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

[roomthreeseventeen]

I've never stayed there, but since DME is such an important part of my trip, it's Disney-only for me.

 

[NancyIL]

It isn't a hardship for me to take Mears @ $34 roundtrip.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

It isn't a hardship for me to take Mears @ $34 roundtrip.

Mears doesn't have the DME videos. I know it's completely silly, but people have lots of silly reasons for doing things. Also, I think if we were to stay in the EPCOT area again, it would be to try YC/BC.

 

[NancyIL]

If the YC/BC had the Swan/Dolphin's prices - I'd stay there, too! They don't, so I won't.

 

[BriarRosie]

My only experience with the beds at the Swan happened by accident a few years ago. I was at Beach Club Villas, but one of my friends who has Starwood status stays almost exclusively at the Swolphin. We went over to her room at the Swan in the afternoon, because she was working on part of her Halloween costume (for the MNSSHP), and we had time to kill before we both needed to get ready for a Food and Wine Festival dinner that night.

So she's sitting on a chair by the window, and I plop on the spare bed talking to her...until I fell asleep. Those beds were way more comfortable than at BCV! I napped for about an hour, but she was ok just working on her costume. I told her upon awakening that I really enjoyed my nap!

I find myself going to the Swolphin restaurants more than ever because they take Tables in Wonderland now. Before, I could get my DVC discount at places like Fresh, but I'm really happy going to Il Mulino, Kimono's and especially Todd English's bluezoo™.

The friend I mentioned in my story above was just at WDW this weekend for Star Wars weekends, and she mentioned that Picabu is now charging a 20% service fee. Considering this place is a buffeteria, that's outrageous! Sure, some items require additional prep and delivery to your table, but even Pepper Market doesn't charge that much! She was going to inquire if they still charged for "to go" orders. I haven't heard back about that yet. But I thought people might want to know this before going to Picabu.

 

[NancyIL]

I find myself going to the Swolphin restaurants more than ever because they take Tables in Wonderland now. Before, I could get my DVC discount at places like Fresh, but I'm really happy going to Il Mulino, Kimono's and especially Todd English's bluezoo™.

The friend I mentioned in my story above was just at WDW this weekend for Star Wars weekends, and she mentioned that Picabu is now charging a 20% service fee. Considering this place is a buffeteria, that's outrageous! Sure, some items require additional prep and delivery to your table, but even Pepper Market doesn't charge that much! She was going to inquire if they still charged for "to go" orders. I haven't heard back about that yet. But I thought people might want to know this before going to Picabu.

Someone on the Swan/Dolphin thread also posted about the 20% service charge, but it's actually 13%. I agree with your sentiments, but I don't care for Picabu so I don't eat there. I like the Dolphin Fountain, Fresh, and the Garden Grove (the latter two for breakfast). One of these days I will use my Restaurant.com certificates at Bluezoo and Il Mulino.

P.S. Lori - will you be at WDW in October during F&W?

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have to agree about resort fees. I hate them and don't understand why they aren't just added into the room price. I get so irritated when I find a good rate on a hotel room only to read the fine print and find there is a resort fee and or a parking fee. I won't even stay somewhere that charges a parking fee...if you pay for a room a parking spot should come with it.

And I was thinking about theme thing and I understand what the OP means about most Disney resorts not screaming Disney except for POP, but all the resorts do have great themes...although maybe not Disney. The Poly, GF, Beach Club, WL all awesome themes IMHO. The Dolphin though to me was just a very nice hotel...but not what I would consider "themed"

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I have to agree about resort fees. I hate them and don't understand why they aren't just added into the room price. I get so irritated when I find a good rate on a hotel room only to read the fine print and find there is a resort fee and or a parking fee. I won't even stay somewhere that charges a parking fee...if you pay for a room a parking spot should come with it.

And I was thinking about theme thing and I understand what the OP means about most Disney resorts not screaming Disney except for POP, but all the resorts do have great themes...although maybe not Disney. The Poly, GF, Beach Club, WL all awesome themes IMHO. The Dolphin though to me was just a very nice hotel...but not what I would consider "themed"

Yeah, ITA with that. The Swolphin's theme is "convention hotel"

 

[NancyIL]

Yeah, ITA with that. The Swolphin's theme is "convention hotel"

Whatever its theme or lack thereof - I stay at the Swan for its fabulous location and great prices. I don't book a resort to sit in my room and admire the wallpaper border!

 

[BriarRosie]

Someone on the Swan/Dolphin thread also posted about the 20% service charge, but it's actually 13%. I agree with your sentiments, but I don't care for Picabu so I don't eat there. I like the Dolphin Fountain, Fresh, and the Garden Grove (the latter two for breakfast). One of these days I will use my Restaurant.com certificates at Bluezoo and Il Mulino.

P.S. Lori - will you be at WDW in October during F&W?

