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

[Dan Murphy]

Hopefully this isn't too off topic, but what restaurants in the Swan / Dolphin / Boardwalk area are peoples faves for a nice sit down breakfast? Want an easy morning on our first day. We'll be at the Dolphin, but don't mind going anywhere else that's walkable.

I always enjoy Fresh Mediterranean for at least one breakfast.

Fresh Menu from Deb's site

 

[SteveH]

Hopefully this isn't too off topic, but what restaurants in the Swan / Dolphin / Boardwalk area are peoples faves for a nice sit down breakfast? Want an easy morning on our first day. We'll be at the Dolphin, but don't mind going anywhere else that's walkable.

For us Picabu hit the spot pre-covid, at the time they had a make your own omelette station, cook took our order and the omelettes were great.

You're question was 100% on topic for this group too, ask away!

We are getting ready to book the dolphin for my family of 5. (3 kids) However, I am still kinda on the fence. We are using points for the room so we have other options but the appeal here is the extra evening hours and location of the Dolphin. Can anyone give me some recent stay feedback on the standard rooms? Were they clean? Some other sites say it’s not the cleanest rooms, mold, bugs….. etc but I know this board can give me true feedback.

From time to time you'll find a room that needs some extra TLC, but IMHO the review sites like TripAdvisor are way off. We've never had a room that wasn't clean, if you get something like that request a change. If you scroll back through this huge thread you really won't find many comments like some review sites. That said, Covid has been a challenge and getting back on to regular cleaning will help. For us, I wouldn't hesitate to stay again (and again, and again).

 

[Saad]

Does the dolphin have in room / on site laundry / dry cleaning? How does it work?

 

[SteveH]

@Saad, earlier this month @TexanInTheMidwest shared this info on laundry. As for dry cleaning, you might want to download the Swan Dolphin Mobile App and click on I'm On Property, Text Us! and see if they are currently offering Dry Cleaning. As a business hotel I assume they are, but good idea to double check if you need that.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

@Saad, earlier this month @TexanInTheMidwest shared this info on laundry. As for dry cleaning, you might want to download the Swan Dolphin Mobile App and click on I'm On Property, Text Us! and see if they are currently offering Dry Cleaning. As a business hotel I assume they are, but good idea to double check if you need that.

@Saad - Since a dry cleaning ticket was in my room (and it wasn't in May 2021) I am guessing they are doing drycleaning - scroll down to the bottom of this post I made: https://www.disboards.com/threads/walt-disney-world-swan-dolphin-swan-reserve-resorts-information-questions.3264274/page-871#post-63759496 and there is a photo of the dry cleaning ticket left in my room - it says they need things by 8:30 AM for same day.....

But, as @SteveH Said, you can text them through the app and ask.

 

[ezma]

Checked into the Dolphin this afternoon. Front desk asked if I wanted daily housekeeping, which included “tightening the bed” and refreshing supplies.

If you don’t mind me asking are they going to charge you for this Service? We are going in May and this will be our first time staying at the the Dolphin. We love this area we have always stayed at either the Yacht or Beach. But like everybody else refuse to pay $$$$$!! Please report back about your stay and have a great time!!

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

If you don’t mind me asking are they going to charge you for this Service? We are going in May and this will be our first time staying at the the Dolphin. We love this area we have always stayed at either the Yacht or Beach. But like everybody else refuse to pay $$$$$!! Please report back about your stay and have a great time!!

I was there earlier this month and there was no additional charge for daily tidying up....

 

[disneyfan150]

Despite being a rope dropper, I always have breakfast at least one day at Trattoria al Forno at the Boardwalk (usually on my Epcot morning).

This is their breakfast pizza - could easily feed two and it's only $14.00! Here's their menu: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/trattoria-al-forno/menus/

View attachment 650432

Thank you for the picture! I kept reading about breakfast pizza and wondered about it.

 

[ezma]

I was there earlier this month and there was no additional charge for daily tidying up....

Thanks!!

 

[georgina]

Hopefully this isn't too off topic, but what restaurants in the Swan / Dolphin / Boardwalk area are peoples faves for a nice sit down breakfast? Want an easy morning on our first day. We'll be at the Dolphin, but don't mind going anywhere else that's walkable.

Lots of options, several already mentioned. Another possibility is Ale & Compass at the YC. We had breakfast there on our checkout day, then hung out at the Swan/Dolphin pool until it was time to head to the airport.

 

[jlundeen]

Hello Swolphin lovers....

Currently working on plans for a mid-December 2022 trip - wondering if there is an updated spot for current info.... I looked at the first page and saw this:

Dolphin guests enjoy full use of all of the WDW transportation services. The buses and boats start picking up resort guests about 6:30 AM, for early dining reservations at the parks. Buses run directly from the front of the hotel to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Downtown Springs (Marketplace, West Side and The Landing), Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach. Some of the buses service only Swan and Dolphin resorts; others service the Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club as well.

...but I remember when Disney had some differences with Dolphin/Swan, that buses were not running directly to/from MK & AK from the resorts.

Also, does Mear's Connect drop/pick up at Dolphin?

I'm bound to have many additional questions since I have not stayed at Dolphin since the millennium celebration in 1999-2000, and I really doubt much of what I can even remember is current.

Point me in another direction if there is a good FAQ spot....

