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

[NancyIL]

I know on the first page I read this:

Guests at the Swan and Dolphin enjoy many of the same amenities as Disney operated resort guests. A stay at the Swan and Dolphin includes WDW transportation to all Disney attractions, theme park free parking (just show your room key), Extra Magic Hour (EMH) privileges, package delivery to your hotel from the parks, preferred tee times, and access to guest services. If you're staying at the Dolphin you can also purchase your Disney tickets right there at their guest services desk.

Is the theme park free parking still available?

Yes, but you'll still pay to park at the resort.

 

[map57]

Yes, but you'll still pay to park at the resort.

Ok...thanks. I was pretty sure about parking at the resort. Just wanted to make sure about the parks. Now I just have to figure out the best way to get to the Contemporary from the Swan just to eat at Mickey's. Thx.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS, map.

Take bus to MK, walk to Contemporary.

 

[paras4ri]

I know on the first page I read this:

Guests at the Swan and Dolphin enjoy many of the same amenities as Disney operated resort guests. A stay at the Swan and Dolphin includes WDW transportation to all Disney attractions, theme park free parking (just show your room key), Extra Magic Hour (EMH) privileges, package delivery to your hotel from the parks, preferred tee times, and access to guest services. If you're staying at the Dolphin you can also purchase your Disney tickets right there at their guest services desk.

Is the theme park free parking still available?

Yes it is.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Ok...thanks. I was pretty sure about parking at the resort. Just wanted to make sure about the parks. Now I just have to figure out the best way to get to the Contemporary from the Swan just to eat at Mickey's. Thx.

You will have a car, right? Do you plan on driving there? That's the easiest.

I do want to mention 2 things about my recent trip, since we are on the topic of parking.

1st, I did not get a paper to display on my dashboard that said I was staying at the Dolphin. I called downstairs and mentioned this and she said, "Oh, you just need your room key to get in and out of the parking lot." I did not mention it again, because we did not need the paper for free parking at the parks...but if we did, I guess I would have insisted on one. We usually get one every stay. At check in, they asked if we had a car and we said yes...wonder why they did not give us a paper this time? Just mentioning this for anyone who plans on going to the parks in their car. Are you just supposed to show your room key when you enter the gates of the parks (where you pay?) It is so much easier to have a paper on the dash, they just wave you through.

Also, the last night we were there, we arrived back at the parking lot at about 4 pm. A security guard greeted us at the gate. Said the lot was full, we would have to park elsewhere. He pointed to a lot "just around the corner." We asked if that was our only option, he said yes. (later we found out we could valet park for the same price as self park, but that option was not given to us, plus, the valet parking area was CRAZY...not sure we would have done it had we known.) It was *FAR.* I guess it was employee parking. We had to walk up the back of the Dolphin, past a bunch of dumpsters, past some construction area where I almost got ran over my a forklift. We could not figure out how to get into the lobby and to our room. If you have ever been behind the Dolphin, you will know what I mean. Have you seen "Spinal Tap?" We were joking at every turn, saying, "Hello Cleveland! Rock and Roll!"

We were trying to avoid going to the walkway around the "front" where the path from the Y/BC meets the path to the Dolphin. We found a HUGE set of stairs, we climbed up them, couldn't find a door on that level, climbed back down, looked for an employee, found no one, wandered around for a moment, finally found an employee who walked us thru the bowels of the hotel, zig zagging this way and that...I would not be able to trace my steps back if you paid me a million bucks.

FINALLY made it to the lobby. It was now 5 pm! My husband was pretty upset. We were going complain at the front desk, but the line was a mile long.
Anyway, just wanted to share that story. I am sure the lot has been full before and this has happened to others.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

Does the Swan or Dolphin have a gift shop with a lot of Disney items? Or will I need to go over to the Beach Club to find autograph books and other Disney stuff?

We'll be at the Swan on Saturday!

 

[jnfr2424]

You will have a car, right? Do you plan on driving there? That's the easiest.

I do want to mention 2 things about my recent trip, since we are on the topic of parking.

1st, I did not get a paper to display on my dashboard that said I was staying at the Dolphin. I called downstairs and mentioned this and she said, "Oh, you just need your room key to get in and out of the parking lot." I did not mention it again, because we did not need the paper for free parking at the parks...but if we did, I guess I would have insisted on one. We usually get one every stay. At check in, they asked if we had a car and we said yes...wonder why they did not give us a paper this time? Just mentioning this for anyone who plans on going to the parks in their car. Are you just supposed to show your room key when you enter the gates of the parks (where you pay?) It is so much easier to have a paper on the dash, they just wave you through.

