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

[becky11]

Just finished my weekend Dolphin stay. We ate at Picabu and Fresh, as well as Garden Grill for Saturday breakfast. All were good, but I will say that I was happiest with Picabu, and would tolerate GG again as long as I have my military discount card (50% off all food and non-alcoholic drinks at any Swan or Dolphin restaurant).

If you've just missed the boat and you're going to Epcot, I recommend walking to Yacht & Beach club and keep walking on to Epcot - it's not that far and it's a nice walk. It's a little far to HS though, and not really as scenic, as we discovered on Sunday. Or maybe it just seemed further in the heat. But, the boat to HS is direct from S&D - you have 2 stops before you get to Epcot (about 20 min). If you miss the boat from Epcot to the resorts, you can walk and pick up the boat at Y&B and then your next stop is S&D.

 

[becky11]

Well I just booked the Dolphin at the Fl Resident rate bcecasue I just dont want to part with the cash for BC even at the AP rate.

It's me and DS13 (well he will be by then) going Nov 17-21 to celebrate my birthday.

Thus is our first time so I would appreciate any tips, suggestions etc. Rooms to request, places to eat. I did join Starwood (thanks to pp's for that tip) and we have annual passes and the TIW card. I will spend time reading the thread but any and all advice is welcome and sooo appreciated!


Its not our first Disney trip at all just our first stay at the Dolphin.

I've noticed you've stayed at SoG. Are you military and if so, have you checked the military rate at S&D? I juts got room rates at $139 a night, which was quite good, and I also got that 50% of card. I know you said you have TIW, but I think the 50% off is better. I'm wondering if you could call reservations and have them compare the prices/options for you, if you qualify....

 

[ElliBelle]

Thanks for suggesting that! I'm not active duty but I am former unremarried spouse. Some places are now offering discounts only for the service member not family.I didnt even think to check.

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks for suggesting that! I'm not active duty but I am former unremarried spouse. Some places are now offering discounts only for the service member not family.I didnt even think to check.

You are going to love this resort! The only recommendation I have is to try the nachos at Picabu-delicious!

 

[becky11]

A co-worker checks in to the Dolphin in less than 3 weeks, for an 8 night stay. He and his wife will celebrate their first anniversary there. They've already got BZ, Shula's, and possibly Il Mulino plans. Any special Swan/Dolphin romantic ideas that I could pass along to them. How is the Japanese restaurant there?

My husband and I enjoyed the Couples Retreat session at Mandara Spa. Your co-worker might enjoy this as well.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

My husband and I enjoyed the Couples Retreat session at Mandara Spa. Your co-worker might enjoy this as well.

Thank you. He leaves on Sunday, and I'll be sure to tell him at work. That is, unless he reads it here first. I know he's been lurking; searching for our posts

That Spa is supposed to be pretty good, isn't it?

 

[becky11]

Thank you. He leaves on Sunday, and I'll be sure to tell him at work. That is, unless he reads it here first. I know he's been lurking; searching for our posts

That Spa is supposed to be pretty good, isn't it?

I don't know that I'm a spa expert, but I've been to quite a few - some outside the US - and I found this to be one of the nicest ones I've been to.

 

[ElliBelle]

I just wanted to say that I have been reading many of the pages on this thread and I think you guys are just great! very informative and friendly. I can't wait for our first stay! Will anyone else be there Nov 17-21? I would love to say hi!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Me again!!!


I posted this on the restaurants board. I mainly want to share the link with you all...but I copied and pasted my entire post. I just want to chit chat about it, if anyone has any input....
---------------------
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/...-from-the-swan-dolphin-food-and-wine-classic/

I posted about this event a few weeks ago, but since this is the first year, no one really knows what to expect. The above link gives some info and I found it interesting. I am very excited!!!
QUOTE]

While I can't answer your questions I did listen to the Dis podcast Disunplugged and they had a segment on it with food samples and the directors of the event at Epcot. It sounded like something I'd really love and I sure wish I could attend! There was lots of info in the podcast if you'd like to listen and haven't already it's the September 8th show...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/archives.htm

Sounds like you're going to have a wonderful time !

I am not getting email notifications when there are new posts on this thread...I am glad I came and checked. Thank you soooo much for that link...I am going to listen to it now!!

