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

[SingingMom]

Can someone share their experiences with dining at Swan/Dolphin. Dh and I are headed there in March and I'm thinking Fresh for bkft definitely and we're looking at Il Mulino for dinner? Is that a good choice? We've dined at other Shula's so there is no real pull there for us. Any other suggestions are appreciated as well. This is our first trip without the kiddos since our honeymoon so we want to try all different restaurants that we know the kiddos would never try, lol.

Fresh is WONDERFUL for breakfast, but not a "quick" meal. It's not the place to go when you are in a hurry to get to a park. We like to eat there on our "take it easy by the Grotto Pool" day.

We haven't eaten at blue zoo yet, but would like to try it for cocktails and appies.. Shula's is just like Ruth's Chris - we've eaten at Shula's twice, but I prefer Ruth's. We couldn't get anyone to answer the phone at Il Mulino's in June. I tried a few times, but we ended up elsewhere. I will try again this June, as the menu looks good and the ownership has a restaurant here in NJ that is very good.

Don't forget to try the Cabana Bar for cocktails and lunch or dinner. Very good food and lovely atmosphere!

 

[chell]

Can someone share their experiences with dining at Swan/Dolphin. Dh and I are headed there in March and I'm thinking Fresh for bkft definitely and we're looking at Il Mulino for dinner? Is that a good choice? We've dined at other Shula's so there is no real pull there for us. Any other suggestions are appreciated as well. This is our first trip without the kiddos since our honeymoon so we want to try all different restaurants that we know the kiddos would never try, lol.

Fresh is the only one I can help you with. I really enjoyed breakfast there. I can't eat eggs or any items made with eggs and still had a great breakfast there.

 

[Ramsfan28]

Il Mulino is a great restaraunt and try to eat there every time I stay at the S/D.

Also, BlueZoo is one of my favorite restaraunts at the World - again, it is a not to be missed for me.

 

[chell]

Il Mulino is a great restaraunt and try to eat there every time I stay at the S/D.

Also, BlueZoo is one of my favorite restaraunts at the World - again, it is a not to be missed for me.

Can you tell me what you like so much about BlueZoo? And what dishes do you recommend? We are planning on dining there for the first time in January. I'd love to hear more about why you love it so much. It's always great to hear from others who love something.

 

[Mouseteacher]

We have dined in both Blue Zoo and Il Mulino on our 2008 and 2009 trips. We also dined at the Blue Zoo on our 2002 trip. I truly loved Il Mulino. The service and the food was outstanding. For me, I like that you can order half portions of pasta dishes. The serving is still quite plentiful. My whole family agreed that it was the best meal.

Blue Zoo was okay. Quite honestly, DH and I agreed after our 2009 dinner, we probably won't go back on our next trip. I really can't quite pinpoint what we didn't like. The food was interestingly prepared meaning with an exotic Asian flair. It just didn't translate well with us.

However, I do say try it. Your opinion may be different.

 

[kedz]

This June will be our first stay at the Swan..Can anyone tell me if they show movies by the pool?

 

[SingingMom]

This June will be our first stay at the Swan..Can anyone tell me if they show movies by the pool?

This past June, the main Grotto Pool had a "Dive-in Movie" showing of "Bolt" one evening .

 

[Ramsfan28]

Can you tell me what you like so much about BlueZoo? And what dishes do you recommend? We are planning on dining there for the first time in January. I'd love to hear more about why you love it so much. It's always great to hear from others who love something.

BlueZoo is a bit more "upscale" than what you would get at a typical Disney restaraunt. I like the atmosphere and for some reason, the restaraunt isn't very crowded so it can be a romantic / relaxing dinner.


I find the food delicious as I am a fan of Todd English.

Dishes that I like for starters:

"Olive's" Classico Flatbread
Teppan Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops
Yellowfin Tuna Tartare

For entrees I like:

Bacon wrapped tuna
Snake River Farms Pork Loin
Flame grilled tenderloin of beef filet
and their "Simply Fish"

 

[loritemp]

Hey folks! Just got back from a week at the Dolphin. From start to finish, it was a fantastic trip! Our room was ready at 11am when we arrived, connecting rooms as we requested, and a crib all ready for us. The room was clean (no smells!!) and those beds, heavenly for sure!!!!!! There was a conference going on while we were there but other than lots of people in the lobby, we didn't notice one bit!! The pools were perfect, every staff member we encountered was lovely, seriously, I don't have one complaint!!!!!

As for meals, we ate breakfast at Picabu, a tad overpriced in my opinion but the food was really good. Had lunch at the Cabana bar, great beer/drink selection and our meals were fantastic!!! We would have gone back if we had more time. We did make it to the Boardwalk to Kouzinna one morning for breakfast, seriously the best breakfast i have ever had!!!! And the prices were really reasonable.

You really can't beat the location either. If you have kids and strollers, it is so much easier because you can avoid the buses a bit and take the boat to Epcot and DHS(so no need to fold up your stroller).

