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

[pooh2001]

Our family loves the Dolphin - the room size, the Grotto Pool, the location (walkable to EPCOT and walk or boat to DHS). My DH & teen DS said the next time we go to WDW it will be the Dolphin, not a moderate (which I wanted to try). Oh well.

Mrs_In_Mass I hope the below helps a bit...

For S/D transportation - bus to AK & MK about 30 minutes.
If you need to get to either AK or MK in a hurry or do not wish to take the Disney bus, there are always taxi's outside the Dolphin main entrance to wisk you away (for a fee - you can ask the driver about how much it will cost).

For AK, the taxi can drop you off very close to the ticket entrance to AK.

For MK, the taxi can not go to the ticket entrance walkway, it can only drive to the main MK parking lot (then you have to boat to MK). Your best MK taxi option is to have the taxi drive to the Contemporay Resort parking lot and then you can walk to MK in 5 minutes from the CR. Just follow the sidewalk next to the monorail above you to MK - you can see the MK entrance from the CR parking lot.

 

[Music City Mama]

When y'all say you can walk to EPCOT, realistically, how far is the walk?

I'll use MK as a point of reference since everyone is familiar with that.

You know where the MK buses drop off? And you know the distance between that and the MK entrance gate? How would you compare S/D walk to EPCOT using that as a reference? Same distance? Twice that distance? More? Less?

Also, I take it DHS is a little farther than that walk-wise? How much farther? Also, what is the boat transportation like? Long waits? About the same as bus waits?

TIA!

 

[TaraPA]

When y'all say you can walk to EPCOT, realistically, how far is the walk?

I'll use MK as a point of reference since everyone is familiar with that.

You know where the MK buses drop off? And you know the distance between that and the MK entrance gate? How would you compare S/D walk to EPCOT using that as a reference? Same distance? Twice that distance? More? Less?

Also, I take it DHS is a little farther than that walk-wise? How much farther? Also, what is the boat transportation like? Long waits? About the same as bus waits?

TIA!

The walk to Epcot from S/D is much farther than the distance of the busses & the entrance to MK, in my opinion. I'm guessing it's 3-4 times that distance. It's about a 20 min. walk. DHS is farther, about 25 min. And that's not stoping to enjoy the sights (or foods) along the way!

I'll let someone else comment on the boats since I'm not a fan. I'm always in a hurry & they seem to take forever. If I wasn't rushing everywhere then they'd be just fine!

 

[SingingMom]

When y'all say you can walk to EPCOT, realistically, how far is the walk?

I'll use MK as a point of reference since everyone is familiar with that.

You know where the MK buses drop off? And you know the distance between that and the MK entrance gate? How would you compare S/D walk to EPCOT using that as a reference? Same distance? Twice that distance? More? Less?

Also, I take it DHS is a little farther than that walk-wise? How much farther? Also, what is the boat transportation like? Long waits? About the same as bus waits?

TIA!

Longer walking distance than busses to the maingate entrance of MK, but it is a "different" type of walk. You can't do it in the scorching sun without really "feeling it" - that is when we use the friendship boats. But, in the evening or early morning, we love the walk along the boardwalk to the international gateway entrance of Epcot. It's an event within itself.

We have never walked to or from the Studios. I don't personally see the point in that one, as the Dolphin is the first stop back & forth on the boat. But, I do know some people thoroughly enjoy it. The Epcot boat stops at YC/BC and the Boardwalk before it gets to Epcot, so if you are in a hurry, it seems faster to walk that trip sometimes. (we tend to do it in the evening and watch the boardwalk entertainment, sometimes stop quickly at the Bakery.)

We love the boat transportation in general. That's one of our MANY reasons for staying at the Dolphin. I don't like busses (after a few years of commuting to NYC via bus, I can write a book....) so the fact that two out of the four parks can be accessed WITHOUT a bus is a godsend!

 

[jnfr2424]

When y'all say you can walk to EPCOT, realistically, how far is the walk?

I'll use MK as a point of reference since everyone is familiar with that.

You know where the MK buses drop off? And you know the distance between that and the MK entrance gate? How would you compare S/D walk to EPCOT using that as a reference? Same distance? Twice that distance? More? Less?

Also, I take it DHS is a little farther than that walk-wise? How much farther? Also, what is the boat transportation like? Long waits? About the same as bus waits?

TIA!

