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

[SingingMom]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&z=17&ll=28.366159,-81.556427&spn=0.006023,0.008444

Unzoom a bit and drag.


Also here..........


http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=3950534

THANK YOU, Dan! Now I "get it".

How "lit" is that walkway at night? I don't mind the walk back from Epcot because the Boardwalk is still lit and people are around, but I wonder about that Studios path?

 

[jcb]

The path from DHS to the S/D is well lit. You walk under a bridge and then past the boardwalk hotel the rest of the way. DW and I did it last December after DHS had been closed for about 2 hours and felt perfectly comfortable. Indeed, it was quite romantic.

 

[Dan Murphy]

......How "lit" is that walkway at night? I don't mind the walk back from Epcot because the Boardwalk is still lit and people are around, but I wonder about that Studios path?

It is VERY well lit, very bright. Though, and I have seen it many times out the windows from the Swan, there are not very many people walking on it late at night, pretty lonely out there, not at all like the walk to or from Epcot.

 

[SingingMom]

The path from DHS to the S/D is well lit. You walk under a bridge and then past the boardwalk hotel the rest of the way. DW and I did it last December after DHS had been closed for about 2 hours and felt perfectly comfortable. Indeed, it was quite romantic.

It is VERY well lit, very bright. Though, and I have seen it many times out the windows from the Swan, there are not very many people walking on it late at night, pretty lonely out there, not at all like the walk to or from Epcot.

Thanks, Jack & Dan... We'll see how tired we are! I usually start dozing on the boat ride back to the Dolphin.

 

[wedway07]

I tried to read as much os this thread as possible, but i'm not finding
about whar everyone likes better swan or dolphin?? Thanks

 

[TaraPA]

I tried to read as much os this thread as possible, but i'm not finding
about whar everyone likes better swan or dolphin?? Thanks

If you ask everyone, you will get six answers "Swan", and half a dozen "Dolphin!"

 

[NancyIL]

I tried to read as much os this thread as possible, but i'm not finding
about whar everyone likes better swan or dolphin?? Thanks

There is no consensus here. I prefer the Swan, whereas others prefer the Dolphin.

 

[paras4ri]

It also divides families - I like the Swan but my kids and husband prefer the Dolphin.

 

[SingingMom]

It also divides families - I like the Swan but my kids and husband prefer the Dolphin.

I guess I should consider myself lucky that all three of us love the Dolphin! We'll be there in about 14 hours!!

I'm hoping for a balcony upgrade as this is my parents first visit to the Dolphin and first time back to Disney in over 20 years!

 

[ozziewags]

I've stayed at both a few times. I like the Swan for the heavenly beds, the first pick up for busses, and the shorter walks to rooms. (smaller) I like the Dolphin for the closeness of Picabo, the spa and the restaurants. So, I am no help either! And now the Dolphin has fridges too, so that's a good thing!

 

[mamagoose]

I just posted a few posts with my pictures of the Swan on the Resort Photos board. I'm not sure how to post links to my specific posts, but this one will get you there:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32391150#post32391150

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

from the BC to HS but we went the looonnngggg way! It was our first stay at an Epcot resort and I had no idea where we were going. I remembered vaguely some of the maps that Robo puts up with the paths and such.....I don't think I remembered it correctly though! I think we should have went from BC over the bridge to BW and then get on the path from there. But no....we went the complete opposite way! We were actually in the building closest to Epcot so this was a hike and a half. We went around BC, YC, then past the S/D complex then finally got on the trail to HS. By this time, we were already suffering from the heat lol It seemed we would never get there but eventually we did and I would say it was 25 minutes or so. Once we got in, DH went to sit at a shady spot while I went to get FPs for Toy Story and then I tried to get my pic taken with Bolt but we missed the Bolt characters by one day . DH was still happy sitting in the shade when I went back for him lol Now, on the way out, we decided to take the boat - it was just too hot. I saw the boat there, I ran, got to the where the boat was loading only to be turned away--the boat was full. I was so hot that I didn't think I could take the 20 minute wait for the next one. So I had a BRIGHT idea! Let's take a cab back. Let me tell you, from where we came out of HS, to the boat dock to then walk where you actually have to find a taxi, we could have walked back to the hotel. It was so far! I was so overheated I was about to die! I will definately know better for next time. We were wiped out by the time we got back plus a few bucks lighter for the cab ride lol So, I know no matter how far or close S/D is from the HS walkway, it will never be as far as it was from the BC!

Also, thanks for the info on the ride times to the parks!

