I can't decide!!! Swan or CBR? Who has stayed at both?

[travelbug]

I want to book 2 nights at Swan or CBR to follow my 5 nights at BWV in April. I have been waffling on which one, and so I'm wasting valuable time. I MUST decide! I want to try somewhere different just for fun. April's trip will be a solo trip and I'm NOT bothered at the thought of going from DVC to a hotel room. I'm a flexible, pretty easy to please traveler. I will have a rental car at my disposal. These are pros and cons that I'm weighing:

CBR - Theming and descriptions by others appeal to me. A moderate would be in my desired price range. This would be totally different in location and style. But it is a moderate, whereas the Swan is a deluxe.

Swan - I qualify for one of the discounted rates for certain professionals. So the price would be comparable. I know it's a deluxe in a great location, but would it feel "different" enough compared to the Dolphin?

Ultimately, I'll have to decide (fast!! ). But I'd love to hear what YOU would do. Thanks!

 

[Mouseteacher]

I vote Swan - location, heavenly beds, location, comp upgrades .... and did I say --- location!?

 

[daannzzz]

I have been to the CBR and the Dolphin. Spen a bit of time in the Swan and would like to try it too. I love the CBR as well as the Dolphin and find your choices difficult except for one item. Location. I know many others will choose the Swan but I pick CBR just because aside from changing themes I also like to change my location and the Swan is just to close to where you will be moving from. While the Swan has a wonderful color scheme it is that same scheme through out. CBR has loads of very colorfull buildings and different architecture. The buildings, being only 2 stories, are less imposing and huge than being over at the Epcot resorts. There is a less expesnive food court that I have always found to be fine. While I can't wait to stay at the Swan I think you should very your selection by quite a bit.

 

[BuzzMe]

SWAN-no contest! Location, Incredible heavenly beds, many dining choices, terrific staff, beautiful huge Grotto pool, and great transportation. The Swan rooms(and the resort in general)are much more luxurious than those at CBR. Have fun!

 

[CindyKansas]

We stayed at the Swan this past summer and it is so much nicer than CBR. We stayed at the CBR for 5 nights in 1997 but I wouldn't ever stay there again. We just didn't like it. Thought the walls were too thin. After staying at GF, Poly, BWI, BWV, WL, YC, POR, DL, and CBR we have decided that the Swan is the most comfortable.

 

[m.pots]

Either choice is a winner in my eyes! We stayed at the CBR and the Dolphin. We absolutely loved the location for the Dolphin!!!! Our "fav" disney is CBR...have to have some Mickey wake up calls! I hear the heavenly beds are to die for though.

 

[travelbug]

Thanks everyone! Your insights are just what I'm looking for. Sounds like the scales are tipped toward Swan at this point.

Anyone else?

 

[bubblefactory]

We've stayed at both and vote Swan

Alec

 

[blanq]

I have stayed at both CBR and the Swan, and here is another vote for the Swan. The Swan is smaller, and not so spread out. The renovated rooms are gorgeous, and the heavenly beds are a huge plus. As others have already pointed out, the location is prime.

 

[bigsis1970]

I have stayed at both and the location of the Swan is just perfect as we love EPCOT ! the beds are great loved all the different rest. choice between the hotels ( BW, YC, BC, Swan and Dolphin) all being soo close .. the Pool is just awesome too ! If they are going to be close to the same price then go Swan..

Ps I didn't dislike CBR actually that was our first "on-site" stay ever in Dec 2001 . everything was located close to our room we liked the food court and the pool was pretty good - altho the cannons that shoot water shot a lady in the eye while we were there - that was kinda of scary !

good luck with your decision and let us know how it goes ! Michelle

 

[travelbug]

OK, I've decided. I'm going to go for the Swan this time, and plan on CBR next time I need to change locations on a trip and want to try somewhere different. Sounds like CBR will be a wonderful place for me to look forward to!

My thinking is that CBR will always be in the moderate price range, but who knows how long S/D will have their special rates for service professions? I saw a rumor somewhere on these boards that S/D might be raising prices for the discounts. Of course, that may be nothing more than a rumor. But why take a chance by waiting when I know I would like to try the Swan at some point anyway?

I checked on availability at the Swan for my dates for the discount I qualify for, and they are there. So today I'm booking it!

Thanks so much everyone! Every single reply was helpful and good information.

 

[travelbug]

Just finished booking the Swan for the 2 nights I needed, so I'm all set. Now I'm going to change my signature and add Swan to my April trip. You all gave me just the encouragement I needed to make a decision FINALLY. Thanks again, everyone, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

[Heyyall]

Caribbean Beach all the way! Its such a great place to stay. Especially during the christmas season, when they play caribbean jingle bells!

 

[IheartMickey]

DEFINITELY the Swan NO DOUBT in my mind. I stayed at both. CBR is June and Swan this both. There is absolutely no contest. I thought CBR was okay until I stayed at the Swan. I absolutely cannot express to you how much better I view the Swan. The CBR has more of a "motel" feel, you feel a bit disconnected from everything and there's not a lot of conviences that we find necessary.

For example, CBR has only has Old Port Royale, that's a food court with a restaurant that's only open for dinner (maybe lunch I don't remember) and there is no room service after 11pm. Room service at CBR comes in a pizza box. Room service at the Swan comes rolled in on a table with a pretty table cloth, silverware, water, etc. I love the feeling of being pampered at the Swan. You do not feel that at CBR.

When we go on vacation it's all about relaxing and being pampered so how I describe CBR might be different then someone elses opinion, but it just DID NOT do it for me. And the beds at the Swan are.. Heavenly. So much so in fact they sell the Heavenly Bed set and I plan to rearrange my room just so that I could fit a full size bed with a feather top like at the Swan.

The inside of the Swan is also absolutely beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice.

There's a lot of pictures from our stay this month here: Vacation Album

Oopsie. I went on and on and I didn't realize you've stayed at the Swan before! Sorry about that but maybe someone else will find my opinion useful!

 

[travelbug]

Thanks, heyyall and Iheart Mickey, for more opinions! I'm so grateful to everyone for taking the time to give me such good input.

IheartMickey, your pictures are great! I really enjoyed them. And don't apologize for going on and on. I have NOT stayed at the Swan before, or the CBR either, which is why I wanted to hear everyone's opinions. I decided to go ahead and make a Swan ressie (see my Nov. 26 post), and that's when I added Swan to my signature. After hearing such outstanding reports, I'm really excited to try it out.

BUT, CBR is definitely on my short list for the future. That sounds like a nice place too.