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

[ww52]

SteveH - I did fill out the survey and tried to be objective about the issue - understanding it's a staffing problem. Yet as you say, the price was not adjusted for the lack of service.

To be honest, we were so happy simply to BE there that we did not want that to set up a bad mood. I think perhaps we were a little TOO understanding (though I did verbally scoff at the "it's a holiday" nonsense!). But as you say, the quality was not up to their normal standards - and the lack of even acknowledging it is a bit insulting (I doubt I'll receive any response to the survey.)

It's a tough time for everyone as we try to get back to something close to normal.

My next "fear" is the return to FastPass, only as a paid service (as is being introduced in Paris). One thing I didn't mention is we all liked the idea of NOT stressing over FP. Sure, we had a couple long lines - we skipped Avatar intentionally for that reason - but we rode Mine Train after only a 45 wait - and that was not at rope drop but maybe an hour after.

What helped was the lack of character greetings - with young kids that consumed a lot of the day 3 years ago. More time to ride.

We actually did several things twice - including Soarin' and ToT (different days).

 

[kastoney]

Not sure if that is the difference between the Dolphin and the Swan, but when we stayed at the Swan, we got housekeeping on the fourth day WITHOUT having to request it.

And by fourth day, I mean we checked in on Friday and got housekeeping Monday. I wasn't sure if it would be Monday or Tuesday and was pleasantly surprised when we came back to our room made up.

This was our experience at the Swan too. I was thinking they would come every 4 nights so we were pleasantly surprised when they came a day earlier than expected. We also got an email every day when they were done which was a nice touch.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

As to housekeeping:

I stayed at the JW Marriot Bonnet Creek in April and was given daily housekeeping without having to ask

I stayed at the Dolphin for 6 nights in May. On check in, I requested daily housekeeping and was denied (we were Platinum at the time) but I was given housekeeping once - on day 4. I did request extra washcloths... AND because I was worried about the trash issue, brought trash bags, which I was able to put in a housekeeping closet since it was right next door.

I am returning to the Dolphin in August for a 5 night trip AND I am going to request daily housekeeping and hope for the best. We're now Titanium so will see if that makes any difference. I wouldn't mind skipping a day or two here or there IF there were larger trashcans but part of what you're paying for in a hotel is SERVICE....

 

[pix13dust]

I will agree with @ww52 the kids( conventions) were VERY well behaved which was a bonus. The only issue I had with them was it made everything so much more crowded i.e. the lobby, the pool, fuel, just everywhere.
the lack of housekeeping is a real deal breaker for me. I don’t want To empty my garbage myself every day and place it in the hallway, hunt down towels, toilet paper, coffee, water. I want to come back to my room from the day in the parks and have it looking sparkling clean and well stocked. Our fourth day cleaning was far from that, the garbage was emptied, new towels were placed in the room and that was it - not even fresh coffee or water- it was so disappointing.
We ended up spending $25 a day on coffee and about $75 in total for Ubering, had we stayed at a Disney hotel we could’ve had the refillable mugs and more reliable Disney transportation. We also spent $200 on transportation to and from the airport, I realize I could’ve found cheaper transportation but I didn’t want to deal ride shares. If we stayed at a Disney hotel we could have rode the magical express. Just some thing for people to think about when they’re deciding if the Swan and dolphin is actually much cheaper than a Disney hotel.

 

[SteveH]

@TexanInTheMidwest let us know how it goes, just like the Disney resorts, house keeping is not up to par IMHO and it will be awhile before it is. My greatest fear is that Disney and others will try to either charge for daily service or it becomes the new norm. I agree with you though, asking for a quick fluff & buff clean up for the rates isn't unreasonable. They just don't have the staff needed (like many businesses).

@pix13dust but keep in mind the price difference between the YC/BC/BW neighbors, quick check of a date in August shows YC at $542 and Swan at $177. Was there a problem with Mears during your visit, I don't recall?

