BWV vs Swan?

[ajohnso23]

Hi - I am a Marriott Bonvoy member and it looks like Swan is right next to Boardwalk Villas so they will have similar transportation options. Any reason to do BWV or Swan over the other?

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Swan transportation is bad
walk to the boardwalk or beach club….

I‘m also Bonvoy Titanium, and DVC

If i could get BWV that’s where I would be….
A friend recently stayed at the reserve, requested and got a Suite night…. And really liked it

staying at the Swan is nice but not DVC….. however, if it is free… it’s a nice getaway…. You do have to pay resort fees

 

[CarolynFH]

Swan shares Friendship boats to Epcot/DHS but not buses to AK or MK. The MK bus drops off at the TTC, not the MK, meaning you have to monorail or ferry to the MK. Thus the recommendation to walk to BWV or Yacht & Beach.

 

[Marthasor]

Hi - I am a Marriott Bonvoy member and it looks like Swan is right next to Boardwalk Villas so they will have similar transportation options. Any reason to do BWV or Swan over the other?

The only reason to do Swan over BWV or any other WDW EP resort is price, IMHO. I much prefer the WDW resorts, but if I want to save money and don't need to be in the Disney "bubble" for my whole trip, I stay at the Swan - it's comfortable, has good dining options and the staff is very nice. As PPs have noted, if you want to go to MK from Swan, walk to YC or BWI to get the bus.

 

[ajohnso23]

The only reason to do Swan over BWV or any other WDW EP resort is price, IMHO. I much prefer the WDW resorts, but if I want to save money and don't need to be in the Disney "bubble" for my whole trip, I stay at the Swan - it's comfortable, has good dining options and the staff is very nice. As PPs have noted, if you want to go to MK from Swan, walk to YC or BWI to get the bus.

Thanks! I was considering trying to get connecting rooms at Swan vs a 1-bed villa at BWV, but BWV is only $150-$200 more so seems like that would be worth it. Another option would be one larger Alcove room at the Swan but not sure how useful more space will be without having a separate room with a door. The Bonvoy points were another draw but sounds like may be best to just go full Disney.

 

[loves to dive]

I've stayed at both, often. If money wasn't an issue, I'd stay at BW every time, I'm not DVC though. I tend to stay at Dolphin more just because it is considerably less if you aren't DVC. The buses from Swan/Dolphin in the case of AK are actually a tad closer, a tad more comfortable because they use the Mears buses most of the times so you have the forward facing padded seats instead of the side facing hard seats. As others have pointed out to get to MK they drop off at TTC, which can be a pain or actually can be kind of fun since you then get to add either the boat or monorail to the mix.

BW is just a nicer resort, I have stayed at the Reserve so can't compare to that. I like the Swan/Dolphin pool situation better then BW. If you stay at BW you pretty much have to go outside to get anything to eat, Swan doesn't have as many choices as Dolphin but for all practical purposes they are pretty much the same resort and there is a covered walkway between then.

I stayed at BW this past Aug. in sort of a splurge situation. It had been a few years since I'd stayed at one of the deluxe resorts as opposed to Swan/Dolphin and I could tell the difference. It just felt better, bonus almost every room at BW has a balcony but very few do at Swan/Dolphin and they are pretty small ones. I had an AP at the time and had booked a split stay with 3 nights at Swan and 3 nights at YC. When the new AP rates came out, I was actually able to book the entire 6 nights at BW for less than the split stay was going to be.

 

[RoseGold]

IMO, Marriott is a much better hotelier. This means things like mattresses and toilet paper.

Swan does qualify for the late extended hours, which is a big perk most non-Disney properties don't get.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I'm with some of the previous posters, if cost is the same or close, I'm picking BWI/BWV every time. But because price is a factor for us, we usually end up at Swan/Dolphin. We've stayed at all the epcot/crescent lake resorts and I really love the Boardwalk, we've stayed on the Inn side and DVC side and prefer the DVC side. S/D buses aren't bad but the MK bus situation to TTC is always a bit of a bugaboo. It's not the end of the world, but of course bussing right to the MK bus depot is always preferred. We also prefer the theming at Boardwalk over S/D. I do know there's some construction at BWI going on but not sure where and when it will be done, think it's around the old sundry shop on the main lobby level. All things considered for us, we almost always will pick a disney deluxe over S/D if price is the same.

 

[Dave006]

I do know there's some construction at BWI going on but not sure where and when it will be done, think it's around the old sundry shop on the main lobby level.

The sundry shop on the 2nd floor has now been converted into a coffee bar. However there is still working on the BWI refresh.. The 2nd floor Restrooms are still closed and work is ongoing.

@KerryCM mentioned in another thread the construction walls round parts of the Front desk were removed as of today.

