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

[SideshowBob]

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!

We had a few of the hotest days that I have experienced here ever this past weekend as around 100 and SO humid... but we had some big rains come through and only to be 90 today ... and week ahead looks much more normal.

 

[danissmart]

Just wondering if the Swan and Dolphin are participating in online check-in? Also, are they using the same system for letting you know when your room is ready, I believe the disney resorts are texting people to let them know?

 

[Disney VirginII]

Hey,

I'm not new, but had to sign up again due to new ISP & email address & could not reset my password because of the ISP/email change.

On one of the old threads, room numbers & a diagram of the Dolphin listing rooms by wing, etc. was listed. I can't find it. We're arriving Saturday, and want to make sure even with a standard room, we have a decent view & hopefully a refrigerator.

We're staying through 7/5/09 & returning 7/6/09.

 

[erin1998]

Hey,

I'm not new, but had to sign up again due to new ISP & email address & could not reset my password because of the ISP/email change.

On one of the old threads, room numbers & a diagram of the Dolphin listing rooms by wing, etc. was listed. I can't find it. We're arriving Saturday, and want to make sure even with a standard room, we have a decent view & hopefully a refrigerator.

We're staying through 7/5/09 & returning 7/6/09.

oohhh, I would love to see a map of the Dolphin listing room numbers and the type of views!
I am taking my son next year and would love a room with a great view! Hopefully someone can find this diagram!
Erin

 

[disneywithfive]

Hey,

We're arriving Saturday, and want to make sure even with a standard room, we have a decent view & hopefully a refrigerator.

We're staying through 7/5/09 & returning 7/6/09.

We just returned from the Dolphin - Room 19104 - which is the 19th floor and it was facing the Magic Kingdom so we watched the fireworks from our room each night!!!!!!! But sadly, no refrig. I think they are working on it as I saw two shelving units in the hall from the rooms next to where we were staying that probably were being taken out to make room for the refrig.

How did we get such a great room you might ask??? I really have no idea. We are starwood members but at the lowest level. I did show my starwood card when we checked-in since I had not included it with the reservation. I think it was just luck. They asked us if we wanted a lower or higher room and my oldest said higher so that's what we got. There is only one floor higher. The Dolphin was very nice (stayed twice before) and/but the hallways were very very cold. Almost to cold. We live in the south so we are use to the a/c but it was still a bit much. Never thought I'd complain about a/c when it's sooooooo hot outside.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Would someone care to tell me their opinion on Swan versus Dolphin for a 3 day trip, just doing MK one day and we'd really like pool day, 2 A and 15 yr old. Which has the grotto pool or do they SHARE amenities???

 

[FINFAN]

They share amenities, however the Dolphin building is closer to the Grotto pool. Keep in mind tho, that the East wing of the Dolphin can be a bit of a hike to the pool, so rooms at the Swan can be just as close. You could request the Dolphin West wing/close to the pool, even ground floor or up 1 level to make the most of it. Picabu's, the 24 hour food court is in the Dolphin as is the Fountain ( and remember your AAA card if you are members...I believe it is an additional 10 or even 20 % off at the restaurants)The Dolphin has a larger lobby, more activity going on, but many like the low key atmosphere and smaller size of the Swan. The Swans beds are true Q, where as the Dolphin are Deluxe Double...just shy of Q size. There are a few more sq feet to the room size of the Dolphin, but 2 sinks at the Swan. Either way it is a win -win. We have done the character meal at Gullivers as well, food was great and it is a bit more affordable than most of the other character meals. With limited time, it is great. The Boardwalk offers nice dining as well, just walking along is enjoyable. Have a great stay!

 

[NancyIL]

Would someone care to tell me their opinion on Swan versus Dolphin for a 3 day trip, just doing MK one day and we'd really like pool day, 2 A and 15 yr old. Which has the grotto pool or do they SHARE amenities???

With 3 people, I'd choose the Swan for the bigger beds and extra sink.

 

[Dan Murphy]

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!

The swan boats are no longer around. They do have paddle/pedal boats, but more the traditional you would find most other placed, nothing really unique like the swan ones were.

 

[Disney VirginII]

We just returned from the Dolphin - Room 19104 - which is the 19th floor and it was facing the Magic Kingdom so we watched the fireworks from our room each night!!!!!!! But sadly, no refrig. I think they are working on it as I saw two shelving units in the hall from the rooms next to where we were staying that probably were being taken out to make room for the refrig.

