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

[goofy4tink]

I should know this but can't for the life of me remember....if I'm leaving the Dolphin and heading to BWV, will the Dolphin get my stuff over??? I've usually just lugged it myself, but I really don't want to take the time to do that in August, and it will be hot/humid.
Any experiences with that?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have no personal experience with that, Diane, but have read here multiple times that they will do that for you.

Nancy, Pam, Mom, thanks for good wishes.

Nancy, nothing planned firm as of now, but hoping for a Dec trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

THanks Dan. I'll just let them move the bags...I hate the thought of moving bags for three of us, plus any groceries....even if it is just to BWV!!
It's going to be strange to have no MouseFest this Dec. I know a lot of those who normally went down for MF are still heading down at the same time. I'm heading down on Nov 29 or 30 and leaving Dec 4. Hopefully, there will be some of my buddies down then.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Diane ~ I have had my luggage transferred many time to BWV. Have a great trip!

 

[NancyIL]

Nancy, nothing planned firm as of now, but hoping for a Dec trip.

I'll be at WDW Oct. 27-Nov. 4, and have no plans to visit in December. It will be the first year I haven't been to WDW between Thanksgiving and Christmas since we first went at that time of year in 1997! I even managed several quickie trips in December 2004 and 2005 when I was working at The Disney Store! Maybe there will be a great airfare and hotel deal for December, and I can make another quickie trip to get my holiday Disney fix!

 

[SingingMom]

OMG...SingingMom so glad to see you have come back to our beloved S&D boards (THANKS MPoppins for starting this up again! )
I see you have a trip coming up real soon! LUCKY U! That will be fun taking along your Mom and Dad...ahh cherished memories! Looks like we will be at the Dolphin thru Labor Day weekend....can't wait, but I don't want to wish my summer away . Did you set up any resssies, eaten at BlueZoo? recommendations? See ya around, now!

Thanks for the welcome back! I have been so busy with "LIFE" that I haven't kept up like I want to. Also, email notification seems to be not working for me - will have to look into that!

We have dinner reservations only (I never make lunch or breakfast ressies) - Rose & Crown (DD15 favorite ), Chefs de France (MY favorite ), Liberty Tree Tavern (DH enjoyed the food last year ), Brown Derby (my dad's favorite, and they haven't been to WDW in YEARS! ) and Capt Jack's (we go to Saturday evening mass at the Shrine and then take a cab to DTD.) The other nights we "wing it" - we usually eat on the Boardwalk our last night, and we will see where our travels take us the other few nights!

We have not eaten at bluezoo (would like to try for appies and drinks I think). We ate at Shula's twice - one fantastic meal, one not so much. If you have a Ruths Chris in your area, it is comparable.

We are getting ready for our annual Memorial Day trip to the "ranch", then I have to get my head set on DISNEY!

Thanks, anbouk, for thinking of me and your kind words. All is well, though I was out of sorts about a month ago with a bit of a heart problem. But all seems good now.

And thanks to Mom Poppins for letting me know first, that this new thread existed...I just had the prior one bookmarked and if somebody had a question, it would let me know and I could see if I could add anything. I just thought nobody had any questions for a time, LOL. Now I have this one bookmarked. And second, Mom Poppins let me know I was being looking for, so, here I am. Thanks again, Mom Poppins.

So glad to see you back, Dan! I always enjoy reading your posts and hearing your advice! Stay well!

 

[haleofafamily]

I have a couple of questions about the Swan. Do they have pack n plays like the other WDW resorts? Also is the luggage transfer available from a WDW resort to the Swan? If not, if we are using Disney transportation what is the easiest/cheapest way to get our lugggage from AKV to the Swan?

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Yes they will transfer your luggage. We have done it many times in the past. It has been awhile since we needed a crib but in the past they had the "heavenly crib" which came with a regular size crib and a little rug for the floor. It was very sweet and cute.

 

[mamagoose]

Does anyone know if any sort of water toys are allowed in the Grotto pool? My kids wanted to bring a small ball and kick boards that are inflatable.

 

[SingingMom]

Does anyone know if any sort of water toys are allowed in the Grotto pool? My kids wanted to bring a small ball and kick boards that are inflatable.

We have seen toys at the Grotto pool (No toys are permitted on the water slide) They even sell inflatable tubes and I believe they rent them by the hour, too.

