Just Back From Swan:The Good, the Bad, and Misc.

[Tigger Woods]

Just to put things in perspective, American soldiers are dying at a rate of one per day over in Iraq, and people are complaining because their WDW passes are paper and not plastic? I don't get it.
As far as the Dolphin not being 'magical', I don't buy it. I've stayed at GF, Poly and the Dolphin, and the Dolphin was every bit as 'magical'. If you want Mickey Mouse soap, stop by the Disney store before your trip. My local store carries it.
I don't understand the credit card issue. When you charge things to your room with a room key, don't you pay with a credit card when you check out? The smart thing to do is pay for purchases in the parks with a debit card. Then you'll pay no interest.

 

[swilphil]

Tigger Woods--Yes, the Dolphin is magical, too, in my opinion. For me the selling point is the location and the service. Thanks for pointing out what's going on in the real world. I was thinking just yesterday, "I'm worried about my son not being potty trained when so many terrible things could happen in my life." Our July trip was only our second time to WDW. Maybe the seasoned veterans are bothered more by these little changes. I like using my 0 percent interest Amazon.com Visa card. I get a $25 gift certificate for every $2,500 spent. To each his own, I suppose.

 

[milmore104]

Tigger Woods,
I'm sorry if this comes out wrong but I just spent 45 min. in the same spot at the bank so I am a little upset right now!
That being said, I undersatnd there are "BAD" things going on in the world but if we all only think about the bad things in the world then it wouldn't be a very happy place now would it. Maybe someone comlpaining about a paper ticket to a plastic ticket upset you but I think maybe it was just someone expressing their feeling on what may seem like a silly issue to you. As for my charging things to the room well I thought I made it clear as to why I like to be able to charge things to my room. As for just charging things to my debit card well that's not how our vacation works! We save enough money for our room, airfare, and pocket cash everything else goes on the credit card and gets paid off before our next trip. This is how we do it and it works for us!

 

[milmore104]

Tigger Woods,
I'm sorry if this comes out wrong but I just spent 45 min. in the same spot at the bank so I am a little upset right now!
That being said, I undersatnd there are "BAD" things going on in the world but if we all only think about the bad things in the world then it wouldn't be a very happy place now would it. Maybe someone comlpaining about a paper ticket to a plastic ticket upset you but I think maybe it was just someone expressing their feeling on what may seem like a silly issue to you. As for my charging things to the room well I thought I made it clear as to why I like to be able to charge things to my room. As for just charging things to my debit card well that's not how our vacation works! We save enough money for our room, airfare, and pocket cash everything else goes on the credit card and gets paid off before our next trip. This is how we do it and it works for us! People choose there hotels for many reasons. Someone people won't stay at the AKL because it's to dark or people choose to stay at the Poly because it has the monarail well for us we have to be able to charge things back to our room! It's just a perk we like and need!!!

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher

Business/Conventions - Many Disney resorts - Y/B Club, CR, BWI to name a few- are convention resorts. There were convention going on while we were at the Swan last week. I wouldn't have known it had I not seen a few people with ID badges. They were so unobtrusive - barely saw them about the resort.

Don't forget Coronado Springs, designed to be a convention hotel, and GF, which also has a convention center. But S/D is the king of WDW convention facilities, with 329,000 sq ft and 84 meeting rooms. Only Yacht Club is competitive at 273,000 sq ft, the others have smaller facilities under 100,000 sq ft.

It is true that convention/conference attendees generally travel in different circles and we don't bump into them a lot -- we're in the parks, they're in the convention centers. But you will find it harder to get a good rate if they expect to be full of convention guests at that time.

 

[Tigger Woods]

milmore104,
I meant nothing personal by my post. I prefer to pay cash in the parks, and have never charged anything to my room, but I'm sure just as many people prefer to charge everything to their room. People read these boards to glean information, and whenever I see a post about the Swan/Dolphin not being as 'magical' (whatever that means) as the other Disney resorts, I feel, in fairness, people need to hear both sides.

 

[Kathy5]

My feelings on "Disney Magic." Is the Swan magical? Yes. Does it have "Disney Magic?" No. Does it matter to me? Not if I go to the Swan knowing that this isn't a Disney hotel.

An analogy-my youngest loves the Rainforest Cafe. Is it magic? Yes. Does it have "Disney Magic?" No.

As to plastic versus paper passes. I f I want to have a little hang-up about liking plastic more than paper passes, I can. People don't have to agree with me, just don't judge me.

