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

[pamelasu1]

I just booked a trip for Sept. 19-27...only 5 weeks out! It will be a total surprise bday trip for DD12, who turns 13 on Sept. 30. I don't plan to tell her until we are on our way to the airport! I never realized what a great deal the Swan/Dolphin is, I think this is a well kept secret. I was originally planning to stay at Pop with free dining this trip, since it's a last minute trip and that's all our budget would allow. However, I found a fabulous package for the Swan on Expedia that included airfare and the room for the same price as the Pop FD package (room, MYW tickets, and FD). By booking Swan, I was able to enroll DD in a YES program and get our park tickets for almost 1/2 price, something I could not do with the FD Pop package. Overall, the amount I am paying for Swan (including resort fee, room, airfare, and YES 8 day park hoppers) equaled the amount that I would have paid for Pop (including room, FDP, 8 day base tickets, and figuring in airfare bought on my own). That means the only thing Pop had going for it is the free quick service dining plan and ME.....that was a no brainer! We can eat well on a budget and I am fine with paying Mears to shuttle us to the Swan...staying walking distance from our 2 favorite parks is worth it!!! We love the Epcot resort area and I can't believe that we will be staying there for almost the price of a value resort! I think I may end up addicted to these resorts, lol!

Pam

 

[Dominus]

I just wanted to do a quick post-trip report on the Dolphin. I got so much information and good advice from this thread, that I feel compelled to pass my experiences along. My family of 4 + 1 niece, and my friends family of 5 booked 2 connecting rooms at the Dolphin. The reason being that the Swan only allows for 4 persons in the standard room, and Dolphin allows 5. We were very pleased by the size and condition of the rooms. My family booked a King room, resort view and had a sleeper sofa. We put my 2 sons on the sofa and we brought a camping cot for my niece who is a small 7 yr old. Housekeeping was always nice enough to make the cot up with the rest of the beds, A+ to the them!

First I'll address the transportation. I love the boats! I had heard good and bad about the boats, but I preferred them to the buses. The ride is short, the boats always seemed to be on time, they seemed less crowded, it's a smoother ride, and there is no traffic issued to contend with. To me, the boats are a huge selling point for the D/S.

Second is the food. We bought the refillable mugs on the first day and never regretted it. Each morning I would take one kid with me to Picabu to fill the mugs. On a few days we came back to the room for lunch where we would again fill the mugs. you will easily get your money's worth on the mugs if you stay longer than about 3 days. On our arrival night we chose to stay "home" and just explore the grounds so we ended up eating at Picabu's. Picabu's is ok, not great. Anyone familiar with Luby's or Furr's will be familiar with the concept and quality of the "buffeteria". The 4 adults in our party also took advantage of the Camp Dolphin offer. The deal is that if you dine at one of the signature restaurants at the D/S you get 2 hours free Camp Dolphin time for each entree that you order. My wife and I and the other couple would end up getting an entree each and one to split, equaling 3 entrees per couple. That would give us 2 hours free for each of our 3 kids. The first night we went to Bluezoo, which I highly recommend. The kids loved CD so much that they were begging to return. So we scheduled a second night at Il Mulino in the Swan. Il Mulino was good, but not great. The service was however great! All in all, I'd recommend Il Mulino to anyone who likes Italian. I also recommend that you tip accordingly when you pick up you little campers, as they are well taken care of.

We also toured the Swan to consider whether we would choose the Dolphin over the Swan in the future. On this thread I'd read the back and forth of both camps and expected to be torn between the two. However, after my tour of the Swan, I would never choose it over the Dolphin. The only up side to the S over the D, is that it's way less busy. But that doesn't really appeal to me, I like seeing other people having fun on their vacations, and I enjoy meeting all the people. The Dolphin also has way more options for dining and shopping.

