I don't get the "Lack of Disney Theming" Argument against S/D

[mrzrich]

I personally love the S/D. I love the beds, I love the fountains, but most of all, its the location that can't be beat. Especially for the price.

I can usually get a good nurse's rate, but have sometimes found even better rates which are available to everyone on the SPG website. (Free to sign up for SPG) I can usually get into the Swan Dolphin for the same price and on occasion, even less than a Disney Moderate.

I'm often over on the Resorts boards, and I often see people posting questions about the Swan and Dolphin. Many times, they want to know if they should stay there. I share my opinion, mentioning the reasons listed above, going into much more detail, of course. Others come on to reminding the OP that cons for S/D include, no DME, no Dining Plan, Parking and resort fees. All valid points.

But without fail, every time somebody asks about S/D over on the resorts board, somebody posts that the don't like the Swan and Dolphin because of what they call "Lack of Disney Theming"

This weekend I attended a conference at CSR. The resort was lovely. As for Disney Theming...um, there were some hidden Mickey's on the bed runner. What am I not getting? I've stayed at POR and POFQ in the past and again liked them both, but I just don't think this "lack of theming argument" holds water. By the way my room cost more at CSR this weekend than my room at the Dolphin cost last month.

The only resorts that I think SCREAM Disney are the values. But I can't sleep in a heavenly bed at a value. I can't take a boat to DHS at a value. And I can't stop at the Boardwalk Bakery as I stroll back to my resort from the International Gateway at a Value.

Last time I stayed at the Dolphin, I had a view of Space Ship Earth. The time before that, I had a view of the Boardwalk. That was much more Disney to me than a hidden mickey on a bedspread.

 

[sayhello]

What is this SPG website?

Sayhello

 

[mrzrich]

Starwood Preferred Guest.

www.spg.com

 

[k5jm]

My 7 year old LOVES the Swolphin. As do we. We love the Fountain and Picabu! Not to mention the that they serve something other than Nescrape coffee. And they have great refillable Mugs. We rotate between deluxe resorts and Swolphin on trips so we get our Disney Themeing every other visit. DS says the Dolphin is his favourite and he loves the heavenly beds.

 

[Joshua_me]

We're huge fans of The Dolphin, and have been for some time.

Would we whether stay at the GF ? Well sure, probably, but for the great rates we get at The Dolphin it means having a seven night stay instead of a three nighter...

And often, as I'm sitting on the balcony, watching the fireworks from Illuminations and knowing that both Epcot and DHS are a quick walk or frienship ride away, I'm confounded by the folks who feel the place isn't "Disney enough" !

I can live without a bar of soap with mouse ears !

You get to stay at a deluxe resort for a moderate price, the staff is as friendly as can be, (often times, friendlier than some cast members at the Disney resorts, IMO) and you are right in the center of everything in the Boardwalk/Epcot/DHS area.

And yet still, thousands of folks won't even consider staying there.

Go figure.

 

[mrzrich]

Oh, I amend my original post to say that the Contemporary also Screams Disney. I mean having the monorail run right through the building and celebratory sounds of Chef Mickeys that can be heard throughout the Concourse. Thats pretty Disney. BUT...I can't get a room there for $139.

 

[mrzrich]

We're huge fans of The Dolphin, and have been for some time.

Would we whether stay at the GF ? Well sure, probably, but for the great rates we get at The Dolphin it means having a seven night stay instead of a three nighter...

YES! DH planned to take me to the Poly for 3 days for my 40th Birthday. I told him for that money we can stay at the S/D for a week AND get a room so his grown children could come too!

 

[NancyIL]

I LOVE the Swan and Dolphin! In Dec. 2009 I did a split stay between Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge because I got an AP discount, and I shared the room cost with a friend. While both were lovely resorts (especially WL), I HATED walking to the front of Epcot (where I ended most park days) and taking a bus back to the resort.

