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

[gottalovepluto]

I usually request Minnie vans at WDW since I’ve had bad experiences with Uber and Lyft for the normal drivers. Minnie van premiums are a lot but the service is by far the best I’ve had anywhere and the people know where they’re going.

That will still work, MVs service Swolphin!

 

[dunkindonut]

For a no view King sized room at Swan reserve with my D23 discount. Honestly not as bad as I thought it would be, basically the cost of Pop preferred. I might call again and ask how much more the epcot view is though

 

[dunkindonut]

I ended up upgrading after calling, it's about $200 extra but to be able to see the fireworks every night is a nice addition. I also don't think you can normally book a king right now for the times I picked.




Now below is the price for late August into sept. without a D23 discount right now for a queen epcot view. I'm not sure if the King is cheaper or more expensive but this seems to be like a pretty sweet deal. Effectively saving like $400, D23 subscription is like $50 now so it easily pays for itself. Staying at Dolphin or Swan would probably make this even more cost effective.

 

[kylenne]

For a no view King sized room at Swan reserve with my D23 discount. Honestly not as bad as I thought it would be, basically the cost of Pop preferred. I might call again and ask how much more the epcot view is though
View attachment 987748

That is roughly what I paid via Amex Travel for a King at regular Swan, not bad at all.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Post in the EP F&W thread mentioned tickets are now on sale for Swolphin F&W.

https://swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/packages/

Anyone know how much the room discount tends to run for the food and wine classic package?

 

[SteveH]

Thought about renting a car until I realized they charge $36 a night or maybe like $40 with tax. Pretty insane pricing, definitely considering just ubering and walking everywhere.

To be honest while I hate Parking & Resort Fees, the parking rates at SD really are not all that insane. Yes, Disney was wise and ditched their parking fees. But resorts like the Waldorf $40, Wyndham Grand $40, JW Marriott $38, Gaylord $40 all similar pricing and their locations aren't as good as SD. The crazy one is the TownPlace Suites charging $15.

When staying at SD you need to take the Parking & Resort fees into account with the pricing only then will you have a fair comparison.

We've never opted to use a rental when we stayed a SD, we can use the water transport, walk or busses. For late nights at Trade Sam's we just Uber back. Have fun & enjoy your time at SD!

 

[DisneyGamer11]

The Marriott Vouchers at S/D are worth $20 or a continental breakfast for two, right? Does the continental include coffee and juice?

I know the Reserve lets you combine vouchers and use but I recall S/D dates them, right?

 

[Cfabar1]

The Marriott Vouchers at S/D are worth $20 or a continental breakfast for two, right? Does the continental include coffee and juice?

I know the Reserve lets you combine vouchers and use but I recall S/D dates them, right?

I was allowed to combine during our visit to Dolphin last March. Maybe they were just being nice. I believe coffee and juice (and soda) are included.

 

[Lsdolphin]

To be honest while I hate Parking & Resort Fees, the parking rates at SD really are not all that insane. Yes, Disney was wise and ditched their parking fees. But resorts like the Waldorf $40, Wyndham Grand $40, JW Marriott $38, Gaylord $40 all similar pricing and their locations aren't as good as SD. The crazy one is the TownPlace Suites charging $15.

When staying at SD you need to take the Parking & Resort fees into account with the pricing only then will you have a fair comparison.

We've never opted to use a rental when we stayed a SD, we can use the water transport, walk or busses. For late nights at Trade Sam's we just Uber back. Have fun & enjoy your time at SD!

There is a Sonesta Suites at BWI airport that charges $7 a night to park in a really poorly lit crappy parking lot. When you book this hotel via Priceline they don’t even mention the parking charge. Also last time I stayed there they charged me a $100 “Incidentals fee” that I was told would drop off the next day and it’s now been 2 months since I contacted American Express for assistance since the hotel claims they credited my acct the following day. Still haven’t got my $100 back.