All in all, fabulous...and I am already planning our return visit!!

 

[SingingMom]

Hey folks! Just got back from a week at the Dolphin. From start to finish, it was a fantastic trip! Our room was ready at 11am when we arrived, connecting rooms as we requested, and a crib all ready for us. The room was clean (no smells!!) and those beds, heavenly for sure!!!!!! There was a conference going on while we were there but other than lots of people in the lobby, we didn't notice one bit!! The pools were perfect, every staff member we encountered was lovely, seriously, I don't have one complaint!!!!!

As for meals, we ate breakfast at Picabu, a tad overpriced in my opinion but the food was really good. Had lunch at the Cabana bar, great beer/drink selection and our meals were fantastic!!! We would have gone back if we had more time. We did make it to the Boardwalk to Kouzinna one morning for breakfast, seriously the best breakfast i have ever had!!!! And the prices were really reasonable.

You really can't beat the location either. If you have kids and strollers, it is so much easier because you can avoid the buses a bit and take the boat to Epcot and DHS(so no need to fold up your stroller).

All in all, fabulous...and I am already planning our return visit!!

So happy you had a great trip!
Now you know why we say "Location, Location, Location!"

 

[abh218]

A few notes to share - hope this info helps someone!

We were at the Swan 10/28-11/3. At check-in, we received the calendar of events for the week. They had a variety of activities for Halloween - mad science experiments, movies, drink specials, etc. There was also a flyer where you could order a Jack-o-Lantern for your room. Our Halloween plans were set - so we didn't get to experience any of the activities!

SO - if you're going around Halloween, be sure to look out for these activities and offers (wish I'd read the Jack-o-Lantern flyer a bit earlier!).

Also, about our room...we are Starwood members. When I made the reservation (via SPG since I was using points for one night), the email stated we had a traditional room. I knew since we were Starwood members, we should have one upgrade level. We had problems with our Dolphin stay last year - so I mentioned this when I sent an email to inquire about the upgrade. I got a reply stating we would have a Boardwalk view. We did! We were in the East Wing in room 631...view of the Boardwalk Inn and we could see Illuminations (the aerial part). This is not a balcony room.

Celebrations - We have started the tradition of celebrating our anniversary (late) at Disney. At check-in, we were asked about it and that night we received a box of chocolates in our room.

 

[jnfr2424]

This is not a balcony room.

Are there balcony rooms at the Swan or is it only at the Dolphin?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Are there balcony rooms at the Swan or is it only at the Dolphin?

Swan has balconies also.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

This past June, the main Grotto Pool had a "Dive-in Movie" showing of "Bolt" one evening .

This sounds cool! I've done BC movie on the beach but how is the 'dine in movie'?? Can you tell me more about it?
Thank you!

 

[SingingMom]

This sounds cool! I've done BC movie on the beach but how is the 'dine in movie'?? Can you tell me more about it?
Thank you!

"Dive-In Movie" is shown on a big screen where the waterfall is at the Grotto Pool. You can view the movie from the lounge chairs around the pool, or while floating.

 

[chell]

Loritemp & Abh218 I'm glad you both had such great trips! It's nice to hear about all the extra Halloween activities too.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

"Dive-In Movie" is shown on a big screen where the waterfall is at the Grotto Pool. You can view the movie from the lounge chairs around the pool, or while floating.

Thank you!

 

[duffy]

I'm very excited, I just booked a 3-night stay at the Swan for Nov. 5th-8th, 2010. I used Starwood points. For anyone who is in the Starwood program, practically the entire months of Sept., Oct., Nov. at least have the "cash plus points" option available. I just clicked the "dates flexible?" link to browse through available cash plus points availability dates. So, I'm booked for $60/night, plus 12,000 points.

Since my husband and I already have tickets, we just needed a hotel and cheap flight so that we can have a long weekend to ourselves.

Now, I just hope that the Food and Wine Festival is still happening then!!

 

[RachelTori]

I'm very excited, I just booked a 3-night stay at the Swan for Nov. 5th-8th, 2010. I used Starwood points. For anyone who is in the Starwood program, practically the entire months of Sept., Oct., Nov. at least have the "cash plus points" option available. I just clicked the "dates flexible?" link to browse through available cash plus points availability dates. So, I'm booked for $60/night, plus 12,000 points.

Since my husband and I already have tickets, we just needed a hotel and cheap flight so that we can have a long weekend to ourselves.

Now, I just hope that the Food and Wine Festival is still happening then!!

Gotta love those cash+points!! I've already booked for next September (at the start of Food & Wine! )

You'll be there the last weekend of Food & Wine 2010 -- it ends on 11/7.

 

[duffy]

Gotta love those cash+points!! I've already booked for next September (at the start of Food & Wine! )

You'll be there the last weekend of Food & Wine 2010 -- it ends on 11/7.

Fantastic!