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

[Meglen]

Buying an annual pass and using this code would be cheaper than what I'm currently paying for a room and the 9 day tickets I'm purchasing separately. But it seems Disney isn't selling any passes at this time for out of state residents? Am I correct in seeing that? Therefore there's no way to use the AP code then I'm assuming? I never had a reason to look into APs...why are they not selling them and is there any plan to bring them back?

They stopped selling them awhile back due to crowd levels and what happened in Disney Land where people bought APs and could not get park reservations due to all the blocked dates or small amount of availability set for APs. (Getting sued)

Personally I think they don't want APs anymore since they are selling out alot these days. Less APs more money right now for Disney. My break even for AP was 12 days.

 

[farfaraway]

We stayed at Swan mid May and absolutely loved it. We liked the larger beds and easy access to walking paths. Staff was amazing. I'll definitely stay next time we go,

 

[Dan Murphy]

And just to hear your opinion...which do you prefer and why?

I prefer the Swan. Smaller, much more compact, not as much walking (or scooter riding for me), quieter. Queen beds, double vanity in bathrooms. If I need anything at the Dolphin, Picabu, Fresh, laundry, it is literally a 2 minute walk across the connecting causeway.

 

[summerlvr]

Just booked a stay at Dolphin for August and even with the resort fee added in it's still cheaper than the Pop Century preferred room I was planning on booking. Looking forward to being back at one of my favorite places!

 

[Disney Ron]

We stayed at Swan mid May and absolutely loved it. We liked the larger beds and easy access to walking paths. Staff was amazing. I'll definitely stay next time we go,

Did you get housekeeping every day?

 

[k5xs]

Did you get housekeeping every day?

We did in early May. We were asked on check-in whether or not we wanted daily service.

Agree with all of the positive comments about the Swan. The Swan/Dolphin app text feature works well as well. I forgot to remove the “Room Occupied” tag from our door handle one morning and realized it as we entered DHS. I texted the Swan on the app and asked them to please pass along to Housekeeping to kindly ignore the tag and service the room. They responded within a few minutes and accommodated my request. That impressed me.

The only negative is a lack of Disney theming, which we miss. But the level of comfort and the convenient location is a huge plus.

 

[JayMass]

The only negative is a lack of Disney theming, which we miss. But the level of comfort and the convenient location is a huge plus.

And that's the trade-off. Lack of Disney theming vs. (usually) lower cost & ability to use Marriott points. We're going to BLT this year and renting points for the first time. We've stayed at a few different resorts and although I love the POFQ (Poly too but have never stayed there), the Swan has probably been my favorite. If it had Disney theming but retained the pricing flexibility it would hands down be the winner in my book!

 

[jlundeen]

We did in early May. We were asked on check-in whether or not we wanted daily service.

Agree with all of the positive comments about the Swan. The Swan/Dolphin app text feature works well as well. I forgot to remove the “Room Occupied” tag from our door handle one morning and realized it as we entered DHS. I texted the Swan on the app and asked them to please pass along to Housekeeping to kindly ignore the tag and service the room. They responded within a few minutes and accommodated my request. That impressed me.

The only negative is a lack of Disney theming, which we miss. But the level of comfort and the convenient location is a huge plus

As a frequent guest at Disney resorts, and lately Deluxe, I will say that theming is not as prevalent as it once was.... at least where I have stayed. I think the Value resorts, especially like Pop and AoA are more heavily themed, but resorts like Yacht & Beach, Boardwalk, etc., you almost have to search for unique Disney theming... in fact, I could almost say, sometimes it's like staying in any other big chain hotels with the same bedding, pictures on the walls, shower curtains, drapes, and you have to search for the hidden Mickeys, etc.

 

[k5xs]

As a frequent guest at Disney resorts, and lately Deluxe, I will say that theming is not as prevalent as it once was.... at least where I have stayed. I think the Value resorts, especially like Pop and AoA are more heavily themed, but resorts like Yacht & Beach, Boardwalk, etc., you almost have to search for unique Disney theming... in fact, I could almost say, sometimes it's like staying in any other big chain hotels with the same bedding, pictures on the walls, shower curtains, drapes, and you have to search for the hidden Mickeys, etc.

Sadly—and ironically—the one resort that I was glad lacked very much theming was the Contemporary. It had its own “eternally futuristic” branding which I loved.

In my opinion that’s been ruined with the (IMHO) tacky Incredibles theming in the corridors and in the rooms.

We rode through it on the monorail a few weeks ago and saw all the artwork hanging in the hallways and I was sad.

It won’t matter to anyone, but I just can’t stay there anymore. They ruined something that was so very elegant.

 

[farfaraway]

Did you get housekeeping every day?

