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

[Dan Murphy]

......
AAA 20% discount: This I can't personnally answer, but i have seen it on these boards.

Packages to room: I do not believe you can send it back to your room at the Dolphin....but not sure about this one. Anyone know for sure? It is not listed as a Disney benefit on the swandolphin.com page...

AAA 20% discount at the non 'signature' restaurants.

And packages can be sent back to the S/D Disney operated gift shops at each respective hotel.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Wow, thanks! I think that makes up my mind for me. I love the "Heavenly" beds.

You welcome, you'll Love the Heavenly beds and the Location plus the price is great for a deluxe resort.

 

[NancyIL]

I stayed at AKL for 2 nights in December. AKL is a beautiful resort, but we didn't spend much time there. The buses stopped at Kidani Village before they got to Jambo House - so they were often quite full. The rooms were attractively themed, but I kept walking into the corner of the wood bed frame. They were also very NOISY beds, and creaked every time I rolled over! I would stay at WL again, but AKL was a once-only stay.

I REALLY missed the Swan's heavenly beds, and being able to walk from Epcot back to the resort.

 

[SingingMom]

Then the bus to Epoct was long wait too and walking back to the bus stop to get back to the resort was a long walk...I feel like I could have walked to The Swan and be in our room already. This was our experience at AKL so for our family (even my DS) wants to stay at the Swan b/c of the location, bed and better service (great room service too)...room always done by 11 a.m.

After a stay at Dixie Landings (yes, I'm dating myself! ) I vowed to never stay at a "bus service only" resort again. That was before they had the boat service to Downtown Disney.

If the weather cooperates (sometimes it's too hot to walk in June) we love to stroll the Boardwalk on the way to and from Epcot. (We've never walked to the Studios.)

We ADORE the Dolphin's location and services and THOSE HEAVENLY BEDS!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

After a stay at Dixie Landings (yes, I'm dating myself! ) I vowed to never stay at a "bus service only" resort again. That was before they had the boat service to Downtown Disney.

If the weather cooperates (sometimes it's too hot to walk in June) we love to stroll the Boardwalk on the way to and from Epcot. (We've never walked to the Studios.)

We ADORE the Dolphin's location and services and THOSE HEAVENLY BEDS!

We too have stayed at Dixie Landings rotfl: )

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I stayed at AKL for 2 nights in December. AKL is a beautiful resort, but we didn't spend much time there. The buses stopped at Kidani Village before they got to Jambo House - so they were often quite full. The rooms were attractively themed, but I kept walking into the corner of the wood bed frame. They were also very NOISY beds, and creaked every time I rolled over! I would stay at WL again, but AKL was a once-only stay.

I REALLY missed the Swan's heavenly beds, and being able to walk from Epcot back to the resort.

When we stayed at AKL and everytime my husband turned, the beds creaked and my husband would say...this is a deluxe hotel (and he laughed)...he said can you make sure you book The Swan and I can get a good night sleep. He also said why do I have to hear the toilet flushing all night too.

 

[hookedup]

Nice! I'm stuck now on whether to stay at the Dolphin or Swan or get a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge (unless I catch a great deal sometime during the year on a Savannah View Room). UGH! Decisions, decisions, decisions. I guess it's a good problem to have.

My dh likes to remind me about our trip in 2004. We did a split stay between Swan and GF. We were in club level (no longer available) at Swan and in the Sugarloaf concierge at GF. I love the GF and we had stayed there twice before. After our 3 nights at the Swan we moved over to GF. By that night we both were missing the Swan. The service was better - the staff members were friendlier and the value for money was not even comparable. Little things like the room service menu was better at the Swan we thought. And we find the walls at GF are paper thin - I could actually hear the dude in the next room snoring!
But even after this experience I still want to stay at a Disney owned resort - why? I can't answer that - I guess I am just a victim of marketing! We are planning a trip this summer and I was getting quotes for properties like AKL and BCV - dh was really surprised and couldn't understand why I did not want to do our entire stay at the Swan or Dolphin. I couldn't give him a good answer - every time I made a case for one of the Disney properties he had an equally valid counterpoint in favor of the S/D. He is convinced I am a victim of Disney brainwashing!
So anyway - we have 10 nights booked at the Dolphin and none at Disney properties for this trip. I will let you all know my final thoughts in a few months, as I will have an in-depth review of the Dolphin!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Our first trip to Disney we stayed at Dixie Landings!!!! We stayed there in 2000 and the mouse hooked us and we have been back to Disney 18 times since that stay!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Me, too. I have 2 DL stays back in the early to mid 1980s.

