Coronado, Swan or Dolphin?

[gypsy_at_heart]

So, I had booked CSR with the gift of magic promo (and was quite happy with it) for late March. I'm taking my brother and his Fiance for a week and then switching to my own room at pop for the second week. I've stayed at CSR before and while people mention the size and walking distance being an issue, it didn't bother me and I know it wouldn't bother my brother or sister in law to be. I had no plans to change, but then....

my wonderful and kind aunt called me today and offered me a whole whack of travel points - enough to book the whole portion of hotel where my family is coming with me. When I looked on the travel redemption site (British Airways) I intended to just book CSR, however both the swan and dolphin are also available AND cost less points wise.

I like the idea of being walking distance to Epcot and HS, but I worry if there is a lack of Disney feel to the Swan and Dolphin. The whole Disney feel is part of the reason why I stay on site and I don't want my family to miss out on that. That said, I've never been to the Swan or Dolphin, I don't know if there are differences between the two and walking distance is a big perk. Can you add the DDP if you're staying at Swan or Dolphin?

Help!

 

[MrsDuck]

The proximity of the Swan and Dolphin can't be beat but if you're looking for a Disney vibe, stick with CSR!

 

[katherine52478]

I’ve never understood the concern that the Swan and Dolphin don’t feel like “Disney”. I’ve had rooms at the Dolphin where I watched both the Epcot and HS fireworks from my bed! You can get Dole Whip in the lobby and walk outside to hop the same Disney busses to AK and MK. There is a character breakfast (and dinner, I believe) and the minute you step outside, you are IN Disney! Boardwalk to your right and the Yacht Club and Beach Club to your left. I don’t think it could be more “Disney” if it tried!

Now I haven’t stayed at CSR so I can’t compare, but I have stayed at the Dolphin numerous times and I don’t hesitate to book it. And my fave onsite hotels are Poly and Beach Club! If the price is right, book it!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Swan/Dolphin do have less of a Disney vibe, IMHO, but, as PP pointed out, as soon as you walk outside, you are steps from the Boardwalk, so incredibly close to the Disney bubble. Both resorts have Disney gift shops inside, there is a character meal at Garden Grove and the resorts utilize Disney buses and boats for park transportation. The proximity to DHS and EP simply can't be beat. I would choose Swan over Dolphin as you will get queen beds at the Swan (they only have doubles at Dolphin). You cannot add the Disney Dining Plan to a Swan/Dolphin reservation. If you want more of the bubble, go CSR. If you'd like to save points and be closer to EP/DHS, go Swan. Also want to mention, the Swan rooms are very comfortable!

 

[Babsy]

CSR is a great moderate resort, but the Epcot area is a really great location! We stay at the Swan or Dolphin for part of almost every trip to WDW. I don't think that we have ever felt like we missed out on the Disney bubble. Just the opposite. The Swan and Dolphin are as much a part of 'Disney' to me as the CR, the CSR, the YC/BC or the BWI or many of the Disney resorts. You are on Disney property, you can walk to two theme parks from your room and you use Disney transportation! There are some differences such as no DDP, or DME but we don't use those things. Use the money saved for a more convenient taxi and just buy your food as you go. (BTW, the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin are among the best in the Epcot resort area.) You can still book FP+ at 60 days and you have access to EMH when staying at the Swan/Dolphin.

Plus, the beds at the Swan and Dolphin are very comfortable! (Swan has queen beds, Dolphin has doubles)

I would choose the Swan or Dolphin and use the money/points saved for a longer stay or something else.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[KMarston]

Dolphin hands down! Absolutely the most comfortable mattresses in WDW. Good food, always things going on!

ETA: you can’t add DDP at Swan or Dolphin and you can’t use Magical Express. Awesome hotels with great staff. It didn’t feel any less Disney to me at all.

 

[Shellyred8]

Swan - King or Queen beds.
Dolphin - King or Double beds.

We stayed at the Swan (needed the queen beds due to party size) a couple of years ago and it's a nice resort, but I will admit I felt a little bit like an outsider. I know it's super close to all the Boardwalk stuff and HS, but since i'm a frequent WDW visitor, it just didn't feel the same as when we stay at a Disney property. It's not just the rooms, but the entire building. The hallways don't have anything Disney about them. The lobby's don't have anything Disney about them. It's the little things that I missed.

