Closed: Bcv vs. Swan and dolphin ???

[janetanne]

Hi.. I have an opportunity to stay at the bcv's (2 bedroom) as a dvc guest .. But also have reservations at the swan hotel in a 2 bedroom executive suite..

Can anyone give me the plusses +++ for staying at the bcv resort?
Does anyone have any experience staying at the wdw swan?

Thx.. J

 

[deva]

Is it just you or will there be children too? We stayed at The Swan and would not go back (and not just because we are DVC members). Don't get me wrong, it is a very nice hotel, but it is missing the Disney magic. Also, the pool was considerably colder than the Disney pools. During that trip we walked over to check out SAB one evening. They let us walk around and check out the pool - didn't go swimming, but did stick my hand in for comparison and it was definitely much warmer. We are now sold on BCV (and that is where we bought in DVC).

Dolphin does have good dining options.

 

[janetanne]

we will be bringing our 7 year old with us .. at first the swan sounded like a great deal but now looking on the dis boards.. the pricing is quite comparable. Is the 2 bedroom private enough for the mother in law if she stays in the king bedroom?

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I have never stayed at BCV but hear it is fantastic. I did stay at the Swan back in Nov., in 2 connecting regular rooms (no view). The location was great! The rooms were clean and spacious. One room had 2 queen beds & the other had a king bed & a sleep sofa. There was a sink outside the bathroom as well as in the bathroom. We ate brunch one morning at the Swan - can't remember the name of the restaurant - maybe Garden Grove, anyway it was great! I did not stay in a 2 bedroom executive suite, but bet that is very nice too. I did find the walls to be a bit thin, but would stay there again. Now I have a question, will you be paying for either stay? I am thinking you would be staying at DVC free & paying at the Swan. If that is the case, FREE makes sense to me. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[HeffalumpB]

I've stayed at both- but not an executive suite. I would go with BCVs. Swan and Dolphin are OK but they are not "Disney". It felt like just another hotel to me. BCV is really nice and has the Stormalong Bay pool complex is the nicest on property. Also it is located closer to Epcot. I felt like I walked forever to get to Epcot from Swan.

 

[ChickieToo]

Never stayed at the Swan, so I can't help you there. However, I stay at BCV all the time and I can tell you it is great. Nice upscale hotel feel, with a wonderful pool that is sort of like a mini waterpark.

As far as a 2 bedroom villa goes, I would give your MIL the 2nd bedroom, keep the Master for yourself, and put your DD on the fold out in the living room. Your MIL can close the door between her area and yours, and you can both have privacy. She can even make her own coffee in her own unit without bothering your family, if she is an early riser. This way, as a family of three, you will have more space and will put the spacious master bathroom, with the seperate toilet area and shower, to better use when getting ready. Also, it sounds like MIL is alone, so she doesn't really need a king bed. However, you and your husband will be much more comfortable in a larger bed. You will also have privacy since your DD will be in the living room on the pullout.

JMHO.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I would stay at BCV for the simple reason that it's Disney.
That said, I will bet dollars to donuts that an executive suite at the Swolphin is a cut above.
I think I saw some pics on one of the websites... Can't remember which one.

The best of the best would be one of the suites at AKL. Have you ever seen one of those things?? Holy Moly!!

MG

 

[masswdwfan]

I have stayed at both. I used Starwood Points to stay at the Swan and Dolphin. Both do not have the extra themes that the Disney resorts have for kids. The layouts are very confusing in both hotels and I find the buildings to be ugly. Also, very few of the rooms in Swan and Dolphin have balconies, so there is no fresh air access for the majority of the rooms. I have stayed at the POLY, CR, and GF in addition to the Swan and Dolphin. My last trip was to the Dolphin, hence my DVC purchase into BLT.

Visit the Swan to eat at Il Mulino. Go with the Disney Resort.

 

[castleri]

I just went to the Swan website and there is a floorplan for the 2 BR executive suite- It notes a 600 sf parlor area with room for 35-40 people - You might want to check out the floorplan for that as well as the one for the BCV. It looks like the executive suite would give the MIL plenty of privacy at one end of it. It also has a pull out sofa in the living area. I would say the Swan suite will provide larger living areas as well as a third bathroom if that is of importance to you and it does show a balcony. I love DVC and the BCV are great but I might opt for the Swan in this case if you are not planning to do the DDP especially if someone else is paying the bill.

 

[Ramsfan28]

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

I love the Swan and have stayed there every year for our Disney vacations. We are booked again this year in one of their two bedroom Presidential suites. The resort is wonderful and my nieces that are 3 and 6 love it.

Of course, I am also a new owner at the BLT and plan to stay there for most of my future visits but have always had special stays at the Swan and Dolphin.

Just keep in mind you can not take advantage of the 90 +10 ADR rule at the Swan.