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

[SingingMom]

Can you take "noodles" in the Grotto pool? If so, any suggestions on where to buy one on WDW property? Thanks!!!

The Grotto Pool has a stand that rents and sells pool toys... same place you pick up your towels....

 

[carmiedog]

Would she be allowed to wear a flotation device on the waterslide?

My 7yo son was allowed down the slide with the resort life vests (June 2009). I also saw a small girl with one (maybe about 4yo?) - but she sat down at the slide then got scared - the lifeguard was very nice and patient and called dad, who was waiting at the bottom in the pool, to come up and get her. Wow, sorry for going off on a tangent there! Anyhow, my point is that in my experience they do allow life vests on the slides (same as WDW resort pools), but it might vary by lifeguards.

 

[SingingMom]

My 7yo son was allowed down the slide with the resort life vests (June 2009). I also saw a small girl with one (maybe about 4yo?) - but she sat down at the slide then got scared - the lifeguard was very nice and patient and called dad, who was waiting at the bottom in the pool, to come up and get her. Wow, sorry for going off on a tangent there! Anyhow, my point is that they do allow life vests on the slides (same as WDW resort pools), but it might vary by lifeguards.

I'll bet you are exactly right about it varying by lifeguard - because everytime there has been a lifeguard on duty in our past four visits, they have made a big deal about no floataion devices on the slide.

I heard one explain to a parent that if the chiild needs a floatation device that sends a red flag to the guards that the child isn't confident in deep water, and they do tend to go under at the end of the slide.

 

[chell]

We will be staying at the Swan Nov. 21 - 28 (Thanksgiving is the 26th). Will the Swan be decorated for Christmas by then. Do they go all out like the Disney resorts do at Christmas?

Is it bad that I can remember SSB posting when the decorations starting going up last year?

Their decorations are beautiful but they aren't like the Disney decorations. The great thing is that you are within walking distance of some of the great Disney resort decorations though.

 

[vicb]

I haven't read every page but have been trying... just wondering if the grotto pool has a slide and could someone describe it? I know it won't be like the slide at BC pool but just looking for some info.

Thank you.

 

[Mouseteacher]

If you get on a boat so you can enter the park at opening you will be fine. We walked to Soarin', got fast passes, walked on the ride and used our fast passes after lunch. No problem. Entering near the bridge is an easy walk and less people. (and so beautiful)

Ditto to what ozzie has posted. We did the same on our trip last summer. We walked on to Soarin with no problem. The walk through UK, Canads and on to FW in the early morning is quite lovely. Usually there are so few people and the soft music playing while you walk is so peaceful. I love early mornings at WDW.

 

[Mouseteacher]

A photo of turn down service at the Swan - we had this on our '03 trip.

Sunset from the balcony at the Swan:

The early morning entry from IG:

 

[SingingMom]

Mouseteacher - we had the same "turndown service" at the Dolphin in the past, but not this year. (they even gave us fresh towels in the evenings) I love your "early morning Epcot" photo

Vicb - there is a separate thread of Swan & Dolphin photos that Crazy Kanga started (HI LAURA!! ) - I believe there are some good photos of the Grotto Pool from Dan Murphy, Mom Poppins, Blondie, and other regulars that are terrific!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715731

 

[annagirl]

Quick question: Where does one get the water bottles that come with a Swan stay?

 

[ozziewags]

I haven't read every page but have been trying... just wondering if the grotto pool has a slide and could someone describe it? I know it won't be like the slide at BC pool but just looking for some info.

Thank you.

Grotto pool is lovely.
Found this on the S/D picture thread:

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr341/knelly69/Disney 2009/018.jpg

 

[SingingMom]

Quick question: Where does one get the water bottles that come with a Swan stay?

they are left in your room daily - next to the coffee maker...

(FYI : it's a different person than the housekeeper, so if you don't receive them for some reason, just call guest services and they will send someone up. It happened to us once - they just forgot )

 

[ozziewags]

Quick question: Where does one get the water bottles that come with a Swan stay?

The 2 complimentary bottles of water will be on the bar area of your room each day. We took ours and put them in the fridge as soon as we found them.

 

[annagirl]

Thank you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

.

Slideshow of several S/D pictures​

.

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks Dan!! Always LOVE your photos!!!

 

[carmiedog]

The 2 complimentary bottles of water will be on the bar area of your room each day. We took ours and put them in the fridge as soon as we found them.

The water caused a bickerment (new word of the day ) between me and dh. Ours had hangtags on them that said they would cost $2 (each) unless you paid the resort fee (June 2009). I had a hard time convincing dh that we HAD paid the non-optional resort fee and we wouldn't be charged extra for the water. For anyone who's been in the last couple weeks, are they still putting the tags on the water bottles? Seemed silly to me since the resort fee is now mandatory in the first place.

 

[ozziewags]

The water caused a bickerment (new word of the day ) between me and dh. Ours had hangtags on them that said they would cost $2 (each) unless you paid the resort fee (June 2009). I had a hard time convincing dh that we HAD paid the non-optional resort fee and we wouldn't be charged extra for the water. For anyone who's been in the last couple weeks, are they still putting the tags on the water bottles? Seemed silly to me since the resort fee is now mandatory in the first place.

Yes, the tags are still on them. My family asked about that, but I assured them it was ok and it was! What a waste of paper. My family knows better than to question me about all things disney!

 

[SingingMom]

The water caused a bickerment (new word of the day ) between me and dh. Ours had hangtags on them that said they would cost $2 (each) unless you paid the resort fee (June 2009). I had a hard time convincing dh that we HAD paid the non-optional resort fee and we wouldn't be charged extra for the water. For anyone who's been in the last couple weeks, are they still putting the tags on the water bottles? Seemed silly to me since the resort fee is now mandatory in the first place.

Yes, the tags are still on them. My family asked about that, but I assured them it was ok and it was! What a waste of paper. My family knows better than to question me about all things disney!

Yep - the tags are still on the bottles... and my PARENTS were the ones having a bikerment with us... "but it says $2 each".... "but, Mom, it is included in the fee"... "but it says $2 each"... Note to self - vacation with only my immediate family in the future.

 

[annagirl]

Good to know about the tags - I would have been wondering.

 

[Beccabunny]

Anyone have a pic of the standard view from the Swan? I'm hoping it's not as ugly as the view Tara had from the Dolphin.