 

[travelfanatic]

Just came back from our first visit at the Dolphin! I must say I fell in love with the hotel, location, room, rates etc!! I love Disney resorts but it will be hard to pay big money after staying here! The only way I could justify Disney resorts over the Dolphin would be if they had another 40% Discount! We had a room on the end of the hotel which appeared to be quite a bit larger than the regular rooms & we had a great view of Epcot & Boardwalk! We didn 't even pay extra for the view or larger room. I love the location of the Epcot resorts. We were able to walk to Yacht Club for dinner, it was wonderful! Just thought I would share my thoughts for anyone out there who is on the fence about whether to try the Dolphin!!

 

[figmentgirl]

Just came back from our first visit at the Dolphin! I must say I fell in love with the hotel, location, room, rates etc!! I love Disney resorts but it will be hard to pay big money after staying here! The only way I could justify Disney resorts over the Dolphin would be if they had another 40% Discount! We had a room on the end of the hotel which appeared to be quite a bit larger than the regular rooms & we had a great view of Epcot & Boardwalk! We didn 't even pay extra for the view or larger room. I love the location of the Epcot resorts. We were able to walk to Yacht Club for dinner, it was wonderful! Just thought I would share my thoughts for anyone out there who is on the fence about whether to try the Dolphin!!

I am very happy you have a good time, and even more excited about my first stay there in just 8 days!

 

[ElliBelle]

Im sorry if this is an awkward question but here goes anyway: our trip is Nov 17-21 and I really don't want the dumpster view. Its my birthday trip and is my birthday/Christmas gift to myself and a special trip for DS13 too. What are the chances of getting upgraded? I did join spg and there is a note on my ressie that its my birthday. I am one of those people who will sit on abalcony over looking a view, we always spend time at our resort.

also does anyone know what the AP rate is? I didnt know they had one.

Thanks sooo much! This will be our last trip for a while to an Epcot area resort and I really want to make it as perfect as can be.

 

[Beka]

I am very happy you have a good time, and even more excited about my first stay there in just 8 days!

We'll be at the Dolphin at the same time! If you see a woman walking around looking a little green (thanks a bunch, morning sickness!), it may be me! We are having a couples massage the 1st night! Can't wait!

 

[ElliBelle]

I called about the Annual Passholder rate. It is 165.00. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else wanted to know.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! I will be on my way to The Dolphin. I am so happy and excited.


Even though I am excited about MNSSP, Epcot and The F&W Classic at the S/D...I find myself most dreaming about Saturday during the day, which will be strictly a pool day. I just love that pool!


I am going to go to the first page to read about coffee makers in the room (do they have them? If so, what size are they?) and also the mini fridge. Can I keep milk in the mini fridge...is it cold enough?

I forgot these things since the last time I stayed there...and I think the fridge situation has changed anyway, so I need the latest info.

Also...is the WDW channel with Stacey on the TV there? It said she was on (channel 2) allearsnet.com when they gave a list of the stations, but I remember that she was NOT on TV there. But I could be wrong, like I said, my memory is foggy.

 

[TaraPA]

I am going to go to the first page to read about coffee makers in the room (do they have them? If so, what size are they?) and also the mini fridge. Can I keep milk in the mini fridge...is it cold enough?

I forgot these things since the last time I stayed there...and I think the fridge situation has changed anyway, so I need the latest info.

Also...is the WDW channel with Stacey on the TV there? It said she was on (channel 2) allearsnet.com when they gave a list of the stations, but I remember that she was NOT on TV there. But I could be wrong, like I said, my memory is foggy.

Yes they have coffee makers - when we were there in April they were the single-cup size. They provide Starbucks coffee pods to use in the coffee makers.

I want to say that yes we did see the Stacey channel while there, but I could be thinking back to last year's stay at BLT.

DH is leaving for The Swan on Sunday, without me, wah! He'll be there for the ASUG conference through Thursday, so if you encounter a rowdy bunch of 40-something software guys that's probably him! They usually go over to Shula's & Blue Zoo every night for dinner & drinks.

 

[NancyIL]

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! I will be on my way to The Dolphin. I am so happy and excited.


