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

[armerida]

Some quick shot questions:

1. How is the internet at the Dolphin? Can you reliably watch something like youtube or make video calls?
2. Anyone know the average uber/lift cost from Orlando airport to Dolphin?
3. Is Fuel open 24hrs?

1. Internet is super fast. My husband has worked remote multiple times and it’s faster than our internet at home.
2. All of our recent trips have been between $30-$35 (not counting tip)
3. Their hours as currently posted in the S/D app:
M-Th 6am-10pm
Fri&Sat 6am-1am
Sun 6am-10am

 

[locarrigg]

hi all. Help! Why would the dates that I want not be available through the official Disney website, when they are available through Marriott? I wanted to book through Disney, because it seems like it is more expensive to book the two separately, even with the government rate. But am I wrong? Should I be booking separately? Please advise this woman who has not been to WDW in over a decade (and never stayed at S/D).

 

[empedocles]

hi all. Help! Why would the dates that I want not be available through the official Disney website, when they are available through Marriott? I wanted to book through Disney, because it seems like it is more expensive to book the two separately, even with the government rate. But am I wrong? Should I be booking separately? Please advise this woman who has not been to WDW in over a decade (and never stayed at S/D).

S/D most likely does not make their full inventory available to Disney.

 

[locarrigg]

S/D most likely does not make their full inventory available to Disney.

got it - thank you.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

got it - thank you.

If having a package is important to you, you might try a travel agent to see if they can find availability even if you've been unable to....

 

[JayMass]

If having a package is important to you, you might try a travel agent to see if they can find availability even if you've been unable to....

THIS!

 

[hedberg1661]

hi all. Help! Why would the dates that I want not be available through the official Disney website, when they are available through Marriott? I wanted to book through Disney, because it seems like it is more expensive to book the two separately, even with the government rate. But am I wrong? Should I be booking separately? Please advise this woman who has not been to WDW in over a decade (and never stayed at S/D).

'Usually' I find the packages to be more money than booking separately. I would also recommend trying the AAA rate over your Govt rate. AAA (with the exception of AP) usually has the best rate.

 

[JayMass]

Is there a way to see if or which large group/conventions might be happening at the S/D?

 

[ww52]

At Swan, there are interior courtyard areas that are fitted with tables, sofas, chairs, etc. and are open to use as well.

Shame on me for forgetting that! In 2018 I had a very wonderful last evening there with my older son and my daughter. I think maybe I thought of it as an extension of Il Mulano (we ordered drinks from there) but it is not directly connected so in fact it's part for the Swan (and by extension dolphin) and not the restaurant.

I even thought of going there again this last trip (daughter wasn't there but younger son was) but we opted for hitting a couple of countries in Epcot instead (and Italy was surprisingly empty).

Yes - that courtyard is an EXCELLENT option!

 

[Coconut8473]

Another S/D grocery delivery question (apologies if it's been answered recently - hard to follow all the threads from the search!): seems like a lot of folks are saying Instacart, Amazon Prime Now, etc. are cool to do, as long as you meet the driver in the lobby (which typically means making yourself available for a 2 hour window, which we likely won't have on our first day). The S/D FAQ doesn't explicitly say that they don't accept "grocery" deliveries - it says that packages can be received and held, "however we are unable to accommodate any deliveries that require refrigeration of any kind." If we wanted to order just water and dry goods (cereal, cereal bars, baked goods, etc.) and have them held at the desk, would they accept this or turn it away? If so, which service should we use? Is it better to just do a grocery stop with a car service on the way from the airport? Trying to find the least time consuming option here, assuming we can buy things like milk at Fuel or Java. Thanks!

 

[SteveH]

Is there a way to see if or which large group/conventions might be happening at the S/D?

I mentioned how I've been finding some info in this post.

Another S/D grocery delivery question (apologies if it's been answered recently - hard to follow all the threads from the search!): seems like a lot of folks are saying Instacart, Amazon Prime Now, etc. are cool to do, as long as you meet the driver in the lobby (which typically means making yourself available for a 2 hour window, which we likely won't have on our first day). The S/D FAQ doesn't explicitly say that they don't accept "grocery" deliveries - it says that packages can be received and held, "however we are unable to accommodate any deliveries that require refrigeration of any kind." If we wanted to order just water and dry goods (cereal, cereal bars, baked goods, etc.) and have them held at the desk, would they accept this or turn it away? If so, which service should we use? Is it better to just do a grocery stop with a car service on the way from the airport? Trying to find the least time consuming option here, assuming we can buy things like milk at Fuel or Java. Thanks!

By that new FAQ it appears they will accept those without but they will still charge you. If you are using a car service and can stop that's the ideal option IMHO. See my post below.

