My surprising options AoA LM or Swan

[flav]

This is not our usual 4 to 10 nights stay…

2009-2016: The kids were small so we stayed at Deluxe resorts for convenience and did many Table service dining.

2017-2024: It was often a subset of the family and always linked to some runDisney races. We truly enjoyed the All Stars and Pop and plan to go back there.

It will be DH and I for two nights: Driving from the beach on Friday, attending MNSSHP on that first evening, no other park days, going for dinner Saturday evening and flying back home late afternoon on Sunday. Because it is such a short portion of our trIp we will keep the car, a first for us at Disney.

We want to enjoy the resort we will be staying at, and its surroundings, on Saturday and Sunday mornings. We will probably want to run as well. We are ok to splurge but it has to be worth it and the Deluxe at the current price do not fit the criteria for us.

We started with a reservation at CBR (884$). We like the idea of the lake for strolling and the theme pool for swimming.

We then found the Swan (King bed no view 875$) but realized later that we have to add 80$ for the parking. We like the boardwalk and the pool seems nice. Proximity to parks has no advantage for us on this trip.

The parking thing annoyed me and I started to price other options: DVC (nothing available for cheaper than the Swan), off-site hotels (meh), All Stars, Pop (we wanted something different) and… AoA.

At 621$ for our stay, the LM rooms at AoA would give us 300$ that we will feel free to spend on other splurges if we fancy. The pools are nice, the theming is strong, the resort is equally new to us, we can run around the resorts and hop on the Skyliner to enjoy the Boardwalk. We might or might not get a King bed but we don’t plan to stay or eat in the room. If anything, we will have memories of the Little Mermaid decor for the rest of our life… while the no view room at Swan will probably be fast forgotten.

Any other arguments in favour of the LM at AoA over the Swan?

 

[VeronicaZS]

What are your dates? I find it hard to believe that the Swan/Dolphin is that much. I love the Epcot resort area and would chose to stay there. Even without a view I just don’t think you can compare the Swan/Dolphin to the motel style AoA.

 

[Marthasor]

This is not our usual 4 to 10 nights stay…

2009-2016: The kids were small so we stayed at Deluxe resorts for convenience and did many Table service dining.

2017-2024: It was often a subset of the family and always linked to some runDisney races. We truly enjoyed the All Stars and Pop and plan to go back there.

It will be DH and I for two nights: Driving from the beach on Friday, attending MNSSHP on that first evening, no other park days, going for dinner Saturday evening and flying back home late afternoon on Sunday. Because it is such a short portion of our trIp we will keep the car, a first for us at Disney.

We want to enjoy the resort we will be staying at, and its surroundings, on Saturday and Sunday mornings. We will probably want to run as well. We are ok to splurge but it has to be worth it and the Deluxe at the current price do not fit the criteria for us.

We started with a reservation at CBR (884$). We like the idea of the lake for strolling and the theme pool for swimming.

We then found the Swan (King bed no view 875$) but realized later that we have to add 80$ for the parking. We like the boardwalk and the pool seems nice. Proximity to parks has no advantage for us on this trip.

The parking thing annoyed me and I started to price other options: DVC (nothing available for cheaper than the Swan), off-site hotels (meh), All Stars, Pop (we wanted something different) and… AoA.

At 621$ for our stay, the LM rooms at AoA would give us 300$ that we will feel free to spend on other splurges if we fancy. The pools are nice, the theming is strong, the resort is equally new to us, we can run around the resorts and hop on the Skyliner to enjoy the Boardwalk. We might or might not get a King bed but we don’t plan to stay or eat in the room. If anything, we will have memories of the Little Mermaid decor for the rest of our life… while the no view room at Swan will probably be fast forgotten.

Any other arguments in favour of the LM at AoA over the Swan?

Surprisingly, the Swan "no-view" rooms have incredible views of DHS. It will also be much quieter and more comfortable. I stayed at AoA the first year it opened and, never again. It was the noisiest, most uncomfortable room I have ever stayed in - the bedding was horrible. I've stayed at the Swan (and Dolphin) multiple times and have never been disappointed. If you want to keep price shopping, perhaps consider a standard room at CSR or POFQ - either will probably come out less than CBR.

 

[flav]

What are your dates? I find it hard to believe that the Swan/Dolphin is that much. I love the Epcot resort area and would chose to stay there. Even without a view I just don’t think you can compare the Swan/Dolphin to the motel style AoA.

