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

[tinkbyday]

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

For some reason, the website link is blocked on the boards. Try google again, but put limousine at the end - it comes up about 6 down.

 

[blondeqtip]

Mamagoose...

A few questions regarding transporation from Swan...
1) For the busses going from Swan to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, which stop was Swan in regards to the other resorts that use the same bus service? And is there just one bus stop between both the Swan and Dolphin?
2) What are the times that the boats and busses run? Are they still doable with the EMHs at the parks?
3) Did you find the walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios long (I know this is subjective, but am curious as to your thoughts)?

Other questions:
4) What did you like about the Swan that made it better than staying at another Moderate Resort like POR (besides the Swan not being owned by Disney)?
5) Do all rooms at Swan have fridges and coffee makers?

Any insights or info would be greatly appreciated! I am trying to convince my sister to stay at Swan instead of POR or CSR for an upcoming stay in January.

Thank you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not Mamagoose, but my observations.

I have been at the Swan when the Swan is the only stop for a bus, when it has been both the Swan and Dolphin, and when it was both of them plus the other three Epcot resorts. Depends on time of the year and loading I guess. Each of the S and D have their own stops.

Buses and boats work for all hours of the parks, one hour before and one after.

I am okay with the Epcot walk, have only done Studios once. But then I am old. I do take the Epcot boat too, if terribly hot or tired.

Swan is a deluxe resort in every sense of the word, plus the location is fabulous.

All have fridges and coffee makers, as far as I know.

 

[chell]

Thanks Dan & Kelly! It wasn't busy when we checked in either, but I was dreaming about checking in last night. That is two dreams this week about checking in. Do you think I'm thinking about it a little too much this week?

 

[mamagoose]

Mamagoose...

A few questions regarding transporation from Swan...
1) For the busses going from Swan to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, which stop was Swan in regards to the other resorts that use the same bus service? And is there just one bus stop between both the Swan and Dolphin?
2) What are the times that the boats and busses run? Are they still doable with the EMHs at the parks?
3) Did you find the walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios long (I know this is subjective, but am curious as to your thoughts)?

Other questions:
4) What did you like about the Swan that made it better than staying at another Moderate Resort like POR (besides the Swan not being owned by Disney)?
5) Do all rooms at Swan have fridges and coffee makers?

1)The Swan and Dolphin have separate bus stops, but they share a boat dock between them. When going to MK and AK, we were the last to be picked up before going to the parks. We may have actually stopped at the Dolphin on the way one of those days. I remember thinking it didn't seem consistent, but maybe I just wasn't paying attention! On the way back, the bus always stopped at the Boardwalk first. While we were there, the bus was shared by the Swan, Dolphin, and Boardwalk.

2) Yes, the busses run for an hour after the park closes, and they run often. When we went to the late showing of Fantasmic at 10:30, the last boat for the Swan left HS at 11:30. (The park had closed at 10:00pm) We had no problem making the boat in time. We were surprised at how many people they could fit in those boats!

3) No, the walk to Epcot did not seem long. It was a nice walk--maybe 10-15 minutes, but no more than that. We only walked to Epcot, we never did the walk to HS. We walked if we happened to have just missed a boat. It was faster than waiting for another one. The boats come about every 10-15 minutes.

4)To be honest, the real reason we chose the Swan was the price! A Deluxe hotel at a price much lower than the mods (we got a deal for $119 per night). The rooms are a bit bigger than ones we've stayed in in the past, and the beds have pillow top mattresses. We loved the pool area.

5) All rooms have fridges and coffee makers (with Starbucks coffee provided!). They also provide 2 water bottles per day--these are included in the resort fee.

Hope this helps!

 

[TaraPA]

I know the answer to "is the walk to DHS long" subjective, but I think it's long! I walked it once with a 6-year old & it felt like it took an hour (ok it was more like 25-30 min.) I did it once with another adult, and we were hustling, took 15-20 min. Both were in cool weather, I personally would never attempt to walk to DHS in any kind of heat or full sun.


ROFL I just realized that I wrote that another adult & I were HUSTLING to DHs....I think I meant to type HUSSLING...ar either of those actual words?!?!? I mean we were walking at a fast pace!!!

 

[NancyIL]

I almost always walk from the Swan to Epcot (~ 10 minutes). I sometimes walk to Hollywood Studios from the Swan (~ 20 minutes), and have even walked from Epcot to the Studies a few times (~ 30 minutes). I need the exercise!

I find the boat from the Swan/Dolphin to Epcot to be S L O W, but it isn't bad going to the Studios as there are no other stops. At the end of the day, I will almost always walk from the Studios rather than wait for 1 or 2 boats to come, because the lines for the boat are long.

