comparing doplhin or swan hotel to disney onsite hotel

[meeshkamooshka]

FYI-we are staying at the dolphin for the first time in Sept and looking forward to it, we usually stay at disney hotels but decided to give the dolphin a try. As for renting a car, we rented a mini van which holds 7 passengers and for 8 days are paying $260 (which includes all taxes and extra charges). We are renting from dollar rent a car out of MCO, check out where they list "specials" when you put in your dates and the rates are much cheaper. Good luck.

yes, I did see that...the mini van was alot cheaper... I guess no one wants one ( me..lol ) actually my family is not that big, however, I like to rent large SUV's

problem is its 4 x's as much than I am use to paying in Houston TX....

I could rent it over a month ( a TAHOE) for under a $1000 !!!!! i usually use Enterprise...they consistenly have some of the best rates...

the most expensive I find are Hertz and Avis usually....

 

[canopynut66]

they are both nice hotels but not Disney and so have no perks of Disney. so no would not stay over there again as we like the theme resorts and then can get FD and also bus service better at Disney resorts. your best bus service of any Disney resort is POP and we have stayed at them all in the last 65 trips. we stopped the rental car thing years ago. we all runa around up here and work and traffic and decided were not going to on vacation.

 

[cjsm&d]

I should clarify that while on Disney property, neither are Disney Themed hotels. They do a ton of conferences at each and are more of a corporate America hotel than a theme park hotel. Their rooms are about the same size as a Disney Moderate, smaller than a Disney Deluxe.

Their location is quite nice as they are walking distance to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Boardwalk.

Tom

Room size info is incorrect. The standard rooms at Swan and Dolphin are 360 sq ft. Mods at WDW are 314 (except CBR at 340). The deluxe rooms at the EPCOT resorts (BC,YC, and BWI) are 380 and the WL and AKL rooms are 344 and 340.

You can almost always save at least $100 per night in price over the other EPCOT deluxes.

I do agree that the location is the best thing about these hotels, but I really like the atmosphere and amenities at the S&D.

 

[cjsm&d]

they are both nice hotels but not Disney and so have no perks of Disney. so no would not stay over there again as we like the theme resorts and then can get FD and also bus service better at Disney resorts. your best bus service of any Disney resort is POP and we have stayed at them all in the last 65 trips. we stopped the rental car thing years ago. we all runa around up here and work and traffic and decided were not going to on vacation.

They do have EMH, Free parking at the parks, and WDW bus transportation.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Room size info is incorrect. The standard rooms at Swan and Dolphin are 360 sq ft. Mods at WDW are 314 (except CBR at 340). The deluxe rooms at the EPCOT resorts (BC,YC, and BWI) are 380 and the WL and AKL rooms are 344 and 340.

You can almost always save at least $100 per night in price over the other EPCOT deluxes.

I do agree that the location is the best thing about these hotels, but I really like the atmosphere and amenities at the S&D.

Thanks for the technical correction

 

[Mackie Mouse]

I have always had my doubts about the Swan/Dolphin due to those on this forum who say that they're "not Disney enough," lack the "Disney perks" of the on-site resorts, and are "eyesores" you can see from Epcot. Last summer, while hunting for discounts for a trip during the height of the summer season, I realized that my teacher discount at the Swolphin would bring the price of a room there down below what I'd pay to be at Port Orleans Riverside, my moderate resort of choice. So I booked the Dolphin, thinking it was worth a shot and that experiencing the Boardwalk area might be nice.

My experience there was so awesome...I will NEVER look back! The Dolphin will for sure be our go-to hotel for all Disney trips from here on out, unless some huge discounts or magically unlikely mid-summer free dining happens.

It was our anniversary, and we were magically upgraded to a deluxe alcove room upon check-in. We had two separate balconies and an incredible view of the Epcot fireworks at night. We paid just over $200/night for our room, including the resort fees, with my teacher discount. I shudder to think what a comparable room with a fireworks view would have cost at a Disney-owned deluxe resort.

