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

[Best Aunt]

As suggested, I linked my Swan reservation with MDE. I've already made park reservations. Without having fp what other reasons is this link to MDE helpful?

Well, I went to answer this and realized that I had misunderstood your question but I'm already typing so... The My Disney Experience app will be useful because most quick service places in the parks are strongly encouraging mobile order, and you need the app to do that. Also, if you have park hopper tickets, my understanding is that the app will tell you which parks you can hop to.

But you didn't ask if MDE was useful, you asked if linking your Swan resie to MDE was useful, so you might already have known that info.

 

[Pats Dragon]

We had a perfect stay at the Swan and as you can see I have stayed at a Disney resort since 1971. As I posted previously, we had our room cleaned and replenished daily. We asked a few times and then it just magically happened. Food places were open but alternated which days. Cabana Bay, Fountain, and Garden Grove which has the best breakfast anywhere, are all very good. We went in late November and loved sitting on the balcony looking at the lights and listening to Christmas music. One night we ordered Flippers pizza and ate in the courtyard. The walk to HS and Epcot was fun and peaceful and not long at all. We took buses to MK from Yacht but got there really early and never displaced anyone. Swan bus to AK was great. I can't tell you what an amazing place Swan is. No glitches or unpleasantness or hassles. Pool is never crowded and great. You will be glad you choose this place.

 

[hedberg1661]

We had a perfect stay at the Swan and as you can see I have stayed at a Disney resort since 1971. As I posted previously, we had our room cleaned and replenished daily. We asked a few times and then it just magically happened. Food places were open but alternated which days. Cabana Bay, Fountain, and Garden Grove which has the best breakfast anywhere, are all very good. We went in late November and loved sitting on the balcony looking at the lights and listening to Christmas music. One night we ordered Flippers pizza and ate in the courtyard. The walk to HS and Epcot was fun and peaceful and not long at all. We took buses to MK from Yacht but got there really early and never displaced anyone. Swan bus to AK was great. I can't tell you what an amazing place Swan is. No glitches or unpleasantness or hassles. Pool is never crowded and great. You will be glad you choose this place.

Glad you had a fantastic time! Swalphin is my favorite place to stay on property hands down. I have stayed all over the resort and the Swalphin really does give you so many more perks at a much better price point.

 

[tigertides]

I'm sur this has been asked before, but....

1. What is the "best" view to request at the Dolphin? We have a STANDARD, NO VIEW booked, but I get a free upgrade thru Bonvoy membership.

• Water view?
• Grotto pool?
• Alcove?
• Balcony?

2. Also, how much time should we allot to get to MK Rope Drop if we use the YC/BC bus system? Or if we use Lyft to Contempo?

 

[sachilles]

I'm sur this has been asked before, but....

1. What is the "best" view to request at the Dolphin? We have a STANDARD, NO VIEW booked, but I get a free upgrade thru Bonvoy membership.

• Water view?
• Grotto pool?
• Alcove?
• Balcony?

2. Also, how much time should we allot to get to MK Rope Drop if we use the YC/BC bus system? Or if we use Lyft to Contempo?

I seem to remember on my last visit, they didn't honor my complimentary upgrade for some reason. Made sense at the time, but I've forgotten what the reason was. They gave us a great room in the category booked, but wasn't considered and upgrade. Just an FYI. (maybe we ended up getting free breakfast instead)

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'm sur this has been asked before, but....

1. What is the "best" view to request at the Dolphin? We have a STANDARD, NO VIEW booked, but I get a free upgrade thru Bonvoy membership.

• Water view?
• Grotto pool?
• Alcove?
• Balcony?

2. Also, how much time should we allot to get to MK Rope Drop if we use the YC/BC bus system? Or if we use Lyft to Contempo?

All, or most, of the alcove rooms would have nice views, plus larger. Personally, I do not find the balconies worth much, to me. I think they are way too small, barely enough room for 2 chairs and a little table. Others though, really enjoy them.

AT WDW, I am always a one hour man. I would give yourself an hour from the Swan to MK rope. If early, that's great. If late, you may be disappointed.

spelling​

 

[cgattis]

I'm sur this has been asked before, but....

1. What is the "best" view to request at the Dolphin? We have a STANDARD, NO VIEW booked, but I get a free upgrade thru Bonvoy membership.

• Water view?
• Grotto pool?
• Alcove?
• Balcony?

2. Also, how much time should we allot to get to MK Rope Drop if we use the YC/BC bus system? Or if we use Lyft to Contempo?

