Need to choose a new resort! WL or Swan/Dolphin?

[100acreHiker]

Thanks, everyone! After talking with my husband and kids, they are not willing to give up the ability to walk in and out of the two parks, so as much as I actually deeply want to stay at WL at Christmas, we are going to have to pass. I did find that Beach Club is also available. We've stayed there once and enjoyed it; not our favorite, but very nice. So now we're looking into that, too. Beach Club room would allow my kids to sleep in separate beds and give us transportation. So the options have evolved. Swan is still very much in the running. I really love hearing from everyone--it's been a few months since I've been on regularly and I miss this place! Still have an aching in my heart thinking about how I still haven't been able to make WL work for us. Sigh.

 

[hedberg1661]

I would make sure if you stay at Dolphin to become Starwood members, the points you get are incredible. We wrack up all kinds of points with our Starwood Amex for free nights and stays at hotels and I know Dolphin is one of theirs, have stayed there ourselves and it is beautiful!

I can't wait for these properties to be fully merged in to the Marriott family. I have a Marriott CC and like you said above that gives me a lot of options as far as using points and getting priority status.

 

[siestakeys04]

I have only been twice but I am so partial to WL

 

[JARNJ3]

I would also say break off from your EC resort area love and try WL...I did and you will be surprised. Being a BC or Swalphin person we finally tried the MK resorts. CR is now my favorite if not second favorite on property.

Either way...you will have a great time!

Really? I did a split stay once - a week at BWV & the weekend at BLT. I felt so confined over at BLT - there was no huge path to walk around, I was stuck in that one resort..... To get out of the villas - you could only go to another concrete structure. I think its because the Epcot resorts are more open.... Took me by surprise. Came to realize that BWV was "home" for me - which is kind of funny because I own at SSR & BCV.

 

[hedberg1661]

Really? I did a split stay once - a week at BWV & the weekend at BLT. I felt so confined over at BLT - there was no huge path to walk around, I was stuck in that one resort..... To get out of the villas - you could only go to another concrete structure. I think its because the Epcot resorts are more open.... Took me by surprise. Came to realize that BWV was "home" for me - which is kind of funny because I own at SSR & BCV.

Yeah I totally get that. I am not really a fan of BLT...however, I will be staying there in July with friends as they are DVC members. CR to me is the first thing I think of when someone says Walt Disney World. The iconic building, the monorail going through the concourse, the views of MK, etc. For me, the rooms are among the best on property...but my goodness you pay for it. Either way, BC will always be my home.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I have stayed at both resorts (WL and Swan/Dolphin) multiple times. I think that they are fantastic places and you can’t go wrong with either choice.

That said, if it were me, I would make my choice based on location. If I were planning to spend a lot of time at MK, WL would be my choice. If I thought I’d be at Epcot much of the trip, I’d go with the Swan/Dolphin.

A word on the bedding at Swan/Dolphin—the Swan has two queen bed rooms. The beds seem huge and feel bigger than my queen at home—tho that could be because I share it with my husband and a dog. The Dolphin has two oversized double beds, but you can get a rollaway in that room.

The big things you give up at the Swan and Dolphin are the Magical Express and the ability to buy the Disney Dining Plan. If you have a car, you pay for parking at the resort. That said, the resort is top-notch and when you can get a deal, it’s incredible for the money. If you have a Costco membership, you will do very well booking through their travel agency.