Resort Thread Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE Resorts

[Kjdisney]

The closet was fine. It wasn’t huge, there was 7-10 hangers, I would say 4-5 ft wide. I’ve had smaller in some hotels.

The comforter wasn’t a problem for me, but my DH thought it too thin. It wasn’t a big enough problem that we asked for blankets, but I heard they were available from a couple we were talking to at breakfast. They are definitely thin and a bit slippery, but the room was never cold enough for the heavy comforters.

While the room is a comfortable size, I wouldn’t say it is spacious. I would think a roll away in a standard room would be really tight. We didn’t spend much time in the room, but we loved the shower, floor to ceiling windows and the number of outlets and usb charging. The bed was fine, a little firm but we both had no problem getting a good nights sleep.

We had come from 3 nights at Lowes Portifino Bay at Universal which has really spacious rooms. I liked the bed better at PB, but preferred the bathroom at SR. Housekeeping was much better at SR. I would also give SR a slight edge for food quality over PB but both were good.

The location is great, and I felt the buses came more frequently than at the Disney resorts. As was mentioned the AK bus drops off and picks up closer than the Disney buses, the MK bus goes to the TTC and I know that there is a Disney Springs bus, but we didn’t use it. The pick up spot will be the same as drop off. We did use Disney bus back from MK at park closing. It was probably a 30+ minute wait to get back to TTC on the ferry or monorail.

 

[Scalemaster34]

The closet was fine. It wasn’t huge, there was 7-10 hangers, I would say 4-5 ft wide. I’ve had smaller in some hotels.

The comforter wasn’t a problem for me, but my DH thought it too thin. It wasn’t a big enough problem that we asked for blankets, but I heard they were available from a couple we were talking to at breakfast. They are definitely thin and a bit slippery, but the room was never cold enough for the heavy comforters.

While the room is a comfortable size, I wouldn’t say it is spacious. I would think a roll away in a standard room would be really tight. We didn’t spend much time in the room, but we loved the shower, floor to ceiling windows and the number of outlets and usb charging. The bed was fine, a little firm but we both had no problem getting a good nights sleep.

We had come from 3 nights at Lowes Portifino Bay at Universal which has really spacious rooms. I liked the bed better at PB, but preferred the bathroom at SR. Housekeeping was much better at SR. I would also give SR a slight edge for food quality over PB but both were good.

The location is great, and I felt the buses came more frequently than at the Disney resorts. As was mentioned the AK bus drops off and picks up closer than the Disney buses, the MK bus goes to the TTC and I know that there is a Disney Springs bus, but we didn’t use it. The pick up spot will be the same as drop off. We did use Disney bus back from MK at park closing. It was probably a 30+ minute wait to get back to TTC on the ferry or monorail.

I wonder if COVID and the need to laundry these more often (I hope each guest) has changed some of their offerings like comforters.

I too think storage needs to be something they should look at. Big difference in what a traveler at a business conference for three days needs. And what a family of four that is staying a week needs in the way of storage. We hardly use the TV anymore... but mount it up high on the wall.

 

[Gitelfor]

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[RunWI1265]

I’ve been trying to get a room price for the past two days. Last year we booked a king alcove with a standard double connecting. It was booked as one room, one resort fee. So not a “connecting room request”….both rooms were booked as a single, larger room. I’ve called in house reservations and they tell me they can’t book that and I need to call the front desk. I called the front desk and they send me back to in house reservations. Because lines are busy I never actually get to “in house” I’m always talking to someone at the main call center. I’ve asked the front desk what I can do to make sure I speak to someone “in house” and twice they’ve said they’ll make sure my call gets sent to the right place….and then I’m back at the main call center.

I’m just trying to get a price and so long as it’s not extreme I want to book. It’s frustrating I can’t get ahold of someone to help. I’ve spent over an hour on the phone each day just to be met with a runaround dead end. I just sent an email to the reservation email on the website in hopes it’ll help seeing it in written form. I also attached my confirmation email with the room description from last year. Is there anything else I can do? I don’t know why this has become so difficult. It was very easy last year and from what I understood last year when I booked it’s not an uncommon booking.

