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

[hedberg1661]

Just booked Memorial Day Weekend! Let's hope a lot of the Covid crazy is over by then. Crossing my fingers...

 

[JoyAhead]

Hello all! I am looking at booking at the Swan or Dolphin in the next few weeks. After reading several blogs and reviews I had decided on the Swan. My husband, who is an avid trip advisor review reader, pointed out that over the last two months the Dolphin has much better reviews on trip advisor than the Swan, who has several poor reviews based on cleanliness. Has anyone been to either hotel lately that can vouch for the current quality and cleanliness?

Also, do either hotels have ground floor rooms? We are looking at the Costco deal which includes a resort view room, but I wouldn’t mind downgrading to regular room if it could be ground floor. My daughter is claustrophobic and will be an anxious mess the entire trip if we have to take multiple elevator rides a day.
Thanks

 

[Tarilyn]

We will be there Sunday through the 26th. Love the Swan!

 

[maxiesmom]

I know the dolphin has rooms on the main level. We were around the corner behind the gift shop. Loved that location!

 

[tstein12]

Hello all! I am looking at booking at the Swan or Dolphin in the next few weeks. After reading several blogs and reviews I had decided on the Swan. My husband, who is an avid trip advisor review reader, pointed out that over the last two months the Dolphin has much better reviews on trip advisor than the Swan, who has several poor reviews based on cleanliness. Has anyone been to either hotel lately that can vouch for the current quality and cleanliness?

Also, do either hotels have ground floor rooms? We are looking at the Costco deal which includes a resort view room, but I wouldn’t mind downgrading to regular room if it could be ground floor. My daughter is claustrophobic and will be an anxious mess the entire trip if we have to take multiple elevator rides a day.
Thanks

I was at the Swan for 3 nights last week, and it was very clean. They even provided a package of anti-bac wipes for the room.

 

[SteveH]

Also, do either hotels have ground floor rooms? We are looking at the Costco deal which includes a resort view room, but I wouldn’t mind downgrading to regular room if it could be ground floor. My daughter is claustrophobic and will be an anxious mess the entire trip if we have to take multiple elevator rides a day.

While that Costco deal is good, I'd make a call to S/D in-house reservations first. Costco's deal sort of locks you in to a room type, so check to see if you change the room type with the Costco deal, let them know your daughters situation and that should be something they can help to provide an accommodation. The ground floor Dolphin rooms have some followers since you can exit right out to the pool. When you call you will probably have better luck calling during the day, you want to avoid getting the Marriott call center so be sure to ask for in-house reservations, 407.934.4000 or 888.828.8850.

 

[armerida]

Hello all! I am looking at booking at the Swan or Dolphin in the next few weeks. After reading several blogs and reviews I had decided on the Swan. My husband, who is an avid trip advisor review reader, pointed out that over the last two months the Dolphin has much better reviews on trip advisor than the Swan, who has several poor reviews based on cleanliness. Has anyone been to either hotel lately that can vouch for the current quality and cleanliness?

Also, do either hotels have ground floor rooms? We are looking at the Costco deal which includes a resort view room, but I wouldn’t mind downgrading to regular room if it could be ground floor. My daughter is claustrophobic and will be an anxious mess the entire trip if we have to take multiple elevator rides a day.
Thanks

We’ve been to both recently (past few months since re-opening) and found our ground room at the Dolphin to be not thoroughly cleaned (dead bugs etc. in the windowsill behind the closed curtains). We have had clean rooms at the Swan and prefer it due to the smaller size and more laid back vibe. Unfortunately, the Swan does not have ground floor rooms, but last time we were there, they were keeping the staircases open so you didn’t have to take the elevators. So maybe request a low floor room so you can easily use the stairs.

 

[armerida]

Wondering if anyone knows the answer to this; not a Swan-specific question but would apply to all Crescent lake resorts. My dad is last-minute joining us for a Christmas trip at the Swan and just bought his tickets. When we walk to Epcot’s International Gateway, is there still a ticket window/guest relations where he can pick up his ticket? I’m assuming so, but given all the covid changes, wasn’t sure. Thank you!

 

[Tess]

Wondering if anyone knows the answer to this; not a Swan-specific question but would apply to all Crescent lake resorts. My dad is last-minute joining us for a Christmas trip at the Swan and just bought his tickets. When we walk to Epcot’s International Gateway, is there still a ticket window/guest relations where he can pick up his ticket? I’m assuming so, but given all the covid changes, wasn’t sure. Thank you!

The IG has a guest relations window and will call. So, yes, he should be able to pick up his ticket there. This is where we usually activate APs, renew APs, etc.

 

[armerida]

The IG has a guest relations window and will call. So, yes, he should be able to pick up his ticket there. This is where we usually activate APs, renew APs, etc.

Thank you!

 

[Krystal659]

At the Swan now, the wait for the elevator after park close was approximately 10 minutes last night. During the day, it’s not bad at all. So you may want to request a lower floor so that staircase is doable

 

[morganms22]

At the Swan now, the wait for the elevator after park close was approximately 10 minutes last night. During the day, it’s not bad at all. So you may want to request a lower floor so that staircase is doable

Thanks for this tip!

