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

[Poohlovr]

Hi-that was me!

I'm guessing it was about 3 -3/12 ft deep at that end? I'm really not sure-I just know that it was shallow enough for me to stand comfortably while playing water volley ball (I don't swim and have a real fear of water over my face).

The more shallow area is not exactly to the right--it's at the far right end of the grotto pool. It's hard to describe, but there's a little concrete crossover kind of thing and the shallow area is right by it.
For your little ones, there is a wading pool right next to the Grotto pool.

 

[lissiesmum]

Hi-that was me!

I'm guessing it was about 3 -3/12 ft deep at that end? I'm really not sure-I just know that it was shallow enough for me to stand comfortably while playing water volley ball (I don't swim and have a real fear of water over my face).

The more shallow area is not exactly to the right--it's at the far right end of the grotto pool. It's hard to describe, but there's a little concrete crossover kind of thing and the shallow area is right by it.
For your little ones, there is a wading pool right next to the Grotto pool.

Thanks, poohlovr! That's still too deep for my DD, but good to know there's a wading pool...I"m going to have to go over to the S/D photo thread and see if I can find a picture of it (or if anyone has one handy that could post I'd greatly appreciate it!)

 

[lissiesmum]

For those of you who've used a towncar service on the way to the S/D, I was wondering if they go down to baggage claim and pick up your luggage for you, or do you have to get your bags yourself?

Also, do they have booster seats available? Thanks as always for your help

 

[lissiesmum]

I was wondering on the way out to the parks, if the bus service is shared with the other Epcot resorts? Meaning, when your bus to the MK arrives at the S/D, is it already full of people from other resorts where you'd have to wait for another bus?

 

[NancyIL]

I was wondering on the way out to the parks, if the bus service is shared with the other Epcot resorts? Meaning, when your bus to the MK arrives at the S/D, is it already full of people from other resorts where you'd have to wait for another bus?

The buses to MK and AK usually go to the Boardwalk first, then the Swan, and finally the Dolphin. I have rarely had a full bus when I boarded at the Swan. I recall one time there were a lot of people waiting for the bus at the Dolphin, and I didn't make it on. I went to the Swan to wait for the next bus.

 

[packofjedis]

For those of you who've used a towncar service on the way to the S/D, I was wondering if they go down to baggage claim and pick up your luggage for you, or do you have to get your bags yourself?

Also, do they have booster seats available? Thanks as always for your help

I've used a towncar on the way to other Disney resorts. They met us on the other side of security, walked with us to baggage claim, helped us get the luggage off the conveyor, and helped us take it all to their car. We waited on the curb, while he went off and got his car from wherever he had parked it.

Yes, they had booster seats. I think I requested them when I booked the towncar. He had them all ready in the trunk.

Definitely request a grocery store stop too. We popped into Publix and picked up all kinds of snacks, breakfasts, and a case of water. It was so helpful!

 

[Needafix]

I was wondering on the way out to the parks, if the bus service is shared with the other Epcot resorts? Meaning, when your bus to the MK arrives at the S/D, is it already full of people from other resorts where you'd have to wait for another bus?

I have also never had a full bus going to the park, but definitely if I'm trying to leave park at closing.

 

[f15robyn]

Just back from our first stay at the Dolphin. Just lovely. First, we booked using the annual passholder rate. That was $175 a night for a resort view room. When we arrived, we were upgraded to an "alcove" room (thanks to everyone who recommended joining SPG and having my member number added to my ressie). WOW!! It was huge. Great view of ToT (my husband's favorite ).

The room really was deluxe. Recently we've been staying at Contemporary and found the appointments in the Dolphin rooms to be just as nice (and a lot less expensive). The bed was sooo comfortable. And loved having the option to actually book and get a king bed.

We also loved all of the dining options. Picabu and the Fountain were great. We ate at each several times.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for all of the great info. We had a great weekend and are glad we took the opportunity to try the Dolphin.

 

[diskids2]

I was wondering on the way out to the parks, if the bus service is shared with the other Epcot resorts? Meaning, when your bus to the MK arrives at the S/D, is it already full of people from other resorts where you'd have to wait for another bus?

I have never experienced a full bus either...on the way to the parks of course!

 

[LexiC123]

Just back from our first stay at the Dolphin. Just lovely. First, we booked using the annual passholder rate. That was $175 a night for a resort view room. When we arrived, we were upgraded to an "alcove" room (thanks to everyone who recommended joining SPG and having my member number added to my ressie). WOW!! It was huge. Great view of ToT (my husband's favorite ).

