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

[georgina]

Just got back from a great stay at the Swan! Just a couple things I wanted to mention that I've seen asked in here before.

• We had no issues getting our luggage transfered from All-Star Sports
• We got a refurbished room. They do not take requests for these
• They were not making you show room keys to get towels anymore and you could ask for as many as wanted. Last time I stayed there the line for towels was like 20 minutes long each time, and they wouldnt let you get more than one per person, so this was a nice change.
• We got a late checkout of 12pm for no charge

We usually just grab towels from the Swan quiet pool in front of the health club on our walk over to the main feature pool. They are just sitting there on a rack.

 

[DISNEYNY]

We usually just grab towels from the Swan quiet pool in front of the health club on our walk over to the main feature pool. They are just sitting there on a rack.

We did realize that too on our second day!

 

[Mind27]

I didn't take a ton, but here is what I have!

Interesting we just returned too and our room looked the same except it still had wall to wall carpet, which I don't love. Thankfully I knew to bring some cheap suction cup hooks after reading this thread because the one hook in the bathroom is ridiculously annoying!

Otherwise a very lovely stay. We also got a late (noon) checkout. We had booked a "no view" rate, but had a great view of the lake and HS from 10th floor! Loved the quiet pool and readily available towels. Staff was all friendly and helpful! We used a combination of private, S/D, Disney transportation (and walking) and had no issues.

We had stayed at Dolphin once previously. If prices are close (this time Swan was cheaper) I would definitely pick Swan for resort and bed size and two sinks. But would happily stay at either again, can't beat the location for the price (compared to Disney)!

Thanks for all the great tips on this thread!

 

[SmittS]

Question on “temporary parking” at the Swan Reserve. Traveling a lot for work, I have a free day car rental that I’m using to one way from MCO to drop off at the Car Care Center. Plan is to run to the Swan Reserve and drop stuff off before heading to CCC and the parks. Will the SR allow me to park temporarily to drop off luggage? Not looking to pay for parking for maybe 15 minutes.

 

[SteveH]

@SmittS it shouldn't be an issue, when you pull in the bell stand team can show you were to park to unload & check-in. We've done this in the past at the Swan without issue. But since your going to SR you may want to also download the Swan Dolphin Mobile App. With that can you use the Text Us! option to ask this question direct if that gives you more assurance.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Question on “temporary parking” at the Swan Reserve. Traveling a lot for work, I have a free day car rental that I’m using to one way from MCO to drop off at the Car Care Center. Plan is to run to the Swan Reserve and drop stuff off before heading to CCC and the parks. Will the SR allow me to park temporarily to drop off luggage? Not looking to pay for parking for maybe 15 minutes.

I would just drop the bags with bell services at the entrance and drive straight to the Car Care Center, no need to park. The Car Care Center shuttle can then drop you off at the park.

 

[JiminyCricketNJ]

We have a last minute stay booked at the Swan starting at the end of this week! While we have stayed there before, I have a quick question- if we check in and the room is not ready, will bell services be able to refrigerate items that we are picking up at Publix on the way from MCO? Just some water, yogurt, etc. We have done this at Contemporary and other resorts, but unsure if Swan offers this. TIA as I didn't see this answered in the thread.

 

[SteveH]

@JiminyCricketNJ I don't think they have the ability to do that, I know they make it very clear when it comes to deliveries (see bottom of page here) "Please note the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin accepts packages for our guests, however we are unable to accommodate any deliveries that require refrigeration of any kind."

However to verify this I'd download the SwanDolphin Mobile App and us the Text Us option.

 

[JiminyCricketNJ]

@JiminyCricketNJ I don't think they have the ability to do that, I know they make it very clear when it comes to deliveries (see bottom of page here) "Please note the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin accepts packages for our guests, however we are unable to accommodate any deliveries that require refrigeration of any kind."

However to verify this I'd download the SwanDolphin Mobile App and us the Text Us option.

Thank you; that is so helpful!!

 

[JiminyCricketNJ]

from the text chat - Bell Services can store refrigerated items "on a first come first serve" basis.
So we may forego bringing the items with us and just have them delivered via prime now once we are in the actual room.

 

[SteveH]

@JiminyCricketNJ glad it helped you and thanks for sharing their response.