The location of the resort cannot be beat. The walk to Epcot is 10-15 minutes on a 98-degree day with nearly 100% humidity...meaning that in more tolerable weather you could be there in 10 minutes tops. Maybe we got lucky, or maybe it was some more Disney anniversary magic at work, but the way rope drop was set up coming through the International Gateway allowed us to be the VERY first people on Soarin' during our Epcot day. Talk about convenient park access. The friendship boats to both Epcot and DHS were also extremely convenient and easy to use, and in spite of others' complaints we had absolutely no trouble getting to AK for their rope drop in the morning and to/from Downtown Disney on the buses. Again, this was at the smack-dab during summer season in early August.

The theming honestly didn't bother me at all. The resort is beautiful, the grotto pool is beyond awesome (I'd say even better than Stormalong Bay a the Beach/Yacht Club down the Boardwalk!) and the accommodations are plush. Like a PP said, I don't need hidden Mickeys all over my bedspread to make me feel immersed in Disney...fireworks out my window do that just fine!

No, you cannot do the dining plan at the Swan/Dolphin, and you do not have access to Magical Express. That said, Mears got us to the resort very efficiently on the morning of our arrival, and DH and I have never found paying for the dining plan to be a good value for us anyway. The specific perks of the Swan/Dolphin more than made up for this in our eyes.

Like I said...unless Disney gives me a really good reason to, I'll never stay anywhere else!

 

[runnerchick]

We booked a room at the Dolphin last September. I had seen the rooms on their website and was excited to stay there! Well, we checked into our room and it was terrible!!! Smelled musty, bugs crawling on the walls and even dead bugs up on the bed (yup, even on the pillows....). The hotel was very run down and just plain dirty. After seeing three different rooms we checked out...hopped in a taxi to WL! I have never had such a bad experience that was I not willing to stay (and I have traveled pretty extensively worldwide). My advice, stay at a Disney hotel - value, moderate or deluxe - it is well worth it!!!

 

[vcunning]

We have multiple times requested and received a balcony room facing EPCOT above the 6th floor. Perfect view of Illuminations from your balcony.

 

[NancyIL]

We booked a room at the Dolphin last September. I had seen the rooms on their website and was excited to stay there! Well, we checked into our room and it was terrible!!! Smelled musty, bugs crawling on the walls and even dead bugs up on the bed (yup, even on the pillows....). The hotel was very run down and just plain dirty. After seeing three different rooms we checked out...hopped in a taxi to WL! I have never had such a bad experience that was I not willing to stay (and I have traveled pretty extensively worldwide). My advice, stay at a Disney hotel - value, moderate or deluxe - it is well worth it!!!

I could believe one unacceptable room, but three? I don't agree with you that the Dolphin is "very run down and just plain dirty."

 

[Tltorrez]

No, you cannot do the dining plan at the Swan/Dolphin, and you do not have access to Magical Express. That said, Mears got us to the resort very efficiently on the morning of our arrival, and DH and I have never found paying for the dining plan to be a good value for us anyway. The specific perks of the Swan/Dolphin more than made up for this in our eyes.

Like I said...unless Disney gives me a really good reason to, I'll never stay anywhere else!

Apparently you can do the Dining Plan at S/D but only if you book it through Disney not direct. Which basically means no discount at all. Can't imagine why anyone would do that but it's possible.

We stayed at the Dolphin for F&W last year. We wanted to be on the Boardwalk and there were no discounts at BWV. It was nice enough, though I think I would choose Swan next time. I found the Dolphin a little too noisy/busy. Either way, I'm all about location. So if I'm on a strict budget, this is our top choice.

 

[vicki_c]

I don't believe you can get the dining plan at S/D no matter who you book through.

 

[cgattis]

I also disagree about it being dirty. We found it to be spotless. With a government rate (or if unavailable, AAA), the location, EMH and transportation, just can't be matched by Disney unless some PIN comes out, and that's not always the dates we can travel. As OP said, Disney is going to have to really TRY to pull us away. Stayed first time in December, going back in 4 weeks, and about to book for SWW. I think I'm pretty well hooked.

