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

[Tom_E_D]

The reason I asked about what requires no reservations is because all is booked. We got 1st night and that’s it. So just curious what other options we had other than the snack bars or whatever they have.

I made the reservation thru hotel.com because of the fantastic rewards program. I normally get no points from any hotels I visit thru there. but ill mention marriott then

On the Disney app under my plans it clearly shows my reservations for all the parks but when I click on a park it says head to the entrace and ur card linked to your account. I assume they mean credit card but unsure why they don’t say that. When I click on tickets and passes it shows my name and 3 day ticket. But theres nothing to scan etc. when I go to link to account and scan my barcode it says already linked to an account.

So now that I’m sure MBs aren’t really necessary. Just curious do they sell them at swan? if they get you into the park and if I could charge all my food with MB I may get one

I read the comment above about the RFID cards and that they can link the tickets and get me into the park. Can I also use the RFID card to charge all my meals and gift purchases in the park?

I just really wanna avoid my gf having to pull out the email bar code, govt id and CC to get IN the park every day. That seems like a PITA

You can only charge your food and gift purchases in the parks to your magicband if you are staying at a Disney-owned resort. The Swan and Dolphin do not qualify.

You and your girlfriend should only need your email bar codes, IDs and perhaps credit cards the first time you enter the parks. Assuming you don't have magicbands, they'll issue you a plastic card there and then which you'll use to enter the parks on your other days. You'll only need to show IDs again if there is a problem with the plastic cards. There shouldn't be, but there could be, so don't throw the email away or fail to bring your ID with you. The same would happen if there was a problem with your magicband.

 

[GDubDIS]

You can only charge your food and gift purchases in the parks to your magicband if you are staying at a Disney-owned resort. The Swan and Dolphin do not qualify.

You and your girlfriend should only need your email bar codes, IDs and perhaps credit cards the first time you enter the parks. Assuming you don't have magicbands, they'll issue you a plastic card there and then which you'll use to enter the parks on your other days. You'll only need to show IDs again if there is a problem with the plastic cards. There shouldn't be, but there could be, so don't throw the email away or fail to bring your ID with you. The same would happen if there was a problem with your magicband.

Does this process happen at the tapstiles? I’m in a similar situation and want to make sure I don’t get redirected to guest services when I’m trying to Rope Drop!

My initial plan is to try to go to the planning center at the Swan the day before, and if that fails me to pop over to Beach / Yacht Club concierge to get ticket cards, but worst case I’m hoping I can present email barcode/ID/CC at tapstiles.

 

[SMRT-1]

Does this process happen at the tapstiles? I’m in a similar situation and want to make sure I don’t get redirected to guest services when I’m trying to Rope Drop!

My initial plan is to try to go to the planning center at the Swan the day before, and if that fails me to pop over to Beach / Yacht Club concierge to get ticket cards, but worst case I’m hoping I can present email barcode/ID/CC at tapstiles.

I don't believe you can use the bar code at the tapstiles; the CM at the tapstiles would just redirect you to Guest Services to get a card.

I'm guessing you shouldn't have any problems getting a ticket card from the Swan, but if you're really worried about it and/or potentially thinking about getting MagicBands anyway (and you have enough time before you go for them to get delivered to you), you can buy MagicBands from ShopDisney, and link them to you MyDisney account before you go, and then you'd be all set without needing to worry about getting the ticket cards sorted out immediately.

 

[GDubDIS]

I don't believe you can use the bar code at the tapstiles; the CM at the tapstiles would just redirect you to Guest Services to get a card.

I'm guessing you shouldn't have any problems getting a ticket card from the Swan, but if you're really worried about it and/or potentially thinking about getting MagicBands anyway (and you have enough time before you go for them to get delivered to you), you can buy MagicBands from ShopDisney, and link them to you MyDisney account before you go, and then you'd be all set without needing to worry about getting the ticket cards sorted out immediately.

Yea I’m just debating if I want to pay a “Disney tax” for a Magic Band that I truly don’t want LOL

 

[Tom_E_D]

Does this process happen at the tapstiles? I’m in a similar situation and want to make sure I don’t get redirected to guest services when I’m trying to Rope Drop!