 

[Sandi]

from the text chat - Bell Services can store refrigerated items "on a first come first serve" basis.
So we may forego bringing the items with us and just have them delivered via prime now once we are in the actual room.

You'd be wise to wait until you have a room. We had some items that needed refrigeration a couple of years ago and, like you, I had confirmed in advance that they could refrigerate the cheese and yogurt. We even reconfirmed when we gave the bags to Bell Services who said they'd take care of it. When we went to pick up our bags we were told that they had no way to refrigerate anything and they didn't know why we were told otherwise. To their credit, they did credit us for the loss (like $15 -- I had a receipt from Publix) to use at the hotel, but I have not relied on this in the years since. That, of course, is just my experience. YMMV.

 

[JiminyCricketNJ]

You'd be wise to wait until you have a room. We had some items that needed refrigeration a couple of years ago and, like you, I had confirmed in advance that they could refrigerate the cheese and yogurt. We even reconfirmed when we gave the bags to Bell Services who said they'd take care of it. When we went to pick up our bags we were told that they had no way to refrigerate anything and they didn't know why we were told otherwise. To their credit, they did credit us for the loss (like $15 -- I had a receipt from Publix) to use at the hotel, but I have not relied on this in the years since. That, of course, is just my experience. YMMV.

Oh wow, thanks- that's good to know! Definitely going to hold off until we have the room.

 

[CJK]

Hi all! We have a dinner reservation at Amare, but are staying at Riviera. We were hoping to drive over. What's the parking situation at Swan Reserve when you're only going for dinner? TIA!

 

[Disneydawg74]

Hi all! We have a dinner reservation at Amare, but are staying at Riviera. We were hoping to drive over. What's the parking situation at Swan Reserve when you're only going for dinner? TIA!

If it’s like it is for the restaurants in the Swan, you have to use valet parking and get it validated at the restaurant, so they will comp it. No self parking as far I know.

 

[CJK]

If it’s like it is for the restaurants in the Swan, you have to use valet parking and get it validated at the restaurant, so they will comp it. No self parking as far I know.

Thanks! That's good to know in advance.

 

[SteveH]

@CJK if you want to double check I'd give them a call or drop an email.
Telephone: 407-934-1609
Email: dining@swandolphin.com

 

[pooh2001]

I just called - for early May 2025 - our prefect time to fly from the NE and pertest weather at WDW - The Dolphin senior rate (over 65) is less expensive than the SWAN senior rate. We got 15% off. My DD RN only gets 10% off
We do better as seniors. Plus we can get an ADA bathroom - ie DW is in a wheelchair.
I even looked at Jet Blue - I can put my own K0005 KIA wheelchair on the plane and just take of the foot holders and seat cushion. Yeah

 

[frecklamy]

Just wanted to pop in and say thank you for all your help planning. We got back last week from a great stay at the Dolphin with a 5 & 1yo! I'd been unsure about switching from POR as I'd always wanted to stay here and I was worried about the lack of Disney theming/it not being as magical for our young kids but you guys persuaded us and I'm so glad you did! My 5yo is telling everyone about the 'fish fountain', so I don't think the lack of Disney theming was noticed! What a perfect location (especially with a stroller and young kids, being able to truly take two parks at our own pace and not worry about transport was amazing). We loved the Boardwalk, especially in the evening, and the amenities were great. Topped off by being upgraded to a resort view room in the black square, so we enjoyed an amazing view of fireworks when we weren't out. For my 5yo, getting the monorail to MK was magical so getting dropped off at the TTC worked, though we did walk to Yacht Club once when we thought the morning queue might be quite long, which was also fine.

Anyway, if we're ever lucky enough to come back I would be very keen to go back. Spoilt now for anything else!

 

[georgina]

I just called - for early May 2025 - our prefect time to fly from the NE and pertest weather at WDW - The Dolphin senior rate (over 65) is less expensive than the SWAN senior rate. We got 15% off. My DD RN only gets 10% off
We do better as seniors. Plus we can get an ADA bathroom - ie DW is in a wheelchair.
I even looked at Jet Blue - I can put my own K0005 KIA wheelchair on the plane and just take of the foot holders and seat cushion. Yeah

Thanks for the senior rate reminder. I just looked at the Swan on the Marriott website, it says over 62, and I turned 62 recently, looks like the senior rate is better than the AAA rate I usually use.