Need Help! S/D vs CSR

[mickey2minnie1]

I am booked at CSR standard for 178 a night for everything in June, 7 nights before switching to Poly CL for 4.

I just joined AAA and can get a basic room (view of the roof, lol) at S/D for 225 or 235 everything. I was trying to save because I am splurging on the Poly, but it will be my three kids 16, 13, and 10 and myself, and now I am second guessing because it may be all around easier. Would it be really worth the extra 350-400?

Keep in mind pool and resort days are important.

How do you decide between S/D besides queens vs doubles. I will need to do laundry once or twice too. They look so similar, but there have to be differences. HELP!!

Thank you everyone!

 

[AliceIn]

I'd go for the Swan. It will be nice to have two parks within a short distance, especially with the ages of your kids. I have stayed at both hotels (thought for conventions, not for vacation), and I thought they were great. Rooms were nice, beds comfortable, and the amenities were very nice.

You'll get the best of both MK and Epcot. Sounds like a wonderful trip!

 

[TaraPA]

I just posted this to you over on the S/D thread - hope the info helps!

"That's a tough one. While I'm a HUGE S/D fan, I really do love CSR too. The newly renovated rooms at CSR are gorgeous. So you're looking at CSR being about $329 cheaper overall than S/D. Do you need ME? If so, I'd stick with CSR, airport transportation to S/D will really eat into that $329. The advantage for kids your ages would be the location of S/D. Walking distance to Epcot & DHS, as well as all the Boardwalk activities. I also like the Grotto pool area at S/D better than the mail pool at CSR. Hmmm....I'm not helping, am I??

I never notice a difference in size at all between Swan & Dolphin rooms. I honestly don't notice the difference in bed size either (and I'm used to a king at home). Those darn beds are so scrumptiously amazing you lay down & don't care how big the bed is! I sink in & don't move til morning!

If you have laundry to do then definitely Dolphin. I've done laundry there many times. You don't want to be schlepping your dirty (or clean) clothing outside from resort to resort. There is only laundry at Dolphin. The nice thing is that the laundry room is right by Picabu and the pool, so you can throw a load in & hang at one of those places while you wait.

Good luck whatever you choose!"

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I'd go for the Swan. It will be nice to have two parks within a short distance, especially with the ages of your kids. I have stayed at both hotels (thought for conventions, not for vacation), and I thought they were great. Rooms were nice, beds comfortable, and the amenities were very nice.

You'll get the best of both MK and Epcot. Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Thank you for your response.

What did you like about the Swan over the Dolphin?

 

[goofyintoronto]

If you can save money i'd go for CSR. Very pretty resort with the best bus service I ever had. Plus the beds are Queen size, not double.

 

[AliceIn]

Thank you for your response.

What did you like about the Swan over the Dolphin?

The Swan seemed more relaxed to me, the Dolphin was more business like. The hotels are really similar, though.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Thanks for the responses! Keep them coming!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Bump. I stil cannot decide.

 

[DizDaD7]

Can't really comment on swan n dolphin cause I never stayed. Heard good things though. For 1 its in a great location & 2 it has a great array of top notch restaurants too.

On the FLIPSIDE. CSR I have stayed b4 and it's our favorite non dvc resort at the present.
like Goofyintoronfo stated earlier by far the best bus service of all WDW resorts.

Their pool is awesom the pepper market is fantastic. The Theming there is very nice and the queen beds very comfortable too.Either way u can't go wrong but to me $400 is alot more beneficial in my pocket. Just think! You could always put that $$ to 2 more days atCSR.lol

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Can't really comment on swan n dolphin cause I never stayed. Heard good things though. For 1 its in a great location & 2 it has a great array of top notch restaurants too.

On the FLIPSIDE. CSR I have stayed b4 and it's our favorite non dvc resort at the present.
like Goofyintoronfo stated earlier by far the best bus service of all WDW resorts.

Their pool is awesom the pepper market is fantastic. The Theming there is very nice and the queen beds very comfortable too.Either way u can't go wrong but to me $400 is alot more beneficial in my pocket. Just think! You could always put that $$ to 2 more days atCSR.lol

Thanks, good point!

 

[Marthasor]

Love S/D! Location is fantastic and the restaurants are great! I would go for whichever resort is cheaper and keep checking for more discounts! I had an AAA rate in December and the Tuesday before we left, Dolphin was included as a "Starpicks" resort for the week, so I called and they applied that discount as well. I ended up staying three nights for what it would have cost me for one at BWI. Also, if you do book S/D, join the Starwood Preferred Guest program (or SPG) and make sure it's noted on your reservation. You will get a free room category upgrade. I had booked a standard view and ended up with a view of the fireworks from Fantasmic AND Illuminations - it was AWESOME! All this for $139 per night with all of my discounts applied! Love S/D and Starwood!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Love S/D! Location is fantastic and the restaurants are great! I would go for whichever resort is cheaper and keep checking for more discounts! I had an AAA rate in December and the Tuesday before we left, Dolphin was included as a "Starpicks" resort for the week, so I called and they applied that discount as well. I ended up staying three nights for what it would have cost me for one at BWI. Also, if you do book S/D, join the Starwood Preferred Guest program (or SPG) and make sure it's noted on your reservation. You will get a free room category upgrade. I had booked a standard view and ended up with a view of the fireworks from Fantasmic AND Illuminations - it was AWESOME! All this for $139 per night with all of my discounts applied! Love S/D and Starwood!

Thank you for the info. if I switch, I will do that. I think some of the restaurants take AAA too. That is a benefit too.

 

[DisneyMagicMomma]

While we have not stayed in S/D, we have visited. The resorts are opulent, but too upity for us. I enjoyed the spa very much though. We HAVE stayed at CSR and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it there! The atmosphere is laid back, the buses are great, the grounds are beautidul and walkable (with hammocks. Ahhhhh!) and Pepper Market is excellent. Also, the little quick service there is awesome. The staff is incredibly accomodating! I would stay there every time we go, but we must check out all the other resorts...

 

[mickey2minnie1]

While we have not stayed in S/D, we have visited. The resorts are opulent, but too upity for us. I enjoyed the spa very much though. We HAVE stayed at CSR and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it there! The atmosphere is laid back, the buses are great, the grounds are beautidul and walkable (with hammocks. Ahhhhh!) and Pepper Market is excellent. Also, the little quick service there is awesome. The staff is incredibly accomodating! I would stay there every time we go, but we must check out all the other resorts...

Thank you!

 

[patty57]

Everyone has their own opinions, but from my perspective, I didn't find the Swan & Dolphin uppity at all. I have never stayed at CSR, although I hear it is a very nice resort. I would always choose the Epcot location and the ability to walk to Epcot and DHS over another resort anytime.

 

[nkereina]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned but just a reminder there is no DDP or ME from S/D