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

[Music City Mama]

Hey all . . . Questions . . . What kind of advance reservations do I need to make for Bluezoo? Do you need to make 180 days out ADRs at the S/D restaurants like you do at the park (or Disney resort) restaurants? Or would I be safe at say 3-4 months out for that particular restaurant?

Also, what kind of advance notice do you need for Camp Dolphin?

Lastly, re: Camp Dolphin . . . Do they feed them there or take them to Picabu (or wherever)?

TIA!

 

[RaySharpton]

SideshowBob...SideshowBob...SideshowBob...I can't believe that is you.

I sure hope that I get to meet you in December. I'll be at the Dolphin Resort for 5 nights, starting on December 11th.

I can meet you anywhere now and not worry about the distance because I have my own mobility scooter to get around.

I have already planned to see all those places on property that I wasn't able to walk before.

I can't wait to see the pool areas and all of the restaurants.

With so many people being at the Swan and Dolphin in December, we ought to plan a short little DIS Meet somewhere on property even if it is in the lobby just to say hi and meet and greet each other.

Well, anyway...I just wanted to say hello SideshowBob.

 

[map57]

I haven't stayed at S/D yet (first time staying there will be next June), but I'm pretty sure all buses to the MK from any resort let off in front of the MK -- they don't drop off at TTC. I guess you could take a cab to the TTC and then take the monorail, but for that matter, you could just take a cab to the CR directly. I personally don't think you'll have a problem parking back at the hotel when you get back that evening if you're not going until next April, but I"ll let the experts advise on that since I don't have first-hand knowledge.

Thanks!

 

[NancyIL]

With so many people being at the Swan and Dolphin in December, we ought to plan a short little DIS Meet somewhere on property even if it is in the lobby just to say hi and meet and greet each other.

Good idea, Ray! I think the Dolphin lobby by the tree would be a great place to meet.

 

[becky11]

Hey all . . . Questions . . . What kind of advance reservations do I need to make for Bluezoo? Do you need to make 180 days out ADRs at the S/D restaurants like you do at the park (or Disney resort) restaurants? Or would I be safe at say 3-4 months out for that particular restaurant?

Also, what kind of advance notice do you need for Camp Dolphin?

Lastly, re: Camp Dolphin . . . Do they feed them there or take them to Picabu (or wherever)?

TIA!

I would venture that you don't really need to make ADRs, and at least not that far out. When I was there last, I could have gotten a table for 2 as a walk-up.

And yes, they take them to Picabu for dinner. Not sure advance notice is really needed for CD either. I did make a reservation for my DD when I booked my spa appointment (about 2 weeks out), but they didn't seem super busy when I picked her up. May depend on time of year - ours was late Sept.

 

[SingingMom]

Good idea, Ray! I think the Dolphin lobby by the tree would be a great place to meet.

oh boy - I wish I could come too!!! Espresso martinis by the Christmas tree - how neat would that be!!!

 

[lissiesmum]

oh boy - I wish I could come too!!! Espresso martinis by the Christmas tree - how neat would that be!!!

I'm almost 6 months away from my first Espresso martini! Can't wait!

 

[NancyIL]

oh boy - I wish I could come too!!! Espresso martinis by the Christmas tree - how neat would that be!!!

I don't drink espressos or martinis, but a hot cocoa by the tree sounds yummy! Come on down!!

 

[RaySharpton]

Good idea, Ray! I think the Dolphin lobby by the tree would be a great place to meet.

I think that it would be great, too.

If there is an interest, maybe I'll start a DIS Meet thread on the DIS Meet forums.

Even if there are only the two of us, I love to see you again.

I haven't seen the Dolphin Christmas tree in years.

Do they still make it with red poinsettia flower plants with a larger train set circling it?

oh boy - I wish I could come too!!! Espresso martinis by the Christmas tree - how neat would that be!!!

Hi, SingingMom. What a great idea. What a wonderful way to meet and greet in front of a beautifully decorated tree and our favorite drinks whether it be hot chocolate or an expresso martini.

When I made my Dolphin reservation, they also listed dates that Ms. Santa Claus would be there, too for the kids.

