Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE RESORTS Information & Questions

[jennypenny]

The bathrooms are a little better at the Swan.

 

[hedberg1661]

DH and I are going to WDW for our 35th anniversary. We are currently booked at a split stay (2 nights at CBR and then moving to Poly). I just looked and we can stay at Dolphin in a King balcony room for the same price as a King room at CBR. While I know will have to pay for Mears Shuttle to get to Dolphin, I'm thinking it would be a more romantic resort than CBR. We have stayed at both resorts before. I just love the pool at Dolphin and the light - airy colors of the rooms. I'm torn though. Any thoughts?

I would also echo the change now. In addition, I would use Uber/Lyft to get to the Swalphin...and the airport for that matter. It will certainly be cheaper. Also, Disney Resorts and the Swalphin will transfer your luggage within their system at no charge so I recommend calling the Bell Stand the morning you leave and let them transfer it for you.

 

[ginny65]

Thank you all. I went ahead and booked it but haven’t canceled CBR yet. We will think about it over the weekend

 

[tzeitel]

Any suggestions on the best standard rooms in the Dolphin? Info on specific rooms or area would be greatly appreciated. We do not have any of the Bonvoy cards, just signed up for their rewards program and have 2 rooms so I am not delusional enough to think we would get a comp upgrade, oh and I booked through PL

We do not care very much about the view (it would be nice but not a necessity) but I rather not look directly at a dumpster. I read of far flung rooms that have a nice view. Ideally we would be on the close-side to the lobby area since DH has a fake knee - no need for wheelchair or anything like that, but the humidity kills him and he needs a cane...which is one of the reasons we live up in the mountains of CO - no humidity!

I was thinking of just requesting a high floor near the elevators but if anyone has a better suggestions I am all ears. I have read that sometimes you can pay for an upgrade - how much is it usually to upgrade from standard to a higher category? Would not be opposed to paying if it was not too much. I am so frugal DH was shocked when I mentioned the S&D as an option, always stay value so this is a splurge for us (although with the Disney rates the way they are the Swolphin is looking like a great deal!)

We are not going until May but I like to be prepared

 

[BattyKoda]

So we are now (FINALLY) booked at the Swan. I got an awesome code from priceline that brought the price down to what I was comfortable with.

THIS, also, helped, a LOT, with the wife and daughter: WDW Today Channel TV If you try to use it I found that I only got volume if I used the "View Full Screen Version". There is also an iOS download available... reviews seem mixed for that though.

Now to begin the process of adding everyone to the reservation before adding to MDE.

 

[pepperandchips]

Any suggestions on the best standard rooms in the Dolphin? Info on specific rooms or area would be greatly appreciated.

There are soooo many rooms at the Dolphin I personally have not seen anyone keeping track of specific rooms or the views from each room like folks do for the Disney branded resorts. There are definitely nice standard rooms available. I've had good luck just using the concierge link to request a "nice view" - even some of the rooms that overlook roofs or have obstructions might also have a nice view of the Tower of Terror or fireworks if you're in the room at the right time. Since we never spring for a balcony I honestly don't care about the room view very much, as I'm not likely to spend a lot of time looking out the window (except to check the weather).

I read of far flung rooms that have a nice view. Ideally we would be on the close-side to the lobby area since DH has a fake knee

It sounds like it might be important to explain this when you make your room request. There are several elevator banks so maybe if you request to be reasonably near the elevator that would help you out. "We have mobility issues and would love to be near to an elevator for that reason. We are so excited for our first stay at the Dolphin and would love it if we could be assigned a room with a nice view, on a high floor if possible" something like that.

So we are now (FINALLY) booked at the Swan. I got an awesome code from priceline that brought the price down to what I was comfortable with.

Hooray!!!

My favorite resort tv channel is actually the Mickey Mouse shorts channel. You can watch those on youtube too - Mickey has his own channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5K8SEF_7GQBedXIjtXLCRg

 

[BattyKoda]

My favorite resort tv channel is actually the Mickey Mouse shorts channel. You can watch those on youtube too - Mickey has his own channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5K8SEF_7GQBedXIjtXLCRg

Thank you... I was thinking of buying a DVD with them, but I like the idea of streaming them more. Thanks again!

 

[chris benton]

Any suggestions on the best standard rooms in the Dolphin? Info on specific rooms or area would be greatly appreciated. We do not have any of the Bonvoy cards, just signed up for their rewards program and have 2 rooms so I am not delusional enough to think we would get a comp upgrade, oh and I booked through PL

We do not care very much about the view (it would be nice but not a necessity) but I rather not look directly at a dumpster. I read of far flung rooms that have a nice view. Ideally we would be on the close-side to the lobby area since DH has a fake knee - no need for wheelchair or anything like that, but the humidity kills him and he needs a cane...which is one of the reasons we live up in the mountains of CO - no humidity!

