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

[goofy4tink]

Quick question. The last time I was at the Dolphin, they had added a mug expressly for coffee, while keeping the old style for soda. I have two of the old style 'free refill' mugs. Can I still use them for soda refills or have they changed that mug as well?

 

[BlueFairy]

Thank you. I had tried this to an extent with no luck, but I'm going to try it again and follow your instructions exactly and see if it works. Did you have luck with this more than 60 days out on your reservation? Thanks again!

Sorry, we were inside 60 days when we booked last week. I was frantic to get it straightened out. My link up was pretty straightforward for getting the room into MDE.

 

[BlueFairy]

I have more questions -

Transfers from MCO. We last visited S/D in 2006. We used a town car because we had a baby, car seat, and all her stuff. Now we have 2 DDs, so 4 people total. What is the best thing going for getting to S/D since DME is not an option? I was not thrilled with the town car service. They were late and we almost missed our flight. Grocery stop is nice, though. We'll be arriving MCO at 8:30am on a Sat. Us 3 girls leave midday on Wed. DH will fly home on Sat and probably expense Uber or a taxi. What is the most reliable service for S/D fans? Mears, taxi, a particular town car service, or rental car for the one day?

Food in the room - can someone point me to descriptions or photos of S/D coffee makers and refrigerators. I think I remember a basket style 2 cup drip pot from way back when. Are they pod-style now? For the fridge - it used to be that the only fridge was a pre-stocked mini bar that sensed when items were removed. Is there currently a place for milk, yogurt, bottled water and the like? I much prefer the WDW resort fridges. How do these compare?

Grocery delivery - how does S/D handle Garden Grocer? If we don't have a grocery stop with our transfer, I'll definitely order beer, wine, maybe liquor, a case of soda, and breakfast foods. Does Bell Services hold your groceries (and keep them cold)? Or is it necessary to meet the GG delivery person in the lobby?

Laundry - where are they located? Are they reliable? WDW resort laundry is a breeze now with the app. Are the machines at S/D similar and often available? With a short trip in cooler weather, I may decide not to bother.

Thanks so much!

 

[CJK]

Grocery delivery - how does S/D handle Garden Grocer? If we don't have a grocery stop with our transfer, I'll definitely order beer, wine, maybe liquor, a case of soda, and breakfast foods. Does Bell Services hold your groceries (and keep them cold)? Or is it necessary to meet the GG delivery person in the lobby?

I can't answer all of your questions, but unfortunately I can confirm that Garden Grocer no longer delivers to the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[BlueFairy]

I can't answer all of your questions, but unfortunately I can confirm that Garden Grocer no longer delivers to the Swan/Dolphin.

So sad. Thanks.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have more questions -

Transfers from MCO. We last visited S/D in 2006. We used a town car because we had a baby, car seat, and all her stuff. Now we have 2 DDs, so 4 people total. What is the best thing going for getting to S/D since DME is not an option? I was not thrilled with the town car service. They were late and we almost missed our flight. Grocery stop is nice, though. We'll be arriving MCO at 8:30am on a Sat. Us 3 girls leave midday on Wed. DH will fly home on Sat and probably expense Uber or a taxi. What is the most reliable service for S/D fans? Mears, taxi, a particular town car service, or rental car for the one day?

Food in the room - can someone point me to descriptions or photos of S/D coffee makers and refrigerators. I think I remember a basket style 2 cup drip pot from way back when. Are they pod-style now? For the fridge - it used to be that the only fridge was a pre-stocked mini bar that sensed when items were removed. Is there currently a place for milk, yogurt, bottled water and the like? I much prefer the WDW resort fridges. How do these compare?

Grocery delivery - how does S/D handle Garden Grocer? If we don't have a grocery stop with our transfer, I'll definitely order beer, wine, maybe liquor, a case of soda, and breakfast foods. Does Bell Services hold your groceries (and keep them cold)? Or is it necessary to meet the GG delivery person in the lobby?

Laundry - where are they located? Are they reliable? WDW resort laundry is a breeze now with the app. Are the machines at S/D similar and often available? With a short trip in cooler weather, I may decide not to bother.

Thanks so much!

