The *NEW* SWAN & DOLPHIN RESORT Thread ~ April 2009 ~ Please read Post #1!

[Dan Murphy]

We stayed at Pop Century last August/September. On our arrival, the Magical Express bus stopped at the Dolphin and I swear someone got out.

I stayed at the Dolphin in February 2008 and the ME was unavailable. Can people pay for it now? Or did something unusual happen on my ME bus?

Also, can AAA cards be used for discounts at the Dolphin and Swan restaurants and shops?

Regular ME is not available at S/D.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35877846&postcount=2354


20% AAA is available at the the non-signature restaurants...

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/

And Il Mulino, Kimonos, Shula's Steak House, and Bluezoo are now part of AP's Tables of Wonderland.

 

[starhitter21]

I read a little about Picabu at the Dolphin and had a few questions that you guys may know. Is the restaurant a buffet or a food court? Is the food all-you-can-eat style or is it limited on to the menu selections you pick? Also, I'm almost positive there is no refillable mugs there? How are the prices and food quality? Any information would be helpful for our trip in June. THANKS!

 

[Dan Murphy]

More like a cafeteria.

http://allears.net/menu/menu_tub.htm

Refillable mugs are available

AAA 20% discount. .

 

[Needafix]

I read a little about Picabu at the Dolphin and had a few questions that you guys may know. Is the restaurant a buffet or a food court? Is the food all-you-can-eat style or is it limited on to the menu selections you pick? Also, I'm almost positive there is no refillable mugs there? How are the prices and food quality? Any information would be helpful for our trip in June. THANKS!

We liked the food at Picabu's so much that even though we stayed at BC, we spent most of our resort eating time at S/D and mostly Picabu's. Loved the variety, freshness and thought the cost was reasonable considering it is Disney.

Obviously refillable mug wouldn't work for us on our March trip, but definitely planning to get it for our July trip. Most of S/D restaurants have some type of discount at 20% - AAA, AP, TIW (I'm a bit confused on the AP w/o TIW thing, but since I have both I don't worry.)

 

[Zuzu03]

Zuzu..just want to say you have my almost DREAM STAY planned if your ticker is right...if I could split one 3 ways, to add MK Tower view at CR in thtere, OMG...heaven
Have an AWESOME trip!

Yes, the Dolphin is my fave and the Poly is DD's fave( DH doesn't care and would be just as happy in a value). So since it's a combo graduation present for DD and an anniversary trip for DH and I we're splitting - 7 nights at Dolphin (love that teacher rate!!!) and 4 at the Poly. Soooo excited!!! And with the weather up here in Vermont warming up for spring, we KNOW we're getting closer!!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I read a little about Picabu at the Dolphin and had a few questions that you guys may know. Is the restaurant a buffet or a food court? Is the food all-you-can-eat style or is it limited on to the menu selections you pick? Also, I'm almost positive there is no refillable mugs there? How are the prices and food quality? Any information would be helpful for our trip in June. THANKS!

Like Dan said, it's most like a cafeteria. It has a hot food of the day station and a grill with burgers and such. They had baked potato bar with toppings. We got pizza, but it wasn't good.

Picabu also has a small sundry area that is open 24 hours, and you can refillable your mug there with Starbucks. The butter in the condiment bar is Plugra.

 

[starhitter21]

Is it an all-you-can-eat cafeteria? Or do you just order a particular all-you-can-eat food bar? Sorry I am so confused.

 

[f15robyn]

And with the weather up here in Vermont warming up for spring, we KNOW we're getting closer!!!

It's 79 degrees in Burlington right now. I think we're warmer than Orlando today

 

[Zuzu03]

It's 79 degrees in Burlington right now. I think we're warmer than Orlando today

I know, our car thermometer said 84 a few hours ago! Woohoo! LOVE this weather. Let's hope we don't get any more snow!!! My dd is in NYC with her senior class and we're warmer than them too.

ETA - weather channel says 83 right now! Wow!

 

[Zuzu03]

Is it an all-you-can-eat cafeteria? Or do you just order a particular all-you-can-eat food bar? Sorry I am so confused.

You grab a tray, slide it down the counter and pick and choose from what's already made or they make simple things up for you. Then you pay for what you've chosen. I had the rotisserie chicken with mashed potato and spinach sides a lot (think Boston Market). Hope that helps!

