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

[Gitelfor]

There was a February incident at the Dolphin, covered by the Orlando Sentinel. It was one of a number of recent outbursts by guests at WDW against CMs and first responders trying to enforce COVID precautions.


https://www.orlandosentinel.com/bus...0210304-olv75latw5hnpkf7a6ccp3nila-story.html
From Orlando Sentinel:

Disney’s Reedy Creek firefighters were helping a drunken woman who had hurt her ankle onto a gurney in the lobby of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel on Feb. 12, a sheriff’s report said.
The woman’s husband, Stephen Johnson, also seemed drunk and began yelling in a firefighter’s face, apparently upset his wife was being taken away, the report said. He wasn’t wearing a mask.
“I do not have a mask, buddy!” Johnson screamed, growing more irate when the firefighter asked him to step back and then cover up, according to the report.
Johnson threatened to kill a sheriff’s deputy, tussled with the officer and then grabbed an Orange County Sheriff deputy’s gun from his belt, the report said.
Johnson, 32, of Fernandina Beach, was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and disorderly intoxication. He has pleaded not guilty, according to court records.

Two of the charges are felonies.

 

[Wishuponastar0412]

How sad are the views from “traditional” rooms?

My cousin and I stayed at the Dolphin in November and had standard booked. Because I had a Marriott rewards account (I just created for this reservation), they upgraded us to a balcony with a view towards Boardwalk. We didn't have to pay anything extra! I then stayed standard view Swan in December. My mom & I could see Tower of Terror from our room! It wasn't bad at all!

 

[amalone1013]

Most really aren't bad, the old title was "Limited View Rooms" . That said, here are some that we get a laugh at
from amalone1013 and another from amalone1013 and yet another from amalone1013 and one from robinb, can't forget the one from shoreward the dreaded dumpster view photos seem to have disappeared. Keep in mind the S/D has 2,270 rooms so your chances are pretty good and knowing they are not at capacity I think chances of a good room are even better now.

I have great luck

 

[SteveH]

Two of the charges are felonies.

Sadly I'm not sure it was just the alcohol talking, but slapping a couple felony charges will get them to wise up hopefully - though probably dropped to a misdemeanor. Of course his name will be enshrined in the internet.

I have great luck

You know what amazed me, you still had a positive attitude through it all

 

[amalone1013]

Sadly I'm not sure it was just the alcohol talking, but slapping a couple felony charges will get them to wise up hopefully - though probably dropped to a misdemeanor. Of course his name will be enshrined in the internet.


You know what amazed me, you still had a positive attitude through it all

We still love it. We are usually rope drop to close people so view and balcony and such is nice but not the end of the world lol

 

[supamaki]

Are the Mears buses still running from Swan/Dolphin? Besides MK are there any disadvantages to taking them?

 

[SteveH]

Are the Mears buses still running from Swan/Dolphin? Besides MK are there any disadvantages to taking them?

They are and will be for sometime, unsure of how long the contract though. I think MK is the only real big disadvantage. You can see where the pick up/drop off in the Swan/Dolphin App

 

[samandryanmom]

After many trips most offsite but a few value stays also, I’m traveling for my 50th birthday and daughters 21st in mid October and I think the Swan would be a great fit for us. My daughters college roommate and mom are coming along also. Since they want to drink around the world, we want to be close to Epcot but there is a budget!!! Where’s the best place to search for rates? The Marriott site directly? Somewhere else?

 

[SteveH]

@samandryanmom Some have just reported good rates off of Expedia that match the Annual Pass rates, also check out using the AAA rates on the Marriott site. But start with the Marriott site and see what rate you find.

 

[Dave006]

Where’s the best place to search for rates? The Marriott site directly? Somewhere else?

@SteveH covered the basics but the best place to start is on this web page specifically for the Swan & Dolphin: https://www.swandolphin.com/value-days/

This is the Value day calendar, note that there are 3 tabs but they don't work on this page just scroll down to see the 3 options: Swan, Dolphin, and the new Swan Reserve that should also be open for October consideration. Note the "Value" availability can change as you get closer to your specific dates. Right now for example the Swan & Dolphin have lots and lots of value days for this month.

You can also access the list of offers directly from the Swan & Dolphin: https://swandolphin.com/offers/index.html

Dave

 

[samsonjs]

So are the Mears shuttles significantly worse than disney transportation? We will have a car. Should we just stick to driving to the parks? Also, do you get free disney parking if you are staying at Swan? Now, I'm wondering if we end up not using buses if we should just do a cheaper (using points) marriott or do JW Bonnet Creek. We will not be doing Epcot and only one day at HS.

