Port Orleans or Swan

[pjsmice]

I have a chance at paying the same price for the Swan as I would pay for POF because of the Entertainment book discount. I was quoted a price of 194.00 a night for the Swan. On Disneys site the price for POF was 199.00 per night. This is for the middle of March. Which resort however is better? I've seen alot of different reviews for both. Thanks, Sharon

 

[ADisneygirl]

No question ~ go for the deluxe. Full service restaurants within the hotel. Room service. Valet parking. Plus the location of the Swan is wonderful. A short walk to Epcot, or a longer walk to MGM. Or take a Friendship boat if you don't want to walk. There are all the activities that go on around the Boardwalk at night. ESPN is there, and it is one of my boys favorite stops to eat at. The Swan has queen size beds (as all deluxes do), and they are the heavenly beds. Best night's sleep I've ever had. When are you going? The Swan/Dolphin sometimes offer even greater deals, like the $139 a night special they had recently. Or sometimes you can get a discount if you are a teacher, or a govt. employee.

The Epcot area is my family's favorite area to stay in.

 

[Blondie]

Swan would be my choice!

 

[MickeyP]

The Swan!

 

[Tiffany]

I have a chance at paying the same price for the Swan as I would pay for POF because of the Entertainment book discount. I was quoted a price of 194.00 a night for the Swan. On Disneys site the price for POF was 199.00 per night. This is for the middle of March. Which resort however is better? I've seen alot of different reviews for both. Thanks, Sharon

No question about it stay at the Swan. While we enjoyed our stay at POR it is not worth $199 a night. That is a great rate for the Swan. Go and enjoy.

 

[teacher31]

But do you get early entry with Swan?

 

[Tiffany]

But do you get early entry with Swan?

Yes. You have access to EMH, package delivery back to your resort and use of the resort buses and boats. The only differance is that you cannot use your room key to charge items to your room outside of the S/D complex. Other than that everything is the same.

 

[zmirby]

can you get the dining package at the swan or dolphin?

 

[Tiffany]

can you get the dining package at the swan or dolphin?

I do not believe so. We are AP holders and have the DDE card so that is something I really do not pay that much attention to.

 

[swilphil]

You can not get the dining package at the Swan, but it is definitely a much nicer resort and if you are going during Spring Break you will appreciate the location. You'll be able to walk or boat to Epcot and MGM. Bus service to MK is also very good at the Swan.

 

[groomtb]

Is Swan busy during mid March? Will there be much spring break crowd around the park in general?

 

[MickeyP]

Are you kidding?

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Just got back from the Swan. Sorry, putting on flame suit, but it was GROSS!!!!

I may be picky, but I don't think a deluxe hotel should have scuff marks EVERYWHERE. Paint was peeling off of the check-in counter. Our bathroom floor tile (we had two rooms) was BLACK in some spots and beige in others. We had the plastic thingy that goes on the corners of walls (words escape me right now) falling off in several places in both rooms.

WORST OF ALL: we could NEVER see out our windows because no matter what we did with the air, the windows were ALWAYS fogged up. So much for the view. The room was incredibly steamy no matter what we set the temp to. I mean it was SO steamy that a damp sweatshirt I hung up on arrival stayed damp until our departure after two nights. It NEVER dried.

The walk to Epcot and MGM was great, but we should have stayed at the VWL our entire stay.

I know there are huge fans of the Swan on this board, and I mean no offense to them, but I've stayed in deluxe resorts before, and I wouldn't pay a dime over $59 a night for the Swan. No, take that back. I'd NEVER stay there again. I was SO thrilled to leave there this morning.


Also, in spite of what many say, I did feel it was lacking the "Disney feel" I felt at VWL and even Pop. My dh HATED Pop, but after the Swan, he'd said he'd stay there in a heartbeat over the Swan. (Bear in mind that the decor was decidedly dated in our taste.)


Sorry, JMO.

Shel

 

[DisneyFans4]

Shel-

Sorry to hear about your recent stay. Why didn't you ask for another room? I'm sure they would have given you another room.

I've never had problems like you mentioned and my rooms have always been emaculately clean and I'M very picky.

 

[roozlilone]

Just got back from the Swan. Sorry, putting on flame suit, but it was GROSS!!!!

I may be picky, but I don't think a deluxe hotel should have scuff marks EVERYWHERE. Paint was peeling off of the check-in counter. Our bathroom floor tile (we had two rooms) was BLACK in some spots and beige in others. We had the plastic thingy that goes on the corners of walls (words escape me right now) falling off in several places in both rooms.

WORST OF ALL: we could NEVER see out our windows because no matter what we did with the air, the windows were ALWAYS fogged up. So much for the view. The room was incredibly steamy no matter what we set the temp to. I mean it was SO steamy that a damp sweatshirt I hung up on arrival stayed damp until our departure after two nights. It NEVER dried.

