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

[Echo queen]

Hello all, can I make a payment online/ipad or in the app from iPhone for Dolphin package? Any tips? TIA

 

[Tina1]

Can I purchase a magic band at the resort and if yes, do they have discounted ones?

 

[Best Aunt]

Can I purchase a magic band at the resort and if yes, do they have discounted ones?

I looked in the Swan gift shop in September.

They had MagicBand+ for sale.

They did not have the older version of the MagicBand for sale.

I did not look at pricing, but I don't think those are discounted anywhere on property. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.)

I think the typical Disney gift shop discounts apply: Annual Pass holder, DVC member, or Disney Visa card member. I think there is a minimum purchase requirement to get the Disney Visa card member discount anywhere.

If you don't see a style that you like at Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve, you can always pop over to the BoardWalk and look in the gift shop there. Or Yacht Club or Beach Club gift shops. That's assuming you want to buy one before you get to a theme park. You can buy them in the theme park gift shops as well.

 

[Tina1]

I looked in the Swan gift shop in September.

They had MagicBand+ for sale.

They did not have the older version of the MagicBand for sale.

I did not look at pricing, but I don't think those are discounted anywhere on property. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.)

I think the typical Disney gift shop discounts apply: Annual Pass holder, DVC member, or Disney Visa card member. I think there is a minimum purchase requirement to get the Disney Visa card member discount anywhere.

If you don't see a style that you like at Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve, you can always pop over to the BoardWalk and look in the gift shop there. Or Yacht Club or Beach Club gift shops. That's assuming you want to buy one before you get to a theme park. You can buy them in the theme park gift shops as well.

Thanks for the information

 

[Dave006]

Hello all, can I make a payment online/ipad or in the app from iPhone for Dolphin package? Any tips? TIA

Hmm, is this a Disney package?

For a Disney package you can call Disney and talk to a CM or use the Automated Payment system by phone. The app does not allow resort package payments.

Call (407) 939-5277

ETA: correct data..

Dave

 

[Echo queen]

Hmm, is this a Disney package?

For a Disney package you can call Disney and talk to a CM or use the Automated Payment system by phone. The app does not allow resort package payments.

Call (407) 939-5277

ETA: correct data..

Dave

The cs was able to take it over the phone. He was unsure why it didn’t allow me to do it online.

 

[Karalee402]

Can I purchase a magic band at the resort and if yes, do they have discounted ones?

We were there two weeks ago, and they had a pretty decent selection of Magic Band+, but none of the old versions. Seconding a previous post, there are also fantastic, much bigger gift shops at the Boardwalk (Screen Door General Store) and Y/BC.

 

[sconnell]

Hey all! First time staying at the Dolphin this December for MVMCP and JN. Thanks Bonvoy points!
I usually go back and read the whole thread to find out about a resort, but this one is huge! haha.
How far back do you all recommend? Just this year?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey all! First time staying at the Dolphin this December for MVMCP and JN. Thanks Bonvoy points!
I usually go back and read the whole thread to find out about a resort, but this one is huge! haha.
How far back do you all recommend? Just this year?

You're going to like it, a lot. I would say 6 months is plenty. Often a lot of repeat thoughts, which is fine. You'll be able to kind of skim those as you get familiar. But, by all means, ask any questions that you have, now, or after skimming back pages.

 

[SteveH]

@sconnell Welcome to the S&D Group! I agree with Dan, about 6 months, but you might try reading backwards as you'll get the answers before the questions which can help you skip past things a bit quicker. The search can be helpful but it can also take a while to get the lingo. As you saw this thread goes back to 2014 and there there threads before that! Got a lot of regulars and some of us that haven't been in a while but still hang out. We had many great trips to WDW staying at S&D. Again, welcome aboard!

 

[sconnell]

Thanks everyone! It’s been a while since we’ve been to Disney. We were frequent visitors before kids and afterwards, until they got to about middle school. Now they’re young adults and we’re ready to come home! Haha.
I picked Dolphin because there were rooms available with Bonvoy points, but in the future which does everyone prefer and why?

What’s your preferred way to get to the MK? Walking to one of the nearby resorts and taking their bus? Which one is the shortest walk from the Dolphin? Which one is your fav?

I hear Friendship boats weren’t running after Jollywood Nights last year. What’s the best option? How far is the walk?

What are your favorite S&D restaurants?

 

[Sandi]

Thanks everyone! It’s been a while since we’ve been to Disney. We were frequent visitors before kids and afterwards, until they got to about middle school. Now they’re young adults and we’re ready to come home! Haha.
I picked Dolphin because there were rooms available with Bonvoy points, but in the future which does everyone prefer and why?

What’s your preferred way to get to the MK? Walking to one of the nearby resorts and taking their bus? Which one is the shortest walk from the Dolphin? Which one is your fav?