My friend had to do a double take, because she realized she figured tax into it or something. Still, not crazy about the extra fees.

And no food and wine for me this year because I'm going to London and Paris instead.

 

[mrzrich]

I happen to like the theming of the S/D. The color palette, the fountains, the whimsical icons.

To me CSR felt much less "Disney" than the S/D.

 

[mrzrich]

I have to agree about resort fees. I hate them and don't understand why they aren't just added into the room price. I get so irritated when I find a good rate on a hotel room only to read the fine print and find there is a resort fee and or a parking fee. I won't even stay somewhere that charges a parking fee...if you pay for a room a parking spot should come with it.

Most hotels in major cities do charge parking fees. Many charge resort fees. You'd be hard pressed to find a hotel in Washington DC that doesn't charge one or both of these fees.

 

[NancyIL]

And no food and wine for me this year because I'm going to London and Paris instead.

One must make sacrifices at times! I would've done the same.

 

[dmwang9]

Until I bought into DVC, I often stayed at the Swalphin, and I loved both of them -- fantastic location, comfy beds, great service, and as a teacher, the discount gave me a price point that Disney's hotels couldn't come close to matching. I do agree that they're themed as convention hotels, and I totally understand why that's a turnoff for some, but personally, it's not a big deal. If I want full-on Disney theming, I won't stay in the hotel -- I'll go to the parks or the Boardwalk!

One of the things that I love the variety that WDW offers. If the Swalphin isn't what someone is looking for, then I know that there's another hotel somewhere that they will like, and I really hope that they find it. I decided long ago that there's no one "best" hotel, and getting involved in posting debates about it wasn't worth the drama.

 

[NancyIL]

I happen to like the theming of the S/D. The color palette, the fountains, the whimsical icons.

Nothing says "wow" to me like taking the escalator from the ground floor of the Dolphin to the lobby on the 3rd floor - especially at holiday time!

I stayed at AKL and WL in Dec. 2009 - two of the best-themed resorts at WDW. Both were beautiful, but I hardly spent any time at either. Instead, I really missed the Swan's great location when I couldn't walk back to my room from Epcot at the end of the day!

Most hotels in major cities do charge parking fees. Many charge resort fees. You'd be hard pressed to find a hotel in Washington DC that doesn't charge one or both of these fees.

The Swan/Dolphin's resort fee includes internet and some local & long distance phone calls. If you want internet access or you make a phone call at a Disney resort - you will pay extra. I don't like paying to park a car, but I usually don't have one at WDW.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I used to be a Starwood member when I traveled for business. my favorite hotel of theirs is the W. Exceptional customer service, a little trendy but it's all about being young at heart.

Anyway, I love their beds. Disney should be ashamed charging $400 - $500 a night and then making people seep on those torture devices they call beds.

 

[mjaclyn]

DH and I stayed at the Dolphin last year for the Food & Wine Classic. We had booked it again early, thinking we would go but with the price increase over 50% from last year we decided to skip it. I did like the Dolphin. I thought it was a GREAT price compared to the other EPCOT resorts, beautiful hotel, nice restaurants, awesome bed and perfect location. However, I really missed the added conveniences of staying at a Disney property. DME, Dining plan, airline check in was a big one and even just getting park maps and a schedule upon check in. I also didn't like the added fees. I understand why they charge extra but why do they have to be separate? Just include it in the original room price!

As for Disney themeing, I do agree. No, the Beach club doesn't scream Mickey Mouse but I feel like I'm at a beachside resort. It feels beachy from the decor to the pools, rooms, everything. Disney resorts are themed. That doesn't mean you have to have a giant Dalmation outside your window. The Dolphin, although a beautiful hotel... Was only that.. A hotel. I could have been anywhere else in the country and found a similar place. I think that is what is meant by themeing.

Personally, I would stay at the Dolphin again if they had a great rate and it was just DH and I. But, when we travel with the kids and have a ton of luggage and extras, Disney's conveiences like DME and airline check in will always win out for us. Even if it means staying in a moderate over the great EPCOT location.

 

[mrzrich]

Personally, I would stay at the Dolphin again if they had a great rate and it was just DH and I. But, when we travel with the kids and have a ton of luggage and extras, Disney's conveiences like DME and airline check in will always win out for us. Even if it means staying in a moderate over the great EPCOT location.

This may be a big part of what I am not seeing. I live less than 2 hours away from WDW so I have never had to deal with DME or Luggage. I guess if I walked a mile in your shoes I would have a better idea of the inconvenience.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Personally, the Swan and Dolphin are not Disney resorts to me. They do not have that feel to them. To me, they free more like normal Sheraton or business hotels. This isn't to say that they are not nice. I am hoping to stay at one for a short time though just to try it.

 

[NancyIL]

You pay a lot for the Disney name. I feel about the Swan and Dolphin the same way I do about cruise lines other than DCL: the non-Disney ones give ME more bang for the buck!