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

[jlw3535]

We’re doing a split stay between the Grand Floridian and the Swan. I know Disney will handle luggage transfers between on-property hotels. Does this apply to the Swan as well?

Were doing Old Key West to the Swan - so Disney to Swan. Im wondering/Hoping something similar.

 

[Donald Duck888]

If anyone is looking at Swolphin for last week of May check your price. I’m seeing some nice looking AP rates- pre-taxes and fees $150 Dolphin, $175 Swan, $209 SR.

I also saw a big drop in the pricing for Dolphin AP deal rate for late June. It was kind of odd in that the nights around the 23rd were still at like $273 per night yet around the 29th they were as low as $151 per night. My guess is a convention released a bunch of rooms toward the very end of June. Swan and reserve are still relatively high around this time though.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Just modified my post-Thanksgiving stay for another $12/night savings, I love watching the price drop! We're down to about $335/night after fees (AP rate of course) which I'm perfectly happy to pay for a popular week. It's $80/night cheaper than POFQ which I have reserved as a pipe dream in case their renovation gets behind and we get moved to GF or something We were too slow to rent at Riviera this year but the points seemed much higher compared to last year anyways.

 

[hedberg1661]

Just heard from a friend that is at the Swalphin that the bus area at the Dolphin is being refurbished. If you want to take their bus you have to go over to the Swan for service. Headed down there myself next week so I will have to take a look and report back.

 

[SteveH]

@hedberg1661 - curious what else you might learn, if this is just normal refresh or if it might be a sign of Disney buses returning.

 

[AussieFan8]

@hedberg1661 - curious what else you might learn, if this is just normal refresh or if it might be a sign of Disney buses returning.

I would be so excited if that happened! Especially if they added the signs that show when the bus will arrive. That was one of the things we missed about the Disney resorts.

 

[WDW-WOW]

Is the Swan undergoing construction/renovations currently? A few recent Trip Advisor reviews mention noise. Heading there in one month and was considering changing my Dolphin reservation to the Swan but now second guessing. Thank you!

 

[hedberg1661]

@hedberg1661 - curious what else you might learn, if this is just normal refresh or if it might be a sign of Disney buses returning.

It would be great if they returned but if I had to venture a guess I would think this is just a normal refurb and not part of a larger implementation but we can always hope!

 

[SteveH]

It would be great if they returned but if I had to venture a guess I would think this is just a normal refurb and not part of a larger implementation but we can always hope!

I agree, its a wishful thinking. But maybe one of those amazing Disney bus drivers can spread some interesting stories

 

[hedberg1661]

I agree, its a wishful thinking. But maybe one of those amazing Disney bus drivers can spread some interesting stories

They always have good tales to tell.

On a serious note, I don't really find the bus from Swalphin to AK to be that much of an inconvenience as the distance to that lot and the regular busses is quite similar.

MK...well that's a another story.

 

[elvispursley]

Hi All! I'm thinking about switching our stay from POFQ to Swan (price is seriously negligible) but have a few questions.
1) Can a scooter be delivered ahead of our stay (we don't arrive to MCO until about 5:30pm) and left at Bell Services--note, we do NOT want to rent from ScooterBug

2) Do the buses have accessibility for scooter-users?

3) I've heard linking a Swolphin room to MDE can be tricky...what is the process??

TIA!!

 

[Disneydawg74]

Hi All! I'm thinking about switching our stay from POFQ to Swan (price is seriously negligible) but have a few questions.
1) Can a scooter be delivered ahead of our stay (we don't arrive to MCO until about 5:30pm) and left at Bell Services--note, we do NOT want to rent from ScooterBug

2) Do the buses have accessibility for scooter-users?

3) I've heard linking a Swolphin room to MDE can be tricky...what is the process??

TIA!!

I would say that most Swan busses didn’t accommodate drive on scooters.

 

[SteveH]

@elvispursley I responded in your other post, but including some of that info and to add here is a search for "scooter" in this thread. There are several good posts talking about the challenges.