The bus to MK and AK almost always picks up at the Swan before the Dolphin, but the Boardwalk pick-up is first.

I prefer the smaller size of the Swan to the Dolphin, as well as the Swan's closer proximity to the Boardwalk. I like having a sink inside the bathroom as well as outside - which is convenient when there are 2 or more people in the room.

 

[blondeqtip]

Thank you Dan Murphy, Mamagoose and TaraPA for the quick replies!

Now I just need to work on my sister changing her mind and going with Swan!

 

[blondeqtip]

Thank you for the input, NancyIL!

 

[ImprovGal]

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?

There is a separate line at the Swan (and the Dolphin) specifically for Starwood Preferred Guest Gold and Platinum members. However, it's not always separately staffed and I just get in the regular line if it looks like that's the case.

Since the snow cones at the pool were mentioned...

Last time I was there, I discovered a flyer on a table by the lobby with a schedule of all sorts of poolside and other activities that they do at the Swan and Dolphin. I know it was the first time I saw mention of "Unwind" (a Westin amenity) at the Swan. It also mentioned what movies and such were scheduled by the pool.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Is there any news about the fridges at the Dolphin yet?

 

[TaraPA]

Is there any news about the fridges at the Dolphin yet?

Someone just reported a few days ago that they are IN!!! They literally saw them lined up in the hallways, and had theirs installed while they were there. Yay!

 

[Deb147]

We were at the Dolphin last week and I reported a few posts back that they instlalled the fridges while we were there. At least we were able to enjoy them for a few days.

 

[SingingMom]

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.

It's rather HOT in the summer, however. We have enjoyed an evening/night walk, but the morning was rather brutal in June. lol

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

I just PM'ed you the info...

 

[SingingMom]

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.

We use them every year and LOVE the service. I would strongly recommend them. PM me if anyone wants their phone number.

 

[SingingMom]

I almost always walk from the Swan to Epcot (~ 10 minutes). I sometimes walk to Hollywood Studios from the Swan (~ 20 minutes), and have even walked from Epcot to the Studies a few times (~ 30 minutes). I need the exercise!

I find the boat from the Swan/Dolphin to Epcot to be S L O W, but it isn't bad going to the Studios as there are no other stops. At the end of the day, I will almost always walk from the Studios rather than wait for 1 or 2 boats to come, because the lines for the boat are long.

The bus to MK and AK almost always picks up at the Swan before the Dolphin, but the Boardwalk pick-up is first.

I prefer the smaller size of the Swan to the Dolphin, as well as the Swan's closer proximity to the Boardwalk. I like having a sink inside the bathroom as well as outside - which is convenient when there are 2 or more people in the room.

Nancy - how do you walk to the Studios? silly me, I've never seen a walkway - only the Boardwalk to the Epcot back entrance!

I wish the Dolphin had the second sink - because I prefer the hussle and bussle of the Dolphin to the Swan.

 

[paras4ri]

Nancy - how do you walk to the Studios? silly me, I've never seen a walkway - only the Boardwalk to the Epcot back entrance!

I'm not Nancy (although I did meet her on a December trip a few years ago ) but I can answer this one. once you go over the bridge take a right instead of a left and follow the path that goes along the "outside" of the Boardwalk resort. You'll pass their clown pool and go along the buildings - and eventually walk under the roadway and right alongside the Studios parking lot.

We like the walk at night but agree that it can be brutal on a hot summer day.

 

[SingingMom]

I'm not Nancy (although I did meet her on a December trip a few years ago ) but I can answer this one. once you go over the bridge take a right instead of a left and follow the path that goes along the "outside" of the Boarwalk resort. You'll pass their clown pool and go along the buildings - and eventually walk under the roadway and right alongside the Studios parking lot.

We like the walk at night but agree that it can be brutal on a hot summer day.

Thanks! We'll keep an eye out for it this week if we have the chance!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Nancy - how do you walk to the Studios? silly me, I've never seen a walkway - only the Boardwalk to the Epcot back entrance!

I wish the Dolphin had the second sink - because I prefer the hussle and bussle of the Dolphin to the Swan.

I'm not Nancy (although I did meet her on a December trip a few years ago ) but I can answer this one. once you go over the bridge take a right instead of a left and follow the path that goes along the "outside" of the Boarwalk resort. You'll pass their clown pool and go along the buildings - and eventually walk under the roadway and right alongside the Studios parking lot.

We like the walk at night but agree that it can be brutal on a hot summer day.

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

 

[paras4ri]

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

Thanks Dan - I was looking for that link. I had it saved on our old computer but was having trouble finding it tonight.