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

[pepperandchips]

Would we be able to just use our magic bands, or would we need to pull out our room keys?

In August at EMH they were scanning the magic bands of one person per party and the cm (maybe just making conversation?) said "Where are you staying tonight?" to each party. I didn't see anyone with room keys out.

 

[paras4ri]

Hello,
We have 2 rooms booked at the Dolphin, both with balconies and Epcot fireworks view. Are there any connecting rooms in this category where both rooms have balconies?

Am I right in assuming that the ninth floor will have the best fireworks view?

Thank you!

Balcony rooms are in the "wings" of the hotel and the wings are 9 stories tall. Once you get above the 4th floor, however every other room has a balcony. If you have two rooms with balconies they will either be on a lower floor or not connecting.

 

[paras4ri]

Hi all! In a traditional room in the Swan/Dolphin, is there really room for a rollaway bed in a room with 2 queens/2 doubles? It just sounds like it would be really tight. We have 3 adults and 1 child. I can sleep in a bed with my child, but the other 2 adults would not want to share a bed. Just curious if a rollaway really fits!

Thanks!

We've used a rollaway and it fits nicely in front of the window or sliding door if you have a balcony room. When not in use it stood on end against a wall.

 

[thestevied]

Anyone have photos of the room service menu for the dolphin?

 

[PolyAddict]

S&D do offer annual Passholder discounts, but usually the other discounts are better. You can ask the rates when you call.

I did and I am just shocked at the price for AAA and AP for my dates Feb 14-18. It's like $300 a night for a standard view at the Swan.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

I'm sure the answer to these questions in this thread, but I didn't read all the pages. Sorry if these are repeats. We would like to stay at the Swan/Dolphin for our next trip.
1) Which hotel is less expensive?
2) What time of year is a good/inexpensive time? We are flexible with dates and would prefer good weather/low crowds. Any times that fit these criteria that have better discounts? Thinking spring and/or fall of next year.
3) I saw that the hotels have WDW transportation. Does this include transportation to the airport?
4) There are several specials listed on the web page, but all are a little vague ("starting at", "blackout dates", etc). Is there a particular place to more easily determine what rates I would qualify for and when or do I just have to call?
5) How far in advance will they take reservations?
6) How far in advance can you get a discount rate/special? Do the specials get better closer to the dates?
7) How far in advance do they book up?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

 

[marathon]

To avoid parking fee, we plan to pick up the car from MCO, and return to Dolphin. Our hotel reservation has my name on it, so I will check in, get the room keys, and my husband has to wait till I give him the key before he exits the resort for grocery shopping, and he will return the rental car once he moves everything from the car to our room. I will take the children to the parks right away without going to the room to make ADR. Are we going to be charged for parking fee?

sorry for the wordiness just for $16-17, just hate to pay that on top of $26 resort fee especially if we are not parking for more than 30 minutes, and return the rental car on the same day from MCO.

Thanks,

 

[SA mom]

Does anyone know if any rooms have finished renovation yet at Swan?

Thinking of booking for the first time for a F&W weekend, but worried because a huge percentage of reviews mention that the rooms are very aged/worn at this point.

Renovation at the Swan began July 21. We were there. Some of the rooms are bound to be finished.

 

[SA mom]

Are there any pool side summer activities?

I know in the past they had a movie by the pool.

We were there this past July. They did not have a movie by the pool while we were there but they had bingo and water volleyball and a bunch of craft type stuff available for a fee. One night they had an outdoor concert and BBQ.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I travel fairly often (2-3 hotels a month) and have found Tripadvisor to be quite reliable for hotels. Restaurants are another matter (Yelp is my bible), but I have had great success using TA to be my go to for hotels.

The consistent issue I see on TA with the SD is that the rooms need to be renovated. I'm fairly certain this is true, because they are beginning to renovate and the rooms are at the end of their shelf life. I am sure that within two years once the rooms are up to date and reviews start to fill in the rating will go up.

We did a split stay the week before Christmas last year and unless we totally lucked out both hotels had decent looking rooms.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

Renovation at the Swan began July 21. We were there. Some of the rooms are bound to be finished.

We are booked at the Swan for New Year's Eve do you know if the renovations will be finished by then?

 

[timestwo]

To avoid parking fee, we plan to pick up the car from MCO, and return to Dolphin. Our hotel reservation has my name on it, so I will check in, get the room keys, and my husband has to wait till I give him the key before he exits the resort for grocery shopping, and he will return the rental car once he moves everything from the car to our room. I will take the children to the parks right away without going to the room to make ADR. Are we going to be charged for parking fee?

sorry for the wordiness just for $16-17, just hate to pay that on top of $26 resort fee especially if we are not parking for more than 30 minutes, and return the rental car on the same day from MCO.

Thanks,

I would guess that the valet guys out front would be happy to let your husband hang out for a few minutes while you check in. Maybe he could drop you off, you check in and go to the room while he shops. If his name is on the reservation, they should be able to give him a key if he has his ID. Then when he gets back, he can put the groceries on a cart and take it to the room (or the bell can help him) while he leaves the car downstairs. That's the return anyway: just leaving it w the valet. At least, that's what we did last year.

