Hilton (on site) vs. Swan/Dolphin? Is S/D *that* much better?

[Golf Widow]

We are going to DW 4 weeks from today
and have planned to stay at the Hilton in Downtown Disney.

We got a GREAT rate and are gold members there so we picked that over the Swan/Dolphin but since we have heard so may wonderful things about the S/D I am wondering if it is worth the price difference (about $65 per night) and we should change to there.
Is the S/D nicer? Closer to the parks? Are there perks we would get there we would not get at the Hilton? I think it is a Westin Hotel and we are gold members there too.

Thanks!
Kara

 

[cherylp3]

Hilton and Weston are different companies and are not affiliated in any way.

The Swan and Dolphin are closer to the parks (Specifically Epcot and MGM) than the Hilton ( which is at Downtown disney)

 

[Golf Widow]

Thanks for the reply. I know they are 2 different compaines - we are rewards members at each of them but the discount at the Hilton was much better and it was less $$ to begin with.

Just wondering if it is worth paying more to say at the S/D?

 

[Lewisc]

Swan/Dolphin has better transportation. You can walk or take boat to EPCOT and MGM. The bus to MK drops you off at the park not at the TTC (where you'll have to take a monorail or ferry).

I think the pool is better at the S/D.

You have a lot of restuarants to pick from at S/D: in the hotel, boardwalk area and even WS of EPCOT.

 

[Trekker]

The Swan and Dolphin receive all the same service (with the exception of charging to your room in hte parks) as the Disney owned hotels. The DDD hotels do not receive all the same services. Things like Disney transportation to and from the parks, E-Night, Early entry, etc.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

(hey - I'm a golf widow too......too funny!)
All I can say is.......
location, location, location
Epcot and MGM are a walk or a short boat ride, you can walk to the Boardwalk with loads of things to do. Many many many close restaurants to choose from.
S/D is a marvelous resort in itself, and even though they are not "Disney" properties, it is just as good as staying on site.
If you are Starwood Gold you should also receive a one category upgrade.
Finally, the "heavenly beds" are like "buuuuttttuh!" The best hotel bed I have slept in (and I have slept in a lot - LOL!)
You won't regret paying the extra to stay at the S/D!

 

[Mercy]

What rates were you quoted for the Hilton and S/D? Just curious.

 

[Lewisc]

Trekker the DD hotels participate in E-Nights and I think the Hilton also participates in Early Entry (or whatever it's called now).

 

[Luv2Travel]

Having stayed at both, I have opinions. There is NO comparison between the S/D and the Hilton. I have stayed at the Hilton twice this year and at the Dolphin once (will be arriving for my second stay in two weeks ). The Dolphin is in the middle of everything - much better transportation and more convenient. The Dolphin is nicer - a true 4 star (the Hilton I would give 3 stars). The Dolphin may be a convention hotel, but it has much more of a Disney feel than the Hilton. The pool at the Dolphin blows the Hilton pool away. The Hilton pool merely has two rectangular pools side by side - no waterfalls, no beach area, no waterslide. The Dolphin has nicer rooms. The staff at the Dolphin is nicer (IMHO). The Hilton just feels pure "grown up" and business, whereas the Dolphin feels like a resort. Having said all of that, my family did enjoy the Hilton for the price we stayed at ($60 through Priceline both times). We upgraded to a Junior suite and had tons of room. The location is still good - especially for eating away from WDW. If I were on a budget, I would do the Hilton (but only through Priceline or at an excellent rate). If I wanted the full Disney experience and didn't mind the extra money, I would stay at the Dolphin (it is worth the extra). Either way, you'll be at WDW and will have a great time!

P.S. we never used the bus service from the Hilton, but it is available on a scheduled basis; and we did get to use the early entry priveleges for staying at the Hilton.

 

[Mom from MA]

DH booked the trip and he is an experienced traveler although neither have been to WDW in 15+ years. I think we are paying $180 for the Hilton for Wed & Thurs and maybe $150 for Fri, Sat, & Sunday. I think the D/S was around $230.

We booked the trip sort of "spur of the moment" when we realized DD had hit the 44 inch mark ... we promised her we would go when she got to that height. I can see us going as a family in the future for longer periods - this is just a quick trip for her.

I think we didn't see a diference in the hotels so we chose the Hilton but since being on this site (what a resource!!) I am thinking we may want to switch. We are only staying 5 nights and we want this to be a great experience for DD.

 

[Real Loser]

I would switch. We have stayed at both and there is no comparison. The Hilton does not give you that on-property feel. Walking the Boardwalk from the S/D in the evening is so much fun. I remember walking from the S/D last winter and finding a cowgirl on the Boardwalk twirling lassos and just making the kids nuts. So what if she had a Russian accent! WE had a ball. The pool at S/D is really nice. Inthe evening you can see the fireworks from the pool. The boats to MGM and Epcot add so much to the feeling of being in the middle of it all. With the Starwood Gold card you will likely be upgraded so your room view will be pretty good too! There, too me, is no comparison between S/D and Hilton.

