Disney and Florida Attractions News Blog

Give dad a gift that the entire family can enjoy -- a golf getaway in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – May 30, 2013 – Families looking to celebrate Dad this Father’s Day can give him the gift of a golf getaway at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel. While staying at the Epcot Resort Area hotel, Dad can hit nearby links, thanks to the property’s special golf packages.

Guests can book the Championship Golf package and play any Walt Disney World championship golf course of their choice. The package includes an overnight stay, a round of golf for two people and transportation to and from the course. Rates begin at $321 per room. Guests of the hotel also receive preferred tee times at these on-property courses, which were host to the PGA Tour’s Walt Disney World Golf Classic from 1971-2012.

The Celebration Golf package includes a one-night stay at the Orlando hotel, 18 holes at the famed Celebration Golf Club for two, and round-trip transportation to the course. Rates start at $305 per room for two adults.

After a round of golf, Dad can enjoy a championship-caliber meal at Shula’s Steak House, lounge by one of the property’s five pools, relax at the nearby ESPN Club or spend time with the family in the Walt Disney World Theme Parks.

Reservations can be made online at www.swandolphin.com/offers or by calling 1-800-227-1500 and mentioning “DisGolf.” Rates based on availability.

Facebook voting will determine which of three seminars will be featured at this year’s event

For the first time in its history, the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is giving food and wine lovers the power to decide the beverage seminar that will be featured during the outdoor festival at this year’s event. This featured seminar will take place multiple times throughout the evening and is open to anyone with a ticket to the causeway festival. It is in addition to the event’s separately ticketed classroom seminars that take place earlier in the evening.

Voting is currently open on the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel’s Facebook page. Fans have the option of choosing between three different seminars: Cocktail 101, Straight from the Still or The Truth About Blush.

Cocktail 101: Stop by Crescent Terrace to enjoy a special presentation from one of our property’s bar-certified mixologists. Learn how to concoct and sample a few of the Swan and Dolphin’s favorite cocktails.

Straight from the Still: Learn about the origins of America’s spirit, Bourbon. Sample some cocktails crafted with our mixologist’s favorite varieties.

The Truth About Blush: The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin celebrates PINKtober with this drink seminar. Join the women sommeliers of the hotel as they squash rumors of the “undistinguished blush wine” and reveal a variety of blushes any connoisseur can appreciate. All guests will leave this event thinking pink. Be sure to stop by and support Breast Cancer Awareness the wine-o way.

Voting will be open through May 31.

To vote, guests can visit www.facebook.com/swananddolphin and look for the Food & Wine Wednesday post.

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will be held on Oct. 18 – 19, 2013. The outdoor festival will include food and beverage seminars, food and wine tastings and live music. Seminars will be led by the hotel’s chefs and certified beverage experts, while the hotel’s award-winning restaurants will showcase signature culinary selections to pair with tastings from more than 30 wineries.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are currently available as part of a hotel package or individually and can be purchased at www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – March 29, 2013 – To help guests celebrate their moms, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel will be offering a special brunch at the character-dining restaurant - Garden Grove - this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

All mothers will receive a mimosa, compliments of the Epcot Resort Area hotel, to enjoy with their meal, while the entire family can enjoy interacting with some of their favorite Disney characters as they dine in the restaurant’s park-like ambiance. The specialty menu will feature items including a create-your-own eggs benedict station, salads, soups, and a buffet featuring seared branzino (fish), wild mushroom ravioli, honey-baked petite chicken and much more.

In addition to the Mother’s Day brunch, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel offers numerous amenities to make moms feel special on their day. Amenities include the luxurious, Balinese-themed Mandara Spa, five pools, a beach, Westin Heavenly Beds and much more. To check availability, make reservations and find out more information, including the latest special rates and offers, please visit www.swandolphin.com.

To make reservations, guests can call 407-934-1618 or visit www.swandolphin.com. The brunch is $35.99 for adults; $19.99 for children (ages 3 – 9); kids under three eat free. All pricing is exclusive of tax and gratuity; an 18% gratuity will be added to all checks. Discounts, promotions and coupons will not be accepted for this event.

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is the gateway to Central Florida’s greatest theme parks and attractions. The hotel is located between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 17 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms with Westin Heavenly Beds and the luxurious Mandara Spa.

The hotel features five pools, two health clubs, tennis, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and the Extra Magic Hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks offers additional time for guests to enjoy select attractions. (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required). The hotel can be reached at 800-227-1500, www.swandolphin.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/swananddolphin.

The 4th Annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic returns October 18 and 19, 2013!

The seminars are from 4:30- 5:30 on both Friday and Saturday. The Food and Wine Classic event will be taking place between 5:30 and 9:00pm Friday and Saturday on the Swan and Dolphin causeway.

AllEars has exclusive packages (limited in number) for this great event!

