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

[TaraPA]

Ok thanks Singing Mom, good to know. So I'm guessing they'll put another one night deposit on my CC & we'll just figure it out when we get there. I'm not worried, they've always bent over backwards to accomodate anything, and I'm sure this happens often. I'll take my CC statement just in case.

Now they'll really love me if I decide to call back & try & get 2 of my nights free with my points...not sure I'm doing that yet. $149 is such a good rate, I'd rather save the points for another time rates are higher. Decisions, decisions!!

 

[gemmybear83]

We are booked into the Dolphin for the first few nights of our stay, we will only be making a couple of ADRS, but do we get the +10 benefit that Disney guests get? I was looking on the dining reservations page of the Disney website and they are included as resorts where you can retrive your reservations?

 

[viluvsdisney]

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!

Do you mind me asking, was the $149 a printed/public code? When I asked about it the rep said the only ESPN code for that weekend was $179 a nt Thanks!

 

[TaraPA]

It's a public code - SDESPN - but when I tried to look it up online it only showed the $179 rooms left (I'm assuming they only have so many at the $149 rate) - but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask - and it worked! It's only for 2/26, 2/27 & 2/28.

 

[fitznorton]

Good Morning, I have booked a room at the Swan for a week in April and i have a few questions. Is it a long walk from the parking lot to the hotel? ( We have stayed at the YC and the walk was forever!!) Also, is it a long walk from elevator to hotel room? Should I request a room near the elevator? Last, does anyone know if there is a convention at this resort the week of April 17th - 24th? Thank you....I have found so much interesting info on this site!

 

[TaraPA]

I can't answer your parking lot or elevator questions, as it's been almost 10 years since I've stayed at the Swan (Dolphin fan here!) but there is a conference at S/D every day of the year. They are conference hotels, and there are often many conferences going on at the same time. So if you're trying to find a time that there won't be any business people there, you may be out of luck!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good Morning, I have booked a room at the Swan for a week in April and i have a few questions. Is it a long walk from the parking lot to the hotel? ( We have stayed at the YC and the walk was forever!!) Also, is it a long walk from elevator to hotel room? Should I request a room near the elevator? Last, does anyone know if there is a convention at this resort the week of April 17th - 24th? Thank you....I have found so much interesting info on this site!

Welcome to the DIS, Fitz!

I use the lot all the time. I would say it is about a half block walking distance from the hotel entrance. As to the walk in the hotel, the maximum in the Swan is not nearly as far as the max in the Dolphin, just a smaller hotel. You certainly could request a room close to the elevator though.

 

[diskids2]

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?

Just to add my two cents... My family and I have stayed at both the Dolphin and the CBR. We like both of them, but the Dolphin is our first choice!

We prefer the Dolphin because we like being close to Epcot and DHS and the other EPCOT resorts. Being in this area brings us close to a large variety of counter service and table service restaurants.

We like taking the boat to DHS and EPCOT. I honestly do not think I have waited more then 15 minutes for a boat and the norm is usually five minutes. We have walked from the Dolphin to EPCOT but I have never walked to DHS. The walk to EPCOT is about 15-20 minutes, but my DD and DS were teenagers when we walked. We also stopped at the Boardwalk Bakery for our Breakfast which we ate walking and laughing along the way. I have never walked back from EPCOT because my feet are just way toooooooo tired! My DH has walked back and he loves it!

Regarding the International Gateway entrance. I used to think of this as a negative when I wanted to get into FW, especially for Soarin' or Test Track. But, we send our fastest person on ahead and we have never had a problem getting FP's for either attraction. Also, talking about straight walking...If you consider the walk from the busses to the main entrance at Epcot and then the walk over to the land or Test Track...it may be even longer then the walk from the boat over...I'm not sure....I never measured it....but trust me....you are walkin'! for both.

We also like the feel of the hotel vs. motel...now don't misunderstand the CBR is not a typical motel...it has a great main pool....terrrific theming...and nice food court....and nice rooms...but we prefer the door to open inside to a hallway vs. outside.

The rooms are larger at the Dolphin and for us we like the extra room. We also prefer the pools at the Dolphin as well.

On the flip side, I also have NEVER had a problem with bus transportation at CBR. I think I waited an average of 10 minutes for busses.

 

[NancyIL]

I can walk from Epcot to Hollywood Studios in under 30 minutes, and I have done it several times. The walk from the Swan to the International Gateway takes me about 10 minutes, and the walk to the Studios takes 15-20 minutes. If I walked at the pace of a 3-year-old - it might take 30 minutes to walk to Epcot!

 

[SingingMom]

We also like the feel of the hotel vs. motel...now don't misunderstand the CBR is not a typical motel...it has a great main pool....terrrific theming...and nice food court....and nice rooms...but we prefer the door to open inside to a hallway vs. outside.

This is one of the many reasons we love staying at the Dolphin. Having spent years of family vacations in motel rooms at the Jersey Shore, (and NO, I wasn't like the girls in the MTV show! ) I like the "feel" of staying in a fancy hotel.

 

[diskids2]

This is one of the many reasons we love staying at the Dolphin. Having spent years of family vacations in motel rooms at the Jersey Shore, (and NO, I wasn't like the girls in the MTV show! ) I like the "feel" of staying in a fancy hotel.

Oh I was just going to ask you if you were actually THE MTV girl

 

[pooh2001]

We have not been back to the Dolphin in 3 years.

Could someone tell me the Friendship boat order ?

Does it stop in the order below ?

EPCOT -> BW -> YC/BC -> S/D -> DHS
and then back again
DHS -> S/D -> YC/BC -> BW -> EPCOT

I wrong or is the above correct ?

Thanks !

 

[NancyIL]

We have not been back to the Dolphin in 3 years.

Could someone tell me the Friendship boat order ?

