thelobstershanty
Parrotteer
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2004
- Messages
- 651
Just returned from a 10 day trip to WDW. The first 5 days we stayed in a 2 BR boardwalk view villa at BWV using our DVC points. This leg of the trip was with family and friends. We had a fantastic time and BWV was as great as it always is. We have stayed in every WDW resort at least once. We like the MK resorts very much but our favorites are the Epcot resorts, especiallly BWV, BCV and YC. We usually stay at DVC resorts for the bulk of our trip but then switch to a non DVC resort for a couple nights. This not only saves the expensive DVC weekend points but also lets us experience all the other great WDW resorts. We have never stayed at the Swan or Dolphin because we never qualified for the good rates (teachers, nurses, etc). We can always get a cheaper AP rate at a Disney resort. We have always wanted to try the Swan or Dolphin though. We have eaten at quite a few of their wonderful restaurants but have never stayed there. The opportunity came up when I found out I had to attend a continuing education class for work and it was being held at the Swan. Based on this class, the whole trip came to be. We decided to go down early for a family and friends vacation at BWV and then the family and friends would leave and I would transfer to the Swan for my class.
I met up with a co worker, also attending the class, and we stayed at the Swan for the next 5 nights. This gave us 3 days for the class and 2 days to enjoy WDW.
I had read so much about the Swan and Dolphin, that I was excited to be staying there. Especially for free, since my employer was picking up the tab. I have to say my experience at the Swan was not what I had thought it would be. I absolutely loved the beds, bedding and pillows. That has to be the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. I wish I could have taken it home. The room service food was also excellent. This did not surprise me though because the food in their restaurants is always excellent also.
Our room was at the convention rate so naturally we did not have a balcony. After coming from a 2 br BWV the room seemed small and confining. Especially since we were in it quite a bit. The class requires taking an exam the final day, so for the first 2 nights we were in the room all night studying and we ordered room service.
I have read that the level of customer service and the Disney feel is the same at the Swan and Dolphin as the WDW resorts. I do not know if we hit them at a bad time or what-- it was the week of 4th of July and the Swan was booked to max, with 2 work conventions going on and sometype of beauty/talent contest going on. But we noticed a decline in the customer service from the moment we checked in. There was one noticeable exception and that was the bellhop that handled our luggage both at check in and out. His name was Angel and he was great. I was completely shocked the first time I called the front desk or housekeeping (we only had 2 towels, no ashtrays in a smoking room, clogged bathtub etc.) and got a recording to leave my name and room number. And then half the time they did not call back. I have never experienced this at any resort I have stayed in. Only 1x did we call the front desk and actually get a person. This was not a big deal but it was mighty inconvenient.
I have been inside the Swan and Dolphin many times but never really noticed just how dark the lobby is. The conference rooms at the Swan are located off the lobby area so we spent 3 full days in this area. I felt like I was inside a dark castle especially with those lights that hang on the walls and look like torches. At every break everybody from the class, including the instructor, would go outside just to see some sunlight.
To me, it did not feel like a Disney resort at all. I was surprised that I did not see people even wearing Disney tee shirts, hats etc. Once in a while you would see someone carrying a Disney bag but that was about it. From our room we could see the BWV and it felt like we were in an entirely different world, it was wierd.
The grotto pool is beautiful but it was quite a walk from the Swan and it was packed and very noisy. There was a DJ playing music, a volleyball tournament going on and a water balloon toss all going on at the same time. For the volleyball and water balloon toss there were hotel employees with bull horns so it was hectic. We went to the grotto pool once and then stuck with the quiet lap pool. This pool had beverage and food service at chairside and was very relaxing for 2 adults.
One thing that really annoyed me was the additional fees they tack onto the room. $10.00 a day resort fees (whether you want or will use the additional amenities or not) and $7.00 a day parking. Why not just up the price of the rooms by $17.00 and be done with it? It was not the money I objected to (since I was not even paying it) but it was just annoying. They finally gave the people attending the conventions/classes free parking because so many people were complaining.
One thing I liked was the late check out because I am an AP holder. This was very nice since we had a late flight home.