I hear Friendship boats weren’t running after Jollywood Nights last year. What’s the best option? How far is the walk?

What are your favorite S&D restaurants?

I've only ever stayed at the Swan and love it. We go over to the Dolphin for food, the pool, and laundry facilities, but I like the smaller scale of Swan and the Queen size beds.

To get to MK, we walk to BWI for the bus. I think that YC might be closer to the Dolphin if you go along the sidewalk next to the hotel instead of through the main bridge walk.

No experience with Jollywood Nights so can't comment on that. But, it's not a bad walk at all. Probably about 20 minutes at a reasonable pace. If you're dragging after a long evening, it'll take longer. It would seem that if the boats are not running, they'd be running bus transportation, so it's worth asking about.

Others will comment on dining at S&D. We mostly just do quick coffee and snacks at S&D and haven't eaten at the restaurants.

Enjoy your trip and welcome!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks everyone! It’s been a while since we’ve been to Disney. We were frequent visitors before kids and afterwards, until they got to about middle school. Now they’re young adults and we’re ready to come home! Haha.
I picked Dolphin because there were rooms available with Bonvoy points, but in the future which does everyone prefer and why?

What’s your preferred way to get to the MK? Walking to one of the nearby resorts and taking their bus? Which one is the shortest walk from the Dolphin? Which one is your fav?

I hear Friendship boats weren’t running after Jollywood Nights last year. What’s the best option? How far is the walk?

What are your favorite S&D restaurants?

Pretty similar to @Sandi above. I prefer the Swan. Much smaller footprint, easy to get around. Less noisy and less hustle bustle. I haven't been since the COVID so have not used the S/D buses. If I did, I would take them to AK, but probably BW bus to MK. I've not eaten at the several signature restaurants but have only heard good reviews. I;ve done all the non-signatures, all were great.

Walking

https://www.wdwmagic.com/walking-distances.htm

 

[sconnell]

Thanks all! I was hoping for Swan, as I agree that it looks like it would also be my preference. But using points won out for this little trip.
I'm looking forward to checking out the area resort Christmas decorations and a lunch at Beaches N Cream the day of Jollywood Nights. Unless I decide to switch to something else.

 

[hedberg1661]

Thanks everyone! It’s been a while since we’ve been to Disney. We were frequent visitors before kids and afterwards, until they got to about middle school. Now they’re young adults and we’re ready to come home! Haha.
I picked Dolphin because there were rooms available with Bonvoy points, but in the future which does everyone prefer and why?

What’s your preferred way to get to the MK? Walking to one of the nearby resorts and taking their bus? Which one is the shortest walk from the Dolphin? Which one is your fav?

I hear Friendship boats weren’t running after Jollywood Nights last year. What’s the best option? How far is the walk?

What are your favorite S&D restaurants?

I am a frequent flyer there and I prefer the Swan but I will pick whichever is cheapest (if there is a noticeable difference). I like the size and quiet nature of the Swan over the sprawling Dolphin but at the end of the day it really doesn't matter.

I have 3 trips coming up in the next two months... 2 at the Swan 1 at Dolphin. I usually make it down about 5 times a year and love each and every trip.

As far as Jollywood...were the busses running to BW &YC/BC? You could take them. Uber/Lyft is always an option. IMO that's a pretty far walk especially at that point in the day when you have likely spent a lot of time walking around the parks.

Have fun!

 

[patty57]

I am a frequent flyer there and I prefer the Swan but I will pick whichever is cheapest (if there is a noticeable difference). I like the size and quiet nature of the Swan over the sprawling Dolphin but at the end of the day it really doesn't matter.

I feel exactly the same.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks all! I was hoping for Swan, as I agree that it looks like it would also be my preference. But using points won out for this little trip.
I'm looking forward to checking out the area resort Christmas decorations and a lunch at Beaches N Cream the day of Jollywood Nights. Unless I decide to switch to something else.

This is a 2023 link, but should be the same for 2024. It is every year.


https://santasfavoriteresort.com/special-activities/

 

[summerlvr]

What are your favorite S&D restaurants?

Definitely Rosa Mexicano! Also, since you mentioned using points for your stay, just wanted to mention that if you are Bonvoy Platinum or above, you get a voucher for free breakfast and Rosa's breakfast buffet is excellent!

 

[georgina]

What are your favorite S&D restaurants?

I'm a big fan of The Fountain at the Dolphin. Limited menu, but I like the Salmon salad, chili, and burgers, plus Ice Cream!

Unlike Beaches & Cream, I have never found it busy or hard to get a table.

 

[Jillfo]

What are your favorite S&D restaurants?

Il Mulino is my overall favorite. The Fountain if good for a more casual meal, Garden Grove for a sit-down breakfast.