Does it stop in the order below ?

EPCOT -> BW -> YC/BC -> S/D -> DHS
and then back again
DHS -> S/D -> YC/BC -> BW -> EPCOT

I wrong or is the above correct ?

Thanks !

You are correct!

 

[murphyy]

I was in dolphin, best feature are the amazing Heavenly Beds. You'll slip under a lofty white Down Comforter onto a pillow top mattress with down pillows.

murphyy

 

[hookedup]

On our last trip we found ourselves taking the boat from Epcot and then exiting at the Boardwalk and walking over to the Dolphin. This cut down on some of the hot walk (in July) and we liked to check out the Boardwalk area so we found that it was nice to exit the boat early. If I remember correctly we even did it on the buses a couple of times too when they were packed.

 

[momof3lovebugs]

Just to add my two cents... My family and I have stayed at both the Dolphin and the CBR. We like both of them, but the Dolphin is our first choice!

We prefer the Dolphin because we like being close to Epcot and DHS and the other EPCOT resorts. Being in this area brings us close to a large variety of counter service and table service restaurants.

We like taking the boat to DHS and EPCOT. I honestly do not think I have waited more then 15 minutes for a boat and the norm is usually five minutes. We have walked from the Dolphin to EPCOT but I have never walked to DHS. The walk to EPCOT is about 15-20 minutes, but my DD and DS were teenagers when we walked. We also stopped at the Boardwalk Bakery for our Breakfast which we ate walking and laughing along the way. I have never walked back from EPCOT because my feet are just way toooooooo tired! My DH has walked back and he loves it!

Regarding the International Gateway entrance. I used to think of this as a negative when I wanted to get into FW, especially for Soarin' or Test Track. But, we send our fastest person on ahead and we have never had a problem getting FP's for either attraction. Also, talking about straight walking...If you consider the walk from the busses to the main entrance at Epcot and then the walk over to the land or Test Track...it may be even longer then the walk from the boat over...I'm not sure....I never measured it....but trust me....you are walkin'! for both.

We also like the feel of the hotel vs. motel...now don't misunderstand the CBR is not a typical motel...it has a great main pool....terrrific theming...and nice food court....and nice rooms...but we prefer the door to open inside to a hallway vs. outside.

The rooms are larger at the Dolphin and for us we like the extra room. We also prefer the pools at the Dolphin as well.

On the flip side, I also have NEVER had a problem with bus transportation at CBR. I think I waited an average of 10 minutes for busses.

This is a very informative reply for me! thanks so much! I am quite concerned about the size of the double beds at the mod resorts. Are the beds in the Dolphin queens or doubles? I thought the resv agent told me the beds were bigger at the swan but that the Swan is more a couples retreat and the Dolphin more a family hotel? Can you verify any of this?
Just wish we didn't need a rental car...the parking fee is so dumb!

 

[SingingMom]

This is a very informative reply for me! thanks so much! I am quite concerned about the size of the double beds at the mod resorts. Are the beds in the Dolphin queens or doubles? I thought the resv agent told me the beds were bigger at the swan but that the Swan is more a couples retreat and the Dolphin more a family hotel? Can you verify any of this?
Just wish we didn't need a rental car...the parking fee is so dumb!

The Swan has "queen size" beds, the Dolphins are listed as 'doubles" - but I have to tell you, they really aren't true doubles - more like "almost a queen". We have a "queen" at home, and we really don't find the Dolphin's beds any smaller - but oh my, SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE!!

Again, everyone has their personal preference, but I sort of side with that description of the Swan being more couple-like. I don't know that I'd call the Dolphin "family" as much as "hussle and bussle" energy like. I feel very "up" while I am there.. there is an excitement in the air.

 

[momof3lovebugs]

The Swan has "queen size" beds, the Dolphins are listed as 'doubles" - but I have to tell you, they really aren't true doubles - more like "almost a queen". We have a "queen" at home, and we really don't find the Dolphin's beds any smaller - but oh my, SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE!!

Again, everyone has their personal preference, but I sort of side with that description of the Swan being more couple-like. I don't know that I'd call the Dolphin "family" as much as "hussle and bussle" energy like. I feel very "up" while I am there.. there is an excitement in the air.

I think maybe b/c of the pool? Not sure...she just seemed to think the Dolphin was more for families-perhaps bigger rooms? The pool at hte D has a water slide now, right? Does the Swan? Need to go back and look at the pix again!!

 

[SingingMom]

I think maybe b/c of the pool? Not sure...she just seemed to think the Dolphin was more for families-perhaps bigger rooms? The pool at hte D has a water slide now, right? Does the Swan? Need to go back and look at the pix again!!

I should re-phrase that - I do know WHY the Dolphin would be considered more "family friendly", but what I meant was I wouldn't catagorize it as just that - DH and I would still choose it over the Swan even if we didn't have DD with us.

The Swan has its own "quiet pool", but the "Grotto Pool" area belongs to both resorts. The main pool location is situated in the center of the properties, and that has the water slide. There are three more pools on the Dolphin side - a lap pool, a quiet pool, and a kiddie pool. I am not certain if the Swan has a kiddie pool also.

 

[momof3lovebugs]

I should re-phrase that - I do know WHY the Dolphin would be considered more "family friendly", but what I meant was I wouldn't catagorize it as just that - DH and I would still choose it over the Swan even if we didn't have DD with us.

The Swan has its own "quiet pool", but the "Grotto Pool" area belongs to both resorts. The main pool location is situated in the center of the properties, and that has the water slide. There are three more pools on the Dolphin side - a lap pool, a quiet pool, and a kiddie pool. I am not certain if the Swan has a kiddie pool also.

Ah, I see. How far is the distance btwn the two resorts, would you say? Easy to walk btwn the two?