PACKAGE #1: This package includes room and two causeway wristbands for the Food and Wine Classic Event for one night only
At the Swan packages begin at $320 per night plus taxes and mandatory resort service package (based on two adults). At the Dolphin the packages begin at $300 per night plus taxes and mandatory resort service package (based on two adults). One night deposit is required for booking. CODE: EARFWC1

PACKAGE #2: This package includes room and two causeway wristbands for the Food and Wine Classic Even for two nights.
Swan packages begin at $625 for two nights plus taxes and mandatory resort service package (based on two adults). Dolphin packages being at $586 for two nights plus taxes and mandatory resort service package (based on two adults). For the two night package a deposit of $250 is required for booking. CODE: EARFWC2

PACKAGE #3: This package includes room, two seminars, and two causeway wristbands for the Food and Wine Classic Event for one night only.
Swan packages begin at at $399 plus taxes and mandatory resort service package (based on two adults). Dolphin packages begin at $377 plus taxes and mandatory resort service package(based on two adults). One night deposit is required for booking. CODE: EARSEM1

PACKAGE #4: This package includes room, two seminars, and two causeway wristbands for the Food and Wine Classic Event for two nights.
Swan packages begin at $780 plus taxes and mandatory resort service package (based on two adults). Dolphin packages begin at $740 plus taxes and mandatory resort service package(based on two adults). A deposit of $250 is required for booking. CODE: EARSEM2

RELATED LINKS:
All Ears 2012 Blog

AllEars 2011 Blog

One lucky contest winner will be awarded a stay in the hotel’s luxurious presidential suite

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – As the nation prepares for the next race to the White House, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is making its own presidential headlines by giving one lucky guest and their family the opportunity to be treated like a president with their very own presidential vacation to this iconic Walt Disney World hotel.

In honor of the 2012 presidential election, this Epcot resort area hotel will be selecting a candidate to stay in one of their eight spacious and luxuriously appointed presidential suites on a vacation fit for a leader of the free world. This is only the second time the hotel has offered a presidential suite prize. Coincidentally, the hotel’s presidential suites have hosted the likes of President H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton, presidential hopefuls like Senator John Kerry and other prominent world leaders.

As the presidential guest, the winning candidate will be invited to bring up to five “cabinet members" on a 3-day/2-night term. They will arrive via luxury transport from the airport (sorry, no motorcade!), be treated to a red carpet welcome at the hotel and can celebrate their victory with a “state” dinner using a $250 dining certificate at any of the hotel’s 17 restaurants and lounges, which include Shula’s Steak House, celebrity chef Todd English’s bluezoo and Il Mulino New York Trattoria.

The “elected” candidate (chosen by random drawing) along with their guests will receive complimentary Walt Disney World theme park three-day Park Hopper passes as well as all the other amenities offered by the hotel, including complimentary transportation to all Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Attractions; the opportunity to dine with loveable Disney characters at Garden Grove restaurant; Extra Magic Hours benefit, where each day, one of the four Walt Disney World Theme Parks offers additional time for guests to enjoy select attractions and advance tee times on four championship Walt Disney World golf courses. The total prize package is valued at $4,825. No caucuses, campaigning or primaries are needed for this vote - guests simply nominate themselves by visiting www.swandolphin.com/election and signing up anytime before the polls close on Nov. 6.

And just like the current race, only time will tell who will be the winning candidate. The winner will be announced on Nov. 7 at www.swandolphin.com/election and has a year to “take office”.

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel offers eight presidential suites featuring elegant bathroom and bedroom appointments richly designed in residential-style décor. Presidential suites feature amenities including: multiple 42” flat-screen TVs, deluxe private bathrooms, Westin Heavenly Beds, kitchens with a private bar and dining room table and extraordinary views of Walt Disney World Resort.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Food and wine tastings, educational experiences and meet-and-greets with celebrity chefs will once again be the focus at the Third Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel on Oct. 12-13, 2012. The event will include an outdoor festival featuring culinary selections from the Walt Disney World hotel’s award-winning restaurants and lounges, a series of beverage seminars taught by the hotel’s certified experts, and opportunities to meet with celebrity chefs Todd English and Michael Mina.

Keeping consistent with past years, guests can participate in beverage seminars, sample savory dishes and stroll through the iconic causeway while being serenaded by live music.

The two-night event will be held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, with chefs from the hotel’s 17 award-winning restaurants and lounges serving samplings of numerous tasty options. This year’s selections will include free-form lasagna, delicately presented by Il Mulino New York Trattoria and shrimp cocktail steam rollers, an event favorite, from Todd English’s bluezoo.

Beverage stations will offer mini-learning experiences and feature offerings such as wine, sake and beer. Those looking for a more in-depth experience can choose from a variety of hour-long beverage seminars taught by certified wine sommeliers and beer and cocktail specialists from the hotel’s team. Attendees will learn drink origins, pairing tips and enjoy an informative tasting experience. Seminars will be offered both evenings and include Wine Blending; Modern Mixology; Riesling Rendezvous; Base to Bubbles; Beer, Please!, All Things Sake and Spanish Wines.

Throughout the evening, attendees will have additional opportunities to learn about beverage through a Cocktail 101 recurring class that will take place during the outdoor festival.

To finish, guests can delight in a selection of desserts from the only two-time World Pastry Champion, Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef. And for those interested in taking home a taste of the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, bottles of all the evening’s wine samplings will be available for purchase along with other event merchandise.

