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

Experienced Swan/Dolphin guests, is it typical to announce full beach and pool closures at the last second? We walked into the lobby this morning to a sign that the entire beach area would be closed today, and all pools (save the Dolphin lap pool) will be closed for the entire day tomorrow. Tomorrow was our pool day (no FP scheduled), so this is really putting a crimp in our plans. I’m guessing having the entire contents of both resorts at one lap pool will be less than ideal.

Yes, unfortunately this happens fairly regularly. It’s usually to accommodate convention events that are utilizing the space. I would go talk to the concierge and see if there is anything they can do to help you arrange alternate plans for tomorrow since the pool is not an option.
 
We have a Fireworks/Resort View (with balcony) (2 queens) booked at the Dolphin. Will the balcony face the resort or Epcot FW? When I booked only a FW (no balcony) there was a big palm tree blocking the view out the window.:(
 
Yes, unfortunately this happens fairly regularly. It’s usually to accommodate convention events that are utilizing the space. I would go talk to the concierge and see if there is anything they can do to help you arrange alternate plans for tomorrow since the pool is not an option.

Thanks! If we’d had more notice, I probably could have worked around it, but same day/next day notice is...unfortunate. I’ll definitely speak to someone when we get back. I tried to this morning, but both concierge and front desk were swamped when we left.
 
Experienced Swan/Dolphin guests, is it typical to announce full beach and pool closures at the last second? We walked into the lobby this morning to a sign that the entire beach area would be closed today, and all pools (save the Dolphin lap pool) will be closed for the entire day tomorrow. Tomorrow was our pool day (no FP scheduled), so this is really putting a crimp in our plans. I’m guessing having the entire contents of both resorts at one lap pool will be less than ideal.
Unprofessional and unacceptable in my book. A healthy credit on my account and passes to one of the Disney Water parks might lessen how upset I would be. This is where I get frustrated with S/D yes I know they are a convention hotel, but they really need to balance that fact with the fact that not everyone is there for the convention.
 


Unprofessional and unacceptable in my book. A healthy credit on my account and passes to one of the Disney Water parks might lessen how upset I would be. This is where I get frustrated with S/D yes I know they are a convention hotel, but they really need to balance that fact with the fact that not everyone is there for the convention.

I wasn’t sure how much latitude they have with FPs or water park comps but I was thinking those would be nice apologies as well. If they gave me some resort credit I could probably drown my sorrows in Il Mulino meatballs as well :thumbsup2
 
They don't have access to any Disney options that would be available at a Disney resort. Most common compensation would be to waive the resort fee for the day or days while the problem / issue exists. They can also provide resort credits with management approval.

Dave
 
So I spoke to the front end manager early this afternoon and was promised some any experience FP. Was told that any sort of credit was out of the question, which seems unreasonable, but I didn’t want to waste any more time (getting to this point took over 30 minutes from the time I got in line) and we could have used the extra FP, had we actually received them.

He told me that they’d take about 20-30 minutes for him to sort out, but to go ahead with our day and they’d appear on my MDE account. That never happened. So we stopped back on the way to dinner, spent 50 minutes waiting on line, then explaining it to the front line person, waiting for the manager, being told he’d left for the day, waiting for the nighttime manager to come over, then walking with them over to the Disney desk and waiting there some more, only to be told they can’t help. ‍♀️ He then gave me his info and promised to sort it out while we were on our way to the park this evening. That also never happened.

Didn’t have the time or patience for round 3 on our way in with exhausted kiddos tonight, so now I’m debating what to do. I really wanted to like this resort since the location is ideal, but to say I’ve been frustrated and underwhelmed with both our room (we booked an alcove suite, we were given a room on the first first floor-with ceilings I can touch at 5’5”, no room for a second nightstand, super worn carpet, peeling stick on tiles in the shower, etc) and the service here, is an understatement. Will likely contact corporate, I have the names of everyone in charge I’ve spoken to. I wasted so much time today just trying to get what I was promised, after having our pool day completely derailed.
 


@jerseyjersey I'm sorry you've had problems over this issue. I really feel, as you seem to, that their response and lack of follow through are totally unacceptable. Had they followed though I might be a bit more forgiving but they failed to many times to deliver on the promise. To completely close down a huge selling factor of the S/D is completely obnoxious a few FP's really doesn't make up for that. Though I've really enjoyed all of our stays at S/D if that happened to me I'd be equally upset and probably unlikely to stay again.
 
So I spoke to the front end manager early this afternoon and was promised some any experience FP. Was told that any sort of credit was out of the question, which seems unreasonable, but I didn’t want to waste any more time (getting to this point took over 30 minutes from the time I got in line) and we could have used the extra FP, had we actually received them.