The room really was deluxe. Recently we've been staying at Contemporary and found the appointments in the Dolphin rooms to be just as nice (and a lot less expensive). The bed was sooo comfortable. And loved having the option to actually book and get a king bed.

We also loved all of the dining options. Picabu and the Fountain were great. We ate at each several times.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for all of the great info. We had a great weekend and are glad we took the opportunity to try the Dolphin.

Welcome back, Robyn...glad you had a good time.

By any chance, did you take any pics of the alcove room?

 

[diskids2]

Just back from our first stay at the Dolphin. Just lovely. First, we booked using the annual passholder rate. That was $175 a night for a resort view room. When we arrived, we were upgraded to an "alcove" room (thanks to everyone who recommended joining SPG and having my member number added to my ressie). WOW!! It was huge. Great view of ToT (my husband's favorite ).

The room really was deluxe. Recently we've been staying at Contemporary and found the appointments in the Dolphin rooms to be just as nice (and a lot less expensive). The bed was sooo comfortable. And loved having the option to actually book and get a king bed.

We also loved all of the dining options. Picabu and the Fountain were great. We ate at each several times.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for all of the great info. We had a great weekend and are glad we took the opportunity to try the Dolphin.

I didn't know the Dolphin used the Annual Passholder rate.....that's good to know.

 

[f15robyn]

By any chance, did you take any pics of the alcove room?

We didn't. I didn't really think about it until we were all packed and walking out. Hubby offered, but I just wanted to get to MK

But the main portion of the room really did look close to this:
http://www.swandolphin.com/accommodations/deluxe_alcove.html

When you walked in the door, the closet was on the left, followed by a wet bar and then the "living room" portion of the room was in front of that. On the right when you came through the door was a single sink vanity and then the door to the bathroom, which had a tub, toilet and another single sink vanity (and from descriptions I've read, is the same (small) bathroom that's in standard rooms).

The main part of the room had the king bed, the desk, the sleeper sofa and a sofa table, two chairs and an end table and the flat screen TV on an entertainment center.

Our room was on the 12th floor, right next to the west elevator banks (which don't actually go to the 12th floor - you use the central elevators to get to our room). You could hear the elevators clearly in the room. But to me it was like white noise and put me right to sleep

 

[Needafix]

Just back from our first stay at the Dolphin. Just lovely. First, we booked using the annual passholder rate. That was $175 a night for a resort view room. When we arrived, we were upgraded to an "alcove" room (thanks to everyone who recommended joining SPG and having my member number added to my ressie). WOW!! It was huge. Great view of ToT (my husband's favorite ).

The room really was deluxe. Recently we've been staying at Contemporary and found the appointments in the Dolphin rooms to be just as nice (and a lot less expensive). The bed was sooo comfortable. And loved having the option to actually book and get a king bed.

We also loved all of the dining options. Picabu and the Fountain were great. We ate at each several times.

Thanks to everyone on this thread for all of the great info. We had a great weekend and are glad we took the opportunity to try the Dolphin.

That's awesome Robyn. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I do.

 

[f15robyn]

I didn't know the Dolphin used the Annual Passholder rate.....that's good to know.

Found that out via Mousesavers. You do have to call Swan/Dolphin directly and ask for it, but they were very accommodating and they were the ones that explained that the annual passholder rate is for a resort view room (as opposed to a standard view room). Since we were only staying 3 nights, I really didn't care about views. I just wanted the king bed!! Which was, indeed, heavenly.

 

[LexiC123]

We didn't. I didn't really think about it until we were all packed and walking out. Hubby offered, but I just wanted to get to MK

But the main portion of the room really did look close to this:
http://www.swandolphin.com/accommodations/deluxe_alcove.html

When you walked in the door, the closet was on the left, followed by a wet bar and then the "living room" portion of the room was in front of that. On the right when you came through the door was a single sink vanity and then the door to the bathroom, which had a tub, toilet and another single sink vanity (and from descriptions I've read, is the same (small) bathroom that's in standard rooms).

The main part of the room had the king bed, the desk, the sleeper sofa and a sofa table, two chairs and an end table and the flat screen TV on an entertainment center.

Our room was on the 12th floor, right next to the west elevator banks (which don't actually go to the 12th floor - you use the central elevators to get to our room). You could hear the elevators clearly in the room. But to me it was like white noise and put me right to sleep

I'm the same way...I can sleep through anything, LOL. That was the one minor complaint that I had with the Dolphin last year - we were upgraded to an Epcot view room, which was wonderful, but the walk from the elevators seemed endless.

