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

[Dave006]

I asked before about buying milk alternatives in the hotel - do they also sell fruit - bananas, apples, etc)?

There are several locations to grab these and other fresh items. As @SteveH mentioned there is Fuel on the lobby level (3rd Floor) at the Dolphin. There is also Picabu on the Dolphin lower level (Ground Floor). Fuel is open 6 AM - 11 PM (Sunday - Thursday) and 10 PM on Friday - Saturday.

There is also the Screen Door General Store over on the Boardwalk ( 8:30 AM - 11 PM ). The Screen Door has a variety of Breakfast items (Cut Fruit, Blueberries, Strawberries, and whole fruit). Bread / Muffins / Bagels, and Peanut Butter and last but not least Nutella.

Dave

 

[Aimeedyan]

I was able to add a couple of days to an upcoming trip so I now have a split stay of two reservations at the same resort. I am thinking of cancelling the extra two day reservation and replace it with two days at the Dolphin. One down side is that check in is stated as being 4pm. Is it typically, actually that late? I stay at Marriotts and I almost always can get in significantly earlier than the stated check in time. However, those places aren't the Dolphin.

We have always checked in significantly earlier than check in date and received a room, but we've never stayed there when they were at capacity, or seemingly hosting a convention. This time, we checked in at the Swan at 11:30am and had a room immediately.

No guarantees, of course, especially if they are busy or close to capacity.

(and my experience is only with Swan - Dolphin has double beds instead of queens so we've never stayed there)

 

[MarBee]

Have a conference in November at the Dolphin. I want to bring the family along, but the rates at the Swan are astronomical (conference rates only apply to Dolphin, and the full sized beds won’t work for us).
There are some good rates at Pop and AOA. I’m toying with the idea of staying at one of these and commuting over to the conference. Has anyone ever done this? Just wondering how much of a pain it would be.

 

[Dave006]

There are some good rates at Pop and AOA. I’m toying with the idea of staying at one of these and commuting over to the conference. Has anyone ever done this? Just wondering how much of a pain it would be.

Are you able to expense the $36 per day parking fee at the Dolphin? Depending on the attendees of the Conference parking may be very available or if there are any large groups driving parking can be almost unavailable.

Dave

 

[Disneyhanna]

Have a conference in November at the Dolphin. I want to bring the family along, but the rates at the Swan are astronomical (conference rates only apply to Dolphin, and the full sized beds won’t work for us).
There are some good rates at Pop and AOA. I’m toying with the idea of staying at one of these and commuting over to the conference. Has anyone ever done this? Just wondering how much of a pain it would be.

If you ask me, I would just Uber in the mornings to save time. It's a quick ride (less than 10 minutes) that would probably only cost $10 or maybe $15 at most if you get unlucky with surge pricing around park opening time.

Looking right now, an Uber from Pop to Dolphin is $8.82. So maybe $20-25/day to save on parking or time if you were going to use the Skyliner, and I assume you'd save way more than that on room rates.

 

[Sandi]

I was able to add a couple of days to an upcoming trip so I now have a split stay of two reservations at the same resort. I am thinking of cancelling the extra two day reservation and replace it with two days at the Dolphin. One down side is that check in is stated as being 4pm. Is it typically, actually that late? I stay at Marriotts and I almost always can get in significantly earlier than the stated check in time. However, those places aren't the Dolphin.

I checked in on Saturday, 7-27, in person at about 1:00 pm. I had done online check in the day before and indicated I’d arrive about 1:30. My room wasn’t ready, but “it would be soon.” I dropped my bags and went to Epcot. I retuned to the desk at 4:00, room still not ready. The rest of my party arrived at 4:30. Room still not ready. At about 4:50, our room became ready. Not sure if it was particularly busy, or if I just wasn’t obnoxious enough, but I wouldn’t count on the room being ready early.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Have a conference in November at the Dolphin. I want to bring the family along, but the rates at the Swan are astronomical (conference rates only apply to Dolphin, and the full sized beds won’t work for us).
There are some good rates at Pop and AOA. I’m toying with the idea of staying at one of these and commuting over to the conference. Has anyone ever done this? Just wondering how much of a pain it would be.

Do it. You can always catch a rideshare to Swolphin for conference stuff.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hi! I asked before about buying milk alternatives in the hotel - do they also sell fruit - bananas, apples, etc)? (My kids will be awake and demanding food at about 5am due to the time difference on the first day, and we can bring cereal with us from the UK but not fruit. Planning to get more groceries when there so just need enough for a couple of days, but there's not many services you can use from the UK in advance from the looks of it, and the prices at Garden Grocer are eyewatering!

Is buying from Fuel really cheaper than buying from Garden Grocer or the other delivery outfits? Could you prep an order from like Walmart or the other outfits ahead of time and order it after touching down in the US?

 

[MarBee]

Are you able to expense the $36 per day parking fee at the Dolphin? Depending on the attendees of the Conference parking may be very available or if there are any large groups driving parking can be almost unavailable.