He told me that they’d take about 20-30 minutes for him to sort out, but to go ahead with our day and they’d appear on my MDE account. That never happened. So we stopped back on the way to dinner, spent 50 minutes waiting on line, then explaining it to the front line person, waiting for the manager, being told he’d left for the day, waiting for the nighttime manager to come over, then walking with them over to the Disney desk and waiting there some more, only to be told they can’t help. ‍♀️ He then gave me his info and promised to sort it out while we were on our way to the park this evening. That also never happened.

Didn’t have the time or patience for round 3 on our way in with exhausted kiddos tonight, so now I’m debating what to do. I really wanted to like this resort since the location is ideal, but to say I’ve been frustrated and underwhelmed with both our room (we booked an alcove suite, we were given a room on the first first floor-with ceilings I can touch at 5’5”, no room for a second nightstand, super worn carpet, peeling stick on tiles in the shower, etc) and the service here, is an understatement. Will likely contact corporate, I have the names of everyone in charge I’ve spoken to. I wasted so much time today just trying to get what I was promised, after having our pool day completely derailed.
Maybe try again at front desk, first thing in the morning. There may be another front end manager on duty. I usually find that being polite and low-key, while explaining my problem, and letting them know that my experience was not up to their usual high level, produces the best result.
 
Maybe try again at front desk, first thing in the morning. There may be another front end manager on duty. I usually find that being polite and low-key, while explaining my problem, and letting them know that my experience was not up to their usual high level, produces the best result.

I completely agree with that approach, and that is precisely how I went about it. Yesterday morning, I very politely explained that we had a pool day planned, and with the very short notice, it was causing some difficulty with our plans. The manager on duty had clearly fielded this issue numerous times in rapid succession, as he quickly told me what they couldn’t (first) and could do. Despite not being offered what I felt was fair compensation, I accepted graciously, mainly to avoid seeming difficult and to not waste more of our day.

I was still unfailingly polite and composed the second time, though I did make clear that it was disappointing to spend another hour trying to obtain something that had been promised to be provided automatically. Unfortunately, despite being apologetic and promising to take care of the issue, it was again unresolved as of this morning. I am told the manager I spoke to the first time, will be at the hotel by 8am, so I’ll stop there again when he’s back.
 
Very sorry, Jersey, for the difficult time you are having trying to get a reasonable resolution Your concerns should have been handled much more efficiently. The ball has been dropped multiple times. Hoping the manager handles the situation properly this morning Please let us know how it goes.
 
Other than the queen (Swan) vs double beds (Dolphin) are there any other differences in the room between these two? Any reason one may pick Dolphin over Swan that I may be missing? I'm looking at a 2Q (or 2 dble), resort view balcony room if this helps. thanks!
 
Other than the queen (Swan) vs double beds (Dolphin) are there any other differences in the room between these two? Any reason one may pick Dolphin over Swan that I may be missing? I'm looking at a 2Q (or 2 dble), resort view balcony room if this helps. thanks!
The Swan has 2 sinks, one in the bathroom (shower/toilet) and one just outside of that by the closet. I think at this time both have the Heavenly Showers.
 
So I spoke to the front end manager early this afternoon and was promised some any experience FP. Was told that any sort of credit was out of the question, which seems unreasonable, but I didn’t want to waste any more time (getting to this point took over 30 minutes from the time I got in line) and we could have used the extra FP, had we actually received them.

He told me that they’d take about 20-30 minutes for him to sort out, but to go ahead with our day and they’d appear on my MDE account. That never happened. So we stopped back on the way to dinner, spent 50 minutes waiting on line, then explaining it to the front line person, waiting for the manager, being told he’d left for the day, waiting for the nighttime manager to come over, then walking with them over to the Disney desk and waiting there some more, only to be told they can’t help. ‍♀️ He then gave me his info and promised to sort it out while we were on our way to the park this evening. That also never happened.

Didn’t have the time or patience for round 3 on our way in with exhausted kiddos tonight, so now I’m debating what to do. I really wanted to like this resort since the location is ideal, but to say I’ve been frustrated and underwhelmed with both our room (we booked an alcove suite, we were given a room on the first first floor-with ceilings I can touch at 5’5”, no room for a second nightstand, super worn carpet, peeling stick on tiles in the shower, etc) and the service here, is an understatement. Will likely contact corporate, I have the names of everyone in charge I’ve spoken to. I wasted so much time today just trying to get what I was promised, after having our pool day completely derailed.
Are you at the swan or dolphin?
 
Thanks. I didn't know that. Do they have bathtubs? One or both of them?
Honestly I'm not sure about the bathtubs. Ours had a walk in shower. The description says "a contemporary bathtub or a glass-enclosed shower" but I'm not sure either Swan or Dolphin has one or the other or both. Some other people here might know.

If you haven't seen here are some photos of the rooms as well as bathrooms, unfortunately there are no photos of the bathtub that I see.
https://www.swandolphin.com/leisureinfo/interior_photos.php
 

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