Anyone Stay at the Swan Lately?

[Salf777]

Just booked 3 nights at the Swan as the Disney Resorts we like were all booked. Adding 3 nights to a 6 night DVC stay at Bay Lake. Seemed reasonable by Disney Standards.
Anyone stay there lately that can report on their experience, tips, etc?
Never stayed at either Swan or Dolphin and just a little concerned I might be missing out on the Disney feel of the hotel????

 

[Marthasor]

I've stayed at the Swan three times over the past 4 months. It's clean, comfortable, the staff are friendly and helpful and they have some of the best restaurants in WDW, IMHO. Also, the proximity to DS and EP is fantastic. That being said, it does not feel like a Disney hotel. I definitely feel "out of the bubble" there, but I get into the bubble pretty darn quick by walking around the Boardwalk or heading to a park. The transportation to MK and AK from there is also not convenient, so you may want to get your MK and AK days in prior to your Swan stay. That being said, the cost savings over a deluxe and the proximity to EP and DHS make it worthwhile to me.

 

[TTA Rider Matt]

There is definitely a little missing as the Swan feels more like a hotel than a Disney resort. Especially if you are coming from a DVC villa with the kitchenette and balcony. However, I love staying at the Swan. My family has been DVC members at the Boardwalk since 2000, so I spent most of my Disney trips staying there. When I go to Disney and don't experience the Boardwalk, I feel like I'm missing something. So I'll use my Marriott Bonvoy points to stay at the Swan every few years to do what you are doing, adding on to our DVC stays. A BLT/Swan combination is great transportation wise, with the ability during your trip to walk to 3 of the 4 parks.

Rooms are nice, feature pool is great, proximity to Epcot and Hollywood is great, but Disney transportation no longer brings you directly to the park entrance, so plan for that. Otherwise, Swan is a great choice!

 

[Salf777]

There is definitely a little missing as the Swan feels more like a hotel than a Disney resort. Especially if you are coming from a DVC villa with the kitchenette and balcony. However, I love staying at the Swan. My family has been DVC members at the Boardwalk since 2000, so I spent most of my Disney trips staying there. When I go to Disney and don't experience the Boardwalk, I feel like I'm missing something. So I'll use my Marriott Bonvoy points to stay at the Swan every few years to do what you are doing, adding on to our DVC stays. A BLT/Swan combination is great transportation wise, with the ability during your trip to walk to 3 of the 4 parks.

Rooms are nice, feature pool is great, proximity to Epcot and Hollywood is great, but Disney transportation no longer brings you directly to the park entrance, so plan for that. Otherwise, Swan is a great choice!

We drive there and have a car. Only planning on doing Epcot and Hollywood those days at the Swan. Figure we will get enough MK when we stay at Bay Lake. We always drive to Animal Kingdom so I figure it’s a win. plus the price difference is pretty significant from what Beach, Yacht and Boardwalk are going for the same days. I have heard so many people like the Swan plus we heard Victoria and Alberts may be open by then (fingers crossed) and with the savings in price at the Swan that could pay for a very nice dinner at V&A!
we like to take some pool time so it’s good to hear they have a nice pool!

 

[TTA Rider Matt]

We drive there and have a car. Only planning on doing Epcot and Hollywood those days at the Swan. Figure we will get enough MK when we stay at Bay Lake. We always drive to Animal Kingdom so I figure it’s a win. plus the price difference is pretty significant from what Beach, Yacht and Boardwalk are going for the same days. I have heard so many people like the Swan plus we heard Victoria and Alberts may be open by then (fingers crossed) and with the savings in price at the Swan that could pay for a very nice dinner at V&A!
we like to take some pool time so it’s good to hear they have a nice pool!

Speaking of dining, Il Mulino at the Swan is a really good restaurant too! We actually had a really nice meal at the pool bar at the Swan too, the Cabana Bar & Grill. Plus you have access to all the dining at the Yacht/Beach and Boardwalk.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Just booked 3 nights at the Swan as the Disney Resorts we like were all booked. Adding 3 nights to a 6 night DVC stay at Bay Lake. Seemed reasonable by Disney Standards.
Anyone stay there lately that can report on their experience, tips, etc?
Never stayed at either Swan or Dolphin and just a little concerned I might be missing out on the Disney feel of the hotel????

Yes, we've stayed at Swan and Dolphin a number of times and while it doesn't have a disney feel per se, it does have a unique, disney feel to me because I only associate those hotels with WDW and have stayed in them since I was a kid. They're not as thematic as the disney resorts but they're very nice and by my account, way better priced than their disney counterparts.

There is a swan/dolphin app you can add to your phone and mobile order or do room service. There is also a resort report with helpful info as well as info on transportation and a resort map. It's pretty easy to get around from Swan and Dolphin to the parks but do keep in mind if you take the bus to MK, it does not go to the MK bus stop, instead it drops at the TTC.

 

[maxiesmom]

We drive there and have a car. Only planning on doing Epcot and Hollywood those days at the Swan. Figure we will get enough MK when we stay at Bay Lake. We always drive to Animal Kingdom so I figure it’s a win. plus the price difference is pretty significant from what Beach, Yacht and Boardwalk are going for the same days. I have heard so many people like the Swan plus we heard Victoria and Alberts may be open by then (fingers crossed) and with the savings in price at the Swan that could pay for a very nice dinner at V&A!
we like to take some pool time so it’s good to hear they have a nice pool!

The but stop at the Animal Kingdom is actually closer to the park gates than the Disney buses. Plus the stop has cover and seats. We were pleasantly surprised. With the trams not running I would definitely use the bus instead of driving.