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

[luvmarypoppins]

Just wondering if anyone is going to the S/D specifically for the RWA conference coming up shortly. So many of the authors I like will be there, sigh!!

 

[Clare Voince]

I'm trying to decide if I want to stay at the Swolphin in December. My predicament is that only some of the dates that I want are available. If they're showing as not available on the website, does that mean they are gone for good, or do conventions reserve a block of rooms that might be released later?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I have also tried to get dates that were sold out in the past for conventions. I was told if they are fully committed to a conference they will usually block all those rooms and not release them to the public.

They would not even look this up for me at the front desk either. They told me I had to tho call the reservation number.

I have on occasion been able to get a sold out room/date using dh ff miles. That is not always the case though.

Good luck.

 

[Clare Voince]

I have also tried to get dates that were sold out in the past for conventions. I was told if they are fully committed to a conference they will usually block all those rooms and not release them to the public.

They would not even look this up for me at the front desk either. They told me I had to tho call the reservation number.

I have on occasion been able to get a sold out room/date using dh ff miles. That is not always the case though.

Good luck.

Thanks. Maybe I'll just change my dates or do a split stay.

 

[sweetmama17]

Swan or Dolphin?

I have the Swan booked but it looks like I can get the Dolphin for a little less. Biggest difference if bed size? And the pool is closer to the Dolphin?

Anyone have a preference?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Pool distance is about the same from either. If one is actually closer, I would say the Dolphin by a few feet. More services at the Dolphin.... Picabu, laundry. For me, the Dolphin is too big, I prefer the more compact Swan. Bathroom setup in the Swan is the one I prefer also.

 

[JerseyJanice]

@sweetmama17 The maximum number of guests allowed in the Dolphin in a resort room is 5, whereas it is 4 at The Swan.

The Grotto pool is closer to the Dolphin, but there is a lap pool next to the Swan.

I prefer the Swan because of its rectangular shape. The rooms are close to one elevator or the other. At the Dolphin, your room could be located several turns from the elevator due to triangular shape of the building. You have to use the elevator for your wing too.

The Dolphin does have rooms with Epcot views, and I believe that there are more balconies there too. I'm not sure about the size of the beds in the renovated rooms. In the old rooms, they were somewhere between a full and queen.

The queen beds in the Swan seemed huge to me, but that could be because at home I sleep with a husband and a dog. LOL! I had the bed all to myself last October, and it was Heavenly!

 

[loves to dive]

Swan or Dolphin?

I have the Swan booked but it looks like I can get the Dolphin for a little less. Biggest difference if bed size? And the pool is closer to the Dolphin?

Anyone have a preference?

I tend to go with just whichever one is less. The bed sizes don't matter to us since it's either me solo or me and my adult son so separate beds. Swan is smaller and less convention looking in the lobby and feels less convention but Dolphin has more inside the place, not that matters since they share. Swan has a smaller lap pool, which we used when we were there instead of using the big pool. I would image, even staying at the Dolphin we would do that since it's a little less crowded. The bar area at the Dolphin by the pool is a little nicer.

 

[sweetmama17]

Thanks. Its for 2 adults and 2 kiddos (4 and 2) for 4 night over labor day weekend. We will probably use a packnplay for the 2 year old. But DH and I have to sleep together. We will be using the main pool (and kiddie pool) daily and will have to fit our huge double stroller in the room as well (which Im pretty sure I did at the swan a couple years ago). Ive only stayed at the Swan once and never at the Dolphin.

 

[shoreward]

Are there any thoughts on why SPG Free Nights at the Swan consistently price out at 16,000 points per night for January thru mid March 2018, even though it's normally @12,000 points? The Dolphin prices out at 10,000, which is its norm. The paid rates, for some dates, are actually higher at the Dolphin, yet the points value is a constant 10,000.

 

[ImprovGal]

Are there any thoughts on why SPG Free Nights at the Swan consistently price out at 16,000 points per night for January thru mid March 2018, even though it's normally @12,000 points? The Dolphin prices out at 10,000, which is its norm. The paid rates, for some dates, are actually higher at the Dolphin, yet the points value is a constant 10,000.

Dolphin is currently a Category 4 property; all nights are 10,000 for a standard room. Swan moved up to a Category 5 property shortly after it's renovation was completed; standard rooms range from 12,000-16,000 points per night, with the upper end of the range allowing for peak pricing.

 

[shoreward]

Dolphin is currently a Category 4 property; all nights are 10,000 for a standard room. Swan moved up to a Category 5 property shortly after it's renovation was completed; standard rooms range from 12,000-16,000 points per night, with the upper end of the range allowing for peak pricing.

