Beach Club or Swan/Dolphin for free?

[Stevencweber]

To stay at the Beach Club I am going to have to pay out of pocket for a 2br villa, but for the Swan/Dolphin I can stay for "free" using my Starwood points. Also, since I am a Starwood "Platinum" guest I usually get very good upgrades.

My question is since this is my first time to Disney World, do I want to pay for something like the Beach Club, or is the Swan/Dolphin nice enough compared to the DVC villas?

Thanks for your advice,
Steven C. Weber

 

[KathyR]

Since the location is pretty much the same (EPCOT resorts-use same transportation), I would base my decision on a few factors.

The 2 bedroom villas are really nice! You would have a full kitchen if you intend to use it, it could save some $$$. Plus, you also have a washer and dryer, so you could pack lighter. Also on top of the kitchen and washer/dryer, the 2 bedroom villa will give you a master suite w/jacuzzi tub big enough for 2 , 2nd bathroom, living room, dining table, 2nd bedroom w/either 2 queens or a queen and sleeper, real dishes, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, sleeper couch in the living room, access to Storm along Bay (nicest pool on property) and 3 exits to a balcony. Sorry, but I probably missed some of the extras. Hopefully someone picks up where I left off.

It is totally different than getting a hotel room/suite. It is like having a small fully functional home at WDW. I have stayed at the BCV and really enjoyed them. They are not my favorite of the Home away from homes, but they are very nice.

I have not stayed at the Swan/Dolphin yet, but we have walked through there many times while staying at the BWV. They are very attractive resorts.

We are staying at the Swan/Dolphin along w/the VWL and BWV during our 3 week stay and I am excited to try out either the Swan or Dolphin. I think it will be a perfect mix!

IMO-If you wouldn't use the ammenities in the room at BCV, then I don't see any point in paying for them. Some will argue BCV has more of a theme than the Swan/Dolphin, but they are both deluxe accomodations. So for me, that would not sway me.

Personally if money were no big object, I would choose the 2 bedroom. I love having 3 separate living areas to spread out into. I let the kids sleep/hang out in the 2nd bedroom, and when they go to bed, my husband and I still have the living area, kitchen, master bedroom and bath to relax in. We also eat breakfast everyday and usually lunch or dinner in our room, so we save money on food by eating only 1 meal out/day. I also make use of the washer/dryer.

We LOVE the home away from home resorts so much that we bought into the DVC We have stayed in all the WDW DVC resorts, and enjoyed all of them.

I am sure you will get more info/opinions from others. I hope they make your decision easier.

 

[Dancind]

Yes, the 2 BR's at BCV are really nice (I'm a DVC member), but free is free! With the extra cash you save from your free resort stay, you could eat out at the finest restaurants at WDW every night and still come out ahead. And you wouldn't have to cook! You can always do laundry when you get home, and you can always stay at BCV the next time you don't have Starwood points. Diana

 

[jgates]

I'm afraid I would be headed for free also........You didn't state how many points you have - if you are heavy in the point department you may be able to get a nicer room anyway - one of the suites or something.

 

[Muffy]

We are just back from the Dolphin as Platinum Starwood members and enjoyed our stayed. We received a complimentary upgrade to an Executive Suite. It was great having all the extra room. If you do go with the S/D make sure your Plat. member number is on your reservation. You will get free Club Level and at least a Jr. Suite with a view. Just book a standard room and call to verify an upgrade one week ahead.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Just remember that free isn't always free. What do I mean by that? Well, there is essentially an "opportunity cost", if you will, to using your points.

So my question is this. What else might you be able to use those Starwood points for that you are actually likely to do, and would that represent a better use of those points?

Thankfully my Marriott Rewards Platinum status is a thing of the past (I HATED travelling that much, especially with young kids), but I still have beaucoup Marriott Rewards points. I could have used those points for quite a few "free" trips to WDW. However, those points for me are better served for redeeming complete travel packages (one to France this summer and a likely trip to Hawaii in the future - airfare AND hotel included) rather than Marriott resort stays around WDW (the Marriott Orlando World Center is very nice). So I'd look closely at those points and their potential value outside of using them at the WDW.

Of course your situation is different. The Swan and Dolphin are great resorts, with primo on-site locations and benefits. That levels the playing field a bit.