I considered booking 3 nights at a value resort through DU this December to get first chance to book the DIS WWoHP party at Universal - but I'd rather stay at the Swan and take my chances on getting into the party!

 

[medicjch]

A couple of questions for you Swan/Dolphin fans: I've often thought about giving it a try, but I love Magical Express. Since you can't use ME, do you just use a rental or a car service. #2: do they anything similar to a villa (at least a decent fridge and microwave)? We are kinda addicted to having a villa as it just "fits" us better, but I'd really like to try the S/D as I LOVE the location.

 

[NancyIL]

A couple of questions for you Swan/Dolphin fans: I've often thought about giving it a try, but I love Magical Express. Since you can't use ME, do you just use a rental or a car service. #2: do they anything similar to a villa (at least a decent fridge and microwave)? We are kinda addicted to having a villa as it just "fits" us better, but I'd really like to try the S/D as I LOVE the location.

I usually travel solo, so I take Mears. With 2 or more people, I would rent a car at MCO from National or Alamo for drop-off at the Dolphin. I've never used a car service, but lots of people love them.

The Swan and Dolphin have suites with a small kitchen area, but I don't recall any full kitchens. All rooms now have a small refrigerator.

 

[WaltD4Me]

A couple of questions for you Swan/Dolphin fans: I've often thought about giving it a try, but I love Magical Express. Since you can't use ME, do you just use a rental or a car service. #2: do they anything similar to a villa (at least a decent fridge and microwave)? We are kinda addicted to having a villa as it just "fits" us better, but I'd really like to try the S/D as I LOVE the location.

I used a town car service when I stayed at Dolphin, but I always use a town car service. I just prefer to get my bags and go and I don't want to drive, so I've been using town cars for years.

When I stayed at Dolphin in 2009 they did not have a fridge or microwave...I was very surprised they didn't at least have a fridge, but they did change that and the rooms do have small fridges now.

They also have those one cup coffee makers. I can't stand those things, I like to make a whole pot, but their coffee is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than Disney's.

 

[medicjch]

They also have those one cup coffee makers. I can't stand those things, I like to make a whole pot, but their coffee is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than Disney's.

Ahhhh....is it a Keurig? If it is a Keurig, the wife may be sold!

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Ahhhh....is it a Keurig? If it is a Keurig, the wife may be sold!

It is not, or should I say, it was not at the Swan in March.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Ahhhh....is it a Keurig? If it is a Keurig, the wife may be sold!

No, not a Keurig. It's one of those ones that fits a tall size to-go cup.

 

[HawkeyeThad]

I just returned from a trip to WDW, and stayed at the Dolphin for one night just to try it out. I liked the Swan a few years ago, but didn't like the Dolphin at all. The room was decent, and the bed was great, but I had a lot of other issues have pretty much convinced me to never stay there again.

The hotel was incredibly loud. While I was in my room, I could hear everything going on in the hallway. It sounded like people were having conversations just a couple of feet away from my bed. I'm a pretty light sleeper, so it really bothered me. Parking was an absolute nightmare. It appears that they had one of their self-parking lots closed while I was there. People were parking all over the place because there weren't enough spots.

The night I stayed there, MK was having evening magic hours. Around 9:30 pm I headed down to the bus stop. After waiting about 15 minutes, a bus pulled up for MK. It was completely full. The bus driver informed us that there wasn't any room. I'm not sure why he even came to the Dolphin. I waited another 15 minutes or so before another bus pulled up with the exact same story. I also don't like the hidden fees they have (i.e. Resort fee, parking fee). Just roll it into my rate, and I wouldn't care.

For my money, I'd rather stay at POFQ. I probably just had a bad night at the Dolphin, but I was less than impressed.

 

[NancyIL]

I just returned from a trip to WDW, and stayed at the Dolphin for one night just to try it out. I liked the Swan a few years ago, but didn't like the Dolphin at all. The room was decent, and the bed was great, but I had a lot of other issues have pretty much convinced me to never stay there again.

