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

[niccikatie]

For peace of mind, just go into the app and try to make LL reservations. It will not work but MDE will give you the exact date and time you are eligible, which should be 7 days prior to your trip.

This works! I was trying to look this way, but not selecting the actual days of our trip. It would say we don't have valid tickets so now I tried changing the date to our actual dates (duh!!) and the correct date showed up. It's showing the correct date of availability. THANK YOU!

 

[Dan Murphy]

New executive chef for S/D.

https://wdwnt.com/2025/04/swan-dolphin-resorts-new-executive-chef/

 

[MabelM]

I didn’t have my reservation properly linked until Day 7, but once it was linked, I had no issue booking LL 7 days out.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Interesting article

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/swan-dolphin-versus-beach-club/

 

[CJN]

Interesting article

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/swan-dolphin-versus-beach-club/

“The Fountain is overpriced and not that good”

??? We’ve always considered The Fountain a hidden gem.

 

[gottalovepluto]

“The Fountain is overpriced and not that good”

??? We’ve always considered The Fountain a hidden gem.

Ehh, I dispute the claim only somewhat because I find the fountain useful in very specific situations- namely I want a quick but full meal. If I have a little more energy I’ll get it to go and grab a decent glass of wine from the lobby bar to eat with it. The convenience justifies the extra expense. But just on quality? Yeah, the quality of the burgers I’ve had is pretty close to walking up to hurricane Hannah- but more expensive. Granted I’m a boring burger sorta person and the desert options don’t appeal.

 

[kylenne]

Ehh, I dispute the claim only somewhat because I find the fountain useful in very specific situations- namely I want a quick but full meal. If I have a little more energy I’ll get it to go and grab a decent glass of wine from the lobby bar to eat with it. The convenience justifies the extra expense. But just on quality? Yeah, the quality of the burgers I’ve had is pretty close to walking up to hurricane Hannah- but more expensive. Granted I’m a boring burger sorta person and the desert options don’t appeal.

“Overpriced and not that good” applies more to Beaches and Cream than the Fountain from my experience. I don’t think the burgers there are Hurricane Hannah quality at all. They’re not matching Steakhouse 71 quality but they’re by no means Disney quick service hockey pucks. The ice cream’s better there too. Tbh the Fountain just does the soda fountain fare better than B&C. B&C is mid and carried by theming that got diluted when they expanded the space.

I also find Fuel objectively better than the Marketplace if for no other reason than it’s open earlier, which makes it a viable option on rope drop mornings unlike the Marketplace. But the food is just better there and the grab and go options are actually solid.

 

[WDW-WOW]

“Overpriced and not that good” applies more to Beaches and Cream than the Fountain from my experience. I don’t think the burgers there are Hurricane Hannah quality at all. They’re not matching Steakhouse 71 quality but they’re by no means Disney quick service hockey pucks. The ice cream’s better there too. Tbh the Fountain just does the soda fountain fare better than B&C. B&C is mid and carried by theming that got diluted when they expanded the space.

I also find Fuel objectively better than the Marketplace if for no other reason than it’s open earlier, which makes it a viable option on rope drop mornings unlike the Marketplace. But the food is just better there and the grab and go options are actually solid.

I love Fuel and Java!

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Afternoon! Have booked the Dolphin for the first time for my early December trip, and I see that they have finished refurbishing the Swan rooms, but can't find any mention of the Dolphin room refurbishment?

Having stayed in hotels that were in the middle of refurbishment in the past, it's been my experience that it can get loud and messy.

Any idea of when they will be starting on the Dolphin? It's another $200 or so for the Swan for the length of my trip, wondering if I should just bite the bullet and switch.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Good Afternoon! Have booked the Dolphin for the first time for my early December trip, and I see that they have finished refurbishing the Swan rooms, but can't find any mention of the Dolphin room refurbishment?

Having stayed in hotels that were in the middle of refurbishment in the past, it's been my experience that it can get loud and messy.

Any idea of when they will be starting on the Dolphin? It's another $200 or so for the Swan for the length of my trip, wondering if I should just bite the bullet and switch.

They have not announced a refurb of Dolphin rooms. Dolphin is expanding their convention center currently.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Any idea of when they will be starting on the Dolphin? It's another $200 or so for the Swan for the length of my trip, wondering if I should just bite the bullet and switch.

Not sure about when, but if it was me, yes, $200 more for the Swan is fine. How many nights?

 

[rangerxenos]

Not sure about when, but if it was me, yes, $200 more for the Swan is fine. How many nights?

8 nights, so basically another $25 a night.

