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

[ckelly14]

This is probably a stupid question but on the first page it stated that the plastic refillable mugs were for cold drinks only and if you wanted coffee or tea you had to get the silver mug. I don’t mind getting the silver mug but I can put cold drinks in that one also right? Where do you pick up the refillable mugs at the Dolphin?

The refillable mugs are at Picabu. At least in the past, they were more of a plastic tumbler with a lid (looks more like a coffee cup than a soft drink cup). I always used it for coffee and soft drinks. I haven't been there for 2 years so I'm not sure if it is still the same.

ETA: Looking at the first page, it looks like there is both a metal coffee cup and a plastic drink cup. I believe this is the same as it was the last time I was there, but I guess I was a rule breaker...

 

[hsmamato2]

We are at the Swan right now.

The pools themselves are unaffected by the construction but there are fences up everywhere by the Grotto pool. In addition, the noise from the construction is loud and constant. It's not a particularly relaxing environment. We advise staying elsewhere if you want to spend a relaxing time at the pool.

The hotel lobbies and rooms are completely unaffected by the construction. They are a great place to stay if you do not plan to spend time at the Grotto pool.

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Yikes..... this looks awful! Any end date planned for this mess? Why aren't they allowing access to that lake area?

 

[Kfreitas]

I have a Swan Reserve reservation booked directly through Marriott. I was having issues with it (long story) and have not attempted to link yet. After trying to navigate through Marriott’s less than helpful customer service I tried to call Swolphin who has always been helpful. The person there informed me that they don’t have the capabilities to do anything with the Swan Reserve yet. She couldn’t even see my reservation in the system at this time.
Obviously I may have just happened to get someone who didn’t know what they were doing, but I just thought I’d share with you all what I was told.
I’m going attempt to link my reservation to MDE tomorrow, so I’ll let you know how it goes then.

I just called Swolphin and they were able to see my reservation, but they said that they are not linking Swan Reserve Reservations to MDE until 60 days before the reservation. I was also told this is likely to change once the hotel is opened.

 

[obpugmom]

There's a lot ripped up at the construction sites. I'm pretty sure this work will still be going on in 10 days.

The Swan/Dolphin pools are more chaotic than the Disney pools. Disney has lifeguards and pool attendants everywhere, watching over everyone and everything. The only Swan/Dolphin employees we saw were someone at the rental hut, someone at the top of the water slide, and several servers bringing out drinks and food.

Disney allows you to take off your mask while in the fenced-in pool area. The Swan/Dolphin requires you to wear your mask unless in the pool or seated at your socially distanced deck chair. We heard that announcement every 15 minutes or so. Of course, there is no one at the Grotto pool enforcing this, so most hotel guests are simply ignoring this. This is one of the ways the Swan/Dolphin feels more chaotic. They have a stricter rule but no enforcement. And the announcement repeatedly reminded us about COVID. Not exactly what I wanted to be reminded of while trying to relax poolside.

At least we were able to find chairs at the Swan/Dolphin. We also recently stayed at the Beach Club. There often was a line to get into Stormalong Bay. Maybe consider the Boardwalk, where there seemed to be no wait to get to the pools.

There's a lot ripped up at the construction sites. I'm pretty sure this work will still be going on in 10 days.

The Swan/Dolphin pools are more chaotic than the Disney pools. Disney has lifeguards and pool attendants everywhere, watching over everyone and everything. The only Swan/Dolphin employees we saw were someone at the rental hut, someone at the top of the water slide, and several servers bringing out drinks and food.

Disney allows you to take off your mask while in the fenced-in pool area. The Swan/Dolphin requires you to wear your mask unless in the pool or seated at your socially distanced deck chair. We heard that announcement every 15 minutes or so. Of course, there is no one at the Grotto pool enforcing this, so most hotel guests are simply ignoring this. This is one of the ways the Swan/Dolphin feels more chaotic. They have a stricter rule but no enforcement. And the announcement repeatedly reminded us about COVID. Not exactly what I wanted to be reminded of while trying to relax poolside.

At least we were able to find chairs at the Swan/Dolphin. We also recently stayed at the Beach Club. There often was a line to get into Stormalong Bay. Maybe consider the Boardwalk, where there seemed to be no wait to get to the pools.