I agree with Singing Mom 110%! The walk to Epcot is a little further than your MK example but IMO there is more sceanery along the Epcot journey...
As far as the walk to DHS - I did it recently in the evening and it took me 20 -25 mins and the big difference is when you walk to the International Gateway you are in Epcot but when you walk to DHS, you are truly at the beginning of the park and you have to walk around where the tram drops off people before you get inside. It felt like I was trying to reach the entrance, thought I was there and then I realized I still had more to walk!!!

As far as the boat goes, its a nice ride especially to DHS

 

[Mrs_In_Mass]

A giant thank you to the folks who gave tips on getting to the MK. Because of the car sickness and the impatience of a 2-year-old, it sounds like our best bet is going to be taxi to the Contemporary and then a 5-min walk in the early morning hours. You all are the best!!!

 

[R and C's momma]

No ipod docking stations (Beach Club had them - we went to see my sister's room on Monday. lol) But plenty of open plugs to plug in chargers.

We just got back last week and were able to plug in our iPod (not touch) to the clock radio -- it's not the standard Apple plug but it was an MP3 player plug .. we used it this way to play music but not sure if it can charge this way though.

 

[Music City Mama]

Thanks for the info re: walking distance to EPCOT. Just wanted to put it in perspective and your posts helped.

 

[susikayser]

Does anyone know if the refrigerators at the Swan have freezer compartments? Thanks!

 

[LexiC123]

Does anyone know if the refrigerators at the Swan have freezer compartments? Thanks!

Unless something has changed since last September, they don't. Ice machines in every hallway, though.

 

[SingingMom]

Does anyone know if the refrigerators at the Swan have freezer compartments? Thanks!

The ones in the Dolphin do not.

 

[Chief Stitch]

Chief Stitch-I am glad that you are enjoying the Swan. I also want to wish your daughter well in her competition.

We will be at the Dolphin Friday (plane lands at 11:55 a.m!). Perhaps we'll pass one another.

Thanks Dan and Poohlovr. Yesterday and today filled with acting and modeling workshops for DD, Hanging by the pool mostly for DW and I today. Tomorrow the real competition starts for two days, then meet with agents and managers on Sunday. Sadly we will have to end our 10 day Swan stay on Monday.

Enjoy Poohlovr, and have fun, I am sure that you will!!!

Oh and the parking gates are finally fixed.

 

[gemmybear83]

Just booked 10 nights king room at the Dolphin with AAA discount for Spetember 2011 for an excellent rate! Was going to a split stay at POP and the Yacht Club for more money - crazy!

Got 5 nights booked (and four other rooms for our families) this December can't wait to try the Dolphin out!

 

[NancyIL]

I have walked from the Studios to the Swan, as well as from Epcot to the Studios - but usually NOT when it is obscenely hot! It takes me 15-20 minutes to walk from the Swan to the Studios at a good clip, and 25-30 minutes to walk from Epcot to the Studios.

 

[lowlight79]

Hey all, I will be heading down there to stay at the swan with my girlfriend at the end of july. I was just curious, If the weather is hot and I decide to do a park in the morning and stay at the hotels pools, is the cabana bar and pool the place to be?

 

[SingingMom]

Hey all, I will be heading down there to stay at the swan with my girlfriend at the end of july. I was just curious, If the weather is hot and I decide to do a park in the morning and stay at the hotels pools, is the cabana bar and pool the place to be?

Oh yes!

 

[justintime]

My kids love pool slides, and I was curious to see what it looked like.

 

[Music City Mama]

My kids love pool slides, and I was curious to see what it looked like.

Oooh, me too!

Got another question:

You know how WDW resorts normally raise their prices in August for the next year? Does S/D do the same? In other words, if I try to book in the fall for next June, will the rates it's showing me online now for next June possibly be more than that when I check the rates again in a couple of months?

 

[NancyIL]

Oooh, me too!

Got another question:

You know how WDW resorts normally raise their prices in August for the next year? Does S/D do the same? In other words, if I try to book in the fall for next June, will the rates it's showing me online now for next June possibly be more than that when I check the rates again in a couple of months?

Most hotel chains allow you to book 50 weeks in advance. The rates change as occupancy levels increase and decrease. If you see a good rate now - book it. You can always ask for a lower price if rates decrease down the road.

 

[Music City Mama]

Most hotel chains allow you to book 50 weeks in advance. The rates change as occupancy levels increase and decrease. If you see a good rate now - book it. You can always ask for a lower price if rates decrease down the road.

Thanks -- and I'll have no problems getting them to honor that lower price?