So, if you won't be giving up another potentially more valueable use of those points by using them for the Swan/Dolphin then free probably is free................and I'd probably opt for that over the substantial chunk of money you'd have to drop on a BCV two bedroom.

I like the Swan and Dolphin. While they do have a more "hotel/business" feel to them than the "resort" feel and better theming that the BC has, the location and the fact that the resorts come with the full compliment of on-site benefits makes up for it, IMHO. Technically it isn't a "Disney" hotel, but you are smack dab in the middle of so much Disney stuff that it is hard to tell, for me at least. Of course the wife doesn't feel the same way. She's rather spend more to stay next door at the BC..................but then again she has never had to choose between free or pay. I think even she'd go for the free if it didn't mean giving up another better use of those points.

Generally, the most cost effective way to stay at the BCV is to rent DVC points from a member. Assuming you are going during Dream season or less (anytime other than School vacations, major holidays, and mid June thru mid August) the most a BCV 2 br would cost via rented points would be $3,140. For the points you'd have to use on the Swan or Dolphin, is there another likely use that would be worth more than that amount? If not - go for it and use the points.

 

[OrangeFOX4]

Definitely stay at the Beach Club!! It is the best resort ever!!

 

[ozziewags]

I am a teacher, and also a platinum Starwood member. I loved the S/D resorts, especially at the teacher discount, with the upgrades. I have lots of points that I am saving and going to Maui this summer. Hotels are more expensive there and I am using my free nights there instead of the S/D. Better deal for me. I also have FF miles with AA, so can't wait to use them.....just depends on how you want to use them. I also love the other Disney onsite hotels. Aloha!

 

[Stevencweber]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses and great advice.

One more thing to consider. Since I have plenty of Starwood points, I would actually be booking two rooms at the Swan/Dolphin. Wich, if upgraded, should give me close to the space of the Beach Club.

Question: How is/are the pool(s) at the S/D? I will be travelling with mywife and two boys, ages 3 and 5.

Again, thanks for all the information. You are all truly great resources.

Sincerely,
Steve

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Go on the Website either Disneys own or the Swan and Dolphins. I seem to remember both have very good virtual views of the pool area.
FYI, I would go for the Swan and Dolphin, same area, they are also deluxe propertys and I would bank the money for the next trip! Good Luck!

 

[Muffy]

Originally posted by Stevencweber
One more thing to consider. Since I have plenty of Starwood points, I would actually be booking two rooms at the Swan/Dolphin. Wich, if upgraded, should give me close to the space of the Beach Club.

Question: How is/are the pool(s) at the S/D? I will be travelling with mywife and two boys, ages 3 and 5.

Steve [/B]

Steve, since you are Platinum you will be upgraded to a 2 room Jr. Suite. I have visited the Dolphin twice as a Platinum member and first time recieved a Jr. Suite (2 rooms) and second time recieved an Executive suite (2 rooms) I would defintaly recommend NOT booking 2 rooms unless you need TWO Jr. suites. You will also get club level privs with a free continential breakfest (7a-10a) You can use those extra points to pay for a few visit to their spa and restaurants.

The grotto pool is very nice. My one complaint is it is not heated throughly enough for me! But we visited in Dec/Jan. I also love the other deluxe onsite resorts but as long as I am Platinum SPG I will stay with S/D. Hope this helps.

Muffy

 

[DisneyKidds]

Question: How is/are the pool(s) at the S/D? I will be travelling with mywife and two boys, ages 3 and 5.

The Grotto Pool at the Swan/Dolphin is regarded by many as the second best pool on property. The best? Well that would be Stormalong Bay at the YC/BC. So, the pools at the S/D are very nice, but not nearly as nice as the BC. SAB at the BC is absolutely perfect for kids your age. There is a very large "zero entry" portion with sandy beach that is wonderful for kids your age. They can run right in and out, play in the sand, etc. Our kids (ages 4 and 2 last time we stayed at BCV) absolutely love it. I forget what the kiddie pool set up is at the S/D.

I would go for the Swan and Dolphin, same area, they are also deluxe propertys and I would bank the money for the next trip!

