Boardwalk or Swan and Dolphin

[UltimateDisneyFan3]

We are planning a trip to Walt Disney World this summer. We were wondering whether the Boardwalk or the Swan and Dolphin is better. We have a family of five and are planning to get one room. Please tell us about the rooms, resturants, pools (waterslides?), and elegance. In addition, if you have any pictures please show them. Thanks for your help.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

We stayed at the Boardwalk Villas last trip and really loved it there. We couldn't afford it this time so we went with the Swan which had a teacher rate that was almost half the price. Check out these boards carefully for lots of good indo on all of these resorts. We leave next week so I can't really tell you too much, because we have only been to BW and Dolphin was 12 years ago for a convention and I don't remember that much other than it was very nice. I would say either one is a good choice, but if $$$ was no object, I would go with the Boardwalk.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Even though my family and I never stayed at either of those Resorts I would go with the Boardwalk because they are owned by WDW, where as the Swan and Dolphin are not owned by WDW. So by staying at the Swan and Dolphin you don't get service like Disney's Magical Express, access to morning and evening Extra Magic Hours and all the other perks of staying at a Hotel which is owned by Walt Disney World.

 

[TammyPB]

I thought that people staying at the Swan/Dolpin do get EMH? No?

 

[bballmom56]

I thought that people staying at the Swan/Dolpin do get EMH? No?

Yes, Swan and Dolphin participate in EMH.

 

[jmkrat]

The Boardwalk would be my choice. It is one of my favorites, and you are right there on the Boardwalk. How great is that.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yes, Swan and Dolphin participate in EMH.

My mistake on saying they don't, so to the OP ignore that part of my earlier reply.

 

[goofy4tink]

As a huge devotee of BW, I would say if you can afford it, go with BW. I have stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin. I prefer the Dolphin over the Swan. The only thing I missed at either of those two resorts was the ability to use DME. But, if you get a decent rate, it makes up for the price of a towncar service.
The one thing I like about the Dolphin over BW is the restaurants..I love Picabu. I wish BW had something similar but they don't. The pool area for the S/D is wonderful.
I guess it's a personal thing.....stay at BW, for a fair amount of money (or try to rent a DVC owners points...head over to the DVC-Rent/Trade board), and get the whole Disney experience. Or, pay less and get a less than Disney magical experience. You do get...EMH's, package delivery to your hotel gift shop, bus service to all the WDW parks. You just don't get DME and the ability to charge stuff to your room, or the DDP.
It's all about what you are prepared to pay.

 

[wdwishes1990]

BW hands down. We loved the style and intimate feeling of this resort.
I was not at all impressed with the Dolphin - actually I hated it. Many problems, dirt etc. It looks great in the lobby but the rooms were a pit on a preferred guest floor no less!!! It also just felt like it wasn't quite Disney for us.

 

[zurgswife]

I love BW but with a family of 5 unless one is under the age of 3 you will need 2 rooms. I believe that the Swan/Dolphin do allow 5 in some of there rooms.. You could stay in either a studio plus or a one bedroom BWV with 5 people but they don't provide any extra bedding..

 

[nbodyhome]

Either the BW or Dolphin can hold 5 to a room.

I prefer the Dolphin, for the Heavenly Beds.

 

[Magic2000]

We've stayed at the Swan and Boardwalk Inn. I love them both - but have to say that last summer, when we were at the Boardwalk - it was WONDERFUL!!! Our room overlooked the Eiffel Tower at Epcot! My DD absolutely LOVED the clown pool!!!! She must have gone down that slide 100times!!! We just stayed at the Swan in Dec and it was really nice - and those beds - they really are heavenly!!!! Both are really nicely located!! If I were considering staying at either of these hotels, it would probably come down to what my budget was for that trip. Both are really great hotels - but the Swan does offer nice discounts (I can get a government discount). Most of the time, budget is the deciding factor in choosing a hotel for us.

For our upcoming trip, we're staying two weeks, and I was trying to keep the cost down, so we're staying at Pop Century!!! Can't wait!!! But for our trip in November, we're staying at AKL! I'm really excited about that because we've never stayed there before!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Tiffany]

Even though my family and I never stayed at either of those Resorts I would go with the Boardwalk because they are owned by WDW, where as the Swan and Dolphin are not owned by WDW. So by staying at the Swan and Dolphin you don't get service like Disney's Magical Express, access to morning and evening Extra Magic Hours and all the other perks of staying at a Hotel which is owned by Walt Disney World.

This is not entirely correct information.

The S/D shares buses with the BW, YC/BC. You do get access to EMHs both evening and morning. You also get package delivery back to your resort just like a "Disney owned" resort.

You are correct that DME is not supported here and you cannot get the DP. You also cannot charge directly back to your room unless you are on the S/D complex.

We have stayed at the S/D many times over the years, see my sig. below, and it is a great deal compared to the other deluxe Epcot resorts. We will be at the Swan this coming Saturday and are scheduled to be back in December.