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

[Music City Mama]

How many cups is the coffee maker ? It makes 1 cup at a time (it fills that disposable cup shown in the picture -- which is about 12-16 oz.)

Does it use a filter - or - pod coffee things ? It's the pod, not a K-cup. So a filter that's already filled/encased/sealed.

If a pod coffee thing - like keurig or those flat ones - What type of pods
does the Dolphin coffee maker use ? Flat kind -- See above

Maybe we could bring our own ? I don't see why not if they sell flavored coffee in those kinds of pods.

DH does not like strong coffee - but the flavored kind - like french Vanilla, or breakfast blend.

Thank you!

Answers in bold above.

 

[TaraPA]

How many cups is the coffee maker ?

Does it use a filter - or - pod coffee things ?

If a pod coffee thing - like keurig or those flat ones - What type of pods
does the Dolphin coffee maker use ?

Maybe we could bring our own ?

DH does not like strong coffee - but the flavored kind - like french Vanilla, or breakfast blend.

Thank you!

That's been the standard coffee maker for the last few years at S/D - it makes one cup at a time, and they provide you with the filter pods (Starbucks - both regular & decaf). They are not compatible with the K-cups, and not sure about the Cuisinart filter pods. They won't work with the cone style pods either. We just had the Cuisinart single serve pod machine over at Poly last week, but those pods are very small compared to these pod filter packs that S/D uses. I'm guessing in theory you could buy those ahead of time to take, I mean a single serve pre-measured sealed coffee pod is a sealed coffee pod no matter what the dimensions, as long as it's flat, no?

 

[TaraPA]

Oh and I forgot to come back & post the sad news (LOL)....many of you know about my infamous dumpster view at The Dolphin from 2008 (it won worst room view on the Worst Room View thread!)....well DH is there now for almost 2 weeks for work - and yes, he got the dumpster view again!!!! He's only Starwood Preferred this year, not Gold or Platinum, so no upgrade. They told him the resort is full to capacity so no room change. He doesn't care at all, but the boys & I are joining him there for 2 days next week. Oh well, I'd rather be there looking at a dumpster in Disney than here!

 

[vicb]

Oh and I forgot to come back & post the sad news (LOL)....many of you know about my infamous dumpster view at The Dolphin from 2008 (it won worst room view on the Worst Room View thread!)....well DH is there now for almost 2 weeks for work - and yes, he got the dumpster view again!!!! He's only Starwood Preferred this year, not Gold or Platinum, so no upgrade. They told him the resort is full to capacity so no room change. He doesn't care at all, but the boys & I are joining him there for 2 days next week. Oh well, I'd rather be there looking at a dumpster in Disney than here!

That photo is the reason I jumped on rebooking when rates dropped slightly and was able to reserve a "resort view" for the same price as the "standard view" I had originally booked. That photo was scary.. Ha ha!

 

[TaraPA]

That photo is the reason I jumped on rebooking when rates dropped slightly and was able to reserve a "resort view" for the same price as the "standard view" I had originally booked. That photo was scary.. Ha ha!

LOL I'll be sure to take another picture of the 2012 Dumpster View next week to share!

 

[snels]

TaraPa
We had that lovely dumpster view on our first visit to the Dolphin. I swore I would never stay there again. I decided to give the Dolphin another try, and we received a very nice view on our next visit.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Good morning everyone does anyone know besides the signature restaurants at the S/D, do you need reservations for the casual restaurants like the Fountain or Garden Grove? We will be at the Swan on 6/25 & 6/26 if that makes a difference. TIA 99 more days until we are at the Swan. Double digits for us finally

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have never had a reservation for any of the restaurants at S/D.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Good morning everyone does anyone know besides the signature restaurants at the S/D, do you need reservations for the casual restaurants like the Fountain or Garden Grove? We will be at the Swan on 6/25 & 6/26 if that makes a difference. TIA 99 more days until we are at the Swan. Double digits for us finally

I asked this a while back, and from responses I received and some research I did, here is what I have gathered (and hopefully it's all accurate )

Garden Grove - you can make reservations on the Disney site
The Fountain - doesn't take reservations

Others you didn't mention (but in case anyone else wanted to know)
You can make reservations on the S&D concierge site for Shula's, Bluezoo, Il Mulino, and Fresh

Kimonos doesn't take reservations, and doesn't open until 5:30.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

I have never had a reservation for any of the restaurants at S/D.

I asked this a while back, and from responses I received and some research I did, here is what I have gathered (and hopefully it's all accurate )

Garden Grove - you can make reservations on the Disney site
The Fountain - doesn't take reservations

Others you didn't mention (but in case anyone else wanted to know)
You can make reservations on the S&D concierge site for Shula's, Bluezoo, Il Mulino, and Fresh

Kimonos doesn't take reservations, and doesn't open until 5:30.

Oh thanks so much you guys. This is really the first time (only for two nights before our dining starts at BLT) we are going to Disney without dining reservations and it feels kind of weird but good in a way. I am the planner and my DH said lets not make any ressies for dinner while at the Swan I reluctantly said ok but now that I hear we don't need ressies, I am good to go. Thanks again.