New to this year’s event is the appearance of Chef Mina, as he joins Chef English to meet with guests and serve a special sampling of his cuisine.

Mina is an award-winning chef and author of Michael Mina: The Cookbook. He is the executive chef at his two namesake restaurants in San Francisco and Las Vegas; has been featured in multiple national print magazines and cooked for celebrities and notables including three U.S. presidents.

English is a world-renowned restaurateur who has gained national acclaim through his line of restaurants and cookbooks, and his countless other food-related enterprises. His concept, Todd English’s bluezoo, is a AAA four-diamond restaurant and one of the signature restaurants of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel.
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With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel features more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually. For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.
What:

Third Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13
4:30pm – 5:30pm – Beverage Seminars
5:30pm – 9:00pm – Tasting Stations Open on Causeway

Ticket Information:
• One and two-night packages including tickets to the outdoor festival for two and overnight accommodations are available, starting at $285 per night

• Advance purchase event-only tickets are available for $80 including taxes and include unlimited food and beverage samples on the causeway

• Seminars are $45 per person, per class including taxes

• For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. -- Olympic medalists (from left to right) Scott Johnson (’84 and ’88 gold-medal gymnast), Fred Tyler (’72 gold-medal swimmer), Wendy Bruce-Martin (’92 bronze-medal gymnast) and David Oliver (’08 bronze-medal hurdler) gathered at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel on Friday for an opening ceremonies celebration. Hundreds of guests and locals turned out to meet the athletes, see their medals and take photos with the group before watching the opening ceremonies of the 2012 games on large screen TVs throughout the hotel lobby.

Frequent diners at select Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin restaurants can begin earning Loyalty Points on their very first visit! Points accumulate with every purchase and are stored automatically on your Dining Passport. When enough points are accumulated, they can be redeemed for exclusive dining experiences, gift certificates and more.

The participating restaurants are: - Todd English's bluezoo, Shula's Steakhouse, Kimonos, and Il Mulino.

Simply stop by a participating restaurant to obtain a card. Go online to register your card and access your account!

Point rewards begin at 250 points with a $20 Resort Dining Gift Certificate.

Current Points and Rewards:

250 Points - $20 Resort Dining Gift Certificate
500 Points - $75 Resort Dining Gift Certificate
750 Points - $100 Resort Dining Gift Certificate
1,250 Points - $200 Resort Dining Gift Certificate
1,500 Points - Coach Don Shula’s Autographed Football
1,700 Points - Sushi and Beverage Pairing for 4 by our Master Sushi Chef at Kimonos
2,000 Points - Wine and Cheese Experience for 4 in Coach Shula’s Private Dining Room at Shula’s Steakhouse
3,000 Points - 3 Course Tasting Menu and Wine Pairing for 4 at Il Mulino New York Trattoria
4,000 Points - Private Tasting Menu and Wine Pairing for 4 presented by our bluezoo Chef
5,000 Points - One Night Hotel Stay with 1-Day Disney Park Tickets for 4 and a $100 Dining Gift Certificate
8,000 Points - Two Night Hotel Stay with 1-Day Disney Park Tickets for 4 and a $200 Dining Gift Certificate
12,000 Points - Ultimate Dining and Fireworks Experience including Dinner for 4 at one of our Signature Restaurants of your choice (preset menu) and Private Dessert Reception aboard our Fant-A-Sea boat with an unmatched view on the water of the EPCOT Fireworks Spectacular.

* Orlando Residents - Round-trip transportation from your residence to the Resort is available for 750 Points. Reservations are required.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – July 12, 2012 – The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is celebrating the summer games with a special event in the Dolphin lobby featuring the broadcast of the opening ceremonies in London displayed on large screen televisions, complimentary food and beverage and an opportunity to meet with past summer games medalists.

The event will take place on Friday, July 27 from 6 - 9pm and is open to hotel guests and the general public. (Please note, there is a fee for on-site parking)

On hand to interact, take photos and sign autographs with guests will be medalists:

Wendy Bruce-Martin (’92 gymnast)
Scott Johnson (‘84 and ’88 gymnast)
Fred Tyler (’72 swimmer).

“Gold medal” cookies, British-themed edible treats and recreational activities for kids will all be part of the festivities at the Orlando hotel.

For more information and to RSVP for the event, visit www.swandolphin.com/summergames. (Reservations are not required.)

About the athletes:

Bruce-Martin was part of gymnastics team USA in 1992 and helped the team bring home the bronze medal from Barcelona, Spain. Bruce-Martin now coaches gymnastics, with the goal of opening her own gym. Bruce-Martin was recently inducted into the USAG Gymnastics hall of fame in 2010 and the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Johnson is a two-time Olympian gymnast, winning the gold medal in 1984 and captaining the team in 1988. Since retiring from gymnastic competition in 1988, Johnson has continued to train up-and-coming gymnastic competitors in the Orlando, Fla. area.

Tyler earned a gold medal in the 4x200 meter freestyle relay and took fifth in the 200 meter free at the 1972 games in Munich, Germany. He currently teaches at Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Fla. and was previously the school’s head aquatic coach where he trained numerous state champions and All Americans in both swimming and water polo.