back to square 1 with resort decisions (long)

[wdw4fun]

Okay, I thought I was all settled into staying at the Swan/Dolphin Hotel but now I'm having second thoughts. I'm really not sure where I want to go. I'm going to give you my concerns and any suggestions would be appreciated (specifics please)

We (family of 4: DH, DD10, DS4) are going to WDW for the 1st time from Indy.(6nights) We haven't had a family vacation ever and probably will only get this opportunity once a year. We are flying so the cost of airfare is a factor for us but I think we should be able to get a decent rate. Okay, here is the hard part. Hotel must be clean, and spacious. (fast food is typical for us so that's not a concern). Space is necessary only because we have a very energetic DS4 who we're concerned that the Value rooms may be too small for. We've thought about staying off site because the rooms are bigger and we could actually afford a suite offsite but because this is the first trip, want to experience the Disney magic. Plus, we don't know how much time we'll actually spend at the parks. Going in October so hoping the weather won't be too hot. I'm almost open to the value only because I'm hearing so many good things about it. But for 6 nights can we really stand to be on top of each other in a small value size room? Any suggestions!?!?!?!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Why not split your stay? Do your first 3 nights at ASMo or Pop and the last 3 at Swalphin? That way you will get to experience it all and if by chance you are not happy with a value, you have something to look forward to. Any particular reason you are looking at the Swan/Dolp? Other properties are so much more "Disney". Curious since this may be your only trip.

 

[wdw4fun]

from the picture, the rooms just seem nicer and a little more spacious. When I come back from a busy day and night at the parks, I want a nice place to rest my head. Also I like the idea of having a restaurant in the building so I don't have to go out in the rain or whatever to eat. Plus it looks nice but again, I'm basing all of this off of pictures that could be deceiving. I've gone back and forth on resorts and for me looking at pictures plays a big part in my decision making. My DH is very picky and I want him to be happy when we're not at the parks

 

[jcsbama]

What about renting a villa at one of the vacation club resorts. You go can through Disney or rent points from one of the members (see the DVC board), usually cheaper by renting points from a member. This could give you the extra room you desire for your son and a great place room to come back to after a full day at the parks.

Have fun planning!

 

[hunnypotmama]

We have stayed at the Swan and were pleasantly surprised. Very nice room and nice size. We have stayed at all the value resorts, and I swear the rooms get smaller each time! We have a very energetic 5 year old boy and 9 year old girl, so the extra space is nice for us.

What about a moderate? We have stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and the room was lovely. Also Coronado Springs, although I wasn't crazy about their food court. We have also done split stays and those have worked out well since Disney will move your luggage. I've probably confused you more than helped, but good luck with your decision!

ETA: your question wasn't long at all!

 

[indigoxtreme]

When are you going? During August - September there is the free dining plan available at some of the hotels (some are already sold out). If this is your time frame you may want to call and ask about the Free Dining Plan Stay at the PORiverside lots of space and trails etc for your energetic one and many pools etc.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

If you don't like the pictures of the rooms at the values, then don't go because in "real life" it is worse. I've only stayed at POP, and while I loved the food court, gift shop, game room, pool looked cool (although we never swam while there) and the atmosphere is great, the rooms definately left a lot to be desired. They were clean, but just really, really small and well, Motel 6ish. If a room is what is important to your family, I would definitely stick with the Swan/Dolphin. Some people just sleep and shower in their rooms, others use it more extensively; it sounds like your family is the latter.

 

[zipDdoodah]

We are renting points from a DVC member for our upcoming trip to SSR in July, and we got a great deal. This could be a great option for you because the villas are more spacious and very nice too. Then you would still be able to stay on site and have the spacious accommodations. SSR is brand new, so the rooms are really nice there, but really all of the DVC resorts seem pretty good to me. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[the kabuki]

I don't know what type of pricing difference there is , but I'll second the other poster about going with a moderate. Might want to look into that.

