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

[kayteekt]

Question about parking and pool. Staying at the swan next week. My sister and her family may come to wdw for a few days at the same time staying at a different Resort. Can they come over and "visit" us, so our kids can use the pool for a few hours and hang out? If so, how does that work with parking? I know we will pay a parking fee per night but is there a daily rate as well or hourly? TIA

 

[Dan Murphy]

The daily rate, (or more accurately, each in/out) for parking is $18

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

As for the pool, I can't see a problem with that.

 

[Cloudy]

I noticed they added an extra benefit to the $25 resort fee: $25 of spa services of $100 or more for each day of your stay, but it looks like maybe anyone can receive that perk from the ad on the other side of the page??

http://swandolphin.com/pdf/Resort_Report.pdf

 

[kappyfamily]

I'm sure this has been touched on at one (or 125 x on this thread). This will be our first time at Swan / Dolphin, usually we are CR folks. I'm trying to use up some Starwood points so I need help deciding if I made the right choice. Family of 4 ("kids" will be 15 & 22). We will be there during Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon in early November. I had enough points to cover 5 nights at Dolphin so I booked it. I could've spent $70 more (and can still change it) to be in the Swan. I booked just the basic "traditional 2 beds" type of room.

My questions are:
Did I make the right choice with Dolphin or should I pay the $70 total more and move to Swan?

Is there a couch when there are 2 beds at either resort? I'm sure the "kids" won't be thrilled to sleep in the same bed as each other.
Am I able to get a roll away when there are 2 beds in a room at either resort?

Just not sure what is best for our family. After the 5 nights we will probably move to CR for the last 3 nights.

thank you for your thoughts, please know it is appreciated!
Michele

 

[hsmamato2]

At Dolphin you can request a rollaway for an extra $25 per night..or you can bring an air mattress if you want, there's plenty of room - As far as staying at CR v.s Dolphin? I prefer the Dolphin/Swan complex by far. Never stayed Swan, but I love the area and amenities

 

[BlueFairy]

I'm sure this has been touched on at one (or 125 x on this thread). This will be our first time at Swan / Dolphin, usually we are CR folks. I'm trying to use up some Starwood points so I need help deciding if I made the right choice. Family of 4 ("kids" will be 15 & 22). We will be there during Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon in early November. I had enough points to cover 5 nights at Dolphin so I booked it. I could've spent $70 more (and can still change it) to be in the Swan. I booked just the basic "traditional 2 beds" type of room.

My questions are:
Did I make the right choice with Dolphin or should I pay the $70 total more and move to Swan?

Is there a couch when there are 2 beds at either resort? I'm sure the "kids" won't be thrilled to sleep in the same bed as each other.
Am I able to get a roll away when there are 2 beds in a room at either resort?

Just not sure what is best for our family. After the 5 nights we will probably move to CR for the last 3 nights.

thank you for your thoughts, please know it is appreciated!
Michele

We have stayed in a deluxe (?) king alcove room and double room, both at the Dolphin. Both will accommodate a twin air mattress, crib, or roll a way. The 2 bed option at the Dolphin is 2 DOUBLES. They felt small to DH and I. Kids didn't notice. Swan has 2 QUEENS. Otherwise, the Dolphin is a great location.

No couch in the room with 2 beds. In 2006 our deluxe king had a couch. I think it was a sleeper sofa, but we had an infant and didn't use it.

 

[Babsy]

I'm sure this has been touched on at one (or 125 x on this thread). This will be our first time at Swan / Dolphin, usually we are CR folks. I'm trying to use up some Starwood points so I need help deciding if I made the right choice. Family of 4 ("kids" will be 15 & 22). We will be there during Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon in early November. I had enough points to cover 5 nights at Dolphin so I booked it. I could've spent $70 more (and can still change it) to be in the Swan. I booked just the basic "traditional 2 beds" type of room.

My questions are:
Did I make the right choice with Dolphin or should I pay the $70 total more and move to Swan?

Is there a couch when there are 2 beds at either resort? I'm sure the "kids" won't be thrilled to sleep in the same bed as each other.
Am I able to get a roll away when there are 2 beds in a room at either resort?

Just not sure what is best for our family. After the 5 nights we will probably move to CR for the last 3 nights.

thank you for your thoughts, please know it is appreciated!
Michele

I would pay the extra $70 for the Swan. You get 2 queen beds instead of 2 full beds, you are the first pick up and drop off for the buses, the rooms are freshly renovated at the Swan but not at the Dolphin and the Swan is smaller than the Dolphin so it is not as far along corridors to get to the furthest rooms. So the Swan is a littlest 'fresher', more convenient, and more comfortable than the Dolphin.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I see they don't let you do grocery deliveries as they want you to buy from their pantry, but the choices aren't what I need, as milk, cereal, bread, cold cuts ,wine,etc. what is the best way to get them?? Rent a car and make a grocery stop? In the past the garden grocer worked so well for us.

The store over on the Boardwalk has quite a bit of food items to choose from as does Picabu at the Dolphin.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

The benefit of the Swan over the Dolphin is the size of the beds. Queens at Swan vs. Doubles at Dolphin.

The location alone makes the Swan/Dolphin more attractive. In addition, the rooms are larger than the CR and amenities more plentiful.

At Dolphin you can request a rollaway for an extra $25 per night..or you can bring an air mattress if you want, there's plenty of room - As far as staying at CR v.s Dolphin? I prefer the Dolphin/Swan complex by far. Never stayed Swan, but I love the area and amenities

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Does Swan/Dolphin have any kind of shuttle service from MCO to the resorts? If not, can anyone tell me the approximate cost of taxi/car service?