The hotel was incredibly loud. While I was in my room, I could hear everything going on in the hallway. It sounded like people were having conversations just a couple of feet away from my bed. I'm a pretty light sleeper, so it really bothered me. Parking was an absolute nightmare. It appears that they had one of their self-parking lots closed while I was there. People were parking all over the place because there weren't enough spots.

The night I stayed there, MK was having evening magic hours. Around 9:30 pm I headed down to the bus stop. After waiting about 15 minutes, a bus pulled up for MK. It was completely full. The bus driver informed us that there wasn't any room. I'm not sure why he even came to the Dolphin. I waited another 15 minutes or so before another bus pulled up with the exact same story. I also don't like the hidden fees they have (i.e. Resort fee, parking fee). Just roll it into my rate, and I wouldn't care.

For my money, I'd rather stay at POFQ. I probably just had a bad night at the Dolphin, but I was less than impressed.

The resort fee is clearly stated when you make your reservation. I have had a full bus when getting on at the Dolphin, as that's the last stop before the bus goes to the park. I have also seen full buses at other resorts, so I don't think the Swan/Dolphin is the only place that happens. I'd also say hallway noise would be heard in your room if it happened at any other resort. You were just unlucky.

 

[HawkeyeThad]

The resort fee is clearly stated when you make your reservation. I have had a full bus when getting on at the Dolphin, as that's the last stop before the bus goes to the park. I have also seen full buses at other resorts, so I don't think the Swan/Dolphin is the only place that happens. I'd also say hallway noise would be heard in your room if it happened at any other resort. You were just unlucky.

I guess it's not a "hidden fee" like I said, it's just annoying. And yes, I did see it when I booked the room. Just add the $10 and I wouldn't care as much. There's just something about a "resort fee" that upsets me. I hate it when they do it.

I never said that this was the only place the full bus thing happens. It was just frustrating because it happened twice in a row. I normally don't ride the bus , I always rent a car. MK is the only park I do it for because you have to go through the TTC if you drive. Otherwise, I avoid them at all costs. When I use the bus at POFQ I never have the "bus is full" issue because it has it's own bus. It doesn't share with another resort.

I completely disagree with the hallway noise. These people weren't yelling or anything, it was just normal conversation. It may have been a bad room, who knows? All I know is the sound wasn't dampened one bit. I can't think of any other resort where I hear people outside my door like I did at the Dolphin. While staying at some of the value resorts, you'll hear a toilet flush or a shower being used, but not people walking by (unless they're being loud).

Like I said, I've stayed at the Swan in the past and enjoyed it, but I won't be staying at the Dolphin again. I'm glad that there are others out there that love it. I'm just not one of those people. I know a lot of people don't like POFQ, but it's become my favorite resort over the last couple of years.

 

[NancyIL]

Like I said, I've stayed at the Swan in the past and enjoyed it, but I won't be staying at the Dolphin again. I'm glad that there are others out there that love it. I'm just not one of those people. I know a lot of people don't like POFQ, but it's become my favorite resort over the last couple of years.

It's too bad you didn't enjoy the Dolphin, but at least you gave it a try. I have no desire to stay anywhere other than an Epcot resort, because I don't want to take the bus to a park any more than I have to.

 

[HawkeyeThad]

It's too bad you didn't enjoy the Dolphin, but at least you gave it a try. I have no desire to stay anywhere other than an Epcot resort, because I don't want to take the bus to a park any more than I have to.

I have to admit, the location is fantastic. I REALLY wanted to like it! I was so excited that I was staying there. Oh well, maybe in a few years I'll give it another shot.

 

[NancyIL]

I have to admit, the location is fantastic. I REALLY wanted to like it! I was so excited that I was staying there. Oh well, maybe in a few years I'll give it another shot.

Since you enjoyed the Swan before - maybe a return to the Swan is in your future!