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

[hedberg1661]

My reservation confirmation says check in at the Cabana bar starting at 9 am

For the cabana yes. The bar and food service won't start until 11am.

 

[Gitelfor]

...

 

[Gitelfor]

Swan and Dolphin poolside cabana info:

https://swandolphin.com/activities/poolside-cabanas/
From above link from Swan and Dolphin:

What’s the difference between the Grotto Cabanas and the Swan Cabanas?
Locations. Grotto Cabanas are located in the Dolphin facing the grotto waterfall and the Swan Cabanas are located in the Swan facing lab pool.

A lab pool sounds somewhat concerning.

 

[Gitelfor]

Review of the Dolphin from Katie P./Kenny the Pirate

Photo of Mears Swan/Dolphin parks bus:

Photo credit: Kenny the Pirate

It's interesting to note that the Swan Reserve's name is on the bus; so, presumably, there will be pick up/drop off there, as well.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Review of the Dolphin from Katie P./Kenny the Pirate

Photo of Mears Swan/Dolphin parks bus:
View attachment 574798
Photo credit: Kenny the Pirate

It's interesting to note that the Swan Reserve's name is on the bus; so, presumably, there will be pick up/drop off there, as well.

I wonder if the fact they repainted the bus is an indication that they expect the relationship (Mears buses servicing the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve) to continue well into the future. The hopes of some that the Disney buses would return after a one-year absence may be misplaced.

 

[Gitelfor]

I wonder if the fact they repainted the bus is an indication that they expect the relationship (Mears buses servicing the Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve) to continue well into the future. The hopes of some that the Disney buses would return after a one-year absence may be misplaced.

I had the same thought, especially since the Reserve is not accepting check-ins till September.

 

[Dave006]

Hmm not really repainting of the buses. It is just a wrap that can be removed rather quickly. It made sense to add the wrap to clearly identity the buses since guests were having trouble locating them at the parks.

We will simply have to wait until fall to see what changes if anything concerning whether Disney bus service will return to the Swan & Dolphin and the new Swan Reserve.

Dave

 

[Scalemaster34]

Is anyone complaining about the service to Marriot? If you didn't know better, would you know that S&D buses use to mix in with Disney's and how big a deal it makes going to MK? (AK not really so much)

How many are crossing over to use WDW Transportation at the nearby resorts? My guess is it's a tiny percentage of guest doing this.

In the end Marriot needs to feel pressure from guest or Disney.... and I'm not sure they are right now.

 

[VeronicaZS]

Does the Swalphin offer a discount on multiple rooms? I thought I saw an offer one for some percentage off a second room but I can't seem to find it now. Does that offer exist and/or is it a seasonal thing?
Thanks!

 

[jbock]

Does anyone know: if I want to connect a balcony room to an alcove room if I need to also book an alcove with balcony room? Any advice? We don’t necessarily need to have connected rooms but would like to be nearby to each other. This last trip had two alcove rooms on opposite ends of the hallway. Thanks everyone

I would call them. They have suites that are alcove or premium studio room w/ a connected room (or rooms to get to 3br/3ba) - you end up spending less than 2 rooms / night, plus you only pay one resort fee as opposed to 2. (And you're assured connected rooms then obviously.)

 

[Dave006]

Yes it is for a Family Plan. A King bed room connecting to a 2 Queen bed room. It is best to call directly. The discount is often 50% on the second room.

Local: 407-934-4000
Reservations: 1-888-828-8850

Dave

 

[SMRT-1]

Hmm not really repainting of the buses. It is just a wrap that can be removed rather quickly. It made sense to add the wrap to clearly identity the buses since guests were having trouble locating them at the parks.

We will simply have to wait until fall to see what changes if anything concerning whether Disney bus service will return to the Swan & Dolphin and the new Swan Reserve.

Dave

And they also serve as rolling billboard advertising for Swalphin, which could explain why Swan Reserve is on there. I agree that, while Mears could very well be long-term, I don't know that we can assume the bus wraps are a definitive indication of that.

 

[swummyh20]

I would call them. They have suites that are alcove or premium studio room w/ a connected room (or rooms to get to 3br/3ba) - you end up spending less than 2 rooms / night, plus you only pay one resort fee as opposed to 2. (And you're assured connected rooms then obviously.)

This is great. Thank you!

 

[tjd1925]

Has anyone booked Swan Reserve and successfully linked the reservation to MDE?

I've called twice now and Disney can't fix the problem, they say they can't find the reservation.

Any suggestions?

 

[Gitelfor]

Has anyone booked Swan Reserve and successfully linked the reservation to MDE?

I've called twice now and Disney can't fix the problem, they say they can't find the reservation.

Any suggestions?

If you booked through Marriott or directly on the phone with the Swan Reserve, you need to call the in-house reservations dept. for the resorts, not Disney. The in-house reservations dept. will resubmit the confirmation number to Disney. Allow up to 72 hours to link, but it usually goes thru faster. Call during normal business hours (not before 9:00 AM, nor after about 5:00 PM EDT).
Phone: (888) 828-8850

If you booked thru another channel, you probably need to contact them.

 

[Dave006]

Has anyone booked Swan Reserve and successfully linked the reservation to MDE?

I've called twice now and Disney can't fix the problem, they say they can't find the reservation.

Any suggestions?

The Swan Reserve is not yet ready for the Disney system. Someone else had this exact issue a few weeks ago. They spoke to the Swan & Dolphin in-house reservations and were told that it should be ready by June. But as @Gitefor posted above you can always call the Swan & Dolphin in-house reservations team to see exactly when they will actually be ready to push the Swan Reserve reservations to Disney's reservation system.

Dave

 

[SteveH]

A lab pool sounds somewhat concerning.

I've found a dozen or so of incorrect words like that, I reported a few of them several weeks ago - no reply and still not fixed.

 

[susieb16]

I am booked at the Dolphin in June with an amazing rate, but I am concerned over the multitude of negative reviews I am seeing. I absolutely love this area and Beach Club is nearly 4x the price. Should I ignore the negative reviews and take a chance or search for Disney owned accommodations at a potentially less ideal location?

 

[NMAmy]

Thank you. I can report back that if you arrive before 9, no one is able to assist because a manager is needed. We went back to the bar at 9, and we were told that the manager was elsewhere and she needed to be the one to assist. After listening to a 5 year old complain to me about how boring this was and why couldn't we go swimming now, etc, the bartender cracked and gave me our cabana number. The manager swung by about a half hour after we had settled in. Everyone was really nice but it was an issue that no one but the manager was apparently supposed to escort guests to the cabanas but was not available to do that.

 

[Best Aunt]

I am booked at the Dolphin in June with an amazing rate, but I am concerned over the multitude of negative reviews I am seeing. I absolutely love this area and Beach Club is nearly 4x the price. Should I ignore the negative reviews and take a chance or search for Disney owned accommodations at a potentially less ideal location?

I haven't been to the Dolphin lately so I can't speak to conditions there.

But if you start searching, you will find negative reviews for any Disney owned hotel (including the Beach Club).

Actually, if you start searching, you will find negative reviews for any hotel anywhere.

Sometimes people post a review because they have strong feelings, and someone who is unhappy might be someone who has strong feelings. People who had a perfectly good experience often will not take the time and energy to post.