 

[Dan Murphy]

8 nights.

$25 a night, for sure the Swan.

Enjoy

 

[SteveH]

They have not announced a refurb of Dolphin rooms. Dolphin is expanding their convention center currently.

Sadly they didn't announce the refurb at the Swan either, go figure. But I don't recall a lot of posts about the noise from the Swan either. My gut says after the convention center they might start on the Dolphin rooms.

$25 a night, for sure the Swan.

Enjoy

Agreed!

 

[MirandaB]

We just got back from 6 nights at the Dolphin. I love the location. Don't care for the conventioneers - but it does make the park transportation less crowded since they aren't there to go to the parks and there are fewer children around. The hallways to rooms and the restaurants are ridiculously cold however. I shouldn't need a sweater just to walk from the elevator to my room. We had a double balcony room - I would request that if possible. I'll stay at Dolphin if that's what's available (was part of our Costco package), but otherwise I'd pick the Swan.

 

[Sandi]

8 nights, so basically another $25 a night.

I'd move to Swan for that, no question. Queen beds and less frantic in the common areas. Enjoy your trip.

 

[vanillagirl]

Why do u guys like the Swan over the Dolphin? Just because of the refurbs or is there more to it?

I’m still trying to decide which for our Xmas trip. We stayed at the Dolphin in a premium deluxe room ( it was like a suite with a living room and separate king bedroom) last xmas. The room was really nice but it was showing its age but we had such a wonderful stay as far as service and friendliness of the staff. It made our trip. The old ish room though compared to the new Swan rooms makes me think possibly an alcove Swan room - but I am torn because I love Fuel and that the Fountain is so handy for a late night snack. And maybe the Platinum breakfast at Rosa Mexicana. I took points last time but I would like the option.

We used to stay at the Swan and loved it when we travelled with our kids (queen queen over doubles!) but that was before they updated much. Now as adults we discovered the liveliness of the Dolphin and enjoy it. I’d sure appreciate a new fresh room though…..

 

[Dave006]

Why do u guys like the Swan over the Dolphin? Just because of the refurbs or is there more to it?

We like it because the Swan is about 1/2 the size of the Dolphin, double Queen beds vs double beds, and the bathroom layout with the extra sink and mirror outside of the shower/tub/toilet room. The park buses stop at the Swan first, and then the Dolphin for AK and MK (TTC).

And maybe the Platinum breakfast at Rosa Mexicana. I took points last time but I would like the option.

You are able to use your Platinum breakfast benefits at the Swan or the Dolphin so that's a wash.

Dave

 

[vanillagirl]

We like it because the Swan is about 1/2 the size of the Dolphin, double Queen beds vs double beds, and the bathroom layout with the extra sink and mirror outside of the shower/tub/toilet room. The park buses stop at the Swan first, and then the Dolphin for AK and MK (TTC).


You are able to use your Platinum breakfast benefits at the Swan or the Dolphin so that's a wash.

Dave

We always liked it for the smaller size and bed situation as well. Haven’t stayed there since the skyliner was brand new. Started staying Dolphin when it happened to have the only availability on Costco and it was just DH and myself and we liked it so we stuck with it.

The beds don’t matter anymore - it be king. And we just drive to MK and Springs these days.

Last December we kept intending to pop into Swan and check it out again but we never got around to it. We were so busy and so tired lol. Going to take it much slower this time.

I remember years back Swan had a smallish grab and go - I think that was even after it was redone - but what I’m thinking of doesn’t compare to Fuel for food options and variety and no freestyle coke machine - which I appreciate on vacation because i don’t do caffeine or sugar and love I can get a soda there. Is that still the case or is there a larger quick service grab and go and a freestyle?

What restaurants serve breakfast at Swan? Is it the Garden Grove? How is it?

And I love the cold dolphin hallways

 

[Dave006]

I remember years back Swan had a smallish grab and go - I think that was even after it was redone - but what I’m thinking of doesn’t compare to Fuel for food options and variety and no freestyle coke machine - which I appreciate on vacation because i don’t do caffeine or sugar and love I can get a soda there.

There is Java the Grab-n-Go located at the Swan exit to the Dolphin causeway/boat dock/ walkway to Crescent lake. No Freestyle machine. It is open at 6 AM daily.

What restaurants serve breakfast at Swan? Is it the Garden Grove? How is it?

The Garden Grove offers breakfast items as well as a breakfast buffet 7 AM - 11:30 AM. It is closed on Tuesday - Wednesday.

And all the food options at the Dolphin are a quick walk across the covered causeway.

Dave