 

[gottalovepluto]

There is a Sonesta Suites at BWI airport that charges $7 a night to park in a really poorly lit crappy parking lot. When you book this hotel via Priceline they don’t even mention the parking charge. Also last time I stayed there they charged me a $100 “Incidentals fee” that I was told would drop off the next day and it’s now been 2 months since I contacted American Express for assistance since the hotel claims they credited my acct the following day. Still haven’t got my $100 back.

Did you dispute the charge or just complain to Amex? You need to dispute the charge, and you only have like 60 or 90 days or something to do so. If you disputed the charge the $100 would be credited to you until Amex researched the dispute and settled it.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Did you dispute the charge or just complain to Amex? You need to dispute the charge, and you only have like 60 or 90 days or something to do so. If you disputed the charge the $100 would be credited to you until Amex researched the dispute and settled it.

Yes I disputed the charge got a case number a d charge and any possible interest charges are held off by Am Ex. I have received emails letting me know they are “investigating “.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi! Totally new to swan and dolphin but thinking about booking at swan reserve vs staying at all star movies for summer 2026. We love the idea of EE and extended hours. We will most likely have 5 of us, me, DH, DS17, DS16 and DS17s girlfriend. Would you think it’s better to book 2 regular rooms so we get 2 bathrooms? Or the 2 queen suite with sofabed? I’m open to any option but worry the sofabed will be uncomfortable for whoever gets stuck sleeping on it. Is there another option I’m missing that has 2 bathrooms? Appreciate any thoughts/opinions/advice, thank you!!

 

[kylenne]

Hi! Totally new to swan and dolphin but thinking about booking at swan reserve vs staying at all star movies for summer 2026. We love the idea of EE and extended hours. We will most likely have 5 of us, me, DH, DS17, DS16 and DS17s girlfriend. Would you think it’s better to book 2 regular rooms so we get 2 bathrooms? Or the 2 queen suite with sofabed? I’m open to any option but worry the sofabed will be uncomfortable for whoever gets stuck sleeping on it. Is there another option I’m missing that has 2 bathrooms? Appreciate any thoughts/opinions/advice, thank you!!

Any time you have more than like 3 adults/non-child aged people in a group I think multiple rooms is going to be the better move just for the bathroom space.

 

[mmm_texas]

Hi! Totally new to swan and dolphin but thinking about booking at swan reserve vs staying at all star movies for summer 2026. We love the idea of EE and extended hours. We will most likely have 5 of us, me, DH, DS17, DS16 and DS17s girlfriend. Would you think it’s better to book 2 regular rooms so we get 2 bathrooms? Or the 2 queen suite with sofabed? I’m open to any option but worry the sofabed will be uncomfortable for whoever gets stuck sleeping on it. Is there another option I’m missing that has 2 bathrooms? Appreciate any thoughts/opinions/advice, thank you!!

I've been in the SR king suite with sofa bed, and it at least has the vanity/sink separate from the bathroom, but I agree with @kylenne, with 5 non-kids you'll probably be glad to have the two full bathrooms that two rooms would provide.

 

[sconnell]

Hey Swolphin Lovers! What's your favorite spot to grab some dinner/treat and watch Epcot fireworks from outside the park? I'm planning to have a chill night after an AK day, so we can prepare for rope drop at HS the next morning. Mid-September.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hi! Totally new to swan and dolphin but thinking about booking at swan reserve vs staying at all star movies for summer 2026. We love the idea of EE and extended hours. We will most likely have 5 of us, me, DH, DS17, DS16 and DS17s girlfriend. Would you think it’s better to book 2 regular rooms so we get 2 bathrooms? Or the 2 queen suite with sofabed? I’m open to any option but worry the sofabed will be uncomfortable for whoever gets stuck sleeping on it. Is there another option I’m missing that has 2 bathrooms? Appreciate any thoughts/opinions/advice, thank you!!

