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

[astronautmom]

New to Swan just booked 2 nights to extend our trip we booked a standard 2 queen room the picture shows a couch in room does anyone know if all rooms have a small couch??

We were just in a standard queen last week. It had an armchair, which we moved in order to fit the roll away bed. I was definitely impressed with the luxury of the roll away bed and how well it fit in the room. Not a cot and not blocking the room traffic in any way. But no, no couch. I think we paid $25 to add the roll away bed.

 

[wahmtexas]

Thanks I just called and added a rollaway. Also are the standard rooms renovated? Can you request a renovated room?

 

[parith1114]

Just got back from a quick weekend stay, we were impressed by the Dolphin. I had booked a standard room on Orbitz for $108. We were upgraded to a water view room with a balcony. It was such a short trip that we didn't truly get to take advantage of any of the hotels many amenities, but were very pleased by the room size and the overall feel of the resort. We were challenged on Saturday night by a cast member during EMH at MK. He told me that the Swan/Dolphin weren't included, and I politely informed him that we had actually already rode several rides and that I was under the impression that it was included. He said we could ride, but was just told they weren't participating
All in all...two thumbs up!

 

[gdrj]

I think for most people the resort fee "feels" like you're paying $23 per night ($39 if you have a car to park) basically for 2 bottles of water because most hotels do not charge extra for wifi/parking/health club (and actually most places I have stayed for business trips also provided complimentary bottled water).

If the fee is mandatory, they should just increase the price and include the wifi,etc. for "free". I know it's ultimately the same cost, but it would eliminate all the complaints about the required fee.

I feel the same way about resort fees, but they use them instead of increasing cost of room. With travel sites its keeps them competitive.

We will be staying at Dolphin for first time and were able to get a price that worked for us. While technically the resort fee may or may not be for some of the service I'm about to mention, at least it truly feels like a resort unlike the some of DTD hotels that charge parking and resort fees.

I'm choosing to think of the resort fee as including:
-Disney Bus Transportation and Boat Transportation from Hotel to Parks.
- Extra Magic Hours
- Being able to walk to two parks or boat
- Walking distance to the Boardwalk
- A great pool area and grounds.
- Truly being on Property

The Parking fee burns me more than the Resort fee. Fortunately it pushed me to not have a car.

 

[gdrj]

Going for our first stay at the Dolphin (Adults only) for a quick Fri-Mon trip on 12/12- 12-15. We are DVC members and have been staying at Boardwalk for many years and understand the boats, the buses etc.,, as well as the EMH's.

For the Dolphin experts any suggestions on things we should do while at the Hotel? Any lounges that should be visited or drinks or app's that are worth stopping for? I'm hoping (but not betting on it) that the weather is nice enough to sit poolside just to get some Sun.

All ideas are welcome.

 

[RachelTori]

Going for our first stay at the Dolphin (Adults only) for a quick Fri-Mon trip on 12/12- 12-15. We are DVC members and have been staying at Boardwalk for many years and understand the boats, the buses etc.,, as well as the EMH's.

For the Dolphin experts any suggestions on things we should do while at the Hotel? Any lounges that should be visited or drinks or app's that are worth stopping for? I'm hoping (but not betting on it) that the weather is nice enough to sit poolside just to get some Sun.

All ideas are welcome.

Cabana Bar & Grill, by the Grotto pool, is a great experience - both for food and beverage!

We also love the lounge in Blue Zoo - opens at 3:30pm. They have some truly unique cocktails!

Il Mulino's lounge is fun too!

 

[NancyIL]

Just got back from a quick weekend stay, we were impressed by the Dolphin. I had booked a standard room on Orbitz for $108. We were upgraded to a water view room with a balcony. It was such a short trip that we didn't truly get to take advantage of any of the hotels many amenities, but were very pleased by the room size and the overall feel of the resort. We were challenged on Saturday night by a cast member during EMH at MK. He told me that the Swan/Dolphin weren't included, and I politely informed him that we had actually already rode several rides and that I was under the impression that it was included. He said we could ride, but was just told they weren't participating
All in all...two thumbs up!

That cast member was wrong!

 

[patty57]

Cabana Bar & Grill, by the Grotto pool, is a great experience - both for food and beverage!

We also love the lounge in Blue Zoo - opens at 3:30pm. They have some truly unique cocktails!

Il Mulino's lounge is fun too!

Yes, yes & yes.

That cast member was wrong!

Yes (must be my word for the day).

 

[hsmamato2]

108?? amazing rate I love this place and would love that rate!