The walk to Epcot and MGM was great, but we should have stayed at the VWL our entire stay.

I know there are huge fans of the Swan on this board, and I mean no offense to them, but I've stayed in deluxe resorts before, and I wouldn't pay a dime over $59 a night for the Swan. No, take that back. I'd NEVER stay there again. I was SO thrilled to leave there this morning.


Also, in spite of what many say, I did feel it was lacking the "Disney feel" I felt at VWL and even Pop. My dh HATED Pop, but after the Swan, he'd said he'd stay there in a heartbeat over the Swan. (Bear in mind that the decor was decidedly dated in our taste.)


Sorry, JMO.

Shel

I really wonder if the problems stated are isolated to the swan. We just got back from the Dolphin and had a spotless room in everyway! I'm extremely picky when it comes to my rooms and was very impressed with the condition of the entire hotel. I just wonder if the whole "mold" issue and other room problems are really just with the swan. As far as between the Port Orleans or the Swan (I can't speak for the swan because I haven't stayed there) but I would definitely pick the Dolphin over PO. Really, there is no comparison. The S/D is a deluxe hotel in every way the PO is just moderate.

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Shel-

Sorry to hear about your recent stay. Why didn't you ask for another room? I'm sure they would have given you another room.

I've never had problems like you mentioned and my rooms have always been emaculately clean and I'M very picky.

Because we got in late with small kids who were already asleep.

I also believe strongly that one should NEVER have to ask for another room. It is for some a great inconvenience and frankly, a hotel should be consistent enough for one to not have to room hop.

Has no one else noticed the scuff marks over the entire hotel? Elevators? Check in? The place needs a wipe down!

Shel

 

[maine_jennifer]

It's hard to say what you should choose because experiences vary so greatly! In October, I had a less than wonderful stay at the Dolphin on my last trip. OK, I admit it, after getting to my room, I had a mini meltdown. Even after sharing my dissastisfaction, my new room wasn't much better. I probably won't go to the Dolphin again if I can stay elsewhere, but it wasn't so bad that I feel I will never go back. Might try the Swan instead. Anyway, my point is, two people can stay at the same resort at the same time and have completely opposite experiences.

Which do you REALLY want to stay at? Which appeals to you the most and will fit the needs of your trip?

Good luck and whatever you choose, have a great trip.

 

[NancyIL]

Just got back from the Swan. Sorry, putting on flame suit, but it was GROSS!!!!

I may be picky, but I don't think a deluxe hotel should have scuff marks EVERYWHERE. Paint was peeling off of the check-in counter. Our bathroom floor tile (we had two rooms) was BLACK in some spots and beige in others. We had the plastic thingy that goes on the corners of walls (words escape me right now) falling off in several places in both rooms.

WORST OF ALL: we could NEVER see out our windows because no matter what we did with the air, the windows were ALWAYS fogged up. So much for the view. The room was incredibly steamy no matter what we set the temp to. I mean it was SO steamy that a damp sweatshirt I hung up on arrival stayed damp until our departure after two nights. It NEVER dried.

The walk to Epcot and MGM was great, but we should have stayed at the VWL our entire stay.

I know there are huge fans of the Swan on this board, and I mean no offense to them, but I've stayed in deluxe resorts before, and I wouldn't pay a dime over $59 a night for the Swan. No, take that back. I'd NEVER stay there again. I was SO thrilled to leave there this morning.


Also, in spite of what many say, I did feel it was lacking the "Disney feel" I felt at VWL and even Pop. My dh HATED Pop, but after the Swan, he'd said he'd stay there in a heartbeat over the Swan. (Bear in mind that the decor was decidedly dated in our taste.)


Sorry, JMO.

Shel

I stayed 8 nights at the Swan in October when it was hot and humid, and never had "steam" problems like you described. As for scuff marks in public areas - I suspect you'd find them elsewhere besides the Swan. And "dated" decor? Sheesh!!!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

. I just wonder if the whole "mold" issue and other room problems are really just with the swan.

I've been to the Swan twice now and have NEVER had this issue. I'm picky with my room and during my stays the Swan has been spotless and my room emaculately clean. If, however, I ever encountered such a room I would have requested to be moved.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I would definitely pick the Swan/Dolphin over the PO resorts for the same price. I don't think I'd ever stay at a moderate for $199/night!

It took me a while to decide to try the Dolphin, due to our worry that it wouldn't be "Disney" enough. But, I have to say, we loved it this past summer, and will definitely stay there again. The heavenly beds are just that - heavenly! Services and restaurants were very good, and the access to the Epcot/MGM area was fantastic.

As far as having problems with your room, we found the Dolphin staff to be very responsive to helping correct any problem. Even more so than - and I really hate to say it! - Disney cm's.