I can understand not wanting to waste valuable park time taking pics of the hotel room. That's some serious space in that alcove room! What a terrific surprise that must have been when you walked in.

 

[ascardino]

Just back from our first stay at the Dolphin. Just lovely. First, we booked using the annual passholder rate. That was $175 a night for a resort view room. When we arrived, we were upgraded to an "alcove" room (thanks to everyone who recommended joining SPG and having my member number added to my ressie). WOW!! It was huge. Great view of ToT (my husband's favorite ).....

Keeping my fingers crossed that we get lucky this time around in June with a nice room upgrade. We have been SPG members and stayed there in February and we almost were "downgraded" from a king to two doubles (long story). We did get a nice king room after complaining as that is what I had booked on floor 2. Was hoping for a room on a higher floor with a nicer view.

 

[TaraPA]

Another bus note to Lissiesmum - when we were there in late Feb. they had direct bussing back to The Swan & Dolphin at peak closing times - the busses weren't shared with YC/BC or BW. I'm guessing they do this when they anticipate full busses. Or is it always that way coming back from MK or AK? The bus did go to The Swan first, The Dolphin second, on the way back.

 

[Needafix]

Found that out via Mousesavers. You do have to call Swan/Dolphin directly and ask for it, but they were very accommodating and they were the ones that explained that the annual passholder rate is for a resort view room (as opposed to a standard view room). Since we were only staying 3 nights, I really didn't care about views. I just wanted the king bed!! Which was, indeed, heavenly.

This is really bumming me out. I knew I should have stuck with Dolphin for our March trip, but switched b/c I was only able to get the AP resort rate, which was the same price as BC standard and I thought we'd have more room, with 5 of us at BC. Next time I'm sticking with Dolphin and hoping for an upgrade, but not expecting one. Even with the small room, we would have enjoyed Dolphin more than BC. Oh well, live and learn!

 

[diskids2]

We didn't. I didn't really think about it until we were all packed and walking out. Hubby offered, but I just wanted to get to MK

But the main portion of the room really did look close to this:
http://www.swandolphin.com/accommodations/deluxe_alcove.html

When you walked in the door, the closet was on the left, followed by a wet bar and then the "living room" portion of the room was in front of that. On the right when you came through the door was a single sink vanity and then the door to the bathroom, which had a tub, toilet and another single sink vanity (and from descriptions I've read, is the same (small) bathroom that's in standard rooms).

The main part of the room had the king bed, the desk, the sleeper sofa and a sofa table, two chairs and an end table and the flat screen TV on an entertainment center.

Our room was on the 12th floor, right next to the west elevator banks (which don't actually go to the 12th floor - you use the central elevators to get to our room). You could hear the elevators clearly in the room. But to me it was like white noise and put me right to sleep

We have an alcove room booked for our July trip....it's great to hear you liked the room so much!

 

[lissiesmum]

The buses to MK and AK usually go to the Boardwalk first, then the Swan, and finally the Dolphin. I have rarely had a full bus when I boarded at the Swan. I recall one time there were a lot of people waiting for the bus at the Dolphin, and I didn't make it on. I went to the Swan to wait for the next bus.

I have also never had a full bus going to the park, but definitely if I'm trying to leave park at closing.

I have never experienced a full bus either...on the way to the parks of course!

Another bus note to Lissiesmum - when we were there in late Feb. they had direct bussing back to The Swan & Dolphin at peak closing times - the busses weren't shared with YC/BC or BW. I'm guessing they do this when they anticipate full busses. Or is it always that way coming back from MK or AK? The bus did go to The Swan first, The Dolphin second, on the way back.

Thanks for the great news on the bus service. So to confirm, Swan always gets picked up first before Dolphin?

I think on the way back, we'd take the monorail to the Epcot entrance and leisurely walk back to the Dolphin, just for a change of pace. I'm planning on doing the park hopper this trip so it might be fun to stop at WS for some snacks along the way

I've used a towncar on the way to other Disney resorts. They met us on the other side of security, walked with us to baggage claim, helped us get the luggage off the conveyor, and helped us take it all to their car. We waited on the curb, while he went off and got his car from wherever he had parked it.

Yes, they had booster seats. I think I requested them when I booked the towncar. He had them all ready in the trunk.

Definitely request a grocery store stop too. We popped into Publix and picked up all kinds of snacks, breakfasts, and a case of water. It was so helpful!

Thanks for your response! Puts my mind at ease