Considering Swan/Dolphin instead of CSR...help!

[DisneyJen0504]

DH and I have stayed at one of the moderates for our last 4 trips to WDW. We are getting bored of the mods and really cant see spending the money on the deluxe. We are hoping to go in 2008 and now that I am a teacher, we found out about the great teacher rates at Swan/Dolphin.
I did a search and found lots of people who suggest going with S/D for the obvious reasons of location, comfort, etc. And while many think it is silly, I am concerned about missing the disney magic if we skip CSR and go with either the Swan or Dolphin.
For those of you who have stayed at CSR as well as either the Swan or Dolphin, I would love to know your thoughts. Which do you prefer overall?
THANKS!

 

[tone.def]

Just got back from Dolphin Resort - ZERO Disney theme to it aside from being able to see Tower of Terror from my balcony.

 

[Kaybee]

Well, I absolutely fell in love with the Dolphin the first time I stayed there. Sure there isn't Mickey, Donald and all the rest of the characters around every corner but the fact you are right there...just steps from all the action far exceeds anything else!! We were lucky to get a room that overlooked Epcot and could watch the fireworks every night. We went to sleep seeing the lights on the Spaceship Earth. How much more "disney" can that be??? Not to mention also that the room is "deluxe". The beds are just what everyone raves about "heavenly". We found the CMs to be very helpful and accomadating to all of our needs. The resturant choices are much better in my opinon as compared to the moderates also. I loved the fact that Pikabu's is 24 hrs...we are always dying for some snack after a long night at the parks. The pools were great too...my son and nephews enjoyed renting the swan boats to peddle around in, the basketball court for them to shoot a few hoops, and the sandy beach to play volleyball if they wanted. Try the Dolphin out....you won't be sorry...Especially getting a "deluxe" at a moderate price!! I used the discount for nurses and got a deluxe room for less then a moderate per night..

 

[serendipity]

Can you stay purchase the dining plan if you stay at the swan/dolphin?

 

[TinkOhio]

We have stayed at both the Swan and the CSR several times. A couple of years ago, we even did a CRS/Swan split. I would go for the Swan or Dolphin. We really enjoyed both properties in different ways. The CSR was quiet, spread out, (which we like,) had a great pool area and good transportation. The Swan seems a little more grown-up to us. Everything in the room...towels, bedding, bath area, decour..was more upscale. Our views have almost always been of the Boardwalk and Spaceship Earth. We felt way more like we were "in WDW' at the Swan than at CSR. Watching Illuminations from your balcony really makes you feel like you're right in the middle of things! Our experiences with transportation at the Swan have always topped those that we had at Disney owned resorts, too.

We have stayed at the Swan using teacher discounts and/or SPG points. We also feel that the balcony rooms are WAY better than standard rooms, and that they are a great deal for only 1,000 SPG points more.

Hope this helps!

 

[TinkOhio]

Serendipity--sorry, but no. You can't do the dining plan at the S/D.

 

[airhead]

Believe me,you won't miss a thing1 I think because the Dolphin is so close to Epcot and MGM,you feel like you're right in the middle of WDW! Try it. you'll love it there!

 

[Lilolvr]

Csr!!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I have done both and I would give Swan/Dolphin my vote. The location can't be beat. We didn't miss the magic at all.

 

[Samsma]

I am one who does miss the magic. I'd stay at any Disney resort rather than the S/D. JMHO.

 

[bab31]

I think when people say the Disney magic - it can mean different things. Just staying at CSR was magical- the transportation - the benies of staying on grounds etc. As far as theming- it would not have been any more magical than staying at the S/D. I think you should ask yourself if you can do without the benies that you dont get with staying at the S/D ...that is your answer. We loved CSR but I think we would have loved it at the S/D as well. I must say one of the things that might keep me from staying at the S/D is not being able to charge to my room. It was great not worrying about carrying around money for meals and such.

 

[Samsma]

I think what we didn't like was the high rise hotel while at WDW. The location was great, the pool is great, we just prefer the 3 or 4 story hotel with a more cozy feel. Honestly, we liked POP much better except for the location of course.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi, you can see in my signatire where we have stayed, and it includes CSR and the Dolphin and for the price you can get, it is hands down the Dolphin. Just being able to walk to Epcot, MGM, the Boardwalk area, etc, is worth it! I love the Dolphin atmosphere, the food choices, it is great.

Nothing against CSR, and I will stay there again I am sure, but if the price is in any way similar, it has to be the Swan or Dolphin!

 

[Markstudy]

I never understand why people don't just post a photo :

I felt like I was on the Pirate ship in Peter Pan's ride when I walked into the lobby of the Swan/Dolphin.

You might not see a Micky Mouse, but If you're a fan of Pirates, Mermaids, Peter Pan....I don't know how anyone can complain about the theming.

Maybe I"m using my imagination a bit too much?

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Thank you!!! I think we are really leaning towards the Swan/Dolphin. Thanks for your help!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I never understand why people don't just post a photo :

Cuz I don't know how!


Great picture, BTW!

 

[Markstudy]

Cuz I don't know how!
Great picture, BTW!

Thanks!

It is tricky to post photo. You have to go to web site like photobucket.com and load your photo to the web and then cut and past the link back to disboards....took me a while to figure it out...but now... watch out LOL

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

You darn west coast floridians are so full of yourself!

Getting back on topic... I agree that that Dolphin has a whimsical, fun feeling and I definitely feel like I am in WDW when I am there! Gotta love that GRotto pool and mojitos at the cabana bar. And if you have kids, Camp Dolphin is my DD's all time favorite kids' club.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I like the Dolphin too. Lots of great food choices that, IMHO, the other EPCOT area resorts are lacking. (CS is very hard to get)

Had a few fun stays at Dolphin. In Sept, we were in a room facing the Dolphin, 14th floor that had an awesome Illuminations view and and a view of the TOT. Neat.

Last Dec, we were high up overlooking the Valet area. In the morning Inoticed we had a castle view! (ok, so the castle was only this big, but it was the castle )

Nice restaurants, friendly staff, nice bath products, heavenly beds , all in all very nice resorts. I may not be able to get a Mickey wakeup call, but I am ok with that