Disney Details – Swan and Dolphin

As many of you know from reading this blog. Norwood and I spend a lot of time at the Swan and Dolphin… mainly because of Kimonos… we are really big fans. To let you know just how much time we spend there our waiters know us and our regular meal and drinks when we go in. So it may not be a surprise when I tell you that my favorite Disney Hotel Detail comes from the Swan and Dolphin…



Look at that fantastic chandelier! I love the colors the delicate glass. This wonderful piece of art can be found in the lobby in front of Il Mulino New York Trattoria (and just down the hall of Kimonos by the way). When it begins to get dark it is wonderful to sit with a cup of coffee in the lobby and look up at the glass. It gives a soft glow to the comfortable lobby that has tables and chairs and comfy lounge chairs (presumably for people who are waiting to get into the very popular Il Mulino New York Trattoria). And if you like coffee there is a wonderful little stand open during the day right there in that same lobby. When you tire of looking at the lovely glass chandelier there are three restaurants right there to choose from, Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Kimonos and Garden Grove (favorite of the little ones and character seekers).

Hope you have had a wonderful week exploring some of my favorite details from Disney World. Have a magical weekend!

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin

Last week was an adventure. Norwood and I moved from our home into a fifth wheel(why yes we do know about Fort Wilderness Campground… more on our plans for that soon) and it got me thinking about finding a place that you can call home (that and I have gotten a few emails from my readers lately asking me about my favorite Disney Hotels). When you spend as much time at Disney World as Norwood and I you really do start to think that Disney is your home. And it can be your home for the week or two weeks that you spend there if you stay on Disney property. Each week we talk about the fun stuff to do at the theme parks but this week I wanted to talk about the places you can stay after your day at Disney World. I am positive that by now Disney fans all over the world have heard about and maybe even taken advantage of the Disney Hotel deals in 2009 so let’s skip the fact Disney is making it very attractive to stay in their hotels and go right into the fun stuff at my top five favorite Disney Hotels. All this week I will highlight my five favorite Disney hotels to stay at and the top five reasons why I like them. Although we will only talk about five this week I have to admit I have not yet stayed at a Disney Hotel I did not like. But everyone’s tastes are different so if you have stayed at any of the hotels I mention this week and want to share your experience please do. And if I did not mention your favorite Disney World Hotel this week tell us where you like to stay. First up this week is Disney’s Swan and Dolphin. Many of you can probably already guess why I like the Swan and Dolphin and put it on my list of “Disney places to stay” but here are the highlights:

1.The restaurants- With 15 places to eat between the Swan and Dolphin you are guaranteed to not only find a place to eat but find a place that fits your tastes. In case you missed the many posts dedicated to my favorite Disney restaurant I would like to recommend Kimonos and Garden Grove (character dining!).

2.So close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I love the fact that you can literally walk to Epcot from the Swan and Dolphin (or ride one of those great boats). Because Epcot is my favorite park it automatically puts all the hotels in the Epcot resort area (although the Swan and Dolphin is in the Hollywood Studios Resort area I have always considered it as part of the Epcot resort area… everything is just so close!) high on my list. And to top it off you are also a short boat ride away from Hollywood Studios.

3.Speaking of entertainment…. Disney’s Boardwalk is just down the walkway. Yet more great places to eat, people watch and go dancing (by the way Jellyrolls is rumored to now be smoke free).

4.Deluxe concierge… when you want pampered they will do it at the Swan and Dolphin.

5.Mandara Spa… speaking of being pampered! What could be better than a spa treatment and than a trip to Epcot!

Tomorrow more Disney World hotel fun! Need a little more details on Walt Disney's Swan and Dolphin? Check out the Walt Disney Swan Information Page and the Walt Disney Dolphin Information Page.

Sitting Down With Timon- Swan and Dolphin

After a fun day at Magic Kingdom Norwood and I made our way over to our favorite Disney restaurant … Kimonos in the Swan and Dolphin. We arrived to Walt Disney’s Swan and Dolphin about half an hour before Garden Grove and Kimonos (located just down the hall from each other) were to open for dinner. Taking full advantage of the empty waiting area in front of the Garden Grove Norwood and I sat in the comfy seats and talked with a Cast Member from the Garden Grove about our mutual admiration for Nikon cameras. It was a fun time discussing techniques, favorite lens and great places to share photos. While we chatted I noticed inside the Garden Grove a silly little Timon playing around with other Cast Members. He saw me and waved and blew kisses then he came right out for hugs and kisses and photos. He was determined to give me great shots as he sat across from me and posed. Then he invited us to come and eat inside the Garden Grove. I told him “Thanks so much for the invitation Timon but we are headed down the hall to eat Nemo.” Shocked Timon wagged his finger whispered to the Cast Member who then told us “Fish are friends not food.” It was so much fun and don’t you think Timon is very photogenic?!

Kimonos Disney’s Swan and Dolphin

Location: Swan- Epcot Resort Area

Meals Served: Dinner and late night snacks

Reservations?: It is a lounge so walk right in and take an available seat or table. If you are a party of 6 or more they will make a reservation for you if you call (407)WDW-DINE

Price Range: Varies on what you choose to eat it can be anywhere from $8 (for a roll- rolls come in pieces of 5-8) or $50 for a large meal for two

Type of Food: Japanese

Review:
If you are traveling with the kids or you do not like Japanese food (lots of sushi on the menu) then you might want to look elsewhere in the Swan. Just down the hall is the Garden Grove which is an all-you-care to eat character dining restaurant (dinner is buffet style and with characters). Those with kids or seeking American cuisine headed past Kimonos to the Garden Grove. Now if you are a fan of a dark intimate atmosphere and Japanese food you will be in heaven like Norwood and I were. It is a dark lounge with a lovely Japanese decor. Look up and you will see bamboo ceiling lights and the most gorgeous kimonos. When we stopped in for an early dinner (around 6pm) there were few people and the atmosphere was quiet. Our waitress did tell us that around 9:30pm every night the rock stars roll in for Karaoke and it tends to become livelier. One thing I noticed many were confused about was the seating. Since it is a lounge you are welcome to sit wherever you want whether it is at the sushi bar a plush couch or the bar at the back of the lounge.

The food was perfect! Norwood and I have eaten at many Disney restaurants and we have never left so satisfied both with the food and the price. There are many vegetarian options so if you are not a sushi fan have no fear. I highly recommend the asparagus roll. It is cooked asparagus and cream cheese wrapped in rice and seaweed. It is absolutely wonderful! Although the menu does not list deserts there are several to choose from just ask a friendly waitress what deserts they have available.

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) I give Kimonos a 10. I recommend this lounge to those seeking a night away from the kids (although there were kids at the lounge enjoying the food) it is geared a little more towards adults. I can guarantee that you will find Norwood and I there when we want dinner near Epcot.