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

@TexanInTheMidwest let us know how it goes, just like the Disney resorts, house keeping is not up to par IMHO and it will be awhile before it is. My greatest fear is that Disney and others will try to either charge for daily service or it becomes the new norm. I agree with you though, asking for a quick fluff & buff clean up for the rates isn't unreasonable. They just don't have the staff needed (like many businesses).

I will let you know for sure!

In all honesty, I prefer the JW Marriot - not only did I get housekeeping, but free daily breakfast (due to status) with a real buffet AND it was a smaller hotel so less people. The downsides are their bus schedules with only 3 or 4 drop offs per park per day - so on a solo trip - it's just easier to stay with walking to 2 parks (and Shula's sure is nice for an after-park drink!).

 

[pix13dust]

@TexanInTheMidwest let us know how it goes, just like the Disney resorts, house keeping is not up to par IMHO and it will be awhile before it is. My greatest fear is that Disney and others will try to either charge for daily service or it becomes the new norm. I agree with you though, asking for a quick fluff & buff clean up for the rates isn't unreasonable. They just don't have the staff needed (like many businesses).

@pix13dust but keep in mind the price difference between the YC/BC/BW neighbors, quick check of a date in August shows YC at $542 and Swan at $177. Was there a problem with Mears during your visit, I don't recall?

I don’t know if there was a problem with Mears, we were told the buses come about every 30 minutes, but after waiting at animal kingdom for one hour we decided to just Uber back to the hotel. We also found the busing very hit or miss from the resort. So we ubered to downtown Disney a couple of times.

 

[hedberg1661]

but free daily breakfast (due to status) with a real buffet

Was this for platinum and up?

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Was this for platinum and up?

YES - Platinum and Up got breakfast for up to 2 people (member and 1 guest) at the JW Marriot. They also have a passholder rate which is usually $179 (plus resort fee).

 

[hedberg1661]

YES - Platinum and Up got breakfast for up to 2 people (member and 1 guest) at the JW Marriot. They also have a passholder rate which is usually $179 (plus resort fee).

Yeah I saw that AP rate and I am very curious to try this new resort so I may have to jump on that offer and/or do a split stay there and at the Swalphin.

 

[SteveH]

I will let you know for sure!

In all honesty, I prefer the JW Marriot - not only did I get housekeeping, but free daily breakfast (due to status) with a real buffet AND it was a smaller hotel so less people. The downsides are their bus schedules with only 3 or 4 drop offs per park per day - so on a solo trip - it's just easier to stay with walking to 2 parks (and Shula's sure is nice for an after-park drink!).

Thanks, I'd heard from a friend that stayed there its a great hotel, just the location makes it a bring a car type of resort. That's the plus of SDR ability to walk/boat 2 at least two of the parks.

I don’t know if there was a problem with Mears, we were told the buses come about every 30 minutes, but after waiting at animal kingdom for one hour we decided to just Uber back to the hotel. We also found the busing very hit or miss from the resort. So we ubered to downtown Disney a couple of times.

Thanks good to know what the issue was. We did run into the Disney Springs issues back a couple of years ago with the Disney buses, waited what seemed like forever.

 

[cgattis]

Can anyone tell me if the sandwiches at Fuel (breakfast and lunch) are premade elsewhere? I.e. if we need one made without something, are we out of luck? Ran into that previously at Boardwalk Bakery, so just wanting to know ahead of time. TIA!!

 

[ww52]

Can anyone tell me if the sandwiches at Fuel (breakfast and lunch) are premade elsewhere? I.e. if we need one made without something, are we out of luck? Ran into that previously at Boardwalk Bakery, so just wanting to know ahead of time. TIA!!

I can't recall seeing any sandwiches made to order. We bought some a couple times premade - packaged and then we warmed them up.

 

[Best Aunt]

Can anyone tell me if the sandwiches at Fuel (breakfast and lunch) are premade elsewhere? I.e. if we need one made without something, are we out of luck? Ran into that previously at Boardwalk Bakery, so just wanting to know ahead of time. TIA!!

The Swan & Dolphin app says, "ready-made sandwiches" so if they are made to order, they aren't advertising it.

