A quick little review of the WDW Swan

[KathyRN137]

DH and I recently spent a weekend together, sans kids, at the Swan. He was running the WDW Half-Marathon and we were there mostly for the Marathon Weekend activities and for relaxation, as opposed to our annual family WDW vacation. We chose the Swan because of the great room discount for nurses. (A $389 room for $149...you gotta love that!)

It was our first stay at the Swan, and hopefully not our last! It is a beautiful hotel. The room decor is restful and the heavenly bed was, well, heavenly! We had a king-bed room on the 12th floor. The view encompassed the canal that runs between the Swan and the Boardwalk Villas, and it looked especially stunning at night. We also had a view of the Studios. Although the room was quiet, if you listened intently, you could hear the music from Fantasmic! and see the fireworks from the window. (There was no balcony.)

The restaurant choices were abundant since the Dolphin is right next door and it was a short walk to the Boardwalk. The spa at the Dolphin is so far my favorite at WDW, I liked the atmosphere better than both the spas at SSR and the GF.

There were a lot of conventioneers and people in buisiness attire during the day seemed a bit odd next to families in shorts and flip-flops. It is an lovely hotel. Not as much of a resort "feel" as the other WDW resorts we have stayed at.

I liked it for a weekend away with DH, but if coming for a week with the whole family, I would prefer one of the other resorts for that "Disney" atmosphere.

Staying in the Epcot area is great...so convenient...I thing we will try for BCV or BWV for the family later this year.

Kathy

 

[Connears]

Love the Swan! Stayed there for xmas week 2003 and loved the location, resort and accomodations. We also ate at Fresh and Dolphin Fountain and loved it. The boats to MGM and Epcot are wonderful and the walk to the Boardwalk area is a plus. We stayed club level(they don't have it anymore) and used teacher's discount also. SPG points can also be used and we did this to stay one night at Dolphin prior to our DVC stay one year. Would definitely stay there again. Only down side now is that you can't get DDP when you stay there.
Connears

 

[OhioBob]

Thanks for the nice review. What did think of the bathrooms? I've read some negative comments about them.

 

[KathyRN137]

Only down side now is that you can't get DDP when you stay there.
Connears

That's true; I forgot to mention that!

 

[Hedy]

Good to know-I may be staying at the Dolphin in Dec, I keep on hearing great things, but there's this tiny piece of me who's afraid to stay in a non 100% Disney resort.

 

[Blondie]

Kathy, I'm glad you enjoyed your getaway! Our first trips sans kids was last February at the Swan and it sounds like our views were similar! I loved looking out our window and seeing Spaceship Earth!

Hedy, don't be afraid! There's plenty of Disney if you look out your windows! There's also a gift shop selling all the same typical merchandise that you'll find at other Disney resort gift shops!

 

[paras4ri]

Good to know-I may be staying at the Dolphin in Dec, I keep on hearing great things, but there's this tiny piece of me who's afraid to stay in a non 100% Disney resort.

Don't let that tiny piece of you make you worry. Our last 3 trips have been at the Dolpin or Swan....and we have another planned for August. Next month I'll be staying at the Yacht Club for a conference and I'm already sad that I'll be missing our favorite hotels!

 

[mhf]

Only down side now is that you can't get DDP when you stay there.
Connears[/QUOTE]

DH and I stayed at POFQ and loved the early hours that got us into AK. If we stay at Swan this year, does that qualify as "on property" for EMH?

I liked POFQ but the Swan has that nifty discount the week we are going.

We did DDP last time but probably won't this time, too much food!

M

 

[monsterkitty]

Only down side now is that you can't get DDP when you stay there.
Connears

DH and I stayed at POFQ and loved the early hours that got us into AK. If we stay at Swan this year, does that qualify as "on property" for EMH?

I liked POFQ but the Swan has that nifty discount the week we are going.

We did DDP last time but probably won't this time, too much food!

M

The Swan/Dolphin qualify for the EMH and package delivery. You cannot charge to your oom key, nor can you use DME.

 

[fltink]

To clear up the confusion, here are the things that Swan and Dolphin do and do not qualify for on property:

You CAN: 1.) Take advantage of Extra Magic Hours.
2.) Use Disney Transportation.
3.) Park for free everywhere but at the hotel (ironic)
4.) Buy Disney tickets at the hotel (but NOT coded on your key)
5.) Make Disney Dining Priority Seatings at the hotel
6.) Use Package Pick-Up and have items purchased in the
parks sent to the hotel gift shop
7.) Charge meals at any Swan and Dolphin restaurant to
your room.
8.) Check in for your Disney Cruise and pick up transportation
to the port.
9.) Get the Resort Guest Disney golf discount.
10.) Get a refillable mug at the hotel (Picabu in the Dolphin)

You CAN NOT: 1.) Purchase the Disney Dining Plan.
2.) Charge items around the park to your room account.
3.) Put your park tickets on your room keys.
4.) Get free transportation to Disney golf courses.
5.) Use Disney's Magical Express to or from the airport.

I think I got them all. Hope this helps!