 

[SteveH]

FYI based on question by @Coconut8473 I wanted to call out the change on SDRs website; on the very bottom of the Package Shipping and Handling Info they have updated two key pieces of information; Please make sure you read the PDF and understand the fees they are per pound. This is what they used to do and apepars its not really a change but it's back on the website. This service is not run by SDR but by a contractor called 11th Hour. So to avoid charges you need to meet the driver. While you might get lucky and not get charged (as a few have reported recently), just know you very well could be.

Delivery of Packages For Our Guests
Please note the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin accepts packages for our guests, however we are unable to accommodate any deliveries that require refrigeration of any kind.

Near the bottom of the page there is a new link that leads to a PDF; Package Shipping & Handling Information some of the text is copied and highlighted below.

GROCERY DELIVERIES (Amazon, Instacart, Shipt, etc.):
Guests are encouraged to schedule grocery deliveries when they will be available to receive items from the delivery driver. When guests are not present to receive deliveries from the delivery driver, 11th Hour will receive and hold grocery items until picked up or delivery is requested by the guest. Package handling fees apply to all items received and held by 11th Hour as listed on the previous page. Refrigeration is not provided. 11th Hour and the Swan and Dolphin Resort are not responsible for damaged or unusable perishable items.

 

[CutCrease]

Been reading this thread for a bit, and I think you all have inadvertently answered any questions I've had about the Dolphin along the way, so thank you all for that.

Except one: With a Dolphin reservation can I book 60+10 day ADRs, or just 60? The Disney website says that Disney Resort hotel Guests can book for the length of their stay, but is that just the Disney hotels, or partner ones as well? My trip is for WDW 50th, and I have the feeling that reservations are going to go fast. The jury seems to be out whether early hours will apply to Swolphin, but even if the hotel doesn't get them, at least it's only 30 minutes and not an hour.

 

[Chaitali]

Been reading this thread for a bit, and I think you all have inadvertently answered any questions I've had about the Dolphin along the way, so thank you all for that.

Except one: With a Dolphin reservation can I book 60+10 day ADRs, or just 60? The Disney website says that Disney Resort hotel Guests can book for the length of their stay, but is that just the Disney hotels, or partner ones as well? My trip is for WDW 50th, and I have the feeling that reservations are going to go fast. The jury seems to be out whether early hours will apply to Swolphin, but even if the hotel doesn't get them, at least it's only 30 minutes and not an hour.

I was able to book my ADRs for 60+10.

 

[CutCrease]

I was able to book my ADRs for 60+10.

Thank you so much!

 

[ljcrochet]

How is the internet at the Dolphin? Can you reliably watch something like youtube or make video calls?

When we stayed at Swan last month, my daughter's had no issues doing a zoom SAT prep class

 

[CeCe0906]

Anyone use the Dolphin wifi doing the "please can I possibly hit join fast enough" Rise of the Resistance boarding group madness? Did you use complimentary WiFi included with your resort fee ( how is it complimentary if it's part of a paid fee, which being mandatory should just be a part of the room fee....but anyway) or did you upgrade to "high speed internet for additional charge"

 

[mdmost]

Been reading this thread for a bit, and I think you all have inadvertently answered any questions I've had about the Dolphin along the way, so thank you all for that.

Except one: With a Dolphin reservation can I book 60+10 day ADRs, or just 60? The Disney website says that Disney Resort hotel Guests can book for the length of their stay, but is that just the Disney hotels, or partner ones as well? My trip is for WDW 50th, and I have the feeling that reservations are going to go fast. The jury seems to be out whether early hours will apply to Swolphin, but even if the hotel doesn't get them, at least it's only 30 minutes and not an hour.

We're staying at the Swan starting 9/2. I was able to book 60+ the 4 days we're staying on 7/4 and was able to get all the ADRs I wanted.

Question for someone who's been recently: how's the Friendship boat service right now? I was thinking of it for HS or Epcot. We loved riding the boats from Royal Pacific to the entrance to Universal. I've read walking is easier, especially for rope drop.

 

[trivan]

Question for someone who's been recently: how's the Friendship boat service right now? I was thinking of it for HS or Epcot. We loved riding the boats from Royal Pacific to the entrance to Universal. I've read walking is easier, especially for rope drop.

We always walk, but our last stay in June they were running and I always saw one during the walk. If you can walk do it. To Epcot, you'll generally beat the boat since it makes 2 stops at the beach club and the boardwalk. If you don't have to wait for the HS leg, its faster, but we're never that lucky. Also, the second there is lightning your walking as the boats have to stop at the next dock.

 

[SteveH]

@CeCe0906 lol the whole WiFi sales pitch is a bit of a joke, to further complicate their WiFi sales pitch Bonvoy members are supposed to get "free in room WiFi" bottom line is the resort fee sucks, but its not going away. I've never seen two different SSIDs that would make me think one is high speed vs the standard. Reality for us was we had no issues with the WiFi at S/D during our visits.