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

[kmsprincess]

Has anyone slept on the pull out couch in the Signature Suite at the Swan Reserve?

I'm coming with my mom in January for the marathon and want to sleep on the pull out couch the night before since I'll be waking up around 2am to get ready and go. Is it like a pull out couch in most DVC rooms where it's more of a bed mattress vs a folded up, thin couch mattress? I wouldn't even care if I weren't running the next day.

My sister and brother-in-law slept on the pullout in one of the Swan Reserve suites and my sister said it was not comfortable (basically, as in typical pullout). The next time she crashed in my room when it was just her, she just slept on the couch and did not pull it out. For her, it was more comfortable than sleeping on the pullout mattress.

 

[RENThead09]

I’ll drop some pics in here.
It is 2 seperate rooms. Just no doors between. But a full wall.
One room has couch and small dining table and counter with TV on it and 2 seating chairs.

Other room has the bed and desk and dresser with TV on it and the bathroom attached.

My view is overlooking the parking lot where you drop off your car to valet so it is obstructed some by the roof of the main lobby. But not bad. I am on 9th floor.

This was room 9104. West elevators. Definitely can’t complain for a basic points room (160k for 5 nights) that got upgraded (I think my Bonvoy ambassador rep had something to do with that). Haha.

 

[Disneydawg74]

Been out of the game for while (one trip last year while pregnant, which was definitely not our normal trip scenario, and the first since pre-COVID times). Planning a trip for January, but looks like dates will overlap with the Marathon weekend. Any hope of a decent rate at Swolphin, historically, or should we just assume prices will be high due to that event? We’ve got rooms reserved elsewhere to lock in a rate, but figured I’d ask here and see what it’s been like in the past.

Make sure you’re comparing properly. They now add in the resort charge to the price, which they didn’t show in the past (except for a mention of it.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Has anyone with a refundable reservation called in and prepaid the rest or a portion of their stay? I’ve got a cc offer expiring before I arrive that I’d like to use.

 

[Bird003]

Has anyone with a refundable reservation called in and prepaid the rest or a portion of their stay? I’ve got a cc offer expiring before I arrive that I’d like to use.

I think you can call hotel directly and speak with their billing department. I was also going to do this for our December trip

 

[momtosam]

Hello all! Questions about booking. Is it best to book directly with Swan rather than using the Disney website? I'm thinking that the Swan is not included when Disney offers 30% off of their resorts, but am not positive. (I'm looking to travel in the beginning of May.) I am a teacher and saw that there is a teacher's discount through Swan. The only benefit I see to booking through Disney is the ability to just pay a $200 deposit now and then pay off later. Thank you!

 

[Dave006]

Questions about booking. Is it best to book directly with Swan rather than using the Disney website?

It depends on what you want to be the most flexible. You can't get your Teacher discount through Disney?

I'm thinking that the Swan is not included when Disney offers 30% off of their resorts, but am not positive.

Correct Disney discount offers don't apply to Swan or Swan Reserve or Dolphin. For the $200 deposit you have to book a Disney Package that has a 30 day cancel window before arrival with no penalty.

Dave

 

[patty57]

Yes, it's better to book with the Swan. There are other discounts as well. AP, AAA, teacher, nurse etc. Disney only sells packages with the Swan.

 

[Jillfo]

Is it best to book directly with Swan rather than using the Disney website?

In addition to the other answers you've already received, it's a good idea to book with Marriott directly because rates for Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve fluctuate often so you may be able to find a lower rate in the future. Just make sure you've booked a refundable rate to take advantage of this possibility.

 

[MarBee]

I’ve been scrolling a bit but can’t pinpoint the exact answer. Have a conference in mid-November and want to stay in a renovated room (preferably in Swan but could do the other two as well). Which rooms should be renovated by then?

 

[flav]

Very excited about trying one of these resort!
Yesterday DH and I were booked for two nights at CBR and I thought about checking the Swolphin this morning.

All taxes and fees included (we would use the standard parking):

Dolphin no view, two double beds 774$ or one king 852$

Swan no view, two queen beds 841$ or one king 875$

CBR water view, 2 queen + 1 sleeper beds 884$

We are not interested in double beds so everything is pretty much the same price.
I am reading here that there are some renovations going on at the Swan? Would you choose Dolphin instead? We prefer no carpet in the room if that makes a difference. TIA

 

[SteveH]

@flav the room renovations have been going on at the Swan for a while, since they never announced it, none of us are sure when it will be done or if they are done. If you want no carpet then you'd want at room at the Swan. Once they are done with the Swan they are supposed to start on the Dolphin. I can't say I recall hearing any complaints about the work from those that have stayed at the Swan, since its mostly just a soft good refresh it shouldn't be to bad.

 

[Sandi]

Just returned from a really nice 7 night stay at the Swan. We were 4 adult women (me, my sister, and our daughters) and while it was a bit tight, we knew that going in and it was fine. We had room 796 on the West Wing and it was a lovely, renovated room. I would love to get that room again. The refresh they did was noticeable as soon as we walked in. Ours was a resort view, balcony room and we had a view of the Epcot fireworks at night. It was so cool. We requested daily housekeeping. Housekeeping was good, you just never knew when they'd be there. A couple of days we had to reconfirm with the front desk that housekeeping would come because it was already after 5:00 pm (I recognize that they do housekeeping at all hours, but we apparently fell off the list a couple of days).