Well, a one day rental puts you in charge completely, and can be returned to the Dolphin if using National/Alamo. I have used Tiffany limo and they were fine. Also used the S/D's own limo. A bit higher priced, but great also.

http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/

http://swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html

Coffee makers are one large single cup brew, Starbucks. It uses a pod, but not like a K-cup, more like a 5 or 6 inch filter 'pillow'. You can have as much as you want.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wa...mation-questions.3264274/page-2#post-51220697

Refrigerators are no longer mini bar. Just a smallish empty fridge, with room for want you mention. Like a college dorm fridge or the Disney ones.

No Garden Grocer anymore.

Laundry is in the Dolphin, first floor near Picabu. YOu can use credit card. I have never used but have never heard any negatives.

 

[BlueFairy]

Well, a one day rental puts you in charge completely, and can be returned to the Dolphin if using National/Alamo. I have used Tiffany limo and they were fine. Also used the S/D's own limo. A bit higher priced, but great also.

http://www.tiffanytowncar.com/

http://swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html

Coffee makers are one large single cup brew, Starbucks. It uses a pod, but not like a K-cup, more like a 5 or 6 inch filter 'pillow'. You can have as much as you want.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wa...mation-questions.3264274/page-2#post-51220697

Refrigerators are no longer mini bar. Just a smallish empty fridge, with room for want you mention. Like a college dorm fridge or the Disney ones.

No Garden Grocer anymore.

Laundry is in the Dolphin, first floor near Picabu. YOu can use credit card. I have never used but have never heard any negatives.

So helpful!!!! Thank you. We'll do the one day rental, maybe a town car.

Good to know I'll have a place to put what we buy from the grocery stop.

My fav coffee doesn't come in pods, so I'll bring my press with filter.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I have more questions -

1) Transfers from MCO. What is the most reliable service for S/D fans? Mears, taxi, a particular town car service, or rental car for the one day?

2) Food in the room - can someone point me to descriptions or photos of S/D coffee makers and refrigerators. I think I remember a basket style 2 cup drip pot from way back when. Are they pod-style now? For the fridge - it used to be that the only fridge was a pre-stocked mini bar that sensed when items were removed. Is there currently a place for milk, yogurt, bottled water and the like? I much prefer the WDW resort fridges. How do these compare?


3)Laundry - where are they located? Are they reliable? WDW resort laundry is a breeze now with the app. Are the machines at S/D similar and often available? With a short trip in cooler weather, I may decide not to bother.

Thanks so much!

Just got home last week so i'll answer the question i can!
1) We did a one day rental to and from MCO and LOVED it! Super convenient and really slick. We used Alamo and were able to pick any car in the category we wanted. Drive to Dolphin was easy and took 2 tolls (i *think* 1.50 each but we just gave bills and got change) Loved just dropping it with the valet and then picking it up there on the way back. You'll be able to reserve car seats when you book.

2)I see this has been answered!
3) I used the laundry -- doesn't have the APP that the Disney resorts have gone to but as mentioned have card readers. We did find that one cycle on the dryer was NOT enough ... had run out of quarters (not using a credit card for 3.00 and then deal with exchange) so had stuff strung around the room!!

And on the coffee... hear you there, our press pot travels with us cause hubby is a coffee snob
Have a great trip

 

[ymn]

I also did a one way rental from the airport. I used national and my car was less than $20 including tax. We had a Nissan Maxima and the trunk was big enough to hold 3 bags and 2 backpacks. we turned the keys in with the valet at the dolphin.

 

[Tess]

I also did a one way rental from the airport. I used national and my car was less than $20 including tax. We had a Nissan Maxima and the trunk was big enough to hold 3 bags and 2 backpacks. we turned the keys in with the valet at the dolphin.

That is a really great price--we've never had that luck getting a cheap rental car for a day. We usually go through Alamo versus National though because trying to book in advance, Alamo is usually less pricey for us. Our rates have usually been in the $45 - 50 range plus gas, of course--still much less costly than a town car or Mear's. The drive really isn't that difficult and being able to take your time at the grocery is great.

That said, we usually use a town car service rather than rent for the first and last day. In May, however, we got a good flight/rate into Tampa so we will be driving to and from TPA--kind of looking forward to the drive actually.

 

[BlueFairy]

I also did a one way rental from the airport. I used national and my car was less than $20 including tax. We had a Nissan Maxima and the trunk was big enough to hold 3 bags and 2 backpacks. we turned the keys in with the valet at the dolphin.

