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

[tracy51]

That's great to hear! You know how teenagers are

I've made it thru quite a few pages at the beginning of the thread and quite a few at the end, just need to find a quiet afternoon to get thru ALL of it, LOL

The more photos I see and the more I read, the more exited I get about this stay!

 

[TaraPA]

tracy51 - I don't recall ever having to list kids on my reservations with The Dolphin - maybe it depends on how or where you make them (via phone, online, etc.) I always make them online through the spg website, and just say 2 adults.

My sons LOVE the Grotto Pool. You can see in my sig we've stayed at Value, Moderate & Deluxe WDW properties & they always ask to go back to The Dolphin & The Grotto pool! I have to agree, it's my favorite too!

 

[tracy51]

LOL, I just realized I seriously need to update my signature

We stayed in POFQ again in 2007 (girls only trip)
WL in 2008 (last full family week long trip)
AKL in 2009 (mom & daughter weekend)
BWI in 2009 (long weekend for Food & Wine Festival)

The only places I don't think we'd stay again are Pop & AKL. Nothing against either of them but we're spoiled now with the deluxes and AKL just didn't click with us.

I'm really hoping that my DH & DD love the Dolphin. BWI location at POFQ price Epcot is my husband's favorite park and DHS is my daughter's favorite. I've known for years we need to stay in the Epcot area - just had to convince my husband.

 

[SingingMom]

I'm really hoping that my DH & DD love the Dolphin. BWI location at POFQ price Epcot is my husband's favorite park and DHS is my daughter's favorite. I've known for years we need to stay in the Epcot area - just had to convince my husband.

They can't help BUT love the Dolphin. Really.
Location, Location, Location -

 

[ireland_nicole]

Just thought I'd say Hi I booked our girls only Christmas trip for 2011 last night at the Dolphin; Epcot illuminations view for $199/night. We had planned to stay at the Poly, but when the rates were released, boy did the end of Nov/beginning of Dec. jump through the roof. I just can't see spending nearly $400/night in what has always been value season.

Plus, let's face it, I've been dying to try the heavenly beds Anybody have any advice for a mom with a somewhat mobility impaired mother and high functioning autistic daughter to make the trip great? We will rent a car so I'll have room for my mom's ECV if she needs it. And in case anyone needs to know, if you have a handicapped hang tag or license plate, you valet park for the regular parking rate.

Looking forward to living vicariously through y'alls trips and getting to know you better- I'm really starting to get excited for next year, now!

 

[LexiC123]

LexiC123 - when I booked, I booked online through spg.com & used the live chat function - she had me wait while she called the hotel directly to question the fees. She was very nice & all went smoothly. So live chat is an option if you don't want to call back, or don't get the answer you were looking for when you do call!

Looks like you were right, Tara...must've been a computer glitch.

The Starpicks rates for those August/September dates are now $121.38 for the Dolphin and $132.63 for the Swan...inclusive of all taxes and fees.

Much better!

 

[paras4ri]

Thanks!

What does your daughter think of the Dolphin? Specifically the pool

I can echo what Singing Mom said about the Dolphin for teens. My kids are now 19 and 15 and they both love it there.

 

[tracy51]

Thanks for more reassurance

The more I look & read the more I think this is the right choice for us for this trip. I'm absolutely in love with the pool & I haven't been there yet! Just need to find the perfect beverage to enjoy poolside

Got a couple more questions for you -

1) What's the quickest way to walk to Epcot - in front of Boardwalk or in front of YC/BC?

2) Same for DHS - do you cross the canal and walk along BWV or is there a path on the Swan side of the canal?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think the walk is a bit shorter on the BW side. And for the Studios, you need to be on the BW side.

 

[TaraPA]

I agree with Dan, it's quicker (or at least seems quicker) to walk via BW to Epcot. And as Dan said, you can only walk along the front of BW to get to DHS, there is no path on The Swan side of the canal (that's for public use anyway)..

 

[Dan Murphy]

Walking distances.....

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Walking-Distances.htm

 

[tracy51]

Thanks! That walking times info is great to have.

