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

[gottalovepluto]

What is the plat breakfast benefit like at Garden Grove? I’ve enjoyed the continental buffet at Amare for SR and Rosa for Dol.

 

[Dave006]

What is the plat breakfast benefit like at Garden Grove? I’ve enjoyed the continental buffet at Amare for SR and Rosa for Dol.

It should be the same basic offering, and you can upgrade to the full buffet.

Dave

 

[rangerxenos]

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

Sadly the only thing available for the Swan is Resort View rooms, and that's another $100 a night, which isn't going to happen.

I guess I'm staying where I am for now at Dolphin!

 

[Sandi]

Sadly the only thing available for the Swan is Resort View rooms, and that's another $100 a night, which isn't going to happen.

I guess I'm staying where I am for now at Dolphin!

I can understand that; quite a difference on price! It is worth checking back to see whether different room categories open up. I've made adjustments with just a couple of days to go because a different room category opened or there was a price change. You'll have a great time whether you're at the Dolphin or the Swan!

 

[Dan Murphy]

You'll have a great time whether you're at the Dolphin or the Swan!

So very true.

 

[DIS in Mass]

Hello everyone!
It has been 13 years since my wife and I last had a Disney vacation. My daughter just graduated from College and my son has enrolled in the Disney internship program for the fall semester of his junior year. We have decided that we owe it to ourselves to plan a fun trip for just the two of us (and we can hopefully visit our son somewhere in the parks.)

We are planning for the first week of November and want to stay at the Swan. I am looking for room recommendations that will give us a balcony view of the BW, waterway and walking path. We are going to check with Marriott to book a room but I thought I would ask the real experts for any first hand experience before we call. Are there particular floors/areas to avoid, etc?

Thanks!
David

 

[Disneydawg74]

Hello everyone!
It has been 13 years since my wife and I last had a Disney vacation. My daughter just graduated from College and my son has enrolled in the Disney internship program for the fall semester of his junior year. We have decided that we owe it to ourselves to plan a fun trip for just the two of us (and we can hopefully visit our son somewhere in the parks.)

We are planning for the first week of November and want to stay at the Swan. I am looking for room recommendations that will give us a balcony view of the BW, waterway and walking path. We are going to check with Marriott to book a room but I thought I would ask the real experts for any first hand experience before we call. Are there particular floors/areas to avoid, etc?

Thanks!
David

It’s difficult to get a specific room. The best you can do, AFAIK, is to choose a room category that you want and ask nicely at check in for that view. We have gotten it a few times, but there are balcony rooms that face the back entrance. We got one of those last time. Perhaps those with high Marriott status have other outcomes.

 

[gottalovepluto]

... Perhaps those with high Marriott status have other outcomes.

They’re lousy about status, nice when something happens but expect zilch even if you’re a Ambassador Titanium Big Wig Boss Level…

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hello everyone!
It has been 13 years since my wife and I last had a Disney vacation. My daughter just graduated from College and my son has enrolled in the Disney internship program for the fall semester of his junior year. We have decided that we owe it to ourselves to plan a fun trip for just the two of us (and we can hopefully visit our son somewhere in the parks.)

We are planning for the first week of November and want to stay at the Swan. I am looking for room recommendations that will give us a balcony view of the BW, waterway and walking path. We are going to check with Marriott to book a room but I thought I would ask the real experts for any first hand experience before we call. Are there particular floors/areas to avoid, etc?

Thanks!
David

I would try for a room in the east wing, facing the BW, therefore facing Epcot, 5th or 6th floor and higher. The ones I have circled (not the lower floors though) would be desirable. Those all have balconies. The ones not circled are too close to the 'main' . part of the building, giving, IMO, too much obstruction. I had room 943 once, an alcove room, on the corner, top floor, balcony. Best single room I ever had there.

 

[KMarston]

Good morning, we’re staying at the Swan in a few weeks in a double with the grandkids. I’ll need a scooter to keep up. We’ve stayed at the Dolphin in a king with no issues in the past. Is there room in the Swan (traditional room I believe it’s called) for a scooter near a plugin? Also wondering how many outlets are available, I’ll bring 2 charging stations. Thanks for any help.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good morning, we’re staying at the Swan in a few weeks in a double with the grandkids. I’ll need a scooter to keep up. We’ve stayed at the Dolphin in a king with no issues in the past. Is there room in the Swan (traditional room I believe it’s called) for a scooter near a plugin? Also wondering how many outlets are available, I’ll bring 2 charging stations. Thanks for any help.

