendship dock and watch the boats come and go.

I, also, love the short walk to the BW. It has become my own little tradition on our last day, early morning, while my family is still asleep, to take my coffee from the Java Bar and walk to the BW. I sit on a bench overlooking the lake, BC/YC in the quiet of the morning reflecting on our trip and anticipating our next one! Simply the best!

I couldn't agree with you all more! DF & I feel like we're at "home" when we stay at the Swan. The ambiance is just right for us. The Friendship boats are so relaxing... It's the best of World.

 

[livndisney]

The Grotto pool is located between both resorts. Each also has their own lap pools closer in to each.

I know where the grotto pool is located. What I don't know is if there are dj/music/loud activities at the grotto. Un themed lap pools hold no interest, as we could swim in one of those at home.

 

[G8r4evr]

10 days~!~!!!