This doesn’t sound very relaxing! We were trying to save some money staying at Swan. We’ve never stayed there before. Yacht Club is our favorite resort. Do you think we will be disappointed with the current state of the pool area? We have a reservation at both resorts, so will need to decide soon. I don’t think Boardwalk is an option at this point.

 

[Nabas]

Yikes..... this looks awful! Any end date planned for this mess? Why aren't they allowing access to that lake area?

You can access the lake area although you need to walk through an opening in the fence to do so.

 

[Nabas]

This doesn’t sound very relaxing! We were trying to save some money staying at Swan. We’ve never stayed there before. Yacht Club is our favorite resort. Do you think we will be disappointed with the current state of the pool area? We have a reservation at both resorts, so will need to decide soon. I don’t think Boardwalk is an option at this point.

My wife greatly enjoyed the Swan common areas and the room. If you don't plan to spend time at the grotto pool while construction is ongoing, I highly recommend the Swan. We have stayed at the Dolphin before and we both liked the Swan more.

As far as the pool area goes, I was disappointed with the current state of the Grotto pool, especially since there was no warning about this when we booked. Repeating something I wrote earlier, the Swan & Dolphin grotto pool felt much more chaotic than anything I have experienced at a WDW hotel. As you are familiar with Stormalong Bay, I can't imagine how you won't be disappointed with the Grotto pool in its current state.

Note that the Swan's quiet pool is much farther from the construction. Although not as expansive as the main pool, it should be quieter there.

Here's an image with the Swan's quiet pool on the left.

 

[doconnor901]

When we transferred bags from the Swan to a Disney resort, we were told that the transfer was done by a limo driver, which was a different process than from a Disney resort to the Swan or Dolphin. If that is still the case, it sounds like the transfer is controlled by the originating resort, and thus, transfer from Swan/Dolphin is up to the Swan/Dolphin.

Curious about this because I’d like to use points for a free night at the Swan or Dolphin, then the remaining time at a resort, but concerned about the baggage transfer? Should I be?

 

[travellovingirl]

We are at the Swan right now.

The pools themselves are unaffected by the construction but there are fences up everywhere by the Grotto pool. In addition, the noise from the construction is loud and constant. It's not a particularly relaxing environment. We advise staying elsewhere if you want to spend a relaxing time at the pool.

The hotel lobbies and rooms are completely unaffected by the construction. They are a great place to stay if you do not plan to spend time at the Grotto pool.

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Thanks for the update. Did you notice construction by the other pools? I think there is a dolphin lap pool and swan lap pool? Did you notice what time the construction stopped at the end of the day?

 

[obpugmom]

My wife greatly enjoyed the Swan common areas and the room. If you don't plan to spend time at the grotto pool while construction is ongoing, I highly recommend the Swan. We have stayed at the Dolphin before and we both liked the Swan more.

As far as the pool area goes, I was disappointed with the current state of the Grotto pool, especially since there was no warning about this when we booked. Repeating something I wrote earlier, the Swan & Dolphin grotto pool felt much more chaotic than anything I have experienced at a WDW hotel. As you are familiar with Stormalong Bay, I can't imagine how you won't be disappointed with the Grotto pool in its current state.

Note that the Swan's quiet pool is much farther from the construction. Although not as expansive as the main pool, it should be quieter there.

Here's an image with the Swan's quiet pool on the left.

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Thank you. I really appreciate the information. We definitely plan on a lot of pool time so we’ll have to consider all of this in our decision.

 

[fly girl]

We are at the Swan right now.

The pools themselves are unaffected by the construction but there are fences up everywhere by the Grotto pool. In addition, the noise from the construction is loud and constant. It's not a particularly relaxing environment. We advise staying elsewhere if you want to spend a relaxing time at the pool.

The hotel lobbies and rooms are completely unaffected by the construction. They are a great place to stay if you do not plan to spend time at the Grotto pool.

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I can take the fences, it is the noise I am concerned about. Is it truly that loud? Can you have a conversation without screaming? I wonder if construction is everyday, or only weekdays?

We are planning pool time and this is a major bummer especially since Swan/Dolphin has no mention of this on their site.