All in all it was an ok stay. Would I stay here again? For a class or convention when someone else is paying the bill, definitely yes. I do not think I would stay here with my family though. We are ones that like to be completely surrounded by Disney 24/7 when we are at WDW. If I ever do stay at the Swan or Dolphin again I will go into it with more realistic expectations.
I just wanted to post my experiences at the Swan. I have read many, many times that staying at the Swan or Dolphin is just like staying at a Disney resort. For many people I am sure this is true. But for the real Disney nuts like us who want Disney in your face all the time complete with the Disney music playing etc., it is not the same. Very nice resorts but not the same.
I met up with a co worker, also attending the class, and we stayed at the Swan for the next 5 nights. This gave us 3 days for the class and 2 days to enjoy WDW.
I had read so much about the Swan and Dolphin, that I was excited to be staying there. Especially for free, since my employer was picking up the tab. I have to say my experience at the Swan was not what I had thought it would be. I absolutely loved the beds, bedding and pillows. That has to be the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. I wish I could have taken it home. The room service food was also excellent. This did not surprise me though because the food in their restaurants is always excellent also.
Our room was at the convention rate so naturally we did not have a balcony. After coming from a 2 br BWV the room seemed small and confining. Especially since we were in it quite a bit. The class requires taking an exam the final day, so for the first 2 nights we were in the room all night studying and we ordered room service.
I have read that the level of customer service and the Disney feel is the same at the Swan and Dolphin as the WDW resorts. I do not know if we hit them at a bad time or what-- it was the week of 4th of July and the Swan was booked to max, with 2 work conventions going on and sometype of beauty/talent contest going on. But we noticed a decline in the customer service from the moment we checked in. There was one noticeable exception and that was the bellhop that handled our luggage both at check in and out. His name was Angel and he was great. I was completely shocked the first time I called the front desk or housekeeping (we only had 2 towels, no ashtrays in a smoking room, clogged bathtub etc.) and got a recording to leave my name and room number. And then half the time they did not call back. I have never experienced this at any resort I have stayed in. Only 1x did we call the front desk and actually get a person. This was not a big deal but it was mighty inconvenient.
I have been inside the Swan and Dolphin many times but never really noticed just how dark the lobby is. The conference rooms at the Swan are located off the lobby area so we spent 3 full days in this area. I felt like I was inside a dark castle especially with those lights that hang on the walls and look like torches. At every break everybody from the class, including the instructor, would go outside just to see some sunlight.
To me, it did not feel like a Disney resort at all. I was surprised that I did not see people even wearing Disney tee shirts, hats etc. Once in a while you would see someone carrying a Disney bag but that was about it. From our room we could see the BWV and it felt like we were in an entirely different world, it was wierd.
The grotto pool is beautiful but it was quite a walk from the Swan and it was packed and very noisy. There was a DJ playing music, a volleyball tournament going on and a water balloon toss all going on at the same time. For the volleyball and water balloon toss there were hotel employees with bull horns so it was hectic. We went to the grotto pool once and then stuck with the quiet lap pool. This pool had beverage and food service at chairside and was very relaxing for 2 adults.
One thing that really annoyed me was the additional fees they tack onto the room. $10.00 a day resort fees (whether you want or will use the additional amenities or not) and $7.00 a day parking. Why not just up the price of the rooms by $17.00 and be done with it? It was not the money I objected to (since I was not even paying it) but it was just annoying. They finally gave the people attending the conventions/classes free parking because so many people were complaining.
One thing I liked was the late check out because I am an AP holder. This was very nice since we had a late flight home.
All in all it was an ok stay. Would I stay here again? For a class or convention when someone else is paying the bill, definitely yes. I do not think I would stay here with my family though. We are ones that like to be completely surrounded by Disney 24/7 when we are at WDW. If I ever do stay at the Swan or Dolphin again I will go into it with more realistic expectations.
I just wanted to post my experiences at the Swan. I have read many, many times that staying at the Swan or Dolphin is just like staying at a Disney resort. For many people I am sure this is true. But for the real Disney nuts like us who want Disney in your face all the time complete with the Disney music playing etc., it is not the same. Very nice resorts but not the same.