Yes, the value's are small, smaller than they seem in pics, although we're not in our room much so it's never mattered greatly

 

[kalamazoo]

First I just wanted to say that the Swan is a very nice hotel and the rooms are quite spacious with comfortable beds. I don't see how anyone could regret staying there. I'm sure the Dolphin is also nice (never stayed there but have been to Tubbi's plenty of times).

However, when we travel with the kids we really, really, really prefer to have 2 rooms for sleeping. Usually we rent a villa or a suite (a proper suite, not one of those extra big rooms with a sofa) but when there are none to be found we will go for 2 connecting rooms (within reason price-wise, of course).

I don't know if you got an awesome rate at S/D but it's entirely possible that you could get 2 rooms at a value or even a moderate for the same price. Then both kids could have their own bed, you'll have more room and more privacy and one more bathroom. Believe me it's worth it. It might be hard to swallow the fact that you are paying for an extra room when you could stay cheaper together in one room but I think you'll get over it pretty quickly.

 

[gopack]

Since you mentioned that you didn't know how much time you will spend in the parks, I assume you may spend a good deal of time at your resort. In that case, I think you may want to go with the Swan/Dol or look into a moderate. It doesn't sound like there is much to do at a value except swim in a pool that has no slide. I have not ever stayed in a value so I don't have first hand experience. The moderates offer many more recreational opportunities. The location of the Swan/Dol is excellent. Also, I am not sure your husband would be impressed with the values since you said he is picky or hard to please. Good luck!

 

[swilphil]

The Swan/Dolphin is a great choice if you can get a good rate. The rooms are bigger at the Poly or Contemporary, but those are much more expensive. I've stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and the Contemporary. The Swan/Dolphin would probably be my first choice because they have better discounts than the Contemporary. I also like the room decor of the S/D and the grotto pool is tons of fun. The best thing about the Swan/Dolphin is the location. You are right next to the Boardwalk and can WALK to MGM and Epcot though a boat is also available. If your choice is between the Swan/Dolphin or a value, then definitely go Swan/Dolphin. I do think the lobby of the Dolphin is more whimsical than the one at the Swan. The idea that the Swan/Dolphin lacks some sort of Disney Magic is a myth.

 

[Ronald Duck]

Here's ANOTHER vote for the Swan-Dolphin complex! The rooms are nice and large, very soothing, and EXTREMELY comfortable. Tubbi's (in the Dolphin 200 feet away) would be a perfect, reasonable-cost place for your family. And there is SO much to see and do, with the Boardwalk and all the other Disney hotels within easy walking distance. We have LOVED every single place we've stayed at when at Disney, but the Swan (the only non-Disney-owned property) is right up there near or at the very top...and it sounds like an excellent choice for your family.

I have one other comment...room-only discounts are more readily available at the Swan/Dolphin than at the Disney-owned places these days (although the "food included" deal currently being offered at Disney places is hard to beat for a family). Have you checked to see if you qualify for any of their special discounts at Swan/Dolphin(educator, government employee, nurse, etc>)? If not, you can use Priceline if you're the brave type. I read on one of the boards that if you name your price and select Lake Buena Vista and the highest-rated hotels, you have a 50 percent chance of getting the Swan or Dolphin and the other 2 you might get are both great and close to Disney with transportation provided. Two summers ago I got the Swan for $80 per night on Priceline!!!

Anyway, good luck, and keep remembering that you can hardly go wrong at Disney!

 

[TNMomof3]

I've stayed at the value resorts with very small children. I've also stayed at moderates, deluxe, the Swan/Dolphin, and now am a very happy DVC owner. With this being your first (and maybe only) trip, I'd go with the Swan/Dolphin over the value resorts.

The rooms are larger and much more comfortable. The main driving factor for me though is just the location. The Epcot resort area really is magical. You may be able to look out your window and see Epcot or MGM. Just walking out the door of the resort you'll see the Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club, Spaceship Earth, and Crescent Lake.

