CBR or Swan/Dolphin

[COLEBLUE]

OK, I have made reservations for CBR the week of 5/3/02 - 5/7/02. I am traveling with my DH and 5 yr old DS. I got a rate of $94.00 per night. I can get the government rate at the Swan/Dolphin of $129.00 per night. It would cost me approximately $150.00 more to stay at the Swan/Dolphin. I have never stayed at either one so I know nothing about them. The only Disney Resort I have stayed at is All Star Sports. Is it worth the money to change the reservation? The dolphin/Swan is a Deluxe resort isn't it? What are the advantages of each?

 

[Ityldu]

This is the easiert WDW question around. The Dolphin is worth a lot more then $150 extra over the CBR. CBR is our least fav. and Dolphin is one of our favorites, so that says it all there. Even if we were in our fav. deluxe, Dixie Landings, we'd still choose Dolphin instead for the following reasons:

Location, location, location. You're a quick walk, or boat ride to BW, MGM and Epcot. It's so peaceful, romantic and convenient.

The views from the Dolphin are spectacular. Both times we were upgraded, for free, to rooms with the most amazing views of Illuminations.

Service - Dolphin is truly a deluxe resort and you receive deluxe services.

The pool is our favorite of all Disney pools, even SAB. (We have not been back since the Polynesian pool opened).

Shooting stars in Dolphin lobby. I could go on and on, but for us, it's not even a decision, and I can't imagine you'd regret going with Swan/Dolphin either. Any more questions, feel free to ask.

 

[COLEBLUE]

Thanks for the info!!! Now another question. I believe I can also get WL for 129.00. Which is better, Dolphin or WL?

 

[NHAnn]

There's another thread going recently on CBR vs. Dolphin that I posted on, but to add and respond to theDolphin vs WL question:

That would be a tough call for me, having stayed at both, loved them both, but have never seen a WL rate of $129!!!
"Better" is relative......to me the Dolphin location is MUCH better, unless you will be spending most of your time at MK. I like the pool area better at the Dolphin, but I do love the "rustic grandeur" of the WL theming. Sounds like an oxymoron I guess, but it is awesome. There are more options for dining as far as variety and price right within the Swan/Dolphin resort and steps away at Boardwalk,and I think overall park transportation is more convenient/quicker from S/D. I think if it was me and I was going for a week and could get that rate at both, had never been to either, I might split my stay. IF WL is higher priced I'd definitely go with the Dolphin.

 

[glo]

I have stayed at both. I liked the CBR it has a nice atmosphere and I loved their food court. Really detested the bus service to everywhere.

I love the Swan and Dolphin. More emenities, can walk to MGM or Epcot. Have the water taxi's too. The room are a little bigger at the Swan and Dolphin. It is a four star hotel, with inside corridors. The Swan has Queen size beds.

For more info on the Swan and Dolphin click on the link below.

 

[Buckleybunch]

Shooting stars in Dolphin lobby. I could go on and on, but for us, it's not even a decision, and I can't imagine you'd regret going with Swan/Dolphin either. Any more questions, feel free to ask.


Please go on and on....


I haven't yet stayed at the Dolphin or Swan.. We have reservations for the Swan in Dec. ( I'm still thinking about switching to the Dolphin). Any ways I do love the CBR. The colors just does it for me.. however, I think the pool at the Dolphin would be great for kids... And for that price, you might as well try it for that amount.. You could also switch resorts, if you do that you might want to try CBR first.

 

[Ityldu]

I should say that the last time we stayed at CBR was 11 years ago, so I shouldn't judge it, but there's just so many others we like better, that there's nothing bringing us back, especially when I can get better prices at a Deluxe.

As far as WL vs. Dolphin, that would be a really tough one and our decision would definitely be splitting. They are both amazing resorts and both on the top of our list of favorites, along with Polyneisian. We have little kids, so we like to be near MK, but my fav. park it Epcot, so it's off to the Dolphin. I've also never seen WL at $129, I believe $149ish was the best I've ever seen - still an amazing price for an amazing resort.

Going on and on....We swore we'd never stay at S/D for the same old excuses - "It's not Disney" "There's no Magic" "There are too many conventions" When we ended up there by accident one day, all Disney resorts were booked and Dolphin gave us a fantastic price, all our impressions changed immediately. To us, the only resort that might be more magical is Polynesian and that's because of childhood memories, the monorail and view of the castle. We feel all the Epcot resorts, including S/D have the same amount of Disney magic, plus we've found better service at Dolphin. Both times we paid for a standard room and both times were upgraded to views I could only dream of and no other Disney resort can offer.

As far as conventions, we've noticed more "suits" at Contemporary and all the weddings at GF made us feel like we were crashing the party and very uncomfortable.