 

[TaraPA]

TaraPa
We had that lovely dumpster view on our first visit to the Dolphin. I swore I would never stay there again. I decided to give the Dolphin another try, and we received a very nice view on our next visit.

Good for you!

We've been very fortunate with comp upgrades over the years at S/D so I'll just take this one for the team LOL!!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Quick question about the coffee....

We will be staying in a 2 bedroom grand suite which will only have one little kitchen area, right? Does that mean we'll only have one coffee maker/cup/coffee set in our suite? We will have 4 coffee drinkers, and I'm wondering if we'll have to ask for extra cups and extra coffee pods every day since it looks like there are only 2. Thanks!!

 

[TaraPA]

When we stayed in the 2BR Executive Suite there were 3 coffee makers - one in the kitchen/bar area, and then 1 in each of the attached bedrooms. I'm assuming the Grand Suite would be set up the same way.

If not just call Housekeeping, I'm sure they can bring you extra coffee makers!

 

[Dan Murphy]

You can ask for as many coffee 'pods', cups, creamer/sugar setups as you want. I always do. They leave a lot.

 

[SRUAlmn]

When we stayed in the 2BR Executive Suite there were 3 coffee makers - one in the kitchen/bar area, and then 1 in each of the attached bedrooms. I'm assuming the Grand Suite would be set up the same way.

If not just call Housekeeping, I'm sure they can bring you extra coffee makers!

You can ask for as many coffee 'pods', cups, creamer/sugar setups as you want. I always do. They leave a lot.

Perfect!! Thank you both so much!! I don't know that we'd need extra coffee makers, per say, but we would definitely need more coffee and cups if there will only be one. I'm hoping the grand would be the same as the executive, and we'll have 3! Thanks again

 

[macrosswife]

I have been plowing through both this thread and the old one, and can't quite find the answer, but I know that y'all can help me!
We are returning to WDW in the fall! My DH is a self-proclaimed "monorail snob"...our last visit was at the Contemporary with an MK view! However, our Fall Break dates this year are such that we are bumping up against some astronomical rates! In addition to that, I've looked at when discounts are historically released, and suspect that there won't be any Disney discounts for the week we're going. So I am attempting to convert him to the Swan, with the lure of the quick walk to Epcot.
Here's my question...we want to book at the Swan rather than the Dolphin (smaller/quieter works better for us)...are there any rooms that offer a great view of Spaceship Earth AND that have a balcony? (Or is it a give and take...you can have a partial view of SSE and a balcony from the East Wing, or a breathtaking view of SSE, but no balcony in the central tower?)
I was also eyeing the Alcove room, (love all the light those windows give!) but they're only available in the corners of the east and west wings, correct? So trying to get an Epcot view Alcove room would be an extremely specific request?
Thanks so much!!!!
~Kimber

 

[BlondeViki]

Sorry if this is a daft question, but I thought it was better to ask then get all the way over to the US and find myself without something I need!

I understand that the in-room internet access is wired rather than Wi-Fi... do I need to bring my own cable if I bring my netbook?

Thanks!

 

[jcb]

Sorry if this is a daft question, but I thought it was better to ask then get all the way over to the US and find myself without something I need!

I understand that the in-room internet access is wired rather than Wi-Fi... do I need to bring my own cable if I bring my netbook?

Thanks!

It has been wireless every time I have stayed.

 

[LBYC-19]

Oh well, I'd rather be there looking at a dumpster in Disney than here!

Tara,
You're a great sport! Just think of all of the SPG points that you'll be racking up for your next trip! When we went over Veteran's Day, I booked so late and never expected an upgrade and was positive we'd get the "dumpster view". We were told the Dolphin was filled to capacity at that time and we were so desperate to be there, I would have taken it gladly. I hope you and the boys have a fun time next week.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have been plowing through both this thread and the old one, and can't quite find the answer, but I know that y'all can help me!
We are returning to WDW in the fall! My DH is a self-proclaimed "monorail snob"...our last visit was at the Contemporary with an MK view! However, our Fall Break dates this year are such that we are bumping up against some astronomical rates! In addition to that, I've looked at when discounts are historically released, and suspect that there won't be any Disney discounts for the week we're going. So I am attempting to convert him to the Swan, with the lure of the quick walk to Epcot.
Here's my question...we want to book at the Swan rather than the Dolphin (smaller/quieter works better for us)...are there any rooms that offer a great view of Spaceship Earth AND that have a balcony? (Or is it a give and take...you can have a partial view of SSE and a balcony from the East Wing, or a breathtaking view of SSE, but no balcony in the central tower?)
I was also eyeing the Alcove room, (love all the light those windows give!) but they're only available in the corners of the east and west wings, correct? So trying to get an Epcot view Alcove room would be an extremely specific request?
Thanks so much!!!!
~Kimber

I would say to get a SE view, you need higher up, maybe at least 5th floor or higher, east wing. Alcoves are only in the corners, east or west.

Sorry if this is a daft question, but I thought it was better to ask then get all the way over to the US and find myself without something I need!

I understand that the in-room internet access is wired rather than Wi-Fi... do I need to bring my own cable if I bring my netbook?

Thanks!

Wifi or corded, either. They provide the cord.