Next DVC resort?

On the question of Swan/Dolphin/Reserve, it’s like any other question on here: you will get an answer for each based upon how people Disney.

Reserve is hands down the nicest, and as others have said you can get bumped if you’re a Marriott warrior.

Swan/Dolphin are both closer with less walking, which matters if I’m with my kids. It makes zero difference if I’m solo. The pool is closer to these resorts too.

Swan and Dolphin have very different vibes to me. Swan does feel more like a convention center, but Dolphin is ALWAYS chaos in the lobby.

And I rank all of them lower than DVC resorts, because they just don’t feel Disney. The perk is that it’s convenient to Epcot/HS and I can use Marriott points for a night to get my fix when traveling for work.
 
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On the question of Swan/Dolphin/Reserve, it’s like any other question on here: you will get an answer for each based upon how people Disney.

Reserve is hands down the nicest, and as others have said you can get bumped if you’re a Marriott warrior.

Swan/Dolphin are both closer with less walking, which matters if I’m with my kids. It makes zero difference if I’m solo. The pool is closer to these resorts too.

Swan and Dolphin have very different vibes to me. Swan does feel more like a convention center, but Dolphin is ALWAYS chaos in the lobby.

And I rank all of them lower than DVC resorts, because they just don’t feel Disney. The perk is that it’s convenient to Epcot/HS and I can use Marriott points for a night to get my fix when traveling for work.
I was researching it last night and swan side has more days sold out. I do want to try that westin heavenly bed. How are the views? Obv its more expensive and im wondering if its worth it, its not too much more and has a balcony.

And are the pools nice, which side has the biggest? Jacuzzis? Is there waterslides? How comfortable are the loungers 🤣

The thing that really sucks is they dont take disney gcs at the restaurant and now I have a lot that i def like to utilize on my next trip. But I still want to try the restaurants so there's no fixing that whether I stay or not. I understand its not a disney hotel it kind of reminded me of Vegas when walking thru with the celebrity restaurants and the lobby.

One of the lobbies we walked thru was petty extravagant im assuming that may have been dolphin, the hotel confuses me, I know I know huge swan or dolphin on the outside, im not even sure if we went thru both 🤣

I was daydreaming of an impromptu Christmas trip and dolphin has more availability, is it bigger than swan or just not as popular? Sorry for the million questions we are seriously considering
 
I was researching it last night and swan side has more days sold out. I do want to try that westin heavenly bed. How are the views? Obv its more expensive and im wondering if its worth it, its not too much more and has a balcony.
Westin Heavenly bed is available both at the Swan and the Dolphin (even though it nominally is not a Westin Hotel). I believe it is also available at the Swan Reserve.

The rates vary from hotel to hotel. When first announced, the idea was that the Swan would be more luxurious and the Dolphin would be more mass market. Overall, I do not see the difference, although presently the Swan rooms have been renovated, and the Dolphin rooms have not.
And are the pools nice, which side has the biggest? Jacuzzis? Is there waterslides? How comfortable are the loungers 🤣
You are able to use both facilities - in fact they connect to each other through a large outdoor area. The dolphin definitely has the nicer pool area, but the Swan pool area is calmer (and much less private). It also gets shut down more frequently for private events in my experience. I don't remember if there are waterslides. The jacuzzis are nice, but, I think they should be redone to be deeper personally.
The thing that really sucks is they dont take disney gcs at the restaurant and now I have a lot that i def like to utilize on my next trip. But I still want to try the restaurants so there's no fixing that whether I stay or not. I understand its not a disney hotel it kind of reminded me of Vegas when walking thru with the celebrity restaurants and the lobby.
The restaurants are great. Yes, it does definitely have more of a Vegas feel, I agree... Though that whole area (BC/BW/S&D) has a "very very chill and not smelling" pseudo-Las Vegas vibe to me... Or it least it did when you had dance hall and piano bar...
One of the lobbies we walked thru was petty extravagant im assuming that may have been dolphin, the hotel confuses me, I know I know huge swan or dolphin on the outside, im not even sure if we went thru both 🤣
They both are kind of confusing lobbies. Probably was the dolphin.
I was daydreaming of an impromptu Christmas trip and dolphin has more availability, is it bigger than swan or just not as popular? Sorry for the million questions we are seriously considering
Dolphin is much bigger than the Swan.
 
I don't now how many times we have been to Epcot... and we have yet to ride it...
I had to give a red face emoji for that one lol.