 

[disboo]

We have stayed at the Hilton twice, bith times through Priceline ($60 per night each time). we thought the Hilton was very noce - not Disney, but very nice. It is a 5 minute walk from DTD, and you can catch buses there anywhere you want to go. I like being close to DTD. Also, their seafood restaurant, Finn's, is excellent, and was not crowded at all.

On the other hand, I am staying at the Swan in Feb, and I know it will have a great location, beautiful surroundings, and more of a Disney feel to it.

If i were on a budget and could get the Hilton for $60-70, I'd take it. If I could get the teacher ratw at S/D, I'd probably go for that instead.

Whichever you end up, you will have a great time! Have fun!

 

[NHAnn]

For all the reasons mentioend by previous posters, I'd stay at the Swan/Dolphin over a DTD hotel, but only you can determine if your budget can afford the difference. I'd rather stay at S/D for 4 nights than for 6 at DTD...I'd end up seeing/doing just as much due to the location and Disney transportation system at S/D. Also, FYI the Swan is a Westin Hotel. The Dolphin is a Sheraton. They are steps away from each other and share the Grotto Pool. Dolphin is larger and bustling, Swan a little more laid back.

Have fun whatever you do...your on vacation at WDW !!

 

[erikthewise]

I would say they are both 4-star, however
-- the Hilton is technically on-site; the Swan/Dolphin is really on-site. The location is so good Michael Eisner has said it was a mistake to allow them to build on that site.
-- the Hilton is a hotel; the Swan/Dolphin is a resort.
-- the Swan/Dolphin is a pretty good substitute for a Disney resort, the Hilton is about as un-Disney as you can get. You could just as well be in Chicago.

The S/D has a number of discount programs. If you're getting the Hilton for $100 and the S/D for $165, that's about the best you can do. But if you're paying over $200 at S/D there's a chance you can do better. They have Entertainment book rates, and special rates for teachers, nurses, government. Call them directly and ask about special rates; they won't bite!

 

[ScottOKW2K]

For the Swan/Dolphin, don't forget about Annual Pass rates, and the possibility of getting either via Hotwire. I just tried the hotwire site and found availability of the Dolphin for some nights of the time the original poster mentioned.

For October 16-19 a hotel with the following amenities was listed for $111 :
4 Stars - Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Business Center, Golf Course Nearby, Tennis Court Nearby, Laundry Facilities

This is usually indicative of the Dolphin resort. One way to verify is choose "packages" ==> flight + hotel . In this screen it will list the resorts by name, star level, and amenities. If it is available on that screen, it should show up on the hotel only screen - but just with amenities and star level listed.

If you are curious, here is how some other hotels are listed :

Hilton Downtown Disney - 4 Stars - Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Business Center

Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa - 4 Stars - Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Business Center, Golf Course Nearby, Tennis Court Nearby, Spa

Walt Disney World Swan, A Westin Hotel - 4 Stars - Resort, Restaurant(s), Pool(s), Fitness Center, Business Center, Golf Course Nearby, Tennis Court Nearby, Spa Services, Laundry Facilities - Important: The "Laundry Facilities" icon does not appear on the initial listing. You must click "View Hotel's Ammenities" next to the icons to view it.

 

[Bobump]

I have not used Hotwire much. How can you tell it is Dolphin/Swan you are getting. Thanks

 

[cherylp3]

Also don't forget about entertainment club rates. An entertainment book is $25 and you can either get a local book or a Orlando book. To order a book: www.entertainment.com

Cheryl

 

[hookedup]

Golf Widow -
It sounds like the primary reason you booked this trip was so your and your family could go to the parks - esp your dd who can now go on more rides!!

I too would choose S/D. The location makes it a MUCH better choice for your situation - walking or boat to Epcot and MGM. And great bus service to the parks right outside your front door. The Boardwalk area is really fun to walk over and check out. The pool area at S/D is great and the Dolphin has a lot of great onsite things too.

If you were telling us that your going with just your dh, and exploring DTD and visiting PI was important to yo,u then I would have a different opinion of where you should stay as the Hilton is a very decent hotel. However the S/D are really great and you really will be IN the middle of it all! Your dd will love looking out the window to see that she is staying IN WDW!

Have fun no matter what you choose!

 

[jwfla422]

Without a doubt S/D for the many reasons previous posters have stated and IMHO I think the S/D is better than many of the Disney owned resorts.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Originally posted by Bobump
I have not used Hotwire much. How can you tell it is Dolphin/Swan you are getting. Thanks

Here are some links that will help you, grasshopper .


BetterBidding.com

This thread

And This One

And the LONG thread that started it all

I have not actually done a hotwire bid, but I would use the information in these threads if I were. You might pay a little more for a hotel through hotwire than priceline, but with this information you would have a pretty good chance knowing what you might get. With Priceline, it's more luck of the draw. We have done priceline for stays before , and have gotten Marriott World Center (Love IT), Wyndham Palace (pretty good) and the Hilton (a distant third of the three).