Kelly Mack did a great article a few years ago called Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort Accessibility Review.

As for the Scooter delivery question I'd recommend reaching out directly to SDR via their Mobile App. Once you have the app you'll see "Text Us" in the upper right corner. I am pretty sure you can have them delivered without issue, they don't have contracts like Disney. But the text is a good way to double check.

For some the reservations fall off of MDE, if you save the information in a Notes or text file you can copy & paste to put it back in. It's been that way for a few years, but its pretty inconsistent - some users have issues others don't.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hi All! I'm thinking about switching our stay from POFQ to Swan (price is seriously negligible) but have a few questions.
1) Can a scooter be delivered ahead of our stay (we don't arrive to MCO until about 5:30pm) and left at Bell Services--note, we do NOT want to rent from ScooterBug

2) Do the buses have accessibility for scooter-users?

3) I've heard linking a Swolphin room to MDE can be tricky...what is the process??

TIA!!

Others drop at Swolphin Bell Services but not all. Your rental company of choice will be able to tell you specifically if they can drop at bell services at the hotel you pick.

Can’t answer the bus part as we stick to EP/DHS at Swolphin and split stay with a Disney resort for other parks.

The process is super easy, just type your Marriott confirmation number into the link page just like you would your Disney reservation. Only problem is it has a nasty habit of dropping at inconvenient times for random folks so wake up a bit early annd make sure it’s still linked if you’re after ILL’s. I had issues at one time because it wouldn’t work in the app so I had to use the website, idk if that’s still a quirk.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thoughts on a pool day at Dolphin? Are you able to order food and drinks at the pool or is it one of those things where they say you can but the reality is it’s basically impossible to do?

 

[champagne&disney]

Thoughts on a pool day at Dolphin? Are you able to order food and drinks at the pool or is it one of those things where they say you can but the reality is it’s basically impossible to do?

You definitely can! There is a QR code and each seat is labeled a number so they deliver it to your lounge chair.

 

[hedberg1661]

As for the Scooter delivery question I'd recommend reaching out directly to SDR via their Mobile App. Once you have the app you'll see "Text Us" in the upper right corner. I am pretty sure you can have them delivered without issue, they don't have contracts like Disney. But the text is a good way to double check.

As for the scooter drop off...I have used Buena Vista Scooter company and they drop off and pick up with no problem. FYI: a bit of a new policy but they no longer let you leave the scooters plugged in throughout the hallways overnight (or really anytime). You either have to store it in your room or you can bring it back down to the pickup location (just off the lobby) and park it for the evening.

For some the reservations fall off of MDE, if you save the information in a Notes or text file you can copy & paste to put it back in. It's been that way for a few years, but its pretty inconsistent - some users have issues others don't.

This happens to me ALL THE TIME. It's annoying but not a deal breaker. Pro Tip: check as early on your check in day to make sure it's still linked. Once I am on property for a day I rarely have issues.

 

[SteveH]

@hedberg1661 I'd never seen any scooters in the halls at S/D but happy they have that policy. I know it was an issue at some Disney resorts. My wife had to use a scooter on our WDW & DL trips in 19/20, sadly we didn't find good rates at S/D that year

 

[maxiesmom]

I would say that most Swan busses didn’t accommodate drive on scooters.

I don't agree. I've found most of them do. I guess it just depends on luck of the draw.

I'd like to know when they changed their policy on parking the scooters in the hallway. One of the things I like at the Swan is the giant area by the elevators with the plugs by the floor. They are perfect for charging your scooter, and you don't block the hallway.

 

[Disneydawg74]

I don't agree. I've found most of them do. I guess it just depends on luck of the draw.

I'd like to know when they changed their policy on parking the scooters in the hallway. One of the things I like at the Swan is the giant area by the elevators with the plugs by the floor. They are perfect for charging your scooter, and you don't block the hallway.

I’ve mostly used the Swan bus for AK and every time it’s a coach that requires you to go up the stairs (loads items underneath). I’m mobility impaired, but use a cane and not a scooter, so I can manage.