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

[teruterubouzu]

Just popping in to say that I booked another stay at the Dolphin. In August, I'm taking my "little" brother back on his first trip to the world since age 5. I'm so excited to go back!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

If someone is visiting the Swan, can you please take a picture of Java Bar...I would really appreciate it.
Thanks

 

[mamagoose]

Is there a place where we can pick up Muffins, coffee and juice in the morning at the Swan?

Hi everyone! We just got back from our stay at the Swan a couple of hours ago! We loved it! Yes, near the back door that leads to the Dolphin, there is a place to buy muffins, fruit, coffee, etc. Sorry I didn't take a pic.

We were in room 854--a standard room. Our room overlooked the front of the resort, so we could see Tower of Terror and the waterway that leads to Hollywood Studios. We loved the manicured look of the entire area between the Swan and Dolphin--it was beautiful. Our kids loved the huge pool area. There was always something going on such as a DJ who played music and ran games for the kids. They would also have a snow cone stand each afternoon near the pool. My son was originally not sure about staying at a resort with no Disney theming, but quickly forgot about that when he saw the pool area. Both our kids loved the Swan.

We never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a boat or bus. They provided complimentary lemonade and sweet tea in the lobby every afternoon. The beds were awesome and were nice to sink into each night after long days at the parks. Having the fridge was great.

I haven't uploaded my pictures yet, but will soon. If anyone has any questions, let me know, I'll see if I can answer them.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thank you mamagoose. I'm glad your family had a great time at the Swan. Our first stay at the Swan I was nervous too but I was surprised we loved the hotel and thought the service was much better than GF. I loved the bus system much better than GF and AKL. I'm trying to plan a December trip and planning staying here.

 

[pooh2001]

mamgooose - quick clarification questions....


Lemonade in the lobby - just the Swan ? Maybe at the Dolphin too ?

Snow cones - were they available at the Grotto pool or the rectangular pool near the Swan ?

We are staying a the Dolphin in 2010 - I hope the do the same as the above.

 

[mamagoose]

mamgooose - quick clarification questions....


Lemonade in the lobby - just the Swan ? Maybe at the Dolphin too ?

Snow cones - were they available at the Grotto pool or the rectangular pool near the Swan ?

We are staying a the Dolphin in 2010 - I hope the do the same as the above.

There was Lemonade in the lobby of the Swan. I'm not sure about the Dolphin as we didn't venture over there until this morning to eat breakfast before we left.

The snow cones were in an area near the Grotto pool (forgot to mention they cost $1)-- sort of between the Grotto and the Dolphin lap pool. This is also were the DJ and games were.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If someone is visiting the Swan, can you please take a picture of Java Bar...I would really appreciate it.
Thanks

http://www.iceportal.com/brochures/ice/Brochure.aspx?did=2231&brochureid=999&index=24&type=vr

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

THANK YOU so much Dan.

 

[ozziewags]

Went to pool. When came back, fridges installed at Dolphin!!!

That's great news! We are really looking forward to another trip to the Dolphin. When planning, my kids actually asked to be there instead of CSR. They like the location and the transportation, as well as the beds and indoor room doors. It is a deluxe resort for a mod price. (at least at teacher's rate)

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Glad you had a good stay! We are staying at the Swan for the first time this coming December in a standard room as well. We are really looking forward to it! How long is the actual boat ride to HS. We stayed at BC in May and we just walked it from there. I remember when I first saw the Swan/Dolphin about 18 yrs ago it looked so impressive to me and I said one day I want to stay there, yet we never have. I took advantage of their special rate for one of the weeks in December and can't wait to try out their beds! Also, can you tell me, once you get on the bus, how long is the actual ride to MK and AK? (if you used the busses) I just love the Epcot resort area and can't wait for the Swan. Only thing I worry about is that my DH likes to stay on low floors for fire safety reasons and I would prefer a high room so that maybe I could see ToT but I just hope we don't get a really bad view with the low floor request. Well, glad you had a good trip and looking forward to pictures!

 

[TaraPA]

The boats can be slow if they're full...we've actually had to wait for a 2nd boat in the morning sometimes, and on the return back from DHS. If that's the case - then walking will get you there just as fast. If you're lucky enough to get right on a waiting boat you will be there in about 5-10 minutes. If we're not in a hurry (and have park hoppers - won't work without that) we take the bus to Epcot from DHS (if we see that the boat line is long) - you're there in 5 min. & then we leisruely stroll through Epcot & out the International Gateway, across the Boardwalk, back to S/D.

