Agonizing - Grands 1st trip to Disney - Pop or Swan?

[Monki]

We are taking my daughter and grandchilden(boys, ages 7 and 9) for their first trip to Disney in October. Currently holding a Pop and Swan ressie, both for two connecting rooms. I am torn if it is worth the extra $1200, and worth all the extra planning I will have to do for loss of ME, Magic Bands, and grocery delivery. Remembering the Pop bus stop is ALWAYS LAST when you are leaving the park, I cannot get past the ease of location and transportation options at the Swan. We are planning early mornings in the parks, afternoon break, then back to a park in the evening. Every opinion I have read on here says Swan, hands down. But also, Pop is so cute for kids, and has so many "Disney" touches, and I will be there for the first opening week of the Skyliner!

Please help me decide which reservation to keep. I am going Nuts!

 

[firefly_ris]

I like the location of the Swan for its proximity to Epcot and DHS so that would be a big plus.... but how about, save the $1200, stay at Pop, then use some of the money you saved to rent a car? Then you don't have to worry about the bus system. You could still deal with the bus if you want for MK and drive to all the other parks. I did the last 2 trips without a car and it's unlikely that I will stay on site without one again. Or you could possibly bus TO the parks and then grab an Uber or MinnieVan back when leaving. I know it can get annoying to wait.... we stayed at CBR in Feb and at DHS we watched FIVE buses come and go for AoA while waiting for a single CBR bus. Bleh.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I've never stayed at Pop or Swan, but I assume my experiences at All Star Movies and the Boardwalk would be comparable.

How old are the grandkids? If they're older like 8 or 9, being able to walk to 2 parks would probably be a reason to choose Swan. The beds are probably a lot more comfortable and the pool will be nicer. And you'll have easy access to a lot of solid dining choices with 5 deluxe resorts and epcot right there. And, the Boardwalk area is just cool at night.

If they're little, Pop will look cool, but the beds will be not so great. The pool will be okay and your dining options will be dismal.

So if you're going to be park commandos, running around a park from rope drop til fireworks, save your money and stay at Pop. If you actually want to enjoy the resort a bit, Swan is probably better.

 

[chris benton]

Have you looked at a split stay?

Other suggestions - random.

You can rent a car from MCO, and return it at The Dolphin if you use one of the correct rental companies. You can stop for groceries on the way.

I think most car services are well aware that Dinseygoers might request a grocery stop.
Uber/Lyft are simple

If you are getting hoppers, then the travel time to DHS and Epcot is almost negated with Swan.

Magic Bands are 13 dollars(ish) and can be ordered online, then linked to your tickets. Easy Peasy.

I've never used a grocery delivery at Swolphin (I'm a control freak when it comes to grocery shopping,) but there are grocery delivery services available. The Swan/Dolphin thread has some info.

 

[Searc]

I've never stayed at Pop or Swan, but I assume my experiences at All Star Movies and the Boardwalk would be comparable.

How old are the grandkids? If they're older like 8 or 9, being able to walk to 2 parks would probably be a reason to choose Swan. The beds are probably a lot more comfortable and the pool will be nicer. And you'll have easy access to a lot of solid dining choices with 5 deluxe resorts and epcot right there. And, the Boardwalk area is just cool at night.

If they're little, Pop will look cool, but the beds will be not so great. The pool will be okay and your dining options will be dismal.

So if you're going to be park commandos, running around a park from rope drop til fireworks, save your money and stay at Pop. If you actually want to enjoy the resort a bit, Swan is probably better.

The beds at Pop are amazing. I thought they were super comfortable. It's one of the few positives about the resort.

 

[Monki]

Grands are 7 and 9, both boys, both hyper, until they are not....you know how it is! I'm looking to avoid meltdowns as much as possible, I just want them to have a magical time. Thank you for all your insights! Keep 'em coming! I'll post later when I decide which one to keep!