 

[NancyIL]

from the BC to HS but we went the looonnngggg way! It was our first stay at an Epcot resort and I had no idea where we were going. I remembered vaguely some of the maps that Robo puts up with the paths and such.....I don't think I remembered it correctly though! I think we should have went from BC over the bridge to BW and then get on the path from there. But no....we went the complete opposite way! We were actually in the building closest to Epcot so this was a hike and a half. We went around BC, YC, then past the S/D complex then finally got on the trail to HS. By this time, we were already suffering from the heat lol It seemed we would never get there but eventually we did and I would say it was 25 minutes or so. Once we got in, DH went to sit at a shady spot while I went to get FPs for Toy Story and then I tried to get my pic taken with Bolt but we missed the Bolt characters by one day . DH was still happy sitting in the shade when I went back for him lol Now, on the way out, we decided to take the boat - it was just too hot. I saw the boat there, I ran, got to the where the boat was loading only to be turned away--the boat was full. I was so hot that I didn't think I could take the 20 minute wait for the next one. So I had a BRIGHT idea! Let's take a cab back. Let me tell you, from where we came out of HS, to the boat dock to then walk where you actually have to find a taxi, we could have walked back to the hotel. It was so far! I was so overheated I was about to die! I will definately know better for next time. We were wiped out by the time we got back plus a few bucks lighter for the cab ride lol So, I know no matter how far or close S/D is from the HS walkway, it will never be as far as it was from the BC!

Also, thanks for the info on the ride times to the parks!

Just think of all the calories you burned that day! Now you'll know better for next time.

 

[SingingMom]

...arrived yesterday

Flight was perfect, arrived 20 minutes early! Southern Elegance was waiting in a beautiful white stretch limo!

Rooms were not ready yet - but that's ok, because they were able to upgrade us to balaconies. (Mom and Dad are on the West side and we are on the East side, but that's ok, we both have balconies! )

Room decor is the same as it's been for the past four years - that peachy and blue. Carpet looks a little "tired". Fridges are here - brand new, even the instructions/warranty packets are still inside. lol

Had lunch at the Cabana Bar while we waited for the rooms to be done - they called that one room was ready right as we were being served. By the time we finished lunch, both rooms were ready.

We all unpacked - Mom & Dad opted for a nap.. ... and we headed to Epcot. They met us in the early evening and stayed for Illuminations - they headed back and we stayed to ride Soarin during EMH. That was probably a mistake, as we were really tired from getting up at 3:30 AM for our flight!! But, it was fun.

The line was very long to take the boat back, so we opted to walk. Even with a stop at the shop on the Boardwalk to buy some extra water, we still beat the boat by a few steps.

Entered the lobby to a crowd of conventioneers whooping it up at the Lobby Bar. That area ECHOES. LOL But, the sound doesn't travel.

Decided to move slowly this morning - heading to Magic Kingdom by around 10:30, we have dinner reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern at 8:15 pm. I think mom & dad will meet us later. Watching my dad manuever my mom in a wheelchair was quite a sight last night. Adds to the entertainment factor.....

Any specific questions, I'll try to answer later tonight..

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Sounds like your off to a great start! Have fun at MK!

 

[NancyIL]

...arrived yesterday

Flight was perfect, arrived 20 minutes early! Southern Elegance was waiting in a beautiful white stretch limo!

Rooms were not ready yet - but that's ok, because they were able to upgrade us to balaconies. (Mom and Dad are on the West side and we are on the East side, but that's ok, we both have balconies! )

Room decor is the same as it's been for the past four years - that peachy and blue. Carpet looks a little "tired". Fridges are here - brand new, even the instructions/warranty packets are still inside. lol

Thanks for the report from the Dolphin! I'm glad you and your parents got upgrades to balcony rooms, although I was under the impression that the Dolphin was finished with room renovations. Obviously I was wrong. Have a great week!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sounds good, SM, enjoy.

 

[SideshowBob]

I hope that you have a fun time ahead, SingingMom!

We had some big rain last night that cooled things off a bit, so hope that the weather cooperates well for you.

 

[abh218]

We stayed at the Dolphin last November. DDs were excited to see the electric swan boats that they had seen in photos and read about. We never saw the boats! We're going back to stay at the Swan in October and DDs have already started bugging me about the swan boats.

Are these only seasonal (summer)? Or do they not have them any more?

TIA for any info or recent pix!

 

[ozziewags]

Hey SM.......we will be there Sat afternoon. How was the wait for Soarin' after Illuminations?
Is it as hot as everyone says? It cannot be hotter than it is here in St. Louis. Each day it is 97-98, and humid. Guess we have to go to FL to cool off!