I did use the Minnie Van from Fantasia Mini golf, while staying at the Swan Reserve. On average, the wait was about 10 - 15 minutes for a pick-up. The caveat -- you have to request the Minnie Van during the operating hours of the mini-golf. At night, I had the Minnie Van drop off at the Boardwalk Inn and walked around Crescent Lake to the Reserve.
@Scalemaster34 I agree, need to compared all the benefits plus location and then take the fee, add-on's and taxes for SDR and Disney and compare. Just before Covid hit we did the comparison and POFQ was our best bet (by a lot), but I'd say since Covid the complete rates at SDR can still usually beat a Moderate and almost always beat a Deluxe by far. Be careful giving Chapek any ideas about the resort fee
We have only stayed once at the Dolphin and we enjoyed it but the family thought it was just so plain, but the DW and DD's totally enjoyed the coffee shop though. LOL We always compare price, amenities etc. But, I guess luckily for us money wise, location and added transportation is not a big deal, with the skyliner probably being the exception, which we really enjoyed especially at POP prices. We like the theme/ambiance of a lot of the WDW resorts like POFQ/POR more than SD and if it was available we would have most likely picked POP, since the last few trips there were all great@Scalemaster34 I agree, need to compared all the benefits plus location and then take the fee, add-on's and taxes for SDR and Disney and compare. Just before Covid hit we did the comparison and POFQ was our best bet (by a lot), but I'd say since Covid the complete rates at SDR can still usually beat a Moderate and almost always beat a Deluxe by far. Be careful giving Chapek any ideas about the resort fee
Extra hours would be a big bonus if they had more evenings available for MK and Epcot other than 1 night each per week, bump it up to 2 nights each. I totally agree with you that SD prices kill the deluxe resort prices and we would definitely choose SD over most of them. I am sure the resort fees are coming at WDW, it's just a matter of time, WDW never likes to leave $$ on the table if they know they can get it.
AllEars just posted a Swan resort tour video. In it, Quincy shows a card she received with her room key that lists what the resort fee covers. I noticed that underneath wifi, it says that loyalty program guests will receive enhanced speed wifi. I wonder if that’s making up for the fact that Bonvoy members automatically get free wifi during their stay.
Here is that link to the tour and video I have not watched it yet, but it must be very complete, 50 minutes long!!
"Enhanced" wifi is already a standard benefit for Gold and above Bonvoy members. They're still required to provide something else to replace that part of the resort fee. From the terms: "Participating Properties that have mandatory resort charges, which include internet access, will provide a replacement benefit, to be determined at each Participating Property's discretion."
I am curious. DH is lifetime titanium, and we get the enhanced Wi-Fi anyway.
We were there last week. We waited around 15 minutes for a bus to Magic Kingdom on a Halloween party afternoon. But we also saw that we had just missed a bus. It went to TTC and we took the ferry to magic kingdom since we weren’t in a rush. After the party we took the bus back to boardwalk and walked from there. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a boat.
We had our reservation drop off MDE after we did online check in. I just reconnected it. It didn’t affect any of our reservations for dining or parks.
Thank you, that is great to hear. I read that someone said that the buses got worse since they no longer use Disney buses, but when we stayed at SD years ago, when they used Disney buses, we found that the buses were one of the worst because they stopped at all Epcot resorts.
I think it’s “worse” because the magic kingdom bus goes to the TTC. But you just have to be prepared for that and plan accordingly.
Week right after Christmas is the busiest week of the year; I’ve done it twice!Wow such great info here. I just spent quite a bit of time scrolling and reading. Planning an 8 night stay right after Xmas this year. There will be 5 adults and 3 teenagers. Looks like SDR is the way for us to go. We are Magic Key holders in Disneyland but it’s been 18 years since I’ve been to WDW and so much has changed!
It seems as if booking through Disney is more expensive With no real advantage other than perhaps being able to use gift cards to pay down a balance. Generally do you find booking through Marriott, Expedia or Amex travel is better? Besides price are there any other factors to consider when booking through one of these? im Gold Elite status but won’t rely on that for anything. Plan to book Swan with view and balcony (hoping the construction is complete).
Ive read a lot about room reservations dropping from MDE. If they drop does that effect park or dining reservations?
thanks so much. I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I move along the process. I’m a type A planner so I’m about to start my color coded spreadsheet
Yeah, not much there. If you look at the card under the enhanced Wi-Fi comment it says Silver elite and above will receive free daily access to the Balinese relaxation area at Mandara Spa, no idea what that is.