 

[tguz]

I personally would save the $1,200 and choose Pop. The beds are amazing after the very recent resort wide room refurb. We stayed at Pop the last Summer and will again this year in less than a week. If money was not a factor, I may choose the Swan because we have never stayed there. Disney costs quite a bit already and cost is a factor to us....so I'd save the $1,200 on Pop.

 

[KenHutch]

You just have to ask yourself what is most important. I looked at Swan but my girls said no magic bands, and when they saw everything they lost they vetoed the idea. Now if your kids are young enough Pop is the answer. When I pick a hotel I do not really pick it out they girls do. After all its for them.

 

[terri33inne]

My answer would depend on the ages of the grandkids. I think for super young kids under 5 pick the hotel the adults will like. If they're in the 5-9 age range I would definitely go with Pop (or Suite at AofA if in budget), particularly if you will be spending time at the resort. No other resort will make as much of a Disney impression as that. If the kids are 9-10+ I would go with Swan... so much to do in the BW area, and being able to walk to 2 parks is incredible.

I've found that the bus stop locations vary, and can change from trip to trip. I've stayed deluxe, and had them be the almost last stop, and I've stayed value, and they've been closer. I would not base my decision on that (although I totally get hating that long walk when you just want to get back to your room, and you've been on your feet all day in the park).

 

[sullyfam]

I would save the $1200 and stay at Pop immersed in all the Disney you want/need. Have fun!

 

[Ninja Mom]

Disney is very expensive so save the 1200 and stay at Pop Century. That 1200 will easily be spent on food, souvenirs and miscellaneous stuff during the trip.

The kids will definitely like POP more and with the Gondola System, it will be very easy to get to Hollywood studios and Epcot, which will negate the advantage of staying at the Swan IMO.

~NM

 

[BuffaloJim]

Pop! No question about it.

Despite the fact that the rooms will be nicer at the Swan, it’ll have good sit-down restaurants there and at the Epcot resorts, and you have quick access to everything at the Boardwalk, Pop Century is the obvious pick.

Besides saving $1200, the boys will love the over-the-top theming at Pop. And the quick service restaurant is more than decent and perfect for kids. You get everything magical about staying at WDW - Magic Bands, Magical Express, etc. And now, with the Skyliner, you have access to Disney’s newest and coolest transportation system - I’m sure the grands will absolutely love it.

One note - depending upon when you’re going, the main pool may be down for refurbishment, but the other ones will be open, and you’ll probably have access to AOA’s main pool as well.

 

[KayaWildfire]

Just an FYI, you don't have a reservation for two connecting rooms at Pop. They won't guarantee connecting rooms ever, under any circumstances. It is merely a request.

 

[nkereina]

Just an FYI, you don't have a reservation for two connecting rooms at Pop. They won't guarantee connecting rooms ever, under any circumstances. It is merely a request.

This is the exact thing I was going to caution. I can't speak to Swan and how Marriott/Sheraton properties operate, but with Pop, connecting rooms are just a request and not a guarantee.

Swan rooms are about 80 square feet larger than Pop rooms. You'll have two rooms, so not as much of a concern, but something to consider depending on how many days you'll be there and whether you'll be unpacking, how many groceries you're getting, etc.

For us, it would be a tough choice too. In addition to the location, I think Swan also has a better pool. Its also easily walkable to BC/YC and BWI which gives you more dining options. Swan/Dolphin also have great dining options of their own, if you're not on a dining plan. $1200 is a lot of money, but if you can swing it without breaking the bank, it might make for a more enjoyable experience.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Just an FYI, you don't have a reservation for two connecting rooms at Pop. They won't guarantee connecting rooms ever, under any circumstances. It is merely a request.

They won't guarantee connecting rooms upfront but they will work to accommodate your request, including switching your assigned rooms to ones that have connecting doors after your arrival if this has not happened. Go to the front desk and ask to speak with a manager if connecting rooms have not been assigned once you get your room assignment.