 

[Nabas]

Thanks for the update. Did you notice construction by the other pools? I think there is a dolphin lap pool and swan lap pool? Did you notice what time the construction stopped at the end of the day?

You can see the fence running along the Dolphin lap pool to the right in the below image.



The Swan lap pool is to the left of the below image. You can see the construction fence at the end of the path. So the Swan lap pool is more removed from the construction than the Dolphin lap pool.




Construction was loud. Even with music being piped in and the usual noise associated with any pool, we heard the construction noise.

Not sure what time construction ends each day. We left at 3 and it was still going on.

 

[Nabas]

I can take the fences, it is the noise I am concerned about. Is it truly that loud? Can you have a conversation without screaming? I wonder if construction is everyday, or only weekdays?

I have no idea what the construction hours are. I suggest you call.

Yes, easy to have a conversation if you are next to each other.

However, at times, a small bulldozer would back up and the beeping from it backing up made conversation more challenging.

This image shows a crane working on the Reserve in the distance.

 

[patty57]

I'm ending up a quick 2 night stay at bwv today. Think I will wander over and take a look at the Grotto pool construction. I have a Swan stay beginning May 11, and not so in love with the thought of construction when I planned on quite a bit of Grotto time.

 

[supamaki]

I'm ending up a quick 2 night stay at bwv today. Think I will wander over and take a look at the Grotto pool construction. I have a Swan stay beginning May 11, and not so in love with the thought of construction when I planned on quite a bit of Grotto time.

I'll be there the same time in May, so I'm interested in your findings. I wonder if this can at least get our resort fees reduced.

 

[SteveH]

I'll be there the same time in May, so I'm interested in your findings. I wonder if this can at least get our resort fees reduced.

I wish you luck, I can't say anyone has ever reported a successful reduction in the resort fee - might have better luck getting your room rate reduced.

Not all that long ago they closed the Grotto pool for a private function and guests were PO'd - you'd think they would notify or make other options available - but they didn't. You'd think if they shut down the pool for a private function they'd be very willing to refund resort fees, but nope.

 

[Momtomouselover]

Ugh. Wish they mentioned some construction at the pool so people could make an informed choice, As it is we are sticking with it (it would be an expensive scramble to change at this point). I’ll report back.

 

[Momtomouselover]

Is there a microwave that can be accessed anywhere in the Swan or Dolphin? I know there aren’t microwaves in the rooms but wondered if you could get to one in Fuel or Picabu even though the latter is closed.

 

[SteveH]

Is there a microwave that can be accessed anywhere in the Swan or Dolphin? I know there aren’t microwaves in the rooms but wondered if you could get to one in Fuel or Picabu even though the latter is closed.

From my 2019 post here; Available for your ease of use are complimentary microwaves on select guest room floors of the resort as well as in Picabu and Fuel, both located at the Dolphin. Microwaves are located at the Swan on the 3rd and 6th floors next to the East Wing ice machines, as well as at the Dolphin hotel on the 6th and 9th floors next to both the East and West Wing ice machines.

That said the page with that info is now gone, you might want to contact S/D to see if they are still available. With Covid it's possible they were removed.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is there a microwave that can be accessed anywhere in the Swan or Dolphin? I know there aren’t microwaves in the rooms but wondered if you could get to one in Fuel or Picabu even though the latter is closed.

From my 2019 post here; Available for your ease of use are complimentary microwaves on select guest room floors of the resort as well as in Picabu and Fuel, both located at the Dolphin. Microwaves are located at the Swan on the 3rd and 6th floors next to the East Wing ice machines, as well as at the Dolphin hotel on the 6th and 9th floors next to both the East and West Wing ice machines.

That said the page with that info is now gone, you might want to contact S/D to see if they are still available. With Covid it's possible they were removed.

Not sure if it has been changed since this post I made last month, I would think not.

www.disboards.com/threads/walt-disney-world-swan-dolphin-resorts-information-questions.3264274/post-62691472

What Steve said above is the way it was before COVID.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I wish you luck, I can't say anyone has ever reported a successful reduction in the resort fee - might have better luck getting your room rate reduced.

I agree with Steve. I also think you would have a better chance in getting a small concession on your room rate, not the resort fee.