Does the Swan/Dolphin "Feel" Like Disney?

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

I'm not sure how to quite articulate this question, but does the Swan/Dolphin "feel" like Disney? When I go to a Disney resort, I feel like I am wrapped in the cocoon that IS Disney-- the theming, the music, the scents. Does the Swan/Dolphin feel like that, or is it more just like any other hotel anywhere?

We are presently booked at CSR, but are toying with a move over to the Swan. Will I still feel like I'm at Disney?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Missytara]

It didn't feel Disney to me, until I walked out over to BW/YC/BC area.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there. The restaurants are wonderful. The amenities are plentiful and the beds are just divine. The extra room is nice, as well as having the newspaper outside your door each morning.

The only thing that was a downer for me was the price of wine. While I thought it is expensive at most places at the World, it was outrageously expensive at the Dolphin - $9.00 for a three ounce pour.

 

[HM]

Close enough for me. Loved the rooms and resort. And the location is excellent. No, it doesn't really have a Disney flair but what it does have to offer is wonderful.

Just remember, you can't use DME from the airport, you can't use the Dining Plans, and you can't charge purchases to your room or have them sent back to your room. If any of that is important to you, then stay at CSR (which is another of my favorites resorts).

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

I don't think it feels any less Disney than CSR...both convention resorts. I don't know that CSRs theming was that much more Disney than S/D. We liked S/D a lot- esp for the price- you can't beat the location! Our rooms have overlooked DHS and the Boardwalk...can't get more Disney than that (ok, maybe an EP or MK view but not at that price!) Because of the location, it definitely beats CSR in our book. Its always hard to resist the urge to go back there since the prices are always good and we can't afford to splurge on the other EP resorts yet.

Just remember you can't do a meal plan or magical express at the S/D.

 

[kapoof]

it didn't really feel like the disney resorts but we still enjoyed our stay there. it has an awesome location a pretty good price point. we stayed at the dtdhilton last trip and while it wasn't bad it wasn't for us , it really felt undisney like..we would much rather stay at the s/d any day.

 

[MickeyNicki]

No it doesnt feel like Disney at all until you walk out to the boats or buses....we have stayed there many times and love it but just for a weekend stay (I could stay longer but DH insists on a more Disney hotel)

The place is great and has the best beds ever, love the restaurants and the spas, the location is the best and the price cannot be beat. Great park transportation but not a themed or Dis feel to it

 

[Connears]

I have been a dvc member since 1994 with too many trip to wdw to count since then and I LOVE the Swan/Dolphin! I am also a starwood member and have used points to stay there before or after my dvc stay. They are deluxe hotels(one is run by sheraton the other westin) and they have great amenities....The best room service is at Swan IMHO..even better than Poly. Many nice shops and food options(takeout and sit-down) great pool area, and of, course the location is easy access to Epcot, DHS, and all the BW stuff. We checked out of OKW last NYE for one night at Dolphin just to have the location and not ahve to deal with 3 hours to get to your car after midnite. I don't think I miss anything disney when I stay at either. There are often great discounts there and a great teacher discount through the year.

Connears

 

[ElizabethB]

Yes, we thought it did -- but in a more sophisticated and upscale way than most of the Disney resorts. We had a view of the water, the boat landing and Epcot. Seemed very Disney to us. Even better, some of the very best dining anywhere on Disney property is located at the Swan, Dolphin, the other Epcot resorts and Epcot -- all of which are very convenient to the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

If you are sitting on your hotel room's balcony watching Illuminations (or Wishes), how can it NOT feel like Disney.

I think I may have stayed in one of the ten best rooms in all of WDW for seeing fireworks: rooms 735 and 736 on the seventh floor of the Swan, in the wing that sticks out from the main building, on the Boardwalk side of the hotel. From our balcony we had great views of both Wishes and Illuminations.

For Illuminations, we were high enough to be above the trees and roof of the BWV and BWI and see the fireworks during the show that only go a few feet in the air. I've been in other locations (like the CBR and on the Boardwalk) during Illuminations and you can only see a few of the fireworks that are launched very high in the air.

While Wishes was quite a bit off in the distance, we could easily see the entire show. Yes I could tell which were launched from behind the park high into the air, and which were launched from Fantasyland and went much lower, but it was still neat to see. And it was very cool when we saw all of the fireworks that ring the park during the finale of Hallo-Wishes.

I think there are only a few rooms (less than 10) in all of WDW that could have good lines of sight to both of these shows. None of the Disney resorts are high enough to see both shows, with the exception of the Contemporary, which could only have a view of one or the other.

The Dolphin and Swan are high enough in some rooms, but angled in such a way that you'll only have a line of sight to one show. There's just a few rooms on the 6th and 7th, and maybe 5th floor of the Swan that have lines of sight into both shows.

I just though I'd share my find. While seeing the fireworks from a balcony is about 1% of the fun of the shows, it's still neat to see.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

We stayed at the Dolphin and it felt Disney to me. I think a big reason is we had one of the "porthole" rooms facing the lake and seeing the boat dock and the boats going back and forth definately felt Disney. A short walk to see the Epcot fireworks and the boardwalk area kept me in the feeling. I didn't really miss the not having our room in the Disney decor but again, definately the view from our room made it for us. I would love to stay there again but would definately do the resort view upgrade again.

 

[jgates]

Definitely felt Disney to me.

Unless they have changed something in just the last couple years, you CAN have your packages delivered to your hotel. They are normally available for pick-up the next morning.

I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[FireDancer]

I stayed at the Swan for marathon weekend and it did feel like Disney to me. I was able to walk out onto my balcony and see the boardwalk and during illuminations I could hear it and see part of it. I'd say that is pretty much Disney.

 

[kevallen]

We have stayed at several moderate resorts CSR, POR, and the cabins at Ft. Wilderness, when we tried the Swan a couple of years ago. While not run by Disney, we found we were more in the middle of the "magic" at the Swan and Dolphin than the others. Primarily its the location, right next to the Boardwalk, walking/boat to Epcot or DHS. But don't take away that the Starwood folks who run the Swan and Dolphin are perhaps equally trained in customer service. After staying the last time my wife only wants to go back to the Swan and Dolphin (I think it's the heavenly beds!)

When I talked to Starwood Preferred Guest to book my stay this time, the woman on the other end could have worked for Disney. She was excited about my stay, encouraged me to check out "the best milkshakes in the world" at the soda fountain at the Dolphin and more.

I think its worth a try for you, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[kevallen]

We have stayed at several moderate resorts CSR, POR, and the cabins at Ft. Wilderness, when we tried the Swan a couple of years ago. While not run by Disney, we found we were more in the middle of the "magic" at the Swan and Dolphin than the others. Primarily its the location, right next to the Boardwalk, walking/boat to Epcot or DHS. But don't take away that the Starwood folks who run the Swan and Dolphin are perhaps equally trained in customer service. After staying the last time my wife only wants to go back to the Swan and Dolphin (I think it's the heavenly beds!)

When I talked to Starwood Preferred Guest to book my stay this time, the woman on the other end could have worked for Disney. She was excited about my stay, encouraged me to check out "the best milkshakes in the world" at the soda fountain at the Dolphin and more.

I think its worth a try for you, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Ramsfan28]

I have stayed at the S/D about a dozen times. It feels like Disney to me each and every time. It is one of my favorite places to stay and if you are a SPG member you can earn lots and lots of points.