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

[VeronicaZS]

Does anyone have recent experience with the AK bus? What time does it start in the morning and how often does it come? I've looked on the app and it doesn't look like they have a place for time tables like MDE has for Disney resorts. Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Does anyone have recent experience with the AK bus? What time does it start in the morning and how often does it come? I've looked on the app and it doesn't look like they have a place for time tables like MDE has for Disney resorts. Thanks!

I waited just over 20 mins about 30 mins before park open a couple weeks back, really regretted not just grabbing an Uber. Saw 3 MK buses in the meantime lol. Idk when they started running that day.

There are no estimated times for Swolphin buses.

 

[Christine514]

Hello, I need some advices. We (2 adults) are booked at Riverside for 2 weeks in early august. With the ap discount, all fees included, the Dolphin would be the same price. We love the Riverside but the deluxe perks and the location make it appealing. What would you do?

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Hello, I need some advices. We (2 adults) are booked at Riverside for 2 weeks in early august. With the ap discount, all fees included, the Dolphin would be the same price. We love the Riverside but the deluxe perks and the location make it appealing. What would you do?

The Dolphin is a great location for easy access to Epcot & Studios.
There is a walkway around the Boardwalk area. Also boat to/from Epcot & Studios.
Enter Epcot at IG instead of main gate.
Easy access to skyliner too.

The rooms are nice & the beds are comfortable.

They do charge resort fees and parking (if you have a car)

 

[SteveH]

For those visiting SwanDolphin August 16 through September 30, 2024 check out the Magical Dining Deals info here. There are three restaurants at S/D that are participating

• Amare at The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• Todd English’s BlueZoo at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
• Il Mulino New York Trattoria at Walt Disney World Swan Resort

 

[SteveH]

@Christine514 we stayed at POFQ a few years ago as the prices at SwanDolphin were much higher. While we loved POFQ, we would have stayed at S/D hand down over POFQ just because of the location, but honestly the food was better and transportation for two parks is MUCH better. It's always location, location, location.

 

[Disneyhanna]

@Christine514 we stayed at POFQ a few years ago as the prices at SwanDolphin were much higher. While we loved POFQ, we would have stayed at S/D hand down over POFQ just because of the location, but honestly the food was better and transportation for two parks is MUCH better. It's always location, location, location.

I am the same. I love the Disney moderates. The PO resorts are beautiful, and I love Coronado. But the thought of going back to four busses is hard. Especially busses that do a 10 minute loop around the resort. Plus I hate entering Epcot in Future World. Walking and riding a boat to two parks is just hard to beat.

 

[anniemae]

I tried searching but cannot find anything about the renovations at S and D.. Does anyone know when they will be completed and how extensive / disruptive they are? Are most of the rooms done? Thanks!

 

[ah10is]

I’m a resort switch-a-holic and can’t make up my mind!!

I’ve already have changed my trip 3x since I originally booked it. Currently booked at Beach Club for 7 nights (Aug 21-28, 2024) resort view and 30% discount comes to $3026. Tentatively just booked Swan Reserve King room - no view room comes to $2235 including tax and resort fees with 20% AAA promo code.

I haven’t stayed at either yet….but have stayed at YC a few times - which I absolutely love! I know the location well and all the tricks with transportation. I thought about splitting my stay…which I have done numerous times….but would like to just do one resort this time. Will I miss the full Disney bubble by switching or is the almost $800 in savings too good to give up the extra Disney details?

 

[elvispursley]

Hello, I need some advices. We (2 adults) are booked at Riverside for 2 weeks in early august. With the ap discount, all fees included, the Dolphin would be the same price. We love the Riverside but the deluxe perks and the location make it appealing. What would you do?

So we switched our POFQ resort because it was the same price for S/D with the AP discount. I love having the deluxe benefits and ability to walk to 2 parks. I wasn’t real thrilled with the idea of construction nor the pool at POFQ. We’ve stayed at both POFQ and POR before so are excited to try something new!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I’m a resort switch-a-holic and can’t make up my mind!!

I’ve already have changed my trip 3x since I originally booked it. Currently booked at Beach Club for 7 nights (Aug 21-28, 2024) resort view and 30% discount comes to $3026. Tentatively just booked Swan Reserve King room - no view room comes to $2235 including tax and resort fees with 20% AAA promo code.

I haven’t stayed at either yet….but have stayed at YC a few times - which I absolutely love! I know the location well and all the tricks with transportation. I thought about splitting my stay…which I have done numerous times….but would like to just do one resort this time. Will I miss the full Disney bubble by switching or is the almost $800 in savings too good to give up the extra Disney details?

I have stayed at BC & BCV before and loved both! We haven’t stayed recently because we own DVC at BLT and like to try different resorts, when possible.

I have not stayed at Swan Reserve but I have stayed at the Swan several times before, when adding nights to a trip and loved it as well. Our most recent stay at the Swan was July of 2022 before moving over to Riviera and we enjoyed it. The beds at the Swan are very comfortable! We never feel we are missing the “Disney bubble” when staying here. We are actually in the process of booking a last minute trip and had S/D on our list of possible resorts.

As you are familiar with the entire boardwalk area, you know the convenience of the boat and walk to/from Epcot & Studios. You can’t go wrong w/either resort.

I’m not sure if you will have a car or not.
You mention doing split stays in the past. I know you said you want just one resort this trip, which is usually my preference as well, but I wanted to point out how easy a split stay between these resorts would be, especially with a car.

I often end up picking resorts I’m torn between by deciding if the price difference per night is worth it. In your case it’s $113 per night more to stay at BC.