My initial plan is to try to go to the planning center at the Swan the day before, and if that fails me to pop over to Beach / Yacht Club concierge to get ticket cards, but worst case I’m hoping I can present email barcode/ID/CC at tapstiles.

From what I understand, it can be done at the tapstiles, or at the ticket booths, or at Guest Services. I haven't done it myself at Disney. At Universal, I went to Guest Services, but that was late in the day and the ticket booths were already closed.

 

[Nabas]

Next week Annual Pass Holder rates are $140 for the Swan, $124 for the Dolphin.

 

[Best Aunt]

So now that I’m sure MBs aren’t really necessary. Just curious do they sell them at swan? if they get you into the park and if I could charge all my food with MB I may get one

My initial plan is to try to go to the planning center at the Swan the day before, and if that fails me to pop over to Beach / Yacht Club concierge to get ticket cards, but worst case I’m hoping I can present email barcode/ID/CC at tapstiles.

Have you ever stayed at a hotel where you ate in the hotel restaurant and charged the meal to the room, and they asked for the room key as proof that you were staying in that room? If you use a Magic Band to charge food or purchases, you are doing that - you are charging to your room. And you are only allowed to use a Magic Band to charge to your room if you are staying at a Disney-owned hotel. Thus you cannot use a Magic Band to charge to your room if you are staying at the Swan or Dolphin.

If you decide that you want a Magic Band (for use when entering a theme park and for Photopass), you don't have to order it in advance. You can buy it when you get there and enter the information into your MDE account before you head out to a theme park. I would think that the Swan gift shop would sell them; if they don't, the nearby BoardWalk gift shop should sell them.

If I could not get ticket cards in the Swan, I personally would not pop over to Yacht Club or Beach Club. I would walk a little further and go to Guest Relations outside EPCOT's International Gateway entrance. IIRC, the concierge desks in the lobbies of the Yacht Club and Beach Club have not been manned for years. You would be waiting in the same line as people checking in (who did not or could not use online check-in) and anyone with any problem which needs solving. I personally would think it makes more sense to go straight to Epcot's Guest Relations.

 

[GDubDIS]

Have you ever stayed at a hotel where you ate in the hotel restaurant and charged the meal to the room, and they asked for the room key as proof that you were staying in that room? If you use a Magic Band to charge food or purchases, you are doing that - you are charging to your room. And you are only allowed to use a Magic Band to charge to your room if you are staying at a Disney-owned hotel. Thus you cannot use a Magic Band to charge to your room if you are staying at the Swan or Dolphin.

If you decide that you want a Magic Band (for use when entering a theme park and for Photopass), you don't have to order it in advance. You can buy it when you get there and enter the information into your MDE account before you head out to a theme park. I would think that the Swan gift shop would sell them; if they don't, the nearby BoardWalk gift shop should sell them.

If I could not get ticket cards in the Swan, I personally would not pop over to Yacht Club or Beach Club. I would walk a little further and go to Guest Relations outside EPCOT's International Gateway entrance. IIRC, the concierge desks in the lobbies of the Yacht Club and Beach Club have not been manned for years. You would be waiting in the same line as people checking in (who did not or could not use online check-in) and anyone with any problem which needs solving. I personally would think it makes more sense to go straight to Epcot's Guest Relations.

Great idea thank you!! I consider myself quite travel-savvy but truly no idea how anyone plans trips to WDW without the help of these boards!

 

[hedberg1661]

Can you get to the beach? What about Swan boats? We check in tomorrow, so wanted to set expectations

Yep you can get to both.

 

[hedberg1661]

Thanks for the photos!

We're staying at the Swan next week. How is the construction affecting the pool that is shared with the Dolphin?

Do you have any current closer photos of that pool?

The pools seem like they aren’t impacted at this point.

 

[samsonjs]

For the main pool restaurant can you eat at your lounge seats or only at their designated tables? do you order at a counter or is it only through servers?

 

[pix13dust]

I have a transportation question. I think I’m reading conflicting info or just confusing it in my head.
We are flying in, usually we stay at a Disney owned hotel but this time we’re at the Dolphin. Is Mears transportation provided from the airport to the Dolphin? Or do we need to arrange our own transportation?
thanks!

 

[Dave006]

No provided airport transportation to of from the Swan & Dolphin.

