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

[SingingMom]

Can't say enough about the Dolphin -
Today I returned by myself - left the family at the Studios - because I was very overwhelmed by the heat. Decided to lie down for a little bit in the cool AC but the room wasn't ready yet. A housekeeper noticed me and I asked if the room would be cleaned soon... she went to find the person assigned to my room, and the lovely woman stopped what she was doing to clean my room, because she could tell I really needed a quiet break.
I went to the lobby to get out of her way and came back a little while later and she was just finishing up. With the sweetest smile she said to me, "I hope you feel better!" Love this place!

 

[chell]

Can't say enough about the Dolphin -
Today I returned by myself - left the family at the Studios - because I was very overwhelmed by the heat. Decided to lie down for a little bit in the cool AC but the room wasn't ready yet. A housekeeper noticed me and I asked if the room would be cleaned soon... she went to find the person assigned to my room, and the lovely woman stopped what she was doing to clean my room, because she could tell I really needed a quiet break.
I went to the lobby to get out of her way and came back a little while later and she was just finishing up. With the sweetest smile she said to me, "I hope you feel better!" Love this place!

That is great to hear. So many times (not here of course) you hear negative stores about housekeepers, but this one is so great! She went above and beyond!

 

[Disney VirginII]

They were very sweet to upgrade us to two balcony rooms. However, this is our fourth year in a row - I thought they might send us a wine and cheese tray or at least a "welcome back" message.

Activities for the rest of the week around the pool area sound like lots of fun, weather permitting... tonight "Dive-in Movie", tomorrow night Campfire and s'mores, pool relay races, water battles, Poolside DJ...

Ooh, I cannot wait until tomorrow afternoon when we arrive at the Dolphin so we can participate in these fun activities.

 

[LexiC123]

I this thread - can't wait to stay at the Dolphin in September!

Quick question going back to the discussion on walking paths...can one walk to Epcot on the Yacht/Beach Club side of Crescent Lake, without first walking across the bridge to the Swan and then doubling back?

I noticed on Google Earth that there was a smaller walkway leading directly from the Dolphin to the Yacht/Beach Club (shaded in red, below), but I wasn't sure if guests were allowed to use it. Goodness knows that after a long day in the parks, every step saved going back to the resort is appreciated!

 

[paras4ri]

I this thread - can't wait to stay at the Dolphin in September!

Quick question going back to the discussion on walking paths...can one walk to Epcot on the Yacht/Beach Club side of Crescent Lake, without first walking across the bridge to the Swan and then doubling back?

I noticed on Google Earth that there was a smaller walkway leading directly from the Dolphin to the Yacht/Beach Club (shaded in red, below), but I wasn't sure if guests were allowed to use it. Goodness knows that after a long day in the parks, every step saved going back to the resort is appreciated!

Guests can use that path but in our experience there isn't a door that you can use to enter the hotel when you first approach the building (where your red highlight ends) You have to walk around the two Dolphin wings (if you look closely you can see a path at the edge of the grass) before you enter the building. It's a pretty walk, you see ducks and sometimes rabbits, but IMO it's no shorter than going over the two bridges.

 

[ssllkk]

the part in red is a walkway you can use

 

[paras4ri]

Here's a few pictures of my kids on that path - the second one zooms in so you can see where you walk
(the captions are from a picture book I created in Shutterfly)

 

[LexiC123]

Thanks for the quick replies. Great pics, Gail. And I see what you mean about walking around the wings.

I guess we'll try it both ways and see what happens.

Thanks again!

 

[florep1]

We spent 2 days at Dolphin this weekend and although it was nice, we prefer the ambiance of the Swan. We did get an upgrade from a standard room to a balcony with Epcot illuminations view. Our room was available when we checked in at 10am. Would definitely stay here again to extend our Disney stays on DVC points. I walked to BCV on our check in day while everyone slept in.

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for the quick replies. Great pics, Gail. And I see what you mean about walking around the wings.

I guess we'll try it both ways and see what happens.

Thanks again!

As Gail mentioned, the door on the east end of the Dolphin is usually locked from the outside, and I'm not sure which hallway you would take to get outside when leaving the Dolphin. It would be easier to walk out the main entrance and around the Dolphin, or cross the bridge. That's one reason I prefer the Swan, due to its closer proximity to the Boardwalk and the walkway to Hollywood Studios.

 

[paras4ri]

According to "The Resort Report" that you receive at check in (this might be new - first time in four years that we received it) it gives the hours of the Cabana Bar as:
"Open Seasonally for food service 11am - 8pm
Bar open from 11am - 10pm , weather permitting."

This is new from previous years - it used to close earlier. I actually wrote on my comment card a few years in a row that we'd love to see the Cabana Bar opened later - so ... you never know - sometimes things really do change when patrons make suggestions!

Thanks for the info - happy to hear they're now open later in the evenings.