After our trip, my wife and I decided we'd be hard pressed to find any resort at WDW that's we'd rather stay. The Dolphin met or exceeded all my needs and wants. The only wdw properties that even come close are the deluxe and they are way more expensive. So to me, it's a no brainer. I hope this review helps.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Dominus~ So glad you loved our fav resorts! I have stayed at both and to this day love both - I don't prefer one over the other. Our last 3 stays were at the Swan. However, our talk has begun for our next trip next summer and we are thinking it is time to head back to the Dolphin.

S/D...the best kept secret...don't let it out... JK LOL

 

[TaraPA]

dominus - glad you liked it!

pamelasu1 - yay on the great deal - go enjoy yourself!

I think our little secret is getting out....

 

[SingingMom]

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!

Sounds like a great tradition to me!!

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 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.

It depends on the time of year, too. We have always stayed in June, and there has been a DJ adjacent to the Cabana Bar - set up on the basketball court on the Dolphin side. A list of "resort activities" is available at the front desk or conceirge desk during your stay.

We also toured the Swan to consider whether we would choose the Dolphin over the Swan in the future. On this thread I'd read the back and forth of both camps and expected to be torn between the two. However, after my tour of the Swan, I would never choose it over the Dolphin. The only up side to the S over the D, is that it's way less busy. But that doesn't really appeal to me, I like seeing other people having fun on their vacations, and I enjoy meeting all the people. The Dolphin also has way more options for dining and shopping.

After our trip, my wife and I decided we'd be hard pressed to find any resort at WDW that's we'd rather stay. The Dolphin met or exceeded all my needs and wants. The only wdw properties that even come close are the deluxe and they are way more expensive. So to me, it's a no brainer. I hope this review helps.

So glad you enjoyed your stay! We love the Dolphin for that "hustle and bustle" reason. One of our favorite "traditions" is to have a nightcap (espresso martini, anyone?! ) and sit in the Dolphin's lobby on the "comfy couches" and people watch!

 

[diskids2]

Hi all...I know this is around here somewhere I just can't find it....does anyone know the shortest walk from the Dolphin to International Gateway and the Dolphin to DHS?

 

[TaraPA]

Hi all...I know this is around here somewhere I just can't find it....does anyone know the shortest walk from the Dolphin to International Gateway and the Dolphin to DHS?

I think we discussed this once & everyone had their own opinion...not sure that anyone's actually measured the distance. I've walked both ways from The Dolphin - across the BW to IG, and then past YC/BC to IG....I'd swear going across the BW is shorter, but not by any measurable difference. The biggie for me is that I pass the BW Bakery when going via BW...I can always find something to pick up in there!

I bet if you made it a poll you'd get 6 answers of one, half a dozen of the other. Just like when people ask "which do you like better - Swan or Dolphin?" The answers are usually split right down the middle.

 

[MyTalula]

I think we discussed this once & everyone had their own opinion...not sure that anyone's actually measured the distance. I've walked both ways from The Dolphin - across the BW to IG, and then past YC/BC to IG....I'd swear going across the BW is shorter, but not by any measurable difference. The biggie for me is that I pass the BW Bakery when going via BW...I can always find something to pick up in there!

I bet if you made it a poll you'd get 6 answers of one, half a dozen of the other. Just like when people ask "which do you like better - Swan or Dolphin?" The answers are usually split right down the middle.

We think going accross BW is shorter too.... either way it's a beautiful walk!! Enjoy

 

[Music City Mama]

Glad you enjoyed your stay, Dominus!

Mouseteacher and Singingmom -- Love the sound of both of your traditions.

Hi all...I know this is around here somewhere I just can't find it....does anyone know the shortest walk from the Dolphin to International Gateway and the Dolphin to DHS?

I *think* I've seen it shown that going across the BW is actually shorter (as measured on a pedometer), but to me, being at the Dolphin, I just feel like it's shorter going the BC/YC side (maybe there's less uphill walking on that side?) -- BW probably is shorter if someone has measured it, but the difference has got to be negligible.

This morning, my 4 year old and I saw a bunny outside and it reminded him of the bunnies we'd see all over the Dolphin property. Every day when walked outside, we'd come across the same mother bunny and her baby -- and they were not scared of humans at all -- of course, we took pictures. And the baby ducks . . . so cute. Sorry, just reminiscing.

