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

[Sandi]

@Nursemanit @happ @Best Aunt @Sandi @GoofyDad_4427
Never had an issue at SDR, but on a work trip I ran into this at another Marriott branded property and the result was a huge pain in my you know what. Normally, they want room #, last name and signature. But Covid brought a lot of changes that were not all best for security. In my case they had my last name and room #, but the signature didn't match. From what I found out was they probably looked at my folio the day before and tried the signature. They had a large group as it was an expensive breakfast. An employee that served me confirmed I ate either alone or with a couple others but always paid separate (work trip). Two things I learned, never leave the folio - take it to the counter or find an employee. I've also stopped charging to my room and use my CC. Easier to fight with the CC company then with a hotel.

I edited my earlier response to clarify that we provided our name and room number when charging to the room. It wasn't like we were just saying charge to room XXXX. I'm sorry that I was not clear before. Nevertheless, we have not had any problems, but I always check my folio to be sure there aren't unusual charges.

 

[Clemsonsarah]

We’re excited to be heading down in two weeks! We arrive on a Saturday and have Raglan Road booked that evening. Since the busses aren’t Disney, would it be better to take a bus from Boardwalk or Yacht Club to Disney Springs?

We’ll have cars, so could drive, but I saw pictures of some sort of long security line in one of the parking garages the other day and want to avoid that if possible. I know Saturdays are busy.

Thanks for any insights!

 

[Mousetopia]

I am wondering it the fridge in the basic rooms at the Swan have the little freeze compartment and if a bottle of water will fit in there?

 

[tink7736]

I am wondering it the fridge in the basic rooms has the little freeze compartment and if a bottle of water will fit in there?

No there is no freezer compartment.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am wondering it the fridge in the basic rooms has the little freeze compartment and if a bottle of water will fit in there?

No freezer; water bottle will fit in the fridge.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...s-information-questions.3264274/post-63838114

 

[Mousetopia]

No freezer; water bottle will fit in the fridge.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...s-information-questions.3264274/post-63838114

thanks!

 

[maxiesmom]

Heads up for anyone with a balcony reserved at the Swan. My sister and I had connecting balcony view rooms at the Swan, and mine had a giant sticker on it saying the balcony was closed for maintenance. I am someone who likes sitting outside, so I just used hers. But it was still a bit of a bummer, I obviously couldn't go out when it was really early or late and wake her and her husband up. So if a balcony is important to you, double check it before you unpack or go to the parks.

 

[tink7736]

Heads up for anyone with a balcony reserved at the Swan. My sister and I had connecting balcony view rooms at the Swan, and mine had a giant sticker on it saying the balcony was closed for maintenance. I am someone who likes sitting outside, so I just used hers. But it was still a bit of a bummer, I obviously couldn't go out when it was really early or late and wake her and her husband up. So if a balcony is important to you, double check it before you unpack or go to the parks.

What a bummer I hope you are getting comped for that. I too have to have a balcony as I like sitting outside. Have you noticed if they have put the balconies back on the Dolphin that they took off a month ago, the ones facing Epcot? The East side?

 

[maxiesmom]

What a bummer I hope you are getting comped for that. I too have to have a balcony as I like sitting outside. Have you noticed if they have put the balconies back on the Dolphin that they took off a month ago, the ones facing Epcot? The East side?

They were still working on pulling them all down as of 10 days ago.

 

[tink7736]

They were still working on pulling them all down as of 10 days ago.

We have a reservation in a few weeks, now I'm hesitant to stay there.

 

[farfaraway]

We’re excited to be heading down in two weeks! We arrive on a Saturday and have Raglan Road booked that evening. Since the busses aren’t Disney, would it be better to take a bus from Boardwalk or Yacht Club to Disney Springs?

We’ll have cars, so could drive, but I saw pictures of some sort of long security line in one of the parking garages the other day and want to avoid that if possible. I know Saturdays are busy.

Thanks for any insights!

We bus from BW to DS and it was fine. WE also took an Uber once and it was fine too-it drops/picks up at a different location than the buses. We had no issues with either way.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Man what a resort fee and parking fee sticker shock that I just got. I was looking at the Dolphin (Swans booked) and saw the resort rates and was excited until I added the additional fees and it made the nightly rate rise almost $80 more per night Still have not eliminated them, but I went from definitely booking, to will do some more looking. LOL

 

[stinkpickle]

Man what a resort fee and parking fee sticker shock that I just got. I was looking at the Dolphin (Swans booked) and saw the resort rates and was excited until I added the additional fees and it made the nightly rate rise almost $80 more per night Still have not eliminated them, but I went from definitely booking, to will do some more looking. LOL

And even with the fees, those prices rarely come close to BW, YC, and BC rates. Yikes!

 

[mickey916]

Man what a resort fee and parking fee sticker shock that I just got. I was looking at the Dolphin (Swans booked) and saw the resort rates and was excited until I added the additional fees and it made the nightly rate rise almost $80 more per night Still have not eliminated them, but I went from definitely booking, to will do some more looking. LOL

Even with the fees, my December trip at the Swan is cheaper than the same dates at POFQ. I'm just staying one night at POFQ because Swan was sold out that night.

 

[Salf777]

For those who are Bon Voy members see the attached article from The Points Guy. Apparently part of the “resort fee” includes WiFi/internet access which as a Bon Voy member is supposed to be a perk. The article says that since your paying the resort fee and therefore paying for WiFi the hotel should somehow compensate you for that. It says most hotels don’t know this but I looked it up in the Bon Voy terms (he tells you where). Don’t know if this will actually work or help anyone but figured I would share

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/marr...KsYQg8VteEQelQZWSIicEjUmRXr3j7Pq4g99dzDmrZfgQ

 

[Southernswthrt]

How do I get to the bus stop at the YC or BW? Do you have to pass thru the lobbies? Wondering how that works when returning from the parks late if we're staying at the Dolphin and want to take the bus to one of the neighboring resorts.

 

[Dan Murphy]

How do I get to the bus stop at the YC or BW? Do you have to pass thru the lobbies? Wondering how that works when returning from the parks late if we're staying at the Dolphin and want to take the bus to one of the neighboring resorts.

For the BW, off the bus, stay on the sidewalk to the pool area, walk through there to the walkway heading to S/D. Hope the links here work.

https://goo.gl/maps/qJxK1Yqd2Z9zrmNd7

For YC, walk through the lobby.

https://goo.gl/maps/tzo7PwWXgCyXoAw97

 

[SteveH]

@Southernswthrt they really honestly don't care. But, even if they did, you are doing nothing wrong. I posted about this some time ago, but it still applies today.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

And even with the fees, those prices rarely come close to BW, YC, and BC rates. Yikes!

I barely even look at the deluxe resorts anymore, we do not find them to be worth for us, that is why we looked at Dolphin. I found POR with discount for about $70 less than the Dolphin with parking + queen beds, but not all the dates we need. We may have to do a split stay, which we really do not like doing anymore, but we will see I find the resort fee a big ripoff because we are paying for items we will not use. We do not use the gym and I do not use free wi-fi and I always bring my own mi-fi with us to use.

 

[Dan Murphy]

For the BW, off the bus, stay on the sidewalk to the pool area, walk through there to the walkway heading to S/D. Hope the links here work.

https://goo.gl/maps/qJxK1Yqd2Z9zrmNd7

For YC, walk through the lobby.

https://goo.gl/maps/tzo7PwWXgCyXoAw97

Those links really don't show today what I was trying to show.