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

[ibcnu]

Hi all! First time posting in this thread!

We are staying at the Beach Club (never stayed there before) and was going to book an off-site hotel the 1st 2 nights we are there, almost went we a non-refundable room at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, then realized I'd miss out on the "free" Disney things around the Epcot resorts. So... now I'm looking at the Dolphin, rate seems reasonable with the Entertainment Card!

So, we are thinking of doing the Dolphin for 2 nights, then moving to the Beach Club for 2 nights and taking advantage of ME to the airport (we are driving down [autotrain] with D's car, she goes to college in Orlando).



One question, trying to book a character breakfast on a Saturday morning at the Garden Grove but the Disney online reservations so NOTHING is available (even on Sunday). First reservation is at 5:00pm (that's dinner) so I was wondering if you can make the character breakfast reservations online or do I have to call? Thanks.

 

[Dan Murphy]

..........One question, trying to book a character breakfast on a Saturday morning at the Garden Grove but the Disney online reservations so NOTHING is available (even on Sunday). First reservation is at 5:00pm (that's dinner) so I was wondering if you can make the character breakfast reservations online or do I have to call? Thanks.

http://www.swandolphinconcierge.com/public/login.cfm

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Princess Suzanne - here is a pic of the tree in the Dolphin lobby...

That tree is beautiful. I am looking forward to staying at the Dolphin, DH was shocked that I didn't choose a Disney specific resort, until I told him the benefits and the deal that I got.

Suzanne

 

[ibcnu]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just booked the Dolphin with an Entertainment Card rate of $139 a night for the nights of 8/6 and 8/7.

It was touch and go there for a while. I called this morning and got that rate and needed to think about a split stay. When I finally decided, I called back but the ENTIRE HOTEL was booked. The Swan was available, but I felt that the Dolphin was more our fit so I held out.

Just called a few minutes ago and the Entertainment Rate (and a room) was available so I jumped on it.

Doing a split stay, Dolphin 8/6-8/7 then Beach Club 8/8-8/10. We had no plans on visiting the parks, just Epcot on 8/9. So our days at the Dolphin will be spent in the grotto pool and under the seal spray on the beach. One night we will take a walk to the boardwalk, watch the fireworks at Illuminations from the bridge, and the other night we are going to DTD, maybe LaNouba.

On check-out Sunday, I'll take an early morning stroll over to the Beach Club (let everyone else sleep in) and check in to the Beach Club, spend the day at SAB, then go to Hoop Dee Doo. The next day is EPCOT, the day after we fly home.

Perfect, thanks for helping me confirm practically every detail of our trip!

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

One question, trying to book a character breakfast on a Saturday morning at the Garden Grove but the Disney online reservations so NOTHING is available (even on Sunday). First reservation is at 5:00pm (that's dinner) so I was wondering if you can make the character breakfast reservations online or do I have to call? Thanks.[/QUOTE]

ibcnu....The Garden Grove does not accept ADRs for the breakfast hours, only for dinner. From what I have read on various threads on here, there is not usually a long wait to be seated and many mention that it is not usually full. Have fun! We are doing our first Dolphin stay in December and BC is just great! One of my, if not my all time favorite!

 

[SingingMom]

SingingMom...I just so happened to think that you may be at WDW and sure enough you were posting live updates! Sounds like a wonderful stay you are having as always! Continued FUN!!! We will be there Labor Day weekend...can't come soon enough! (But I don't wish to rush my summer ) Have a safe trip back!

Alas, we arrived home yesterday.
But we had a fabulous time and I will pick up where I left off after I finish some of this

My kids and I are arriving at the Swan tommorrow morning. Just one question, can they charge their i-pods in the room clock radio? Need to know if we should pack ours.

No ipod docking stations (Beach Club had them - we went to see my sister's room on Monday. lol) But plenty of open plugs to plug in chargers.

As of March 1st (our last stay there), all of the rooms had not been refurbed at The Dolphin. We had a split stay & our 1st room (Epcot Fireworks View with balcony) was not refurbed, our 2nd room (Resort View with balcony) had been.

Our room was refurbed this year. Muted tones, flat screen tv. One silly complaint from me - they moved the makeup mirror to the sink area. lol I loved it by the "pantry" area, because it gave another place for someone to get ready. oh well.. we survived.

I'll be back later this evening to finish our little recap of our 8 nights at the Dolphin..

 

[disneyxo]

Alas, we arrived home yesterday.
But we had a fabulous time and I will pick up where I left off after I finish some of this



No ipod docking stations (Beach Club had them - we went to see my sister's room on Monday. lol) But plenty of open plugs to plug in chargers.



Our room was refurbed this year. Muted tones, flat screen tv. One silly complaint from me - they moved the makeup mirror to the sink area. lol I loved it by the "pantry" area, because it gave another place for someone to get ready. oh well.. we survived.

I'll be back later this evening to finish our little recap of our 8 nights at the Dolphin.. [/QUOTE

I will be looking for that recap! It was fun reading your other posts

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Can't wait to hear the rest Singingmom! Glad you had a nice time!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Welcome home SingingMom! Looking foward to hearing about the rest of your trip!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I have updated the first post to reflect the new fridges in all the rooms now. Is there anything else that I should add to the first page post.

 

[wannabee]

If I am able to get a teacher discount, how many rooms can I book if only one teacher in group?

 

[lovingthemouse]

You can book three rooms with the teacher discount. Just did that in May.

 

[The_Aviator]

I discovered a great offer (which is available over the Christmas period when I am going) that means I could stay at this resort for less than a stay at a Mod, and only a little more than a stay at a Value! However, being a non-Disney owned property I have a couple of questions which I hope you can answer for me.