 

[Babsy]

I'm sure the answer to these questions in this thread, but I didn't read all the pages. Sorry if these are repeats. We would like to stay at the Swan/Dolphin for our next trip.
1) Which hotel is less expensive?
2) What time of year is a good/inexpensive time? We are flexible with dates and would prefer good weather/low crowds. Any times that fit these criteria that have better discounts? Thinking spring and/or fall of next year.
3) I saw that the hotels have WDW transportation. Does this include transportation to the airport?
4) There are several specials listed on the web page, but all are a little vague ("starting at", "blackout dates", etc). Is there a particular place to more easily determine what rates I would qualify for and when or do I just have to call?
5) How far in advance will they take reservations?
6) How far in advance can you get a discount rate/special? Do the specials get better closer to the dates?
7) How far in advance do they book up?

Thanks in advance for all the help!

1) rates seem very much the same between the Swan/Dolphin to me.
2) we received excellent rates this year for late October/early November at the Dolphin
3) No, the transportation from the airport is not included at the Swan or Dolphin
4) I enter my reservation dates and proceed to book online. The discounts are able to be accessed during the 'booking' process. You do not have to complete the booking
5) I don't know. I have booked more than 6 months out.
6) Discounts seem to come and go. It depends upon how the bookings are going for the hotel, I believe.
7) It varies by the time of year and if there are any conventions booked for the time period. The earlier that you can book the better if you are sure that you want to stay here.. If you find a better rate available, you can usually change your existing reservation to include the better discount. I did that twice on my most recent booking at the Dolphin.

Good Luck!!!

 

[marathon]

Thank you!that helps!

I would guess that the valet guys out front would be happy to let your husband hang out for a few minutes while you check in. Maybe he could drop you off, you check in and go to the room while he shops. If his name is on the reservation, they should be able to give him a key if he has his ID. Then when he gets back, he can put the groceries on a cart and take it to the room (or the bell can help him) while he leaves the car downstairs. That's the return anyway: just leaving it w the valet. At least, that's what we did last year.

 

[twirly123]

I read the following on a third party site this morning

"Walt Disney World Swan Resort, Lake Buena Vista are pleased to announce that a complete multi-million dollar redesign of its guestroom product will commence at increments of 250 rooms at each phase. The first phase of the redesign will commence July 20th, 2014 and be completed by September 6th, 2014. Scheduled Monday thru Friday, between 9:00am and 5:00 pm, they will be working by wing, commencing with the East wing first. There will be no guests accommodated in this area during this 45-day project, thus minimizing any impact on the guest experience. Room refresh will include new furnishings, modern décor, new bathrooms, including Westin’s world renowned Heavenly Bed© remaining a significant feature. They are confident guests will return home feeling better than when they arrived."

Can anyone tell me which wing is the east wing (boardwalk, resort or standard view) or if it is a mixture.

Thanks

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I read the following on a third party site this morning

"Walt Disney World Swan Resort, Lake Buena Vista are pleased to announce that a complete multi-million dollar redesign of its guestroom product will commence at increments of 250 rooms at each phase. The first phase of the redesign will commence July 20th, 2014 and be completed by September 6th, 2014. Scheduled Monday thru Friday, between 9:00am and 5:00 pm, they will be working by wing, commencing with the East wing first. There will be no guests accommodated in this area during this 45-day project, thus minimizing any impact on the guest experience. Room refresh will include new furnishings, modern décor, new bathrooms, including Westin’s world renowned Heavenly Bed© remaining a significant feature. They are confident guests will return home feeling better than when they arrived."

Can anyone tell me which wing is the east wing (boardwalk, resort or standard view) or if it is a mixture.

Thanks

I wonder if they will start renovation at the Dolphin after that. We are booked for the first week in December, and having a renovated room would be wonderful!

 

[DanBoris]

I know the Magic Bands can be used for touch-to-pay and I assume the RFID enabled cards can also be used for this, but does this work in you are staying ad the Swan/Dolphin? I know in the past that room charging wasn't available when staying there, but I wasn't sure if this also the case with the new system.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....Can anyone tell me which wing is the east wing (boardwalk, resort or standard view) or if it is a mixture.

Thanks

The east wing would have all three views. The west wing would not have Boardwalk views.

I wonder if they will start renovation at the Dolphin after that. We are booked for the first week in December, and having a renovated room would be wonderful!

That is the plan, Swan first then the Dolphin.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know the Magic Bands can be used for touch-to-pay and I assume the RFID enabled cards can also be used for this, but does this work in you are staying ad the Swan/Dolphin? I know in the past that room charging wasn't available when staying there, but I wasn't sure if this also the case with the new system.

Bands nor cards do anything at the resorts themselves. No charging, no room locks.

 

[twirly123]

The east wing would have all three views. The west wing would not have Boardwalk views.

Thank you!!