How did we get such a great room you might ask??? I really have no idea. We are starwood members but at the lowest level. I did show my starwood card when we checked-in since I had not included it with the reservation. I think it was just luck. They asked us if we wanted a lower or higher room and my oldest said higher so that's what we got. There is only one floor higher. The Dolphin was very nice (stayed twice before) and/but the hallways were very very cold. Almost to cold. We live in the south so we are use to the a/c but it was still a bit much. Never thought I'd complain about a/c when it's sooooooo hot outside.

Thanks, I am a SPG member, too. I hope I get the same deal as you.

Any others wish to post their room numbers for non-upgraded Dolphin rooms with great views?

TIA

 

[carmiedog]

The swan boats are no longer around. They do have paddle/pedal boats, but more the traditional you would find most other placed, nothing really unique like the swan ones were.

I saw pictures here of the new boats (although I was under the impression they were VERY SLOW motor boats), but didn't see any there during our 5 day/4 night stay last week. I had planned on doing them with my kids, but since they didn't know about them and didn't see them, I didn't bother asking about them since it was too stinkin' hot.

 

[carmiedog]

What the heck do they use on the tile floors? Not the bathroom itself, but the entrance and sink area? My bare feet were constantly sticking to them. And once I had kneeled all the way down while stocking the fridge, and when I got up it actually hurt because my legs stuck so bad. If hadn't of shaved, I swear I would have gotten a wax job. Was it just my room or do they use some seriously nasty stuff on there? (The rest of the room was great, btw! )

 

[abh218]

Thanks for the update on the swan & paddleboats. I can now (thankfully) cross it off the "to do" list - more park time!!!

 

[SingingMom]

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!

Soarin's line after Illuminations was INSANE. lol Just seemed like SO MANY people. We wanted to make sure we rode in case we can't get back - this trip is a little different with my parents along...
Funny thing - we were still pretty far back in line when a call for "Party of Three" came from the front of the line, and we were the first party of 3.... felt like The Price is Right - "Come on down!".... Everyone High Fived us as we passed them up - DD15 was mortified. Must have saved us 20 minutes more of that line!

I saw pictures here of the new boats (although I was under the impression they were VERY SLOW motor boats), but didn't see any there during our 5 day/4 night stay last week. I had planned on doing them with my kids, but since they didn't know about them and didn't see them, I didn't bother asking about them since it was too stinkin' hot.

No boats out right now. The Swan boats are gone and last year DD and DH went on the S L O W motor boats last year. DD prefered the Swans!

 

[SingingMom]

This is what was available June 18 - June 24... I'll check tomorrow to see if a new sheet is published for the next few days...
Recreation Activities at the Swan & Dolphin:
11am - 6pm Hair Wraps, Braiding and Temporary Tattoo (Dolphin Pool)

12:30pm Craft of the Day (Activities Room)

2pm Game: Ping Pong (Dolphin Basketball Courts)

3:30pm SnoCones $2 (Dolphin Basketball Courts)

5pm - 10pm Cabana Bar & Beach Club: Scotch & Cigar Night. Featuring a selection of Cigars, Cognacs, and Scotches

All Activities are weather permitting - for questions or a list of Rainy Day Activities, contact the Health Club.

 

[Chrissyb8885]

i need everyones opinion on the best room at the swan with a KING bed....Im making my ressies this week and need to know what to request.
please and thank you!

 

[simplymama]

Anyone want to help me decide.

We have a vacation package booked at GF RPC level and then at the end we had the POLY booked for two nights. Well we decided after looking at our plans it just made more sense to move to the boardwalk for the two nights.

Presently we have booked Standard CL at the boardwalk with a discount code. Today I noticed we could save about $600 by moving to the Swan. At the Swan for that price we would get boardwalk/resort view with a balcony. At the Boardwalk, I get a garden/pool view, most likely and of course the small food offerings at CL.

Any opinions? We've dined at the Swan once, and walked through the BWI lobby, but never stayed at either before.

 

[simplymama]

Oh one more question. Anybody know how good the Swan is about honoring connecting room requests? That's a huge deal to us, as we have young children.

 

[kath1210]

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.

The sign at the Swan says for Gold and Platinum members only.

 

[burnsoc]

For anyone that has an iphone or ipod touch. The swan and dolphin have their own app in the itunes store. It's free and has photos and videos of the resorts and maps. Enjoy!