Not sure about Swan/Dolphin...

[PrincessTigerLily]

DH saw some deal on the internet about Swan/Dolphin for when we want to go. He is intrigued, I...not so much. I think I am being a bit of a Disney Snob - it is technically not owned by Disney, plus we would not be able to purchase the dining plan. The photos he showed me of the D/S didn't look much more luxurious than POFQ, so can someone set me straight? What's so great about the Dolphin and Swan?????

 

[sjdisneywedding]

DH saw some deal on the internet about Swan/Dolphin for when we want to go. He is intrigued, I...not so much. I think I am being a bit of a Disney Snob - it is technically not owned by Disney, plus we would not be able to purchase the dining plan. The photos he showed me of the D/S didn't look much more luxurious than POFQ, so can someone set me straight? What's so great about the Dolphin and Swan?????

I personally kinda liked staying there, not sure I would compare it to POFQ, I only stayed there one night before, but S&D was much nicer, not even close really

plus you get the deluxe type location of being right next to the BW and being able to walk to Epcot

 

[Bill From PA]

We've stayed at Swan and Dolphin numerous times and POFQ and POR once each. There's no comparison, for a number of reasons. S/D are deluxe hotels, with better amenities from top to bottom. The Grotto Pool is fantastic, there is an Olympic size lap-pool, several top notch restaurants in each hotel and the rooms are larger and the beds more luxurious than those in any Disney moderate.

The real attraction, as in any prime real estate, is location, location and location. Both Epcot and MGM are an easy walk from S/D, cutting in half the number of parks you need a bus for. Boats take those who cannot/will not walk. BoardWalk is right there and IMHO it's an entertainment center on ot's own with ESPN Club, Jellyrolls and Big River Brew in the boards and jugglers and magicians doing shows many evenings.

Some folks lament the lack of Disney theming, I never missed it and with Spaceship Earth and ToT visible from your room window, how much more 'in the world' can you be? We've taken to renting DVC points the last two years to stay at BoardWalk as the Teacher's Discount at S/D isn't offered the first week in March anymore, but we stayed at Swan last month and we'd feel cheated if we couldn't stay at an Epcot area resort.

Bill From PA

 

[NMAmy]

Let's see...heavenly beds, fantastic location, excellent service, great deals, and free upgrades with my SPG card plus I earn points toward future stays at either the Swan/Dolphin or any other Sheraton/Four Points/Westin Hotel.

We love it there.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I am staying this trip at POR and have before along with the Poly, BC YC and the Swan. The Swan is a fabulous hotel and has the best beds on the property. It is a deluxe hotel and there is no comparison to POR as much as I like POR.
True you cannot get the dining plan, nor can you use DME. And you pay $10 per day parking at the Swan & Dolphin. But the access to the parks and the feeling there is great.

 

[goofy4tink]

There is no comparison between the S/D and the moderates. I've stayed in both, and if I had my druthers, I would stay at S/D...well, the Dolphin, not the Swan. That's my preferance..I just really like the Dolphin. I don't miss the lack of Disneyfied effects. I can buy Disney stuff in the gift shop. I have an AP, so can use the DDE card. The only thing I can't do is charge back to my room...but since I still use the same Visa card, it doesn't really matter.
My dd, 14, is stronly opposed to staying at either the S/D. We stayed at the Swan in January for two nights, one day, and it wasn't the best experience. Housekeeping never made up our room...dh had to call down to them at 9:45 at night to get clean towels since we had just dropped the used ones in the tub. And the computer system went down just as we checked in, so we coudn't get room keys until the next morning..making it difficult to go out and get something to eat when we arrived late at night.
But, I loved my stay at the Dolphin...the room was terrific, the service was wonderful.
I wonder what my dd will say about staying there when I tell her that's where we'll be in July??

 

[DisneyDotty]

I, too, am a Disney snob and have stayed at the Dolphin with mixed reviews.

The location is fantastic, the teacher's discount rate of $129 is not to be believed, we enjoyed our dinner at Bluezoo, and the pool was nice (though the slide was closed while we were there, to our kids' disappointment).

However, the service was a mixed bag. The check-in clerk refused to comp me the cost of me cleaning out the fridge--I think it was a one-time charge of $20 or something like that. I know I've read numerous accounts of people here who left a note and were comp'ed. Also, the billing was screwed up. And housekeeping threw away some of our stuff and failed to give us some things we requested (uh, clean towels?!). Oh, and the heavenly beds are a heavenly sweaty mess when you're there in July/August! (We also had some climate control issues in our room.)

We would consider returning with another great teacher's rate--but to the Swan. My theory is to try every WDW property (okay, technically S/D aren't Disney, but they are on property!) at least once. I say--Go for it! You might like it! You might not! But what do you have to lose?

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have stayed at WDW resorts many times and would never think to go any other resort but this past Feb we got a last minute rate of $125 at the Swan and since the other resorts that I wanted were full we went for it. We LOVED IT! What a great location, fantastic resort, awesome beds and a super inexpensive price for a huge room that was recently remodeled.

Also stayed at the Dolphin 2 months later and like it but it was alot busier and more hectic than the Swan

If I can get that rate again we will stay there for sure.

 

[cara loves the poly]

I have never stayed at Swan or Dolphin, but if it was between that and a moderate, hands down - Swan/Dolphin would win! I wouldn't hesitate to try them!