Also, the last night we were there, we arrived back at the parking lot at about 4 pm. A security guard greeted us at the gate. Said the lot was full, we would have to park elsewhere. He pointed to a lot "just around the corner." We asked if that was our only option, he said yes. (later we found out we could valet park for the same price as self park, but that option was not given to us, plus, the valet parking area was CRAZY...not sure we would have done it had we known.) It was *FAR.* I guess it was employee parking. We had to walk up the back of the Dolphin, past a bunch of dumpsters, past some construction area where I almost got ran over my a forklift. We could not figure out how to get into the lobby and to our room. If you have ever been behind the Dolphin, you will know what I mean. Have you seen "Spinal Tap?" We were joking at every turn, saying, "Hello Cleveland! Rock and Roll!"

We were trying to avoid going to the walkway around the "front" where the path from the Y/BC meets the path to the Dolphin. We found a HUGE set of stairs, we climbed up them, couldn't find a door on that level, climbed back down, looked for an employee, found no one, wandered around for a moment, finally found an employee who walked us thru the bowels of the hotel, zig zagging this way and that...I would not be able to trace my steps back if you paid me a million bucks.

FINALLY made it to the lobby. It was now 5 pm! My husband was pretty upset. We were going complain at the front desk, but the line was a mile long.
Anyway, just wanted to share that story. I am sure the lot has been full before and this has happened to others.

Just want you to know you are not the only one - we were attending the MNSSHP and I happen to drive over to MK and we left way after midnight. By the time we got back to the Dolphin first of all someone almost ripped off the exit gate and almost ran over the security guard because they was so angry about parking not available. We also had to park in the cast member parking lot and had to walk in the dark back to our room I was a bit on the upset side but I refuse to let anything ruin a good time so I got up the next morning before anyone woke up and moved the car to the regular lot I am sure things will be back to normal once the construction is done with the other self parking lot.

 

[jnfr2424]

Does the Swan or Dolphin have a gift shop with a lot of Disney items? Or will I need to go over to the Beach Club to find autograph books and other Disney stuff?

We'll be at the Swan on Saturday!

Yes they do!
Dolphin has Daisy's Garden

 

[jnfr2424]

that sounds like a nice room!!!

Here are some photos of the room and the view we had!

 

[RaySharpton]

Hi, jnfr2424. I really like your photos.

I can't wait for my trip. I haven't stayed at the Dolphin Resort in years.

I just made my reservation for December and seeing your photos makes me want to be there now.

 

[NancyIL]

Hi, jnfr2424. I really like your photos.

I can't wait for my trip. I haven't stayed at the Dolphin Resort in years.

I just made my reservation for December and seeing your photos makes me want to be there now.

Hi, Ray! When in December will you be there? I'll be at the Swan Dec. 12-17.

 

[RaySharpton]

Hi, Ray! When in December will you be there? I'll be at the Swan Dec. 12-17.

Nancy...Nancy...Nancy. It is so good to see you.

Maybe we can meet together.

I'll be there after leaving Pop Century Resort for five nights starting on Saturday, December 11th.

I wanted to stay at the Swan, too.

But I got this great "SANTA" deal at the Dolphin resort for only $122.50 per night. And it was a King standard room, too.

I decided on price for my choice of the Dolphin over staying at the Swan this time.

I'm going to have to read this whole thread.

I looks pretty new with only nine pages.

I am glad that it here so that I can get a lot of tips and ideas for my December trip.

I sure hope that I get to see you this December.

 

[NancyIL]

Nancy...Nancy...Nancy. It is so good to see you.

Maybe we can meet together.

I'll be there after leaving Pop Century Resort for five nights starting on Saturday, December 11th.

I wanted to stay at the Swan, too.

But I got this great "SANTA" deal at the Dolphin resort for only $122.50 per night. And it was a King standard room, too.

I decided on price for my choice of the Dolphin over staying at the Swan this time.

I'm going to have to read this whole thread.

I looks pretty new with only nine pages.

I am glad that it here so that I can get a lot of tips and ideas for my December trip.

I sure hope that I get to see you this December.

I guess that means you'll be there Dec. 11-16 - right? I am sure we'll run into each other then, and maybe Dan Murphy, too!