Re: walking to DHS: it is a longer walk than to Epcot. I do agree with the poster who said that there is much more to see on the walk to and from Epcot. I love walking along the BW or along the BC and YC. We usually go in the heat of July and so walking to and from DHS is not option but we do, at times, walk to and from Epcot -- go figure!

 

[SingingMom]

n. I couldn't give him a good answer - every time I made a case for one of the Disney properties he had an equally valid counterpoint in favor of the S/D. He is convinced I am a victim of Disney brainwashing!
So anyway - we have 10 nights booked at the Dolphin and none at Disney properties for this trip. I will let you all know my final thoughts in a few months, as I will have an in-depth review of the Dolphin!

We've done 8 nights at the Dolphin for the past four years. You will NOT be disappointed with your decision.

 

[SingingMom]

Our first trip to Disney we stayed at Dixie Landings!!!! We stayed there in 2000 and the mouse hooked us and we have been back to Disney 18 times since that stay!

It was a pretty place, but too spread out for us. And the hassle of pulling the stroller and off the buses and I have to say, the DARK walk back to the room... I just really prefer the Dolphin!

Me, too. I have 2 DL stays back in the early to mid 1980s.

Re: walking to DHS: it is a longer walk than to Epcot. I do agree with the poster who said that there is much more to see on the walk to and from Epcot. I love walking along the BW or along the BC and YC. We usually go in the heat of July and so walking to and from DHS is not option but we do, at times, walk to and from Epcot -- go figure!

Yep, that was me. lol If the walk gets TOO hot, you always have the option of peeking into the shops/restaurants along the way and get a puff of air conditioning.

 

[momof3lovebugs]

I am enjoying reading this thread and you all almost have me convinced except for the walk to epcot. I have heard from friends that the walk from the S/D is a good 30 minutes (w/kid) to the Int'l Gateway and then if you are going to hit test track it's about 40 and since it is across the park, you will be pretty far back in a long line.....
And can s/o clarify that there is not, in fact, bus service from Epcot resorts to Epcot b/c of the ability to walk there? So we'd have to take a bus to MK or DS and then transfer? My head is spinnning!
My other choice for consideration is the CBR which I believe has not entrance to Epcot but has bus service and is fairly close?

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I am enjoying reading this thread and you all almost have me convinced except for the walk to epcot. I have heard from friends that the walk from the S/D is a good 30 minutes (w/kid) to the Int'l Gateway and then if you are going to hit test track it's about 40 and since it is across the park, you will be pretty far back in a long line.....
And can s/o clarify that there is not, in fact, bus service from Epcot resorts to Epcot b/c of the ability to walk there? So we'd have to take a bus to MK or DS and then transfer? My head is spinnning!
My other choice for consideration is the CBR which I believe has not entrance to Epcot but has bus service and is fairly close?

There is a boat that takes you to HS and Epcot...you don't have to walk unless you and your family wanted to. We walked one morning b/c we had breakfast at Cape May and then walked off our breakfast to Epcot...my son at 3 yrs old enjoyed the walked. It took 15 mins from The Swan to BC and another 10 mins from BC to Epcot...we were walking slowly with a 3 yr old.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

IMHO... The Swan and Dolphin beats any moderate resort hand down. When you take the boat to MGM you are the first stop going there and the first stop to get off. As for Epcot your are the first to be picked up and the last to get off. This is probably one of the reasons why many prefer to just walk. It's really a nice walk to Epcot.