 

[Tiffany]

DH saw some deal on the internet about Swan/Dolphin for when we want to go. He is intrigued, I...not so much. I think I am being a bit of a Disney Snob - it is technically not owned by Disney, plus we would not be able to purchase the dining plan. The photos he showed me of the D/S didn't look much more luxurious than POFQ, so can someone set me straight? What's so great about the Dolphin and Swan?????

POFQ is not even close to what you get at the S/D. We have stayed at many Disney owned resorts over the years as well as many stays at the S/D, see my sig. below. The S/D are deluxe resorts set up like hotels with all of the services that come with that as well as being within walking distance to both EC and the ST. We have found that the serivce at the S/D is better than that at Disney owned resorts. Infact we find the service received at the S/D is better than what we received at the AKL Concierge this past trip. Go with the S/D and enjoy.

 

[daisyduck123]

(We also had some climate control issues in our room.)

Our room (15th floor) at the Dolphin was very damp (spent 3 nights there in July). Damp to the point that anything wet that we hung up (like towels or bathing suits) never dried.

Otherwise, our stay was fine...but we probably won't return.

 

[minnie61650]

The Swan/Dolpin hotels are my favorite Deluxe hotels on Disney property!

The Swan/Dolphin resorts often has great rates that cost about as much as a Disney Moderate.

They are real 4 star hotels.

Deluxe but not as expensive as Disney's deluxe resorts.

The heavenly beds are ...well heavenly.

The Grotto pool and hot tubs are fun and relaxing.

Plus Epcot and MGM are just a short boat ride or walk away!

From Epcot hop on the monorail and head on over to the MK!

*note photos are from allearsnet

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[AndyMcV]

We've stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin. We really really like both resorts. Both our kids (DS7 and DD3) now equate the S/D with Disney and really so do we.

Comparing these resorts to a Disney moderate is really no comparison. These win hands down. They are deluxe resports with a ton of amenities. The location is simply awesome for the price. We stayed in 2003 and got their club level for $179 and then in 2005 again the club level for $169. Infact in 2003 we were upgraded for free for 11 nights to a Swan Studio Suite. It was just increadible. We were in heaven. We found the rooms really nice and big, clean, bright and the theming really pleasant. The beds are truely heavenly as they call them. I slept like a baby for a week and a half. So comfortable.

Everything you need is really close in or around the S/D. This includes the awesome Grotto pool, arcade, laundry, kids club, Disney mini-golf, 2 Disney merchandise stores, Disney counters for ticket sales and questions, car rental agency, really great restaurants, and seeing the Epcot fireworks every night. You can take the busses, boats or even walk to the Disney parks. We ended up taking the boats to Epcot and MGM simply because our kids really loved them and the castmembers that ran them. You are also right beside the Disney Boardwalk as well which is really nice too.

I would not hesitate for a second in staying at these resorts especially if you were considering a Disney moderate. You're way better off with these resorts.

Andy

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Like most everyone has already said, I would go with S/D any day over a mod. We tried the Swan for the first time this summer and I have to admit, after trying and loving so many Disney owned resorts, I was worried about missing the Magic. Didn't happen. We absolutely LOVED it. With the teacher rate and the Starwood American Express card which gives us free nights, we have no reason to ever return to a Disney owned resort.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'm a true Swan fan and as you can see I've stayed at alot of places but my heart truly now does belong to the Swan! I've never felt more like I was in Disney until my stays here. There is nothing like watching Illuminations from your balcony and being able to walk to Epcot (my favorite park) and MGM.

There is so much to enjoy there with YC, BC and BW all within walking distance.

The service is impeccable and the beds are truly "heavenly."

The rates can't be beat for a deluxe hotel and being an Starwood member you earn points towards free nights. Even the toiletries in the room are fantastic, they use Bath and Bodyworks products!!

Not having the DDP doesn't bother me at all. We are AP holders so we have the DDE card which works better for us. I don't want to commit myself to having to eat on Disney property everyday.

I've never had any issues with mold during any of my stays.

 

[airhead]

...at the Dolphin!!! we(2 of us) were there 4 years ago,loved it SO MUCH we're going back with a family of 6! I got 3 rooms at Teacher rate. Can't beat that!!

 

[themudd4]

We had never stayed at either and honestly never really desired too...But on our minnie trip back in Oct. we took the boat from MGM to Epcot and once my DH and Kids seem the resorts up close and seen how close everything was...EVERYONE now wants to try them! We are already booked for June to stay at CSR, but we will make our way to each resort at least once including the S&D!

 

[PrincessPoohsMom]

We stayed at the Dolphin last year and enjoyed it. Our view was awesome...we were able to watch Illuminations from our room every night. We enjoyed the pool area, and didn't really miss the Disney theming as much as I thought we might. The staff was actually great during our visit; the first room we checked into was supposed to be a non-smoking but absolutely REEKED...even the curtains. Since we were traveling with an infant we called the front desk, and the clerk who answered was horrified. She apologized profusely, got us a new room, and the bellman stayed with us to help move luggage. Housekeeping did a great job all week, and we didn't notice any dampness at all. Granted, we were traveling in March as opposed to summer time, and I believe we were in a newly refurbished part of the building, so I'm not sure how that played into things.

Over all I'd definitely stay here again if the opportunity presented itself, especially considering the rates!