We're booked at CSR this summer, but I was looking at a Swan package from Costco and considering that for next year. Trying to decide if no DME is a deal breaker. Thanks!

 

[BlueFairy]

Does Swan/Dolphin have any kind of shuttle service from MCO to the resorts? If not, can anyone tell me the approximate cost of taxi/car service?

We're booked at CSR this summer, but I was looking at a Swan package from Costco and considering that for next year. Trying to decide if no DME is a deal breaker. Thanks!

We've just returned. Airport transfer is not an included amenity. I shopped all the options, and decided that a day rental (without paying for overnight parking) was best for us each way. It was about $75 per day from National. There is a desk in the Dolphin lobby.

Uber was quick and easy from the Dolphin to MCO for my husband. About $25 one way. Uber Black is the only Uber allowed to pick up at MCO though.

Town cars will run about $170 round trip by the time you add tips. It usually includes a grocery stop.

Here is a list of S/D contracted pricing for private transfers and Mears (shared shuttle). http://www.swandolphin.com/feedback/transportation.html

Don't forget to consider parking fees, also listed there. Parking at the WDW parks is free still as a guest, I believe.

S/D also charges a resort fee that is most likely not included in your Costco package price.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Thank you, @BlueFairy

It's $3426 for a 7d/7n package with hoppers in an upgraded room with the resort fees included. That's about a $500+ savings from the Disney website and $250-300 more than a mod, but not having DME/shuttle stinks. I guess we have to decide if the Epcot area is worth it (although I've heard that the bus service isn't great, which is a con compared to returning to CSR). Decisions...

 

[Jennabeth]

Thank you, @BlueFairy

It's $3426 for a 7d/7n package with hoppers in an upgraded room with the resort fees included. That's about a $500+ savings from the Disney website and $250-300 more than a mod, but not having DME/shuttle stinks. I guess we have to decide if the Epcot area is worth it (although I've heard that the bus service isn't great, which is a con compared to returning to CSR). Decisions...

Haha, I had to check to make sure I didn't post this. We just booked a stay through Costco (yesterday). We stayed at BWI last year and I will say, Epcot area is worth it! Remember, you really only need bus service to two parks and Disney Springs.

We were worried about no DME, but I checked with Tiffany Town Car and it's only $130 round trip and includes a 30 minute grocery stop. When I think about how easy it should be (not going to a car rental place and paying for parking at the resort), it was a no brainer. I'll know in a few months if my choice was correct.

FYI, when you book this package you pay for the tickets up front, plus a down payment on the package and the tickets are non-refundable. The price does include resort fees.

 

[hsmamato2]

Shuttle from the airport or grab a taxi to dolphin... we used Uber to get to airport last trip -very easy. The bus service is the same as any disney resort. Sometimes it's great,sometimes it's slow. (I've stayed at most of the hotels over the years to compare) I honestly 100% prefer the S/D for location,amenities,views,easy access to so much over the other disney resorts.... the pool area is hands down our favorite (except Beach club of course) It's funny,over the years we've rarely used ME from airport anyway...I don't know why.....

 

[kayteekt]

The daily rate, (or more accurately, each in/out) for parking is $18

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

As for the pool, I can't see a problem with that.

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I've heard that the bus service isn't great,

We've stayed many times at the Swan, a few times at the Dolphin. The Disney bus service has never been a problem. Longest wait to MK, after just missing a bus at non-rush time, was maybe 10 minutes. Seems longer sitting there, but that was about it.

 

[iujen94]

Hi! We are staying at the Swan in September. I booked our hotel and park tickets as a package through AAA. I was able to link my hotel in MDE, but the tickets didn't show up. I called Disney and they said I would get physical tickets when I checked in at the Swan and I could link those tickets in MDE at that time. For puposes of making FP+ reservations, the Disney guy put a "FP Planning Key Card" in my MDE account that shows up under "My Tickets". He claimed this will allow me to make my FP+ reservations at the 60 day mark. I can't find a reference to this "FP Planning Key Card" anywhere on these boards, which makes me a little nervous. Anyone else been in this situation? Thanks!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Does Swan/Dolphin have any kind of shuttle service from MCO to the resorts? If not, can anyone tell me the approximate cost of taxi/car service?

We're booked at CSR this summer, but I was looking at a Swan package from Costco and considering that for next year. Trying to decide if no DME is a deal breaker. Thanks!

We always use Tiffany Towncar. They will give you the grocery stop and I think a booster seat if you need it. They have cars, vans, etc. We just stop at the Soeedway Mini mart by the Swan. But they have taken us to Publix before and it was entirely too much wasted time, so the mini mart is much better for us now.

 

[Okiechick80]

We are going to the Swan late November/early December this year. I'm so excited! We've stayed twice off-property in a house and once at AoA, & this will be the first time at the Swan. My son is 2, so I just assumed that they wouldn't "count" him, like at the parks, but do I need to be worried about that? Are they going to notice or care? I just realized they ask how many children 0-17 when you go to make a new reservation. (We already have a reservation).

ETA: I also have 2 daughters, so with my little guy, we are a family of 5, that's why I'm worried.

 

[klmrph]

We booked 2 one way car rentals with Alamo for about $35 each way for a standard size car. I used the Brazil Vegas code that is mentioned on this board.