Why rule out Swan? Might be cheaper than SR and Swan has queen beds, Dolphin is the one with double beds. One of the things Swolphin advertises on their website is a deal for family's who want 2 rooms so might want to call and see what the pricing is. Remember, don't book non-refundable. Swolphin prices are dynamic so if they drop you can re-book.

2 rooms. The 2 bathrooms will be needed, plus you have the dynamic of the gf. I would not want her sharing a hotel room with my DH or other son. Super awkward, even if everyone puts on a brave face about it, a hotel room is a lot of togetherness even for family.

 

[crystal1313]

Why rule out Swan? Might be cheaper than SR and Swan has queen beds, Dolphin is the one with double beds. One of the things Swolphin advertises on their website is a deal for family's who want 2 rooms so might want to call and see what the pricing is. Remember, don't book non-refundable. Swolphin prices are dynamic so if they drop you can re-book.

2 rooms. The 2 bathrooms will be needed, plus you have the dynamic of the gf. I would not want her sharing a hotel room with my DH or other son. Super awkward, even if everyone puts on a brave face about it, a hotel room is a lot of togetherness even for family.

Thank you!!! I will check into it. We are open to swan. All the resorts look lovely.

 

[tzolkin]

Hi! Totally new to swan and dolphin but thinking about booking at swan reserve vs staying at all star movies for summer 2026. We love the idea of EE and extended hours. We will most likely have 5 of us, me, DH, DS17, DS16 and DS17s girlfriend. Would you think it’s better to book 2 regular rooms so we get 2 bathrooms? Or the 2 queen suite with sofabed? I’m open to any option but worry the sofabed will be uncomfortable for whoever gets stuck sleeping on it. Is there another option I’m missing that has 2 bathrooms? Appreciate any thoughts/opinions/advice, thank you!!

I would call and ask for options. For our May trip with all our young adult children, we stayed in a Dolphin corner alcove room that was connected to another room. It wound up being cheaper than booking two regular rooms and it was a huge space with a balcony, king bed, sectional sofa.

 

[backformore]

A couple of questions -
My husband and I, age 70, haven't been to WDW for a few years but love the Swan for a lot of reasons. We plan to go in January-February 2026, are open to any dates. Is that a good time to go?
We plan to enjoy the resort, spend a few hours each day at the parks, not rushing around, planning a few nice lunches or dinners, etc.
The weather is cooler then, right? what about crowds?

Second - The disney.go site, is what we have always used. but none of the dates I put in are showing availability. If I book through Mariott, can I still add the park tickets to the reservation? DIsney.go has always been what I've used, and it was easy to get a package with park tickets included for a reasonable price. how does that work if I book through Mariott?

Thanks in advance, We've been wanting to go back for a few years but health issues have kept us away.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

A couple of questions -
My husband and I, age 70, haven't been to WDW for a few years but love the Swan for a lot of reasons. We plan to go in January-February 2026, are open to any dates. Is that a good time to go?
We plan to enjoy the resort, spend a few hours each day at the parks, not rushing around, planning a few nice lunches or dinners, etc.
The weather is cooler then, right? what about crowds?

Second - The disney.go site, is what we have always used. but none of the dates I put in are showing availability. If I book through Mariott, can I still add the park tickets to the reservation? DIsney.go has always been what I've used, and it was easy to get a package with park tickets included for a reasonable price. how does that work if I book through Mariott?

Thanks in advance, We've been wanting to go back for a few years but health issues have kept us away.

You can book through Marriot and then LINK your reservation to your GoDisney Account.
You can CALL and deal with a person at the resort (call during "business hours" Local: 407-934-4000 / Reservations: 1-888-828-8850 and then you'll link it through GoDisney)
You can book on the Swan/Dolphin Website: https://swandolphin.com/

I usually book through Marriot but it's nice that you can call directly to the resort (don't call the Marriot booking number - that goes to the call center)