Old Key West Studio or Swan/Dolphin?

[morganms22]

We are doing a last minute trip on Christmas and I am trying to decide between a studio at OKW or Swan/Dolphin. All’s re within the price point we would like to stay in for this trip. We have stayed pretty much everywhere else, but not at these resorts. Which would you choose over Christmas?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you are doing parks, SD walks to Epcot and DHS which is v convenient with the bus situation under covid.

 

[morganms22]

If you are doing parks, SD walks to Epcot and DHS which is v convenient with the bus situation under covid.

Thanks- We will have a car. So, we plan to drive. However, the walkability is nice. We stayed at BCV in October and enjoyed walking to Hollywood Studios. We didn’t make it to Epcot that trip.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thanks- We will have a car. So, we plan to drive. However, the walkability is nice. We stayed at BCV in October and enjoyed walking to Hollywood Studios. We didn’t make it to Epcot that trip.

Even with reduced attendance driving on campus over the holiday may be frustrating. Kinda notorious for that.

Swan/Dolphin will have a parking fee. OKW if booked with points will not.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Even with reduced attendance driving on campus over the holiday may be frustrating. Kinda notorious for that.

Swan/Dolphin will have a parking fee. OKW if booked with points will not.

A DVC member will not pay for parking at OKW even if using a cash booking through Member Services. Also, no parking fees at the parks when staying at a DVC property. Staying at Swan/Dolphin, you pay for parking at the resort and also pay for parking at the parks unless using an Annual Pass.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

A DVC member will not pay for parking at OKW even if using a cash booking through Member Services. Also, no parking fees at the parks when staying at a DVC property. Staying at Swan/Dolphin, you pay for parking at the resort and also pay for parking at the parks unless using an Annual Pass.

OP mentioned price point so I am unclear on member status.

Swan/Dolphin get free parks parking: https://www.swandolphin.com/leisureinfo/benefits.html

 

[Carol_]

Swolphin has easier and great food options, nice views, and walkability to mini golf at Fantasia Gardens.

 

[dachsie]

I really enjoyed my stay at OKW - buses were readily available and the room was Nice and spacious. And I liked having the kitchenette in the mornings

 

[My3kids1989]

I like them both but would probably choose swan/dolphin because of being able to walk to both parks. Especially if you’re planning on going to both of those parks, it eliminates the bus time and just makes it feel more leisurely.

 

[cvjw]

We would always pick the swan/dolphin over OKW. Being able to walk to 2 parks during the Christmas season is reason enough to pick the swan/dolphin. Then you add in the food choices at the boardwalk area and the ability to easily get on the skyliner and OKW would be ruled out for my family.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We would always pick the swan/dolphin over OKW. Being able to walk to 2 parks during the Christmas season is reason enough to pick the swan/dolphin. Then you add in the food choices at the boardwalk area and the ability to easily get on the skyliner and OKW would be ruled out for my family.

A lot of the food choices near BWV are not available for this Christmas.

 

[morganms22]

Thanks everyone! As much as I wanted to try OKW, we went with the Swan. We have a toddler and being able to walk to a few parks ended up winning out for us.
We look forward to trying OKW in the future!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The buses were very convenient and not full at OKW last week. We never had a problem getting a bus at OKW or at the theme park to return to OKW.

 

[cvjw]

A lot of the food choices near BWV are not available for this Christmas.

Yes, we were just at the BWV for 2 weeks. There are food options at the swan/dolphin, BWV, beach and yacht club, and multiple hotels on the skyliner route. Much better than the offerings at just OKW.

 

[paults]

morganms22, do you already have park passes? If not you need to see what parks are available for your dates.

 

[cpep42]

Always OKW would be my pick and your close to Disney Springs.

 

[kboo]

We are going to be splitting between BWV and Swan around the same time frame! There are some Christmas activities at the Swan, and we've stayed there many times in the past. We always choose for location, and the Swan has a terrific one. Also big pools (including some with lap swimming potential) and very nice views. It's true the rooms are smaller than DVC studios, but 2 Queen beds work for us with 2 kids. Also the Swan is offering some really good discounts now, and their check in/out times are terrific - our room has always been ready in the morning, and we get late checkout. It was ideal when we had a toddler to get a nap in on arrival and departure or room switch day!

 

[The Jackal]

Just remember that Swan/Dolphin switched from Disney transportation to Mears. Different pick up and drop off locations at the parks. I believe at MK they drop off at TTC.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

If staying at the Swan and Dolphin I'd consider joining Club1hotes. It's a travel booking club that I've been a (free) member of for years. We usually use them for Europe hotels and Riviera Maya all-inclusives but they tend to have some insane rates for Swan/Dolphin...and sometimes Disney hotels. I too was looking at a last minute WDW Xmas trip and they had Swan/Dolphin for $167 including tax (parking and resort fee you need to pay at hotel). The best rate i actually found was $175/night all in for Coronado for a 7 night trip that includes Xmas. They are non refundable but if your dates are set in stone it's a good place to look for some last minute deals.

 

[bakerworld]

Parks = Dolphin
No Parks = Old Key West (although I would try for Saratoga)