Many guests at Walt Disney World never visit the numerous hotels and resorts. Of those who do, many of them overlook the Swan and Dolphin Resort Hotels. These two hotels are not staffed or managed by Walt Disney Cast members but by Starwood (Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, W Hotels, Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Four Points, aloft & element Hotels). The Swan and Dolphin are operated as Sheraton level resorts within the Starwood brand. Located adjacent to the Boardwalk area, these resorts have been adding more and more things to do and see that rival what you may be visiting Walt Disney World for anyway. The two big ones are the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic (held for the third time in October 2012) as well as the impressive holiday displays they recently added. Today we will take a look at the Swan Resort and see the incredible chocolate display their staff has created.
Entering the lobby of the Swan you are greeted with a simple holiday display…
Looking past the Christmas trees you will see the swan fountain. Take a closer look and you see that the swans are adorned with holiday trimmings…
You can stroll around the many common areas taking in trees and wreaths. A couple that caught my eye…
But if you don’t stroll far enough you may miss what the Swan and Dolphin resort staff has created to wow guests who take the time to appreciate the artistry and talent of candy making. At the “back door” or maybe more appropriately the Boardwalk area exit, you will find a chocolate display…
If you only glanced at the photo, look again. This is not a miniature display. Santa Claus is FULL SIZE! He is made of 1200 POUNDS of chocolate!
When you start looking closely and comparing this to the gingerbread display at The Boardwalk or at The Beach Club you realize that the Swan and Dolphin pastry chefs have created a display that not only rivals but may exceed these other two more “famous” holiday displays at Walt Disney World. At least in my never to be humble opinion…
Here are the facts from the Swan and Dolphin:
“Santa may be known as sweet, but he even won’t be able to match the sweetness of his likeness that will be on display throughout December in the lobby of the Swan. The hotel’s executive pastry chef Laurent Branlard has created a life-sized sculpture of Santa, constructed entirely of chocolate – approximately 1,200 lbs. of it! The sculpture also features a chocolate fireplace, chocolate Christmas tree and chocolate toy train. Branlard is the only two-time world pastry champion and renowned for his chocolate and sugar sculptures.”
Take time to explore when you visit Walt Disney World…you may find extra magic in unexpected places.
nick
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