 

[diskids2]

Hmmmm the bakery now that just might be the deal breaker!!!!!!!!!

Sounds to me like the "distance" is negligible, so either way is ok. Can you believe I've stayed at the Dolphin three previous times and never walked to Epcot....that was in my lazy days......

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi all...I know this is around here somewhere I just can't find it....does anyone know the shortest walk from the Dolphin to International Gateway and the Dolphin to DHS?

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Walking-Distances.htm

 

[Dominus]

Dominus~ So glad you loved our fav resorts! I have stayed at both and to this day love both - I don't prefer one over the other. Our last 3 stays were at the Swan. However, our talk has begun for our next trip next summer and we are thinking it is time to head back to the Dolphin.

S/D...the best kept secret...don't let it out... JK LOL

Just out of curiosity, why would you put the swan as even with the dolphin? The only thing I can think of is that the convention hall is in the dolphin (but it's really segregated from the rest of the hotel, or that there is less traffic due to it being smaller.

 

[TaraPA]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Walking-Distances.htm

Thanks for the post Dan!

Ok so technically going via BW is 2/10 of a mile shorter that going via YC/BC. There we have it folks!

I do agree with the above poster who said walking via YC/BC is so peaceful - it really is a nice walk over that way. But the BW Bakery just calls out to me....especially the Oreo cupcakes...."pssst Tara....eat me! Eat me!!!"

 

[jane59]

New to this board and have a quick question. We are staying at the Swan in October, my daughter and family and us(the grandparents). We have two rooms booked. The question is...there are 5 in my daughters family but one of them is an infant. The other 2 are twin 3 year olds. Can they stay in the same room? When we booked they never asked how many. And I am now reading the Swan only holds 4. Will we have to take one of the kids into our room? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[diskids2]

Thanks for the post Dan!

Ok so technically going via BW is 2/10 of a mile shorter that going via YC/BC. There we have it folks!

I do agree with the above poster who said walking via YC/BC is so peaceful - it really is a nice walk over that way. But the BW Bakery just calls out to me....especially the Oreo cupcakes...."pssst Tara....eat me! Eat me!!!"

Yes, thanks for the link...now if I'm being good I'll avoid the bakery and if I'm being bad......

 

[SingingMom]

Yes, thanks for the link...now if I'm being good I'll avoid the bakery and if I'm being bad......

Don't avoid the Boardwalk Bakery - you are on VACATION!!

 

[disneyxo]

Don't avoid the Boardwalk Bakery - you are on VACATION!!

Last year we didn't make it in there. So this year making a point of checking it out!!

 

[Dominus]

New to this board and have a quick question. We are staying at the Swan in October, my daughter and family and us(the grandparents). We have two rooms booked. The question is...there are 5 in my daughters family but one of them is an infant. The other 2 are twin 3 year olds. Can they stay in the same room? When we booked they never asked how many. And I am now reading the Swan only holds 4. Will we have to take one of the kids into our room? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

As long as you only have 4 per room on the books, it shouldn't matter. I'm also not sure they would count an infant as a whole person for those purposes. You may want to see about switching you reservation to the Dolphin. The Dolphin does allow 5 per room and have several connecting rooms, so the family could be together when you want and not when you don't. I personally think the Dolphin is a better choice for people with young kids, but that's just me. Good luck and enjoy your stay.

 

[Dominus]

I just read that and realized it wasn't too clear. What I meant to say was that if you are under 4 persons in your room, you could have one of you sister's party listed as being in your room so that all rooms come out with under 4 per room. I suppose it's a tad dishonest, but we're talking about an infant or a toddler, not frat boys squeezing in one more dude to destroy the place.

 

[dizneykid]

Good morning!

One quick question. If someone is assigned room 18-091 Central at the Dolphin Resort, does that mean that the room is on the 18th floor?

Thanks for your help.