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

[KMarston]

For some reason I thought S&D had the same ADR privileges as WDW resorts. Reading the first post I see FP+ was the same maybe I just assumed that ADR privileges were the same? Has this changed? Always been this way? We’re so out of luck it seems!

 

[julesann]

ADR is the same as WDW resorts. You will be able to book all of your dining at 60 days out.

 

[MarBee]

Contemplating booking a Dolphin room for one night even though we have rented a condo. But I am hearing that they are not allowing cars in the lot at Hollywood Studios until after they let the guests in who walked/took Disney transportation for rope drop. We have only one park day and want to make the best of early morning rides. A one night room would allow us to park at the Dolphin for a fee. So my questions are:

1. We love pool time. Is a full day at the pool before our park day worth the money? We would also enjoy just walking around the grounds and Boardwalk area.

2. How are the food/drink options at the main pool?

3. Has anyone been there recently? Is the pool area packed these days? People respecting social distance?

It is a beautiful hotel and on my wish list...but I love our condo too and this may be a crazy idea to just get in the park 30 minutes before offsite guests.

I have not been since November 2019, so I can’t speak to any of the crowds and distancing. However, I would say that the resort has enough to do, and the pool is cool enough that you could stay there a few days without ever leaving and not be bored. They have great food you can order poolside and good drinks. But there are a lot of option inside as well.

 

[MarBee]

I’m not sure if this has been reported or not so I just thought I’d share just in case. I booked the new Swan Reserve on points in November for 5 nights. I had to pay $196 and change for taxes and fees, so I’m guessing the resort fee is $39 and change including the taxes. Comparable to the other two.

 

[patty57]

ADR is the same as WDW resorts. You will be able to book all of your dining at 60 days out.

I know many report doing this, but I have never been able to book all my dining at 60 days out. I have had to book each day at 60 days out.

 

[Nabas]

I know many report doing this, but I have never been able to book all my dining at 60 days out. I have had to book each day at 60 days out.

Did you link your reservation in My Disney Experience?

 

[Turk February]

Right now, I have a DVC room booked at the Boardwalk Villas for the 50th. Of course, I already have my Magic Kingdom Park Pass!

But I've not 100% convinced about going.

Is it going to be crazy crowded or will I miss not going for the 50th?

Not sure yet.

Thoughts?

From what they have announced so far, I feel like the only reason to go on the 1st is to say you were there and get whatever shirt they sell. MK will definitely be packed that day.

For years I had every intention of going for the 50th but we’ve reconsidered and are planning to go a few weeks later instead.

 

[KMarston]

I know many report doing this, but I have never been able to book all my dining at 60 days out. I have had to book each day at 60 days out.

I can’t believe I had this wrong. Everything I’ve found says only Disney resorts and specifically not Shades of Green, or Swolphin

 

[hedberg1661]

I just got back last night and I can give you a few updates and opinions.
1) The construction in the pool area really didn't seem to impact the pool operations however, I did confirm with a cast member there that they are putting in an overpass/pedestrian bridge from the Swan Reserve. Consider the source and take it for what you will.
2) The busses at the Swan/Dolphin are really hit or miss right now. Since they no longer use Disney Transport for the busses we found the times to be erratic and the (few) busses we were on were in frankly poor shape. Also, there is no distancing 'shields' etc. and they are packing the busses full however, there is no standing allowed. The pickup location for MK and DHS is especially disappointing. As many others have posted here you do not get dropped off in the regular bus depot areas.
3) The room was clean and I was happy with everything from the room/check in/out etc.

 

[julesann]

I can’t believe I had this wrong. Everything I’ve found says only Disney resorts and specifically not Shades of Green, or Swolphin

Two weeks ago I booked all of my dining at the 60 day mark. The system is a little glitchy. I noticed I had to re-sign into MDE and even refresh the page a few times in order to get the full length of time (sometimes it only showed my first day). It was 3 a.m. my time so my brain can't remember exactly what I did. But it worked.

 

[SteveH]

But that's one of the reasons I've been interested in S/D. I can stay here for around the same price as CSR, and be in a better location. I was at first leaning toward CSR because I wanted to be in the "bubble" but I think being at S/D and its location will be just as good, despite not being at a Disney owned hotel.

Good call IMHO, the bubble is fun but to me the location is more important, fact that I can skip taking a bus (no matter if its Disney or Mears is great). I think paying a bit more for a better view is worth it. We had a corner room over looking the water way and backside of Boardwalk resort and really enjoyed it, blinds open all night just to enjoy the glow, very peaceful and the double set of windows was wonderful. Have a great trip.

...But I've not 100% convinced about going...

Thoughts?