This request isn't difficult to obtain, especially if you let them know in advance. Call Disney Reservations at 1-407-934-7639 with your reservation(s) numbers and have the agent note on your reservation that you have children and that you need a connecting room.

PRO TIP: Call again after a few days and ask to check your reservation to make sure this request has been noted on your reservation.

Unfortunately the quality and knowledge of the phone reps these days is hit or miss, so now you need to check to make sure that Disney has gotten it correct. Welcome to the new Disney, where guests are expected to compensate for a poorer level of customer service.

~NM

 

[mi*vida*loca]

With kids those ages I would definitely do POP and save the $1200. I would use some of that for Ubers. We did Uber a few times last trip (we stayed at BWI) when we missed a bus and didn't want to wait. It was very convenient and cheap. No trip was over $10. Even if you did 5 Ubers a day for a week you are going to be WAY under $1200. I personally do not drive while on vacation so renting a car would be a no for us. And I wouldn't want to give up ME or buy MB's.

 

[Lynne M]

But also, Pop is so cute for kids, and has so many "Disney" touches,

The kids are going to be up to their little eyeballs in cute Disney touches everywhere they go, all day, every day. The fact that the Disney touches are a little subtler at their resort is not going to disappoint them, I promise.

and I will be there for the first opening week of the Skyliner!

I really hate to be cynical, but the first opening week of the Skyliner is likely to be plagued with mechanical glitches and massive lines.

My standard advice is to choose a resort based on the adults' needs. Kids the ages of your grandkids will be THRILLED by any resort at WDW. Go for the convenient location, go for the comfortable beds, go for the wide variety of restaurants within walking distance, go for the multiple transportation options. The Swan, hands down.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The kids are going to be up to their little eyeballs in cute Disney touches everywhere they go, all day, every day. The fact that the Disney touches are a little subtler at their resort is not going to disappoint them, I promise.



I really hate to be cynical, but the first opening week of the Skyliner is likely to be plagued with mechanical glitches and massive lines.

My standard advice is to choose a resort based on the adults' needs. Kids the ages of your grandkids will be THRILLED by any resort at WDW. Go for the convenient location, go for the comfortable beds, go for the wide variety of restaurants within walking distance, go for the multiple transportation options. The Swan, hands down.

Oh my gosh - so much THIS!!! It's so true. We took DS to WDW for the first time when he was 1 and have stayed at almost every resort on property plus multiple hotels across the US, Europe, etc. When he was little, he could have stayed anywhere and he would have been thrilled (he's a little more opinionated at 11, LOL!). We stayed at AoA the first year it opened when DS was 5 and, boy oh boy, that was a tough trip for me (I was alone with him the first few nights). The bus service plus chaotic food court and loud resort really put a major damper on how "cute" the resort was. I vowed, after that, that resort choice would be based on our plans for any given trip and our comfort and convenience as far as budget would allow.

OP, I would pick the Swan. It is so convenient to DHS and EP, it has a fantastic pool complex and there are a ton of great restaurants within walking distance. With the resort fee, you also get a Swan paddle boat ride and a s'mores kit each night which your grandkids may enjoy. If you really want to ride the Skyliner, it's a quick walk from the Swan to the EP Skyliner entrance. The Swan and Dolphin are always our go-to if I can't get a good rate on a deluxe WDW resort.

 

[Searc]

Keep in mind, Swan is geared toward adults and the resort reflects that. Pop is mainly geared towards children/families and reflects it. Look at the difference in room décor and you can see it. Compared to Pop rooms, Swan rooms are boring and bland. Pop rooms are much more fun and appealing to kids.

 

[nkereina]

They won't guarantee connecting rooms upfront but they will work to accommodate your request, including switching your assigned rooms to ones that have connecting doors after your arrival if this has not happened.

This really goes with any room request. CMs have the capability to do this at their discretion. And Disney will always try to accommodate a request when they can. But if all rooms with connecting doors are spoken for during your travel dates, there's not much that can be done. This is why it's still good to point out that its a request rather than a guarantee.