Hmm. Wish I could get that lucky with price. I'm seeing around $65 for 1 day for either Alamo or National. Spring break. I'd like to pay for a compact or economy but I'm worried with luggage for 4 it will be tight. Probably 3 suitcases and 4 personal sized bags.

That is a really great price--we've never had that luck getting a cheap rental car for a day. We usually go through Alamo versus National though because trying to book in advance, Alamo is usually less pricey for us. Our rates have usually been in the $45 - 50 range plus gas, of course--still much less costly than a town car or Mear's. The drive really isn't that difficult and being able to take your time at the grocery is great.

That said, we usually use a town car service rather than rent for the first and last day. In May, however, we got a good flight/rate into Tampa so we will be driving to and from TPA--kind of looking forward to the drive actually.

With a trip of about 26 miles, I'm thinking it will be 2 gallons of gas at most. Still, unless I get a cheaper rate I'll be looking at the same as a town car service. I like @Dan Murphy's idea of being in charge of our own fate coming and going for what is essentially the same price.

 

[ymn]

I was happily surprised by the cost. Next time I'm going to use uber to get back to the airport. I think it will result in less walking through the airport with our bags.

 

[ymn]

I use Emerald Isle through national. You book a mid size car and you can pick from any available car on the isle. So far we haven't had a problem finding a big enough car. if you sign up for national's email list, they will send you discount codes.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I was happily surprised by the cost. Next time I'm going to use uber to get back to the airport. I think it will result in less walking through the airport with our bags.

OMG i agree with this point! Just the pure agony of getting into the elevator to get to the tunnel so we could start that marathon walk URGH, but i doubt i can beat the price we paid ... 6.36 rented with Airmiles and only had to pay tax

 

[KatherineDisney]

I am officially booked at the Swan April 15th through 18th! We ended up booking a balcony crescent lake view room. I have never done a balcony at the Swan or Dolphin before (I know they're small) but I am just excited. We got a great rate!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am officially booked at the Swan

I am just excited

We got a great rate!

A triple slam dunk!!! Enjoy!!

 

[sharona]

Just got home last week so i'll answer the question i can!
1) We did a one day rental to and from MCO and LOVED it! Super convenient and really slick. We used Alamo and were able to pick any car in the category we wanted. Drive to Dolphin was easy and took 2 tolls (i *think* 1.50 each but we just gave bills and got change) Loved just dropping it with the valet and then picking it up there on the way back. You'll be able to reserve car seats when you book.

2)I see this has been answered!
3) I used the laundry -- doesn't have the APP that the Disney resorts have gone to but as mentioned have card readers. We did find that one cycle on the dryer was NOT enough ... had run out of quarters (not using a credit card for 3.00 and then deal with exchange) so had stuff strung around the room!!

And on the coffee... hear you there, our press pot travels with us cause hubby is a coffee snob
Have a great trip

With Alamo or National you can go through the ez pass lanes for the tolls and they will bill you later on the card you used to reserve the car.

That is a really great price--we've never had that luck getting a cheap rental car for a day. We usually go through Alamo versus National though because trying to book in advance, Alamo is usually less pricey for us. Our rates have usually been in the $45 - 50 range plus gas, of course--still much less costly than a town car or Mear's. The drive really isn't that difficult and being able to take your time at the grocery is great.

That said, we usually use a town car service rather than rent for the first and last day. In May, however, we got a good flight/rate into Tampa so we will be driving to and from TPA--kind of looking forward to the drive actually.

The Transportation page should have a thread for your month that shows the discounts that other people have booked and the codes they used. The mousesavers website usually has some good discount codes for Alamo and National. You can also find codes you may be entitled to use by Googling for current discounts. The cheapest rental that I've had ever was booked via the SouthWest Airlines website as a special deal. They are worth checking out and so is Undercover Tourist for cheap car rental rates.

 

[Dan Murphy]

With Alamo or National you can go through the ez pass lanes for the tolls and they will bill you later on the card you used to reserve the car.

Is there an additional fee for that, or just the actual toll charges?

 

[ymn]

I didn't know that about the tolls! Great tip!

 

[dansdad]

Is there an additional fee for that, or just the actual toll charges?

Per National's Website $3.95 convenience fee per day the EZ Pass is used on top of the cost of the tolls.