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

[Okiechick80]

While not groceries, Okiechick, the All Ears site lists a special meal deal at Picabu that we took advantage of when we stayed there. It's $25 for a whole rotisserie chicken with 3 large sides.

It's a nice easy meal for the family plus you can make sandwiches with any leftover chicken.

Oh I love that! Putting it in my plans now! Thanks!

 

[BadDad]

I know I going to make some people angry as they are very loyal to "their" particular WDW resort but I found my Thanksgiving stay at the Dolphin my most disappointing hotel stay at WDW.

First, I booked through hotels.com but we got a room overlooking the loading dock (view of service workers taking smoke breaks) and a toilet with a leaking wax seal. We politely asked to be moved and got a corner room. Picabu's staff weren't happy to be working on thanksgiving and they showed it. Food was poor, service was poor, asking for tips before the order was ready? Tip=To Insure Promptness. I had to get their attention to place my order as they were complaining with each other about working in Spanish. (I lived 6 months in Mexico - so I know 'particular words of dissatisfaction")

Never again

 

[RachelTori]

I know I going to make some people angry as they are very loyal to "their" particular WDW resort but I found my Thanksgiving stay at the Dolphin my most disappointing hotel stay at WDW.

First, I booked through hotels.com but we got a room overlooking the loading dock (view of service workers taking smoke breaks) and a toilet with a leaking wax seal. We politely asked to be moved and got a corner room. Picabu's staff weren't happy to be working on thanksgiving and they showed it. Food was poor, service was poor, asking for tips before the order was ready? Tip=To Insure Promptness. I had to get their attention to place my order as they were complaining with each other about working in Spanish. (I lived 6 months in Mexico - so I know 'particular words of dissatisfaction")

Never again

No one will be "angry" with you for stating your experience and feelings about the stay. I'm sorry that you had those issues. I believe if I had that experience, it would also be my last time staying at that property!

Unfortunately, that loading dock view does exist and it is probably the worst "view" of ANY resort on Disney property.

There's no excuse for the behavior of the employees at Picabu. I hope you sent a written communication to the resort. I'm sure Management would be grateful for your feedback. That is not the way they want Dolphin or Swan represented.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know I going to make some people angry as they are very loyal to "their" particular WDW resort but I found my Thanksgiving stay at the Dolphin my most disappointing hotel stay at WDW.

First, I booked through hotels.com but we got a room overlooking the loading dock (view of service workers taking smoke breaks) and a toilet with a leaking wax seal. We politely asked to be moved and got a corner room. Picabu's staff weren't happy to be working on thanksgiving and they showed it. Food was poor, service was poor, asking for tips before the order was ready? Tip=To Insure Promptness. I had to get their attention to place my order as they were complaining with each other about working in Spanish. (I lived 6 months in Mexico - so I know 'particular words of dissatisfaction")

Never again

No one will be "angry" with you for stating your experience and feelings about the stay. I'm sorry that you had those issues. I believe if I had that experience, it would also be my last time staying at that property!

Unfortunately, that loading dock view does exist and it is probably the worst "view" of ANY resort on Disney property.

There's no excuse for the behavior of the employees at Picabu. I hope you sent a written communication to the resort. I'm sure Management would be grateful for your feedback. That is not the way they want Dolphin or Swan represented.

Poor show for sure.

Here are some of the folks you can contact about your stay.

http://swandolphin.com/aboutus/staff.html

info@swandolphin.com

I'm confident you could substitute their name with a dot in place of 'info'.

Such as fred.sawyers@swandolphin.com

 

[pepperandchips]

Two reasons: 1) we are a family of 5, I would prefer all of my children be in car seats, but especially my youngest who is two - no negotiation on that and 2) sure, my husband could go alone, but why spend the extra time apart when we are trying to maximize our family vacation time? I don't want much, just milk for the little guy, and if we could do sandwiches for lunch a day or two, that'd be great. Not worth a trip out of the Disney Bubble.

Prices are likely higher but I find the store at Boardwalk more convenient than the Speedway and you may find different selection there. Due to the DVC Villas at the Boardwalk, their Screen Door general store has a number of quick grocery items. Lunchmeat and sandwich bread for sure. I understand on the carseats, though Uber now has a carseat option (though I'm doubtful they'd have more than one in the vehicle) - have not used the carseat service from Uber but have used Uber in Orlando several times and always been pleased.