SingingMom, it sure would be nice if you could come and remind me about the expresso martini.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Regarding getting to the Contemporary...

I always have a car at WDW, but, try to use it as little as possible if Disney transportation is good to where I am going. If going from Swan to Contemporary, I really suggest taking a bus from the Swan to MK. The Contemporary is a very short walk from the bus drop off. If you are going early for Chef Mickey, you might even let the driver know that and s/he might even drop you off right at the hotel. That dropoff would only be early though.

DIS meet at the S/D!!!!!

 

[RaySharpton]

I just can't stop looking at your beautiful photos. Thank you again for posting them.

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!

 

[RachelTori]

Hi there, Ray!! My pleasure on the pictures!

Sorry I don't arrive until after y'all leave (12/18). I would have loved to see you again (remember Regis & Kelly?!!)

Have a wonderful trip and I'll look forward to seeing your pictures!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hey all . . . Questions . . . What kind of advance reservations do I need to make for Bluezoo? Do you need to make 180 days out ADRs at the S/D restaurants like you do at the park (or Disney resort) restaurants? Or would I be safe at say 3-4 months out for that particular restaurant?

Also, what kind of advance notice do you need for Camp Dolphin?

Lastly, re: Camp Dolphin . . . Do they feed them there or take them to Picabu (or wherever)?

TIA!

"

Hi MCM! My DD has stayed at every kids club on property, some of them multiple times. Camp Dolphin is by far her favorite. Even when we stay at BCV (where there is the Sandcastle Club) we walk her over to CD because she loves it *that* much. Miss Thelma who has worked there for a looong time is awesome. If you call to make a reservation for CD (I would only recommend you do that for Fri or Sat nights in advance. Other nights don't seem as busy, but hey, if you know for sure you will be going a particular night might as well make the reservation) call after 5:30 and talk directly to the CD...Miss Thelma will probably be the one you talk to. She has a thick accent from the islands.

Yes, they take them to Picabu about 6 pm, but if you check your child in at 6:30, they will just walk him/her to Picabu. They used to give the kids a handful of tokens and close the arcade to the general public and let them play there for awhile, but they stopped doing that (my DD was VERY disappointed!)

I hope you know that if you done at BZ or Shula's...for every adult entree you can have 2 hours of the kid's club for free for each child. That's a pretty good deal! We like to sit in the lounge and eat, in one of the cozy booths. My DH is enamored of a certain waitress there, her name is Jackie. I would be jealous, but she is a sweetheart!

Last few times I was at BZ it was DEAD, I mean, so much so that I was worried it would close. Sat night (Oct 9) is was quite busy, though!

Have a great trip!

 

[NancyIL]

I think that it would be great, too.

If there is an interest, maybe I'll start a DIS Meet thread on the DIS Meet forums.

Even if there are only the two of us, I love to see you again.

DIS meet at the S/D!!!!!

I don't arrive until the evening of the 12th and you both depart on the 16th, so... how about Dec. 13, 14, or 15?

 

[Music City Mama]

I would venture that you don't really need to make ADRs, and at least not that far out. When I was there last, I could have gotten a table for 2 as a walk-up.

And yes, they take them to Picabu for dinner. Not sure advance notice is really needed for CD either. I did make a reservation for my DD when I booked my spa appointment (about 2 weeks out), but they didn't seem super busy when I picked her up. May depend on time of year - ours was late Sept.

Thanks! I'm not going to worry about the Bluezoo reservations then until much closer to our actual trip. I'm not that over-protective, but is it concerning at all being taken from the controlled environment of Camp Dolphin to another area where they're mixing with the general public? My younger one has a peanut allergy, so he can't just have anything to eat either (particularly when it comes to sweets).

"

Hi MCM! My DD has stayed at every kids club on property, some of them multiple times. Camp Dolphin is by far her favorite. Even when we stay at BCV (where there is the Sandcastle Club) we walk her over to CD because she loves it *that* much. Miss Thelma who has worked there for a looong time is awesome. If you call to make a reservation for CD (I would only recommend you do that for Fri or Sat nights in advance. Other nights don't seem as busy, but hey, if you know for sure you will be going a particular night might as well make the reservation) call after 5:30 and talk directly to the CD...Miss Thelma will probably be the one you talk to. She has a thick accent from the islands.