Nevermind. I saw a few pages back answered some of my questions. Luckily you still get free Disney parking.

 

[Gitelfor]

Has anyone recently taken the Friendship boat from the Swan/Dolphin to DHS for park opening or earlier? I heard that many days the boat is filled to capacity by the time it departs the YC/BC dock.

 

[loves to dive]

Whoop, whoop just booked Dolphin for April 11 - 15 at a pretty good rate. Ordered my tickets and trying to get organized. I've searched the boards but can't find what kind of coffee pots are in the room. I know they use Starbucks but are they like K-cup pods or like the little round packs that look like filters sort of?

 

[Dan Murphy]

like the little round packs that look like filters sort of?

This, last time I was there.

 

[loves to dive]

loves to dive said:
like the little round packs that look like filters sort of?

This, last time I was there.

Thanks, that is what I thought I remembered. I'm not a fan of Starbucks but it's hard to find those little round things in other brands so free coffee is free coffee, I'll manage.

 

[slyster]

Hi there...questions from a first timer in this thread. When I went to the Dolphin/Swan website, it seemed like the only way to book a room was nonrefundable/no cancellation. Is there another option for the option to cancel without penalty?

The disney website shows only standard rooms with regular view while the Dolphin/Swan shows different views. What's the best way to choose a package with tickets? Either on disneys website or the dolphin/swan website? I wasn't sure how that worked.

Lastly, does this hotel use the same disney transportation system when it comes to buses? We will have someone with a scooter in our party so I wasn't sure if transportation was different.

I currently am booked at BCV but I'm seeing Dolphin and Swan are a bit cheaper so I am checking out my options. Thank you!

 

[happymommy]

Hi there...questions from a first timer in this thread. When I went to the Dolphin/Swan website, it seemed like the only way to book a room was nonrefundable/no cancellation. Is there another option for the option to cancel without penalty?

The disney website shows only standard rooms with regular view while the Dolphin/Swan shows different views. What's the best way to choose a package with tickets? Either on disneys website or the dolphin/swan website? I wasn't sure how that worked.

Lastly, does this hotel use the same disney transportation system when it comes to buses? We will have someone with a scooter in our party so I wasn't sure if transportation was different.

I currently am booked at BCV but I'm seeing Dolphin and Swan are a bit cheaper so I am checking out my options. Thank you!

I always only book on www.marriott.com for the Swan and Dolphin since SPG and Marriott merged. I also try to never, ever book non refundable rates.

The transportation is now Mears, so for the Magic Kingdom they only go to the TTC. I’d walk over to the Boardwalk to bus to the MK instead (5 minute walk). They use Friendship Boats to Epcot (or short walk) and Hollywood Studios. Bus to DAK.

 

[mickey916]

Hi there...questions from a first timer in this thread. When I went to the Dolphin/Swan website, it seemed like the only way to book a room was nonrefundable/no cancellation. Is there another option for the option to cancel without penalty?

The disney website shows only standard rooms with regular view while the Dolphin/Swan shows different views. What's the best way to choose a package with tickets? Either on disneys website or the dolphin/swan website? I wasn't sure how that worked.

Lastly, does this hotel use the same disney transportation system when it comes to buses? We will have someone with a scooter in our party so I wasn't sure if transportation was different.

I currently am booked at BCV but I'm seeing Dolphin and Swan are a bit cheaper so I am checking out my options. Thank you!

When you go to the dolphin/swan website, it will take you to the Marriott/Westin website where you select your dates and travel party. Then, it will automatically default to the Prepay/save tab which only shows the non-refundable rate. However, if you hit the "standard rates" tab (right under the date and party size) it will give you refundable rates. Hope that helps. Also right now they are not using Disney busses but are using the Mears busses so they will be different. I'd check on Mears busses to see how the scooter accessibility is.

 

[lluv3971]

Question for the group - Is the spa open? Has anyone been since the shut down? What was your experience? TIA

 

[virk4]

We love the entire resort and have stayed there many times. I can't wait to stay at the new Swan Reserve this coming Fall. It's hard to beat the location, price, and some of the top restaurants at WDW. But, the bus change is a bummer for me. I like to get to the parks for rope drop. I will walk to DHS and EPCOT. But to the MK? Not only is the drop-off at TTC bizarre, but the bus doesn't leave the hotel early enough to get to MK for the real opening [8:15 - not the scheduled 9 am]. So, I guess I'll Uber to TTC at 7:30 and walk through the Poly and GF, get to security at 8 and be ready for the early opening.