 

[mickey916]

Yesterday I called 407-934-4000 and ended up having to say "hotel directory" and then "reservations" (I think) when I finally got a human asked for in-house reservations. I eventually reached in-house reservations that way. Not sure if this is helpful or not...good luck.

 

[RunWI1265]

Yesterday I called 407-934-4000 and ended up having to say "hotel directory" and then "reservations" (I think) when I finally got a human asked for in-house reservations. I eventually reached in-house reservations that way. Not sure if this is helpful or not...good luck.

I’ve done the same, multiple times, and when I get connected to someone it’s the main call center every time. Someone at the front desk said the call with automatically roll over to the main call center if it’s busy. The way I understood it is I just have to call and hope I get in house. And if I don’t then I’ve just wasted more time and have to try again later.

 

[mickey916]

I’ve done the same, multiple times, and when I get connected to someone it’s the main call center every time. Someone at the front desk said the call with automatically roll over to the main call center if it’s busy. The way I understood it is I just have to call and hope I get in house. And if I don’t then I’ve just wasted more time and have to try again later.

Sorry for your frustrations. I found it quite frustrating myself yesterday and spent a lot of time on hold. For all I know, I could have ended up with the main call center after all. I was just having them note requests on our reservation so I didn't need a "decision" from anyone. Hope you get through eventually.

 

[SteveH]

I saw this posted on another SwanDolphin group and figured I'd share here. Sounds like this was a letter that was sent directly to guest with an upcoming stay. Appears they are trying to resolve issues with Disney by being proactive vs just reactive.
Any one else received this?

 

[Gitelfor]

I’ve been trying to get a room price for the past two days. Last year we booked a king alcove with a standard double connecting. It was booked as one room, one resort fee. So not a “connecting room request”….both rooms were booked as a single, larger room. I’ve called in house reservations and they tell me they can’t book that and I need to call the front desk. I called the front desk and they send me back to in house reservations. Because lines are busy I never actually get to “in house” I’m always talking to someone at the main call center. I’ve asked the front desk what I can do to make sure I speak to someone “in house” and twice they’ve said they’ll make sure my call gets sent to the right place….and then I’m back at the main call center.

I’m just trying to get a price and so long as it’s not extreme I want to book. It’s frustrating I can’t get ahold of someone to help. I’ve spent over an hour on the phone each day just to be met with a runaround dead end. I just sent an email to the reservation email on the website in hopes it’ll help seeing it in written form. I also attached my confirmation email with the room description from last year. Is there anything else I can do? I don’t know why this has become so difficult. It was very easy last year and from what I understood last year when I booked it’s not an uncommon booking.

If your schedule permits, I would try calling first thing in the morning, during normal business hours:
888-828-8850 (toll free in-house reservations)

Have you tried texting and asking someone at in-house reservations to assist/call you?

 

[jemjem]

Thanks! I got through to them- rollaways not available in the Swan Reserve but I would be fine bringing an inflatable bed so may do that! May save some teen arguments...!

You already got a good response, this post may shed a bit more light


It's on the option list when booking under Room Features, but it's listed as "Rollaway bed - Request Only" meaning they don't guarantee it. I've found good replies from the texting option, email has been pretty poor for me over the years. You also might try this General Contact Form too, I'd keep sending texts though too. Also from the FAQ pages they have mom info here; Special Room Request (but that spot seems to have disappeared after their website update). Keep sending emails and texts until they get back to you.

 

[SteveH]

@jemjem thanks for that info! I'm not shocked as the rooms are smaller 330 sq ft while the Dolphin is 360.

 

[jemjem]

@jemjem thanks for that info! I'm not shocked as the rooms are smaller 330 sq ft while the Dolphin is 360.

We've got a Signature Suite so I'm sure they could fit one in if we moved the table! But will do the inflatable mattress thing I think as have a few other sofabed situations on our trip!

 

[Aela]

We haven’t stayed at either hotel. In general is Swan considered to be a nicer hotel? We have standard rooms at both booked. 2 Queen at Swan and King+sofa bed at Dolphin. My daughter is fine on sofa beds, so my husband and I like a king room.. but the king at Swan has the extra cost of the roll away bed. Any thoughts or suggestions on what we should pick? We haven’t ever been inside either hotel. Without the roll away (2Q) in Swan, the price is pretty similar, maybe $10 a night different.

