REVIEW - What you can expect - and what not to expect - when you stay at the Swan

[BluOrchid2]

What you can expect:

great, really great beds
great smelling oatmeal bath bar
coffee maker and fixins in the room

What not to expect:

hotel "character" or "theming"
feeling like you're staying "on site", or in a Disney Resort
amenities like a grill or laundry - those are over at the Dolphin

Our overall impression of the Swan hotel was that it was a nice place, but not for us. The rooms were clean. Bus service was adequate. Boat service was adequate. But we have always stayed at either the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge and felt the Swan was missing a lot of the character that those other resorts have.

And with two kids, one less than 3 yrs old, it was very inconvenient to have to run over to the Dolphin to get quick eats all the time. When you get back from the parks at 10:00 or later at night, you just want to get into those heavenly beds, not have to take the family upstairs to the room, get them semi-settled in, and have to go all the way down and outside across to the Dolphin to get milk and juice and rolls for morning. That is our routine; maybe the way you do things would be better suited for the Swan.

The laundry, arcade, and fitness center and buffeteria are all over at the Dolphin. We got the feeling from the Swan that it wasn't very kid-oriented. Might be a great place to stay if you're just going to Disney with your SO, and no kids.

But we won't stay there again. We really missed the feeling of being in a Disney resort. It just wasn't there.

 

[figment95]

DH and I felt that way when we stayed at the Dolphin. We thought it was a very nice hotel but it didn't feel like Disney.

 

[hockey mom]

I know what you mean, these two hotels just don't do it for me either. They both look very nice but I need that Disney feeling.

On another note did you take lots of pictures of your trip. Your pictures always turn out great and I would love to see some of the Christmas party.

 

[LvsTnk]

Thank You for your honest review

 

[faithinkarma]

I have to admit that since they were built I have always shuddered at the Swan and Dolphin. I always thought they were really ugly.

But this year I got a terrific AP rate there when Disney was dragging their heels giving one.

So we spent a part of our vacation at the Swan.

We were travelling as a couple, with no children, and the Swan suited us very well. Although I completely agree about the food situation.

We were bad, we ordered room service. The Swan is reputed to have the best room service anywhere on property. Sadly, I have nothing with which to compare it. This was definitely a splurge vacation for us.

Due to health problems this vacation was far less active than most, and we really enjoyed the in room movies available.

Not everyone's cup of tea, no doubt about it. But for this trip it suited our purpose.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the review.
Due to a great AP rate we will be spending 4 nights there in just 2 weeks. I enjoy hearing both the good and the bad so Ill know what to expect.

 

[wintermom]

I just wanted to add my comments too. We have DD (age 6 now) and love the swan! We had stayed at AKL and the Poly befor
but last year for the spring break the rates were too high at the
Disney resorts so I reluctantly tried the Swan with an entertainment club rate. We were upgraded to a lake view and our room was great!. The frig in the room was perfect to keep DD
juice and milk in (we just emptied out a few items from the mini
bar), the coffee maker was great and how we loved those heavenly beds! DD had a blast in the pool.

The location is also very nice. DD loved the boat rides to MGM and
Epcot and the bus service to MK was fine. The rooms are much larger than AKL and much newer than the Poly so there are some advantages. We are happly staying there again in a few weeks

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Wintermom

 

[CarolA]

Please be careful when taking items out of a mini bar. If the items are NOT there when the "checker" comes by, you can be charged. Mini bars are NOT normally checked by the maids so don't assume that the maid has been in and you are safe.

Also, some hotels have automatic charges. You lift up the item you get charged. So if you remove thier items you get charged. Generally you can get this fixed, but you have to stand in line at the front desk to do it! (I don't think the Swan/Dolphin have this, but some places do)

 

[Muffy]

We LOVE the Swan/Dolphin and will be returning to the dolphin for 15 nights right after Christmas. The location is in the center of everything! Close to Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM. The grotto pool is second to none. What could be more disney than standing on your balcony and seeing and hearing illuminations? I have stayed at many of the deluxes and 2 of the moderates. The CM's at the S/D seem to try a little harder. Can't wait to go back!

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by Muffy
We LOVE the Dolphin and will be returning for 15 nights right after Christmas. The location is in the center of everything! Close to Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM. The grotto pool is second to none. What could be more disney than standing on your balcony and seeing and hearing illuminations? I have stayed at many of the deluxes and 2 of the moderates. The CM's at the S/D seem to try a little harder. Can't wait to go back!

OP was referring to the Swan and the fact that she had to go over to the Dolphin for foodcourt/laundry/pool. I didn't realize this as well, good to know

 

[swilphil]

Keep in mind that the Dolphin is also owned by Starwood, and with the renovations has the same Heavenly Beds. I found the Dolphin lobby to be very magical and the rate was actually a little less than the Swan. I agree with Wintermom about the location. People with kids might want to stay at the Dolphin. We used the 24 hour food court some, but we had a cooler with snacks in our room, too.

 

[tjmw2727]

I feel very much the same as the op about the Swan but I have to chime in because.... I love the Dolphin. We love the boat transportation and the ability to walk to mgm and epcot (my dd's are 6 & 8). I agree the bus service is dissapointing so we try and avoid it, we even return from the MK via the monorail and walk through Epcot! Of course the bus is shared with BW and BC/YC so that's Disney's drop, IMHO.

