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

[mom3girls2007]

We are looking at staying at Swan or Dolphin January 2-7. Since we are a family of 5, 2 adults plus three girls 18, 18, 12, our options are the Dolphin double room with rollaway or also the Swan renovated alcove suites with a King, pullout sofa and rollaway. The renovated and slightly larger room at the Swan seems really nice, but would be more expensive. I know it will be a tight fit with all of us in the same room but we don't plan to be in the room except to sleep really. The post holiday week we will be there the parks have long hours and lots of events. Also, we are not big people, my 18 year old identical twins are a petite 5 foot. We've stayed before at Beach Club so we know we love the Epcot location. Unfortunately, BC, YC, Boardwalk all around $400 a night the week we are there, plus extra for my "adult" kids. With AAA rate the Dolphin is $200 a night, and Swan suite $267.

Looking for opinions on what works best at these resorts for 5 in a room -- the renovated alcove suite or the standard double at the Dolphin?

 

[PNO4TE]

A couple of questions from someone thinking about a first-time stay at the Swan:

1) Would any discounts for the January/February time period come out soon (like the Disney resorts)?
2) If all the Swan rooms have been renovated, why are they still showing a cheaper 'Traditional' room (while the one picturing a newly renovated room is called 'Deluxe' and is more expensive)?

Thanks!

I do believe that all the Swan's rooms have been renovated. According to a question on their Facebook page:

Have all of the Swan rooms been renovated?

• • 
    Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Yes! We hope to see you soon!

Inside the Magic is also saying that all renovations were to be completed by the end of September.

Most of the Westins that we stay in have a category of rooms they call "Deluxe" so maybe that is the case here too?

 

[Hquero]

Staying at the Dolphin in April, 2016. Does The Dolphin still offer refillable mugs? What is the cost and what beverages are included? (I can't seem to find updated info on this) thank you!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

We are looking at staying at Swan or Dolphin January 2-7. Since we are a family of 5, 2 adults plus three girls 18, 18, 12, our options are the Dolphin double room with rollaway or also the Swan renovated alcove suites with a King, pullout sofa and rollaway. The renovated and slightly larger room at the Swan seems really nice, but would be more expensive. I know it will be a tight fit with all of us in the same room but we don't plan to be in the room except to sleep really. The post holiday week we will be there the parks have long hours and lots of events. Also, we are not big people, my 18 year old identical twins are a petite 5 foot. We've stayed before at Beach Club so we know we love the Epcot location. Unfortunately, BC, YC, Boardwalk all around $400 a night the week we are there, plus extra for my "adult" kids. With AAA rate the Dolphin is $200 a night, and Swan suite $267.

Looking for opinions on what works best at these resorts for 5 in a room -- the renovated alcove suite or the standard double at the Dolphin?

Given the choices, I think the Swan would be a better choice. In either, you probably will need an air mattress or similar for 5th person. And the suite does give you more elbow/breathing room, plus a double vanity in bathroom area.

Staying at the Dolphin in April, 2016. Does The Dolphin still offer refillable mugs? What is the cost and what beverages are included? (I can't seem to find updated info on this) thank you!!!

As far as I know, they do. They would be purchased at Picabu. Last I knew, they had 2 separate ones, one hot, one cold. I would say coffee, tea, pop/soda would be included. I do not think they are very popular.

I did just find this with online search....

http://www.swandolphin.com/activities/SummerActivities.pdf

It indicates just the cold. I would call S/D to confirm current policy.

 

[Hquero]

Given the choices, I think the Swan would be a better choice. In either, you probably will need an air mattress or similar for 5th person. And the suite does give you more elbow/breathing room, plus a double vanity in bathroom area.

As far as I know, they do. They would be purchased at Picabu. Last I knew, they had 2 separate ones, one hot, one cold. I would say coffee, tea, pop/soda would be included. I do not think they are very popular.

I did just find this with online search....

http://www.swandolphin.com/activities/SummerActivities.pdf

It indicates just the cold. I would call S/D to confirm current policy.

Great, thanks for the info and the link!

 

[ckelly14]

Inside the Magic is also saying that all renovations were to be completed by the end of September.

Most of the Westins that we stay in have a category of rooms they call "Deluxe" so maybe that is the case here too?

Yes, I believe the newly renovated rooms were called "grand deluxe" or something to that effect, and they always had traditional and deluxe rooms.

 

[BlueFairy]

Hi,

Just booked for Thursday and Friday night after Easter 2016. 2 adults, 2 kids at Swan. We'll probably have a resort day on Thursday and 1 day in Epcot on Friday. Can anyone provide insight as to how S/D handle the crowded holiday week. Can we expect extra activities at the resort that late in the week? Do the restaurants absorb crowds well if Epcot and the Crescent Lake restaurants are mobbed? Would love any input. We've only stayed 1 time at the Dolphin in Feb, about 10 years ago.

