POFQ or Swan/Dolphin?

[Shellee999]

We plan to go in late July or August. It's me, DH, and 3-year-old DS. We will go to MK twice, AK and DHS once, and not sure about Epcot (DH is not a big fan, although I am). I do need a good home base b/c DS needs his rest time/pool mid-day.

We went to Disney for the first time 2 summers ago, and loved the comfort and convenience of staying at the Polynesian, but that hotel was a gift to us, and we can't afford it this time around. After researching these boards and all the moderate hotels, I was planning on staying at POFQ. I kept hearing about Swan/Dolphin, but they confuse me, so I didn't consider them. Through more reading though, I realized they are Starwood properties.

Including taxes, the resort fee, and Disney park tickets, I would save over $600 by booking at Swan or Dolphin. But I'd have to pay OOP for transportation from airport, and food. If you made it this far, any opinions on which to choose?

 

[NMAmy]

I've stayed at both and I prefer the Dolphin hands down to the POFQ. The location makes sense for us but if you're not spending that much time at Epcot or DHS, then that's not such an issue for you. We also prefer the beds and the views.

Basically, what it boils down to for me is the Dolphin is a deluxe and POFQ is a moderate. If the price comes out fairly close, I'm always going with the Dolphin.

 

[Missytara]

While 99 % of the time, I tell people NOT to choose a resort solely based on bus transportation, in your case I would make an exception.

POFQ has its own bus, except at peak times, it shares with POR, but it is always the first stop.

Swan/Dolphin, (of which I stayed at one year), if there isn't boat transportation to the parks (i.e. Epcot, DHS), then there are buses.

For both the bus and boat transporation, Swan/Dolphin are the last two stops in that order. First is BW/YC/BC. It can be a long afternoon with a small one, waiting on the transportation.

Also, the amentities at POFQ are wonderful for that age; there are lots of activities by the pool and movies at night. You can use all the amentities at POR, and there is a wonderful boat to DTD. They would love an evening going to T-Rex or RFC, with a stop at the Disney Store or the Lego store.

I would definately recommend POFQ.

 

[Shellee999]

Yeah, it's the location that's what's worrying me the most. On 3 of our park days we'll have to use the buses, and it sounds like it will take a lot of time. Also, for the $600 more, I'd have the DDP. I don't know if I could do character meals and our other meals and be able to stick to that budget (though, obviously, I've never tried).

 

[Rose23]

Although I am a fan of the location of the Swan/Dolphin since it is within walking distance to my favorite park, Epcot, I am actually not a fan of the Swan/Dolphin Resort itself.

First, even with a discounted room, the Swan/Dolphin are expensive. The ever increasing resort fee and parking charges add a good $25 per day on to your daily charge. The food is not reasonably priced and a family of four would care if their burger/fry combo cost $15+ per person. You can find a few ways to save money in the Picabu Cafeteria if you are a AAA member; you receive a percentage off of your bill if you show your card.

Another issue was the constant calls or knocks at the door from the spa or housekeeping wanting to come in, with a supervisor knocking a few minutes later to check. We finally unplugged the telephone and told the front desk. I did like the bus service at the Swan/Dolphin better than any other resort and the walk to/from Epcot was beautiful after the fireworks.

If I had to choose between the two if I were taking a family with children, my pick would be Port Orleans because of the reasonably priced food court, the boat ride to Downtown Disney which adds more family activities to your vacation, the swimming and activity areas at Port Orleans (French Quarter and Riverside), and the beauty and peace of the resort. If you have a vehicle, I would only add that if you plan on staying until park closing and you have a small one to get to bed, you may want to drive to the park (parking would be free if you stay on property) so you can get back to POFQ faster after park closing. If you are a AAA member, stop by your AAA office before you go and ask them for a Diamond Parking Pass which will give access to closer parking at the WDW parks.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[kmb584]

POFQ.

I stayed there in 2010 with DD (then 15 months) and the activities offered for children were numerous. The pools and playgrounds were fantastic and taking the boat ride over to Riverside became a daily tradition. Sometimes we went in the afternoon for the pools and playgrounds at POR, but we mostly ended our night with it. Being able to utilize the amenities at both resorts was great and offered a lot of extra activities to occupy DD. The food was good and reasonably priced. If I got bored with the selection at POFQ, we'd have dinner at POR that night. Also, the transportation can't be beat. It's a small resort and aside from peak times they have their own buses. Even during peak time it wasn't bad because POFQ was the first pick-up and we were never without a seat. The empty bus was a HUGE plus for me as it was just the 2 of us and juggling an unsteady toddler while carrying/folding/stowing a stroller meant that no innocent bystander got a stroller whack to the leg (or head) during the process.