Even though I am excited about MNSSP, Epcot and The F&W Classic at the S/D...I find myself most dreaming about Saturday during the day, which will be strictly a pool day. I just love that pool!


I am going to go to the first page to read about coffee makers in the room (do they have them? If so, what size are they?) and also the mini fridge. Can I keep milk in the mini fridge...is it cold enough?

I forgot these things since the last time I stayed there...and I think the fridge situation has changed anyway, so I need the latest info.

Also...is the WDW channel with Stacey on the TV there? It said she was on (channel 2) allearsnet.com when they gave a list of the stations, but I remember that she was NOT on TV there. But I could be wrong, like I said, my memory is foggy.

I don't drink coffee, but there are small coffee makers in the rooms. The refrigerator would hold a quart of milk and maybe a half gallon, but nothing larger. I think it's cold enough for milk.

I have been staying at the Swan/Dolphin for 10 years, and I still haven't used any of the pools. If I ever slow down enough to not go to the parks for a day - maybe I'll try one.

I don't know if Stacey is on the room TV, but her program plays on the TV at the bus stop.

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Yes they have coffee makers - when we were there in April they were the single-cup size. They provide Starbucks coffee pods to use in the coffee makers.

I want to say that yes we did see the Stacey channel while there, but I could be thinking back to last year's stay at BLT.

DH is leaving for The Swan on Sunday, without me, wah! He'll be there for the ASUG conference through Thursday, so if you encounter a rowdy bunch of 40-something software guys that's probably him! They usually go over to Shula's & Blue Zoo every night for dinner & drinks.

Thanks for the quick reply, Tara! Ahhh, we will be checking in while he is checking out, I guess. My DH went for a conference once to WDW and I could not go and it just about KILLED me! I feel your pain!

Thanks for the info about the coffee makers. When we stay at DVC resorts, we bring our own filters and coffee...even though they provide it, I like my own. I can't do that with those single serve makers...but that's fine!

I looked on the front page (BTW, I did not see info about the coffee makers in the FAQ 1st post...just to let Mompoppins know) and I saw that there is an "ala carte" mini fridge? Does that mean it is stocked? I thought I heard the stopped stocking it...or I guess maybe that you can ask for it to be unstocked?

Also, the info about Camp Dolphin (which is my DD's favorite kid's club on WDW property and she has stayed at every one of them...we love Miss Thelma) says there are 2 sessions, but only gives info about the evening one. Is that correct? Every time I walk by Camp Dolphin during the day, it is closed and the doors are locked.

Just throwing that out there for the folks that keep up with the info on the thread.

Yeah, funny...I can't remember about Stacey either! I kind of think she is *not* on TV there, because we always watch the Dolphin Resort Info channel instead. If Stacey was there, I am sure we would be watching her...although maybe we just wanted a change or something.

Thanks again!

 

[NancyIL]

I looked on the front page (BTW, I did not see info about the coffee makers in the FAQ 1st post...just to let Mompoppins know) and I saw that there is an "ala carte" mini fridge? Does that mean it is stocked? I thought I heard the stopped stocking it...or I guess maybe that you can ask for it to be unstocked?

The refrigerators are empty.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I don't drink coffee, but there are small coffee makers in the rooms. The refrigerator would hold a quart of milk and maybe a half gallon, but nothing larger. I think it's cold enough for milk.

I have been staying at the Swan/Dolphin for 10 years, and I still haven't used any of the pools. If I ever slow down enough to not go to the parks for a day - maybe I'll try one.

I don't know if Stacey is on the room TV, but her program plays on the TV at the bus stop.

Have a GREAT trip!

Thank you for the mini fridge info, Nancy! Ohhh, you *must* enjoy a pool day! It is heaven to sit near the waterfall, look out at the lake and know Epcot is a short walk away! We purposely build non park days into our trip...I personally don't care to go to the parks on the weekends. We also let our Fl resident seasonal passes lapse (we get them every other year) and take non park trips. The last time we stayed at the Swan (2008) it was a non park trip, for my 40th birthday. LOTS of pool days that trip!

I just found out recently about Stacey playing at the bus stops. In all my WDW trips in the past 10 years, I think we have taken the bus 2 times. I really do dislike that we have to pay $10 a day to park, but whatever...still a good deal overall.

Thanks again!