Walt Disney World Swan
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Reviewer's Name:
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George Turner |
Reviewer's Email Address:
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skyharbr@ultranet.com |
Date(s) of Stay:
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May, 1997 |
Location:
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Walt Disney World Resort on Buena Vista Drive |
Ease of WDW Park Access:
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The Swan is nicely located. From SR192 you take a right
onto World Drive and then take the third right (Buena Vista Drive.
The Swan and Dolphin will then be on your left. From Interstate 4
take Epcot Center Drive, turn left on Buena Vista Drive and the Swan
and Dolphin will be on your right. Disney-MGM studios is more or less
across the street (Buena Vista Drive.) Epcot is within walking distance.
You go over the foot bridge, walk around the beach near the Yacht
and Beach club Resorts and ten minutes later (if that) you're at an
entrance to Epcot right near the French Pavilion. You'll have to take
a car or the Walt Disney World Bus system to get to Magic Kingdom
and Animal Kingdom. |
Address:
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1200 Epcot Resorts Boulevard, 32830-2786 |
Phone Number:
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(407) 934-2800 |
Facility Type:
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Resort |
Accommodation Used:
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Standard Room |
Accommodations Review:
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The rooms were quite nice. Not terribly big but with
lots of amenities. There was a basket on the dresser which was stocked
each morning with plenty of coffee and tea. There was a small refrigerator
(minibar) stocked with everything from soft drinks to candy to souvenirs.
Alas they weren't free. We had a room with two queen-sized and very
comfortable beds. Our companions had a room with a view of the Earffel
Tower. The view from our room wasn't as stimulating.
Just walking around the Swan and Dolphin is relaxing. The main
lobby of the Swan features a huge water fountain replete with water
spewing from the mouths of swans. There are giant Swans perched
the top of the hotel. There is a nice gift shop stocked with various
memorabilia and sundries. Perhaps because the Swan isn't run by
Disney or because it hosts various conferences it has more of a
"corporate", serious feel. You'll see more guests in business
suits than you probably would at other Walt Disney World resorts.
|
Rate/Night (for your stay):
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not reported |
# of Restaurants/Lounges:
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5 restaurants, coffee shop, delicatessen, cafeteria |
Restaurant/Lounge Review:
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The only restaurant there that I went to was Tubbi's
Buffeteria located on the first floor of the Dolphin. It was cafeteria
style but the food was wonderful and quite moderately priced. There
is also Gulliver's Grill which has character meals. On the way back
from Epcot one night my companion and I spied Pooh Bear entertaining
guests at dinner. |
Activities/Facilities Available:
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Sundries Shop, Pool, Sauna, Hot Tub, Beach, Bicycling,
Tennis, Volleyball, Playground, Miniature Golf.
There are two pools (see below) and an exercise room. There may
have been other offered activities but since I spent most of my
time at the parks I didn't see them.
|
Pool Description/Comments:
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There is one rectangular pool just outside the rear
entrance. A short distance from that is an outdoor hot tub. In the
evening this pool was virtually empty. Just beyond that is a long
serpentine pool replete with small water slides which connects with
the Dolphin Resort. Near this pool is a small cabana where you can
buy drinks. |
Amenities Provided:
|
A hairdryer and towels and supplies were provided. They
didn't provide laundry service (at least not that I was aware of)
however there is a coin operated Laundromat at the Dolphin a (very)
short distance away. There is an exercise room. There were no cooking
facilities and I don't believe that
pets are permitted. |
Other Comments:
|
All in all the Walt Disney World Swan was a wonderful
resort to stay at. The cast members were cheerful and courteous. The
fact that it isn't run by Disney isn't at all apparent. The cool coral
motif and the wonderful architecture can't help but bring a smile
to your face and the proximity to two of the four parks is an added
benefit. It's my favorite resort at Walt Disney World. |
