Ugh! Swan/Dolphin

[ClapYourHands]

OMG I’ve been looking for this exact info!!! 8 minute walk from Swan to IG at Epcot for EMH? I’m guessing that is much quicker than the Ferry? What time of year was this?

I'm not PP, but the walk between Solphin and IG is pretty much always less than 10 minutes if you walk briskly. It's faster to walk to IG because the boats will stop at both Boardwalk and Beach Club on the way. But we found the boats to/from DHS to be faster because the Swolphin is the closest stop.

I went to morning EMH at Epcot during Jersey week (November 2018), and there were definitely more than 30 people at the IG. Maybe 100-150? More than @chris benton experienced, but far fewer than were at the main entrance. The IG a great spot if you're heading to FEA first thing. However, we were going to TT, and even though we were near the front of the RD pack from the IG, there was still a considerable line at TT by the time we got there. CMs at the main entrance radio to CMs at the IG to release the waiting guests, but there is sometimes a delay plus the main gate is closer to the FW attractions. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but it helps to adjust your expectations or plan your RD strategy accordingly.

The game changer will be when the gondolas start running. When that happens, the IG is going to be mobbed. Currently, there are only a few tap styles at the IG entrance. Unless Disney also expands the entrance capabilities there, I think there will be a big backlog to get through security/tapsites when the crowds hit. It will still be a nice easy walk over, but we'll all need to factor in additional time though security.

 

[monsterkitty]

Now that the Marriot owns the Swan/Dolphin, does anyone know if they still give teacher discounts?

 

[nurseberta]

I'm not PP, but the walk between Solphin and IG is pretty much always less than 10 minutes if you walk briskly. It's faster to walk to IG because the boats will stop at both Boardwalk and Beach Club on the way. But we found the boats to/from DHS to be faster because the Swolphin is the closest stop.

I went to morning EMH at Epcot during Jersey week (November 2018), and there were definitely more than 30 people at the IG. Maybe 100-150? More than @chris benton experienced, but far fewer than were at the main entrance. The IG a great spot if you're heading to FEA first thing. However, we were going to TT, and even though we were near the front of the RD pack from the IG, there was still a considerable line at TT by the time we got there. CMs at the main entrance radio to CMs at the IG to release the waiting guests, but there is sometimes a delay plus the main gate is closer to the FW attractions. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but it helps to adjust your expectations or plan your RD strategy accordingly.

The game changer will be when the gondolas start running. When that happens, the IG is going to be mobbed. Currently, there are only a few tap styles at the IG entrance. Unless Disney also expands the entrance capabilities there, I think there will be a big backlog to get through security/tapsites when the crowds hit. It will still be a nice easy walk over, but we'll all need to factor in additional time though security.

Wow thanks for all that!! I just realized I misspoke! We actually have a PPO at Akershus at 8:00 on a non EMH day so will need to be at the IG for pre park entry. Think h leave hotel at 7:20, arrive gates 7:30 and through security by 7:40 to get through to be admitted in by 7:45? Sound doable?

 

[SteveH]

8 minute walk from Swan to IG at Epcot for EMH?

While it's not a long walk at all, 8 minutes might be a bit fast for most people. Waking is usually faster than the ferry just because of the stops the ferry makes along the way.

 

[SteveH]

Now that the Marriot owns the Swan/Dolphin, does anyone know if they still give teacher discounts?

We stayed at the Swan last year, checked the Discounts at the time but they didn't show up. In reality the discount was only 10% to start with. You can get that rate with AAA depending on the time of year.

 

[puffkins]

I'm not PP, but the walk between Solphin and IG is pretty much always less than 10 minutes if you walk briskly. It's faster to walk to IG because the boats will stop at both Boardwalk and Beach Club on the way. But we found the boats to/from DHS to be faster because the Swolphin is the closest stop.

I went to morning EMH at Epcot during Jersey week (November 2018), and there were definitely more than 30 people at the IG. Maybe 100-150? More than @chris benton experienced, but far fewer than were at the main entrance. The IG a great spot if you're heading to FEA first thing. However, we were going to TT, and even though we were near the front of the RD pack from the IG, there was still a considerable line at TT by the time we got there. CMs at the main entrance radio to CMs at the IG to release the waiting guests, but there is sometimes a delay plus the main gate is closer to the FW attractions. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but it helps to adjust your expectations or plan your RD strategy accordingly.

The game changer will be when the gondolas start running. When that happens, the IG is going to be mobbed. Currently, there are only a few tap styles at the IG entrance. Unless Disney also expands the entrance capabilities there, I think there will be a big backlog to get through security/tapsites when the crowds hit. It will still be a nice easy walk over, but we'll all need to factor in additional time though security.

Disney will have to expand the IG or the location attractiveness of the entire EPCOT resort area will be damaged. I am guessing the large open space beyond the bathrooms/ticket counter/boat launch near the IG will be used not only as the gondola station but a completely re-worked IG entrance.

 

[chris benton]

Wow thanks for all that!! I just realized I misspoke! We actually have a PPO at Akershus at 8:00 on a non EMH day so will need to be at the IG for pre park entry. Think h leave hotel at 7:20, arrive gates 7:30 and through security by 7:40 to get through to be admitted in by 7:45? Sound doable?

Totally do-able. I wouldn't even worry about leaving the hotel a few minutes late (which you will, after triple checking that you have everything - lol )
As for the 8-10 minute walking time - I don't really consider myself a "fast" walker, but I do tend to find it hard to walk as slowly as a lot of the ppl strolling in a mall, or strolling through World Showcase.

 

[firefly_ris]

Disney will have to expand the IG or the location attractiveness of the entire EPCOT resort area will be damaged. I am guessing the large open space beyond the bathrooms/ticket counter/boat launch near the IG will be used not only as the gondola station but a completely re-worked IG entrance.

They are in the process of doing that right now.

 

[Dizzytime]

Would love to see the people getting off the gondola have a separate entrance to WS. May not be practical, but would keep the impact to the regular, already existing guests entering from the EPCOT resorts to a minimum.

 

[GoofyCoaster]

Love the location of Swolphin. BUT it’s just not the same experience for me as staying at the Disney Epcot resorts.
Give a slight edge to Swan over Dolphin for the queen beds rather than full. The beds are super comfortable. And I’ve had luck checking in earlier in the day than at Disney resorts.

The cons:
1) the resort fee of 31.50/ day is tiresome. Since it’s not optional, it would be nice if they just included it in the nightly rate
2) no magical express. Factor in $100 round trip for Uber to MCO
3) linking the reservation to MDE has been hit or miss. Sometimes it takes 48 hours to link. And I’ve had a linked Swan reservation “disappear” entirely from MDE before and had to redo it. Luckily it had no impact on FPs
4) need to show room key to be issued pool towel. And need to carry cash or credit card at all times if you want to buy anything. There’s no magic bands for charging purchases or unlocking the door (although you can use an old magic band for your park tix and FPs)
5) there’s bus service to the parks. But it didn’t have the handy electronic boards or app to estimate arrival of the next bus

If the price, including airport transportation and the resort fee, comes in much less than BW/BC/YC, then I’d stay at the Swolphin again.