coronado or swan/dolphin?

[dizneyfan]

Planning a trip for next May. Have stayed at CSR and loved the resort, especially the dig site pool. Since a teacher's discount is available, I am considering trying out the Swan or Dolphin. For those who've stayed in both, what would you do? I'd love to hear pros and cons on both. Thanks!

 

[Rhonda]

I would pick the Swan/Dolphin for sure! The location is great - you can walk to Epcot, MGM and the Boardwalk. The hotels themselves and the rooms are beautiful! And, if you liked the Dig Site pool, you will LOVE the Grotto Pool! It's huge!

 

[NancyIL]

Having only stayed at the Swan and Dolphin, I can't comment on Coronado Springs. I also haven't used any of the pools at the S/D - but many people rave about the Grotto pool. I love the location of the Swan and Dolphin - so close to MGM and Epcot, and right next to the Boardwalk. I'd give the S/D a try next trip - if only to try something different.

 

[The_Disney_God]

Coronado.

Didn't have a great stay at Dolphin.

 

[DisneyVa.]

We too stayed at the Dolphin on the $129 teacher's rate. Just got back on 8/23. We stayed at CS about three years ago. We enjoyed both for different reasons but already have reservations for this Christmas for the Dolphin again. I guess you know which one my family voted for! The Dolphin was very quiet and with the Starwood card we were upgraded to a lake view 11th floor that was facing the Swan. It was a beautiful view. Also you have many more dining options at the Dolphin. If you have a Disney Club membership, you get 20% off meals and even the ice cream shop gave us a discount. Good luck making your choice.

 

[Tnkrbl2199]

Have not stayed at Swan or Dolphin-just CSR however went to dinner at the Swan and attempted to use their buses one night as well as the friendship boat to Epcot/MGM. The buses to and from Swan/Dolphin were non existant even in June! And the boats were incredibly slow and few even arrived at all. We waited almost 40 minutes before changing our plan for the night b/c it had gotten so late. We thought Swan and Dolphin just didn't have a Disney atmosphere-though close to parks and other resorts-CSR was way better in our opnion simply b/c the resort was beautiful and well themed, great service, amazing bus system to and from CSR at all times throughout our recent stay and well....we got engaged and received some really special treatment from CSR and WDW restaurants and CM's. Good Luck!!

 

[cboudre1]

Dolphin

The CS was our favorite resort until this April when we went to the Dolphin (teacher's discount). The Dolphin was wonderful. We are booked there for our next vacation.

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by Tnkrbl2199
Have not stayed at Swan or Dolphin-just CSR however went to dinner at the Swan and attempted to use their buses one night as well as the friendship boat to Epcot/MGM. The buses to and from Swan/Dolphin were non existant even in June! And the boats were incredibly slow and few even arrived at all. We waited almost 40 minutes before changing our plan for the night b/c it had gotten so late. We thought Swan and Dolphin just didn't have a Disney atmosphere-though close to parks and other resorts-CSR was way better in our opnion simply b/c the resort was beautiful and well themed, great service, amazing bus system to and from CSR at all times throughout our recent stay and well....we got engaged and received some really special treatment from CSR and WDW restaurants and CM's. Good Luck!!

There is no bus service from the Swan/Dolphin to Epcot or MGM! If that's the bus you were waiting for - that's why it never came! The boats to MGM/Epcot and buses to AK/MK usually run every 20 minutes. Sometimes there are snags, but over all - very good transportation.

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at both and liked both alot. It is a bit of a tough decision as I really like Coronado. Last year I got a special rate at the Dolphin of $155 for a Standard room and when checking in got upraged (with my Starwood card) to a King room with two windows, a view from Spaceship eart over to the ToT and a large balcony. The location was great too. The resort feels big (in a citified way) as opposed to Coronado being spread out. Both are wonderful but give the Dolphin a try. If the trip is long enough you could split your stay.

 

[Kitty 34]

The Dolphin!!!! The location and the Grotto Pool are fantastic!!!!

 

[Figaro]

Hi, we stayed at the Swan in November and CSR in February. They are both nice resorts, but we love the location of the Swan (walked to Epcot and MGM). We had no problems with the buses, which is important to me, as I use a wheelchair. The Swan is the first stop and the buses were usually pretty quick. At CSR we had problems with the buses, as they were often full by the time they reached our stop and so there was no room for a wheelchair.

No matter which one you choose, have a wonderful time at a magical place!

 

[dizneyfan]

Thanks for the input guys! There are so many good things about both resorts...it'll be a tough choice. Any more comments out there?

 

[jgates]

Dig out one of those new state quarters and flip it! Heads- Dolphin, etc.

We loved Swan & Dolphin. We did receive a sheet when we checked in or in the room telling transporation options to all places. We waited 10 minutes or so max for our MK bus. Boats were 10 minutes - 15 tops. So I thought transport was fantastic.

Only time I had a problem it was my own fault. We were absolutely drained after a HOT day at Epcot - we went to the front of the park and I tried to find the Swan bus - (we had used boat only to that point) - well guess what - no bus! Duh! I could not have made it back to the WS entrance for the boat - I was that sick. Well, I got smart - hopped the monorail to MK with my daughter so we got cooled off in the a/c and then got on a bus there to Swan. We were still back in under 30 minutes which was good due to my own mistake.