I'm not saying we haven't had excellent service at Disney resorts, but Dolphin has somehow seemed one step ahead both times we were there. It could easily have just been good timing, but here's an example. At GF, we asked how to get to Gasparilla Grill, they nicely gave us directions. No problem. At Dolphin we asked how to get to the pool, he walked us the whole way. That wouldn't keep me staying at Disney, I just feel that Disney has such a great reputation for service (well earned) and S/D seems to have met the challenge.

Why do we keep choosing Dolphin over Swan - nothing major, I want to try Swan, but I want those amazing views and as long as I keep getting them for free, I'll keep going back. I also want Tubbi's in the building - some of our trips are in Jan. and I don't want to walk in the cold to get my morning tea or hot chocolate. And I just think the shooting stars are so cool and every time I enter the lobby I just take a minute or two to star at them like a 4YO.

 

[COLEBLUE]

Thanks for all the info!!!! I changed my reservation to S/D. I read somewhere on this site that the Dbl beds at the Dolphin are only 1 inch smaller than the queen beds at the Swan. Does anyone know if this is true? Also, what is the easiest way to get to Magic Kingdon and Animal Kingdom from the Dolphin? Is it easier to catch the bus or ride the boat to epcot and catch the monorail?

 

[Ityldu]

I also read on the boards that someone here actually measured the widths of the Swan beds and the Dolphin beds and there was a 1 inch difference.

As far as the easiest way to get to AK and MK, it would definitely be easier to take the bus. It's quite a long walk from Dolphin to the front of Epcot, even if you took the boat, it would only drop you off at International gateway, you'd still have to walk through Epcot. Then you'd have to hop a monorail to TTC, get off and get another monorail to MK. It takes quite a while and a lot of walking. If you're going to do it, I suggest doing it at the beginning of your trip. Bus is the only way to get to AK, unless you have a car.

 

[COLEBLUE]

OK thanks. Can I catch the boat over to the Beach club resort?
I want to try out Beaches & Cream. I have connections vouchers and I heard they are a good deal there! I also want to try out the Pepper Market. We have PS at RFC in AK so I will use a voucher there as well. How do you get a free upgrade at the Dolphin? I have read about free upgrades to rooms with views. I would love to get a view of Epcot (illuminations). I guess I'm asking a bit much huh?

 

[Bearak27]

No need to catch a bus or a boat really. I remember it being about a 5 minute walk out the back door of the Dolphin to Beaches and Cream. One of my favorite places by the way!
betty

 

[Bearak27]

Sorry I should have answered both questions together. I signed up for a free starwood card at www.starwood.com and then gave the Dolphin my starwood number and they gave me a free upgrade. I also use my Northwest frequent flyer number with starwood and get free miles for my stay there too. It's a win win situation!
Betty

 

[COLEBLUE]

Did you give your starwood number when you made the reservation or when you got there?

 

[NikkiK]

I recently stayed at the Dolphin and showed the desk clerk my brand new Starwood card, got an upgrade to a room on the eighteenth floor with a wonderful view. We watched the EPCOT fireworks from the room while the Olympic women's figure skating finals were on television.

 

[COLEBLUE]

WOW, that sounds GREAT!!!! Was your reservation for a standard room? Was it a discounted rate? I got the $129.00 government rate. Maybe I'll get lucky. I just signed up for starwood today. How long does it take to get your card? Did you stay in a room with a king bed or two doubles? If it was doubles, were the beds larger than a regular double? Thanks for the info!!!

 

[NikkiK]

We had the teacher rate of $129. A very good deal. The beds may have been bigger than a standard double, but I'm not really sure. They were noticeably smaller than queensize beds. More than the inch someone said they measured, I think.

 

[Bearak27]

We paid the Gov rate too and still got a great upgrade. I did give them my starwood number when I called for a reservation. It took about 3-4 weeks to get my goodies in the mail. As a matter of fact we stayed there for two weeks and they upgraded my hubby to a gold member. That means we get triple miles for our next stay-woohoo! We had two double beds by the way and it seemed okay-we have a queen bed at home. I loved sitting on the balcony in the morning and just enjoyed the warm sunshine-we were there in December and have ressies for this December as well. You're gonna love it. By the way the grotto pool is not heated but I think the other ones are. It was a little nippy even for Alaskans! LOL
If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask I love Disney!
Betty

 

[Ityldu]

I wasn't a Starwood member the first two times and they upgraded me for free without even asking. These resorts are fantastic about upgrading you whenever possible even without asking.

 

[jgates]

I think the ONLY disadvantage would be that you couldn't charge stuff in the parks to your room. But I can live with that! (And I will be near the end of July!!)