The *NEW* SWAN & DOLPHIN RESORT Thread ~ April 2009 ~ Please read Post #1!

[anbouk]

YES, MouseTeach. and Nancy.... Dan Murphy! He hasn't peeked around this new thread for the SandD Hotel. What a pleasant gentlemen, always helpful, he is missed! Hope all is well with him!

Mouse Teach....we will miss ya exactly one month, we'll be checking into the SandD on the 3rd of Sept!

Everyone's trips are coming up soon

[SingingMom]

Originally Posted by anbouk

Has SingingMom been around here, lately? She sure is missed! I bet she has a trip planned to her beloved Dolphin, soon!

I just found you!!!!!

Yes, we will be on our "four-peat" trip to the Dolphin in June... this year we are bringing my parents. I made dinner reservations and a preliminary itinerary, but that's as far as I've gotten. DD15 sophomore year has kept us quite busy over here - between school work and appearing in the ensemble for "Fiddler on the Roof".. After our annual Memorial Day weekend trip to the Ranch and confirmation, and finals.... MAYBE I'll get some time to pack!!

My parents haven't been to Disney in years, so they are looking forward to it. Mom isn't as mobile as Dad, so we might be either renting a scooter, or spending more time at the Grotto Pool than in previous trips!

Now that I found all of you, I'll be around! (thanks, Mom Poppins, for starting us up again! )

[Rafikifan]

We will be staying at the Swan over Thanksgiving and were thining of eating at GG for our Thanksgiving meal. Anyone done this? TIA.

[FINFAN]

Originally Posted by Rafikifan

We will be staying at the Swan over Thanksgiving and were thining of eating at GG for our Thanksgiving meal. Anyone done this? TIA.

Not over Thanksgving, but we ate Christmas dinner there a few years back. We did the buffet....DH loved the endless wine caraffe, characters were great, service was excellent, AND we had 20% off thru Orllando magic AND they also applied our AAA discount! We have also eaten the breakfast buffet there on another trip. We really like GG, we have not had a bad experience there yet. Enjoy your dinner!

[chell]

Our trip isn't until December but reading about the excitement from all of you as you get closer to your trips makes me excited for you. This will be the first time my other family members have stayed at the Swan. It really is a great resort and the location is pretty awesome too.

Hope this is okay to ask here. What planning tools do you all use? Do you use any spreadsheets? I've got a few that I use. I use one that lists everything I need by day that I cut out and put in one of the cheap flexible photo albums you can buy at dollar stores. I could take a picture of last years if anyone is interested. I'm asking because I could send you a copy of the spreadsheet if interested.

Just recently I learned most people don't make as many spreadsheets as I do. I make tons of spreadsheets. I even have them (since I know what I will eat where because of my likes, dislikes and allergies) to let me know what I will pay down to the penny by tax and tip for basically all meals.

I'd love to share with you guys or help make or fill out some for you. I'm a freak who loves Excel.

[ImprovGal]

Originally Posted by SHammett

Just booked a 1BR grand suite for next month and have a few questions....

1. What items are included in the kitchenette? Trying to plan if we could have cereal in the morning or microwave popcorn.

2. Does anyone know where these rooms are? I normally don't like to make room requests, but I did request a balcony. What are my chances? I did sign up online to be a SPG.

3. I have seen several pictures online and some seem to look different. Have the rooms been recently refurbished?

4. Does everyone in your party receive a room key like at the Disney hotels to use for EMH?

5. We normally stay at DVC resorts in the 1BR villas. How do these rooms compare in size?

Thanks so much!!!

Hi, I got upgraded to a Grand Suite at the Swan for a stay a couple of months ago.

1. The Grand parlor doesn't really have a kitchenette. It's a wet bar. It has a sink on an island and a refrigerator (there is also a fridge in the attached bedroom. There aren't any appliances like a microwave.

2. I don't know how many rooms have a balcony. The one I got didn't have one.

3. The Swan rooms have been recently refurbished.

4. You'll get a room key for each person booked into the room. They have the Swan and Dolphin resorts pictured on them and are recognized by EMH CMs.

5. I think the Grand parlor is larger than the living room I've seen in BCV 1br units but I'm not certain. I haven't seen an OKW 1br so I can't compare to that. These aren't home-away-from home condo villas with laundry, stove, etc. like the DVC units are. These rooms are more a sort of hospitality sort of suite and I really prefer the decor (of the refurbished rooms, anyway). Also, while the bathroom in the parlor has a beautiful marble decor, there's just a regular bathtub and not a jet tub like DVC 1br's have.

[Deb0323]

Originally Posted by Mouseteacher

anbouk~You may thinking of Dan Murphy.

We made our dining ressies this past week!

We had to wait the 90 days for each date we wanted because we are staying at the Swan but I got them all in (July 29-August 3). Time is coming closer for our trip!

When I booked my ADR's for last year's trip at the Dolphin, I was able to do the 90 + 10. Have they recently done away with that for Swan and Dolphin guests, or did I unintentionally get away with something sneaky last year?

