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

[geishagirl81]

Any one know how far ahead the Dolphin can be booked?

 

[jnfr2424]

Any one know how far ahead the Dolphin can be booked?

I've done a year in advance in fact I booked for the following year when I was checking out!!!

 

[Ramsfan28]

Any one know how far ahead the Dolphin can be booked?

I believe it is 15 months in advance, so if you are planning to go anytime prior to June 1st, 2012 you can book.

 

[vicb]

I believe it is 15 months in advance, so if you are planning to go anytime prior to June 1st, 2012 you can book.

I booked Easter 2012 at the beginning of this month so that was more than 12 months in advance. A lot of hotels is 12 months limit.

 

[geishagirl81]

Thanks! I am glad it is a year out. I was bummed that Disney resorts won't let me book a year out, I swear they used to, but I may be mistaken. I am so back and forth on booking the Dolphin or waiting and booking Coronado Springs. It seems the prices will be almost the same if we get to stay at CSR with a PIN and the dining plan or we stay at S&D with DH's nursing discount and a $500 budget for food. Hubby is freaking about losing the Dining plan though. He loves getting desert at every meal and knows that won't happen if we are paying, hahah. I can't believe how stressful this is for me, you'd think I was contemplating a big decision like whether or not to have another child


So I have been reading up on the resort and it seems that most people prefer the Dolphin over the Swan. Is this the general thought here too?

 

[sparklynails23]

I've been watching flights constantly for the last 2 months & they just keep going up, good you booked it. When I booked my 3/12-16 Swan stay in December on Airtran I got it for $124 RT - so it killed me to pay $179 RT for the 3/22-28 Dolphin trip! I was spoiled from last year - when Allegiant flew into MCO I got one leg for $19.99 and the other for $39.99...I'll never see those fares again!

I just booked Allegiant at end of April. Going to was $41.99. Return was $59.99.

 

[SingingMom]

I agree Dan, we've always thought Picabu & The Fountain are very reasonably priced for a deluxe hotel, and right in line with other CS around WDW, with better quality/quantity of food.

Don't forget FRESH, too! All three are, in my opinion, MUCH better than any food court at the other resorts! lol

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just back from our 3rd stay at the Dolphin.

I would like to thank the people of this thread. The information you shared here was very helpful in planning.

In appreciation, if anyone has any questions, my family and I will try to answer them.

I'll also have some pics to share once I process them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

No questions, Linda, just a shout out hello. Hope all is well.


geishagirl81, I prefer the Swan. But I visit the Dolphin most every day during a stay there.

 

[Ramsfan28]

Thanks! I am glad it is a year out. I was bummed that Disney resorts won't let me book a year out, I swear they used to, but I may be mistaken. I am so back and forth on booking the Dolphin or waiting and booking Coronado Springs. It seems the prices will be almost the same if we get to stay at CSR with a PIN and the dining plan or we stay at S&D with DH's nursing discount and a $500 budget for food. Hubby is freaking about losing the Dining plan though. He loves getting desert at every meal and knows that won't happen if we are paying, hahah. I can't believe how stressful this is for me, you'd think I was contemplating a big decision like whether or not to have another child


So I have been reading up on the resort and it seems that most people prefer the Dolphin over the Swan. Is this the general thought here too?

I prefer the Swan but do get to the Dolphin many times during the trip for meals.

 

[TaraPA]

geishagirl81 - we prefer The Dolphin. See - it's six of one, half a doxen of the other!

Pea-n-Me - glad you had a great trip & can't wait for the pics. 15 days for me til Swan & 25 days til Dolphin....I'm so excited!

 

[SingingMom]

geishagirl81 - we prefer The Dolphin. See - it's six of one, half a doxen of the other!

Pea-n-Me - glad you had a great trip & can't wait for the pics. 15 days for me til Swan & 25 days til Dolphin....I'm so excited!

Dolphin hands down for us!

 

[lovingthemouse]

Dolphin here too - only 90 more days!! They can't come quickly enough!

 

[sewer]

Dolphin here too - only 90 more days!! They can't come quickly enough!

After yesterday's snow storm it seems like an eternity 'till I get there!

 

[Sarah&Ryan]

This doesnt make any sense to me. So the Swan with the bigger beds has max occupancy of 4 but the Dolphin that has the smaller beds has an occupancy of 5? We were going to stay at the Swan for 2 nights cause of the bigger beds but it seems the Swan wouldnt fit my family of 5.

 

[jlcd]

I have a question on the refillable mugs. Are there multiple locations where you can fill them? Can you bring them out to the pool and get a re-fill out there? TIA

 

[funforfive]

I have a question on the refillable mugs. Are there multiple locations where you can fill them? Can you bring them out to the pool and get a re-fill out there? TIA

I'm interested in this too...I didn't know there were refillable mugs available at the Dolphin.

 

[tink7736]

To get a refill, you have to go to the buffeteria at the Dolphin, I believe it's called Tubbys...

 

[tink7736]

Correction, used to be called Tubbys, now it's Picabu!

 

[cleophus12]

While I realize this should probably on the restaurants thread, this seemed a more likely place to get a quick answer. Are the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin (ie, Il Mulino, Shula's) as casual as any of the restaurants in other Disney hotels? Or are they a little dressier? We usually dress nicely for Cali Grille. Is that what we need to plan for?