Dave

 

[BeachMouse1]

Just stayed at the Swan after 5 nights at Boardwalk. We stay there when we need to extend a trip and can’t find any availability at a Disney resort or for a reasonable price. It’s perfectly nice however we drive so on top of the $40 resort fee there is also a $32 self parking charge per day. So if price is close consider that. To me it’s just not Disney though. The feel isn’t there for me. Staff is perfectly nice and helpful but again they are more “hotel employees “ all be it professional and not Disney cast members. Pool area is beautiful but again I didn’t enjoy it like I do the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk has so much going on. The other drawback to the Swan is when going to Magic Kingdom their bus takes you to the TTC not the front of the park.
All that said at most times you could probably get a much longer vacation for the same money at the Swan.
Take the Swan or Dolphin and put it anywhere else and it’s a quality hotel with great restaurants. like everything else it’s a matter of what’s important to you. If I wasnt paying and using points or something Swan would be great. If the rate at the Swan is much less than Boardwalk it’s certainly a strong contender.
For me alone I just prefer that Disney feel. But if I needed a few extra nights the Swan is the best location that’s not Disney

 

[Sara W]

When are you going? I just got back from a BWV stay today. It’s our favorite and where we stay most of the time. I tend to stay at Swan when doing runDisney races- so I’m familiar with both.
BWV is getting ready to be refurbished, the lady at the front desk mentioned they are delayed. Despite it being our favorite resort in the past, my husband said he won’t go back until after the rooms are done. We had to switch rooms after the first night bc the mold or mildew smell was so bad and my throat was getting scratchy. The room was a hot mess- shower door handle was super-wiggly, mold in the bathroom, hvac covers popping off, little things like light switch plates not sitting flush against the wall or drawers that didn’t quite shut, dirt dripped down the front of bathroom vanity. The hallway had some sort of white sheets nailed into the ceiling over what looked to probably be a hole. Right now I would choose Swan over BWV.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I personally fell the biggest advantage to the swan is I can use my Bonvoy points there.

It’s a great hotel but as other have said it is not Disney….

However, for the price of the resort fee, even I won’t complain…..

Paying cash I have seen it north of 600 a night at times

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks! I was considering trying to get connecting rooms at Swan vs a 1-bed villa at BWV, but BWV is only $150-$200 more so seems like that would be worth it…

At $200 more I’d go BWV because it feels more Disney. Charge to the room, Disney CMs, MBs work on door, short walk to EP, first on the boat to DHS, no chance of a #bonvoyed trip… It’s a lot of little things that for me are worth $200. I’ll stay Swolphin but usually the price is like half of what Disney wants and then it’s worth losing the little things.

 

[Disneyhanna]

The reason to stay at the Swan/Dolphin is price. Also I can confirm their beds are WAY better than any bed I have ever slept on at Disney, and the rooms have MUCH thicker walls.

The thing to remember about Marriott pricing is unlike Disney, their rates are not fixed. Disney's room rates are fixed and will not go up or down depending on when you check them, there may be discounts but the rack room rate will be the same for a certain date whether you book it the day it's available or the day before it sells out. You can see the rate calendar for the year when you book a room, and Mousesavers has organized tables of all the room rates at every resort by room type and date for all of 2023.

Marriott prices are dynamic and are exactly like airfare, they change multiple times a day and will go up and down like a rollercoaster. If you check rates for your trip one day, they may be $100 more per night or $100 less per night when you check again the next day. The nice thing is when you book a refundable rate, you can modify your reservation on the website without rebooking, and the confirmation number stays the same (you link it to MDE, and do not have to relink it if you modify your rates).

I'm one of those people that checks my room rates and airfare a few times a week, and it absolutely pays off for booking the S/D. I booked the Dolphin (with the AP rate) for $220/night INCLUDING taxes and resort fees over the first week of January, smack dab between two very busy weekends (NYE and Marathon Weekend). The regular public was a bit more but still well under $300/night.

Just two days ago, the public room rate for the Dolphin was $300/night including fees for Princess Half Marathon weekend coming up next weekend. I find the Swan is maybe $50/night more. In comparison, the cheapest standard view room (if you can somehow snag it) at BWV is more like $600-800/night for the same dates.

If you are paying $400/night for a standard room at the Swan/Dolphin, imo you are paying too much and should be checking regularly for better rates. I find the sweet spot for lowest rates has been 3-4 months out, and then a few weeks before traveling if rooms are still available (and availability does come and go even during popular times, because the resorts are big and many people cancel at last minute).

 

[ajohnso23]

When are you going? I just got back from a BWV stay today. It’s our favorite and where we stay most of the time. I tend to stay at Swan when doing runDisney races- so I’m familiar with both.
BWV is getting ready to be refurbished, the lady at the front desk mentioned they are delayed. Despite it being our favorite resort in the past, my husband said he won’t go back until after the rooms are done. We had to switch rooms after the first night bc the mold or mildew smell was so bad and my throat was getting scratchy. The room was a hot mess- shower door handle was super-wiggly, mold in the bathroom, hvac covers popping off, little things like light switch plates not sitting flush against the wall or drawers that didn’t quite shut, dirt dripped down the front of bathroom vanity. The hallway had some sort of white sheets nailed into the ceiling over what looked to probably be a hole. Right now I would choose Swan over BWV.

Hopefully it is better by May/June?