Very tempting, but this gets to the heart of my analysis. What would you be "banking" by using the points? Most likely somewhere between $3,150 and $3,700 (assuming rented DVC points or a cash rate discounted with a code). That is a substantial amount to bank, no doubt. However, if the sum total of points you'd use for 2 rooms at the S/D could be used for another purpose - for rooms or a package that are worth more than that amount you could "bank" - you may be better spending the money now and saving the points for later. Case in point my Marriott example and the trip to France we are taking. We used 250,000 Marriott points to cover 2 r/t airfares plus a week on the Champes Ellyses. Paying cash for that would have cost in excess of $5,000. For the same amount of points I could have covered two one week WDW trips to the World Center. Howewever, there is no way that would have cost more than $3,000. So, by saving the points and not "banking" money I would have used for WDW trips, I actually saved myself at least $2,000.

Managing rewards accounts can be a complex thing. Then again I probably don't have to tell a platinum member that .

 

[DisneyKidds]

Steve, since you are Platinum you will be upgraded to a 2 room Jr. Suite.

Very good point. How many people are in your party?

A 2 br villa has a living room/dining area (with pull out sofa), full kitchen, master br (king bed) with it's own bath and whirlpool tub, and a second bedroom with bathroom and either a queen/queen (dedicated 2 br) or queen/sleeper sofa/kitchenette combo (lock off 2 br). A 2 br sleeps 8, not including children under 2.

How does that compare to a 2 room junior suite, and how many people does that sleep?

 

[Muffy]

A 2 room Jr. Suite at the Dolphin has 1 king, 1 king murphy and 1 queen foldout. It has 2 full bathrooms. The executive suite at the Dolphin had 2 kings and a foldout but it also had a butlers pantry and 2 bathrooms, one of them being extra, extra large. The upgrade to the Executive Suite was a very nice perk. The Jr. Suites are large and plenty of room for 4. The suites also have very nice views but sadly no balconies.

 

[jgates]

Very good points on 'points'!!! The one thing to remember is the quantity of Starwood properties to redeem at is less than Marriott. Your 'destination' selections are not as varied in my opinion as Marriotts. As an example, I would never use my Marriott points to stay in the Lake Buena Vista village - I can get a much better value and return by using them on a trip to St. Louis instead and paying cash at Disney. Marriott's reward level for Disney properties is just too high.

Website for Swan/Dolphin. The music is sooo soothing.

SwanDolphin

 

[hightown]

I'm still working on gathering my Starwood points. Have about 34,000 and just Gold status. I'll be trying the Dolphin out in May.

My 2cents would be go for free. You can always go back again in a year or two and go for BCV if you feel the urge and for boys that young, you really have to go at least twice or more.

You can also use points at S/D for instant awards to cover other meals or expenses.

By the way Steve, do you happen to work at the largest employer in Novato?

Sharon

 

[sherry8253]

We stayed at the Swan last Dec and my vote would be take the free stay at the Swan. It is a very nice hotel, great pool, great location & super service. But.. remember .... no Mickey wake up calls, no Mickey soap, no theming at the resort. and no charging with the room key at any shops or restaurants in the parks. If any of these items is important to you, you may be happier at the Disney Resort. We stayed at the Swan instead of the YC because I couldn't justify paying about $100 more a night for those little Disney perks. Have a GREAT trip whichever you decide and let us know how you liked your selection when you get back.

 

[Stevencweber]

Hightown,

Thanks for the info. I do live in Novato, but I don't think I am who you are referring to. Are you thinking of Fireman's Fund?

-Steve

 

[zurgswife]

Steve here is my .02.....

I'm a DVC member with a family of 6 so we always get a 2 bdrm at our resort....BWV or BCV

Last december we moved and spent 3 nights at the Dolphin in a 2 bdrm Exec Suite....WOW!!

I would pick the Swan/Dolphin for free because

1) 2 rooms at 10,000 points equals the point cost of a 2bdrm Exec Suite 20,000 points
2) There is more sq. footage in a 2 bdrm Exec Suite compared to a 2bdrm DVC villa
3) You get 3 bathrooms with a 2bdrm Exec Suite compared to 2 bathrooms in a DVC villa
4) The Grotto Pool is really neat...doesn't have the slide of Stormalong Bay but a great pool
5) Oatmeal soap.....my favorite perk
6) Daily maid service


The villas do give you:
1) a kitchen and full size refrigerator
2) a washer/dryer
3) a jacuzzi tub
4) a DVD player
5) a Disney room charge card that you can use any where on property

We loved our stay at the Dolphin so much last december we will be staying 2nights there this coming Dec after 4 nights at the BWV...

 

[Stevencweber]

Zurgswife,

Really good, specific information. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

-Steve