2br at OLD Key West, or Dolphin/Swan?

[Stevencweber]

Hi,

My wife, 2 boys ages 4 and 6, and I have never been to WDW before. If we had a choice of staying in a 2br at OKW or two adjoining rooms at the Dolphin/Swan, which would you recommend we choose?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Muffy]

Hi Steve,
If you're still Platinum SPG just book a standard room at S/D. You will be automaticly upgraded to a 2 room Jr. Suite at the Dolphin or a 500 sq. foot studio room at the Swan. Go with the Dolphin if it is paramount that you have 2 rooms. I'm sure you will enjoy the location and transportation at the S/D over OKW.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The location might be better at the Swan/Dolphin, but don't forget the washer/dryer, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker-full kitchen facilities, 3 TVs, etc. in an OKW 2 BR. Having stayed in a 2 BR at OKW myself, that's where I'd recommend.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Room service and maid service and the Grotto pool... the Swan and Dolphin win! Good luck with your decision!

 

[simonmunro]

I vote for Swan/Dolphin. In the heart of Epcot & MGM. No washer/dryer in the rooms BUT there is a cute little laundry mat near the pool entrance that we use every year. The complete renovation and "Heavenly Beds" are a dream come true at the end of a long day. If you're SPG like the other poster said you'll be eligible for things based on your account. Both resorts look out over beautiful things, for instance our little ones have watched Illuminations at night from their bed through the patio glass windows. Strolling onto the boats to the parks is so much more convenient than all busses. Beaches and Cream is within walking distance and the Grotto Pool is fantastic. They also have a seperate pools for little kids so you don't have to worry about if they're edging too close to the deeper water, IT'S ALL the same depth. In all fairness, I've never stayed at OKW but have returned to the S/D for over a decade. Either place is gonna be great. Read the thread here S/D verses BWI (it should still be on page 1). It's a big thread and gives all the details you'd want to know about S/D.

 

[disney queen]

we have stayed in a 2 bedroom at OKW and it is great!! lots of room. if you are a "paying guest" you will have daily housekeeping. if you are on points, then you will not have the housekeeping. the washer/dryer and full kitchen are great. we do not eat a lot of our meals in our room, but just having a full size frig....wonderful!

 

[dischick4778]

It is simply beautiful and spacious. Will two full bedrooms, 2 full baths, washer/dryer, frig, microwave, dishwasher, large balcony, the list goes on and on. It is my favorite!!

 

[TDC Nala]

If you want a lot of room and a kitchen, whirlpool tub (I don't know if Swolphin suites have whirlpool tubs; they might) and laundry in the room, take OKW. If it makes a difference, you'd be able to park a car right in front of your unit, so there is no valet parking available.

If you are more interested in being within walking distance of two theme parks and the Boardwalk, want daily housekeeping (if you're paying cash and not using DVC points to stay at OKW, remember you'll get daily housekeeping) and room service, and don't mind not having a kitchen and can do with less room, take the Swolphin. You'd have to park in a hotel lot and walk in or use valet parking.

You don't say when your trip is, but OKW's main pool is closed until around mid-December. They're adding a waterslide. There are other pools at the resort but they're small.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

My choice would be the Swan or Dolphin. You get those heavenly beds and that grotto pool And the location can't be beat. I love walking or taking a short boat ride to 2 of the parks instead having to take the bus. And the atmosphere in the area....you just feel so in it all!!!

 

[SB in KY]

I would have to vote for OKW...S/D are nice hotels, but with a 4 and 6yr old the room at OKW would be hard to beat....the DVD player, with free movie check outs would be a plus, all the room for the kids to run around both inside and out, all of the kids activities at Community Hall....no shushing kids everytime you hike to the elevator.... just seems to me like a family friendlier place. Those Swan beds are great but the parking is awful if you plan on using your car much (slowest valet service on property and a 1/2 mile hike to the self parking lots from the room)

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I've stayed at both.
It depends on what you would like in your stay.

OKW is staying in a very spacious two bedroom condo, with all the amenities. (w/d, ability to perpare some meals = savings, etc)

S/D is a hotel. You would be experiencing a very nice hotel room type accomodation with the amenities that go along with that (room service, maid service, etc)

My vote would be OKW.

 

[swilphil]

I had the same exact dilemma on our last trip to WDW. I even talked to a DVC owner on the phone for over an hour about a 2 br at OKW. We went with the Swan (Dolphin would have been fine too). We love the location and the amenities at S/D. We didn't even need to rent a car. It was cheaper to have a Town Car service pick us up at the airport.

With all the discounts available (Ent. Card, AllEars, AAA, govt....), I imagine you can get a suite at the S/D for the same price as you would pay for a 2 br. at OKW. The Jr. Suite at the Dolphin would be nice for you. My in-laws had an exec. suite at the Swan, which has a dining table and a dry kitchen. I personally don't want to do laundry or cook while on vacation. S/D has excellent restaurants, plus you're so close to the Boardwalk and Epcot's World Showcase-- great food everywhere. You can have them empty your mini-bar fridge at the S/D (I think it's a $20 charge) and then you can put in your own food and drinks. Well worth the cost. We stocked it with snacks, lunch and breakfast food we bought on our town car grocery stop.

We like the convenience of S/D with 2 toddlers. It's so easy to go back and forth from the parks and the bus service to MK is very good. I never felt like I had to "shush" my children in the hallways of S/D. Most people there on business are with their families who are going to the parks. My 4 year old insists we stay at the S/D on our next trip to Disney World.

 

[simonmunro]

I agree with Phil, no cooking for me and yes I know I admitted to doing laundry every year, but we just toss it in when out by the pool. We took our oldest to the Dolphin at least once a year between the ages of 6 - 18. He loved it there and as for shusshing, well I don't recall it but if it ever happened (like if we came in at midnight or left out at 7:00 a.m.) but gee, aren't those skills we teach our children about how to conduct themselves in polite society? Along with life's luxuries comes a responsibility. I ABSOLUTELY WANTED MY CHILD TO LEARN THIS and how else would you instill it??? I wanted my son to know about room service, valet, bell services, etc. not because we're wealthy, we are not, but because I wanted him to know if you work hard there are amazing perks to obtaining your goals and when you arrive in a "super kid friendly but elegant hotel" you behave with manners.

Purchasing into DVC would also be amazing and I think OKW or any other WDW property would make you happy, happy. From the Swan Club floor I think that was Luna Park I could see and it was georgous. Maybe our original poster should just take two vacations, one at each property!!!

 

[simonmunro]

ooops, I started off on track thinking OKW but somewhere along the way (prior to coffee) my befuddled morning mind began to think BWV???????????? Sorry, Luna park is mui, mui bonita though!

 

[rpink58]

I would choose OKW. But really it comes down to location and if you want a hotel or the apartment feel.

 

[Stevencweber]

Wow!

Thank you all very much for your answers, thoughts and ethusiasm! I think we will go with OKW this year, and then try Swan/Dolphin next Spring.

Thanks for all the great advice.

-Steve

 

[simonmunro]

Great idea! Glad we could help give you the pros and cons list to sort through. The blessing is the issues at hand are ALL PROS, you're going to Disney World!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S'all Good.