 

[ImprovGal]

Nothing to do with the achitecture of the S/D, but just wanted to share this with others, who like me, may not have been aware- If you are PLATINUM with SPG, the resort fee is waived.
I understand this is a recent change.

Thanks for the update!
I wonder if this took effect on March 1 when SPG granted free in-room internet access as a benefit to Platinums.

I can't wait to return to the resorts!

 

[NancyIL]

A split stay between WL and dolphin does sound like a good idea.I am wondering if we stay at WL 1st we could get the Magic express transportation,although I am not sure how that would work for our return?

ME won't work for your return to the airport if you end your WDW trip at the Dolphin. (The day you check-out of WL is your last chance to take ME to the airport.) You can rent a car from Alamo or National at the Dolphin for drop-off at the airport, or take Mears.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is it an all-you-can-eat cafeteria? Or do you just order a particular all-you-can-eat food bar? Sorry I am so confused.

No, not an all-you-can-eat.

 

[disney4us2002]

Hi Guys. Just back from our first ever stay at Dolphin. We were there for dh's conference so got awesome rate ($117/109 not sure why it changed). Unfortunately, we were unable to get a balcony or patio and we were also not able to get a complimentary upgrade with our spg membership because we were told the hotel was completely booked. Of the requests asked for we were only given a king bed. Our view stunk. We looked out on a roof. The windows don't open which is for safety I'm sure but it could have been a nice little rooftop patio, but I digress..... We did not have robes for any one who may be wanting those. Since we didn't have a balcony, we didn't really hang out in the room anyway so I didn't ask about robes. We initially had a problem with the AC. First the room was hot and wouldn't get cool, then it got cold and wouldn't go above 64* but the second visit fixed the problem and the rest of the week the thermostat stayed where we put it.

We ate at Picabu, which we found difficult to find at first. We found it to be pretty run of the mill cafeteria style - not bad, not great. We ate at The Fountain for burgers, fries, and shakes and found those to be pretty tasty. We loved Fresh for breakfast. I believe Fresh may be the all-u-can-eat the poster above was looking for. The bkft buffet was very good. We also ate at Il Mulino which was very good but quite expensive!

Except for Monday which started off pretty rainy, we had great weather and pretty much did all the rides we wanted and played at the many pools at the Dolphin too. Dh's conference was Tues-Thur so I did the parks alone and that was great for me as I'm an early bird but by the afternoon, the parks were crazy busy! High 70's most days with plenty of sunshine! Just perfect!

I'm happy to report that I was finally able to see Fantasmic! Between teenagers who had no interest and crazy thunderstorms during summer visits, I had never seen the show and I was bound and determined that I would this trip. Wow!!! I loved this show. I loved it more than Illuminations and Wishes. I specifically didn't watch any videos of it on youtube or read much descriptions so that I could just enjoy it without any expectations. I will have to make this a must-do on every future trip!!!

Sorry so long, but in summary, let me say that I absolutely loved being in the Epcot area and the easy access to EP and DHS which are my two fave parks anyway!!! We're awaiting the announcement of dh's conference for 2011 but the rumor is it will be back at the Dolphin again next year!!!!

 

[FloFlo71]

Can children use inflatables in the pools, like the blow up tubes?

Thanks, Flo

 

[disney4us2002]

I saw several blow-ups in the pools but I'm not sure if they brought their own or if they rented them at the towel kiosk. You could get towels for free with a room key but the other toys were a charge. Since we didn't have kids I didn't really pay attention to the price.

 

[Poohlovr]

I have, in the past, seen guests use inflatables that were not available for rent at the pool.
I don't know if it's still allowed, but it has been in the past.

 

[lissiesmum]

I have, in the past, seen guests use inflatables that were not available for rent at the pool.
I don't know if it's still allowed, but it has been in the past.

do they allow noodles? My DD would be happy if she could swim with a noodle What kinds of inflatables are there to rent?

I was also wondering if there are any suites or larger type rooms that have a balcony and Epcot fireworks view?

And lastly, does a substitute teacher count as getting a teacher's rate? I have a friend in my building who's thinking of going over the summer and I was telling her about the teacher discount...

 

[jnfr2424]

bump!

 

[diskids2]

I know my kids used a noodle but that was about 10 years ago...they are older now