Moderate or Swan / Dolphin

[PolyPal]

We are making a quick trip to WDW from 4/13 through 4/16 (Easter). We've always stayed at the Polynesian, GF or WL. The pricing is OUTRAGEOUS ($2400 for 3 days / nights at the Polynesian w/ passes).

So, we are looking at staying at the Swan or POFQ. Both price out within dollars of each other. We have not stayed at either.

Which would you recommend and why for our family of 4? (Mom, Dad, & 2 boys age 13 & 7)

 

[Dizzyworld]

This is our problem too but for Aug. I hope some people give us al some help.

 

[Blondie]

Definitely the Swan or Dolphin! You'll be close enough to walk to Epcot or MGM (if you so desire) or you can take the boat over. The Boardwalk is at your backdoor for other dining and entertainment options.

We've stayed at the Dolphin 4 times and we're staying at the Swan for the second time in February. We are tried and true S/D fans!

The Grotto pool and white sandy beach area is heaven on earth and there's always plenty of chaise lounges:

 

[Buzz2001]

In the moderate category, I recommend CSR! They have an arcade, sand volleyball court, playground and awesome slide at their main pool area. Check out my website below for pics, links and info.

Photo by Ducky4Disney

CSR has terrific transportation. It does not share with any other resort (like POR / POFQ), it only has 4 bus stops (vs 8 at CBR) and offers an internal shuttle system to use to get around to the different villages.

And being a convention resort, the buses seem less crowded because guests are busy with their conventions.

Best pool hands down

 

[VAgal76]

Swan/Dolphin are in the "deluxe" category. If it were me, I'd take deluxe over moderate. Being within walking distance of Epcot/MGM is a big plus to me as well. S/D gets rave reviews on their pool, location, price and heavenly beds. It's not disney owned so if charging priviledges are an issue, you may want to lean towards disney's mods. No package delivery either for S/D, but you can still utilize package delivery to Guest Relations at the entrance of the park so you still don't have to carry your purchases around.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I've been toying with the idea of either Dolphin or POFQ as a get together (surprise) for my DH's 50th. Do either of those places have large seating areas in the lobbies so the adult can sit and chat while the teens go to the pool or other activites?

I figured if we stayed at POFQ, they could easily do DTD/DQ, and the Dolphin is convenient to minigolf and ESPN. Usually they don't have much to do when we get together. This is why I figured Disney; you don't have to go to the parks to have a lot to do!

 

[VAgal76]

I've been toying with the idea of either Dolphin or POFQ as a get together (surprise) for my DH's 50th. Do either of those places have large seating areas in the lobbies so the adult can sit and chat while the teens go to the pool or other activites?

I figured if we stayed at POFQ, they could easily do DTD/DQ, and the Dolphin is convenient to minigolf and ESPN. Usually they don't have much to do when we get together. This is why I figured Disney; you don't have to go to the parks to have a lot to do!

Here's a pic off allearsnet.com of POFQ lobby:

And here is a pic of Dolphin lobby with seating area. I'm sure the Dolphin has many more seating areas in their lobby than POFQ. Dolphin is a deluxe (non-disney owned) property vs. POFQ being a moderate.

 

[DisneyFans4]

The Swan!!!!!

 

[WDWNicole]

Definitely the Swan or Dolphin because of the "walkability" to Epcot, MGM, Boardwalk and YC/BC.

The Dolphin has a very big lobby with lots of seating areas.

 

[clutter]

Dolphin!!!!! It was my favorite until I tried Beach Club. (Now we're BCV members...) But I still love Dolphin.

 

[Kapp]

for sure!

 

[ktink]

I would have to go with CSR!! It is beautiful and has such a relaxed feel to it. I have toyed w/ the idea of the Swan and Dolphin due to the Heavenly Beds but from what I read when we were planning our last trip I believe that it was stated that Magical Express isn't offered at the Swan and Dolphin. I could be wrong on that. We normally fly in so ME is an asset that we wouldn't want to give up.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Your right, ME doesn't go to the Swan/Dolphin but I fly in all the time and that doesn't bother me at all. I'm one of those people that want peace of mind that I have my bags so I don't want to leave the airport without them.

 

[VAgal76]

Magical Express isn't offered at the Swan and Dolphin

Yes, you are right. The Magical Express is not offered for S/D. I dunno if this is a hot button for the OP.

 

[NMAmy]

The Dolphin is our favorite. I'm just putting together a spur of the moment trip in February and wasn't able to get as much of a discount as I usually do but I just knew we wouldn't be happy at a mod after the Dolphin.

Is the no package delivery to Swan/Dolphin new? For our last 3 trips, we've been able to get package delivery from the parks to the Dolphin--pick up is at the gift shop.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I was just at the Swan in August and had all my purchases from the parks delivered to the gift shop there. Why? Did you hear they were stopping it?

 

[finnie48]

Hi,

To the best of our knowledge, there is packsge delivery to the Swan and Dolphin from the parks and DTD. They are delivered to the gift shops at the hotels.

We had a great experience at the Swan the summer of 2004. Have a great trrip!! Peg and Bob.

 

[MAKmom]

How far is the walk from the Swan to the BIg Pool area? I booked 7 nights at the Swan for a grat AAA rate of $174.00 June 21-28. That was the day before they changed the AP Discount back to normal. We are thinking of splitting the stay

 

[DisneyFans4]

The walk is not far at all, just a couple of minutes. The quiet pool is before the main pool which is also very nice and it's very big.

 

[TwingleMum]

I've been toying with the idea of either Dolphin or POFQ as a get together (surprise) for my DH's 50th. Do either of those places have large seating areas in the lobbies so the adult can sit and chat while the teens go to the pool or other activites?

I figured if we stayed at POFQ, they could easily do DTD/DQ, and the Dolphin is convenient to minigolf and ESPN. Usually they don't have much to do when we get together. This is why I figured Disney; you don't have to go to the parks to have a lot to do!

I would go with the Dolphin, Boardwalk is in walking distance, MGM (Tower of Terror, Rock & Roll Rollercoaster and Star Tours) are a short boatride away and EPCOT (Mission Space,Soarin and Test Track) are close enough to walk or take a short boatride. Plus my nephews loved renting the watermice and you can look into a length of stay family pass for the watermice and they could ride all over the EPCOT/MGM area.