You'll learn a lot just reading through the FAQ on the first page.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey, Ray, and Nancy too. Swan here, 12/8-12/16. You doing your Christmas lights again this year, Ray? We sure did have fun at WDW for a few years there, back about 9 years now.

 

[RaySharpton]

Hey, Ray, and Nancy too. Swan here, 12/8-12/16. You doing your Christmas lights again this year, Ray? We sure did have fun at WDW for a few years there, back about 9 years now.

Dan...Dan...Dan. I can't wait to see you in December.

I was thinking about that very same thing as I punched that confirm button this morning when I made my reservations.

I wonder if they still allow christmas lights in the windows or balconies?

Of course, it would just be a toss of a coin on to whether I am lucky enough to get a balcony or a room in a place to see the Christmas lights by anyone outside.

Is SideShowBob still hanging around. I sure would like to see that tall drink of water again this year.

We should have our own reunion or plan some meets this December or something.

I'll be at the Pop and then arrive at the Dolphin on the 12/11 - 12/16.

Nine years.

It seems like yesterday.

So many happy memories.

September 11th, 2001 brought so many of us here on the boards together down at WDW back then.

 

[rie'smom]

Does the Swan or Dolphin have a gift shop with a lot of Disney items? Or will I need to go over to the Beach Club to find autograph books and other Disney stuff?

We'll be at the Swan on Saturday!

Yes there is a great gift shop! It's as nice as any of the Disney resort gift shops.

 

[SingingMom]

Yes there is a great gift shop! It's as nice as any of the Disney resort gift shops.

and it has most of the exact same things that the parks have - so make sure you double check before having to buy at the parks - even with the package delivery, it's easier to get some of that stuff right at the hotel!

BTW - when you DO send something from the shops back to the Dolphin - that's where you do pick it up - at Daisy's Garden.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Just want you to know you are not the only one - we were attending the MNSSHP and I happen to drive over to MK and we left way after midnight. By the time we got back to the Dolphin first of all someone almost ripped off the exit gate and almost ran over the security guard because they was so angry about parking not available. We also had to park in the cast member parking lot and had to walk in the dark back to our room I was a bit on the upset side but I refuse to let anything ruin a good time so I got up the next morning before anyone woke up and moved the car to the regular lot I am sure things will be back to normal once the construction is done with the other self parking lot.

Oh, I am so sorry that happened to you after MNSSHP! We were upset because we wanted to get back to our room and get ready for the S/D Food and Wine Classic that started at 5:30. We were running late after that fiasco. But I can't imagine being tired after MNSSHP (we went on Thursday, Oct 7...we were EXHAUSTED, I am sure you were too) and having to walk IN THE DARK!

I understand your thinking of not wanting it to ruin your trip. That's why we let it go, too (well, we did call and ask to be credited the parking fee for the last night) and we were making Spinal Tap jokes, etc. But I must say, sometimes I wonder if we don't let the establishment off easy when we are trying to salvage our trip. I don't mean that we should be irate or mad, but they certainly need to know!

When the employee was walking us through the back rooms and hallways of the Dolphin, I was very grateful. He was off work (looked like a front desk employee) that we accosted as he was walking towards the parking lot we just came from. Of course I was nice as could be, we were grateful for his help. When I made a comment about, "Geez, that lot is so far!" He said, "Yeah, well, I have to walk that every day." He didn't say it rudely, he was just trying to commiserate with me. I had to say, though, "Yeah, but you are getting paid to be here...we are paying good money to be here!"

That was very sweet of you to go get the car! We checked out the next day, so I sat at the entrance with the bags while DH went for the car. The valet parking was a MAD HOUSE. My poor DH could not even get to the entrance for quite awhile, cars with no drivers everywhere!

Anyway, nice to hear from someone with a similar experience. And as awful as it was...I still wish I was there right now instead of here! LOL!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Oh, forgot to comment on the room pics, jnfr. Just beautiful! I will see if I can upload some pics of my view soom. I was in 6082. View of the fountain (which, alas, was not running!)

I love seeing the Swan paddleboats in the lake in your pic!

 

[RachelTori]

Dolphin Room #7019. Checked in early morning on 10/1/2010. Floor 7 renovations had just been completed. The floor officially reopened that day!

About as far away from the elevators as you can get, but look at the view!! We could see most of Illuminations and hear the music from our balcony!