Resort Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE Resorts

[kylenne]

Hi everyone...long time no see but I have a Swan stay booked Labor Day weekend. Book ending a 4 nt cruise on the Destiny with time in the parks, pre cruise I’m at the Poly on a BB but post cruise I got a nice deal on the Swan through Amex Travel and taking advantage of the boosted Plat perks. I’m looking forward to an even more extravagant Bourbon Steak dinner lol.

 

[Sarahbros]

Hi everyone...long time no see but I have a Swan stay booked Labor Day weekend. Book ending a 4 nt cruise on the Destiny with time in the parks, pre cruise I’m at the Poly on a BB but post cruise I got a nice deal on the Swan through Amex Travel and taking advantage of the boosted Plat perks. I’m looking forward to an even more extravagant Bourbon Steak dinner lol.

Sounds like a wonderful time!! Enjoy!!

 

[MarBee]

Can anyone who has stayed at the Reserve in a pool view room share the view they had? I have not yet stayed at the Reserve, but I feel like it’s fairly far from the pool to have rooms considered “pool view,” but maybe I’m misremembering the distance. Just trying to see if the pool is a spec in the distance or if you actually feel like you’re right at the pool.

ETA: Nevermind, I see now that Reserve has its own pool, so I would imagine that’s what the view is of. Didn’t realize that at first.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Can anyone who has stayed at the Reserve in a pool view room share the view they had? I have not yet stayed at the Reserve, but I feel like it’s fairly far from the pool to have rooms considered “pool view,” but maybe I’m misremembering the distance. Just trying to see if the pool is a spec in the distance or if you actually feel like you’re right at the pool.

ETA: Nevermind, I see now that Reserve has its own pool, so I would imagine that’s what the view is of. Didn’t realize that at first.

Yes its view is its own pool. When you have rooms that look at Dolphin pool they’re Epcot view rooms. Only see the Dolphin pool through trees.

 

[MarBee]

Yes its view is its own pool. When you have rooms that look at Dolphin pool they’re Epcot view rooms. Only see the Dolphin pool through trees.

Yeah I was thinking binoculars were going to be needed to see the Dolphin pool

 

[Zhaan]

Hi!

Many hotels now use fragrances or air fresheners in their AC / Heat (HVAC) systems in the rooms. Can anyone who is stayed at the Swan Reserve, Swan, or Dolphin resorts, and who is sensitive to smells, not necessarily allergic, but sensitive that they give you migraines or other issues, have you noticed any type of air freshener or perfume smell in the room? I can handle cleaning product smells that quickly dissipate. WDW rooms have never bothered me so I'm uneasy trying a resort not wholly managed by WDW, but we aren't able to book out as far as we used to be able to so these seem like a better option with more flexibility.

Please let me know which of those 3 resorts you stayed in with your answer. I'm most interested in the Swan Reserve but would consider any of the three.

Also, I don't care if the lobby has a perfume smell piped in. Not great, but I can just not linger in the lobby. Most WDW deluxe resorts have that now and I just move on through. It's only the room I'm concerned with.

Thank you!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hi!

Many hotels now use fragrances or air fresheners in their AC / Heat (HVAC) systems in the rooms. Can anyone who is stayed at the Swan Reserve, Swan, or Dolphin resorts, and who is sensitive to smells, not necessarily allergic, but sensitive that they give you migraines or other issues, have you noticed any type of air freshener or perfume smell in the room? I can handle cleaning product smells that quickly dissipate. WDW rooms have never bothered me so I'm uneasy trying a resort not wholly managed by WDW, but we aren't able to book out as far as we used to be able to so these seem like a better option with more flexibility.

Please let me know which of those 3 resorts you stayed in with your answer. I'm most interested in the Swan Reserve but would consider any of the three.

Also, I don't care if the lobby has a perfume smell piped in. Not great, but I can just not linger in the lobby. Most WDW deluxe resorts have that now and I just move on through. It's only the room I'm concerned with.

Thank you!

I don't recall any lingering smells in the rooms, other than a 'fresh' smell after their cleaning. I think it dissipates rather quickly. There are the 'signature' smells in the S/D lobbies. It is Westin White Tea. For me, when I smell it, I know I am home again. The Reserve uses a different citrus based fragrance.

 

[maxiesmom]

What is with the tents at the Swan lap pool? Are they redoing the cabanas?

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I have a couple questions about Garden Grove breakfast at the Swan.

How are they with food allergies? DD25 is allergic to Peanuts/tree nuts, eggs, melons. Do they offer the allergy free Mickey Waffles here?

Is Garden Grove dine-in only or can you order to-go to eat in your room?

The "home fries" on the menu...are they sauteed, roasted, fried, ?? Do they have any onions or peppers?

Thanks!

 

[Dave006]

What is with the tents at the Swan lap pool? Are they redoing the cabanas?

Hard to know without some additional information. The Swan often has tents up for events being held at the resort.

Dave

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have a couple questions about Garden Grove breakfast at the Swan.

