Dolphin or the Swan?

[Disneyfamily145]

Wife is attending a conference at the Yacht Club the week between Christmas and New Years, but all of the Disney resorts are sold out for that week.

There seems to be availability at the Dolphin and the Swan, and looks like walking distance to her conference. Anyone have any preference for one or the other? Anyone have any recent stay that can give reviews either positive or negative? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Bete]

First, if you want to stay on Disney onsite then keep looking for openings. There are cancellations up to 45 days of arrival date. There are no penalties up to then for cancellations. We have caught Disney resort reservations all the time this way for last minute trips.

We have stayed at the Dolphin and Swan and there really is not a great difference between them. I would probably go with the Dolphin.

 

[georgina]

Wife is attending a conference at the Yacht Club the week between Christmas and New Years, but all of the Disney resorts are sold out for that week.

There seems to be availability at the Dolphin and the Swan, and looks like walking distance to her conference. Anyone have any preference for one or the other? Anyone have any recent stay that can give reviews either positive or negative? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Lots of good info here- https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...olphin-resorts-information-questions.3264274/

The Dolphin is bigger, has double beds. Swan has queen beds.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Did the conference block out some rooms for attendees?

The rooms at the Swan are pretty similar to those at The Dolphin with a few differences. In contrast to the 2-bed standard rooms at The Dolphin, they have queen beds instead of double beds. You will find Westin’s famous Heavenly bed at The Swan as well and the rooms at the Swan also have a small couch. They have the option for resort views and balconies at an additional cost.

 

[Disneyfamily145]

Did the conference block out some rooms for attendees?

The rooms at the Swan are pretty similar to those at The Dolphin with a few differences. In contrast to the 2-bed standard rooms at The Dolphin, they have queen beds instead of double beds. You will find Westin’s famous Heavenly bed at The Swan as well and the rooms at the Swan also have a small couch. They have the option for resort views and balconies at an additional cost.

Yes to the conference room block, but they are all sold out.

I was able to get a price quote from a mouse counselor that basically has the same rate for the dolphin and the swan. Does that mean that given the same rate, the swan has 2 queen beds and a bigger room with a couch when compared to the similar base room at the Dolphin?

 

[Disneyfamily145]

First, if you want to stay on Disney onsite then keep looking for openings. There are cancellations up to 45 days of arrival date. There are no penalties up to then for cancellations. We have caught Disney resort reservations all the time this way for last minute trips.

We have stayed at the Dolphin and Swan and there really is not a great difference between them. I would probably go with the Dolphin.

Great idea! Will continue to check for cancellations every now and then for the Yacht club! Will make sure any Dolphin/Swan reservation is non-refundable!

 

[Gitelfor]

Yes to the conference room block, but they are all sold out.

I was able to get a price quote from a mouse counselor that basically has the same rate for the dolphin and the swan. Does that mean that given the same rate, the swan has 2 queen beds and a bigger room with a couch when compared to the similar base room at the Dolphin?

The Swan guest rooms with a small couch are the King bed rooms; the rooms with two Queen beds do not have a sofa. The Swan guest rooms have two vanity/sink areas - one inside the bathroom and one outside the actual bathroom. The Swan is about half of the size of the Dolphin, so it's easier to navigate.

Both the Swan and Dolphin are just about a 5-10 walk to/from the Yacht Club, or a short ride on Disney's Friendship boats, which are picked up just outside the back door of the resorts.

Swan/Dolphin comparison with photos

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Wife is attending a conference at the Yacht Club the week between Christmas and New Years, but all of the Disney resorts are sold out for that week.

There seems to be availability at the Dolphin and the Swan, and looks like walking distance to her conference. Anyone have any preference for one or the other? Anyone have any recent stay that can give reviews either positive or negative? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

We loved the Swan in 2020 before Covid. My recollection is we chose Swan over Dolphin because Dolphin had full beds while Swan had Queen beds.

 

[BayGirl22]

I stayed in both two weeks ago (2 nights at Swan, 4 nights at Dolphin) both in a King standard room. Both are a good location for Yacht Club, I walked over there a couple times. Also if she is a Marriott member she'll receive points/benefits based on status, of if you have Amex Platinum or Gold they are part of "The Hotel Collection".
My observations:
- Swan is a smaller hotel in general, less of a lobby, a few outdoor interior areas to sit in but not much open space.
- Lines at the Swan for the quick serve breakfast place seemed shorter.
- Dolphin has a big lobby and more rooms in general - there were also a lot of unmasked people around and the indoor masking policy was not enforced - that may or may not matter to her
- My King rooms at both had sofas. The Swan room had an ottoman - may just have been luck. Room size felt the same to me and was typical for a business hotel.
- Bathroom at Swan was a slightly better layout with 2 sinks - but both had a separate shower/toilet room - not a big deal for a solo traveler.
- With my platinum card upgrade I got a balcony room at Swan, but no balcony at Dolphin - again could be luck
- My Dolphin room had a fireworks view from the couch, Swan does not face Epcot.
-Walk is slightly shorter to YC from Dolphin, but not enough to make a difference.
-Swan is Westin, Dolphin is Sheraton - Westin is a higher brand, if she's a Marriott loyalist you can tell the slight difference.

Swan is usually slightly more expensive, it was only $20 for me. At the same price I'd probably go with Swan, unless I knew I could get that fireworks view at Dolphin bc that was nice some nights.

 

[PixieDustD]

Bay Girl gave a god explanation and advice. We enjoy our stays at the Swan.

 

[Pooh's World]

I don't like the Dolphin because they don't have a dolphin on top of the building (some ugly creature insead)

 

[hsmamato2]

Yes. Seriously I love them both.... Dolphin can be fun,and lively and has good views from many of the rooms,Swan is smaller,and easier to get around.... they share pools etc

 

[Gitelfor]

I don't like the Dolphin because they don't have a dolphin on top of the building (some ugly creature insead)

Some interesting back story...
Understanding the Swan & Dolphin