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

[rie'smom]

Yes, they will transfer luggage. We stayed at the Swan in August and they transferred to CBR with no problem and no charge. We just had to have our luggage at bell services by a certain time of day, so be sure to ask. They told us when we dropped the luggage off what time the bags would get to CBR.

Thank-you for the information. The move is a surprise, so I think that I'll tell them we have to move to a different room and they have to pack and bring the luggage to bell services.

 

[summersalt]

Thank-you for the information. The move is a surprise, so I think that I'll tell them we have to move to a different room and they have to pack and bring the luggage to bell services.

Hope you have a fantastic trip! Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[rie'smom]

Hope you have a fantastic trip! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Thank-you, we can't wait!:

 

[ElliBelle]

Have any of you seen the neat article in the current issue of Celebrations? Very interesting.


http://www.celebrationspress.com/

Elli and rie's, have a great time on your trips.

Thanks Dan! I'm looking forward to it. Really excited about the suite, I was able to book a great rate on it. Now I get to show off Disney to a relative newbie (My friend who is traveling with is is coming in from Canada and doesn't make it to WDW very often).

 

[ElliBelle]

Me again, sorry! I haven't received email confirmation yes although the deposit was posted yesterday. I seem to recall getting it fast before. Cause for concern? Anyone know what pages most of the photos are on? I want to share them with my friend and fellow traveler.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Me again, sorry! I haven't received email confirmation yes although the deposit was posted yesterday. I seem to recall getting it fast before. Cause for concern? Anyone know what pages most of the photos are on? I want to share them with my friend and fellow traveler.

In the magazine? There are pictures on most every page.

 

[ElliBelle]

In the magazine? There are pictures on most every page.

Sorry, in my haste I wasn't clear. I meant which pages on this thread have the room photos and views from the rooms. I know Ive seen them before.

 

[Gretchen]

Just booked my airfare (yikes) and now off to call the Dolphin! Any thing special you all want me to ask about?? Anything special I should request??
Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sorry, in my haste I wasn't clear. I meant which pages on this thread have the room photos and views from the rooms. I know Ive seen them before.

I would check the S/D photo thread on this board.

 

[SideshowBob]

Well, I guess I'll just have to buy it then!


Edited to Add: That was easy! "Shipping Late November" - I hope it arrives before our December trip!

Just bought one myself! Thanks for the flag, Mr. Dan.

 

[Phlip]

Hello--I know this has been asked, but I can't find it on the thread:
does anyone know where in the Dolphin (floor, wing, etc.) connecting rooms are located? They told me they had connecting king/doubles and a few double/double connecting.
Thanks-

 

[RaySharpton]

I just read on AllEars that the Dolphin resort and Swan resort have announced their 2010 Holiday Activities.

There is a DIS Meet scheduled on the DIS Meets forum if anyone is interested in meeting.

You can read it at this link below.

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2010/11/santa_has_voted_the_walt_disne.html

2010 Dolphin Resort and Swan Resort Holiday Activities

Christmas Tree Lighting At 6:00pm on select nights, Mrs. Claus will choose one lucky family to help her light our beautiful poinsettia Christmas tree in the Dolphin lobby. Mrs. Claus will then invite everyone out to the causeway to help her find Santa Claus!

Santa and Mrs. Claus Santa and Mrs. Claus will entertain at their special Florida tiki hut on the causeway from 6:15pm – 8:30pm on select nights. Get ready for big laughs and photo opportunities you will not see anywhere else!

Story Telling With Mrs. Claus Everyone loves to listen to a good story and Mrs. Claus really knows how to tell them! On select nights, she will share story-telling time with our guests at the tiki hut on the causeway from 8:00pm – 8:30pm.

Chestnuts and Teasers Stop by the causeway on select nights between 6:00pm and 8:00pm to enjoy chestnuts that have been carefully roasted on an open fire by our very own chefs! Also enjoy some refreshing holiday beverages compliments of our restaurants.

Pastry Decorating Create your own masterpiece as our cast members help you decorate cookies, brownies or cupcakes on alternating nights in the hotel lobbies.

Holiday Entertainment On select nights between 6:00pm and 8:00pm, you’ll enjoy beautiful musical performances by carolers, choirs and
musicians in the hotel lobbies or on the causeway and other public areas throughout the resort.

Holiday Hideout Children are invited to join us between 2:00pm and 5:30pm for fun arts and crafts, Rockband Showdown, Wii Sports match, Bingo, coloring pages build a plush ($12), board games and more! Stop by our activities room located on the first floor of the Dolphin near the central elevators. (Children must be accompanied by an adult or parent at all times).

Elf Tuck-In Invite Santa’s Elves into your room on Christmas Eve to read a story and tuck you in. They’ll even bring cookies and milk to help you drift off to sleep and await Santa’s visit. Also included is a holiday plush toy, a magic key for Santa and “Twas the Night Before Christmas” Golden Book. (Charges apply and reservations are required). Please call 407-934-4264 for more information and reservations.

Children’s New Years Eve Party Children 4 – 12 will have the opportunity to ring in the New Year their way from 6:00pm – 1:00am with Camp Dolphin. Includes party hats, noise-makers, balloon drop, dinner (children must be dropped of before 7:00pm for dinner) and much more! Charges apply and reservations are required. Please call 407-934-4241 for details and reservations.

