OKW or Swan/Dolphin?

[Connears]

I got a great rate for Swan/Dolphin 12/28-1/02/04 for concierge level(222.00/night). I am thinking of renting my OKW points for the same time and doing this. $10 a point will more than cover this. Love OKW, but these resorts look beautiful and are in great location for New Year's. What do you think?
Connears

 

[csmommy]

I just came back from a split stay & the last 3 nights were at the Swan. Our room was nice, we had Club Level access & Moma T & Thabo were great! However, we would not go back. The rest of the staff we found really lacking, there was no Disney Magic, & there was garbage left out everywhere. Peoples room service garbage stayed in the halls over-night, the ash trays by the elevators were always full of stuff. And it really felt like we were in a convention hotel.

Just our opinion, I know lots of people really like the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[Deb & Bill]

S/D is just a hotel and not a true Disney hotel. You'd give up OKW for S/D? Not me.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Deb & Bill
S/D is just a hotel and not a true Disney hotel. You'd give up OKW for S/D? Not me.

I would for New Year's Eve. IMHO, The location more than makes up for the difference in accomodations if you are planning to spend the evening celebrating at EPCOT or MGM.

 

[Cruelladeville]

You would actually WANT to stay at Swan/Dolphin instead of OKW?????? Well, perhaps the experiences of csmommy and myself are not typical, but the rooms are, well, basic. Like Holiday Inn, only farther off the ground. I, too, found that room service trays and garbage remained out in the hall all night, and MANY people used room service. In fact, carts were left out overnight, too, so it was like a mine field walking to and from your room. Yuck!! The rooms are pretty, but there was no room fan and the windows didn't open, and the temperature seemed to find it's own level. The staff was sparce and not friendly, by Disney standards. I stayed two very long days there, and decided that Friday and Saturday points costs weren't worth what we encountered, so we won't return there, either. I would either do OKW, or one of the other DVC resorts, say BCV or BWV, which are within walking distance of Epcot. Epcot really had wonderful fireworks last NYE, even with the rain.

 

[scootert]

Before we bought into DVC, we stayed at the Dolphin several times. We loved the location and found the staff to be excellent. The rooms are not as large as DVC, but we had no complaints. If you have a great rate for the Swan, go for it.

 

[Connears]

Thanks for the input. Cruelladeville, I do not want to use any more points for this holiday trip and we already borrowed from 2004 as it is(we are going in 29 days to BCV). This New Year's trip was a treat, so I'm trying to not use more points. I was at OKW last year at the same time and just wished we had a better escape back after Epcot fireworks(as it was we missed them but got hung up in the rainy return). I love OKW and have been 11 times since we joined, but I'm still thinking of this alternative. Thanks for your comments everyone. Swan and Dolphin are so close to the rest of the activity at Boardwalk and BC&YC, MGM and Epcot.
Still deciding!
Connears

 

[kda]

We've stayed at S/D 3 times and always had great trips. Each time we had excellent rates and I thought we got a very good value. I'd stay there again if we got a good rate. If your plan is to enjoy Epcot or the Studios on NYE, S&D are a great location. You could always split your stay

 

[luckytso]

We just came back from Swan Club Level (first time) and it was a GREAT stay. From the CM at check-in to the housekeepers, everyone was wonderful and they really bent backwards for their guests for anything. Our housekeep would make funny arrangement with our kids stuff animals and blakets when she did the turndown. Everything was clean and the decor was great. The view from our room was great. We could see both Illumination and Fantasmic from our window. We would definitely stay there again if there is a great rate. Plus, the CL lounge is a great amenity. I would do Swan/Dolphin again in a heartbeat if the rate is right.

Personally, for Xmas/NY time, I would rather be within walking distance to the parks than at OKW due to the crowds and all that. Have a great time!