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

[SingingMom]

I've read through this entire thread. Whew! We will be making our first trip to Disney with the kids (4 and 6) the first week of December. We will be staying at the Dolphin. We got a package via Costco Travel, the room is the "resort view, 2 double" - I'm hoping we can get upgraded to a room with a sitting area or a pull out couch, we are SPG members (just the basic) and we will be there during DH's birthday. Is it possible to walk to Epcot and get on the monorail? I'm sure the kids would like to ride it, and I was wondering if we could use it as another option to get to MK. I do know that you have to switch trains. Is the monorail station on the outside of Epcot? Can you walk around Epcot to get to it? We have a park hopper, so we could walk through if we had to. Planning on taking the kids to Camp Dolphin on night and having an adult night out - suggestions for that? DH likes craft beer. Also, since we will be there for DH's birthday, what places do special birthday celebrations? Thanks! Judy

To get to the monorail from the Dolphin, take the Friendship launch to the international Gateway entrance of Epcot. You will need to walk through Epcot and exit in the front to catch the monorail. It is a long leisurely route, not to be used if you are in a hurry! Lol. We do this every year our arrival day - checkin at Dolphin, catch the monorail and head to the Grand Floridian for afternoon tea!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[SA mom]

Is it possible to walk to Epcot and get on the monorail? I'm sure the kids would like to ride it, and I was wondering if we could use it as another option to get to MK. I do know that you have to switch trains. Is the monorail station on the outside of Epcot? Can you walk around Epcot to get to it? We have a park hopper, so we could walk through if we had to.

As mentioned by SingingMom, you have to walk all the way through Epcot and then change Monorails at the TTC. The last time we took the monorail from Epcot to Chef Mickey's (in the Contemporary) it took us about 45. So realize it is going to take you quite a while to walk all the way through Epcot plus additional time on the Monorail.

Personally, I would opt for the bus to MK and ride the monorail around at that point. That is a whole lot of extra walking with little kids. Have fun!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I linked our Dolphin reservation on Disney's Magical Experience, I can now view the reservation but I can't customize or order our magic bands.. is this something different for Dolphin guest, where do we pre order bands?

 

[houseful of boys]

The BOG lunch website asks for a 12-diget reservation number that starts with 43 or 44. I don't know about anyone else, but my Dolphin ressy doesn't meet these qualifiers!

When we did this back in the spring, it was the magical express number that was used for BOG fp not the reservation number. That's why Swan and Dolphin guests haven't had any luck making these fp's.

 

[Tess]

I linked our Dolphin reservation on Disney's Magical Experience, I can now view the reservation but I can't customize or order our magic bands.. is this something different for Dolphin guest, where do we pre order bands?

Magic Bands do not come "free" to Swan & Dolphin guests. You can purchase Magic Bands in the parks or at the gift stores within the Swan & Dolphin, but you will not be able to use them to charge or for a room key. You will be able to use them for park entrance and FP+ once they have been purchased, linked to your ticket and activated. If you do not wish to purchase a MB, your park pass will give you the same access to FP+ and park entrance. We are AP and have MB from prior stays, but frankly, I prefer using my AP rather than wearing the band.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Thanks we have bands from previous stays attached to our annaul pass tickets so we can use those however to get the 60 day advantage on Fast passes will it just show up on MDE 60 days out and let us make our reservations ? Thanks!

 

[Tess]

I linked our Dolphin reservation on Disney's Magical Experience, I can now view the reservation but I can't customize or order our magic bands.. is this something different for Dolphin guest, where do we pre order bands?

Magic Bands do not come "free" to Swan & Dolphin guests. You can purchase Magic Bands in the parks, but you will not be able to use them to charge or for a room key. You will be able to use them for park entrance and FP+ once they have been purchased, linked to your ticket and activated.

Not sure why this post appears both before and after yours--odd?

 

[Tess]

Thanks we have bands from previous stays attached to our annaul pass tickets so we can use those however to get the 60 day advantage on Fast passes will it just show up on MDE 60 days out and let us make our reservations ? Thanks!

Yes it will as long as you have your reservation linked and you can see it in MDE.
Our FP+ went well once we had everyone linked (3 rooms/6 people) and our window opened as expected at 60 days. Three of us have APs, 2 had 8 day hoppers and one had a 5 day hopper. Worked seamlessly for all of us.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

Hi if we checkin at 10:30pm will they still charge us the resort fee for that day? Also is the resort fee negotiable at all?

 

[Dan Murphy]

It is typically not negotiable, but possibly, for that first night, it may be. Worth asking at check in.

 

[NancyIL]

It is typically not negotiable, but possibly, for that first night, it may be. Worth asking at check in.

I highly doubt the resort fee would be waived for a late arrival, just as the room rate would not be discounted.

 

[czall]

We are going to be in a Grand Suite in February at the Swan. My questions are, should we request a certain one to afford us views of fireworks? This is our first time at the Swan and have always stayed at Floridian and or BWV. Because we are a larger party we were recommended the Grand Suite as a great option, but I would love to know if you have any idea on locations and views? OF course any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bizer]

Does the Swan/Dolphin wait until Disney releases their discounts before they adjust their rates? We are looking at a late January stay and the rooms at the Dolphin are in the low $300's. I remember looking a year or two ago and they could be had for under $200.

 

[Poppins2010]

Can an Dolphin expert tell me what kind of coffee makers are in the rooms? Keurig by chance?

 

[Disneychick75]

Can an Dolphin expert tell me what kind of coffee makers are in the rooms? Keurig by chance?

No, unfortunately, the coffee makers are not Keurig. The coffee is Starbucks. It takes 2 pouches to make 1 good cup of coffee. Housekeeping gave me extra pouches so I tipped them more. Win/win

 

[Dan Murphy]

Can an Dolphin expert tell me what kind of coffee makers are in the rooms? Keurig by chance?

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44553884&postcount=68

 

[Poppins2010]

Really helpful. Thanks! First world problem, I know, but coffee is an important thing...

 

[Dan Murphy]

Really helpful. Thanks! First world problem, I know, but coffee is an important thing...

Yes, for me also, even tough I use the decaf...ticker problem. You can ask housekeeping, or leave a note in your room by the coffee setup, and get as many extra coffees as you want.

 

[happymommy]

Anyone know if any of the Swan renovated rooms have opened up? Staying there the 27th and would love to get one.

May call today if I find the time.

I'm interested in anyone who's stayed in a renovated room at the Swan yet.

I just booked one for next March - guaranteed balcony renovated room. - on points. I am sure it will be much better than our room we had (for just one night though) last March. That was the worst room we had ever had there!

 

[NancyIL]

I'm interested in anyone who's stayed in a renovated room at the Swan yet.

I just booked one for next March - guaranteed balcony renovated room. - on points. I am sure it will be much better than our room we had (for just one night though) last March. That was the worst room we had ever had there!

I stayed at the Swan for 3 nights last week, but my room wasn't renovated -nor did I ask for one. The hotel was very full, and I was lucky to get any room! I had no complaints about my room.