Swan/Dolphin vs other Epcot resorts

[need2travel]

We love the look of the Swan and Dolphin and the price as well, especially with the Teacher Discount, however and please somebody correct if I'm wrong but you can't get the Disney Dining Plan when you stay at the Swan and Dolphin correct? We would love to stay here but we just can't give up the DDP! If they took the DDP we would stay in a heartbeat.

 

[luvallprincesses]

We love the look of the Swan and Dolphin and the price as well, especially with the Teacher Discount, however and please somebody correct if I'm wrong but you can't get the Disney Dining Plan when you stay at the Swan and Dolphin correct? We would love to stay here but we just can't give up the DDP! If they took the DDP we would stay in a heartbeat.

Right, no DDP last I checked. We are thinking of using the teacher discount for a first stay there next Feb. if no better Disney deals come up, but we are not big dining plan fans anyway. We are counter service kind of people instead of 1-2 hours at a restaurant when the kids would rather be elsewhere in the World. (And got spoiled when it used to include an appetizer AND tips, not that much of a deal now if we eat how we normally would.)

Could anyone expand on their feelings of Swan versus Dolphin? I understand dolphin has counter service and laundry as opposed to the swan and the bed sizes are different. Any other opinions on one versus the other?

 

[madelyn]

I'm pricing out an early June Universal/Disney trip. I am getting a standard room rate with a AAA for around $170 at the Dolphin. BUT we are a family of 5 and it looks like they charge $25 extra for a 5th person even if they are under 18. The Deluxe Disney resorts and the Universal hotels don't have an extra charge for a 5th person as long as only 2 of those 5 persons are adults. I am not clear whether there is an additional $25 rollaway charge on top of that fee. So if I add $170 + $25 5th person fee + $25 rollaway + $17 resort fee + $15 parking = $252 (not including tax). For my same June 7 - 11 dates, Port Orleans Riverside is coming up at $206 per night pre-tax (non-discounted rate). BUT, if I could book a week later when discounts are available at WDW resorts (30% off many Deluxe hotels) I come up with $286/night for a standard room at the Boardwalk or garden view at the Beach Club. For $34/nt more, I would probably go for the Boardwalk or Beach Club over the Dolphin and likely take Magical Express to make up the difference. I'm not sure that there is a 5th person charge AND a rollaway charge though. My youngest child is 6 so could fit on the daybed in the Beach Club or at the Boardwalk. But I would think the Dolphin would be nicer than Port Orleans and I might pay $46 more per night for the Dolphin over Port Orleans. I have stayed at the Dolphin before and the Beach Club and the Boardwalk (villas) but have not stayed at Port Orleans. The only mods I have stayed at are Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach. I just hate all the extra charges that the Dolphin/Swan tacks on. But I also hate paying rack rate for the on-site Disney resorts. I think my family would have to stay at the Dolphin (over the Swan) since I think the Swan doesn't allow a 5th person in the room (not enough room for a rollaway since the beds are queen sized?). Seems that the rates for the Swan are about $50 more per night than the Dolphin. And the sq footage listed for the standard room at the Dolphin is actually larger by 20 sq feet than the Swan? I am not sure what would make the Swan that much more desirable to pay $50 more a night?

 

[robinbutterfly]

They are both nice resorts. We missed our Disney theming while at the dolphin, but really liked the comfy beds, and good coffee. for a good rate I would stay there again!

Agree with this. Something was missing when we stayed at Swan. I thought no way would I miss the Disney theming. I can step outside of the hotel and be submurged in it! We loved the Swan and would stay there again, but I have to say, that trip was different then our other trips because we stayed there.

 

[ahutton]

We stay in the Boardwalk often (DVC members) and I would not hesitate to stay at Swan or Dolphin. And unless you NEED a rental car - I would skip it and take Tiffany Town Car or another service. Save the parking money and the cost of the rental. We find we do a day or so at MK, one at AK and the rest of our time is at the Studios and EPCOT so the location is excellent and have always had great service at Swan and Dolphin.

 

[chan3bbb]

We just came back from a six night stay at the Dolphin and LOVED it. Our family if five got a deluxe Alcove room which gave us plenty of room with two double heavenly beds and a king size sofa sleeper. Room was nice, service was attentive, staff was friendly. When we asked for towels or o adjust the shower, the staff called to check how if they got delivered, if the shower got fixed etc. great follow up

We stayed in the central tower...no long walks to our room like at some WDW resorts. I would stay here again in a heartbeat. Nothing like WDW Locations and services at non WDW prices. And oh, if you are Starwood gold status, your resort fee per night is waived.

 

[Aliceacc]

We just came back from a six night stay at the Dolphin and LOVED it. Our family if five got a deluxe Alcove room which gave us plenty of room with two double heavenly beds and a king size sofa sleeper. Room was nice, service was attentive, staff was friendly. When we asked for towels or o adjust the shower, the staff called to check how if they got delivered, if the shower got fixed etc. great follow up

We stayed in the central tower...no long walks to our room like at some WDW resorts. I would stay here again in a heartbeat. Nothing like WDW Locations and services at non WDW prices. And oh, if you are Starwood gold status, your resort fee per night is waived.

Ohh, please tell me about the Deluxe Alcove.

It, on the teacher's discount, is my Plan B in case I don't get a deal next year. You're the first person I've seen who has stayed in the Deluxe Alcove.

 

[chan3bbb]

It was 500 sq feet. Two double beds, one king sofa sleeper. two lounge chairs in room. we were on the 18th floor in the central tower. Way more elbow room for our family of 5 than our previous stay at the Boardwalk. Even with the extra $$ over the std, it was larger and cheaper than a WDW deluxe. This will be our "go to" place. and starwood points to boot!

 

[Aliceacc]

Thanks!

I'm still hoping for a huge break from Disney (hey, it's not till summer 2014, and a girl can dream.) But that's my Plan B. Thanks for your help.

 

[Minckemom]

It was 500 sq feet. Two double beds, one king sofa sleeper. two lounge chairs in room. we were on the 18th floor in the central tower. Way more elbow room for our family of 5 than our previous stay at the Boardwalk. Even with the extra $$ over the std, it was larger and cheaper than a WDW deluxe. This will be our "go to" place. and starwood points to boot!

How comfortable was the sofa sleeper? We are going in October and are planning on having our seven year old sleep on it. I was trying to figure out if it is ok or if I need to pay for a rollaway for him. Did your kids like it?

 

[chan3bbb]

Your seven yr old will feel like a king sleeping in that king size sleeper. Ask for an extra duvet upon check in

 

[Minckemom]

Your seven yr old will feel like a king sleeping in that king size sleeper. Ask for an extra duvet upon check in

Thank you! I get nervous about staying there- we have always stayed in Disney mods or deluxe. Once you start searching for information on here, you find that a lot of people really like it.