BC vs Swan/Dolphin Help Me Decide - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

GOOFY4DONALD · 03-05-2013, 09:45 PM

Thank you all for such great replies. I wanted to add to my post our tentative plans. We are planning on arriving in Orlando on a Thurs, renting a car, and spending 3 days at Universal (never been to USO). Then returning the car and spending 6 nights at WDW. I really wanted to stay at BC but touring the Swan found it was pretty impressive. We would also get a teacher's discount so we would end up saving over 200.00 per night (over BC). That being said we have always used ME and the dining plan. I'm not saying that it would be a bad thing not to have them, just different.

patty57 · 03-06-2013, 05:52 AM

We always used DME, but never the dining plan. For the S/D we use a town car. Only you can decide which you would rather do...stay at BC or save some money. Best of luck making your decision. You will have a great trip either way.

Minckemom · 04-21-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pea-n-Me

I forgot to mention the views from the rooms, speaking of immersion.

Love the views! This was our room last time (apologize for poor pic quality, taken with an old iPhone a couple of years ago). Different views from different area of the hotels. See ToT in middle pic in the background. Beautiful at night, too.

Which type of room did you have?

chasgoose · 04-21-2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissionMouse

Your nightly rate does not include the mandatory daily resort fee, plus if you are going to park your car they charge a daily fee too. I am not sure if this matters, but I will note the Dolphin is a convention hotel, so you would most likely encounter large business functions in the lobby area, bars and other main floor activity areas. For me, when I am on vacation I do not want to think of work so see others working and gossiping. I just didn't get the Disney feeling until I left the resort. Overall, we have stayed at most of the deluxe resorts and based upon our experiences would stay at a Disney Deluxe prior to the Swan or Dolphin and a non-convention resort before a convention resort. If financials are a driving factor the savings is something to consider.

Unless there is some crazy sale at the YC/BC, the S&D are almost always going to be cheaper, even after you factor in the extra costs. It's certainly more immersive and easier to stay on Disney property, but you pay for that convenience and experience. Personally, I find it worth it to pay for the Disney hotel, but if I couldn't afford a Deluxe, I would probably stay at the S&D before I dropped down to a moderate.

msmileyface · 04-21-2013, 08:29 PM

I've stayed at the Swan before and I'm headed back in June. You really cannot beat the location, and the rooms are fantastic. The bed alone is a major selling point. I don't think you'll be disappointed at ALL! It feels like a luxury place!

DanInMN · 04-21-2013, 08:59 PM

We stayed at the Swan a few years back, and it was very nice. The theme is pure Corporate America, so if that's what you like you will feel right at home. Personally I prefer to get as far away from Corporate life as possible while on vacation. But the pricing and location are certainly tempting!

msmileyface · 04-23-2013, 06:24 PM

I am thinking about going to the Character dinner at the restaurant at the Swan.. anyone know how that is?

MissionMouse · Today, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasgoose

Unless there is some crazy sale at the YC/BC, the S&D are almost always going to be cheaper, even after you factor in the extra costs. It's certainly more immersive and easier to stay on Disney property, but you pay for that convenience and experience. Personally, I find it worth it to pay for the Disney hotel, but if I couldn't afford a Deluxe, I would probably stay at the S&D before I dropped down to a moderate.

I agree. Its a case you get what you pay for and I might consider S&D if we were unable to stay at a Deluxe. Stressing might.

clapton · Today, 09:57 PM

If I couldn't stay at BC I would definitely stay at S&D. Stayed there for the first time in April, was surprised how nice it was. Would stay again.

rteetz · Today, 10:06 PM

Of you want a full disney experience go with BC. We stayed at the dolphin last year and it was nice dont get me wrong but you don't get the whole disney experience. The swan and dolphin are not owned by disney but are allowed to have the disney name. We love the BC and would much rather stay there any time. Dolphin and swan are convention hotels and disney had a company build them and run them because they wanted more convention traffic. Trust me on that they get a ton of convention traffic and a lot of the time they rent out the pool areas at the swan and dolphin so that can be selective. When we were their, there was a huge convention that pretty much made up the entire hotel. Go with BC you'll fall in love with it instantly.

disney lover at heart

03-05-2013, 09:45 PM	#16
GOOFY4DONALD DH finished his plate at 50's Prime Time. They were so proud they made it a Hidden Mickey! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 3,549	Thank you all for such great replies. I wanted to add to my post our tentative plans. We are planning on arriving in Orlando on a Thurs, renting a car, and spending 3 days at Universal (never been to USO). Then returning the car and spending 6 nights at WDW. I really wanted to stay at BC but touring the Swan found it was pretty impressive. We would also get a teacher's discount so we would end up saving over 200.00 per night (over BC). That being said we have always used ME and the dining plan. I'm not saying that it would be a bad thing not to have them, just different. __________________ Disneyland 1975-Present...Too Many Times To Count WDW 2007 Our First Trip FW Cabins WDW 2009 Polynesian WDW 2012 FW Cabins

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03-06-2013, 05:52 AM	#17
patty57 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,046	We always used DME, but never the dining plan. For the S/D we use a town car. Only you can decide which you would rather do...stay at BC or save some money. Best of luck making your decision. You will have a great trip either way.

04-21-2013, 08:29 PM	#20
msmileyface Earning My Ears Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 44	I've stayed at the Swan before and I'm headed back in June. You really cannot beat the location, and the rooms are fantastic. The bed alone is a major selling point. I don't think you'll be disappointed at ALL! It feels like a luxury place!

04-21-2013, 08:59 PM	#21
DanInMN Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 107	We stayed at the Swan a few years back, and it was very nice. The theme is pure Corporate America, so if that's what you like you will feel right at home. Personally I prefer to get as far away from Corporate life as possible while on vacation. But the pricing and location are certainly tempting!

04-23-2013, 06:24 PM	#22
msmileyface Earning My Ears Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 44	I am thinking about going to the Character dinner at the restaurant at the Swan.. anyone know how that is?

Today, 09:57 PM	#24
clapton Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 110	If I couldn't stay at BC I would definitely stay at S&D. Stayed there for the first time in April, was surprised how nice it was. Would stay again.

Today, 10:06 PM	#25
rteetz Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 206	Of you want a full disney experience go with BC. We stayed at the dolphin last year and it was nice dont get me wrong but you don't get the whole disney experience. The swan and dolphin are not owned by disney but are allowed to have the disney name. We love the BC and would much rather stay there any time. Dolphin and swan are convention hotels and disney had a company build them and run them because they wanted more convention traffic. Trust me on that they get a ton of convention traffic and a lot of the time they rent out the pool areas at the swan and dolphin so that can be selective. When we were their, there was a huge convention that pretty much made up the entire hotel. Go with BC you'll fall in love with it instantly. disney lover at heart