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

[sophy1996]

What did you see when you looked outside? Looks like you would be facing the lake/Epcot resorts?

It was toward Hollywood Studios. And looking at these pictures, probably closer to the circled area than I remembered. I didn’t even remember the big round roof at all! Just seeing the ToT and the fireworks.

 

[patty57]

I have an upcoming BCV studio rental from March 31-April 4. Just realized that Epcot has late night hours on April 4, so thought I would grab a S/D room for April 4th. No check-ins on the 4th.

 

[4orm]

When walking to the International Gateway from the Dolphin, do you walk from the lobby or is it possible to leave from the East wing at ground level?

 

[Tess]

I have an upcoming BCV studio rental from March 31-April 4. Just realized that Epcot has late night hours on April 4, so thought I would grab a S/D room for April 4th. No check-ins on the 4th.

Bummer! On Cheap Tickets there are a fair number of the Disney Springs area hotels with vacancy for one night. Wouldn't be too much of a challenge to get out that way at the end of the Evening Hours event.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Does anyone have the experience of thinking you wouldn’t like the Swan/Dolphin and you ended up loving it? I feel like I would like it, but my husband is really into Disney that I’m afraid he won’t have the full Disney experience there.

 

[Wells Larsen]

Does anyone have the experience of thinking you wouldn’t like the Swan/Dolphin and you ended up loving it? I feel like I would like it, but my husband is really into Disney that I’m afraid he won’t have the full Disney experience there.

This is obviously my own (and possible a contentious) opinion, but I would much rather have the nicer room than the Disney theming.

 

[jlundeen]

Does anyone have the experience of thinking you wouldn’t like the Swan/Dolphin and you ended up loving it? I feel like I would like it, but my husband is really into Disney that I’m afraid he won’t have the full Disney experience there.

This is obviously my own (and possible a contentious) opinion, but I would much rather have the nicer room than the Disney theming.

Really, there isn't very much Disney Theming left in the Deluxe rooms.... a few hidden Mickeys, but not much else in the rooms. The Values' theming is a bit over-the-top for me, so I appreciate the nicer cleaner styling.

I usually am a Yacht Club die-hard, but this next trip will be staying in Dolphin with friends, so I'm looking forward to trying it.

 

[SteveH]

When walking to the International Gateway from the Dolphin, do you walk from the lobby or is it possible to leave from the East wing at ground level?

Similar question came up in late February you can find the original post here and then see the follow up discussions, but yes from what was shared it appears you can exit out the door but not enter.

This is obviously my own (and possible a contentious) opinion, but I would much rather have the nicer room than the Disney theming.

You won't get the Disney theming, but as mentioned very little is really left in the rooms. On the plus side you can save a lot of money over most Disney Deluxe rooms, and IMHO the beds at S/D are way better. But really only you can decide. I would say most 1st times come away really liking it, but not all some want to pay more to stay in a DIsney hotel. For me I get the location, a lower price (most of the time) and other benefits. Other then the Poly & CR I'm not sure you really see that much theming in any Disney rooms lately - they stripped that out a few years ago

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Really, there isn't very much Disney Theming left in the Deluxe rooms.... a few hidden Mickeys, but not much else in the rooms. The Values' theming is a bit over-the-top for me, so I appreciate the nicer cleaner styling.

I usually am a Yacht Club die-hard, but this next trip will be staying in Dolphin with friends, so I'm looking forward to trying it.

Thank you. We have never stayed at a Deluxe before. I stayed at CBR many years ago, and we stayed at CSR and my husband loved it. I am just concerned about the lack of Disney, but like you are saying, there isn’t much Disney left anyway.

 

[SteveH]

@Once.Upon.A.Time we stayed at CSR before our first Dolphin trip, I really loved CSR and the pool. Personally I enjoyed the food market place but I generally go for things a beyond the normal mickey waffles for breakfast and CSR fit that bill great. But once you see the pool at SD you will love it, and once they are done with the new addition with a couple water slides I think it will be THE pool to go to on Disney property. We've had several stays at S/D between then and our last trip was at FQ - as prices for S/D at the time were higher. While I loved it, the location/transportation aspect of S/D is hands down what makes it the best choice. You can walk/boat to Epcot/DHS, you can't do that at any other moderate though with CBR you do have the Skyliner now. But you're getting the location and a deluxe property at more Disney Moderate prices. Have fun no matter what you choose.

 

[HerRoyalHighness]

This is obviously my own (and possible a contentious) opinion, but I would much rather have the nicer room than the Disney theming.

I'm looking forward to being in the area over a particular hotel. But I do appreciate a nice room, too.

 

[HerRoyalHighness]

If we're looking at buying magic bands anyway...where are the most convenient locations? I assume the other boardwalk area hotel gift shops? Does Screen Door have them?

 

[CarolynFH]

If we're looking at buying magic bands anyway...where are the most convenient locations? I assume the other boardwalk area hotel gift shops? Does Screen Door have them?

Yes, the Screen Door has them, and I'm certain that the gift shops at Y&B will too.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If we're looking at buying magic bands anyway...where are the most convenient locations? I assume the other boardwalk area hotel gift shops? Does Screen Door have them?

I would think that the Disney Cabanas store at the Swan and the Disney Gift Shop at the Dolphin would carry MB's also.

 

[lowlight]

For those that book with points, is Swan Reserve’s point room 4 plus baby or solid 4 occupancy? I’ve only stayed at Swan and Dolphin. Thanks.

 

[Goofy4]

Does anyone have the experience of thinking you wouldn’t like the Swan/Dolphin and you ended up loving it? I feel like I would like it, but my husband is really into Disney that I’m afraid he won’t have the full Disney experience there.

Didn't like the Swan the first time. Did it again many years later, and loved it.

If you have any type of view I think you will be fine. We took the lowest priced option the first time around. The room was much smaller, no view, and it wasn't "Disney". This time around I would have been happy either way, as long as I wasn't looking at nothing.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

Didn't like the Swan the first time. Did it again many years later, and loved it.

If you have any type of view I think you will be fine. We took the lowest priced option the first time around. The room was much smaller, no view, and it wasn't "Disney". This time around I would have been happy either way, as long as I wasn't looking at nothing.

Thank you. I am definitely considering it now.

 

[zillayen]

Does anyone have the experience of thinking you wouldn’t like the Swan/Dolphin and you ended up loving it? I feel like I would like it, but my husband is really into Disney that I’m afraid he won’t have the full Disney experience there.

We’ve stayed YC and Contemporary several times and really liked the Dolphin. It helps that the rooms are huge and we could afford to book adjoining rooms so we had a ton of space. We didn’t really miss the theming.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Just wondering if people are still having Genie+ problems with booking when staying at SD? People have said it doesn't recognize your stay and needs refreshing I believe.

 

[SteveH]

For those that book with points, is Swan Reserve’s point room 4 plus baby or solid 4 occupancy? I’ve only stayed at Swan and Dolphin. Thanks.

Points or cash it doesn't matter, SR is 4 same as Swan, the Dolphin is the only one that allows 5, its listed here on the Traditional Room page. This is based on square footage, SR rooms are the smallest of the 3 at 330sq ft while Dolphin is 360sq ft.