pros/cons of Swan / Dolphin vs. BC / YC

[Kajunswty]

I am seeing alot of people get the swan/dolphin thru hotwire and wondering if it is worth trying to convince my DH to go with a Starwood hotel since we are members. Can anyone help me out? How is the proximity to MGM and Epcot? What about transportation and restaurants? This would be our 1st time onsite so would it be worth it to give up mousekeeping????

 

[cmatt]

or a bus any where, I think u can bus or walk to MGM right across the street or pretty close maybe even a boat

cmatt going Sunday to wdw

 

[#1hockeymom]

My room overlooked the boardwalk, beyond that bc/yc/ and beyond that the Epcot ball. Boats take you to Epcot and MGM (same with bc/yc), or you can walk to either. Disney bus transportation takes you everywhere else. Mousekeeping=housekeeping so I am not sure what you mean by giving up Mousekeeping. I didn't have mickey soaps or little bottles of shampoo, but we preferred the oatmeal soap and the facial soap to those items. Even ds10 preferred the oatmeal soap!

I am very impressed by the people who have taken the plunge with hotwire and have gotten the hotel they hoped to get. That is just too scary for me! I am always afraid I will get a hotel in DTD which is where I don't want to be. It is onsite or nothing for us! I will use the AP or the teacher rate, and while I'll be paying more, I won't be stressing out over what hotel might pop up! I am watching those threads though, very closely, and maybe I will get the courage to try out Priceline or Hotwire in the future.

You're going to love being on site, whatever your decision is! I can't imagine visiting Disney and being off site ever again.

Debbie

 

[Kajunswty]

hi, Debbie ~

What I meant by mousekeeping was towel animals and that xtra magic that I hear about. Do you get that little extra from the service at the Swan / Dolphin? Or is the staff just ho hum?? I guess that is what I meant.

Even though we have never stayed onsite we saw a huge difference in the cruise lines. Disney CM's on the Magic were truly wonderful and made everything magical. I didn't realize how great they were until my recent CCL cruise and it was hard not to compare. So, I'd like to have some of that magic on land

Sounds like I am talking myself into BC doesn't it?...lol Anyway, thanks for the reply's and if anyone else would like to add their 2 cents that would be great too!

 

[Mouseteacher]

The CMs at the S/D are wonderful but no towel animals. I have read other threads that getting towel animals seems to be hit or miss. It doesn't seem to be "standard operational procedure" at the resorts as it may have been on the cruise. Just musing.

 

[YankeeFan51]

How long a walk is it to MGM and to Epcot?

 

[NHAnn]

From the bridge leading from S/D to Boardwalk, it takes us 5-10 minutes to walk to Epcot, and a few more than that to MGM. (adults/teens)

 

[Mom2aPrincess]

Hi!
We took our first family trip to Disney in Oct. '02. I bought an annual pass to get a good rate at BC-$220. We had a wonderful stay. We were only steps from the boardwalk and Epcot. The SAB pool slide was a little too much for our 5yr old daughter and we never got any towel animals. We had such a great time staying at the Epcot area. After reading these boards, we booked the Dolphin on Hotwire in March for $87. For our family, the Dolphin was so much better. They have a 24 hour cafeteria-Tubbi's with wonderful pizza. The pools were great. Our daughter actually preferred the pool at the Dolphin. She loved the slide and it was a lot less crowded. We were Starwood members and got a 4pm checkout. We are planning another trip to the Swan or Dolphin this Fall and can't wait. I am sure whatever you decide you will have a great stay in the Epcot area.

 

[YankeeFan51]

Thanks NHAnn. I know the walk to Epcot must be a very nice one (along the BW, etc.), but how about the walk to MGM--do you have to cross any main roads? (By the way, I went to BU!)

 

[Mouseteacher]

YankeeFan51 ~ (Red Sox fan here) The walk to MGM is about 15-20 minutes depending on how fast you walk. The walkway is over the bridge from the Swan and behind the Boardwalk Inn and it goes along the canal that the boats take to MGM.

 

[DWDreams]

We've stayed at both for 10 days each, the BC last August and the Dolphin the August before that. I'd recommend either to be honest, I guess it all depends on what preferences are and whichever is the best price, if that's a consideration.

Both are equally nice for location, the Dolphin being in better proximity to MGM and BC being in better proximity to Epcot. Both are ideal for all, however, since we walked to Epcot easily while staying at the Dolphin and also walked to MGM easily while staying at the BC. We like to walk, but obviously each has the boat transportation as well and it really is fantastic.

As for amenities, both hotels offer wonderful pools and all the services one would expect in a deluxe category hotel. The service is likely hit or miss as I've read both positive and negative reviews of just about everything at either of these hotels. While at the Dolphin, the room itself was a bit frayed and worn, but the housekeeper was wonderful and things were kept very clean. Every night she always arranged my daughter's animals in funny poses and really went all out. At the BC, however, the room itself didn't really look worn, but it wasn't fully cleaned when we checked in and we really only got what needed to be done at minimum throughout our stay.

That all said, I love both and would recommend either since you really can't go wrong with either one. My only advice is that if you can get a better deal at one over the other, and the money really is a consideration, then go with what works and don't sweat it!

Good luck!