 

[Okiechick80]

Prices are likely higher but I find the store at Boardwalk more convenient than the Speedway and you may find different selection there. Due to the DVC Villas at the Boardwalk, their Screen Door general store has a number of quick grocery items. Lunchmeat and sandwich bread for sure. I understand on the carseats, though Uber now has a carseat option (though I'm doubtful they'd have more than one in the vehicle) - have not used the carseat service from Uber but have used Uber in Orlando several times and always been pleased.

We may have it figured out now - turns out my hubby isn't too excited about sandwiches in the park, so that's fine by me! I think we'll either do an Amazon delivery or Garden Grocer for some nonperishables & get most everything else in the parks! Thanks for the info!

 

[BlueFairy]

We may have it figured out now - turns out my hubby isn't too excited about sandwiches in the park, so that's fine by me! I think we'll either do an Amazon delivery or Garden Grocer for some nonperishables & get most everything else in the parks! Thanks for the info!

Swan and Dolphin no longer accept grocery delivery. Not sure what the policy is on Amazon shipments, but I am sure that you should expect a delivery charge if they accept it. They are convention hotels and charge for handling packages.

 

[Okiechick80]

Swan and Dolphin no longer accept grocery delivery. Not sure what the policy is on Amazon shipments, but I am sure that you should expect a delivery charge if they accept it. They are convention hotels and charge for handling packages.

I know, we are staying at AoA our first night.

 

[DJFan88]

Plan on eating at the Fountain. However my older son is an ice cream nut. Do they also have some sort of a take out line where he can run in and grab his daily dose?

 

[Tess]

Plan on eating at the Fountain. However my older son is an ice cream nut. Do they also have some sort of a take out line where he can run in and grab his daily dose?

Yes, it does have an area for take out.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Do they also have some sort of a take out line where he can run in and grab his daily dose?

Yes, there is a walk up counter for take outs.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, it does have an area for take out.

 

[Luisfba]

I've been considering a stay at Swan or Dolphin (BWV sold out of discount rate 10/8-12). I'm interested in the suites.. was hoping to get one for Swan given they are renovated, but those are sold out. There's availability on Dolphin, but not renovated. Does anyone have pictures of those? How 'old/worn' are they given they haven't had renovation yet?

Thanks

 

[Luisfba]

Any feedback on how up to date (or 'old/worn') the Dolphin suites are? I'm considering a stay there but concerned given they have a renovation upcoming.

Thanks

 

[Okiechick80]

So I know when you stay at a Disney-owned property, you can make ADRs for your whole trip all on the same day, 180 days from the first day of your stay. Is that the same with Swan reservations? How about with FP+? Will I be able to make them for my whole trip at the same time, 60 days from the first day of our stay? We are staying at AoA the first night, but since it's only one night, will that make any difference?

 

[BlueFairy]

Any feedback on how up to date (or 'old/worn') the Dolphin suites are? I'm considering a stay there but concerned given they have a renovation upcoming.

Thanks

Call and ask. They told me all the upper floors were complete when we stayed in March. Are the suites in the triangle tower? We were on 11th and had a renovated room.

So I know when you stay at a Disney-owned property, you can make ADRs for your whole trip all on the same day, 180 days from the first day of your stay. Is that the same with Swan reservations? How about with FP+? Will I be able to make them for my whole trip at the same time, 60 days from the first day of our stay? We are staying at AoA the first night, but since it's only one night, will that make any difference?

I believe it's 180. Had no trouble making ours well in advance.

My understanding is that FP is 60. Not 60 + 10 like at WDW hotels.

 

[Okiechick80]

I believe it's 180. Had no trouble making ours well in advance.

My understanding is that FP is 60. Not 60 + 10 like at WDW hotels.

Oh that's a bummer on the FP+ - and that was my question about ADRs too, is it 180+10? I'm guessing no if FP+ isn't. Oh well, guess I'll just be staying up late/getting up early several days in a row!

 

[Clare Voince]

Call and ask. They told me all the upper floors were complete when we stayed in March. Are the suites in the triangle tower? We were on 11th and had a renovated room.



I believe it's 180. Had no trouble making ours well in advance.

My understanding is that FP is 60. Not 60 + 10 like at WDW hotels.

I was able to make all my FP+ reservations 60 days out from my first day.

 

[Okiechick80]

I was able to make all my FP+ reservations 60 days out from my first day.

Oh yay!! Any experience with making ADRs for the whole trip at 180 days?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Fastpass is 60 days for whole trip, DR's are 180, but not the +10.