Although the balcony is tiny, we did enjoy watching the boats from there. Not sure if you can see the water from all the balconies or not.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Although the balcony is tiny, we did enjoy watching the boats from there. Not sure if you can see the water from all the balconies or not.

I think for us balcony is important in the evenings. When we put the girls to bed it's like our "2nd room" where my wife and I can enjoy some popcorn and chat. I'd bet people with little kids value balconies a lot more for this reason LOL!

 

[cgattis]

I think for us balcony is important in the evenings. When we put the girls to bed it's like our "2nd room" where my wife and I can enjoy some popcorn and chat. I'd bet people with little kids value balconies a lot more for this reason LOL!

My daughter and I would sit out there before the guys woke up and watch the boats. She would wave to them and the captains would usually blow the horn. That was pretty magical

 

[hedberg1661]

My daughter and I would sit out there before the guys woke up and watch the boats. She would wave to them and the captains would usually blow the horn. That was pretty magical

I miss riding the Friendship Boats...my favorite is sitting on the back and taking in the exceptional views.

 

[Tom_E_D]

I'm sur this has been asked before, but....

1. What is the "best" view to request at the Dolphin? We have a STANDARD, NO VIEW booked, but I get a free upgrade thru Bonvoy membership.

• Water view?
• Grotto pool?
• Alcove?
• Balcony?

2. Also, how much time should we allot to get to MK Rope Drop if we use the YC/BC bus system? Or if we use Lyft to Contempo?

Taking Lyft to the Contemporary could be a problem if you don't have an ADR there, although some have gotten in with only mobile orders. There have been a few threads about it. Here's a recent one: https://www.disboards.com/threads/uber-to-contemporary-resort-for-mk-opening.3824438/

 

[cgattis]

I miss riding the Friendship Boats...my favorite is sitting on the back and taking in the exceptional views.

I’ve often said that the resort launches on Seven Seas Lagoon are my favorite ride at WDW, so I’m right there with you. And sadly with vaccines coming slowly, I fully expect masks in May, which is pushing my next trip even further out. Soooo ready to get back.

 

[SteveH]

I’ve often said that the resort launches on Seven Seas Lagoon are my favorite ride at WDW, so I’m right there with you. And sadly with vaccines coming slowly, I fully expect masks in May, which is pushing my next trip even further out. Soooo ready to get back.

Love the leisurely boat rides, our room at the Swan was along the water way to DHS (back side of BW) and it was nice to hear the horns running as a way to start our day.

On a side note; I wouldn't expect the mask rules to change for 2021 from all I am reading in my work industry is that they are not going to go away soon. I really hope that I'm wrong, but that's just my gut feeling after what I've been reading.

 

[tigertides]

How does one request a room on the app? I downloaded Bonvoy and couldn’t find it

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

I seem to remember on my last visit, they didn't honor my complimentary upgrade for some reason. Made sense at the time, but I've forgotten what the reason was. They gave us a great room in the category booked, but wasn't considered and upgrade. Just an FYI. (maybe we ended up getting free breakfast instead)

The complimentary upgrade is based on availability and it generally doesnt upgrade too much. I wouldnt expect to go from no view to a pool or theme park view. Instead expect to go from an obstructed view to unobstructed, and if you get more than that be happy.

 

[MARY ALBERTS]

I see on the official S&D site they require facemasks at all times including the pool area. Has anyone stayed lately? I was hoping for a pool day but wearing a mask while laying in the sun does not sound enjoyable. And were all pools and activities open?

 

[cgattis]

hange for 2021 from all I am reading in my work industry is that they are not going to go away soon. I really hope that I'm wrong, but that's just my gut feeling after what I've been reading.

I hate to say it, but I think you’re probably right. But I can definitely handle wearing them better in November than May, plus a better chance (although still slim) that Guardians might somehow be open, and catch a little of the 50th magic. I really just want a pic with my teens in front of the Falcon where I can see their smiles I can see this being our last family trip for quite a while.

 

[julesann]

Can Swan guests use MDE to purchase Magic Bands?

 

[closetmickey]

Can Swan guests use MDE to purchase Magic Bands?

I don’t believe you can

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You can’t order them at the prices/selection a Disney resort guest can, but there are still plenty of MB options available on ShopDisney: https://www.shopdisney.com/search?q=magic bands&searchType=autosuggest

And gobs available in nearly every park/resort gift shop.

(And obviously MBs don’t work for room access or charges at Swan/Dolphin, you can only use them for park admission, PhotoPass, etc)