 

[SteveH]

@Aela I prefer the Swan myself, it's generally a bit quieter and smaller compared to the Dolphin. Last trip was just wife and I while a King would have been great we didn't mind the two Queens at all. Got a corner room which was totally loved.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I also prefer the swan, pretty much the same reasons as Steve above. Plus I like the double vanity in the Swan bathrooms. The smaller size is very appealing to me, not nearly as cavernous.

 

[Lsdolphin]

The closet was fine. It wasn’t huge, there was 7-10 hangers, I would say 4-5 ft wide. I’ve had smaller in some hotels.

The comforter wasn’t a problem for me, but my DH thought it too thin. It wasn’t a big enough problem that we asked for blankets, but I heard they were available from a couple we were talking to at breakfast. They are definitely thin and a bit slippery, but the room was never cold enough for the heavy comforters.

While the room is a comfortable size, I wouldn’t say it is spacious. I would think a roll away in a standard room would be really tight. We didn’t spend much time in the room, but we loved the shower, floor to ceiling windows and the number of outlets and usb charging. The bed was fine, a little firm but we both had no problem getting a good nights sleep.

We had come from 3 nights at Lowes Portifino Bay at Universal which has really spacious rooms. I liked the bed better at PB, but preferred the bathroom at SR. Housekeeping was much better at SR. I would also give SR a slight edge for food quality over PB but both were good.

The location is great, and I felt the buses came more frequently than at the Disney resorts. As was mentioned the AK bus drops off and picks up closer than the Disney buses, the MK bus goes to the TTC and I know that there is a Disney Springs bus, but we didn’t use it. The pick up spot will be the same as drop off. We did use Disney bus back from MK at park closing. It was probably a 30+ minute wait to get back to TTC on the ferry or monorail.

Which Disney a resort bus did you take to return MK?

 

[Jswins87]

Hi S&D’ers,

I feel I’ve searched every which way I can think of in this thread, as well as, the Resort forum in general. A friend is discouraged to stay at Swan due to 🛏 rumors she’s saying she’s reading via online reviews. Of course not providing me any links beyond Travelocity circa 2015.

I don’t dare type the word here because Swan is my favorite resort and I don’t want to taint the thread! I can find the obvious outbreak at ASM. I don’t see any sort of pandemic of sorts elsewhere.

I like to think I’m pretty sleuthy…Does she truly know something I don’t? Thanks in advance for any/all help.

 

[Kjdisney]

Which Disney a resort bus did you take to return MK?

We took yacht/beach club. There were about 80 people waiting for boardwalk and no one waiting at y/bc. The y/bc bus still came before the boardwalk bus, and when we told the driver boardwalk buses were very slow he went over to boardwalk line and told them to get on his bus and he would drop them off after y/bc. we could have gotten off at either resort, but wanted to try the walk from yacht club. It really didn’t seem to be a much longer walk, so I would pick whichever bus you can get on first.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi S&D’ers,

I feel I’ve searched every which way I can think of in this thread, as well as, the Resort forum in general. A friend is discouraged to stay at Swan due to 🛏 rumors she’s saying she’s reading via online reviews. Of course not providing me any links beyond Travelocity circa 2015.

I don’t dare type the word here because Swan is my favorite resort and I don’t want to taint the thread! I can find the obvious outbreak at ASM. I don’t see any sort of pandemic of sorts elsewhere.

I like to think I’m pretty sleuthy…Does she truly know something I don’t? Thanks in advance for any/all help.

I'm not sure what you are talking about?

 

[SteveH]

@Jswins87 I can't say I've read about any recent bed bug issues on here or other groups I'm on. In fact if you type in bug in the search and search this thread I didn't find any mention of bed bugs. Consider this thread goes back to 2014... that says a lot IMHO.

IMHO the travel review sites leave a lot to be desired. First off, I only read any reviews if it shows an actual check-in and secondly only if the person actually had a good history of reviews. Otherwise I figure it's bogus. All review sites are known to be full of bogus reviews and bed bugs are one of the worst things that people can say.

That said we need to stop telling everyone how great it is or we'll never get good deals again