 

[Redbudlover]

I own DVC points, am an AP holder and go often. I have stayed at all the deluxe resorts and several of the mods and values. I have also stayed at Swan and Dolphin several times. I absolutely love the Swan and love the Swan's price. I find it definitely more deluxe than Disney. The Heavenly beds, the deluxe linens, the beautiful rooms and the wonderful S/D restaurants are great. If you want a little theming they have a character breakfast on the weekends. Like others I find the theming in the parks meets my needs. I don't like ME as I find it neither magical nor express, so don't miss it at Swan. You have the same package delivery the same transportation and the same great location. If I can get an AP discount it will sometimes bring the cost down to the Swan's and sometimes I can't get into the Swan. I am going in 6 weeks with my DGD6 and she wants the BC so we are going there on my AP, but personally I love the Swan - much more heavenly with the water, the newspaper and internet that actually works.... And really yes you do pay a $15 a day resort fee, but the cost is still wayyyy lower than BC, YC or BWI....

 

[jade1]

We liked it, but not as much as Disney deluxe. We would pick there over all values and mods for sure, mostly for location, and over OKW SSR AKLV because of location.

 

[legaleagal]

My issue with staying at a Disney Deluxe is that I keep reading how tired and out dated the rooms are. For what the deluxe resorts costs, I want something nicer, more modern. We have always stayed offsite.... But are coming this November and seriously considering onsite this time. I want to be close to Epcot so considering the Swan or Dolphin.

Do those of you that have stayed at the BC, YC or Boardwalk disagree? I thought since the S/D are Westin and Sheraton, they would be nicer rooms??

We have a 13 year old and don't care about theming, ME or free dining. Really like the EMH though!

Thoughts please???

 

[CandleontheWater]

The rooms are really nice at the Swan and Dolphin. I find them to be much more updated (duvets instead of bedspreads), nicer mattresses, fully functional wifi, etc. We used to stay there a lot when we lived in FL, because we could get great discounts. I think the prices are a steal for the location. The gift shops sell Disney merchandise, and you can even pin trade in the gift shops off a big pin board. If you don't feel like spending $200 extra dollars a night for hidden mickeys in the carpet, I'd pick the Swan/Dolphin in a heartbeat!

 

[Tltorrez]

My issue with staying at a Disney Deluxe is that I keep reading how tired and out dated the rooms are. For what the deluxe resorts costs, I want something nicer, more modern. We have always stayed offsite.... But are coming this November and seriously considering onsite this time. I want to be close to Epcot so considering the Swan or Dolphin.

Do those of you that have stayed at the BC, YC or Boardwalk disagree? I thought since the S/D are Westin and Sheraton, they would be nicer rooms??

We have a 13 year old and don't care about theming, ME or free dining. Really like the EMH though!

Thoughts please???

I would say, just comparing the rooms as if they were regular hotels, S&D are nicer. On the flip side, I think there's that indefinable quality of Disney hospitality that you can only get at a Disney resort. Having said that, I haven't found the rooms at BWV to be run down or anything. And the service at S&D is just fine. It's just a matter of degrees.

For us, we really need the 1BDR suite when we can get it and BWV is the best option for that. But when we're on a tight budget for a short trip we can get by with a regular room and then S&D become attractive options. We'd like to try BCV on our next short trip (F&W) but it will all depend on our finances and discounts. For us the absolute most important criteria is location, so all of the Epcot resorts are a good option for us.

 

[Planogirl]

I like the Swan best but they are both nice resorts. The idea that they are not Disney enough could bother some people but a lot of DISers say that about Disney's own moderates and deluxes too. It's just a matter of perspective and what you want when you vacation.

The location is amazing! I think that the only things missing are the dining plan and Magical Express if you want those.

 

[legaleagal]

I like the Swan best but they are both nice resorts. The idea that they are not Disney enough could bother some people but a lot of DISers say that about Disney's own moderates and deluxes too. It's just a matter of perspective and what you want when you vacation.

The location is amazing! I think that the only things missing are the dining plan and Magical Express if you want those.

Planogirl.....We live in Frisco, TX too!! Small world

 

[jade1]

Stayed last spring, just not quite the Disney feel for us-but liked it and will stay again. Did mid trip so still enjoyed ME.