I wish they'd install some towel racks or more hooks. Also, an over the tub clothes line would be a nice add. As in our past stays, the bathroom gets very steamy even if you take a quick shower. We requested a fan and that helped with air circulation -- and drying wet swimsuits -- during our stay. Those are not terrible problems, but would improve things for sure. In the future, I will bring plastic clothes hangers to use in the bathroom.

My daughter and sister had to work during the days and they found good work spaces in the hotel common area. They were mistaken for Swan employees a few times, but we just laughed at that. The internet worked well except one day and there were lots of remote workers experiencing problems. Sister and daughter just converted to personal hotspots and carried on. [It is nice to be retired (me) or a 19 year old college student (niece) as we didn't care so much about internet at the hotel since we were playing.]

Overall, it was a terrific stay and we will book with the Swan again (and again). I will try to respond to questions if anyone wants to ask. And, as always, I appreciate this thread and the people who post so much. Our stay was improved due to information I gleaned here.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just returned from a really nice 7 night stay at the Swan. We were 4 adult women (me, my sister, and our daughters) and while it was a bit tight, we knew that going in and it was fine. We had room 796 on the West Wing and it was a lovely, renovated room. I would love to get that room again. The refresh they did was noticeable as soon as we walked in. Ours was a resort view, balcony room and we had a view of the Epcot fireworks at night. It was so cool. We requested daily housekeeping. Housekeeping was good, you just never knew when they'd be there. A couple of days we had to reconfirm with the front desk that housekeeping would come because it was already after 5:00 pm (I recognize that they do housekeeping at all hours, but we apparently fell off the list a couple of days).

I wish they'd install some towel racks or more hooks. Also, an over the tub clothes line would be a nice add. As in our past stays, the bathroom gets very steamy even if you take a quick shower. We requested a fan and that helped with air circulation -- and drying wet swimsuits -- during our stay. Those are not terrible problems, but would improve things for sure. In the future, I will bring plastic clothes hangers to use in the bathroom.

My daughter and sister had to work during the days and they found good work spaces in the hotel common area. They were mistaken for Swan employees a few times, but we just laughed at that. The internet worked well except one day and there were lots of remote workers experiencing problems. Sister and daughter just converted to personal hotspots and carried on. [It is nice to be retired (me) or a 19 year old college student (niece) as we didn't care so much about internet at the hotel since we were playing.]

Overall, it was a terrific stay and we will book with the Swan again (and again). I will try to respond to questions if anyone wants to ask. And, as always, I appreciate this thread and the people who post so much. Our stay was improved due to information I gleaned here.

Thanks for the update on your recent Swan stay, Sandi. Sounds like it was a good one.

 

[elvispursley]

@Sandi thank you for sharing your experience. We’re staying at the swan later this month and I’m honestly kinda shocked there is no clothesline over the tub!! Guess I’ll bring 2 swimsuits so one can be drying.

 

[gottalovepluto]

@Sandi thank you for sharing your experience. We’re staying at the swan later this month and I’m honestly kinda shocked there is no clothesline over the tub!! Guess I’ll bring 2 swimsuits so one can be drying.

I’ve twice had part of my swimsuit start disintegrating out of nowhere on vacay (yes they’re cheap Target swimsuits lol) so I always travel with an extra!

 

[elvispursley]

For those who’ve done laundry at swan, are the machines near the pool? Can they take HE detergent? And last question, are they like the disney-owned resorts where you pay with your phone and know when there’s an empty machine? I am racing for having to do laundry a few times over our 9 day stay in a few weeks. I can’t stand sweaty clothes and change twice/day!

 

[Karalee402]

For those who’ve done laundry at swan, are the machines near the pool? Can they take HE detergent? And last question, are they like the disney-owned resorts where you pay with your phone and know when there’s an empty machine? I am racing for having to do laundry a few times over our 9 day stay in a few weeks. I can’t stand sweaty clothes and change twice/day!

The laundry room is on the lower level at the Dolphin near its pool. When we were there in December, I don't believe we could use our phones. If I'm remembering correctly, we could use our credit card or purchase tokens from a machine.
I'm with you 100%, our Disney laundry gets too gross not to wash at least once!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Watching my post Labor Day trip prices and unlike previous trips this year the closer in we get the more expensive it’s getting. I booked a few months back and caught lower prices when a poster here mentioned prices had dropped but starting a couple weeks ago prices have slowly but consistently risen. Will keep an eye on them the next few weeks obviously but just a reminder if you see a price that is acceptable but you feel could be better book the REFUNDABLE rate anyway so you don’t have regrets. We like to talk about prices dropping but sometimes they rise instead.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

Watching my post Labor Day trip prices and unlike previous trips this year the closer in we get the more expensive it’s getting. I booked a few months back and caught lower prices when a poster here mentioned prices had dropped but starting a couple weeks ago prices have slowly but consistently risen. Will keep an eye on them the next few weeks obviously but just a reminder if you see a price that is acceptable but you feel could be better book the REFUNDABLE rate anyway so you don’t have regrets. We like to talk about prices dropping but sometimes they rise instead.

for several of the dates that i'd be interested in staying at the swan / dolphin, room rates have been over $1,000, which is absolutely bananas for 2 queens. I keep watching in the sincere hope that things become a bit more affordable.