Chocolate Santa Masterpiece! Stop by the entrance to the Swan near Il Mulino New York Trattoria to marvel at a spectacular chocolate Santa sculpture hand-crafted by our two-time World Champion Pastry Chef, Laurant Branlard with the help of his Team Elf!
Team Elf! Man Hours: 300 hours
Dark Chocolate: 880lbs
Milk Chocolate: 132lbs
White Chocolate: 154lbs
Cocoa Butter: 120lbs
Calories: 2,956,818

Holiday Bake Shop See our talented pastry chefs get into the spirit of the holidays as the bakery outside the entrance to Garden Grove at the Swan is transformed into a seasonal wonderland of holiday goodies!

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making appearances on the following dates:
•November 26 - 27
•December 3 - 4, 9 - 11, 16 - 19

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thank you so much, my son is very excited to see Mrs.Claus and Santa we will be staying at The Swan Dec 3rd

 

[Momtomouselover]

Aack! I can't decide what to do. I currently have reservations at the YC but now I'm considering the Dolphin. We would save a little bit at the Dolphin (even after factoring in transportation) but I have never stayed at the YC. I have stayed at the Dolphin and it was nice. Loved the beds, room was clean, location was good, view was so-so but I only booked a standard.

Advice? I am a little scared of "weird or musty smells" but on my last visit this wasn't the case. Anyone stayed at both of these that can compare? This is for a Dec. stay. Thanks!

 

[sewer]

Dumb question, but does anyone know the room number layout of the Dolphin?

 

[RaySharpton]

You don't have to respond to this post.

I am just talking out loud to myself.

But I have been given the opportunity to stay at another resort other than at the Dolphin Resort...











O.K.

Can I get up from ducking under the desk?

I know that I am so fortunate to get the Santa Rate this December and to stay at the Dolphin Resort with a King bed and standard room.

But I have the opportunity to stay in a standard studio at the Bay Lake Tower DVC Resort next to the Contemporary.

I can't believe that I am even posting this.

So I was trying to make a list in my mind of the advantages and disadvantages of staying at the Dolphin Resort or the Bay Lake Tower Resort.

The money per night for the room/studio is almost the same so no difference here.

Dolphin Resort Advantages/Disadvantages:

Larger room, larger king bed, larger bathroom, smaller fridge, more desk space.

Location close to DHS and Epcot, many restaurants, beautiful area, very nice pool with a beach on lake, unsure of view being only a standard, but that is not a problem for me because I'll be happy with what ever they give me.

Five night stay and direct transfer from Pop Century

Bay Lake Tower Advantages/Disadvantages:

Smaller room, queen bed, minibar area with microwave oven, small fridge, small table, no desk area, double fold out sofa.

Location next to MK by monorail or walk, on monorail to Poly, GF, boat from MK to WL and CWL, fewer restaurants but still a lot, nice pool with a beach, unsure of view since standard studio only goes up to 5th floor, roof top access to MK Wishes fireworks.

Four night stay with one night missing between staying at Pop and BLT with no room yet. I guess I could check out of Pop as late as possible, pack my car, stay up past midnight at MK and then pick up my car and try to check in very, very early like 3am...I can't believe that I said that.

Can you help me make a list of why I should leave the Dolphin and stay at Bay Lake Tower?

Please don't hate me.

Just kidding.

Somebody stop me from hitting the "Submit Reply" Button....oooppps...

 

[duffy]

Hey, I don't hate you.

For me, it would come down to: which park would I be at more often? If it's Epcot and the Studios, then the Dolphin.

If I'm going to be at the Magic Kingdom more, I'd stay at the Bay Lake Tower.

Have fun!

 

[NancyIL]

That's a very hard decision, Ray! I have been staying at the Dolphin or Swan (my favorite) since 2000, but last December I strayed! A friend and I did a split stay between AKL and WL because we wanted to try new resorts during value season, while there was someone else to share the cost! Both resorts were lovely (especially Wilderness Lodge), but I really missed being able to walk back to the Swan from Epcot - where I ended up most evenings. Now I know that there's no place like my Swan/Dolphin home!

However, if you've never stayed at the Contemporary, you might want to give BLT a try. The opportunity to stay at BLT for about the same price as the Dolphin might not be available to you again.

 

[summersalt]

Hey Ray, I've not stayed at Swan/Dolphin (yet) so I don't know what I'm missing. But.... If I were in your shoes, I think I'd stay at BLT just because you may have not the opportunity for the same price. You get to see what it's like without too much of a penalty.

 

[LBYC-19]

I agree w/Nancy, Ray. Having just split a stay between AKL and the Dolphin, I couldn't wait to move over to the boardwalk area. However, my brother-in-law's favorite DVC resort so far was BLT, which they stayed in for the first time, they loved it! The monorail running through it, the nighttime lights were fabulous (the electric light parade on the water), the fireworks, etc. were all very special and they plan to return. As much as I've always loved the Dolphin, change can be fun too. Good luck w/your decision!
Joanne