I f someone else likes to charge purchases to their room, who are we to judge? We are not living in their situation, and probably don't know their reasonings. Their business. Not to be criticized.

This is a DISNEY discussion board, where Disney things are to be discussed.

Certainly, I think about world situations, but, being human, I also think about plastic passes.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Kathy5,
Just curious .. Do the All Stars have that 'Disney Magic', or is it just the deluxes? By the way, nobody criticized anyone for charging things to their room, and if you don't want to hear others' opinions on the topic of paper vs. plastic tickets, don't post about it on a public board.

 

[Kathy5]

Tigger Woods,

I'm not sure why you are asking this question. Our discussion was based on the Swan/Dolphin versus the other Disney Resorts.

I have always enjoyed reading people's opinions of the various Disney hotels they have stayed at. This helps me make a decision on where I stay when going to Disney.

I returned from the Swan and gave this hotel what I thought was a great review. I had a fantastic vacation, and the Swan certainly helped contribute to this factor.

Again, why this question? I am not claiming to be a "Disney Magic" specialist and do not plan on being drawn into a fight about this issue.

 

[Tinkbell]

Kathy, you don't need to explain yourself any further. I understood your review completely. I also thought it was a pretty good review of the Swan, so I don't get why some people are so offended. BTW, I also prefer the plastic passes. They are much nicer, IMO.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Originally posted by Kathy5

There was no Disney magic. Okay for us, but if I had never been at Disney, I might have wanted this.
Kathy

I thought I was pretty clear, but here goes. You say that the Dolphin, which has Disney transportation, Character meals, all the same ammenities as the Disney Deluxes, (except Mickey soap and plastic passes), Epcot location, etc, has no 'Disney Magic' for you. My question is: Would a 2 star resort like the All-Stars provide that 'Disney Magic' for you, simply because it is owned by Disney?

 

[milmore104]

Tigger Woods, As I said I am sorry if I came across to harsh but I was not that happy at the moment from waiting in line at the bank! I understand you like S/D but others have their right to voice there opinions. I love the AKL and people either hate it or love it. I felt Kathy gave the Swan an overall good review and she gave me some great advice. Seeing I am not able to charge things to my room I would not stay there. But if I was able to I would consider the S/D. I was in fact considering it up until this point. I just felt that you came across a little to strong w/ your comment about Iraq. I think we all undersatnd what is going on maybe that's why some of us are trying to get away for a nice vacation. It's not right to judge someone because they prefer a plastic or a paper ticket or if I like to charge things to my room. The world would be a pretty boring place if we all thought alike! I'm just trying to say yes we all post on this board to get opinions be that they're good or bad but not to be judge by the way we feel! I love getting help from the DIS. I wouldn't plan a vacation w/out it!

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

I agree with the OP about the Disney "magic". The Swan is a really nice hotel. I've stayed there and I can't really complain about it. It' just missing that Disney theming. When I stay at the Poly, I'm immersed in a tropical island setting. When I'm at WL, I'm in the great northwest. When I'm at the BWI, I'm transported to the Atlantic City seaside. When I'm at the GF, I'm relaxing in a Victorian setting. It's those Disney touches. It's much more than the soap. Now, when I'm at the Swan, I am in a nice hotel. Nothing wrong with that, it's just not Disney to me.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Disney's Deluxe Princess,
All of the hotels you named are deluxes. Let me ask you the same question. Would staying at the All-Stars (which are Disney themed) be more 'magical' to you than staying at the Swan?

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

TW, as you can tell by my name, I only go Deluxe! LOL! However, if we are talking "Disney" magic, then I'd have to say that the All Stars and moderates offer more theming than the S/D. I've toured the grounds at the moderates and the theming is wonderful. You really do feel like you are in the places they are named after. Now, I would choose S/D over the moderates and values, only because I like interior entrances. For me, the "Disney" magic is in the theming.

 

[swilphil]

I stayed at the Dolphin, and though it's not Disney it felt to me more "themed" than other Westin hotels I've stayed in. The beach/tropical decor made me feel like I was in something other than a nice hotel.

The big attraction for the Swan/Dolphin is the rates. I can get deluxe accomodations, services and, most importantly, LOCATION, for $129/night. If I'm in need of more Disney "Magic" I can take a quick trip to Epcot, MGM, or even the Boardwalk.

Money may not be an issue for some of you, but it is for me. I would definitely stay at the Swan/Dolphin over the values or even the moderates. If I had unlimited funds, I suppose I'd stay at Beach Club or the Grand Floridian.