Can Poly freaks stay at Swan/Dolphin and like it?

[PolyAddict]

Ok, so I am seriously considering Swan/Dolphin for May2008 trip. We had kinda decided on the Poly again, however we can do S/D for half the price. I have always wanted to try out the Epcot resorts and at $1500 for 7 nights, it sounds like a bargain. What am I gonna miss out on staying there besides the monorail? Can I still try the dining plan? Are the buses ok? I must admit being spoiled by AKL buses earlier this month.

Thanks

 

[disneydance]

Ok, so I am seriously considering Swan/Dolphin for May2008 trip. We had kinda decided on the Poly again, however we can do S/D for half the price. I have always wanted to try out the Epcot resorts and at $1500 for 7 nights, it sounds like a bargain. What am I gonna miss out on staying there besides the monorail? Can I still try the dining plan? Are the buses ok? I must admit being spoiled by AKL buses earlier this month.

Thanks

Ok it really up to you if but if im correct there in NO dining plan you also share the busses with BWI etc. but ifi i were you i would just try it

 

[jenjersnap]

If it's the difference between S/D and no WDW at all, I'd stay there in a minute. If you would shell out for the Poly anyway, maybe not.

I like S/D and love Epcot area but it doesn't hold a candle to the Poly. No DDP for sure.

Consider a split stay? We enjoyed doing that very much and I hope to do it again when my DS#2 and I go on a mom and me trip in early '08. It minimizes use of the bus transportation to MK which is the main downside of Epcot area resorts, IMO.

 

[PolyAddict]

Ok I am jealous of both of you-

Disneydance-enjoy AKL, we sure did a few weeks ago!!!! and you are leaving sooo soon!!!

jengersnap-Poly and free dining!!!

Thanks for the info on S/D.

 

[minnie61650]

The Swan/Dolphin offen has great rates that cost about as much as a Disney Moderate.

They are real 4 star hotels.

Deluxe but not as expensive as Disney's deluxe resorts.

The heavenly beds are ...well heavenly.

The Grotto pool and hot tubs are fun and relaxing.

Plus Epcot and MGM are just a short boat ride or walk away!

From Epcot hop on the monorail and head on over to the MK!


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/swan100.jpg
Hravenly beds

Grotto Pool

Grotto Slide

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/dolp5.jpg
Hot Tub

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/dolph21.jpg
Disney Friendship boats to and from Epcot and MGm

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/swan25.jpg
Walkway to MGM

*note photos are from allearsnet

The I love the Floridian whimsical theme of the Swan and Dolphin resorts.

For those of you who are unfamilar with the Swan & theme here is the story behindthem.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=17671231#post17671231


Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[PamNC]

because I am a Poly Addict who has stayed at the Swan/Dolphin 3x and LOVED it. You obviously know how great the rates are at the SD - it's totally worth it in my opinion. No dining plan, but that doesn't bother me because we don't do the dining plan. Obviously no monorail, but you're in a great location. The Epcot Resort area is the second best thing to a monorail IMHO. Walk to Epcot and MGM, or take the friendship. There are so many places to eat and shop and have fun on the Boardwalk. We love it over there. The Poly is our favorite resort but if you can save major bucks, I'd say give it a try. We leave in 31 days and this time we're staying at the BC. I wouldn't have hesitated to stay at the Swan or Dolphin but we got the great summer AP rate at the BC, which is our second favorite resort. I'll go on record to say that the Swan/Dolphin is our 3rd fave.

Enjoy!

You can always do the Poly next time.

PamNC

 

[CamColt]

I'm another big Poly fan, who enjoys the S/D just as much.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Yes and we just did again at the Swan and saved $500 to boot. We were told there were no ap discounts available at the Polynesian for our time frame and lately the customer service and amenities you get at the Disney Deluxes are just no value for us. We can live without the dining plan. We are not interested in stuffing ourselves silly. One good meal a day is fine for us. We got turn down service every night too at the Swan. We chose the Swan since it is the lst bus stop. Yes, Disney does have a problem with sharing the buses with all the epcot area resorts. I dont know if this is done all summer, but they should entirely rethink this. At the Swan we are usually sitting instead of standing on the bus. I can also live without DME too. We just use our credit card for charging in the parks. No big deal. I just keep thinking of all the money I save, we went to the Polynesian to eat and that was good enough for me. I dont want to get into all the issues I am thinking but when you pay a deluxe price and the resort and disney has not done enough to make you feel like you are getting your moneys worth, then its time to go elsewhere which we have been doing lately. You can also join the Starwoods frequent guest program for points etc. Disney really doesnt reward its frequent deluxe guests etc. Just some things to consider when making your choice. Best of luck deciding.

 

[MissionMouse]

You should be fine unless you have to have Disney related character theming inside the resort. Architecture is the them of both Swan & Dolphin. Boat travel to Epcot or MGM is great. The walk to MGM seemed a little longer but was still fine. The International Entrance at Epcot is ideal when you consider all the poor souls who are standing in line at the main entrance. Abundance of area restaurant choices is ideal. Overall, solid choice to manage the budget...and also a great time to get a park hopper ticket allowing you to take full advantage of your location.

 

[PolyAddict]

Thanks for all of the 1st hand reports from my fellow Poly Addicts!

When I use 2007 pricing for the Poly it comes to around $3000 for 7 nights, and S/D would be around $1500, I thought hhhmm. Deluxe for 1/2 price!!! Anyways, I have a LONG way to go as far as convicing the tribe.

minnie-thanks for the great photo's.

Pam, Camcolt and luvmarypoppins-great to hear other poly people can survive other hotels.

missionmouse-I guess you are refering to character dining, we usually on do one or two these days and it doesn't have to be at our resort.

 

[Poly Pal]

The Polynesian is our absolute favorite Disney resort (we're suckers for tiki torches and Hawaiian music!) BUT, we did stay at the Swan in April 2006 because of the dramatic price difference between the Polynesian and the AAA rate at the Swan. The Polynesian would have been over $400 per night for GV vs $179 per night at the Swan. We could not convince ourselves that the Polynesian was worthmore than twice to cost of a Westin (with Heavenly Beds).

We "survived" and the Swan was absolutely fine (except for the UGLY carpeting in the hallways-lol). The atmosphere is more of a "big hotel" versus a relaxing resort. The location was great for access to EPCOT, Boardwalk and MGM. I also stayed at the Dolphin last month on business. The rooms are pretty much the same decor with the main difference being the aforementioned bed size differences.

We are returning to the Polynesian next month at a great rate ($237 per night, GV, INCLUDING taxes) and can't wait to take those tiki torch lit walks back to our room, watch the fireworks from the pool, and maybe even get lei'd!

 

[Poly Pal]

Oops, duplicate post. Got so excited thinking about returning to the Polynesian that I got trigger happy and pushed the "submit" button twice!

 

[minnie61650]

Thanks for all of the 1st hand reports from my fellow Poly Addicts!

When I use 2007 pricing for the Poly it comes to around $3000 for 7 nights, and S/D would be around $1500, I thought hhhmm. Deluxe for 1/2 price!!! Anyways, I have a LONG way to go as far as convicing the tribe.

minnie-thanks for the great photo's.

Pam, Camcolt and luvmarypoppins-great to hear other poly people can survive other hotels.

missionmouse-I guess you are refering to character dining, we usually on do one or two these days and it doesn't have to be at our resort.

Just an FYI
The Garden Grove does have Character dining:

Garden Grove
Enjoy buffets for breakfast and dinner or casual a la carte favorites for lunch in Garden Grove, recently redesigned with a Central Park theme. Disney character dining featured nightly or for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Perfect for family dining.