1) Are the rooms in good condition? Are the rooms at the Swan better than at the Dolphin or vice-versa?
2) I read somewhere that all the Sheraton and Westin (who own these two hotels) group hotels have a child policy where 17 and under stays free? Is this the policy at the Swan/Dolphin?
3) Do they still have refillable mugs? If so, what can I fill them with and where? I read somewhere on this thread that they are sold at Picabu but can be refilled anywhere. This sounds too good to be true!
4) Is the transportation to the parks run by Disney or independently by the hotel?
5) Is Stacey on the TV there? (I don't care if it's the new Must Do Disney show, I just need to see Stacey! )
6) Are the pools open year round?
7) Is the food good?
8) Do they have package delivery, EMH, etc? Will these benefits still apply if I just buy the park tickets on the Disney World website and pick them up on arrival, rather than both accomodation and tickets together as a package?
9) Since the Magical Express is not provided, would the best option for a group of four be a taxi, rental car or something else?
10) Last but not least, if I were to book a room here, are there any requests you reckon I should make?

 

[Poohlovr]

I'll take a shot at answering your questions--

1) Are the rooms in good condition? Are the rooms at the Swan better than at the Dolphin or vice-versa?

Most, if not all, rooms have been recently refurbished, so, yes. I've never found one to be "better" than the other.There are differences, though. The Dolphin rooms are slightly larger. The Swan has queen sized beds, vs oversized double beds at the Dolphin. The Swan has a sink outside of the bathroom, which is nice when more than one person is trying to get ready to go to out.

2) I read somewhere that all the Sheraton and Westin (who own these two hotels) group hotels have a child policy where 17 and under stays free? Is this the policy at the Swan/Dolphin?

Yes-no charge for children to stay in the room, unless there are enough children to put 5 people in the room (at the Dolphin, only). Then the 5th person charge applies..

3) Do they still have refillable mugs? If so, what can I fill them with and where? I read somewhere on this thread that they are sold at Picabu but can be refilled anywhere. This sounds too good to be true!

Yes, they are sold at Picabus, but I've never known them to be refillable anywhere. In addition to refilling them at Picabus (which is open 24 hrs) I've only heard of the pool lounges refilling them if you were buying food and not always then. I'm sure someone will correct me if that has changed.
I know you can get Coke, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. I don't think I've ever asked about anything else.

4) Is the transportation to the parks run by Disney or independently by the hotel?

It is Disney transportation. The Friendship boats to Epcot and DHS are shared with BW, YC & BC. The bus to AK and MK may be shared or not.

5) Is Stacey on the TV there? (I don't care if it's the new Must Do Disney show, I just need to see Stacey! )

The last time I was there, yes, you could get your Stacey fix.

6) Are the pools open year round?

Yes.

7) Is the food good?

We always enjoy it.

8) Do they have package delivery, EMH, etc? Will these benefits still apply if I just buy the park tickets on the Disney World website and pick them up on arrival, rather than both accomodation and tickets together as a package?

Yes, they have package delivery and guests are eligible to attend EMH. They do not participate in the dining plan or ME. Doesn't matter where you buy your tickets.

9) Since the Magical Express is not provided, would the best option for a group of four be a taxi, rental car or something else?

That depends on your needs. We always rent a car, since we tend to go off-site quite a bit. I think a town car may be a bit more comfortable than a taxi, but they cost pretty close to the same.
Sometimes it might be cheaper to rent a car on arrival and departure days than to use a towncar or taxi. There is a National/Alamo on site.

10) Last but not least, if I were to book a room here, are there any requests you reckon I should make?

I always request a higher floor with an Epcot view. When I started staying there, many years ago, that was not a room catagory and didn't cost extra. Now it is and does. Being SPG, I usually get it anyway.Your desires may be different than mine, though and something else may be more important to you


Hope this gets you started. I know if you choose the S/D, you will love the place.

 

[SingingMom]

I'll take a shot at answering your questions--

1) Are the rooms in good condition? Are the rooms at the Swan better than at the Dolphin or vice-versa?

Most, if not all, rooms have been recently refurbished, so, yes. I've never found one to be "better" than the other.There are differences, though. The Dolphin rooms are slightly larger. The Swan has queen sized beds, vs oversized double beds at the Dolphin. The Swan has a sink outside of the bathroom, which is nice when more than one person is trying to get ready to go to out.

Poohlover did an excellent job of covering your questions, I'm just going to add my 2 cents...

The other Swan vs Dolphin thing to think about is quiet vs hussle/bussle. We prefer Dolphin because it's always busy and alive, and more choices inhouse for food (picabu's, fresh, cabana bar) and the closer proximity to the Grotto Pool. Swan lovers like the calm/quiet, elegant feel.


5) Is Stacey on the TV there? (I don't care if it's the new Must Do Disney show, I just need to see Stacey! )

The last time I was there, yes, you could get your Stacey fix.

Channel 12 LOL

6) Are the pools open year round?

Yes.

And during the height of the busy season, lots of activities at the Grotto Pool for the kids and evening events for the grown ups

 

[SingingMom]

....I didn't forget to do my mini-recap ... I will get that done later today, I promise.
Instead, we were busy last night and we bought DD a
(I think I noticed a few new gray hairs ALREADY....)

 

[The_Aviator]

Wow, thanks a tonne Poohlovr and SingingMom!

I'm starting to lean towards the Dolphin, considering that I need my refills!

 

[Zuzu03]

....I didn't forget to do my mini-recap ... I will get that done later today, I promise.
Instead, we were busy last night and we bought DD a
(I think I noticed a few new gray hairs ALREADY....)

Hahaha! Welcome back, SingingMom! I hear you about the car thing!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome home, SingingMom.

 

[SingingMom]

Welcome home, SingingMom.

Thanks Dan! Yes, this is me: