Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE RESORTS Information & Questions

[Dan Murphy]

I didn’t know they run a free shuttle between SR, Dolphin & Swan. You just have to ask the valet. Used that for dinner one night when it was raining.

Thanks for the review. And thanks for that shuttle information, didn't know of that.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks for the review. And thanks for that shuttle information, didn't know of that.

I actually read the paper SR gave me with the general hotel info for once and it was there in black and white. All I could think was how long have I missed that?

 

[hedberg1661]

Back from a Dolphin/SR split stay. Plat booked basic AP rooms. Got a room view upgrade from both hotels so that was nice. Used breakfast benefit from Dol at Rosa’s for 2. We did the continental buffet, great deal if you have a little time in the morning as you can go back for more. Were offered to upgrade to full buffet for $15/pp but we declined.

For Plat at SR I was solo and tried Amare. The voucher is worth $30 at Amare or a continental breakfast. I used it for the full buffet, a bit nicer than Rosa’s but they didn’t tell me they also include omelets until I was finished. I did not make a reservation, the place was practically deserted. Other days I wanted to get out early so I used the room service offering.

Loved my trip. Worst part was how darn hard the beds at SR are. Ugg!! Especially since I was coming from Dolphin I think. SR is certainly fancier but those beds are a deal breaker to me if the hotels are in the same price range (a convention came in halfway through my trip so I switched to the much better SR deal).

I didn’t know they run a free shuttle between SR, Dolphin & Swan. You just have to ask the valet. Used that for dinner one night when it was raining.

I didn't know the voucher was good at Amare as well! That would be worth the walk from the other two hotels to get a better breakfast especially if it includes an omelet option. Was the full buffet inclusive of hot items such as eggs?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I didn't know the voucher was good at Amare as well! That would be worth the walk from the other two hotels to get a better breakfast especially if it includes an omelet option. Was the full buffet inclusive of hot items such as eggs?

No to the bolded. SR is different. It’s only valid at Amare for SR guests, not for Dolphin or Swan guests. People have tried and are denied, it’s a one way street so to speak.

Just go to Rosa’s if you want egg options with your voucher. You have to use the voucher as a $30 credit and that’s full buffet for 1 or as a credit toward menu items.

 

[Sandi]

Question: I have a 4 night reservation that I need to condense to 3 - I can't simply just rebook because the rates are way higher. If I call their reservations directly, would they simply be able to remove the extra night while still keeping the old rates?

Anyone have experience with this?

Did you try modifying your reservation online? I'm not sure about dropping a day, but I've had good fortune with modifying my reservations at Swan to change dates (same number of days) and also taking advantage of new, lower rates. I understand you're seeing higher rates with a new reservation, but I'm wondering if doing a modification might work. Just a thought.

 

[Disneydawg74]

Did you try modifying your reservation online? I'm not sure about dropping a day, but I've had good fortune with modifying my reservations at Swan to change dates (same number of days) and also taking advantage of new, lower rates. I understand you're seeing higher rates with a new reservation, but I'm wondering if doing a modification might work. Just a thought.

It’s been my experience that modifications use the prevailing rate. Even a phone call might result in prevailing rates.

 

[amalone1013]

I haven't been on here in a long time, but was booking a last minute stay for 3 adults, a baby, and a toddler. And I remembered reading in the past about calling to upgrade to alcove/connecting room set ups - something I didn't need to worry about before.

I just called for my week, 2 weeks out I had booked a standard room at Dolphin on points last night and wanted a second space/bathroom space but didnt really want to blow all my points on the one trip. They said they didn't have alcove room availability but could do a King premium suite with connecting room for $240 a night. The one with a wall between bed and living area. That beats out cash rates for a second room since only one resort fee plus we will have plenty of space for crib, stroller, all the things. And now my mother in law can retreat behind a closed door when she wishes

 

[Echo queen]

Quick? When you are booked through WDW package do you pay the additional resort fee at checkin? Or is it included? TIA

 

[piglet1979]

Quick? When you are booked through WDW package do you pay the additional resort fee at checkin? Or is it included? TIA

When we went in Spring of 23, we did not have to pay any extra at check in.

 

[buzz1fan]

How has the main pool been at dolphin. We were there last Christmas and it was dirty unkept and part water features not on. I’m guessing it was because it was cooler and not crowded. We liked to use the hot tub. Curious if any refurb has happened or going to happen anytime soon.

Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

How has the main pool been at dolphin. We were there last Christmas and it was dirty unkept and part water features not on. I’m guessing it was because it was cooler and not crowded. We liked to use the hot tub. Curious if any refurb has happened or going to happen anytime soon.

Thanks!

On my June trip and last week it was in fine shape and the hot tubs were just fine. Idk about the water features, I just noticed the big waterfall and that was always working. I didn’t hesitate to hit any of the pools (aside from the one by the bar but that was because of the occupants, not the pool ).

(Now the pool at MCO Hyatt- yikes. That was an absolute no-go. Ick.)

 

[KSL]

Can anyone help me with transportation questions? We're staying at the Swan in January and one in our party will have a scooter.
1) Does S/D/SR have its own bus loop now? Reading through here (and on their website), it sounds like they do. I SWEAR when we stayed at Yacht Club a while back, Boardwalk, S/D, and Yacht/Beach Club were all on the same loop for Disney buses. That must've changed? Or do the WDW buses also still stop at S/D?
2) Assuming S/D/SR has its own buses, did I read a post earlier on where someone indicated the scooter was put under the bus, rather than loaded onto the passenger area with its occupant? If so we will follow the tip of heading to Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach for WDW buses when we travel to MK and AK.
3) Not S/D/SR related, but does anyone know whether the Skyliner has a regular downtime in January for maintenance? I should prob look at the transportation board....
Thanks!

 

[Disneydawg74]

Can anyone help me with transportation questions? We're staying at the Swan in January and one in our party will have a scooter.
1) Does S/D/SR have its own bus loop now? Reading through here (and on their website), it sounds like they do. I SWEAR when we stayed at Yacht Club a while back, Boardwalk, S/D, and Yacht/Beach Club were all on the same loop for Disney buses. That must've changed? Or do the WDW buses also still stop at S/D?
2) Assuming S/D/SR has its own buses, did I read a post earlier on where someone indicated the scooter was put under the bus, rather than loaded onto the passenger area with its occupant? If so we will follow the tip of heading to Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach for WDW buses when we travel to MK and AK.
3) Not S/D/SR related, but does anyone know whether the Skyliner has a regular downtime in January for maintenance? I should prob look at the transportation board....
Thanks!

1. No WDW busses for S/DSR. It’s been this way for maybe two years or so?
2. Yes. S/D/SR have their own busses. We went to AK on the bus from the Swan, it was a tall motor coach with storage underneath. I don’t know how they handle scooters. Perhaps some of the busses are different from what I have been on.
3. In 2024 the Skyliner maintenance closure was January 16-25, in 2023 it was January 22-29 and in 2022 it was January 23-28. I don’t think the dates have been announced for 2025. Hope someone else knows more.

Have a great trip!

 

[KSL]

1. No WDW busses for S/DSR. It’s been this way for maybe two years or so?
2. Yes. S/D/SR have their own busses. We went to AK on the bus from the Swan, it was a tall motor coach with storage underneath. I don’t know how they handle scooters. Perhaps some of the busses are different from what I have been on.
3. In 2024 the Skyliner maintenance closure was January 16-25, in 2023 it was January 22-29 and in 2022 it was January 23-28. I don’t think the dates have been announced for 2025. Hope someone else knows more.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for this reply!

 

[SteveH]

@KSL
To add to the responses by @Disneydawg74, S/D started using its own busing as things returned from Covid in Fall of 2020 - still surprised they haven't gone back, but every September I wonder if things might change. Many guests do use the buses for MK by going to BW or YC/BC. A few pages back somebody confirmed that they do put scooters under the coach bus. For more up to date info on the Skyliner down time you might want to post in the Transportation forum.

 

[gottalovepluto]

X-post from Budget Board link

Amex Offer $20 off $100 at Il Mulino and the Swan location is included. (I'm not seeing it but better luck to others!)

 

[Dan Murphy]

X-post from Budget Board link

Amex Offer $20 off $100 at Il Mulino and the Swan location is included. (I'm not seeing it but better luck to others!)

Thanks for the heads up..

https://www.disboards.com/threads/new-disney-gift-card-deals-and-more.3952573/post-65732999

 

[elvispursley]

Can anyone help me with transportation questions? We're staying at the Swan in January and one in our party will have a scooter.
1) Does S/D/SR have its own bus loop now? Reading through here (and on their website), it sounds like they do. I SWEAR when we stayed at Yacht Club a while back, Boardwalk, S/D, and Yacht/Beach Club were all on the same loop for Disney buses. That must've changed? Or do the WDW buses also still stop at S/D?
2) Assuming S/D/SR has its own buses, did I read a post earlier on where someone indicated the scooter was put under the bus, rather than loaded onto the passenger area with its occupant? If so we will follow the tip of heading to Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach for WDW buses when we travel to MK and AK.
3) Not S/D/SR related, but does anyone know whether the Skyliner has a regular downtime in January for maintenance? I should prob look at the transportation board....
Thanks!

We just got back about a week or so ago from our stay at the swan. Initially there was just one scooter in our party. We used the S/D bus (it picked up/dropped off first at swan) for to go to AK once. They loaded the scooter under the coach-style bus and we felt like we had to rip when we got there. On the return, they used a Disney-style bus but they loaded the scooter in the front door! After a foot injury, I was using a scooter for the rest of the trip too. We decided we would just scooter over to YC from then on.

 

[Sammy]

After having to cancel 3 trips since January (lots of unfortunate family issues going on), DH and I are finally heading to the Dolphin this Sunday for a quick, 4-day getaway. Many visits to WDW over the last 25+ years, but last Dolphin stay was in 2003. I’ve been reading through this very long thread…thanks for all the great info!

Quick question: is there any advantage to doing the online check-in prior to arrival? What if I was hoping to check on a room request made when I booked the reservation (I know it’s just a request and not guaranteed). TIA for the help!

 

[Dan Murphy]

We just got back about a week or so ago from our stay at the swan. Initially there was just one scooter in our party. We used the S/D bus (it picked up/dropped off first at swan) for to go to AK once. They loaded the scooter under the coach-style bus and we felt like we had to rip when we got there. On the return, they used a Disney-style bus but they loaded the scooter in the front door! After a foot injury, I was using a scooter for the rest of the trip too. We decided we would just scooter over to YC from then on.

Thanks for the information. Do they have to collapse the scooter some for under bus storage?