 

[DisneyJen1969]

We are making our first trip to the Swan Dec. 19-23 and also want to make our first trip to Downtown Disney on Friday the 19th. I'm wondering what the best way is to get there and back? I've read on the boards that the bussing can be a nightmare. Someone just told me that you can take a boat from the Swan to DTD? And that the bussing isn't a problem. Curious what anyone can share. Guessing we won't arrive until about 3:00 that day IF there are no flight delays. Thanks!

 

[SingingMom]

We are making our first trip to the Swan Dec. 19-23 and also want to make our first trip to Downtown Disney on Friday the 19th. I'm wondering what the best way is to get there and back? I've read on the boards that the bussing can be a nightmare. Someone just told me that you can take a boat from the Swan to DTD? And that the bussing isn't a problem. Curious what anyone can share. Guessing we won't arrive until about 3:00 that day IF there are no flight delays. Thanks!

Boats from Swan/Dolphin goes to Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Boardwalk, and Yacht/Beach Club. Boats to DTD are from Port Orleans.
Busses from DTD aren't the greatest. We like a taxi for that!

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

 

[ckelly14]

We are making our first trip to the Swan Dec. 19-23 and also want to make our first trip to Downtown Disney on Friday the 19th. I'm wondering what the best way is to get there and back? I've read on the boards that the bussing can be a nightmare. Someone just told me that you can take a boat from the Swan to DTD? And that the bussing isn't a problem. Curious what anyone can share. Guessing we won't arrive until about 3:00 that day IF there are no flight delays. Thanks!

Agree with taking a cab. Buses were bad enough before all the construction, now it is just miserable. Took us about 45-60 minutes to get back from DTD this past June. I would also recommend NOT going to DTD on a Friday or Saturday night. It's completely insane.

 

[SA mom]

I always thought the resort fee was really dumb because I would never, ever use the health club. Well, I did on the last trip. I was (still am) recovering from ACL reconstruction and had exercises I needed to keep up with. The Swan health club had almost everything I needed.

 

[ownedby3]

Just checked in today into the dolphin and alcove + double room adjoining. Double room is fine but our room (alcove) smells pretty musty. They also had a humidifier in the elevator lobby on the 9th floor. Other than that the room is a bit dates but not as bad as I thought

Also my tickets won't link to Magic Bands. Have to take care of that tomorrow at the parks. Make sure you have a print out of the confirmation number.

 

[NancyIL]

Just checked in today into the dolphin and alcove + double room adjoining. Double room is fine but our room (alcove) smells pretty musty. They also had a humidifier in the elevator lobby on the 9th floor. Other than that the room is a bit dates but not as bad as I thought

Also my tickets won't link to Magic Bands. Have to take care of that tomorrow at the parks. Make sure you have a print out of the confirmation number.

I suspect that was a DEhumidifier.

 

[ownedby3]

They actually refer to it as a DeFungal Machine.

 

[Poppins2010]

Agree with taking a cab. Buses were bad enough before all the construction, now it is just miserable. Took us about 45-60 minutes to get back from DTD this past June. I would also recommend NOT going to DTD on a Friday or Saturday night. It's completely insane.

My family will be staying at the Dolphin in mid December. We are hoping to get to AK right at rope drop one morning. Do you recommend a taxi for this over a bus? How much would this cab typically cost? Thanks for the help.... have never been to the AK before!

 

[astronautmom]

Thanks I just called and added a rollaway. Also are the standard rooms renovated? Can you request a renovated room?

I think Standard=unrenovated, but what do I know? Ours was a standard and it was satisfactory in every way.

We weren't surprised by the resort fees, because they were stated up front, but it was still a sad bill to get on a "free" (starwood points) room. That was the only downer of the stay. That and it was too cold and rainy to want to use the pool, which was gorgeous. One area besides the hot tub was heated, but it still wasn't worth walking back to the room in wet swim suits.

 

[DisneyJen1969]

Thank you to all of the helpful people on this board!
I have been trying to figure out how the fast pass + for "Be Our Guest" at MK works. After finally figuring out that it won't open until 27 days before the day you are trying get, I then read that Swan/Dolphin guests do NOT get that privilege. Can anyone confirm that? Thanks again!

 

[happymommy]

My family will be staying at the Dolphin in mid December. We are hoping to get to AK right at rope drop one morning. Do you recommend a taxi for this over a bus? How much would this cab typically cost? Thanks for the help.... have never been to the AK before!

I think the bus should be good, but allow enough time.

Someone at the transportation board can probably help!