Yes, they take them to Picabu about 6 pm, but if you check your child in at 6:30, they will just walk him/her to Picabu. They used to give the kids a handful of tokens and close the arcade to the general public and let them play there for awhile, but they stopped doing that (my DD was VERY disappointed!)

I hope you know that if you done at BZ or Shula's...for every adult entree you can have 2 hours of the kid's club for free for each child. That's a pretty good deal! We like to sit in the lounge and eat, in one of the cozy booths. My DH is enamored of a certain waitress there, her name is Jackie. I would be jealous, but she is a sweetheart!

Last few times I was at BZ it was DEAD, I mean, so much so that I was worried it would close. Sat night (Oct 9) is was quite busy, though!

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the information. So, what makes CD so great that your dd likes it over other kids' clubs? I did know that about the 2 hours free at CD!! Do you tip the kids' club like you would a sitter?

 

[RaySharpton]

Hi there, Ray!! My pleasure on the pictures!

Sorry I don't arrive until after y'all leave (12/18). I would have loved to see you again (remember Regis & Kelly?!!)

Have a wonderful trip and I'll look forward to seeing your pictures!

Oh my goodness. Where did my memory go. I remember the Regis and Kelly MK show. I so wish that I could see you again, too.

I got to stay at a SSR studio last September for a short trip and loved it.

I got a great deal from David's www.DVCbyRequest.com for only $6.00 per point short sale.

I had a wonderful time at Congress park and loved the resort.

I'll try to take some photos, but I am so terrible at taking pictures.

Your photos are so cool.

I hope that you have a wonderful vacation, too.

 

[RaySharpton]

I don't arrive until the evening of the 12th and you both depart on the 16th, so... how about Dec. 13, 14, or 15?

That sounds great to me. Any time and any day just meet you Nancy.

I am always open to any suggestions and very flexible to meet any time and anywhere.

Anyone else interested in meeting together on these dates?

Thank you, Nancy.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I hope I am not repeating anything but, did you guys see this:?
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Walt-Disney-World-Swan-and-iw-3844525080.html?x=0&.v=1

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL--(Marketwire - 10/18/10) - Guests looking for Disney vacation specials can take advantage of frighteningly good deals at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel on Oct. 31. On that day only, those who call the hotel's reservation line and say "Trick or Treat" will receive one of several special offers good for any stay through Dec. 23, 2010.

The offers are randomly selected and include:

Complimentary room upgrades
Free breakfast for two in either Fresh or Picabu restaurants at the hotel
One night of free milk and cookies at turndown
$100 credit toward dinner for two at any of the hotel's 17 restaurants and lounges
Free children's souvenir cup with unlimited drink refills
Additional 10 percent off the room rate
Only one offer will be awarded per reservation. Guests must call on Oct. 31 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 1-800-227-1500.

 

[rw_hadley]

I had seen that dining at Shula's entitled diners to two complimentary hours at Camp Dolphin, but had missed that bluezoo and Il Mulino were included.
Maybe a dumb question, but do these complimentary hours include complimentary dining for the child?
We already have reservations for bluezoo for our upcoming trip, but if Camp Dolphin will feed DD (for free?) while we dine that would be awesome!

 

[becky11]

I had seen that dining at Shula's entitled diners to two complimentary hours at Camp Dolphin, but had missed that bluezoo and Il Mulino were included.
Maybe a dumb question, but do these complimentary hours include complimentary dining for the child?
We already have reservations for bluezoo for our upcoming trip, but if Camp Dolphin will feed DD (for free?) while we dine that would be awesome!

The dinner is included in the price for Camp Dolphin, and if you're only leaving them for 2 hours, and you get 2 hours free, then yes, they get a 'free' meal.

We tipped them - probably rather generously since we didn't have to pay the full fee. Although I must say, the fee for CD isn't unreasonable for a few hours of child-less-ness - even without the 2 hours free.