I'm sure the guards will allow a gentle game of toss, as long as the kids aren't wholloping anyone else enjoying the pool!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

We are leaving in a few hours! I will not be staying at the Swan and Dolphin but our view will be of it from the Boardwalk. We just love the location of all the Epcot resorts! We will be gone for 2 weeks 10 of those nights will be at Disney the other nights on the road. I will give an update when we get back.

 

[SingingMom]

We are leaving in a few hours! I will not be staying at the Swan and Dolphin but our view will be of it from the Boardwalk. We just love the location of all the Epcot resorts! We will be gone for 2 weeks 10 of those nights will be at Disney the other nights on the road. I will give an update when we get back.

Have a safe, enjoyable trip!! ​

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

I understand that Swan/Dolphin guests get some of the same amenities as guests staying "on property" but what about airport transportation? I didn't see that in the FAQ. I know park transportation is available ...

thank you!
Kat

 

[TaraPA]

I understand that Swan/Dolphin guests get some of the same amenities as guests staying "on property" but what about airport transportation? I didn't see that in the FAQ. I know park transportation is available ...

thank you!
Kat

Sorry but there is no free transportation available from the airport to Swan or Dolphin. You cannot use Magical Express when staying at either. You can either rent a car, hire a towncar or limo, take a taxi or take the Mears shuttle.

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Sorry but there is no free transportation available from the airport to Swan or Dolphin. You cannot use Magical Express when staying at either. You can either rent a car, hire a towncar or limo, take a taxi or take the Mears shuttle.

Thank you so much!

Kat

 

[LexiC123]

We are leaving in a few hours! I will not be staying at the Swan and Dolphin but our view will be of it from the Boardwalk. We just love the location of all the Epcot resorts! We will be gone for 2 weeks 10 of those nights will be at Disney the other nights on the road. I will give an update when we get back.

Lucky you! Looking forward to hearing about everything when you return.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[SingingMom]

I understand that Swan/Dolphin guests get some of the same amenities as guests staying "on property" but what about airport transportation? I didn't see that in the FAQ. I know park transportation is available ...

thank you!
Kat

Sorry but there is no free transportation available from the airport to Swan or Dolphin. You cannot use Magical Express when staying at either. You can either rent a car, hire a towncar or limo, take a taxi or take the Mears shuttle.

We use towncar transportation to and from the airport and it has worked out very nicely. I get a silly kick out of seeing a man holding a card with my name on it at the luggage carousel. Go figure.

There is always a line up of taxis and towncars in front of the Dolphin also - we use them to go to mass on Saturday evening.....

 

[SideshowBob]

We are leaving in a few hours! I will not be staying at the Swan and Dolphin but our view will be of it from the Boardwalk. We just love the location of all the Epcot resorts! We will be gone for 2 weeks 10 of those nights will be at Disney the other nights on the road. I will give an update when we get back.

Hope that you have a GREAT time! Was just walking outside and very breezy, but nice. Be ready for a spot of rain, though... alas. Crowds not too bad right now, either.

 

[Deb147]

We use towncar transportation to and from the airport and it has worked out very nicely. I get a silly kick out of seeing a man holding a card with my name on it at the luggage carousel. Go figure.

There is always a line up of taxis and towncars in front of the Dolphin also - we use them to go to mass on Saturday evening.....

Will be at the Dolphin in a few weeks. Glad to hear there is always a line up of taxis and towncars. We plan on using these for early ADR.

 

[JackTwo]

Headed to Swan in July. What is the story with the mini-fridge? Can I use it to store a half-gallon of milk, Juice, etc., for breakfast? Will I get charged if I "break the seal"?

I was trying to find out the same thing (about the size of the mini-fridge). I found out that, for a one-time $20 fee, the Dolphin will clear out the mini-bar so it can be used as a mini-fridge during the guest's stay. Is it big enough to hold a half-gallon (or better yet, a gallon) of milk, a quart of OJ, a couple of packages of sliced turkey meat (for sandwiches), some veggies (like a tomato and cucumber and a bag of lettuce) and some muffins and pastries?

On a related note, I understand there is some sort of mini-mart or store at Picabu downstairs. Do they sell gallons (or half gallons of milk), OJ, turkey meat, etc.? If so, it is much more expensive than ordering through gardengrocer.com?