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

[Juventus]

So just to confirm, there are no buses to AK and MK that pick you up at the swan, and you have to go to BE or YC/BC?

 

[mickey916]

So just to confirm, there are no buses to AK and MK that pick you up at the swan, and you have to go to BE or YC/BC?

I believe there are Mears buses that take you to AK and MK but they drop off at the TTC for MK and a little further away at AK so people walk over to BE or YC/BC to be dropped closer to the gates at both places.

 

[Elke1234]

Staying at Swan in September. Do you eat something in your room if getting to BW 6:30am for bus to AK for rope drop? When we get to AK we will do Avatar, Kilamanjaro Safari's, and Everest. We can then slow it down a bit. Not sure my family will do without some sort of breakfast prior to the park. I appreciate your help. Thanks.

 

[MarBee]

Staying at Swan in September. Do you eat something in your room if getting to BW 6:30am for bus to AK for rope drop? When we get to AK we will do Avatar, Kilamanjaro Safari's, and Everest. We can then slow it down a bit. Not sure my family will do without some sort of breakfast prior to the park. I appreciate your help. Thanks.

We typically order in/bring cereal, granola bars, bananas, etc. Some sort of easy to go breakfast items to hold us all over until we get to the parks.

 

[SteveH]

So just to confirm, there are no buses to AK and MK that pick you up at the swan, and you have to go to BE or YC/BC?

Mears currently is running buses to/from S/D to MK & AK. The downside is that the bus to MK drops you off at the TTC, not directly at MK. That's why some have opted to walk to YC/BC or BW. You can walk or take the Disney boats to/from S/D to DHS or Epcot. It's unknown when/if Disney would provide bus service again, we're not even sure if the change was DIsney's or S/D choice, the change took place last October so if it's a 1 year contract we'll probably hear around that same time this year.

 

[SteveH]

Staying at Swan in September. Do you eat something in your room if getting to BW 6:30am for bus to AK for rope drop? When we get to AK we will do Avatar, Kilamanjaro Safari's, and Everest. We can then slow it down a bit. Not sure my family will do without some sort of breakfast prior to the park. I appreciate your help. Thanks.

For early days I'd do the same as @MarBee - we brought a few things just for that purpose. Most days we started our day at Picabu with breakfast but for AK's Safari it's best to get there early.

 

[Best Aunt]

Staying at Swan in September. Do you eat something in your room if getting to BW 6:30am for bus to AK for rope drop?

For early days I'd do the same as @MarBee - we brought a few things just for that purpose. Most days we started our day at Picabu with breakfast but for AK's Safari it's best to get there early.

The gift shops on the BoardWalk and in the Beach Club both sell food that you can eat in your room. (They have DVC rooms as well as regular hotel rooms. DVC rooms have kitchens or kitchenettes, so some people staying in them might want to buy food to eat in the room.) You should be able to find things like boxes of donuts and cereal if you walk over to either of those gift shops.

Picabu in the Dolphin used to be open 24 hours but has limited hours now. Make sure you download the Swan/Dolphin app to check for changes to its hours. Currently Tuesday through Sunday it opens at 7:00 am, and Monday it doesn't open until 5:00 pm.

 

[mmouse50]

What do you show for parking at the parks that you are staying at Swan and Dolphin? At a Disney resort you used to use your magic band but I don’t have a clue on what to show at the gate for free parking while at the Dolphin.

 

[Dan Murphy]

What do you show for parking at the parks that you are staying at Swan and Dolphin? At a Disney resort you used to use your magic band but I don’t have a clue on what to show at the gate for free parking while at the Dolphin.

Your room key card.

 

[Meglen]

How would someone transfer luggage staying at s/d than to a Disney resort? Do we need to Uber everything over in the morning?

 

[sophy1996]

The gift shops on the BoardWalk and in the Beach Club both sell food that you can eat in your room. (They have DVC rooms as well as regular hotel rooms. DVC rooms have kitchens or kitchenettes, so some people staying in them might want to buy food to eat in the room.) You should be able to find things like boxes of donuts and cereal if you walk over to either

Also, Java at the Swan was open early and had granola bars, etc as well as yogurt, fruit salad, donuts, muffins, etc.

 

[SteveH]

How would someone transfer luggage staying at s/d than to a Disney resort? Do we need to Uber everything over in the morning?

One of recent visitors @AAV just touched on this topic check this post, 5th paragraph

 

[Elke1234]

Thank you all for your replies, very helpful.

 

[Juventus]

I appreciate the transportation replies, great info.

How about refillable mugs? Are they available at the Swan as they are at other Disney resorts?

 

[SteveH]

How about refillable mugs? Are they available at the Swan as they are at other Disney resorts?

So far the most recent reports are the the S/D mugs have not yet returned. With Picabu not being 24/7 I'm unsure when/if they will be offered again. In my past stays we just had a case of soda delivered (its my morning caffeine fix) and worked out better and I think saved me money, plus didn't have to head over to the Dolphin from the Swan.

 

[SteveH]

Some food for thought...

So Swan/Dolphin has never been part of the Disney Magical Express, now that MDE is shutting down at the end of 2021 and Mears is launching Mears Connect to replace MDE I'm thinking that the Swan/Dolphin/Reserve could easily find themselves having bus transportation options to/from MCO. What do you think? Long shot or possibility?

 

[DJFan88]

I appreciate the transportation replies, great info.

How about refillable mugs? Are they available at the Swan as they are at other Disney resorts?

Last I remember (which was awhile ago now) they didn't have the Disney mugs, but their own version of a refillable mug. To me, it was a little different. Like it was at the coffee shop or something not quite as convenient as regular Disney resorts, but I could be wrong, I just don't remember running down to the Pikabu all the time.

The biggest thing I remember about this place was when I arrived and was given the room, i found out that I had to take an elevator only and their were no stairs!!! I'm an up and down the stairser alot. At the very least, I want the option of not having to take the elevator. Luckily the people were awesome and switched our room to the same as the lobby (3rd floor) as only the 3rd and 4th floors have stairs access. Which was awesome as we were so close to everywhere in that place and outside and could whip around.

 

[SteveH]

@DJFan88 you are correct they've always had their own, never the Disney mugs and the S/D ones will not work at other Disney hotels.

 

[CJN]

Some food for thought...

So Swan/Dolphin has never been part of the Disney Magical Express, now that MDE is shutting down at the end of 2021 and Mears is launching Mears Connect to replace MDE I'm thinking that the Swan/Dolphin/Reserve could easily find themselves having bus transportation options to/from MCO. What do you think? Long shot or possibility?

It makes complete sense, especially since Mears has already been their backup for overflow limo/towncar airport transportation booked through concierge services. Having the bus option seems so logical.

 

[hedberg1661]

Some food for thought...

So Swan/Dolphin has never been part of the Disney Magical Express, now that MDE is shutting down at the end of 2021 and Mears is launching Mears Connect to replace MDE I'm thinking that the Swan/Dolphin/Reserve could easily find themselves having bus transportation options to/from MCO. What do you think? Long shot or possibility?

I will wager that the Swan/Dolphin will be part of the options you can choose from with the Mears Connect.