How are they with food allergies? DD25 is allergic to Peanuts/tree nuts, eggs, melons. Do they offer the allergy free Mickey Waffles here?

Is Garden Grove dine-in only or can you order to-go to eat in your room?

The "home fries" on the menu...are they sauteed, roasted, fried, ?? Do they have any onions or peppers?

Thanks!

This might be helpful.

https://share.google/aimode/HVS8C0zzekrQs1f73

But I would call the restaurant to assure your needs be met.

https://swandolphin.com/dining/garden-grove/

407-934-1609

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

What is with the tents at the Swan lap pool? Are they redoing the cabanas?

There is a conference at the Dolphin this week and attendees are at both hotels. They often set-up the tents for dining.

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

Hi!

Many hotels now use fragrances or air fresheners in their AC / Heat (HVAC) systems in the rooms. Can anyone who is stayed at the Swan Reserve, Swan, or Dolphin resorts, and who is sensitive to smells, not necessarily allergic, but sensitive that they give you migraines or other issues, have you noticed any type of air freshener or perfume smell in the room? I can handle cleaning product smells that quickly dissipate. WDW rooms have never bothered me so I'm uneasy trying a resort not wholly managed by WDW, but we aren't able to book out as far as we used to be able to so these seem like a better option with more flexibility.

Please let me know which of those 3 resorts you stayed in with your answer. I'm most interested in the Swan Reserve but would consider any of the three.

Also, I don't care if the lobby has a perfume smell piped in. Not great, but I can just not linger in the lobby. Most WDW deluxe resorts have that now and I just move on through. It's only the room I'm concerned with.

Thank you!

I am also sensitive to smells (can't go in Sephora!) I stayed at Swan last year and don't recall any issues. I am there next week, I can report back!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Back from a Swan/SR split stay. Swan is rather growing on me after that remodel. The closet is still super weird though. SR cleared my upgrade certs so I got a suite! Always a nice surprise, very glad they put so many suites in that hotel. I was traveling with people who booked SR through Amex Hotel Collection and I can confirm the $150 credit was applied toward a dining charge and toward the resort fee. They were quite happy, it's very unusual for a hotel to allow that but they had thought the credit was only $100 so didn't charge $150 worth of dining to their room. They got a pool view upgrade from their standard view, the hotel was very full

Most annoying part of any SR stay is always the stupid walk to the boat but it was Very annoying this time. The entire walkway from just after the entrance into Swan to the back of the swan pool was blocked for construction for the week. I suspect they were building something for a Gartner convetion coming in beginning of May given the massive tent they had at Dolphin. This was also a serious tent, almost like a temporary building with it's own AC's and everything. So, to get to the boats you had hug the swan and walk around it's pool and exit out the back after the pool.

Tried breakfast at Garden Grove again- ick. Like nobody eats there and the food reflects that. Pastries hard as rocks, disgusting coffee, disgusting latte. Those who ordered eggs and other dishes were not happy either. I had plat benefit so after that we went to Rosa's for the rest of our Swan breakfasts and Amare at SR. Amare is the best but Rosa's is perfectly acceptable.

Swan moved our luggage to SR just fine.

The Amex Plat Resy credit for our Il Mulino meals never showed. I know the protocol from DPs on this is to wait 2 weeks before asking for a manual credit. We both messaged after 14 days and Amex manually applied the credit to each of our accounts without any issues (which I was glad for because I forgot to take a photo of my receipt lol).

All in all, a great trip! But 8 days at Swolphin was indeed a bit much. We had a plan change a month ago from BLT to swan for the first half when we freaked about the BLT/CR construction so it while it was a nice last minute alternative I was rather itching for a change in my hotel area. I've definitely become a split stay addict lol.

 

[gottalovepluto]

What is with the tents at the Swan lap pool? Are they redoing the cabanas?

Is that monstrosity still there?! Huge massive enclosed tent covering the entire walkway?

 

[maxiesmom]

Is that monstrosity still there?! Huge massive enclosed tent covering the entire walkway?

Yes. Made it very unappealing to swim in that pool. So we didn't swim at all.

As for Garden Grove, had breakfast there for the first time and really enjoyed it. No complaints on my omelette.

 

[Dave006]

Yes. Made it very unappealing to swim in that pool. So we didn't swim at all.

Are you commenting about the Swan lap pool near the Garden Grove or the larger Grotto pool that is shared with the Dolphin?

Dave

 

[maxiesmom]

Are you commenting about the Swan lap pool near the Garden Grove or the larger Grotto pool that is shared with the Dolphin?

Dave

The lap pool.

 

[Dave006]

The lap pool.

Yes that Splash Terrace location is perfect for Events. It is near the Convention center, and has it own entrance exit from the Convention Center.

Is there a reason that you did not want to use the larger Grotto pool?

Dave

 

[elvispursley]

I'll add that when we stayedI at the Swan we ate breakfast at Garden Grove and thought it was quite good. I had a veggie eggs Benedict and my mom had a some kind of egg dish--we both really liked it. I personally thought Rosa's was really really delicious--best mexican omelet I've ever had.