All prices are for two nights at the end of October and include taxes and fees (add parking for the Swolphin). I have checked on Booking, on the Bonvoy site and I even called. They have been stable all week:
Dolphin no view, two double beds 774$ or one king 852$
Swan no view, two queen beds 841$ or one king 875$

Surprisingly, the Swan "no-view" rooms have incredible views of DHS. It will also be much quieter and more comfortable. I stayed at AoA the first year it opened and, never again. It was the noisiest, most uncomfortable room I have ever stayed in - the bedding was horrible. I've stayed at the Swan (and Dolphin) multiple times and have never been disappointed. If you want to keep price shopping, perhaps consider a standard room at CSR or POFQ - either will probably come out less than CBR.

Thanks you, the bedding is s consideration. I know that they removed the carpet and changed the beds for Queen beds since opening AoA in 2012. I don’t know how they compare to the other newly renovated Values. We had good, quiet nights and their opposite at Deluxe and at Values but I can believe that the Swan would generally be quieter. Will it be boring? We prefer the theming at AoA compared to POFQ (we visited for the beignets multiple times). CBR is only resort I really disliked: I felt like I was in a work convention bubble instead than at Disney.

 

[elvispursley]

I don’t o know that I’d do the LM AoA…the rooms are far from everything and are in dire need of updating IMO. I’d do Pop if going value. But if you’re only there for 2 nights I’d save the $$ and do swolphin another trip.

 

[Dug720]

I don’t o know that I’d do the LM AoA…the rooms are far from everything and are in dire need of updating IMO. I’d do Pop if going value. But if you’re only there for 2 nights I’d save the $$ and do swolphin another trip.

They were updated not that long ago where the doubles were changed to queens and the carpet was removed.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would do Swan for the soundproofing, interior hallways and better food options as you have all of Swolphin and the Boardwalk area. It just has a nicer feel. However, if $300 was a bit of a stretch and I didn't have issues staying at Disney Values AoA would be ok.

The main pool at Dolphin (like a 2 min walk from Swan and open to all Swolphin guests) is awesome, lots of pool space, multiple hot tubs and if you have a smartphone you can scan the code on your chair and order food and drinks to your chair!

 

[Marthasor]

All prices are for two nights at the end of October and include taxes and fees (add parking for the Swolphin). I have checked on Booking, on the Bonvoy site and I even called. They have been stable all week:
Dolphin no view, two double beds 774$ or one king 852$
Swan no view, two queen beds 841$ or one king 875$


Thanks you, the bedding is s consideration. I know that they removed the carpet and changed the beds for Queen beds since opening AoA in 2012. I don’t know how they compare to the other newly renovated Values. We had good, quiet nights and their opposite at Deluxe and at Values but I can believe that the Swan would generally be quieter. Will it be boring? We prefer the theming at AoA compared to POFQ (we visited for the beignets multiple times). CBR is only resort I really disliked: I felt like I was in a work convention bubble instead than at Disney.

Certainly, if you are interested in Disney theming, you will be bored at Swan/Dolphin. Personally, I would take the boredom in return for a more comfortable room any day as I get all the theming I need by simply walking around the Boardwalk and going into the parks. For the cost, I would consider doing the two double beds at Dolphin. The view will not be good there, however.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Surprisingly, the Swan "no-view" rooms have incredible views of DHS.

I’ve had a Swan no view room of rooftop ACs so this is not all no view rooms.

 

[patty57]

I’ve had a Swan no view room of rooftop ACs so this is not all no view rooms.

I have too.

 

[Marthasor]

I’ve had a Swan no view room of rooftop ACs so this is not all no view rooms.

Interesting. I've had no-view rooms at least 10 times with the same view overlooking the porte-cochere and DHS.

I would still take rooftop AC's over an AoA LM room!

 

[WLWildlife]

DD and I stayed at AoA in 2019 in LM room with a view of the lake. It was nice. I don't think that resort is that large so I didn't feel like I was far away from anything. You would also be on the Skyliner route so you can still enjoy the lake at CBR and everything that Crescent Lake and Boardwalk area have to offer. I have never stayed at Swan or Dolphin and my preferred resort is WL, but I would go back to AoA LM.

 

[georgina]

I know you said offsite places are meh, just throwing this out there. We spent 5 nights in the spring at Marriott Sabal Palms in a 2 BR suite with full kitchen and LR. Free parking, pretty grounds, on the Marriott Orlando World Center site with short walk to use their large pool, quick access to MK by driving. They have a 20% Bonvoy member discount in the fall, just have to watch out because they have both prepaid and fully cancellable rates.