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

[TexanInTheMidwest]

So far S/D guests are getting all the features that onsite guests are getting, including Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours so I can't see why they wouldn't get the Di$ney Cash grab reservations too (yes my bias is showing)

I saw somewhere that the "On Site guests" included Swan, Dolphin, and Shades of Green. But there was so much info and rehashing last night about this that I can't remember where.

 

[AUDramaQueen]

Thanks for this, I have Verizon too. Looks like WiFi it is.

FWIW, I also have Verizon and used data to get low boarding groups both days we tried at the Swan. I did a run a test to see how many seconds it took between opening the app and getting to the join now button. Data was faster for me...

 

[cgattis]

We were there last week and one thing I can share is that our cell service in the hotel was really bad. We have Verizon. So the Wi-Fi ended up being a better option for us. We were able to get boarding group 7 for Rise of the Resistance.

Swan or Dolphin?

 

[anjuan]

We were there last week and one thing I can share is that our cell service in the hotel was really bad. We have Verizon. So the Wi-Fi ended up being a better option for us. We were able to get boarding group 7 for Rise of the Resistance.

Swan or Dolphin?

We were in the Dolphin East wing with the side facing Beach Club/Epcot. (We had amazing views of the Epcot fireworks each night!)

 

[CJN]

We were in the Dolphin East wing with the side facing Beach Club/Epcot. (We had amazing views of the Epcot fireworks each night!)

Did you have a balcony room by any chance? I‘d love a room facing that direction but I sometimes wonder if the fact that we like booking a balcony means limiting our view options too much.

 

[anjuan]

Did you have a balcony room by any chance? I‘d love a room facing that direction but I sometimes wonder if the fact that we like booking a balcony means limiting our view options too much.

Yes, I booked through Costco which included an upgrade to a balcony. When I checked in I asked if we could have a balcony in the east wing facing Epcot. They said we just had a regular balcony and it would be a $20 upgrade per night for the Epcot view and I decided to pay it. I am glad I did because we really enjoyed watching the fireworks at night and enjoyed watching people come and go during our mid-day breaks.

 

[CJN]

Yes, I booked through Costco which included an upgrade to a balcony. When I checked in I asked if we could have a balcony in the east wing facing Epcot. They said we just had a regular balcony and it would be a $20 upgrade per night for the Epcot view and I decided to pay it. I am glad I did because we really enjoyed watching the fireworks at night and enjoyed watching people come and go during our mid-day breaks.

Thanks for the info! I’m going to call to see if the same upgrade would be available to us in November.

 

[CLE2WDW]

Yes, I booked through Costco which included an upgrade to a balcony. When I checked in I asked if we could have a balcony in the east wing facing Epcot. They said we just had a regular balcony and it would be a $20 upgrade per night for the Epcot view and I decided to pay it. I am glad I did because we really enjoyed watching the fireworks at night and enjoyed watching people come and go during our mid-day breaks.

Lucky! We booked through Costco as well and didn’t get a balcony. We were in the West Wing and the room location left a lot to be desired. I don’t think we would stay at the Dolphin again… it’s just not our style.

 

[brockash]

I'm a bit confused...I thought I had read that Disney buses were no longer serving Swan/Dolphin, however last week we caught a bus from DHS- YC and we first stopped at Swan/Dolphin...is this the norm? Do they just not pick up early for rope drop?

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm a bit confused...I thought I had read that Disney buses were no longer serving Swan/Dolphin, however last week we caught a bus from DHS- YC and we first stopped at Swan/Dolphin...is this the norm? Do they just not pick up early for rope drop?

They don't run buses from Hollywood Studios to the Epcot resorts - unless the boat stops running due to the weather.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm a bit confused...I thought I had read that Disney buses were no longer serving Swan/Dolphin, however last week we caught a bus from DHS- YC and we first stopped at Swan/Dolphin...is this the norm? Do they just not pick up early for rope drop?

They don't run buses from Hollywood Studios to the Epcot resorts - unless the boat stops running due to the weather.

Disney supplies boat service from S/D to DHS and EPCOT. Therefore Disney supplies bus service when boats aren't running due to weather.

 

[brockash]

They don't run buses from Hollywood Studios to the Epcot resorts - unless the boat stops running due to the weather.

Yes that's correct - it's Aug.; so I guess I just assumed those familiar with Disney in Aug. would also understand that's what I was talking about, but just to clarify yes, it was storming...so no buses nor skyliner.

My confusion/question was the fact that I was under the impression that Disney buses were no longer used for Swan/Dolphin and was wondering if my experience was just a fluke or if Disney buses are regularly being used for Swan/Dolphin again. Perhaps it was just because it was storming and no one really knows.

 

[brockash]

Disney supplies boat service from S/D to DHS and EPCOT. Therefore Disney supplies bus service when boats aren't running due to weather.

Thank you...that was my question, so they're still not running Disney buses to/from Swan/Dolphin at say MK, but during times that the boat is down they do from/to DHS. Thanks!

 

[JayMass]

Posted this afternoon on FB:

View attachment 597608
So, it seems the late September opening date is still on target.

Sounds right. Just got back from a stay at the Swan and it's looking great on the outside anyway!

 

[JayMass]

Any tricks on getting a guaranteed balcony on a family/alcove room at the Swan? I requested one way back when I booked, called a week before, and asked the day of--no balcony. I don't think alcove balcony rooms are more expensive than those without.

 

[CJN]

Any tricks on getting a guaranteed balcony on a family/alcove room at the Swan? I requested one way back when I booked, called a week before, and asked the day of--no balcony. I don't think alcove balcony rooms are more expensive than those without.

When booking our last trip we had a choice between with or without balcony for our alcove room and the balcony option was definitely more $$. Something like $50/night iirc.

 

[Dave006]

Yes @CJN is correct the balcony rooms are a separate booking category and are slightly more than just a balcony room.

Dave

 

[Ducky'sMom]

Hello! Could any of y'all tell me a good configuration for 3 adults/2 children? Myself, my husband, my adult sister, then our 2 children, a 13yo girl and 1 or 2 year old boy (depending on when in Sept 2022 we'd go). Swan/Dolphin/Reserve are kind of confusing and not seemingly forthcoming with room layouts. Are there any other options besides 2 rooms that we could book without it being a presidential/grand/whatever suite? (I'm confused about junior suites, alcove rooms.)


*EDIT to add: Also, if I book via Disney's site, could I use Disney gift cards to pay, or does it need to be regular payment methods since they're a non-Disney hotel?

 

[mommy2mrb]

Please solve a debate I’m having with a friend. I’ve looked through DIS and a few other sites. Are we still able to make our ADR’s 60 +10? My friend says no. I don’t see anything that it has changed.

TIA

 

[Jillfo]

Please solve a debate I’m having with a friend. I’ve looked through DIS and a few other sites. Are we still able to make our ADR’s 60 +10? My friend says no. I don’t see anything that it has changed.

TIA

Yes, Swan/Dolphin/Reserve guests can book 60 + 10. Be sure you've linked your reservation in MDE.