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by chell

Our trip isn't until December but reading about the excitement from all of you as you get closer to your trips makes me excited for you. This will be the first time my other family members have stayed at the Swan. It really is a great resort and the location is pretty awesome too.

Hope this is okay to ask here. What planning tools do you all use? Do you use any spreadsheets? I've got a few that I use. I use one that lists everything I need by day that I cut out and put in one of the cheap flexible photo albums you can buy at dollar stores. I could take a picture of last years if anyone is interested. I'm asking because I could send you a copy of the spreadsheet if interested.

Just recently I learned most people don't make as many spreadsheets as I do. I make tons of spreadsheets. I even have them (since I know what I will eat where because of my likes, dislikes and allergies) to let me know what I will pay down to the penny by tax and tip for basically all meals.

I'd love to share with you guys or help make or fill out some for you. I'm a freak who loves Excel.

I don't know how to make a spreadsheet, and have never felt the need to be that detailed! I've been to WDW so often that I pretty much wing it. I spend most of my time at Epcot - at least the afternoons/evenings when Off Kilter plays.

[rstanley]

I just posted this as an indiviual thread without realizing this thread existed...hopefully someone subscribed to this thread can help...

Last year we stayed at the Poly, Me, DH, DS12, DD7...This year we are staying at the Dolphin (considerably less expensive) but I have some questions since it isn't a Disney owned hotel.

Is the large Grotto pool as warm as the other Disney hotels?

When I make dining reservations can I make them for my entire stay 90 days from the first day of my trip...or is that a Disney hotel only feature?

Which Dolphin and Swan restaurants do I need to make reservations to and how far in advance? Can I make reservations through the Disney dining number?

Are there any other benefits to staying on property even though it's not Disney owned?

Thanks,
Robin

[SHammett]

Thanks improvgal!

[Mouseteacher]

Originally Posted by rstanley

I just posted this as an indiviual thread without realizing this thread existed...hopefully someone subscribed to this thread can help...

Last year we stayed at the Poly, Me, DH, DS12, DD7...This year we are staying at the Dolphin (considerably less expensive) but I have some questions since it isn't a Disney owned hotel.

Is the large Grotto pool as warm as the other Disney hotels?

When I make dining reservations can I make them for my entire stay 90 days from the first day of my trip...or is that a Disney hotel only feature?

Which Dolphin and Swan restaurants do I need to make reservations to and how far in advance? Can I make reservations through the Disney dining number?

Are there any other benefits to staying on property even though it's not Disney owned?

Thanks,
Robin

The Grotto pool is a tad cooler because of the waterfall. However, we go in the middle of the summer so the pool is quite refreshing. The quiet/lap pools are quite warm.

I just made my dining reservations and I could do it 90 days out from each date of the ressie I wanted. We are dining at Shula's and Blue Zoo,too, so I called the S/D directly to book these.

One huge benefit: Location, location, location!...or is that 3!
Next benefit: A deluxe resort as a great price.

[anbouk]

Originally Posted by SingingMom

I just found you!!!!!

Yes, we will be on our "four-peat" trip to the Dolphin in June... this year we are bringing my parents. I made dinner reservations and a preliminary itinerary, but that's as far as I've gotten. DD15 sophomore year has kept us quite busy over here - between school work and appearing in the ensemble for "Fiddler on the Roof".. After our annual Memorial Day weekend trip to the Ranch and confirmation, and finals.... MAYBE I'll get some time to pack!!

My parents haven't been to Disney in years, so they are looking forward to it. Mom isn't as mobile as Dad, so we might be either renting a scooter, or spending more time at the Grotto Pool than in previous trips!

Now that I found all of you, I'll be around! (thanks, Mom Poppins, for starting us up again! )

OMG...SingingMom so glad to see you have come back to our beloved S&D boards (THANKS MPoppins for starting this up again! )
I see you have a trip coming up real soon! LUCKY U! That will be fun taking along your Mom and Dad...ahh cherished memories! Looks like we will be at the Dolphin thru Labor Day weekend....can't wait, but I don't want to wish my summer away . Did you set up any resssies, eaten at BlueZoo? recommendations? See ya around, now!

[chell]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

I don't know how to make a spreadsheet, and have never felt the need to be that detailed! I've been to WDW so often that I pretty much wing it. I spend most of my time at Epcot - at least the afternoons/evenings when Off Kilter plays.

For me it is just part of the fun of planning. I love spreadsheets.

[mamagoose]

We're staying at the Dolphin next month, and I'm wondering if we are able to use the minibar as a fridge? OR is there any chance the Dolphin is going the way of the Swan and replacing the minibars with a fridge?

Also, simply out of curiosity, the Swan is advertised as having an "a la carte" mini refrigerator service. What type of service is this??

[SideshowBob]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

I don't know how to make a spreadsheet, and have never felt the need to be that detailed! I've been to WDW so often that I pretty much wing it. I spend most of my time at Epcot - at least the afternoons/evenings when Off Kilter plays.

That's our Cate!