 

[Jazzygirl72]

I'm in the same quandry. Except it's just me and DBF. We are teachers so I can get a good rate at the end of August. Issue is, I can also get free DDP by staying at POFQ. I booked at POFQ just to hold it but now I have to decide. Thing is, we already have park tix from the last trip. I would have to buy two base tix to get free DDP. There's an approx. $800 difference in price...costing less to stay at the Dolphin. Plus, we plan on doing EPCOT a few times for dinners. I don't think I need $800 for food so I'm thinking, why pay the extra to get "free" dining, ya know?
My biggest question is: how expensive is it to get from the airport to the Dolphin and back? I've tried poking around to get prices but can't get a definitive answer. Does anyone have experience with that?
TIA!!

 

[doug65]

...My biggest question is: how expensive is it to get from the airport to the Dolphin and back? I've tried poking around to get prices but can't get a definitive answer. Does anyone have experience with that?
TIA!!

We had a wonderful experience with sun ray. $105 for a round trip with a 30-minute grocery stop at Publix. They even had a map of the store so we could shop more efficiently. The gentleman was very courteous, the Escalade was clean and, most importantly, they were on time for both trips. A family of four (two under the age of 11) would cost $122 on the Mears shuttle and you roll when THEY say you roll.

For families at least, the decision is easy.

 

[sjh801]

I'm in the same quandry. Except it's just me and DBF. We are teachers so I can get a good rate at the end of August. Issue is, I can also get free DDP by staying at POFQ. I booked at POFQ just to hold it but now I have to decide. Thing is, we already have park tix from the last trip. I would have to buy two base tix to get free DDP. There's an approx. $800 difference in price...costing less to stay at the Dolphin. Plus, we plan on doing EPCOT a few times for dinners. I don't think I need $800 for food so I'm thinking, why pay the extra to get "free" dining, ya know?
My biggest question is: how expensive is it to get from the airport to the Dolphin and back? I've tried poking around to get prices but can't get a definitive answer. Does anyone have experience with that?
TIA!!

For you and your DBF, I'd say go with the Dolphin or Swan. With the teacher discount and using ***********, the cost is about the same as a Moderate, but you're at a deluxe that's convenient to EPCOT, DHS and the Boardwalk area for evenings. And I would never waste money on DDP. Swan or Dolphin is better choice for your money if adults only!

 

[sjh801]

We plan to go in late July or August. It's me, DH, and 3-year-old DS. We will go to MK twice, AK and DHS once, and not sure about Epcot (DH is not a big fan, although I am). I do need a good home base b/c DS needs his rest time/pool mid-day.

We went to Disney for the first time 2 summers ago, and loved the comfort and convenience of staying at the Polynesian, but that hotel was a gift to us, and we can't afford it this time around. After researching these boards and all the moderate hotels, I was planning on staying at POFQ. I kept hearing about Swan/Dolphin, but they confuse me, so I didn't consider them. Through more reading though, I realized they are Starwood properties.

Including taxes, the resort fee, and Disney park tickets, I would save over $600 by booking at Swan or Dolphin. But I'd have to pay OOP for transportation from airport, and food. If you made it this far, any opinions on which to choose?

Of course, after the Polynesian, you are going to notice a big difference everywhere. Love both POFQ and the Swan/Dolphin area. But for a family with a little one needing a nap, I'd do POFQ. And a 3YO probably would like the pool better. Of course, a car for either property would be a better way of saving time and spending money than if you were thinking the Dining Plan.

 

[Jazzygirl72]

Thanks so much for the advice! I was able to find a shared Mears shuttle for really inexpensive r/t prices. I will have to poke around on here and see other people's experiences. But, Doug, as you said, for about $100, you get good service and timely transportation. Probably worth it.
Yes, sjh, the location is VERY appealing for us since we prefer to do the EMH in the evening. Hopefully I can decide in the next day or so. THen I can get to fun planning. Although I already have my ADR's so I'm good there. And if I don't have the DDP, I'm not locked into the TS ones...though we'll probably still go since we love the places I booked.