Why visit the Swan & Dolphin?

[fizzle75]

One of the things my wife and I really love to do during our WDW vacations is to visit the different resorts. So far we have visited all of them except the values, Coronado Springs and the Swan & Dolphin. We spent a brief amount of time at the Yacht & Beach Club resorts, but not nearly enough. My question is this...are the Swan & Dolphin worth visiting for the hardcore Disney fan? One of the main things I like to look for at the resorts is how the Disney theme is carried out in the design(fabrics, architecture, etc.). I know that the Swan & Dolphin are not owned and operated by Disney so I'm assuming the Disney theming is minimal if not nonexistant. The buildings themselves are unique and intriguing, but the Disney geek in me just can't get excited about visiting them.

Ok, obviously I'm interested enough in visiting the Swan & Dolphin to bother with starting this thread...SO, I'm asking you fine folks who have either visited or stayed at either of these resorts to convince me to take time out of my WDW vacation to visit them. I'm not interested in actually staying there but I am definitely interested in spending a few hours there taking in the sights and sounds and maybe...Ok, probably...snapping some pics.

Tell me a little bit about...

The dining. Doesn't one of them have a character meal? Is Blue Zoo as awesome as I've heard it is?

The gift shops. Do they sell Disney themed items? Are they similiar to the gift shops in the Disney resorts? Is the resort merchandise Disney themed?

Photo opportunities. Where are the best places for pictures?

Ok folks, give me your input...and convince me to visit the Swan & Dolphin!:wave:

We'll be back at The World from April 10th-19th, and if you folks are successful we'll be paying the Swan & Dolphin a visit then.

 

[Hrudey3032]

The one thing I would love to do is spend a relaxing day at that pool they have there.They have some lounge chairs underneath a waterfall that would be so romantic.I wasn't a huge fan of the inside so much tho as I guess it wasn't my cup of tea but its definitly worth the time.Me and my bro walked thru there after a game of Fantasia Golf and walked the entire boardwalk that afternoon.If anything just do it to say you visited and take some pics.

 

[yankspy]

Breakfast at Garden grove

The one good reason to visit the swan is the garden grove cafe. They do have a limited breakfast buffet on the weekdays and I believe a more extensive one on weekends. The best thing about that restaurant is that it is not that popular and so it is nice for adults who might want to have a quieter breakfast. :wave:

 

[AZDISNEYDVL]

They do have character dining. I believe it is called Gulliver's. That restaurant is located in the Swan and has some interesting theming. As far as Disney theming, not much, but they have a lot more to offer. The Dolphin is named and the statues are themed off a fountain of the same name in Italy(the country has the original but there is also a replica in the Pavillion). Knowing that and realizing that Michael Graves imagination is all over the place, take a walk around the lobby of the Dolphin and look up. The feel is that of a large circus tent. While this was made as an adult conference hotel, you can definately see that Graves wanted to bring out the Child in everyone. You will find many interesting things that you definately would not see anywhere else. Blue Zoo is excellent as is Kimono's, the sushi restaurant, I liked Il Mulino myself, but have seen some negative reviews. My assumption is that seasonal help can fall off a little. A leisurely stroll never hurt anyone though, go take a look.

 

[jmani56]

I think they are a must-visit. I couldn't imagine the Epcot resort area without the Swan and Dolphin. They are a little more adult-oriented, but no more than the GF or Yacht Club.

The layout of the hotels, both inside and out, is really nice, and they have some really good restaurants. For me, the best part at staying at the Dolphin was walking outside in the morning and coming to Boardwalk/Epcot from "the other side". It's just a nice area to visit.

 

[MichWolv]

I also like to tour the various resorts and hang out for a bit at each one. Over the year, I've hit them all for at least an hour or two each. If you're looking for Disney magic, the Values have more than the Swan and Dolphin. I actually find the theming at the Values (not the rooms) to be amongst my favorite, because it is extremely imaginative -- over the top without taking everything over.

The Swan and Dolphin and wonderful hotels to walk around in. The pool area is beautiful, and there is a very nice kid's playground, and hotel decorations do a great job of being approrpriate for a business hotel and a family resort all at once. And there are several excellent restaurants. But there isn't really a lot of Disney feeling there (except the character dining).