Also, how well do they handle early-checkin and view requests? We're staying on points and requested 9am checkin and an east-wing upper floor at the standard room rate (10,000 per night).

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is S/D Easter page from 2014.

http://www.swandolphin.com/holidays/easter/

They are not really showing anything special after Easter Sunday. I have not been there during holidays, but thinking the restaurants would do well, they hqave a lot of them Reservations though for sure.

That early of a checkin might be tough, but location requests they are generally very good at.

Use the concierge service here to indicate your requests, and make sure the requests are on your reservation also.

http://www.swandolphinconcierge.com/public/login.cfm

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks for the links. I remember that Peeps promotion. Looks like they do activities leading up to Easter but not far past the holiday. We get there the Thursday AFTER.

I'll take a look at the concierge. We really just want to enjoy the resort and Boardwalk. We don't necessarily need early access to our room.

 

[SA mom]

So, now I'm wondering which would be more comfortable to sleep on...a rollaway added to the room, or the pull-out sofa in a king bedded room? Anyone had experience with either or both that they could share?

The rollaway beds are Heavenly Beds, the Westin brand beds, and are extremely comfortable. The sofa beds are iffy.

 

[patty57]

The rollaway beds are Heavenly Beds, the Westin brand beds, and are extremely comfortable. The sofa beds are iffy.

Good to know...thank you.

 

[sharona]

The "check it in 24 hours" fix that Disney IT told me to look for did not work. The reservation can now be found on the first try but all the extra guests are still showing up so I can't link it. I just left a vmail for Lisette this morning.

No call back from Lisette. I've been out of town and just got back. Still the same issue with my MDE linking to 4 reservations and too many guests. Going to try calling the Dolphin reservation desk again.

 

[Dan Murphy]

No call back from Lisette. I've been out of town and just got back. Still the same issue with my MDE linking to 4 reservations and too many guests. Going to try calling the Dolphin reservation desk again.

Always seems like some glitch that is hard to take care of on every trip, I know that is the way here also. Usually it is with Disney on some matter. Hope it is cleared up soon, Sharona.

 

[sharona]

Thanks. I am 72 days out so have 11 days to fix this mess!

Always seems like some glitch that is hard to take care of on every trip, I know that is the way here also. Usually it is with Disney on some matter. Hope it is cleared up soon, Sharona.

 

[luvallprincesses]

No call back from Lisette. I've been out of town and just got back. Still the same issue with my MDE linking to 4 reservations and too many guests. Going to try calling the Dolphin reservation desk again.

Yes, do try for Lisette again. I've spoken with her late afternoon/early evening (EST) on two occasions so that may be her regular shift.

 

[Lupeix]

For a party of 4 adults, one 5 yo and a 10th month baby on a crib, will an alcove be too tight? will it be better to get two standard connecting rooms? what are the chances you will get connecting rooms if you ask for one?
i will be at a conference for 50% of the trip, which means the grandmas and the kiddos will spend quite a bit of time at the resort

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think that would be crowded. I think 2 rooms would do better for you. Others may have other thoughts.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Any thoughts on this new idea?

http://www.disboards.com/threads/name-change-on-old-resorts-info-faq-threads.3451851/

With this as the new FAQ's for all the resorts in one thread

http://www.disboards.com/threads/resort-information.3451828/

Just socially chit-chatting here.

 

[patty57]

Any thoughts on this new idea?

http://www.disboards.com/threads/name-change-on-old-resorts-info-faq-threads.3451851/

With this as the new FAQ's for all the resorts in one thread

http://www.disboards.com/threads/resort-information.3451828/

Just socially chit-chatting here.

I really, really dislike this. I don't agree that the title should be "social club". While I find everyone on the Swan & Dolphin thread to be very kind, and it is occasionally chatty, the thread is full of factual information. It is also the best thread for new posters to ask questions, and get current information. It was bad enough when they pulled the thread out from resorts and put it in resorts community board. I don't get it...if it ain't broke and all that.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Hello Swan/Dolphin People! My husband and I are kicking off our return trip to WDW with a weekend at the Dolphin 5-7DEC. I'm so excited to stay at such a pretty resort. I'm hoping it's all decked out for our Christmas trip. This will be our first trip to Dolphin and our first trip back to WDW in almost 8 years. ALOT has changed. I just wanted to say thank you for such a great thread with all the people willing to help answer any questions.