Sometimes we plan to go into Epcot at the International Gateway just as the countries open and go right towards France. We have to whole back area mostly to ourselves for the first hour. It's so nice to walk around. We make our way around and get a fast pass for Test Track once we reach the other side. Riding in Norway and Mexico along the way. By the time you reach this area at the front of park.. a lot of the people are just now heading back to the countries..so the front of the park rides are less crowded.

 

[momof3lovebugs]

Thanks for the replies!

 

[TaraPA]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents about the walking.

The walk back from Epcot across The Boardwalk to S/D is so much fun for my kids. The street performers are spectacular - so fun & talented! My kids beg to go to The Boardwalk even if we're not staying in that area. We also stop for a snack, or to grab some pastries for breakfast the next day from The Boardwalk Bakery. That walk home has never been a problem for my kids, even when they were younger, because they're constantly fed or entertained along the way!

Now walking back from DHS with kids - torture for me! When my kids are done, they're done. We walked back from DHS one night & they whined & cried the whole time, and that 25-min. walk seemed like 4 hours. There's nothing to do along the way. We'll walk to DHS, but only if the weather isn't too hot, it's a pretty far walk.

 

[SingingMom]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents about the walking.

The walk back from Epcot across The Boardwalk to S/D is so much fun for my kids. The street performers are spectacular - so fun & talented! My kids beg to go to The Boardwalk even if we're not staying in that area. We also stop for a snack, or to grab some pastries for breakfast the next day from The Boardwalk Bakery. That walk home has never been a problem for my kids, even when they were younger, because they're constantly fed or entertained along the way!

Now walking back from DHS with kids - torture for me! When my kids are done, they're done. We walked back from DHS one night & they whined & cried the whole time, and that 25-min. walk seemed like 4 hours. There's nothing to do along the way. We'll walk to DHS, but only if the weather isn't too hot, it's a pretty far walk.

...and that walk back from the Studios looks DARK to me. I'd much prefer to float on a Friendship Boat, back to my Heavenly Bed....

 

[Mouseteacher]

It is a bit of walk from IG to FW. From the S/D, you can only enter Epcot through the IG. However, we had no problems getting on Soarin or TT, etc. We went for Fast Passes at Soarin and then went over to TT or vice versa. The nice thing about IG in the early morning as the park is about to open, is the quiet of WS -- you practically have the walk through UK, Canada, etc to yourself. It is pure luxury!

 

[TaraPA]

Just got off of live chat with S/D through spg.com. Once again, I received wonderful service! I happened to see an ESPN weekend promo rate of $149/nt. We're already booked that weekend at $161/nt. I didn't want to cancel & re-book on my own since one of the nights had been showing as unavailable just a few days ago. I went to live chat to inquire if there was any way to apply the promo to the existing ressie. She (her name was also Tara) was quickly able to get me the lower rate & was sweet as pie in double checking & getting me new confirmation info. She wasn't sure what will happen with my deposit - we've already paid one night at the old rate on our CC. So I will watch that to be sure it's handled correctly.

Gotta love that Swan/Dolphin top notch service!

 

[SingingMom]

Just got off of live chat with S/D through spg.com. Once again, I received wonderful service! I happened to see an ESPN weekend promo rate of $149/nt. We're already booked that weekend at $161/nt. I didn't want to cancel & re-book on my own since one of the nights had been showing as unavailable just a few days ago. I went to live chat to inquire if there was any way to apply the promo to the existing ressie. She (her name was also Tara) was quickly able to get me the lower rate & was sweet as pie in double checking & getting me new confirmation info. She wasn't sure what will happen with my deposit - we've already paid one night at the old rate on our CC. So I will watch that to be sure it's handled correctly.

Gotta love that Swan/Dolphin top notch service!

My experience with a rate reduction after the deposit has been paid is that deposit amount was deducted from the total bill at the end.