The one trip we made to the Swan was very dissapointing, luckily it was only a 2 night trip (followed up by AKL concierge, wonderful!).

Unlike the Swan, the Dolphin has great fast food choices, close laundry, kids clubs and is closer to the pool and mini golf. We like the Dolphin Funtain and my girls like the tubbies more than the food courts at the resorts. They like the soup and "homemade" food choices as fast food burgers get old fast.

We just did a stay at the CBR and the CSR and for the money I would return to the Dolphin (but not the Swan) in a heartbeat. For the money, if you can get the great discounts, the Dolphin falls into the moderate category with deluxe amenities. At the Disney resorts I had to beg (literally at the Beach Club) and wait for a coffee maker and fridge - not so at the Dolphin.

I also like the fact that with the Dolphin they offer the AP discount year round and you don't have to jump through hoops or call on the right day for an ap discount.

So while I agree wholeheartedly with the OP and would not stay at the Swan again...to those on the fence don't rule out the Dolphin.

For me it has the benefits of a deluxe, location that can't be beat and the price of a "WDW moderate". Walking over to BC Cape May breakfast was a highlight for my kids.

As in any case, do the research in advance and find out if the resort you choose has the amenities you need. Walking to another resort for a late night snack is a drag . We have done it at the ASM and it may have been as far as Swan to Dolphin? Its even more of a pain for me as I often travel alone with my kids. Settling them in for the night and then getting something to eat is not an option for me!

So while my #1 favorite WDW resort is the Polynesian I can only afford to stay there with a terrific and timely AP discount. For all other vacations its the Dolphin for us.

Tj

 

[danalin]

Just an FYI The Swan does have it's own fitness center, arcade and quick food area (not 24 hour though) all located by their quiet pool(lap),Also the Fantasia miniature golf is closer from the Swan. We have stayed at both Swan and Disney resorts and Grand Floridian. Poly. and Swan are my favorites and you have to leave the building to get to any snack area from all of them so don't let that part discourage you from trying it!

 

[wld]

We stayed at the Swan because we had Starwood points and loved it. Glad to hear some of you don't, more room for us. (If I knew how to do the smiley face there would be a winking one here) Couldn't get in Jan 24-31.
We had the best service we have ever experienced in 10 or so trips onsite. And I still felt disney magic all around me.
We rarely eat at the hotel so didn't notice that problem and I will say we were traveling without kids.
But would go back in a minute, the hotel is beautiful, service fantastic and location can't be beat.

 

[Blondie]

We've really come to love the Dolphin, it's location and charming decor.

Sorry your stay didn't add up to what you expected, the good thing about staying on Disney property is that there is something for everyone!

 

[sherry8253]

My DH and I just returned from a 10 night stay at the Swan. I was prepared NOT to like the Swan because it would not have the Disney feeling. However, I was very much mistaken. I loved it and would go back. All I had to do was look out the window and see the tower of terror and there was no doubt I was at Disney. The beds are so comfy. We have a waterbed at home and this is the first vacation at Disney where my back didn't hurt every morning when I got up. We don't have kids so no food court was no problem for us since we don't usually eat in the food courts even when there is one in the hotel. We took advantage of eating several dinners in epcot since we were so close. When we stay at WL & AKL we only dine in epcot on the days that we are in that park. On this trip we spent the day in AKL but boated over to epcot for dinner. I give the Swan a thumbs up. I am sorry that you didnt feel the Disney magic during your trip but am glad that you and many others dont feel the Disney magic there before that keeps the room rates reasonable for people like me.

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by sherry8253
I am sorry that you didnt feel the Disney magic during your trip but am glad that you and many others dont feel the Disney magic there before that keeps the room rates reasonable for people like me.

Maybe we should start doing more posts about 'problems' at the S/D, so we keep those room rates down!

 

[Mouseteacher]

I second that motion, swilphil and sherry!

 

[jgates]

I know - send them to a Disney Resort - we want the rooms!!!

Seriously - that is why there is a variety of choices out there.

RE: Mini-Bar. You may have them clean out the fridge for a flat fee. Last time I was there it was $25 - this was fine for me for a 10 nite stay but the desk person said 'You don't want to pay that - just remove enough of the items to make room for what you need and put a note on the fridge. Keep the items on top or close so they can see they have not been used'.

I actually found the walk to Tubbi's quite pleasant. Made it feel more like we were 'going out' to dinner.

With views of either Boardwalk, ToT, Epcot ball, etc., most all rooms have a Disney feel to me. I don't care if Mickey calls me on the phone & instead of soaps we had a couple of those 'instant' washcloths that you put in the water and they open up for our treat.

Plus - I will agree. I thought they were the weirdest things on earth the first time I saw them. But up close and inside they are superb. Thank you again, SwanDolphin!

 

[InstImpres]

Who do you call for a Dolphin AP rate. I am thinking of staying there for 1 night in Feb. Do to a flight mix up we arrive 9:00pm Saturday instead of 10am Sunday. My BWV room would be 400+ for the night. I am thinking the Dolphin would be a good location as I could run to BWV at 7am and checkin while everyone is still dressing and could drop luggage and car. Then we can take a small bag with the stuff everyone still needed and head right for MGM as planned. We were going to do priceline for about $29-$40 and stay near the airport, but I think this might be better for 1 night.,

Thanks
Sandy