 

[ww52]

If we stayed at a Disney hotel we could have rode the magical express. Just some thing for people to think about when they’re deciding if the Swan and dolphin is actually much cheaper than a Disney hotel.

Maybe I'm wrong (hey - it happens!) and I'm too lazy to look it up (that happens too!) but I thought I read Disney is doing away with Magical Express - maybe at year end?

The "problem" with S/D is it is a LOT cheaper than many of he resorts AND it offers convenience to TWO parks. It's tough to beat that.

My sons are looking into Port Orleans for the next trip in two years (summer 2023). I haven't looked up the rates etc but I strongly suspect it will be more.

We spent about $600 each for an alcove suite with connecting king - that includes all taxes, fees and parking. Two of them - opposite ends of the 18th floor - central elevator access. We had the setup I hoped for that we had in 2018. In fact, it was the exact same room numbers. The rooms were across from each other - with a small foyer that can be made private by closing a door perpendicular to the two room doors. One room had two double beds and a sofa sleeper. The other had a king bed and sofa sleeper.

So essentially 300 a night all in for each room. While MAYBE Port Orleans is cheaper, I'm not sure it is. I know the Beach Club / Yacht Club Boardwalk are MUCH more than that.

So while my sons want a Disney Hotel and not a convention hotel, I have a feeling they may be back at the Dolphin (or maybe the Swan).

 

[AUDramaQueen]

Maybe I'm wrong (hey - it happens!) and I'm too lazy to look it up (that happens too!) but I thought I read Disney is doing away with Magical Express - maybe at year end?

The "problem" with S/D is it is a LOT cheaper than many of he resorts AND it offers convenience to TWO parks. It's tough to beat that.

My sons are looking into Port Orleans for the next trip in two years (summer 2023). I haven't looked up the rates etc but I strongly suspect it will be more.

So essentially 300 a night all in for each room. While MAYBE Port Orleans is cheaper, I'm not sure it is. I know the Beach Club / Yacht Club Boardwalk are MUCH more than that.

So while my sons want a Disney Hotel and not a convention hotel, I have a feeling they may be back at the Dolphin (or maybe the Swan).

You're right about Magical Express going away completely in 2022 so that won't be an incentive to stay in a Disney resort hotel.

I see a lot of people comparing the S/D to moderates, but you HAVE to take into account that location which is deluxe all the way. You will never get a Deluxe as cheap as the S/D and, like you said, you often can't get a moderate that cheap either.

 

[SteveH]

@ww52 Yes, Magical Express is over at the end of the year, Mears will be jumping and continuing but it will be a paid for option and Disney will be out of it.

We stayed at POFQ in 2002 because the rates for S/D were much higher than the moderate rates by enough that the value wasn't there for us to pay the S/D rates. While totally enjoyed our stay at POFQ a lot, but we also missed the ease of transportation to two of the parks, and POFQ just seemed to be a lot longer to get around to MK and AK. I did enjoy the boat rides to Disney Springs, but not the same as going to the parks.

 

[theclawwwww]

Hi Steve, trip is kinda up in the air right now — perhaps not til June ‘22. But sooner if some magic details seemed to fall into place.

Keep in mind that some of the deals during the last 6 months will be hard to beat, as occupancy was down and S/D was doing some great deals to get heads in the beds. Doesn't mean there will not be more, but keep checking the deal sites, and S/D too. Food & Wine runs July 15, 2021 through November 20, 2021 then we're into the Holidays, which are all busy. Summer at WDW is not as busy as one would think in normal years due to the heat & humidity. When are you looking to go?

 

[helenb]

When we went in January, we took Uber to the parks (AK, MK) in the morning but when we came back, took the BC/YC or Boardwalk bus and walked. It wasn't a big deal. I don't mind the transportation thing at all. What will move me away from Swolphin and back to BC/YC will be if they don't have EMH or extra FP under the new system(s).

 

[wishinon3stars]

Looking at the dolphin for March 2022. The flexible calendar is showing no check in available for 9th-16th. Does that mean there is a convention there at that time?