Thanks for the reply. When I noticed the increased points for the Swan, earlier this year, I inquired at the front desk. When they didn't know, I asked them to inquire in the back office. After doing so, they came back and responded that a manager insisted that Swan rooms were always at 12,000 points.

Interestingly enough, the week between Christmas and the end of the year is valued at 12,000 points. Even a period when one of the largest conventions/conferences is on site, the points value is still at 12,000.

 

[luvallprincesses]

We have an upcoming split stay, starting at WL for 5 nights then Dolphin for 5. While at WL we have free dining, so no need for groceries but we will want some items, mainly cold, while at the Dolphin. (I can pack dry goods as we have free luggage with our flight.). What is the best option? Knowing Garden Grocer can't deliver to Dolphin, I considered an order delivered on our last full day at WL and then sent over with our luggage but that won't work for cold items. Can we get an Amazon Prime Now delivery to Dolphin? Or is a trip to Hess or even Boardwalk our easiest/best bet? I also see the in room pantry options for small things; looking for more options than that. We're talking milk for cereal, yogurt, cheese, drinks. Thanks!

 

[chris benton]

Swan or Dolphin?

I have the Swan booked but it looks like I can get the Dolphin for a little less. Biggest difference if bed size? And the pool is closer to the Dolphin?

Anyone have a preference?

For our fam, the bed size was the dealbreaker for Dolphin. After walking around the parks, I assumed the upcharge for 2 queens would be better for a good night's sleep for us. The pool complex is closer to Dolphin, but the walk over from the Swan is not big deal. You start walking, and then you spot a few lizards, then you walk through the fake beach, and you're at the 1st pool. No big deal at all. The Swan pool is nice, but for the most part, we walked right past it because, well...the Dolphin's pool complex is a hoot.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If you look at the map in the OP, it can be seen that both resorts have their own lap pools close to their respective resorts. The larger Grotto pool complex and beach areas are at the far west end of the entire resort complex and roughly equidistant from each resort. If you happen to have a room in the far east area of the Dolphin, it could be a significant walk to the Grotto area. Keep in mind that no location on property is all that far from any other area.

 

[SwanVT2]

How many days out can I make dining reservations and FP when staying at the Dolphin? Thank you!

 

[Tess]

How many days out can I make dining reservations and FP when staying at the Dolphin? Thank you!

60 days for FP and 180 days for dining BUT, you do not get the +10. You will need to make each dining reservation at its 180 day mark for the duration of your stay. That said, I have sometimes been able to make all of my dining at 180 days and sometimes not--luck of the draw I guess or failure of Disney IT. Shocking I know.

 

[SwanVT2]

We have an upcoming split stay, starting at WL for 5 nights then Dolphin for 5. While at WL we have free dining, so no need for groceries but we will want some items, mainly cold, while at the Dolphin. (I can pack dry goods as we have free luggage with our flight.). What is the best option? Knowing Garden Grocer can't deliver to Dolphin, I considered an order delivered on our last full day at WL and then sent over with our luggage but that won't work for cold items. Can we get an Amazon Prime Now delivery to Dolphin? Or is a trip to Hess or even Boardwalk our easiest/best bet? I also see the in room pantry options for small things; looking for more options than that. We're talking milk for cereal, yogurt, cheese, drinks. Thanks!

Oh I did not know Garden Grocer does not deliver to Dolphin. What a shame! What is the in room pantry like? Costly I suppose?

 

[shoreward]

Oh I did not know Garden Grocer does not deliver to Dolphin. What a shame! What is the in room pantry like? Costly I suppose?

Here is a little info, with a link for the menu:

http://www.swandolphin.com/accommodations/pantry.html

 

[JerseyJanice]

We have an upcoming split stay, starting at WL for 5 nights then Dolphin for 5. While at WL we have free dining, so no need for groceries but we will want some items, mainly cold, while at the Dolphin. (I can pack dry goods as we have free luggage with our flight.). What is the best option? Knowing Garden Grocer can't deliver to Dolphin, I considered an order delivered on our last full day at WL and then sent over with our luggage but that won't work for cold items. Can we get an Amazon Prime Now delivery to Dolphin? Or is a trip to Hess or even Boardwalk our easiest/best bet? I also see the in room pantry options for small things; looking for more options than that. We're talking milk for cereal, yogurt, cheese, drinks. Thanks!

If all you want is milk, the general store on the Boardwalk is fine for that.

If you are looking for more, I suggest walking to the Speedway (was Hess) and taking an Uber back. The people I travel with like beer and it's too heavy to carry from there.

You can even get cases of water there although if you like Dasani and there aren't too many of you, the housekeepers are fairly generous with free water bottles so you may not need to buy water.