HELP! Swn or Dolphin for a first timer!!!

[wendy1974]

My sister recently started managing a Sheraton hotel in Pennsylvania and informed me that she could get me an employee rate at the Swan or Dolphin for our upcoming trip in May. Problem is I have always stayed at traditional "Disney" resorts so I am a little scared about making the switch. I need to get as much info. as I can on the resorts: Which one os better to stay at? (fast dining options etc.) What is the transportation like to the parks?(better or worse than other Disney resorts?) Do you get a Key to the Kingdom Key and can you enter the parks early for the extra magic hour and stay late for the new extended extra magic hours? also, Is the Swan and Dolphin bus stop located with the other bus stops at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom? Please feel free to add any extra info. I appreciate any help that you can give and I know that there are alot of Swan and Dolphin experts here

 

[Dan Murphy]

They are great, have stayed there many times. I prefer the Swan, much smaller than Dolphin, but Dolphin does have Tubby's, the 24 hour restaurant, plus the laundry. (Never have figured why the Swan does not have both also). All the Disney amenities are shred by the S/D, except you can not charge items from the parks to your room (you can have delivered though). The S/D has a bus slot at all the parks, just like all the other resorts. If you click on the resort link in my signature you will see lots of pictures of the S/D as well as others.

Also, scroll down to the S/D sections here, lots of info.......

http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm#deluxe

Enjoy.

 

[Bill From PA]

I had some of your concerns before staying at S/D so here's my take:

At S/D you can see and walk to MGM, Epcot and Boardwalk, it doesn't get more 'Disney' than that. Dolphin has Tubbi's, a cafeteria style eatery for fast meals at as reasonable a price as can be expected. I prefer neither place over the other, but my wife claims Swan is superior. Each has it's own bus stop on the same WDW transport system as any 'official' Disney resort, but the same bus stops at both, as in PO/Riverside & FQ, and during slow times that bus will also hit YC, BC and BW. As you can see, we're staying at both soon, and I'd drop AllStar and add 2 days to either S/D if I could get the Teacher's Rate there. There's no lack of Disney atmosphere here.

Bill From PA

 

[Blondie]

I understand your hesitation to try the Swan or Dolphin out, I was skeptical at first too, but once I stayed there, it won me over!

If you're looking for a resort with more of a convenience to Tubbi's, the arcade, laundry, etc., then I think the Dolphin would be more your style. If having those conveniences isn't as important to you, than the Swan.

I like to describe the Dolphin as a festive lively resort, where the Swan is more understated elegance.

Either way, I think you'll enjoy the S/D, and the location, which is at the backdoor to Epcot's Worldshowcase, close enough to walk to! You can also walk to MGM, but it's a little farther. The Friendship boats that also service the Yacht/Beach Clubs and the Boardwalk Inn are the same boats that the S/D use. As Dan has already mentioned, the S/D use the same bus transportation as well.

I think the only slight edge the Swan might have over the Dolphin is their bathroom set-up, which is called a "hollywood bath." There is a sink, tub and toilet for the bathroom, but right outside the bathroom door is another sink and mirror. If you have more than one person trying to get ready to go out, that will make it easier and could save a little time. The Dolphin's bathroom set-up is more like the Disney moderate resort bathroom; tub and toilet behind a closed door, with the sink and mirror outside the door.

 

[dreamflight99]

I had some of your concerns before staying at S/D so here's my take:

At S/D you can see and walk to MGM, Epcot and Boardwalk, it doesn't get more 'Disney' than that. Dolphin has Tubbi's, a cafeteria style eatery for fast meals at as reasonable a price as can be expected. I prefer neither place over the other, but my wife claims Swan is superior. Each has it's own bus stop on the same WDW transport system as any 'official' Disney resort, but the same bus stops at both, as in PO/Riverside & FQ, and during slow times that bus will also hit YC, BC and BW. As you can see, we're staying at both soon, and I'd drop AllStar and add 2 days to either S/D if I could get the Teacher's Rate there. There's no lack of Disney atmosphere here.

Bill From PA

"Eloquently stated Bill!!" HERE!! HERE!! (Ditto!)