Thanks!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Ale & Compass

Good buffet is back now. Slightly different from a 'regular' buffet.

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022...ed-to-ale-compass-restaurant-in-disney-world/

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hello Swolphin lovers....

Currently working on plans for a mid-December 2022 trip - wondering if there is an updated spot for current info.... I looked at the first page and saw this:

...but I remember when Disney had some differences with Dolphin/Swan, that buses were not running directly to/from MK & AK from the resorts.

Also, does Mear's Connect drop/pick up at Dolphin?

I'm bound to have many additional questions since I have not stayed at Dolphin since the millennium celebration in 1999-2000, and I really doubt much of what I can even remember is current.

Point me in another direction if there is a good FAQ spot....

Thanks!!!

If you are picking up some of that information from the OP, jlundeen, know that some of it is out of date. I am waiting for a time for things to shake out, hopefully after the pandemic settles down more and the bugs and 'opening stuff' is behind them at the Reserve. I will probably start a new S/D/R thread sometime in the coming months, hopefully all updated.

S/D/R use Mears buses for MK and AK.

Mears Connect does go to S/D/R.

Good FAQ, the S/D/R site

https://swandolphin.com/

Also Points Guy

https://thepointsguy.com/news/swan-dolphin-walt-disney-world/

Old, but maybe worth a listen

http://www.squarefeettours.com/swan-and-dolphin-resort.html

The app is great. Just indicate that you are on the property

https://swandolphin.com/more/mobile-app/

And then this thread, just ask away.

 

[FireflyFi]

Despite being a rope dropper, I always have breakfast at least one day at Trattoria al Forno at the Boardwalk (usually on my Epcot morning).

This is their breakfast pizza - could easily feed two and it's only $14.00! Here's their menu: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/trattoria-al-forno/menus/

View attachment 650432

Good buffet is back now. Slightly different from a 'regular' buffet.

https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2022...ed-to-ale-compass-restaurant-in-disney-world/

That breakfast pizza looks incredible! But...a buffet with cheddar biscuits and sausage gravy? now I'm torn! lol

Thank you everyone for the responses

 

[jlundeen]

If you are picking up some of that information from the OP, jlundeen, know that some of it is out of date. I am waiting for a time for things to shake out, hopefully after the pandemic settles down more and the bugs and 'opening stuff' is behind them at the Reserve. I will probably start a new S/D/R thread sometime in the coming months, hopefully all updated.

S/D/R use Mears buses for MK and AK.

Mears Connect does go to S/D/R.

Good FAQ, the S/D/R site

https://swandolphin.com/

Also Points Guy

https://thepointsguy.com/news/swan-dolphin-walt-disney-world/

Old, but maybe worth a listen

http://www.squarefeettours.com/swan-and-dolphin-resort.html

The app is great. Just indicate that you are on the property

https://swandolphin.com/more/mobile-app/

And then this thread, just ask away.

Thanks, Dan.

Where is the drop off point for MK and AK buses to parks? Someone told me it's the TTC for MK? Is that correct?

 

[luvallprincesses]

As a point of data, I did online check in yesterday (Thursday) for my Dolphin stay that starts tomorrow (Saturday). My reservation has been attached to MDE for months. This morning it was gone. I had to relink it.

Could you follow up with info if your reservation stayed linked for each morning once you relinked it on Friday? (And I wonder if this is due to the online check in or if it would have happened if you checked in in person…)

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks, Dan.

Where is the drop off point for MK and AK buses to parks? Someone told me it's the TTC for MK? Is that correct?

That is correct. Another option is to walk over to either the BW or YC and use a regular Disney bus. For AK, the drop off is at the Uber/Lyft area, which is actually a bit closer than the Disney bus depot area.

 

[stitchfan18]

I was finally able to talk with someone in the reservation department at the S/D about upgrade costs on our points reservation. We aren’t traveling until marathon weekend next January, so still quite a ways off. We currently have booked a standard No view room at the Reserve. I was quoted $240/night for the No view 1 bedroom suite, $265/night for pool/HS view, or $285/night for Epcot fireworks view. I also asked about upgrade options if we changed our room over to the Swan & was quoted $200/ night for Executive suite ($225 w/ balcony,) or $240/ night for the Grand suite ($265 w/balcony.)

We’ll wait it out until closer to our trip & see if we get any different rates a month or so out.

I did notice that point prices have changed a bit in the last few days. We paid 270,000 points for our 6 night stay, both the Swan & the Reserve were the same point total for our dates. When I checked earlier, the Swan was up to 300,000 & the Reserve was up to 280,000 for the same rooms.

 

[jlundeen]

Is there a door here (red circle) that guest's can use to go between Yacht and Dolphin? I have seen a sidewalk going up to the building, but never used it as I didn't have any kind of Dolphin keycard. I know there is a door at the blue circle that at least cuts off a bit, but otherwise, the only way I know to get from one to the other is to follow the never-ending sidewalk that zig-zags along the waterway. LOL

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is there a door here (red circle) that guest's can use to go between Yacht and Dolphin? I have seen a sidewalk going up to the building, but never used it as I didn't have any kind of Dolphin keycard. I know there is a door at the blue circle that at least cuts off a bit, but otherwise, the only way I know to get from one to the other is to follow the never-ending sidewalk that zig-zags along the waterway. LOL

View attachment 650583

Yes, there is a door