Port Orleans or The Swan (Opinions needed-Please)

[jodistar]

I am posting this as more of a poll than anything else. Me and my DF are thinking about next year's honeymoon at Disney. At first I thought I would like to stay at the Port Orleans Riverside but now, I am kind of thinking I'd like to stay at the Swan. Can all of you please give reviews?

The reason I like Port Orleans is the general layout and it seems a little more romantic and out of the way....but now I am thinking it would be nice to stay at The Swan because it is close to Epcot, MGM and it is also kind of close to the Magic Kingdom, if you go through Epcot and take the monorail. My one thing is though with the Swan because it is not a Disney hotel it won't have the Disney feel (I hope that makes sense). I mean it is not going to have hidden Mickeys and they don't have the Disney breakfast things like the Mickey waffles....It is still as "Magical."

Another reason that we are thinking The Swan is because there is a gym, plus I could get a really good discount through AAA.

Opinions needed please.

 

[Tinkerbell04]

Having stayed at both, you are not going to go wrong at wither one...but I like the location of the Swan much better. I am a teacher, so with the teacher discount, it is not much more than the moderates and I love being that close to MGM, Epcot, BW and the BC.

 

[opal]

I've stayed at both. The Swan would be my pick. The location is great and the beds are wonderful!!

 

[mouseRD]

If you stay at the Swan, you can also use all of the facilities at the Dolphin. This was a big draw for my DH who also likes to go to the gym & the one at the Dolphin was larger & better equipped for his needs.

P.S. We loved the Swan! Be sure to tell them if it is a special occasion. You never know what they might be able to do for you!

 

[wld]

We stayed at both in the same year. In May DH and I stayed at the Swan. The service is the best I have ever encountered with the friendliest staff right down to the guy cleaning the bus stop. I absolutely loved the location with Epcot and MGM within walking distance. I found it very "magical" especially those beds..We got upgraded to a king room with a balcony.

We went back with our teenagery daughters to Port Orleans and stayed in the Mansions. These are very nice as well, but after walking around I think I would have liked the Bayou better. We ran into a couple of great staff members, the rest just soso.
I too agree you would be happy either way, but if it were me I would stay at the Swan. It has a more intimate feel.

 

[Blondie]

Definitley the Swan (or Dolphin!)

 

[snoopy5386]

I am going to disagree with everyone else.....
Last year I was in the same exact place as you, and I chose the swan and it just wasn't magical to me.....I can't really explain it....it just didn't feel "disney". It was a beautiful hotel and we had a nice room at a great rate, and the beds were nice. This year we stayed at the Beach & Yacht Club and what a difference! Hidden Mickeys everywhere, the lifeguards (and everyone else) with their CM name tags, mickey soap, it really felt different. I count the BC/YC trip as my first "on-property" stay. If I had to pick again, I would pick POR.

 

[swilphil]

I have stayed at the Swan and the Dolphin. Disney is all around with the Epcot ball, Tower of Tower and Boardwalk all within viewing distance. I found the Dolphin lobby to be a very magical place. I guess if money were no object, I would stay at a Disney Deluxe resort (YC, BWI or GF) over the Swan or Dolphin, but if it's between a Disney moderate and S/D? No question, Swan/Dolphin wins hands down. It is a deluxe resort and you will love the heavenly beds! The staff at the Swan also will bend over backwards to make your stay extra special. Enjoy!

 

[jodistar]

Thank you everyone for responding. I do have one more question though.

When you stay at the Disney Resort and you buy things through the day you have the benefit to send the packages back to your room, do they extend that benefit at the D/S too eventhough it is not an Disney Resort?

 

[palmtreegirl]

From All ears- http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_swan.htm

Guests at the Swan enjoy many of the same amenities as Disney operated resort guests. A stay at the Swan includes WDW transportation to all Disney attractions, free parking, guaranteed park admission, package delivery to your hotel from the parks, same day dining reservations, preferred tee times, and access to guest services. Also, Ultimate Park Hopper Passes can be purchased by Swan guests.


However, unlike other Disney resorts, charging privileges don't extend beyond the Swan and Dolphin. All purchases and dining expenses at both the Swan and the Dolphin, can be charged to your pre-arranged account.

We have stayed at both resorts and I say go for the Swan! The location is wonderful(so are the heavenly beds!) and the grounds are really beautiful and romantic to walk around at night. They have hammocks on the beach, a really big pool with a huge waterfall and a seperate lap pool. You can stroll over to the Boardwalk and get dinner, go to Jelly Rolls, rent a surrey bike or even take a walk around the whole lake, it's so beautiful! There are so many great restaurants at the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach resorts also, plus Epcot is only a boat ride away. The boats to Epcot and MGM are really great & you can even walk to both parks.

 

[Tigger Woods]

If you enjoy people shuffling by and occasionaly peeking into your room when the drapes are open (due to the outside corridors), choose Port Orleans.

 

[jodistar]

Originally posted by Tinkerbell04
Having stayed at both, you are not going to go wrong at wither one...but I like the location of the Swan much better. I am a teacher, so with the teacher discount, it is not much more than the moderates and I love being that close to MGM, Epcot, BW and the BC.

I heard the AAA discounts are really good too that is what is attracting to maybe stay at the Swan-how nice would it be to stay at one of the higher priced hotels for the price of the moderate?