I've used a scooter several times while staying at the Swan. No issues. Brought it in the room. A little crowded but okay.

 

[NothingClever]

On our most recent stay (few weeks ago), we stayed in Dolphin at the far end of the hallway closest to Epcot on the 4th or 5th floor. We tried taking the stairs all the way to the ground floor only to find that the exit doors said "emergency exit - alarm will sound." Does anyone know if that alarm ACTUALLY goes off or is it just for show? It would probably save 10 minutes getting to Boardwalk if you could exit that way.

 

[SteveH]

@NothingClever I would assume and alarm will sound either from a box on the door or to security. The doors are like that for the safety of other guests, allowing an open door entry could put others at risk so please don't find out.

 

[gottalovepluto]

On our most recent stay (few weeks ago), we stayed in Dolphin at the far end of the hallway closest to Epcot on the 4th or 5th floor. We tried taking the stairs all the way to the ground floor only to find that the exit doors said "emergency exit - alarm will sound." Does anyone know if that alarm ACTUALLY goes off or is it just for show? It would probably save 10 minutes getting to Boardwalk if you could exit that way.

That’s one of those things where no one is gonna try it- if it does sound an alarm like it says it does you would risk being trespassed from the hotel…

 

[gottalovepluto]

Good morning, we’re staying at the Swan in a few weeks in a double with the grandkids. I’ll need a scooter to keep up. We’ve stayed at the Dolphin in a king with no issues in the past. Is there room in the Swan (traditional room I believe it’s called) for a scooter near a plugin? Also wondering how many outlets are available, I’ll bring 2 charging stations. Thanks for any help.

Also ask about leaving it at bell services overnight. I know SR bell services holds ECVs overnight and even charges them. I think I enquired and Dolphin did as well (but our ECV user in that case chose to keep his ECV with him because of how long the walk to the room was).

 

[DIS in Mass]

I would try for a room in the east wing, facing the BW, therefore facing Epcot, 5th or 6th floor and higher. The ones I have circled (not the lower floors though) would be desirable. Those all have balconies. The ones not circled are too close to the 'main' . part of the building, giving, IMO, too much obstruction. I had room 943 once, an alcove room, on the corner, top floor, balcony. Best single room I ever had there.

View attachment 965115

Thanks Dan, that is just what I was looking for!

 

[elvispursley]

Good morning, we’re staying at the Swan in a few weeks in a double with the grandkids. I’ll need a scooter to keep up. We’ve stayed at the Dolphin in a king with no issues in the past. Is there room in the Swan (traditional room I believe it’s called) for a scooter near a plugin? Also wondering how many outlets are available, I’ll bring 2 charging stations. Thanks for any help.

We stayed at the swan last year and managed to fit 2 scooters in the room. O e parked to the side of the dressing by the connecting door and was out of the way. When I unexpectedly need the 2nd scooter, I parked it at the foot of the bed closest to the balcony.

I always bring a few extra power strips with outlet plugs and usb outlets since you can sometimes end up with plugs that don’t work or not enough. As for the number of plugs, I couldn’t tell you but the plug on the nightstand did not work. YMMV

 

[leeroy1798]

What a great post!
We're visiting The Dolphin for the first time in August.
Can anyone point me toward more information of the loyalty program (mentioned in the 'mandatory service package' section).
Is it simply join the Marriott loyalty scheme online and off you go?
TIA

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is it simply join the Marriott loyalty scheme online and off you go?

That’s it. Make sure your reservation has your Bonvoy number linked after you create a Marriott account.

 

[SteveH]

@leeroy1798 adding to what @gottalovepluto said here is the login/signup page for Bonvoy. I will share that there was a time, pre-Marriott ownership, that the Starwood SPG rewards were amazing - one of the best in the industry. The rewards took a hit when Marriott bought out Starwood, then again in 2022 they devalued points again, which generated the term "Bonvoyed". Today, those that visit S/D with high loyalty points often find they don't get the same benefits they might see at other Marriott hotels.

I share this so you can enjoy the benefits if you are a casul traveler, but if you do a lot of travel you'll want to do some research.