Do you really like the Swan and Dolphin?

[#1hockeymom]

I love both resorts and their amenities! Granted, I have not stayed at the Y and B, but the Grotto pool complex is my kids' favorite pool! While my DS might love SAB, if he ever gets the chance, I do believe my 19 DD would still prefer the Grotto pool as her top pool choice. We all love the elegant feeling you get while in the lobby areas. I love being steps from the boardwalk, yet still having so many restaurant choices between the two resorts that I have yet to try even a quarter of them! I am quite happy that I will be ending my trip this July at the Dolphin, knowing my back and legs will appreciate the heavenly bed even more.

 

[leight]

I got married at the Swan so maybe I am biased but I have stayed at several WDW resorts and I have a hard time comparing them to the Swan. For the $ spent at the Swan where I had a resort feel, deluxe accomodations -I was able to stay at moderates or All-Star during Peak. I don't like the outdoor corridors at either moderates/values- feels like I'm at a motel - although the decor of the hotels are always adorable. But the difference in the night's sleep that I get at the Swan in the heavenly bed makes my decision for me! Last time sleeping at the Pop Century was horrid- my back ached for a week!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have stayed at every Disney Deluxe resort except BWI. We stay concierge and I don't know what Disney "magic" everyone is talking about except the views of the parks. That is magic for me! The view I had from my Swan CL room was beautiful, too. I looked out at the Dolphin, YC/BC and part of the BW. At night, it was just lovely! What is this "magic" mentioned???

The Disney resorts are beautiful and well themed, but so is the S/D. There have almost always been conventioners at the CR and GF, and YC/BC when we have been there. So the conventioners at S/D don't bother me at all. Everyone's having a great time no matter why they are there.

I don't mean to sound like I am totally sticking up for the S/D - they are nice resorts and so are the Disney ones, but what is the "magic" that is missing???

I just LOVE the GF, it is my favorite. I have never felt anything magical when I am there, other than it is near my favorite park, the MK and it is just gorgeous. When I take a trip to WDW, I now just split my stay between the S/D and a MK resort. It makes it so much more convenient to visit MGM and Epcot! The YC/BC is OK, but I prefer to stay concierge and for the money, the S/D is just a much better deal. I would rather splurge on my favorite GF, anyway!!

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[Liz]

We have stayed at the Dolphin twice and have nothing but wonderful, happy, magical memories of the resort! Would love to stay there again some day!!! Its as perfectly magical as any Disney resort! Can you tell we loved it?!

 

[Kapp]

that the Dolphin would not have the "Disney feel" and boy were we wrong! We found the staff to be just as friendly and helpful as true Disney staff and than some! The rooms were great and being SPG members, we got an upgrade to a room with a balcony and an INCREDIBLE view of Epcot and Illuminations. We were there at Christmas so we got to enjoy the great decorations. And most important...location, location...LOCATION!!!!! Loved being able to go to Epcot and MGM on the boats.

Have a great time and enjoy!

 

[NancyIL]

I have never stayed at the Yacht/Beach Club or the Boardwalk, but I've been staying at the Dolphin and Swan since 2000, and I love, love, love them! I usually stay there solo, so I like the fact that there usually aren't as many kids.

 

[BadgerBruce]

We love both resorts. Have stayed at the Swan 3x, Dolphin once. Great location, customer service, housekeeping, comfy beds & beautiful grounds. Great place to stay in the middle of all the magic!

 

[KayakDaddy]

To book a room at the Dolphin, who do you call? Do you deal with the WDW CRO or is there a seperate number?


If you stay at the Swan/Dolphin, are you eligible to purchace tickets for E-ride magic nights?


How is the Bus service from the Swalphin to MK?

 

[CarolA]

As someone has pointed out the $179 rate has to be increased by the $10 resort fee and if you are driving the $7 parking fee, bringing the effective rate to somewhere between $189 and $196. Not quite as good a deal as they used to be.

I have stayed there and will again, but if I can get a good rate and afford it I am at the YC/BC instead. At $196 I will consider a moderate.


The rooms are nice, hotel is nice. Club Level was in no WAY worth paying for IMHO. (I got it free or I would have complained and asked for my money back)

Just a note; I booked a room for this coming Sunday a few minutes ago. I am attending a meeting in Orlando. YC was $234 with AP rate. I might have considered Swan/Dolphin, but they were actually more since there were no AP rooms. The one night that had a discount was $179 so it wasn't a huge change.

 

[DBC]

We stayed at the Dolphin and I like the resort as a resort. Not too wild about the color scheme and the fact that the Dolphin looks more like a catfish.

We mentioned this to our guide on the Illuminations cruise and he said that they are actually "Dolphin Fish", not dolphins:

http://www.boattalk.com/fishing/salt/dolphinfish.htm

We stayed at both the Swan and the WL last trip and we and the kids like the Swan better. Kids liked the pool much better at the S/D and we liked the location and the rooms better.

Loved 'em both though. Next Feb we are staying at PBH at US/IOA, then trying the Dolphin for the 2nd half of the week.

We do get 3+ days for nothing (well, parking next year) each year at the S/D by using the Starwood Amex for almost everything possible.