 

[virk4]

I've stayed at both many times. And, in the past few years, both hotels have been re-modeled. The location is superb.

BTW, is Mears still providing bus transportation instead of Disney buses?

 

[armerida]

I've stayed at both many times. And, in the past few years, both hotels have been re-modeled. The location is superb.

BTW, is Mears still providing bus transportation instead of Disney buses?

Yes, Mears shuttles and charter buses.

 

[nonnadisney]

Hello all! I am looking at booking at the Swan or Dolphin in the next few weeks. After reading several blogs and reviews I had decided on the Swan. My husband, who is an avid trip advisor review reader, pointed out that over the last two months the Dolphin has much better reviews on trip advisor than the Swan, who has several poor reviews based on cleanliness. Has anyone been to either hotel lately that can vouch for the current quality and cleanliness?

Also, do either hotels have ground floor rooms? We are looking at the Costco deal which includes a resort view room, but I wouldn’t mind downgrading to regular room if it could be ground floor. My daughter is claustrophobic and will be an anxious mess the entire trip if we have to take multiple elevator rides a day.
Thanks

We were just there a week ago. I had a second floor alcove room. I loved the space and the hotel was nice. No problem at all with cleanliness. Our room faced the boat dock which was a pretty view. We left Epcot before closing and had no wait for the elevator so it's a matter of timing as far as elevator wait times. I'm hoping to do a weekend trip to the Swan next year. I really liked the alcove room layout I too am claustrophobic and felt it had a spacious feel and plenty of room. Enjoy your trip!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Happy holidays!
Opinions please.
Plan on booking Swan for Christmas 2021.
I am using points for part of our time there. Am I better off booking as soon as my dates open up? Do they traditionally offer deals for this time period?
if I use points can I still use my AAA discount on the other nights?
Thanks!

 

[happymommy]

Happy holidays!
Opinions please.
Plan on booking Swan for Christmas 2021.
I am using points for part of our time there. Am I better off booking as soon as my dates open up? Do they traditionally offer deals for this time period?
if I use points can I still use my AAA discount on the other nights?
Thanks!

I would book as soon as it becomes available if using points certainly. Christmas week is the busiest week of the year. It’s also less likely that you’ll find great discounts.
You can book a cash stay with whatever discounts might be offered; I don’t know if the Swan or Dolphin does it so it can be booked all under one reservation with cash and points stays (some properties do). If you have to do it with 2 reservations, I’d call to have them linked so you wouldn’t have to check out and back in again.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Thank you @happymommy

 

[helenb]

Has anyone stayed recently? Do they have individual bottles of shampoo/conditioner (and is it that nice orange-ginger Marriott product) or do they have those horrible wall dispensers?

(I just want to know how much of my own toiletries I need to pack for our January trip...)

Also, what are the platinum elite benefits in the COVID-age?

 

[empedocles]

Just got back from a week at the Swan. My thoughts, and addressing some of the questions recently posed.

Nice hotel, spacious rooms. Booked a 2Q standard, AAA rate. Upgraded to 2Q Resort View. (With a great view of the lake & Dolphin.) I'm lifetime Marriott Gold, elite benefits seemed to be the upgrade, some extra points, and "enhanced" wi-fi. (Wi-fi was s.... l..... o...... w..... If that was "enhanced", I'd hate to see the "normal"...)

Like I said, the room seemed larger than your average business-class full-service hotel. Plenty of room between the beds and the bed and window. There was some very noticeable wear-and-tear in the bathroom (baseboard was loose, some scrapes on the walls, access panel was pulling away from the wall). Main room was in good shape. Beds were very comfortable (now I understand the hype over the Westin Heavenly Bed). I liked the split vanity design of the bathroom. Shower has a rainfall head and a wand. Decent water pressure. Bath products were tea tree oil - don't recall the brand. Bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion (individual bottles). My girlfriend did not think they were very good.

Initial cleanliness was fine. Housekeeping is every 4th day. They left an over-abundance of towels and bath products in the room due to the limited service. You could call down for more stuff as necessary.

Room started with 8 bottles of water, and they left 8 more after housekeeping on the 4th day. (2 bottles/day is included in the resort fee.)

None of the normal "paper/marketing" stuff is in the rooms right now. No pen, no notepad, no pamphlets/brochures/books/menus, no Bible, no Book of Mormon.

There was a wait for the elevators during peak times (Mornings from 8-10ish, mid-to-late afternoon, and evenings until 11 or so.)

We used the bus to get to Springs the first night. The bus drops you off on the other side of the Cirque du Solei building, and it is a looooooong walk to temp/security. After that, we decided to not use the buses. We either Ubered or drove to Springs, MK & AK. So I cannot comment on the bus frequency or where they drop off at TTC & AK.

{A note about rates: Booked the room in early October. At the time, I checked both AAA and teacher rate. Rate was the same, but AAA included a $50 resort credit, so I booked that one. Room ranged from 140-197 per night over my stay, I think it averaged to ~170 nightly. Best non-special-program rates were over 200 a night. Swan was actually cheaper than Dolphin for Xmas week. They did look at my AAA card. Finally, it was around $500 less all-in (including the BS resort fee) than the cheapest Disney resort (Pop).}