Some things I think about when deciding are - How much time will we spend:
At the resort?
In the room?
In the lobby?
At the pool?
On site restaurants/food/drink options?
Do we need stores/shops?
Areas to relax?
Areas to explore?
If we choose the least expensive room, what will we use the money for?
If we choose the more expensive room, can we cut back on anything else?

All that said, I personally love BC and if I could make the money work, that would be my pick. I spend time relaxing in the lobby and also love sitting on the rocking chairs outside, while my family is getting ready for dinner. It feels like home to me. But that’s just my own personal preference.

You can’t go wrong with either one.
I hope this helped you a little.
Have a great vacation!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’m a resort switch-a-holic and can’t make up my mind!!

I’ve already have changed my trip 3x since I originally booked it. Currently booked at Beach Club for 7 nights (Aug 21-28, 2024) resort view and 30% discount comes to $3026. Tentatively just booked Swan Reserve King room - no view room comes to $2235 including tax and resort fees with 20% AAA promo code.

I haven’t stayed at either yet….but have stayed at YC a few times - which I absolutely love! I know the location well and all the tricks with transportation. I thought about splitting my stay…which I have done numerous times….but would like to just do one resort this time. Will I miss the full Disney bubble by switching or is the almost $800 in savings too good to give up the extra Disney details?

I’d probably switch but I’d price out Dolphin and see if I could save more. I became a total convert after my last trip, so many good food options under the same roof as the hotel room was really nice.

SR rooms are the nicest out of all EP resorts. You do have the approx 3-4min outdoor walk from boat to hotel and the pool doesn’t have a hot tub so if you want one you have to take a couple minute walk to Dolphin’s pools. Once inside SR, everything is very close due to the Tower design so no long walk to your room like at Dolphin or BC.

I’d be tempted to split even if that’s not your inclination. If you don’t like SR then you won’t regret your choice for an entire week. If you do like SR then on future trips you’ll have another money saving option available.

 

[SteveH]

I am the same. I love the Disney moderates. The PO resorts are beautiful, and I love Coronado. But the thought of going back to four busses is hard. Especially busses that do a 10 minute loop around the resort. Plus I hate entering Epcot in Future World. Walking and riding a boat to two parks is just hard to beat.

I was a huge fan of Coronado, before the tower. I loved the vibe and the food, the photos of the tower just seem so out of place to me. We did enjoy POFQ, though I was very underwhelmed by the food options and their attempt at Jambalaya was just awful.

I tried searching but cannot find anything about the renovations at S and D.. Does anyone know when they will be completed and how extensive / disruptive they are? Are most of the rooms done? Thanks!

Its really not that disruptive based on feedback here. There has been on official announcement when they started or when they will finish. I do believe most the rooms at Swan are done. If you scroll back you may find posts and photos with bit more info, you can also use the S/D app to communicate direct too.

 

[georgina]

For those visiting SwanDolphin August 16 through September 30, 2024 check out the Magical Dining Deals info here. There are three restaurants at S/D that are participating

• Amare at The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• Todd English’s BlueZoo at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
• Il Mulino New York Trattoria at Walt Disney World Swan Resort

Thanks for the link. I will be spending some time at Universal then, I see some of their restaurants are on it also, and a bunch at Disney Springs.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Hello, I need some advices. We (2 adults) are booked at Riverside for 2 weeks in early august. With the ap discount, all fees included, the Dolphin would be the same price. We love the Riverside but the deluxe perks and the location make it appealing. What would you do?

That's always a tough call too since I really like POR and POFQ too. We almost always do Ep & DHS for our trips so staying around crescent lake is a perk for us. The deluxe benefits are nice if you'll have a chance to attend EEH, the location can't be beat, walkability to the parks and boats are great, the Fuel quick service is convenient, all hallways to/from lobby and your room are inside....always nice with rain and heat, and the rooms are usually pretty nice. Cons- the beds are full size at dolphin, not queen, as PP mentioned, you will also have a resort and parking fee (if you have a car), bus to MK drops at TTC, and the resort does lack a disney vibe/theme.

 

[VeronicaZS]

Does anyone have recent experience with the AK bus? What time does it start in the morning and how often does it come? I've looked on the app and it doesn't look like they have a place for time tables like MDE has for Disney resorts. Thanks!

I texted 407-545-6865 and quickly received a reply but unfortunately I don’t understand the response

 

[Disneydawg74]

When we stayed at the Swan back in November, we arrived at AK before early entry. But, that was luck on timing. We never found out when the first bus was supposed to officially leave. I think we were down at the bus stop area about 45 minutes before early entry hours began. We waited a few minutes for the bus.

 

[glocon]

I texted 407-545-6865 and quickly received a reply but unfortunately I don’t understand the response

I would definitely respond back and ask for clarification.

When we stayed at the Swan back in November, we arrived at AK before early entry. But, that was luck on timing. We never found out when the first bus was supposed to officially leave. I think we were down at the bus stop area about 45 minutes before early entry hours began. We waited a few minutes for the bus.

Seems like I remember that the AK buses from the S/D have a pretty good bus stop at AK, better than the other Crescent Lake resorts. I could be mis-remembering though.
Too bad the app doesn’t give bus times, that would be amazing!

 

[SteveH]

@glocon you're memory is correct about the AK bus stop location.

 

[Disneydawg74]

I would definitely respond back and ask for clarification.

Seems like I remember that the AK buses from the S/D have a pretty good bus stop at AK, better than the other Crescent Lake resorts. I could be mis-remembering though.
Too bad the app doesn’t give bus times, that would be amazing!

Yes. The drop off spot for S/D bus seems closer than the Disney Bus drop off and has a covered seated area to wait. It’s really nice!