and funny enough we had the exact opposite reaction when we stayed at BC last year… we wished we were at WL . We found BC… chaotic?
Not sure how to describe it, but it felt like we never really left the chaos and frenzy of the parks and while the location of the resort itself was super convenient, once at the resort it felt like we had to walk miles anytime we needed anything (our room faced Epcot - was faster to Epcot than to get breakfast or buses at BC!)
For those who have stayed at both WL and Swan, how did the Swan compare in terms of the atmosphere/general busy-ness and convenience to buses/boats/food/pool?
I have stayed at both WL and Swan and in terms of atmosphere, there's no contest. WL wins. My feeling about the Swan was that it was like being in a nice hotel in Anywhere, USA. Even though it's right there on the Boardwalk, I felt outside the Disney bubble, which I love being in.
The Swan is a convention hotel and--to me--it felt like it. I saw a lot of people in business suits in the lobby, which was a vacation-at-Disney vibe killer.
You should check, but when I was there, the Swan didn't have a QS. I had to go to the Dolphin for that, and at the time (this was several years ago), the Dolphin's QS was basically a cafeteria in a basement. It's possible this has changed. My experience there is several years old.
If what you want is a location convenient to Epcot and DHS, then the Swan beats out WL by a lot. As other posters have mentioned, for your MK day, you would want to either walk to BC/YC and take the MK bus or take a Minnie Van, since the Swan buses leave you off at the TTC.
All WDW resorts can get chaotic. It depends on how crowded they are, Impossible to accurately predict.
For Disney atmosphere, beautiful theming, a gorgeous lobby, QS and other dining, and a boat to MK, WL is the best. They also have a lovely pool, as you know.
If what you want is to save $$ and be able to walk to EP and DHS, then stay at the Swan. But be prepared to not have the full-immersive Disney experience. Many posters here love the Swolphin. I was not one of them, but of course everyone is different!
ETA: Sorry! I didn't see your decision until after I'd posted this.