Yes, they came at various times during our week stay. Once or twice it was before 12:00 and other times late afternoon -4:00. They just did a quick clean-made beds, emptied trash, replenished towels, coffee and bottled water.

 

[Disney Ron]

We did in early May. We were asked on check-in whether or not we wanted daily service.

Agree with all of the positive comments about the Swan. The Swan/Dolphin app text feature works well as well. I forgot to remove the “Room Occupied” tag from our door handle one morning and realized it as we entered DHS. I texted the Swan on the app and asked them to please pass along to Housekeeping to kindly ignore the tag and service the room. They responded within a few minutes and accommodated my request. That impressed me.

The only negative is a lack of Disney theming, which we miss. But the level of comfort and the convenient location is a huge plus.

Thank you for the answer, k5xs.

 

[Disney Ron]

Yes, they came at various times during our week stay. Once or twice it was before 12:00 and other times late afternoon -4:00. They just did a quick clean-made beds, emptied trash, replenished towels, coffee and bottled water.

Thank you, farfaraway.

 

[SteveH]

@Dan Murphy I agree, I’ll trade the quietness for a few minute walk to stay at the Swan.

@summerlvr those are the best type of deals to fine! Congrats.

@jlundeen Agreed, hard to find a lot in some of those rooms but I think the audience expects that to a degree. I do agree with @k5xs that from what I’ve seen pics of the new rooms at CR and even Poly the use of IP is a big thick for my liking. Last trip was at the POFQ room was nice but the all white bed is just like SDR and pretty much every other hotel, which is sad.

 

[ezma]

WE JUST GOT BACK FROM STAYING AT THE DOLPHIN FOR THE FIRST TIME . LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT US ...MY HUSBAND, 2 SONS AND I HAVE BEEN TO DISNEY 25PLUS YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS STAYED ON GROUNDS . THE LAST TEN YEARS OR SO WE HAVE BEEN STAYING IN THE EPCOT RESORTS ...LOVE THE AREA! SO LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WE ARE TIRED OF PAYING $$$$$ THE THOSE DULXE RESORTS. BACK TO THE DOLPHIN .. THIS TRIP WAS JUST MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF ...WE DIDNT FEEL THE DISNEY MAGIC . NO ONE TO GREET YOU AT THE DOOR EVERY TIME YOU COME IN , IS THIS IMPORTANT TO US .. NOT REALLY, BUT YES I DID MISS IT! THEY MADE YOU FEEL IMPORTANT AND THEY DID SEEM TO CARE .. DISNEY IS REAL GOOD AT THAT. PLUS A FEW OTHER THINGS WERE MISSING . I CANT PIN POINT THEM BUT SOMETING WAS MISSING. THE LOBBY IS NICE AND CLEAN AND THE STAFF WAS GREAT. BUT IT JUST DIDNT HAVE THE DISNEY VIVE. . WE HAD NO PROBLEM FINDING OUR ROOM. I SPLURGED ON A BALCONY EPCOT FIREWORKS VIEW... EAST WING 5TH FLOOR ...LIFE DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER!!! IN THE MORNING PEOPLE WATCH AND WATCH THE BOATS GO BY. THE QUESTION IS... WOULD I STAY THERE AGAIN ..YES I WOULD, IN A HEARTBEAT. IAM SURE WE SAVED WAY OVER $2000. FOR THE 7 DAYS OF OUR STAY. PLANS ARE NEXT OCTOBER AT THE DOLPHIN..... ONE MORE THING... I DID ASK HOW TO GET TO THE POOL AREA.. THE FIRST 2 PEOPLE DIDNT KNOW AND THE 3RD ONE HAD TO ASK.. MARLA

 

[Donald Duck888]

I am not sure if this has been mentioned (probably has) but right now Swan/Dolphin have a really good AP discount rate going, better than Disney’s. I was able to get a room at Swan in July for under $200 a night (not including resort fee and taxes). That saved us about $500 over the best other rates I could find for our 6 night stay. It actually was a factor in deciding to renew AP this month.

 

[Dan Murphy]

