Just booked Swan - please reassure me!

[my3boys]

We have gotten a great rate at the Swan through advice from Mousesavers and here for over Christmas, but I'm still a bit unsure about my decision and am looking for confidence boosters.

We are in a studio at the Swan - anyone stay there?

Thanks.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I am a Swan/Doplphin convert!!! We now LOVE these resorts. We just returned from a Swan stay this week and it was magical. We had a Jr. Suite with a balcony that had beautiful views. We stayed at the Dolphin last summer.

The pools are awesome - Grotto Pool rocks! You never have a problem finding a lounge. The resorts offer so much activity for children. There are many restaurants from fine dining to the Dolphin Soda Fountain to Tubbi's Buffeteria.

The final GREAT item is the LOCATION - absolutely the best. You can walk to Epcot, MGM, BW and B/Y Club or take the boats.

Relax - I believe you will really like the resort. Just keep an open mind. And... remember... YOU ARE IN DISNEY WORLD!

From a former Disney resorts only snob,
Mouseteacher

 

[lat]

We were there in May and we really liked it. The room is bright and the heavenly beds are heavenly.

We will be there for Xmas through New Year and I have reserved 5 rooms. Have a great time!!

 

[Toadi]

We've stayed at the Dolphin and have the Swan booked for early December. The location is the best! So very convenient to everything. We'd stayed in Disney resorts before the Dolphin, so I was a bit anxious, but it was great! Grotto pool was wonderful; transportation was also great whether by bus, boat or foot. Location, location, location .. need I say more?!!!

 

[CamColt]

Your post sounds like it could have come from me, only we are in a lake view.

I posted a thread today asking about the magic at the Swan. From the replies I got there, I am really excited about staying there. It sound great!

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

I stayed at the Dolphin once and got hooked! I have been there twice now and will be trying the swan this dec! I can't wait!

 

[buckeye]

We stayed at the Beach Club one year and the Swan the next---I'd choose the Swan over BC (and I never thought I'd say that!!) It was beautiful and not so huge, which I really liked! Not to mention the location! You will be pleased

 

[#1hockeymom]

Just stayed at the Swan, begging to go back! It was our best family vacation in Disney that we have had! Heavenly beds really are heaven, loved the spaciousness of the common areas and the fact there weren't tons of people always around. The grotto pool and surrounding areas are very beautiful. You're going to have a great trip!

Debbie

 

[Scarlett & Rhett]

Best location in WDW

 

[DeerAri]

How close in vicinity are the Swan and Dolphin to the Wide World of Sports Complex? Just came back from POR in May and have the opportunity to return to the magic in October!

 

[KIS]

Mouseteacher,

Didn't you recently return from a trip? Are the Swan/Dolphin now really children friendly? When I started reading these boards, about a month ago, most of what I read was that they were wanna-bes when it came to being kid-friendly.

From what you wrote, it sounds like they succeeded. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion and experience. It would reassure me, although I'm not the one requesting it here.

Sadly, having never gone to the S/D, I can offer no real assurance, but see lots of good reasons for taking the Swan, if you can afford it and if not, then the Dolphin.

KIS

 

[maggiew]

We just returned from the Dolphin in June. I would say that we felt the Dolphin was a better choice for kids than the Swan. The Swan seemed like the place to go if you wanted a romantic weekend trip or something. I can't really pinpoint why, it was just the feeling we got. With the kids, the easy access to Tubbis and the pool from the Dolphin was great! My kids (11 & 8) had a great time there. In Nov., I was trying to squeak in a budget trip before our APs run out and suggested the All Stars, but DD2 (who is 8) now thinks those are too "babyish" and wants to only stay at the Dolphin!

Maggie

 

[Mouseteacher]

KIS ~ I stayed at the Swan this time and the Dolphin last summer. My children are older teens. However, both trips there I saw lots of children of all ages in the pools and in the lobbies. There is playground equipment and basketball hoops between the pools which would indicate that the resorts welcome kids. I used the Swan quiet pool this trip (we were without kids) b/c I was usually alone as DH prefers to nap! LOL There were young children and toddlers at the quiet pool with their families really enjoying themselves.

One afternoon, in the Swan looby, I saw a family with 2 little girls - one was dressed as Belle and the other as Cinderella. It was so cute - I was smiling all the way back to my room. I have boys so never got the chance to "dress" little girls!

I never consider S/D not to be child-friendly. I do agree with another poster, that families would probably prefer the Dolphin b/c it houses Tubbi's and is a tad closer walk to the Grotto Pool.

 

[BC]

I am wanting Dec 12-19th and would like to try the Swan/Dolphin. I have AAA, Starwood member, but do not hold an AP. I guess I could buy one if it makes that much difference. Just wondered how much of a deal you got.

 

[schuh61]

I just booked the dolphin for july 17-24. This will be our 2nd trip to the Dolphin and we loved it. I have always stayed at a disney owned resort and was a little worried, but we have converted as well. Have a great trip!

 

[msdisney53]

We stayed at the Swan during our Easter break with the teacher's rate (thanks to this board). It was awesome. We also will be returning for Christmas and New year's. I gave my DDs (11 and 12) the choice of the Swan or the Dolphin and they wanted to go back to the Swan. You will love it. My husband is still raving about the heavenly beds!!

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by BC
I am wanting Dec 12-19th and would like to try the Swan/Dolphin. I have AAA, Starwood member, but do not hold an AP. I guess I could buy one if it makes that much difference. Just wondered how much of a deal you got.

Im not my3boys, but we were able to get the Swan for 154.99/night(including tax), plus the 10.00/night resort fee, to be paid at check in, for Dec 20-29. We went from a value resort to a deluxe for only 360.00 more, on a 9 night trip.
Good luck!

 

[KIS]

Mouseteacher:

Thanks for sharing about the kids' presence. They sound like the fairies around the resort. How sweet the little girls must have looked.

I'm glad to hear that the place is one where our child will feel welcomed.

KIS

 

[my3boys]

Thank you for all the encouraging words; I'm starting to get excited for the trip!

Regarding the question on our rate -- Our room is a studio (not sure on all the details/accomodations) that is 500 sq. feet and is for a party of 5. The rate for over Christmas is $204; about the same as a Disney moderate.

 

[wld]

On our first trip to WDW in 1994 we went by the S/D and said we would never want to stay there. On our 8th trip we stayed at the Swan for $60 a night in May thanks to all the information from these very boards. We did not have our children with us so I don't know about kid friendly, but we absolutely loved it. The staff is very, very friendly and accomodating and we loved the location. We are planning a trip with the kids in Dec 2004 and we are looking to stay at the Swan.