The Grotto Pool is fabulous, and I bet your children will love hopping on a boat to go to Epcot or MGM. We've found the bus service at the S/D to be better than that at the values, and you'll have to take it for only two parks vs. all of them.

If your little boy gets where he needs to get out and move a little, you can walk down and play some games or get some ice cream at the Boardwalk. You also have one of the mini-golf places right by the S/D.

Needless to say for this trip, and this family, Swan/Dolphin gets my vote.

 

[kbkids]

We've stayed in every category at Disney with our two kids - including the Dolphin. For the best value for our money, we prefer the moderates. I doubt we will ever stay in a value again - the kids don't enjoy the pool, and the rooms are too small, too noisy - I just don't like them. We do love the Dolphin!! I love the area - you can't beat it!! It's a beautiful resort that you can get great deals on!! I got it for $99 a night once through Hotwire - did a lot of bidding research before placing that bid though and was 99% certain it was going to be the Dolphin, which it was.

If you can't get the Dolphin for a good rate, I would go with a moderate. The kids will love the pools, and you just get more "Disney" for your money.

 

[vickyBaby]

In the words of Donald Trump:

Location
Location
Location

You get that, plus a fabulous resort/hotel at the Swan/Dolphin. You will be MUCH more comfortable in the S/D hotel room than an All Stars room.

Want to go to MGM or Epcot? You can walk or take a boat.

When you are coming back from MK or AK and it's raining, the bus drops you off right in front of the hotel. You can walk inside without getting wet. You can't do that at a Value or Moderate resort.

 

[wdw4fun]

I can't say thank you enough for the information which has now led me to stick with the swan/dolphin. For my family, we don't do the pools so we're not too concerned with what the pool area has to offer. The biggest thing is comfort and space and I think from what i've read Swan/dolphin works best for us. Maybe after we've had a chance to visit WDW and gauge how much time we'll actually spend in the parks, then we'll be able to better plan for our next visit. I think that had I planned a year in advance we would've definitely gone for the deluxe Contemporary or one of the other nice resorts but for our money now, we'll go with the swan/dolphin. Thanks again and now I have to look into getting a good deal. Any ideas of which websites to go to inorder to find a good rate for October?

 

[skuttle]

Another happy guest of the Swan and Dolphin. we stayed at the Dolphin twice and the swan once and loved them both. The location cannot be beat! The resorts are beautiful and the rooms are very nice. Those heavenly beds are SO comfy! You will not regret your stay at all. We were actually going to stay at the Swan in December, but switched to WL because it's always been a dream to stay at the WL during Christmas and this may be our last Christmas trip for a while.

 

[PamNC]

Forget the idea about Value - don't do it. It'll be way to crowded. If you got a good rate at the S/D....I would highly recommend you keep these plans. The rooms are a good size, the beds are "heavenly," the staff is great, there are wonderful food choices and great pools. You can walk to Fantasia Minature golf, Epcot, MGM. I think you can't go wrong with the S/D.

If you aren't getting a good rate and want to save $$$, you could move to a moderate. The rooms aren't much bigger than Value but I think they are a tad bigger. Both offer food courts for your fast food dining pleasure, but the moderates offer better theming.

Or - you could stay at one of the vacation club resorts by renting points from an owner. Get a 1 bedroom and relish the space.

Or, you could stay at the Fort Wilderness cabins. They sleep 6 and there is so much to do at FW.

The biggest rooms we've stayed in were at the Poly. You'd be quite comfortable there. Not sure if you want to spend that much $$$.

PamNC

 

[the kabuki]

Thanks to everyone for all the info. We're going down in Jan. and I haven't decided where to stay. Quite honestly I never even considered staying here, thought it wasn't "disney" enough. We've only done the value resorts, and I'd like to stay somewhere a bit nicer this trip.

We're a family of five, will either the swan or the dolphin have one room to fit all of us?
Or would we have to do connecting rooms? It's DH, myself and 3 kids-12,8, & 4 at the time of the trip