From: https://swandolphin.com/aboutus/transportation.html

As an additional benefit taxi, towncar and limousine transportation is available 24-hours through the Mears Transportation desk, located in the guest services area of the Dolphin. Reservations are required. Click here to make your reservation online. Click here to see our frequently asked questions regarding transportation.

Also you can chose Uber or Lyft or Mears shuttle on-demand at the airport.

Dave

 

[pix13dust]

OMG!!! me again. Is it really $300 to rent a cabana on the weekends?? Do they ever offer a discount?

 

[pix13dust]

No provided airport transportation to of from the Swan & Dolphin.

From: https://swandolphin.com/aboutus/transportation.html

As an additional benefit taxi, towncar and limousine transportation is available 24-hours through the Mears Transportation desk, located in the guest services area of the Dolphin. Reservations are required. Click here to make your reservation online. Click here to see our frequently asked questions regarding transportation.

Also you can chose Uber or Lyft or Mears shuttle on-demand at the airport.

Dave

Thank you! That’s what I thought. I think I was confusing it with questions about transportation to the parks.

 

[Tess]

The reason I asked about what requires no reservations is because all is booked. We got 1st night and that’s it. So just curious what other options we had other than the snack bars or whatever they have.

I made the reservation thru hotel.com because of the fantastic rewards program. I normally get no points from any hotels I visit thru there. but ill mention marriott then

On the Disney app under my plans it clearly shows my reservations for all the parks but when I click on a park it says head to the entrace and ur card linked to your account. I assume they mean credit card but unsure why they don’t say that. When I click on tickets and passes it shows my name and 3 day ticket. But theres nothing to scan etc. when I go to link to account and scan my barcode it says already linked to an account.

So now that I’m sure MBs aren’t really necessary. Just curious do they sell them at swan? if they get you into the park and if I could charge all my food with MB I may get one

I read the comment above about the RFID cards and that they can link the tickets and get me into the park. Can I also use the RFID card to charge all my meals and gift purchases in the park?

I just really wanna avoid my gf having to pull out the email bar code, govt id and CC to get IN the park every day. That seems like a PITA

Once you have obtained your pack tickets from guest services, they will be good only for admission to the parks. Within the parks or Disney resorts, you will need an alternative form of payment to purchase food, snacks and gifts, i.e., a personal credit card, cash. You cannot charge anything within the Disney parks or resorts back to your Swan/Dolphin hotel account.

You are able to charge to your room for any purchases made within the Swan/Dolphin properties, e.g., snack/food purchases from restaurants within the two properties, gifts, etc. As long as you purchase it at either Swan or Dolphin, you can charge it to your room.

Yes, MBs are for sale in the Disney gift stores at both Swan and Dolphin as well as The Screen Door on the Boardwalk and the gift stores in Yacht Club, Beach Club and Boardwalk or any park. A MB will only allow you to tap into the park and NOT the ability to charge within the parks/restaurants.

Bottom line--you can only charge within the parks to your personal charge card and not your room while a guest at S&D.

 

[Dave006]

Bottom line--you can only charge within the parks to your personal charge card and not your room while a guest at S&D.

Minor comment to add that you can also use a Gift card, Apple Pay, and Disney Reward cards. Also for Mobile Ordering dinning locations within the MDE app.

Dave

 

[Tom_E_D]

No provided airport transportation to of from the Swan & Dolphin.

From: https://swandolphin.com/aboutus/transportation.html

As an additional benefit taxi, towncar and limousine transportation is available 24-hours through the Mears Transportation desk, located in the guest services area of the Dolphin. Reservations are required. Click here to make your reservation online. Click here to see our frequently asked questions regarding transportation.

Also you can chose Uber or Lyft or Mears shuttle on-demand at the airport.

Dave

I believe Mears has suspended its shared-ride shuttle service due to Covid.

 

[Nabas]

Next week Annual Pass Holder rates are $140 for the Swan, $124 for the Dolphin.

Maybe I spilled the beans.

Annual Pass Holder rates are now $183 and $175.

 

[Dave006]

Ha Ha we have powerful voices here on the DIS but the pricing adjustments is just the Marriott booking engine doing it's job. It raises rates as occupancy rises and lowers rates if occupancy drops.

They don't actively monitor this thread or we would see them implement many of the great suggestions we have made over the years.

Dave