 

[FINFAN]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! We love it there (Dolphin) being able to boat or walk to MGM/Epcot is truly worth it...rooms are nice size, Bath area is a bit small tho) beds awesome, Tubbi' is open 24/7 w/Starbucks coffee, refil mug offered,great pool and beach area, upgrades can happen...we were VERY nicely upgraded last Dec, and our ALLEARS rate was $129! Service is terrific, no, no "Have a Disney Day" from the staff, but smiles and friendliness all the way...not to mention earning points eacg stay if you join SPG..our last stay offered 9,000 "extra" points thru AA and we scored another flier ticket while vacationing! We tend to go thru Epcot and monrail over to MK, but the few times we did take the bus it was o.k. You can also walk over to the Y/C BW to hop on there if you like. I think you will enjoy it, or at least try a split stay and give it a chance. We did that last trip, WL/Dolphin....had an eeehhhh, o.k. time at WL, GREAT time at the Dolphin.

 

[travlnman1]

<<The rooms are nice, hotel is nice. Club Level was in no WAY worth paying for IMHO. (I got it free or I would have complained and asked for my money back)>>

CarolA..thats a great point! We have stayed concierge at both the BC and Poly. We were going to upgrade to concierge on this trip to the Swan. In speaking with the front desk upon check-in, there was not one aspect of the CL that made me want to upgrade. I dont really care about my view, I'm out most of the time. I didnt need any of their services because I had all my PS in order and have no special needs, but not only that, the food selection and time of operation was pitiful (compated to BC and Poly). Open for a few hours twice a day, and you have to pay for your alcohol (yes, I like a glass of wine and DH likes to have his beer..all of which are included at the BC and Poly). I asked her to compare the room sizes and she didnt know the answer and pulled out a huge book and still couldn't find the answer. I bagged it right there and then.

OH..and one more thing about the rooms cost...beside the $10.00 per night fee, and the $7.00 parking...they charge $25.00 per night for a rollaway!!!

 

[KayakDaddy]

I just booked our room at the Swan. The Dolphins was all sold out for our dates (7/20-7/24)

I called the Swan/Dolphin toll free number and got a really helpful gentleman. I had him check compare my different discount options for the different views. The Teacher's discount turned out to be cheaper than the All Ears discount. Standard rooms at All Ears rate was $169, and it was only $149 with the teachers discount. (My wife teaches 2nd grade, so I put the reservation in her name)

I ended up opting for the Lake View with teachers discount. The total for that including the resort fee and tax is $205.16 per night, but that does not include parking. That will go up another $25/night if my sister is able to join us.

Here are my new questions for those who may know. Is it worth the extra money for lake view over standard view? Are there any standard view rooms that face the Boardwalk area? If so, where are they so I can request that area?

 

[Blondie]

The $10 Resort Fee is supposed to be ending soon! You can read about it here!

We are total Swan/Dolphin Resort fans! Everything from the color scheme (which I love, I am all about pastel colors) to the big festive lobby to the way it really makes me feel like I am on a tropical vacation has us returning year after year.

You can't beat the location, and some of the views from these resorts are spectacular!

One year when we needed a room at the Swan/Dolphin they were completely sold out and we ended up staying at the Wilderness Lodge instead. Now don't get me wrong, we all loved the WL as well, but as we were walking around Epcot/World Showcase and could look over at the Dolphin we all felt a little homesick that we weren't staying there instead.

We aren't the type of family that needs Disney 24/7 when we are there, we get enough of that while in the parks. In fact, it's refreshing to return to the Dolphin at the end of the day and not have Mickey Mouse shoved down our throats!

 

[Buckalew11]

We love it too. Of course, I love everywhere I have stayed at WDW except PO (not Riverside but the other campy side). We love the hotel, the beds (who couldn't like those beds?! They are truly 'heavenly'.) I love the boat ride (didn't think I would) and being so close to Epcot and MGM. I also like to eat at the Dolphin Fountain. Blondie's right--the color scheme is wonderful and so calming. It is just a great place to stay. I hope you get to try it sometime for yourself!

 

[CarolA]

<<The rooms are nice, hotel is nice. Club Level was in no WAY worth paying for IMHO. (I got it free or I would have complained and asked for my money back)>>

CarolA..thats a great point! We have stayed concierge at both the BC and Poly. We were going to upgrade to concierge on this trip to the Swan. In speaking with the front desk upon check-in, there was not one aspect of the CL that made me want to upgrade. I dont really care about my view, I'm out most of the time. I didnt need any of their services because I had all my PS in order and have no special needs, but not only that, the food selection and time of operation was pitiful (compated to BC and Poly). Open for a few hours twice a day, and you have to pay for your alcohol (yes, I like a glass of wine and DH likes to have his beer..all of which are included at the BC and Poly). I asked her to compare the room sizes and she didnt know the answer and pulled out a huge book and still couldn't find the answer. I bagged it right there and then.

OH..and one more thing about the rooms cost...beside the $10.00 per night fee, and the $7.00 parking...they charge $25.00 per night for a rollaway!!!

Having stayed in both CL and non CL rooms. If the CL is any bigger it's not noticable in any way!

 

[jwfla422]

Blondie said it best when she said she felt homesick when she didn't stay at the S/D. Even though the WDW resorts are fun and nice, etc, etc, still doesn't feel like "home" and now it's REALLY tough to stay anywhere else without that "heavenly bed"!!

The S/D is our "HOME AWAY FROM HOME"...no WDW resort has ever made us feel that way...so when it comes to "Disney Magic"...it's there...alive and kicking!!

 

[sugermouse]

No they are not.....better!

 

[bctripp]

We stayed at the swan 2 weeks ago for a quick trip. The staff was very friendly, the beds were awesome, and we saw MGM from our room. It's an excellent location. They really are beautiful resorts. It's really calming after walking around the theme parks all day.

 

[DisneyGuy]

my family and I are big fans of the Swan! Felt very Disney like to me, especially looking out my window in the room seeing the Boardwalk hotel and Tower of Terror - as well as a section of the world showcase.