It’s thee best ride ever.

We are now spending more resort time too. Most days get in after 9:30am. And most days take a break but usually go back out to see one of the night shows. Can never get enough of those!
 
I know this is DisBoards but am I the only one that likes Hagrids significantly more? Maybe I'm biased because of my username and Cosmic Rewind Imma let you finish but Hagrids is the best themed coaster of all time 😂
 
Hahah I was a HUGE universal hater for awhile because I despise screen based attractions but they knocked it out with Hagrids and Velocicoaster. My wife won't do Velocicoaster because it's too intense for her but she still likes Hagrids.
VelociCoaster and the response to Hagrids has tempted me, but Epic will eventually force my hand. I need to see Mario and Monsters once everything settles down. I'll make it there within the decade :rotfl:
 
I know this is DisBoards but am I the only one that likes Hagrids significantly more? Maybe I'm biased because of my username and Cosmic Rewind Imma let you finish but Hagrids is the best themed coaster of all time 😂

Is it really better than Cosmic Rewind though.. is it?

Neve been on Hagrids but I’m gonna say no. Cosmic Rewind has this amazing “lightness” to it. It’s just so good.
Been on both a bunch of times, love them both, and I was about as big of a potterhead as there can be... but with that being said

Cosmic Rewind blows Hagrid's out of the water in almost every way, and quite easily.

Similar levels of intensity, but the launch surprise of guardians is so much better, has a better setup/story to explain what you are doing and why, the swiveling cars are unique and add a smoothness and gliding feeling to the coaster, the theming is 1000% better for guardians (just a few set pieces for Hagrid's and then just a lot of empty room), the rotating music soundtrack adding variety, the early lockers required for Hagrid's followed by a very long line with none of your belongings, and Guardians being inside meaning you never have to worry about the weather, rain, heat, etc.

If you love Guardians, do not expect to love Hagrid like Guardians. I rode Hagrid's first out of the two, and liked it a lot. Rode Guardians later and WAS BLOWN AWAY and forever changed what I think a ride is capable of.
 
Haven't been to Universal, but I've got to agree on Cosmic Rewind. I think it has to be my favorite ride at WDW. The music, the story, the smooth but exciting ride. Love it.

It's actually a Disney ride where I was not familiar with Guardians of the Galaxy before going on the ride. Like, I'm not even sure I knew it was a movie - just never gotten than into the Marvel universe. Since our last trip, I've watched all of the movies with my 2 boys (in addition to plenty of other Marvel stuff), and am really looking forward to going on it when we return. Just a great story that enhances my appreciation for the ride.
 
Hahah I was a HUGE universal hater for awhile because I despise screen based attractions but they knocked it out with Hagrids and Velocicoaster. My wife won't do Velocicoaster because it's too intense for her but she still likes Hagrids.
Velocicoaster added a good high-thrill option with still some decent theming. But once you get on the ride, the theming really lets me down. Just some raptor noises and that is really it. The queue is much better themed than the ride unfortunately
 
Beside Cosmic Rewind being an almost spiritual experience, the queue and set up feels peak Epcot with the edutainment and glimpse of a better future. That attractions thrills me to no end, on so many levels! It’s the only LLSP I buy and almost always do because hopefully it encourages them to this level of excellence again.
 
Westin Heavenly bed is available both at the Swan and the Dolphin (even though it nominally is not a Westin Hotel). I believe it is also available at the Swan Reserve.

The rates vary from hotel to hotel. When first announced, the idea was that the Swan would be more luxurious and the Dolphin would be more mass market. Overall, I do not see the difference, although presently the Swan rooms have been renovated, and the Dolphin rooms have not.

You are able to use both facilities - in fact they connect to each other through a large outdoor area. The dolphin definitely has the nicer pool area, but the Swan pool area is calmer (and much less private). It also gets shut down more frequently for private events in my experience. I don't remember if there are waterslides. The jacuzzis are nice, but, I think they should be redone to be deeper personally.

The restaurants are great. Yes, it does definitely have more of a Vegas feel, I agree... Though that whole area (BC/BW/S&D) has a "very very chill and not smelling" pseudo-Las Vegas vibe to me... Or it least it did when you had dance hall and piano bar...

They both are kind of confusing lobbies. Probably was the dolphin.

Dolphin is much bigger than the Swan.
Thank you this is so helpful ☺️
 






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