Anyone ever stayed at Swan/Dolphin?

[JessHooper]

Looking for positive and negative aspects of staying at the Swan or Dolphin resorts instead of staying at the Contemporary resort for our wedding stay. If you've stayed at any of these places, which did you like most and why?

 

[caseih]

We stayed at the Swan during Thanksgiving week a couple years ago. That is a great location. Walking distance to Boardwalk and Epcot, and a short boat ride away from MGM. The hotel was very nice, rooms were fine nothing spectacular. Bus service was quick and easy. Mini golf across the street from hotel, D'town Disney not far away. No real negatives for us staying there.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I'm at the Swan right now, and I love it! This is my first stay at this resort, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but now I love it! I can see Everest, Space Mtn, and Spaceship Earth, all from my balcony, and I just got a great grilled cheese over at the Dolphin.

 

[JessHooper]

I'm at the Swan right now, and I love it! This is my first stay at this resort, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but now I love it! I can see Everest, Space Mtn, and Spaceship Earth, all from my balcony, and I just got a great grilled cheese over at the Dolphin.

Crystal,
Where is the best place to eat around there? We want a good place close to where we're staying for our 20 guests for our wedding. Know of any place reasonably priced for our guests and our rehearsal dinner?

 

[roozlilone]

Looking for positive and negative aspects of staying at the Swan or Dolphin resorts instead of staying at the Contemporary resort for our wedding stay. If you've stayed at any of these places, which did you like most and why?

I just got back from the Dolphin on Sunday. I did a trip report on the boards a few days ago, "just back from the dolphin" that might give you some good information! We LOVED the Dolphin! We have always stayed at disney resorts in the past and this was our first trip to the Dolphin and I was impressed in everyway: the rooms, the service, the location and price! If you have any specific questions, please let me know. I'd be glad to answer!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Dh and I stayed with the kids this past September at the CR tower. We loved our stay there. So convenient to the MK, and very magical to wake up every day to a view of the castle and Space Mountain. We were on the 11th floor, MK view.

Then at the beginning of Nov. DH took me back to WDW for my 40th birthday, we stayed at the Swan. We love it here also. Walking distance to both MGM and Epcot. Plus the Boardwalk is great to go to at night after the parks. Both places are great in their own way. I think it all depends what you're looking for. Any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Leota]

I have stayed at both Swan & Dolphin. They have become my favorite places to stay in WDW. I love the location, the service, the amenities - Those BEDS! It's hard for us to stay anywhere else now.

As far as dining goes, you have tons of places at your fingertips from Sw/olphin. All the Sw/olphin restaurants, as well as any of the ones at Yacht & Beach, Boardwalk, MGM & Epcot. I'd suggest you check out the menus at allearsnet.com and choose one that looks right for you & your guests. That'll give you an idea of the types of places you have to choose from & how much they cost. Your guests will need Park admissions if you choose MG or Epcot restaurants. But all of the resort restaurants are easily accesible & no admission is required. All those listed above are walking distance.

 

[mcsstokes]

I've stayed at both but only recently at the Dolphin.

The colors and decor in the rooms are a bit...odd. It's supposed to be whimsical and I believe Michael Graves was the lead designer. We weren't that impressed by the color scheme but that's a matter of personal preference.

The room location we had, however, was fantastic. End of the hallway so we had two balconies. The result was one balcony to watch the fireworks at Epcot and the other balcony allowed us to watch the fireworks at MGM. Each balcony overlooked the waterways below.

Given the different design, I prefer the Swan for color schemes and decor.

Location is great. You can walk to Boardwalk and Epcot, though it's a bit of a hike to Epcot. Plenty of places to eat. If you like sushi you'll love Kimonos in the Swan. Best sushi I've ever had. But pricey, I drop close to $50 just for me.

Keep in mind that if you stay there you're staying at non-Disney properties. That means you can't use your room key as a credit card in the World and the Disney hotel keys cannot be used to pay for purchases at the Swan/Dolphin restaurants and shops. There is also a lot of convention visitor traffic at these two hotels.

I'd give them both two thumbs up myself.

 

[Kapp]

Three words: Location, location, location! Close to everything.
But on the resort itself, great rooms, incredible beds, super service....a great place that still has some Disney magic!
Can't go wrong with it. ENJOY!

 

[chobie]

I just stayed at the SWAN for $139.00 during Thanksgiving and I loved it. The heavenly beds are, well, heavenly. The location is great. Since you do not have some of the perks you get at the other Disney resorts, I would proably not stay there without a really good rate, but since my DH is a teacher we can usually get a good rate that makes it more than worth it. I prefer the Swan over the Dolphin because the beds are bigger and it has a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere.

 

[Bill From PA]

Regarding the rehearsal party, if yours is a laid back crew, consider the ESPN Club. Plenty of room to handle your group, a good selection on a reasonably priced menu and a definite party atmosphere. Oh, and it's a Sports Pub to the max featuring 60 + tv screens, not counting the ones on the men's room walls. Sorry, don't know about the ladies room.

Bill From PA

 

[ADisneygirl]

We have stayed at the Swan and we loved it there! The location is the best ~~ within walking distance to Epcot or a little further and you are at MGM. Friendship boats to take you to them if you don't want to walk. The Boardwalk right outside your door, the restaurants, the atmosphere....and those heavenly beds! Best bed I have ever slept in. And I can get it for a rate much lower than our family's favorite BWI.

 

[JessHooper]

We have stayed at the Swan and we loved it there! The location is the best ~~ within walking distance to Epcot or a little further and you are at MGM. Friendship boats to take you to them if you don't want to walk. The Boardwalk right outside your door, the restaurants, the atmosphere....and those heavenly beds! Best bed I have ever slept in. And I can get it for a rate much lower than our family's favorite BWI.

So I guess its going to be the no brainer---Swan it is. Thank you so much for your input, everyone. Let me know if any of your opinions changes. Where in the Swan would you recommend staying? What part?

 

[xmelissax]

I'm at the Swan right now, and I love it! This is my first stay at this resort, and I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but now I love it! I can see Everest, Space Mtn, and Spaceship Earth, all from my balcony, and I just got a great grilled cheese over at the Dolphin.

OOh,I'm going to the Dolphin in Jan and LOOOOVE grilled cheese,where did they have a great one?

 

[groomtb]

they take quite a few different types of discounts too, don't forget to check them before finalizing the booking.
during my research, a king bedroom or even a club level room are pretty nice.

request epcot view would be good a choice.

 

[Kitty 34]

I've stayed at the Dolphin three times. Love the location, the pool, the restaurants and the great service. Want to go back in June!

 

[nomie74]

Can you have your purchases delivered to your hotel at the Swan/Dolphin? This is one of my favorite perks staying on-site, I have a small shopping addiction.

 

[LJP]

We got home earlier today and spent our last night at the Dolphin - went through all the usual concerns, not WDW hotel, not the same magic etc, but was very surprised to find that we loved it. Just DH and myself, great nurses rate of $149 and fab bed, great location, good pool and the best pizza we have tasted at Tubbies!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Can you have your purchases delivered to your hotel at the Swan/Dolphin? /QUOTE]

Yes you can. Just pick them up in the gift shop the next day.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I've stayed at the Swan and would definitely return; however, I prefer the theming at the majority of the Disney deluxe resorts, so I tend to stay at those more often. I would never turn down a great deal at the Swan or Dolphin, though. They are both lovely hotels