Beach Club/Yacht Club vs Swan/Dolphin

[Mickey Mom]

We are planning a trip to Disney early this summer and are not sure where we will be staying. We would LOVE to stay at the Beach Club or the Yacht Club, but we are also considering the Swan or Dolphin. I have not seen any discounts for the Beach or Yacht Club. Is it worth the expense to stay there? Swan and Dolphin are offering $149 per night. We have always stayed at the moderate resorts and have been very happy with them. They seem to have everything that we are looking for in a Disney resort (nice theming, convenient busses and bus stops, accessable parking to our room). Anyways, which resort is better? We are interested in going to the Beach Club or Yacht Club because of Stormalong Bay. We also would love the convenience to the countries in EPCOT. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[erikthewise]

They are all fine resorts. BC/YC are 100% Disney and therefore better in most people's eyes. It's your call. My opinion is that I would take BC/YC at $200 over S/D at $150, but would take S/D at $150 over rack rate (about $300) at BC/YC.

Epcot is a bit of a hike from S/D; MGM is actually not that far! I would estimate the walking distances as follows:
Epcot International Gate: 1/2 mile
MGM: 3/4 mile
Epcot Future World: 1 mile

 

[Ludwig Von Drake]

Mickey Mom - Where are you finding Swan and Dolphin for $149 per nite. We are planning an early June trip and would love to grab that rate. We have never stayed at the YC/BC - will be at BCV at this time through rented points. Would love to stay a couple extra days at S/D for that rate!

 

[Ursula]

Another option is renting points from a DVC member to stay at the Beach Club Villas. This is what I'm doing, and I ended up paying only $130/night, a huge savings!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I would guess that the $149 rate is an AP rate for Swan and Dolphin? I think that they have these discounts pretty much all year round.

I have stayed at both the Swan and the Yacht Club and I like them both.

The theming of the rooms at the Yacht Club are beautiful and so is the lobby - you can't beat pure Disney theming IMHO. I also really like the restuarants and the bars there.

When I stayed at the Swan I like the newly refurbished room probably better than the Yacht Club (the beds were definately better) however I really like the double sink area at the Yacht Club - I'm a real sucker for his 'n' her stuff LOL

Stormalong Bay was really good and I prefer the quiet pool at the Yacht Club but the big pool at the S&D looked really good too and I liked that the Beach seemed more accessible to the pool so that kids could make sandcastles in view of an adult who wanted to be by the pool.

I would stay at either of these hotels again or the Dolphin and Beach.

For our trip in May I had to make a choice between heavily discounted Swan or the not so discounted Yacht & Beach and the Y&B won. Mainly because I like using my room key for charging across WDW and mainly because I think that the staff are just a little more Disney and that makes the whole trip even more special in my "child at heart" eyes.

Sorry to have gone on a bit but hope it all helps.

 

[bhurley]

My vote would be for the Beach or Yacht Club. We have stayed in both the beach club and Swan and I just like the Beach club more. Check out Beaches and Cream. Good Luck

 

[Samsma]

Ludwig-

You can get a similar rate at S/D with the Entertainment Rate on back of the DC card if you are a member. I have $163/nite for July 5 - 7th.

 

[cindala]

My vote would go with either the YC or BC, since I am partial to them. However, the Dolphin and Swan are very nice as well.

Keep your eyes open for codes and AP rates at the BC/YC, and the Swan/Dolphin has a thread here in the resorts board that gives you information about various discounts available.

 

[Mickey Mom]

Thanks to everyone who responded! I was really leaning toward the Beach Club/Yacht Club because of Stormalong Bay, but now I want to see if there are any good discount rates.

Ludwig Von Drake: I found the information about the Swan/Dolphin rate in the Disney Resort Discussion Forum on 1/4/03. Basically it said that the Swan/Dolphin discount dates have been extended through 11/03. It talked about a "Starwood Special" which is $159 ( sorry, I put down $149) per night and a second room for $100. It also said to "just mention rate plan magic 100". These Starwood special are for Disney's 100 anniversary. I did not call to verify these rates, I was just going by what was listed in the discussion forum "The Official-Unofficial Swan and Dolphin FAQ with Discount dates to 10/2003". Hope this helps you.