WE JUST GOT BACK FROM STAYING AT THE DOLPHIN FOR THE FIRST TIME . LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT US ...MY HUSBAND, 2 SONS AND I HAVE BEEN TO DISNEY 25PLUS YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS STAYED ON GROUNDS . THE LAST TEN YEARS OR SO WE HAVE BEEN STAYING IN THE EPCOT RESORTS ...LOVE THE AREA! SO LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WE ARE TIRED OF PAYING $$$$$ THE THOSE DULXE RESORTS. BACK TO THE DOLPHIN .. THIS TRIP WAS JUST MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF ...WE DIDNT FEEL THE DISNEY MAGIC . NO ONE TO GREET YOU AT THE DOOR EVERY TIME YOU COME IN , IS THIS IMPORTANT TO US .. NOT REALLY, BUT YES I DID MISS IT! THEY MADE YOU FEEL IMPORTANT AND THEY DID SEEM TO CARE .. DISNEY IS REAL GOOD AT THAT. PLUS A FEW OTHER THINGS WERE MISSING . I CANT PIN POINT THEM BUT SOMETING WAS MISSING. THE LOBBY IS NICE AND CLEAN AND THE STAFF WAS GREAT. BUT IT JUST DIDNT HAVE THE DISNEY VIVE. . WE HAD NO PROBLEM FINDING OUR ROOM. I SPLURGED ON A BALCONY EPCOT FIREWORKS VIEW... EAST WING 5TH FLOOR ...LIFE DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER!!! IN THE MORNING PEOPLE WATCH AND WATCH THE BOATS GO BY. THE QUESTION IS... WOULD I STAY THERE AGAIN ..YES I WOULD, IN A HEARTBEAT. IAM SURE WE SAVED WAY OVER $2000. FOR THE 7 DAYS OF OUR STAY. PLANS ARE NEXT OCTOBER AT THE DOLPHIN..... ONE MORE THING... I DID ASK HOW TO GET TO THE POOL AREA.. THE FIRST 2 PEOPLE DIDNT KNOW AND THE 3RD ONE HAD TO ASK.. MARLA

Sounds like a good, overall visit, Marla. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mickey916]

I am not sure if this has been mentioned (probably has) but right now Swan/Dolphin have a really good AP discount rate going, better than Disney’s. I was able to get a room at Swan in July for under $200 a night (not including resort fee and taxes). That saved us about $500 over the best other rates I could find for our 6 night stay. It actually was a factor in deciding to renew AP this month.

Thank you!!!! I just checked my dates for my December trip and saved $97 over my POFQ reservation. Deluxe resort for less than a moderate...can't beat that! Plus, having just stayed at the Swan and planning to spend most of our time at Epcot, it was a no brainer!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I am not sure if this has been mentioned (probably has) but right now Swan/Dolphin have a really good AP discount rate going, better than Disney’s. I was able to get a room at Swan in July for under $200 a night (not including resort fee and taxes). That saved us about $500 over the best other rates I could find for our 6 night stay. It actually was a factor in deciding to renew AP this month.

I wish they were selling new out of state APs because it would've been cheaper to book the hotel under that rate and buy the AP instead of paying for my 9 day ticket and rack rate. Plus I would've had the AP to boot in case I wanted to come back at some point within the year.

 

[ultimatefans]

Just a heads up to anyone that booked a package at the S/D/R via Disney. Your tickets [and dining cards if applicable] will be in an envelope and will be provided at check-in at the front desk. (if they tell you otherwise, insist they look for them) Also, if you plan to use the Magical Extras such as mini golf vouchers and you did not receive those in the mail ahead of time, ask for those at the front desk as well as they will not be included in your envelope.

Longer version if interested: I knew I was supposed to receive these at check-in but the front desk checked my reservation and because there wasn't a note on it she insisted I needed to see the Disney Planning Center across the hall. I pulled up my confirmation to show the front desk agent and she started to get angry with me and insisted that the front desk had nothing to do with it and I needed to go across the hall. The Disney Planning Center then supposedly created my tickets and linked them to my account provided me with physical tickets. Turns out all she did was give me a card that linked to MDE but did not actually create tickets, so of course we had trouble when we tried to enter Magic Kingdom. Thankfully Guest Services at MK created tickets for us so that we could enter the park, but she told me I needed to revisit the front desk at the Swan to get the dining cards and Magical Extras vouchers. So we get back to the Swan about 2am and a different front desk agent looked in the back room and our envelope with tickets and dining cards was sitting there ready to be picked up. She apologized that the earlier agent didn't do the work to check the bin as the envelope was exactly where it was supposed to be, there just wasn't a note on our reservation that we had an envelope for pick-up. And then I had to go back again the next day to get mini golf vouchers. It was a lot of unnecessary waiting in line and running around. Other than that we had an absolutely fabulous time at the Swan and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Officially switched from Dolphin to Swan. Dolphin looks like a way more happening hotel but with a toddler I just need those Queen beds. And somehow it came out $50 cheaper so all in all just excited to try the Swan out! Only stayed in Disney branded hotels and honestly at this point not sure how much I care about theming anymore. Would much rather have the location while also not paying ridiculous amounts of money at the Beach/Yacht/Boardwalk. I think the only hotels that would make me miss theming and make me pay a little more would be Poly/Wilderness/Animal Kingdom but even then the Swan/Dolphin pricing can't be beat.