tips for Epcot resort area

[spoon full of sugar]

We will be staying at the Swan Sept 30 and Oct 1 . I'm soo excited I didn't even know you could walk to Epcot before last year . Anyway I'm looking for any kind of tips, info etc. about that area of WDW. We will be going to see the Boardwalk and DTD for the first time so any ideas are welcome. No matter how trivial or out there it is, if your family enjoyed something please share it!

 

[MamaQuack]

Well . . . . you can see a partial version of Illuminations from the walk over bridge to Boardwalk from BC; you can enjoy street entertainment on the Boardwalk nightly-jugglers, comedians, etc.; if you want to go to ESPN and it is a big game night/afternoon get there early; go to either Palio(a well kept Italian secret) or BlueZoo for a truly cosmo experience - do not let posts about YSH deter you - incredible steaks, friendly service and nice atmosphere; if you are interested in carnival type games there are several to be had right there on the Boardwalk with prizes people watching on the Boardwalk is so fun Buses to AK may be your longest wait but then they are rarely crowded; the waterfall at your pool is neat, especially if you have young ones

Enjoy

 

[spoon full of sugar]

Thanks Mamaquack. Anybody else?

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

You probably already know this but you can walk to MGM or take the boat. You can also do the same for Epcot but I'd take the boat. BW is a blast. We love the night life feel. Spoodles and Flying Fish are two of our favorite restaurants. We love strolling the BW at night, sipping a beer, and enjoying the activities.

ENJOY!!

 

[TLinden16]

If you can get out without kids, I highly recommend heading over to Jellyrolls, a dueling piano bar over at the Boardwalk. It's loads of fun there. The piano players are fantastic. If you see Scotty (tall guy with glasses), tell him Karen from Boston sent you.

I highly recommend Spoodles for breakfast. The all you care to eat breakfast platter is awesome. It comes with breakfast breads, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and french toast. Excellent food.

You will also be able to walk to MGM from the Swan. It's about a 15 minute walk (give or take a few).

 

[midnightstar17]

We just returned from a 7 night stay at the Swan. It was so nice. We had a standard room on the 9th floor that looked out over MGM. We could also see Illuminations from our room. If you want that request a room that doesn't face towards the Dolphin and is in the middle of the floor. (You have to careen your neck to look a little but it was so cool) The walk to Epcot isn't that long and the boat is nice. We also timed the boats. As a boat was going to MGM we would see it from our room. About 5 minutes later we would leave and get down to the boat dock just as it pulled up to go to Epcot. A great little trick to not have to wait at the boat dock. We found the bus service to MK and AK to be very good. Beware though the MK bus stops at the Dolphin before the MK (and Boardwalk 1st on the way back). For the AK bus it stops at the Dolphin, YC and BC before AK but the Swan was first on the way back.

Hope you have a great time

Jenny

 

[Mymatisse]

Make sure you take a walk over to Beaches and Cream for a bite to eat. YUM!

 

[addicted2disney]

We stayed at Dolphin last Thanksgivng and really liked it. On the 2 nights we were going to MVMCP, we spent the days at the beach there and we went in the pool. They pool is really nice there! My kids played in the sand, we layed in the hammocks ( you cant go IN the water there). We rented a Swan paddle boat for the kids. I think it was 13 bucks for 30 minutes. They really had a blast on those. On the sunday we were doing the party, my parents had the kids at the beach and I hung out at the pool bar and actually watched the Steeler game on the tv's out there. There were a few of us Steeler fans. It was fun! I LOVE that Epcot location. We always walked back and forth. We walked to MGM too. Its a little longer of a walk, but its along the water way. If its not really hot out, its nice. The beds in the swan and dolphin are the best ever!! They have the heavenly beds and everything is down!! I just melted into bed everynight!! AWESOME!! They do have the refillable mugs there, but they arent as cute as the Disney resorts. My kids hated them The mugs are good for coffee, tea and soft drinks. NOTHING ELSE. I know at All Stars you can get hot chocolate in them free. I was charged one morning for 2 hot chocolates, and I think it was 5 bucks!! The buffeteria is ok.. its like being in a school cafeteria line. There are a few hot breakfast items to choose from. Its not as nice as the food courts, but still ok. The hotels are beautiful. We were there with the Christmas decorations and we just loved it. Im not sure about Swan, but some rooms had a balcony, and some didnt. We did, my parents didnt. Make sure you request a balcony. Also ask to be close to the elevators. Some rooms are really far away! You will really like it there!

 

[TJA]

We stayed in the Epcot loop for the first time a few months ago. We will have a hard time staying anywhere else from now on! We found it especially easy to have great meals because of all the choices, including Epcot countries, boardwalk restaurants, and all the restaurants in the Epcot resorts.

We go to parks in the early morning and afternoons, but then always head back to our resort and enjoy that whole Epcot resort area for the rest of the night. Nothing beats being able to watch Illuminations and then just walk back to your resort afterward.

We especially liked being able to walk to both Epcot and MGM. We have little ones and it was great to be able to push the stroller back and forth, rather than load on buses.

If you happen to be in the front of Epcot park, I'm sure you know you can catch the monorail over to MK. This is helpful if you have strollers and little ones.

 

[disnut8]

The shared themed pool with the Dolphin is very nice. There are lots of hot tubs scattered around as well. The Swan has their own lap pool too.

As others have mentioned, the transportation (foot power) to both Epcot and MGM is unbeatable.

You can utilize the Boardwalk Bakery at night to pick up some treats for breakfast the next morning. The muffins are huge and were only $2.50. I had a wonderful fruit tart for $3.50.

And don't forget Fantastia miniature golf is right across the street from the Swan. Two courses - one a traditional miniature golf course with Disney theme and another one that's a putting style course. The traditional one takes us about an hour to do, the other course about twice as long (we think it's a toughy).

To me there's nothing like that "I'm here" feeling as when I'm sitting outside the Boardwalk pizza window, drink in hand, people watching and hearing those Friendship boats blowing their horns.

 

[Nik's Mom]

In what order do buses pick up passengers in the Epcot area? Is it YC, BC, Swan/Dolphin?

 

[disnut8]

I believe it's Swan/Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk.

It's easier if you're at the Swan/Dolphin to go over to the Boardwalk and board their bus instead of sitting through the frequent stops. But then again, the bus could be full by that time. Return is really nice since you're the first stop at the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks! That's just what I wanted to know.

 

[midnightstar17]

It depends on which park you are going to for the busses because the YC/BC have their own bus for the MK. Here was what the busses ran in late July when we were there

To MK: Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin (same back)

To AK/BB: Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin, YC, BC, (BB i think though no one was going there when I was on it)

From AK: Swan was first so I have no idea after that

I don't have a clue on TL/DD becuase we didn't use the bus.

Hope these help and are accurate

Jenny

 

[Nik's Mom]

That is really helpful info about the bus service. Thanks!