Just back - Quick review of the Swan

[doodle]

We just got back from a stay at the Swan. We stayed at the Dolphin years ago and were prepared for "Disney Lite" in the Disney theming at the Swan. Here is what we experienced -

PROS : Our room was on the 12th floor and the view was great. The beds/linens are top of the line - very comfortable. The location of the resort is great.

CONS : The in room Internet wifi was slow and spotty. We could have paid for faster internet but already paying $20 a day for parking and $25 a day for resort fees, we did not want to tack on an Internet charge as well. The friendship boat dock was out of commission for the days we were there. We walked to Epcot. It is not a bad walk but we would have liked to have had the option of taking the boat. Lastly, the elevators are slow. One morning a woman apologized for squeezing into our very full elevator. She said, "Ordinarily I would never do this but I have been waiting for 15 minutes."

We always stay on property but will probably not be back at the Swandolphin for awhile.

 

[Ladyfish77]

I've read now several times that the friendship boats weren't operating. Was there a reason given? Staying at the Epcot resorts it seems those boats would be the best travel option.

 

[AngiTN]

The friendship boat dock was out of commission for the days we were there. We walked to Epcot. It is not a bad walk but we would have liked to have had the option of taking the boat.

Did they not provide a bus? Or did you just not want to take it?

 

[L&Lfan]

The Friendship Boat dock at the Swan /Dolphin was undergoing refurbishment last week. It was open again as of yesterday 11/12/16. Previously guests were asked to use the Boardwalk /Yacht & Beach Clubs stops and make the short walk back to the Swan /Dolphin .

 

[happymommy]

When staying at the Swan & Dolphin, we typically got off the boat at the Boardwalk anyway! It's often faster.

 

[doodle]

OP here. The hotel did provide a bus but it dropped off at the front of Epcot. We were there for F&W festival so we wanted to enter and leave Epcot by the International Gateway.

 

[tjmw2727]

When staying at the Swan & Dolphin, we typically got off the boat at the Boardwalk anyway! It's often faster.

Us too - on the way back this is much faster than going over to BC/YC and then S/D and a nice walk, on the way to Epcot we often just walked the entire way. However it is nice to have the option of the boat so I do understand the OP feeing upset if they were not notified of the closure of the boat dock in advance.

As far as the extra costs we figure them into the cost of the room before making a booking decision usually S/D comes out ahead when you also figure in the ability to walk / boat to 2 parks, the amazing pool area and the access to so many great restaurants.

Finally IMHO the internet in all of WDW could use improvement - I had to work some last trip and had to use my hotspot often as I just couldn't stay connected (Boardwalk and AOA) so it may not be a S/D problem?

 

[Dona Momma]

We have always stayed at the Dolphin for years and years. We decided to save a few bucks and stay at the Swan this past Oct. We were disappointed. It did not help that there was a huge convention in this hotel while we were there but we have been at the Dolphin several times with conventions and it really did not make a difference. They said they gave us the last room they had the night we checked in. It was supposed to be a room with a view because I paid $50.00 each a night for it but we got to see trees. Literally trees! We could not see water or even fireworks. We also were the lucky ones that got the room that was on the same wall as the elevator so we got to listen and feel the noise from the elevator all night and morning. They also assured us that this was a normal room with a king bed and bath tub/shower combo. It was not! It was a handicap bathroom with only a shower. We were very disappointed. Needless to say, we will not be back to the Swan. We actually had a reservation for Nov. in three days and I switched it to the Yacht Club. Maybe another time we will give the Dolphin a try again but no Swan for us.

 

[ImprovGal]

We have always stayed at the Dolphin for years and years. We decided to save a few bucks and stay at the Swan this past Oct. We were disappointed. It did not help that there was a huge convention in this hotel while we were there but we have been at the Dolphin several times with conventions and it really did not make a difference. They said they gave us the last room they had the night we checked in. It was supposed to be a room with a view because I paid $50.00 each a night for it but we got to see trees. Literally trees! We could not see water or even fireworks. We also were the lucky ones that got the room that was on the same wall as the elevator so we got to listen and feel the noise from the elevator all night and morning. They also assured us that this was a normal room with a king bed and bath tub/shower combo. It was not! It was a handicap bathroom with only a shower. We were very disappointed. Needless to say, we will not be back to the Swan. We actually had a reservation for Nov. in three days and I switched it to the Yacht Club. Maybe another time we will give the Dolphin a try again but no Swan for us.

I don't know why you were told the room would have a tub. The refurbished room design included a switch to shower-only. At the Swan, there is a rainforest shower head plus a side wand. At the Dolphin, my refurbished deluxe alcove room had a more traditional shower head that rotated for different stream settings.

 

[chris benton]

Just a few data points here:
Two weeks ago at Swan - Resort View Room with two queens. Room 304. We had a tub/shower.

Stayed for 6 days, and the whole family laughed and played the elevator countdown game. Push the elevator button, and the countdown was 3, 2, 1. Most of the time, we never made it to 1. It was always hilariously fast. Maybe the 12th floor has a different setup. Not saying your experience wasn't what it was, but we thought they were comically fast. Maybe less ppl using them when we were there.

 

[Dona Momma]

I don't know why you were told the room would have a tub. The refurbished room design included a switch to shower-only. At the Swan, there is a rainforest shower head plus a side wand. At the Dolphin, my refurbished deluxe alcove room had a more traditional shower head that rotated for different stream settings.

That is good to know. They claim that they still have rooms with tubs but we just not one of the lucky ones to get one. Oh well! No Big Deal! We switched our room to the Yacht Club.

 

[shoreward]

My refurbished rooms at the Swan have always had a tub with the rainfall shower head, along with the handheld hose/spray. Some of the accessible rooms have shower, only, and are usually roll-in. I have seen this at the Disney-owned EPCOT resorts, such as YC, as well.