We've walked to the International Gate way and DHS from Boardwalk. I just wasn't sure how long it took from the Swan & Dolphin.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Thanks for that link Dan!

 

[Momtomouselover]

Woohoo! Booked the Dolphin for our Sept. trip. I'm getting excited and so happy to have found a discounted room. I sure hope my young son likes the room though. Hopefully he won't miss the hidden Mickey's of the other resorts but I just couldn't justify the price difference and the quality of the Dolphin looks good.

Can anyone tell me what the "refreshment center" is? Or better yet can we just get a refrigerator for snacks, cereal and milk?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SingingMom]

Woohoo! Booked the Dolphin for our Sept. trip. I'm getting excited and so happy to have found a discounted room. I sure hope my young son likes the room though. Hopefully he won't miss the hidden Mickey's of the other resorts but I just couldn't justify the price difference and the quality of the Dolphin looks good.

Can anyone tell me what the "refreshment center" is? Or better yet can we just get a refrigerator for snacks, cereal and milk?

Thanks in advance.

You will have a fridge in your room. You can order ahead of time with a "pantry" order form, or just bring your own.

Your son won't miss the "Hidden Mickeys" when he sees the Grotto Pool complex.

 

[Momtomouselover]

You will have a fridge in your room. You can order ahead of time with a "pantry" order form, or just bring your own.

Your son won't miss the "Hidden Mickeys" when he sees the Grotto Pool complex.

Thanks SingingMom! The pool does look great and I bet your right. Perhaps I can just pack a bit of pixie dust to leave about. I just couldn't pass it up this time. I may even have to check it out for a Christmas stay if I can swing it.

That is great there is a refrigerator. Maybe I'll actually have the driver stop for a few groceries. If not, is there a little store on site to buy milk and maybe juice at? Maybe even beer or wine?

 

[lissiesmum]

You will have a fridge in your room. You can order ahead of time with a "pantry" order form, or just bring your own.

Your son won't miss the "Hidden Mickeys" when he sees the Grotto Pool complex.

oooh, what is the "pantry order form"? Does anyone have a list of items/prices?

Also, I decided to book resort view/balcony instead of Epcot view at the Dolphin. Are all resort views/balcony created equal? I'd love to see the friendship boats come and go and see the Swan all lit up at night...is there a particular wing to request, or do all resort views look upon the Swan?

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks SingingMom! The pool does look great and I bet your right. Perhaps I can just pack a bit of pixie dust to leave about. I just couldn't pass it up this time. I may even have to check it out for a Christmas stay if I can swing it.

That is great there is a refrigerator. Maybe I'll actually have the driver stop for a few groceries. If not, is there a little store on site to buy milk and maybe juice at? Maybe even beer or wine?

Picabu's has small containers of milk, juice, beer, and wine, as does the little store "The Screen Door" on the Boardwalk, but if you are looking to have enough for the week at a better price, I'd have the driver make a grocery stop. We never use enough of it to warrant buying groceries, so we stopped stopping a few trips ago.

 

[SingingMom]

oooh, what is the "pantry order form"? Does anyone have a list of items/prices?

Back a few pages on this thread, not sure how many, there is a post with the actual form shown, but this is from "All Ears" (says Swan, but applies to the Dolphin, too)

Are refrigerators available?

Yes. Swan rooms no longer have a mini-bar; they include a small refrigerator at no extra charge. In addition, the hotel offers a service called Personal Pantry, which allows you to order snacks and beverages and have them delivered to your guest room's mini-refrigerator. You simply complete the menu provided and present it to the front desk agent at check-in. These menus are also available in your guest room so you can place your order at your convenience. Items will be delivered to your room at any designated time. Charges for the items are moderate, and they will be added to your room bill. There are no delivery or service charges. Personal Pantry service is available 24 hours a day. Sample items available through this service: Six 12-oz. cans of Budweiser - $6.00; Nutrigrain bar - $1.25; 4 oz. box of Wheat Thins - $3.00; 1 qt. milk - $3.00. (Prices do not include tax.)

 

[lissiesmum]

Thanks Singingmom!