Dolphin or Swan?

[back2disney]

Which is better and why?
I tried doing a search but my keywords, "or" "better" "like" were all excluded so the results brought up everything plus the kitchen sink

I'm thinking up staying at either on a future trip.
The rooms/beds look fabulous compared to the epcot themed rooms in my opinion. I just don't know which one Dolphin or Swan???

 

[leighe]

I didn't vote because I've never stayed at the Swan but I have stayed at the Dolphin and loved it! I agree that the room decor is my favorite of any Disney resort I have stayed in and the beds are the best on property! I prefer the lobby and decor of the Dolphin.

 

[sanibelover]

The Swan is wonderful!!

I didn't vote for the Dolphin because it is the main convention hotel of the two. If there is a largish convention, the Dolphin can be very crowded. The Swan is a little quieter. I don't really think you can go wrong with either.

 

[back2disney]

Thanks for the reply. The score remains 0-0.
Yeah I hear the lobby is nicer at the Dolphin and it also has the rental car check-in as well, but Swan has 2 sinks and has bigger beds in the 2 bedded rooms. So I'm 50/50 undecided?

edited: oops I see some have voted. I had to click on view poll results-dah!
Still even 1-1 though. I will check back later. Thanks

 

[Tinkaroo]

I haven't stayed at the Dolphin, but have at the Swan. I have a bunch of free nights that I'll be cashing in during the spring, and we'll likely stay at the Swan again - which surprised DH since we're on the quest to stay in all the hotels on-site that interest us.

My reasoning - the Swan is a bit smaller, has a sink both inside and outside of the bathroom, and I've heard the quality of the bedding is just a tad bit higher, being that it's technically a Westin, and the Dolphin is a Sheraton.

Impressive lobbies, laundromat, etc. don't matter to us. I've heard some say Tubbie's is more convenient when staying at the Dolphin, but I've heard others say it depends on where your room is - some of the further out wing rooms at the Dolphin are not as convenient to things as the rooms at the Swan.

Just my opinion - hope it helps!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We've only stayed at the Swan - my reasoning was the sinks, larger beds, and the busses - With the extra sinks, one person can shower while another gets ready (Drying hair, make-up, coffee, etc.) at the outer sink area. This is great if you have a large co-ed group! I Think they are both VERY nice hotels, and I understand the difference in the beds is not that significant, since the Dolphin's beds are 'oversized' doubles, or so I've heard.

If you stay at either hotel, it is easy enough to walk through the other -so if you want to see the lobby, or eat at a particular restaurant, it is easy enough. But like the above poster said, if you plan on eating at Tubby's, you might be closer to it at the Dolphin. The food was fine there, but the name 'Tubby's' is a bit of a turn off personally...who thought up that one?
You can also dine at the Boardwalk or BC/YC eateries easily enough (The Boardwalk is a short walk, the BC/YC is a short boat ride away). A popular choice in the AM is the Boardwalk Bakery, though it can get a bit crowded at park opening.
For us, we didn't end up going through the front lobby of the Swan all that much, because the walkway/boats to Epcot (the boats also take you to MGM) and to the pool areas are through the back side of the resort. You do go through the lobby to get to the bus area. This is also true of the Dolphin, though you'd go through the side exit to get to the pools. (The grotto pool is a bit closer to the Dolphin.)
Another important factor for us was the bus service! The bus comes to the Swan first - so you are more likely to get a seat in the morning, and you get dropped off first at night (Though you do go to the Dolphin before heading to the parks). If the bus gets full, you might have to wait for the next bus at the Dolphin.
Last, might be the view: I'm not sure about the various views from the Dolphin, but if you look at the location, The Swan is closer to the parks. The deluxe view from the Swan can be looking towards Epcot...the standard view was looking towards the parking lot, but also towards MGM (TOT), though you might also end up with a view looking towards the Dolphin/pool area. The Dolphin is behind the Sawn, so while there are rooms that also look towards Epcot, it is a more distant view. Other views would be of the Swan, pool area, or the farside of the Dolphin.
Again though, either hotel is VERY nice, and overall I understand that they are very similar. The differences are not all that big. I'd happily stay at either!

 

[back2disney]

Thanks for the replies.
The word Tubbie's was the key buzzword to put in a search query to get more specific threads.

2 other polls have been done pretty much 50/50 on both.

Here's a reply from one..

I can tell you a few things that might help!

The Dolphin is much larger than the Swan - you will walk a lot further to get to and from your room.

The Swan has queen beds and the Dolphin has double beds. Both of which are awesome - some of the best beds I've ever slept in. In fact we bought a new bed after one of our stays there!

Both share the same amenities, pools, restaurants, etc.

Tubbie's is a Buffeteria that is located in the Dolphin and is a cool place to get meals and snacks.

The Swan is further from the main pool.

The Swan and Dolphin enjoy all the same benfits as a Disney resort with the exception of being able to charge to your room at the parks.

Good luck with your choice!

It's a tossup
I'd like to get a nice room at the Dolphin where the pool, arcade, and Tubbie's is at, but the extra sink will come in handy at the Swan and plus its a quick walk to the Dolphin. 50/50 still. Hmm... This is like choosing between cake and ice cream

 

[jwfla422]

You won't be disappointed with either

 

[Blondie]

The Dolphin keeps us quite happy, it has everything we need to make a great vacation!