Dave

If you ask me, I would just Uber in the mornings to save time. It's a quick ride (less than 10 minutes) that would probably only cost $10 or maybe $15 at most if you get unlucky with surge pricing around park opening time.

Looking right now, an Uber from Pop to Dolphin is $8.82. So maybe $20-25/day to save on parking or time if you were going to use the Skyliner, and I assume you'd save way more than that on room rates.

Do it. You can always catch a rideshare to Swolphin for conference stuff.

Thanks all! I cannot expense a rental car but can expense Ubers so that works out easily. Now how to decide which Disney hotel to choose…

 

[SteveH]

Have a conference in November at the Dolphin. I want to bring the family along, but the rates at the Swan are astronomical (conference rates only apply to Dolphin, and the full sized beds won’t work for us).
There are some good rates at Pop and AOA. I’m toying with the idea of staying at one of these and commuting over to the conference. Has anyone ever done this? Just wondering how much of a pain it would be.

I've done two conference at WDW, first time I stay at FW and conference was at The Contemporary, it was a pain to commute back and forth. But with 2 kids my wife and grandma it was the best option... until we had to rent a golf cart. Wish we'd stayed TC. Second round we were at Coronado. The lack of commute made it a lot better.

You've been to S/D so I'd say give In-house reservations a call and see if there is anything they could do, sweet talk 'em Worst is they say they can't do anything, then book at Disney hotel and keep checking Swan rates.

 

[Best Aunt]

Is buying from Fuel really cheaper than buying from Garden Grocer or the other delivery outfits? Could you prep an order from like Walmart or the other outfits ahead of time and order it after touching down in the US?

I only took one photo at Fuel that shows pricing for an item that somebody might otherwise get from grocery delivery:

 

[hedberg1661]

Thanks all! I cannot expense a rental car but can expense Ubers so that works out easily. Now how to decide which Disney hotel to choose…

I agree, I would just Uber especially since you can expense it. Keep checking back at Swalphin for better rates and if it happens it happens. If not you are covered.

 

[flav]

I am currently booked at the Swan through Booking. On the Bonvoy site, I see “local 2 packages” for the same room, same price, cancellable for free up to 5 days before. The only differences seem to be that I need to put a (refundable) deposit now and that gives me 25$/night vouchers.
Am I missing something?
Everyone can book these, right ie the local does not mean Florida resident?
Also, regular parking is the included with all room?

 

[Disneydawg74]

I am currently booked at the Swan through Booking. On the Bonvoy site, I see “local 2 packages” for the same room, same price, cancellable for free up to 5 days before. The only differences seem to be that I need to put a (refundable) deposit now and that gives me 25$/night vouchers.
Am I missing something?
Everyone can book these, right ie the local does not mean Florida resident?
Also, regular parking is the included with all room?

I don’t know the offer you are seeing, but I have never seen parking included in an offer. Perhaps others know. Every time, we have had to pay for parking and we’ve stayed there over a dozen times.

 

[flav]

I don’t know the offer you are seeing, but I have never seen parking included in an offer. Perhaps others know. Every time, we have had to pay for parking and we’ve stayed there over a dozen times.

I see what I read wrong, theme park parking is included… if you paid Swan parking.
Which would make this offer take the sting off a bit.

I am still wondering if the extra 25$ credit per night is too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that this is a standard offer available to all? No catch that I haven’t seen?

 

[Dave006]

I am still wondering if the extra 25$ credit per night is too good to be true. Can anyone confirm that this is a standard offer available to all? No catch that I haven’t seen?

The $25 credit is for food at the resort. It is often available as an offer. Sometimes it will be $50 per night.

Dave

 

[DISNEYNY]

Just got back from a great stay at the Swan! Just a couple things I wanted to mention that I've seen asked in here before.

• We had no issues getting our luggage transfered from All-Star Sports
• We got a refurbished room. They do not take requests for these
• They were not making you show room keys to get towels anymore and you could ask for as many as wanted. Last time I stayed there the line for towels was like 20 minutes long each time, and they wouldnt let you get more than one per person, so this was a nice change.
• We got a late checkout of 12pm for no charge

 

[MarBee]

Just got back from a great stay at the Swan! Just a couple things I wanted to mention that I've seen asked in here before.

• We had no issues getting our luggage transfered from All-Star Sports
• We got a refurbished room. They do not take requests for these
• They were not making you show room keys to get towels anymore and you could ask for as many as wanted. Last time I stayed there the line for towels was like 20 minutes long each time, and they wouldnt let you get more than one per person, so this was a nice change.
• We got a late checkout of 12pm for no charge

Thank you for the info! Any pics of the refurbed room you could share?

 

[DISNEYNY]

Thank you for the info! Any pics of the refurbed room you could share?

I didn't take a ton, but here is what I have!

 

[MarBee]

I didn't take a ton, but here is what I have!

Looks nice! Thank you!