Busses from S/D have always been quick for us. Once you're on the bus it's only about 5-10 min. to MK or AK.

 

[kath1210]

We are at the Swan now - leaving Tuesday. If anyne has any questions or wants pictures of something, let me know. E-mail would be quickest. Just click on my name to send an e-mail.

 

[mamagoose]

Glad you had a good stay! We are staying at the Swan for the first time this coming December in a standard room as well. We are really looking forward to it! How long is the actual boat ride to HS. We stayed at BC in May and we just walked it from there. I remember when I first saw the Swan/Dolphin about 18 yrs ago it looked so impressive to me and I said one day I want to stay there, yet we never have. I took advantage of their special rate for one of the weeks in December and can't wait to try out their beds! Also, can you tell me, once you get on the bus, how long is the actual ride to MK and AK? (if you used the busses) I just love the Epcot resort area and can't wait for the Swan. Only thing I worry about is that my DH likes to stay on low floors for fire safety reasons and I would prefer a high room so that maybe I could see ToT but I just hope we don't get a really bad view with the low floor request. Well, glad you had a good trip and looking forward to pictures!

The boat ride to Hollywood Studios takes about 8 minutes. You can walk there, but we always took the boat. We never had trouble getting on the first boat that came. Going to the Studios is nice because the Swan/Dolphin is the last stop so after they picked us up, we were off to the Studios.

Going to Epcot, however, we were the first stop. After we were picked up, the boat also stops at the Yacht/Beach Club and the Boardwalk resorts. There were a couple of times we chose to walk to Epcot instead. It depended on how tired our feet were at the time!

The bus ride to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is about 15 minutes. The Swan/Dolphin bus is shared with the Boardwalk resort.

You will love the Swan!

 

[jcb]

The boat ride to Hollywood Studios takes about 8 minutes. You can walk there, but we always took the boat. We never had trouble getting on the first boat that came. Going to the Studios is nice because the Swan/Dolphin is the last stop so after they picked us up, we were off to the Studios.

Going to Epcot, however, we were the first stop. After we were picked up, the boat also stops at the Yacht/Beach Club and the Boardwalk resorts. There were a couple of times we chose to walk to Epcot instead. It depended on how tired our feet were at the time!

The bus ride to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom is about 15 minutes. The Swan/Dolphin bus is shared with the Boardwalk resort.

You will love the Swan!

Just out of curiosity, I took the boat from the S/D, got off at the Yacht/Beach club and walked, leisurely, to EPCOT. I beat the boat. I did it in December but am quite sure I would not do this in July.

 

[mamagoose]

Yep, when we decided to walk to Epcot, we always beat the boat because of the two extra stops. This is why we chose to walk--wanted to get there sooner. Especially if we had just missed the boat, walking was much better than waiting for another. The walk is not bad, and is nice at night to walk back the Boardwalk way.

 

[chell]

Not sure if I remember this correctly, do they have a separate line at the Swan for check in for Starwoods members? Is it all Starwoods members or only certain levels?

 

[tiggersmyguy]

I asked this question on the Transportation area but I will ask here as well, does anyone have a website for Southern Elegance Limo service? I've seen it recommended but could not find it when I googled it. Thanks

 

[chell]

I asked this question on the Transportation area but I will ask here as well, does anyone have a website for Southern Elegance Limo service? I've seen it recommended but could not find it when I googled it. Thanks

Sorry but I've never even heard of them and didn't find them on some of the other sites I use. Have you thought about going with another company?

It looks like they used to have a website but let it expire.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not sure if I remember this correctly, do they have a separate line at the Swan for check in for Starwoods members? Is it all Starwoods members or only certain levels?

They have an area at the counter (I guess a separate line too) but I have never used it as it has never been busy when I checked in. That is the same as it has always been with me at any Starwood hotel too.

 

[mamagoose]

Not sure if I remember this correctly, do they have a separate line at the Swan for check in for Starwoods members? Is it all Starwoods members or only certain levels?

Yes, they have a separate line for Starwood members. I can't remember what levels were specified on the sign. We didn't use the line becuase we didn't need to--there was no one else at the counter.