I think you will have to weigh out which is more important to you: Proximity to HS and EP (this is a pretty big item for me) or the Disney feel. Of course, the pricing comes into play too!

In regards to dining options, Swan/Dolphin win hands-down, in my book. I like their restaurant options and we usually go to them when we are staying at the Boardwalk resort.

 

[tiggerunner]

Just spent a long weekend at the Dolphin- be ready for all the extra fees and I am a huge Marriott fan, but this place is horrible.
I have stayed at Coronado a few times and really liked it.

 

[gatour]

I voted for either Swan or Dolphin.

I have stayed at the Dolphin and Coronado Springs several times. The convenience of the Swan or Dolphin to Epcot Center and the availability of the Boardwalk restaurants/bars is a major plus. Since you mention you will use less points, that is another plus.

 

[CarolynFH]

As a longtime BWV owner I might be prejudiced toward the Epcot area resorts, but I have stayed at CSR too, and I’d vote for the Swan. The location can’t be beat (especially for adults), and queen beds beat doubles anytime.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Swolphin for the win! Personally, I think the Swan has the edge over the Dolphin for being smaller (less walking to your room) and having the Queen sized beds rather than the Full. However, having 2 full-sized beds at the Dolphin gives the option of getting a rollaway bed. It's cheapest way to sleep 5 people in the Epcot area.

I don't think it gets more "Disney" than being able to walk to two parks. Also, did you know the Garden Grove (Swan) has character meals? We had breakfast with Minnie and Goofy as walk-ups with no ADRs and no waiting for half the price of an on-site character breakfast. No, the rooms and corridors aren't Disney themed, but it still felt in the "Disney bubble" to me. There is nothing like closing a park after the fireworks, and taking a leisurely stroll or hopping on a boat back to the hotel rather than waiting for and cramming onto an over crowded bus. We even bought a refillable Disney resorts mug, and got our drinks at the bakery on the Boardwalk throughout the stay.

 

[shoreward]

Have you considered doing a split stay? To be close to EPCOT and DHS, you could stay for half of the week at the Swan or Dolphin, and stay the other nights at CSR. When doing a split stay, there is a complimentary bag transfer service between Disney resorts (i.e. CSR) and the Swan and Dolphin.

If your guests will be flying home after the first week, however, the Swan and Dolphin don't qualify for DME to the airport and RAC for checking bags at the resort; so, they would have to arrange their own transportation to MCO and check any bags they have at the airport. If you were to originate your visit at the Swan or Dolphin, you would arrange for transportation from MCO, but your guests could take advantage of DME back to MCO, as well as the RAC, when departing CSR.

The Swan and Dolphin are considered Deluxe resorts; both are traditional hotels, with interior corridors. CSR is considered a Moderate and does not have interior corridors. I agree with others that between the Swan and Dolphin, there are numerous excellent dining choices. Their pools are also quite nice. There is a Disney Planning Center right onsite, as well as Disney shops.

The walk to/from DHS and EPCOT from the Swan and Dolphin takes under 15 minutes, while the boat ride is about 5 minutes to DHS and about 15 minutes to EPCOT. The boat dock is right out the back door of the Swan and Dolphin.

To get an idea of daily activities at the Swan and Dolphin:
https://swandolphin.com/welcome/activities/daily/index.html
BTW, there will a lot going on at EPCOT, as Flower and Garden will be happening at that time.

 

[maxiesmom]

3 of my favorite resorts! I have stayed at all multiple times, with my last long stay being a split between the Dolphin and CSR.

If you spend much time at all in Epcot, I would go with the Swan. Not only is it a small resort, with great proximity to both Epcot and the Disney Studios, but you avoid the craziness that is the front side of Epcot. It is a giant mess, and will be for some time to come.

i will add that my 19 year old niece, while at first thrilled with the rooms at CSR, was wondering after a couple of days why we had moved there. Even though we had our own room at CSR, she would have rather we had stayed sharing one room at the Dolphin. We spend a ton of time in Epcot, and you can't beat walking out your resort and being there in 10 minutes.

I give the edge to the Swan over Dolphin because of size. Much easier to get around inside the resort, as the Swan is smaller. And the Swan had queen beds over the doubles at the Dolphin.