I was thinking of just requesting a high floor near the elevators but if anyone has a better suggestions I am all ears. I have read that sometimes you can pay for an upgrade - how much is it usually to upgrade from standard to a higher category? Would not be opposed to paying if it was not too much. I am so frugal DH was shocked when I mentioned the S&D as an option, always stay value so this is a splurge for us (although with the Disney rates the way they are the Swolphin is looking like a great deal!)

We are not going until May but I like to be prepared

No idea if it would be standard or not, BUT, I will always, from now on, request a room in the bank of rooms closest to the little lake, down the hall from the fitness room. They have patios, quick walk to the pools, fitness room, Picabu, there's a quick, secluded, path to the bus queue next to the basket ball court, there's also an escalator to the bus queue right next too PIcabu.
We are in it for the pools much more than a view, so that bank of rooms is prime real estate, imo. I think they are 1300 series. If we stay at Dolphin again, 1300 series for us. We could walk out of the patio door right to the pools, and everything we wanted was super convenient.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would also echo the change now. In addition, I would use Uber/Lyft to get to the Swalphin...and the airport for that matter. It will certainly be cheaper. Also, Disney Resorts and the Swalphin will transfer your luggage within their system at no charge so I recommend calling the Bell Stand the morning you leave and let them transfer it for you.

How much would Uber/Lyft typically run? I have a towncar booked for my stay at the Swan next month but if it would be cheaper I might give either of them a try.

 

[Dave006]

Thank you for your input. I was looking at the Swan too and am wondering if those king rooms are the same size. It appears that the bathrooms are larger

Yes the Swan has a better bathroom configuration with the sink area.

We always chose the Swan vs the Dolphin anytime both are available. The Swan is about 1/2 the size of the Dolphin making it a little easier to get around and the Disney buses stop at the Swan before the Dolphin.

Dave

 

[ginny65]

We actually like the "more grand" lobby of Dolphin over the Swan. I'd rather have the nice bathrooms, but being closer to Picabu's, the nice pool bar and the Fountain appeals more to us. That being said, if for some reason, a king balcony would end up being cheaper at Swan, we might consider booking there. Part of me is very excited about staying at the Dolphin, but part of me is now going to be said not to be taking DME from the airport.

 

[schmass]

Hello, we will be staying at the Swan for the first time next month and are very excited! We're going to be eating at Blue Zoo one night - will I be able to charge this to my room? Also, does anyone know at what time the S'mores event takes place each evening? Thanks!

 

[Dave006]

Also, does anyone know at what time the S'mores event takes place each evening? Thanks!

It should be 6-7 PM (weather permitting) on the beach near the Boat Dock.

Dave

 

[ginny65]

So, what is your favorite way to get from MCO to Dolphin/Swan that seems the most like Disney transportation? I am sad to not be taking DME if we switch from CBR to Dolphin. I do not want to pay $150 to take Minnie Van one way.

 

[amalone1013]

THIS, also, helped, a LOT, with the wife and daughter: WDW Today Channel TV If you try to use it I found that I only got volume if I used the "View Full Screen Version". There is also an iOS download available... reviews seem mixed for that though.

D'oh, I should have chimed in with this! I didn't think of it the other day but I know DH likes to put this up at work

 

[BattyKoda]

D'oh, I should have chimed in with this! I didn't think of it the other day but I know DH likes to put this up at work

No worries... It was either work or surf for that link

 

[Dan Murphy]

We're going to be eating at Blue Zoo one night - will I be able to charge this to my room?

Yes

 

[Dave006]

So, what is your favorite way to get from MCO to Dolphin/Swan that seems the most like Disney transportation? I am sad to not be taking DME if we switch from CBR to Dolphin. I do not want to pay $150 to take Minnie Van one way.

All options would be cheaper then a Minnie Van. Favorite might not fit a ride from the airport but a Uber / Lyft would be the cheapest & direct.

You could also rent a car one-way and drop at the Dolphin for National & Alamo this would allow you to make a stop to pickup items for your vacation. Or you might want to do a little Outlet Mall shopping. You can drop your rental car from National / Alamo with the Dolphin valet.

Last option that I would pick is a Mears Shared Shuttle or individual SUV or luxury Van, pricing ranges from about $24 per person for the shared shuttle to about $112 private direct SUV / Van. You can reserve via the web and save a few dollars.

Dave

 

[louiesmom]

What time would you recommend leaving Swolphin to catch bus for MK EMM?

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

So, what is your favorite way to get from MCO to Dolphin/Swan that seems the most like Disney transportation? I am sad to not be taking DME if we switch from CBR to Dolphin. I do not want to pay $150 to take Minnie Van one way.

I was wondering this myself. Thank you for asking! We currently have a rental car booked for just our arrival day. We’ll be picking it up at MCO and then dropping it off at the rental car counter at the Dolphin. While I like the convenience of being able to stop and grab snacks or other essentials may have forgotten to pack, I’m not looking forward to driving. Just not very Magical, LOL.