 

[disney4us2002]

I'm looking for some specifics that I may have missed in the 36 pages of this thead, lol. Dh has a conference coming up in March at the Dolphin so we'll be staying there for the first time. Here are my specific questions:

1. S/D are not Disney-owned and cannot use DME? Correct? What is the recommended transportation mode to get from MCO to S/D? Dh's conference may offer shuttle service, but just in case....

2. S/D does allow for EMH in the parks?

3. Dining plan is not available at S/D and there are no room charging privileges but there is package delivery? This is my biggest concern as I hate to carry a lot of cash.

4. When making ADRs, can I utilize 90+10 or no?

5. Conference is week leading up to Easter. Crowds will be huge, right? What about weather in late March/early April?

I'm sooo looking forward to staying in the Epcot area and the hotels look gorgeous!

 

[chell]

I'm looking for some specifics that I may have missed in the 36 pages of this thead, lol. Dh has a conference coming up in March at the Dolphin so we'll be staying there for the first time. Here are my specific questions:

1. S/D are not Disney-owned and cannot use DME? Correct? What is the recommended transportation mode to get from MCO to S/D? Dh's conference may offer shuttle service, but just in case....

2. S/D does allow for EMH in the parks?

3. Dining plan is not available at S/D and there are no room charging privileges but there is package delivery? This is my biggest concern as I hate to carry a lot of cash.

4. When making ADRs, can I utilize 90+10 or no?

5. Conference is week leading up to Easter. Crowds will be huge, right? What about weather in late March/early April?

I'm sooo looking forward to staying in the Epcot area and the hotels look gorgeous!

1. You are correct, you can not use DME. We used a car service. There are many options. You could rent a car one way - this is a great option if you can find a great rate as they have two car rental companies at the Dolphin.

2. Yes, they do.

3. You can not participate in the Disney Dining Plan but the Swan & Dolphin will soon have their own dining plan. You can now sign up on their website to receive emails about this plan as more details become available.

Room charging privileges from the parks are not allowed. I recommend getting a Disney gift card. This worked great for us last year. Make sure you take a picture of the back of the card in case it gets lost or stolen.

Yes, the do offer package delivery to the resort.

4. Generally no, but some people have had luck to be able to make them with the 90 + 10 window. Cross your fingers maybe.

5. It's been too long since I've been there that week so I can't help with that one.

Hope you have a great time no matter what!

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....the Swan & Dolphin will soon have their own dining plan. You can now sign up on their website to receive emails about this plan as more details become available.....

Hi Michelle. Hmmm, have not heard of this. I looked on there site, can't find it, do you have a link for that sign up?

 

[SingingMom]

Hi Michelle. Hmmm, have not heard of this. I looked on there site, can't find it, do you have a link for that sign up?

we are here now and haven't heard or seen anything about their own dining plan?

(VERY HUMID today! )

FYI: Fresh Mediterranian was WONDERFUL this morning for breakfast and we received 20% off with our AAA card...

 

[ImprovGal]

Hi Michelle. Hmmm, have not heard of this. I looked on there site, can't find it, do you have a link for that sign up?

Hi Dan. The Swan/Dolphin dining plan is called "Dine and Dream". It's listed on the Swan & Dolphin website if you click the "Rates & Packages" link. It also was mentioned in this month's recipe club email.
It basically includes breakfast and signature dinner at the resort.

 

[NancyIL]

I'm looking for some specifics that I may have missed in the 36 pages of this thead, lol. Dh has a conference coming up in March at the Dolphin so we'll be staying there for the first time. Here are my specific questions:


3. Dining plan is not available at S/D and there are no room charging privileges but there is package delivery? This is my biggest concern as I hate to carry a lot of cash.

It makes no difference to me whether I swipe my credit card when making charges in the parks or swipe a Key to the World card. Either way you don't pay with cash. I'd also rather have individual charge receipts than have to make sure the charges made with my KTTW card were properly charged to my resort account.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Ahhh, I found it, thanks......

http://www.swandolphin.com/offers/dining/index.html

I wonder if you need to buy the package for every day/night of your stay, or can buy just a few days/nights.

 

[SingingMom]

It makes no difference to me whether I swipe my credit card when making charges in the parks or swipe a Key to the World card. Either way you don't pay with cash. I'd also rather have individual charge receipts than have to make sure the charges made with my KTTW card were properly charged to my resort account.

I agree with Nancy - I just bring my credit card and a tiny bit of cash. We used the Disney cards last year, but sometimes that got confusing to figure out balances, etc. This year the visa card is doing just fine - even for 2 bottles of water, or DD's frozen strawberry smoothie today!

Ahhh, I found it, thanks......

http://www.swandolphin.com/offers/dining/index.html

I wonder if you need to buy the package for every day/night of your stay, or can buy just a few days/nights.

Will have to check this out, too!

 

[chell]

Thanks for posting a link.

Dan I'd like to know the answer too because I would like to do it for a few days, but still eat at WDW resorts the other days.