Room suggestions for Swan and/or Dolphin..........???

[bjack56]

Now that so many of you have convinced me the Swan/Dolphin is a great place to stay during my upcoming trip I would like some additional opinions.

For (2) adults:

Which hotel do you like better?

What or where are the best balconies and/or views in these hotels?

Suggestions on getting one of these balcony/view rooms cheap?

What is a must do for the wife & me during our stay?

Thanks

 

[bjack56]

Everybody must be at WDW

 

[swilphil]

For two adults I would stay at the Swan. Join Starwood Preferred Guest at www.spg.com for free, and ask for an upgrade to a water or resort view. If you want to pay more, you can get a view of Epcot.

 

[huey578]

When we stayed at the Dolphin, we had a corner balcony room facing DMGM

 

[bjack56]

Do both Swan & Dolphin have blaconies?
Are there significant differences in rooms between the 2 hotels?
Floor, wing or room number experiences?
Eat & play ideas for us BIG kids?

 

[twotoohappy]

play ideas for us BIG kids?

Definately walk over to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk at night. Doors open at 7pm and it's a lot of fun!
Be warned...... it's a very addictive place

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

Dolphin is the larger of the 2 resorts with 1,509 guest rooms. The rooms feature either one king-size bed or two double Heavenly Beds. While the Dolphin is located on Disney property, it is not operated by The Disney Company. The Dolphin is a Sheraton resort.

The Swan is smaller with 758 guest rooms. The rooms feature either one king-size bed or two queen Heavenly Beds. While the Swan is located on Disney property, it is not operated by The Disney Company. The Swan is a premiere Westin resort.

The Dolphin is located slightly closer to the Grotto pool area, while the Swan is slightly colser to the Boardwalk, however they are really both part of the same resort complex.

Personally, I think the Swan may be slightly more geared to adults white the Dolphin better suited for famlies, but the differences are objectionable.

I prefer the smaller Swan (not that 758 rooms is small by any means). When I stayed at the Dolphin I had to hoof-it down a neverending hallway to get to my room.

The lobby of the Dolphin is more impressive than the Swan, and Dolphin's Fresh Market and BlueZoo restaurants get great reviews. The two resorts are literally across a breezeway from each other so you can stay at the Swan, and walk over to the Dolphin to eat very easily.

 

[bjack56]

Thanks all...do both hotels have balconies?

 

[*Flower*]

Every room doesn't have a balcony, but there are a decent amount at both that do.

Of course you get what you pay for, and a balcony is an 'extra'.

That's where the SPG program comes in (with luck). Even if you're a brand new member- they usually try to get you some sort of an upgrade.

We'll be at the Swan tomorrow (the good Lord and gas supply willing), and plan on a quiet weekend.

Our employer is matching any Hurricane Katrina contributions, and we'll be donating to that too- even though we're going away for Labor Day.

Good Luck!

 

[xmelissax]

We are going to the Dolphin in Jan. (we're a couple as well) and from what I gather the resort view rooms with the balconies are the best. We are using our starwood points to get the hotel room for free and we're getting as resort view room no balcony, but if you can get a balcony I would suggest it. The pictures I've seen of the balcony views are beautiful!

 

[missstcroix]

I am a Swan/Dolphin freak...love them both, and agree with the above poster. I prefer the "smallness" of the Swan...and the rooms with balconies are AWESOME. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the Epcot fireworks from your balcony, that is great! Have ordered room service and just sat out there and loved it! I will be there in Sept. and I am trying to get a Ground floor Dolphin room this time so the kiddies can go right out to the lake and look for lizards. Swan Buffet breakfast is superb..especially on the weekends. They also have character dinners nightly...a great place to catch the characters since it is not nearly as chaotic as the "chef mickey" type places. BlueZoo getting FAB reviews..I havent been there yet, but Palio is a great (expensive) italian restaurant for just adults in the Swan. Also a Sushi place in Swan that hubby loves. Ice cream parlor is in the Dolphin, as is the beauty salon and laundromat. (all first floor). The "cafeteria" style restaurant is in the Dolphin. They sell refillable mugs there for your soda or coffee during your stay. Take advantage of the boardwalk atmosphere....take a walk after dinner...the boardwalk circles right around and returns to the Swan/Dolphin. There is street type entertainment, games, even dance clubs and a dueling piano club there. You can ride the boat to MGM or Epcot, or can walk to either. Swan/Dolphin is a fabulous atmosphere in a fabulous location. The landscape is gorgeous...palm trees and flowers...and hammocks on the beach. Very great resort. FYI for those with kids...bring your kids Straight A report cards and your kids get a very cool swan/dolphin straight A club baseball hat, and vouchers for free ice cream and other goodies! HAVE FUN!