I can only share the reasoning behind me cancelling our trip for the 50th. When they announced they were not going to open Ratatouille until October 1 and didn't say anything about Tron or Guardians we read between the lines and figured they wouldn't be opening in time for the 50th. That was a major blow and disappointment, without those 2 rides and perhaps the MK Train we sort of felt like what's the point. Since we'd been just before the shut down, nothing was going to be new, except ratatouille. I'd be fine with lighter crowds, and lack of new but I think that since MK is booked (and no word of adding more spots), and so far no indications they are adding more restaurants, or other attractions I think its going to be very packed. Being there on the 1st would be neat but not worth it IMHO. So we bailed on Disney and we're going to Hawaii, besides the 50th its our 30th and we wanted to do something special.

 

[SteveH]

I just got back last night and I can give you a few updates and opinions.
1) The construction in the pool area really didn't seem to impact the pool operations however, I did confirm with a cast member there that they are putting in an overpass/pedestrian bridge from the Swan Reserve. Consider the source and take it for what you will.

Now if it had come from a Disney Bus driver we'd know it accurate LOL.
Thanks for the updates, sounds like a good trip!

 

[KMarston]

Two weeks ago I booked all of my dining at the 60 day mark. The system is a little glitchy. I noticed I had to re-sign into MDE and even refresh the page a few times in order to get the full length of time (sometimes it only showed my first day). It was 3 a.m. my time so my brain can't remember exactly what I did. But it worked.

Thanks! I’ll definitely try that!

 

[patty57]

Did you link your reservation in My Disney Experience?

Yes. I know people can often do the 60 day ADRs for their entire trip, but I don't think it always works. Or maybe it does now. I haven't done it in a couple of years.

 

[patty57]

I can’t believe I had this wrong. Everything I’ve found says only Disney resorts and specifically not Shades of Green, or Swolphin

You aren't wrong. I haven't been able to do it, but others have. I also haven't tried in a couple of years.

 

[KMarston]

You aren't wrong. I haven't been able to do it, but others have. I also haven't tried in a couple of years.

I guess I just assumed that because you have FP+ privileges (in the past) that ADRs were the same. Wouldn’t be an issue if all the restaurants were open but we’ve got 2 first timers and my husband will be miserable if we’re fighting to eat CS. He hates it! Looks like he’s going to be shelling out for Shula’s every night! I just keep telling myself it’s a almost free room!

 

[SMRT-1]

It isn't necessarily indicative of the current policy, but for our trip that was supposed to happen May 2020, we were able to book all 10 days of our trip at 180 days before our check in. Obviously since the COVID-era policy has changed to 60 days, it's also possible that Swalphin guest eligibility might have changed as well, but I just thought I'd add our experience as an example that the +10 ADR benefit was extended to Swalphin guests in the recent past.

 

[ww52]

Hi folks - long time "member" of this board (I recall back when there was a Sigma Delta "sorority" of Swan/Dolphin advocates many years ago now).

We are planning a trip this summer (July 1-8) after cancelling last year. I have several questions that I realize can be answered with searches at various forums, but I was hoping for a one stop place.

I see dining reservations are 60 days out, not 90. And it MAY be 60 days for each day - or MAYBE (if the stars align) 60 days for the whole trip.

I see FP+ comments. That's back? We have a park reservation for each of the days on MDE. Can we actually get FPs? If so - when (apologies in that I'm sure I'll have this answered somewhere else)

Housekeeping - how is it working now? Is there anything in room? Or is it all "do-it-yourself"?

I'll look up early entry - late hours somewhere else, but if anyone could be so kind as to let me know if that's back?

What construction is going on and will it be done by July? I see references to the pool are.

Again, I realize I can get all these answers with research and so if that's the "answer" to my questions I will do my leg work.

Thanks in advance,

Bill

 

[lorimay]

Got back yesterday from our stay at The Dolphin.
I think we are done with these resorts, it seems to me if you need to use the bus transportation, you are not going to get the same treatment as in the past. I don't know when they switched to Mears because we haven't stayed at these two properties for quite a while.
We ubered over to Disney Springs Thursday morning then walked back to the bus depot in the afternoon only to find out that the resort bus for The Swan/Dolphin picks you up on the other side of DS.
We just jumped on an available Beach/Yacht Club bus.

The resort fee is $35 a day beside the pools, I'm not sure what this covers, the Wifi was very slow, rooms are only cleaned every 4 days, its just not worth it. Parking $29 a day.

We were told our room was upgraded for being Bonvoy members, we got exactly the room we paid for minus the balcony it said was included.

The only plus was being close to the boardwalk and the boats and skyliner.

 

[CJN]

I think paying a bit more for a better view is worth it. We had a corner room over looking the water way and backside of Boardwalk resort and really enjoyed it, blinds open all night just to enjoy the glow, very peaceful and the double set of windows was wonderful.

I’ve been curious about the view towards Boardwalk so thanks for this description. The last few trips our rooms have overlooked the courtyard but some of those views we’ve not enjoyed quite as much as others. Out on the edge of the wings we’ve liked a lot but not so much when the view is looking directly at the Dolphin. So I was contemplating requesting a high floor with a view east. It sounds like you really liked it. The only thing is we’ve also booked a balcony and I can’t quite tell from pictures if there are any out that direction.