S/D lovers help me decide

[mapmakerj]

We were planning on AKL for next Oct/Nov which we absolutely love, having stayed there last Dec. I have heard some good things about S/D and so for the heck of it started playing with the dates online and the difference in price with my AAA discount is more than enought to cover our park passes and MNSSHP tickets. I talked to DH and he also was pretty surprised at the savings. We have only stayed onsite last year at AKL and did tour some of the other resorts but none appealed to us the way AKL did. We have only seen S/D driving past in the car and on the net. Do you think we would like the S/D? I like the location and have heard about those "Heavenly" beds but do you think DS 6 would miss the "Disney Magic"?

 

[thymed]

So I will be interested to hear what the others have to say.
We have stayed at the Yacht Club twice, CBR once, POR 5 times and CSR once in the last three years. We will be switching to POR after Jan 1 because we love that resort for the ease of transportation and the rate. Of course we are passholders and the rate isn't too great now unless you plan far ahead which is not usually my style. Anyhow, we loved Yacht club but it's a lot of walking with a little one. I don't think you will miss any magic being at the Swan or Dolphin they are next door to Yacht club and you can take their boats to MGM, EPCOT and the Boardwalk. IF you have a balcony view you can see the fireworks at Epcot at least you can from the Yacht club.
Have a magical trip!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

You will absolutely NOT miss any of the magic! I love doing split stays and AKL and the S/D are my favorites for splitting as you can see from my signature. I love both locations for different reasons, and it is great sliding into a heavenly bed about the time my body is totally giving out!

 

[paults]

THE HEAVENLY BEDS at the Swan were the best. No magic missing IMHO. The grotto pool is really nice and your 6 yr old wil love it.

 

[LiteBrite]

The Dolphin felt pretty Disney-ish to me. They run the same WDW info channels on the tv, and the shop in the lobby was completely Disney themed. The only big difference in theming in the rooms was no Mickey soaps, etc. The location puts you right smack in the middle of all the Disney action, and the employees (guess we can't call them CMs, can we?) were fantastic - definitely up to Disney standards. I don't think you'll feel like you're missing the magic if you choose the Swan or Dolphin (although I'm also a big fan of the AKL!). You won't be able to charge stuff back to your room, however, like you can from a Disney hotel.

 

[Blondie]

We don't miss the Disney magic at all because it's still there!

Big Swan/Dolphin fans here. We love the location, the amenities, the Grotto Pool, etc. Their gift shops stock some of the same Disney merchandise you'll find at other WDW resort gift shops (with the exception of resort logo merchandise.) In fact, if you buy something in the park and decide it's the wrong item or size you can return/exchange it at the Dolphin or Swan's gift shop, my SIL did just that!

 

[mapmakerj]

Well I booked the Swan. I asked about Gov rate for municipal employees and they said yep. (DH is a Dept Mgr for a nearby city) We saved an additional $24 a nite from AAA. So our total savings from switching to the Swan from AKL sav. was well over $800! That is enough for park passes, MNSSHP tickets and dinner at Boma. Still a little sad about not staying at AKL, but for that difference I'll get over it.

 

[LiteBrite]

Oh my gosh, that's an amazing savings! You won't be sorry - I really think you're going to love it.

 

[Samsma]

Don't forget the oatmeal soap! My skin is very sensitive, and that is the only resort soap I can use. I didn't miss those Mickey soaps at all. Try to do a little research on room locations/requests. We requested the far east wing for the Illuminations view, but it was quite a hike from the elevators. We did have a wonderful waterview and could watch the fireworks from our Heavenly Bed!!!

Also, go to Starwood.com and join. It is free and you will have a better chance at an upgrade with membership. Just show your card at check-in, I believe they have a special check in for members also, not sure. We have a Starwood American Express also. You can build up points to use toward a free nights stay. Right now, I think a free night at the Swan or Dolphin is 10,000 points. We stayed for 3 nights for free back in Feb. 2004 and had a great time. Have fun!

 

[lifeasahampster]

Also, go to Starwood.com and join. It is free and you will have a better chance at an upgrade with membership. Just show your card at check-in, I believe they have a special check in for members also, not sure. We have a Starwood American Express also. You can build up points to use toward a free nights stay. Right now, I think a free night at the Swan or Dolphin is 10,000 points. We stayed for 3 nights for free back in Feb. 2004 and had a great time. Have fun!

How much money did you have to spend to get the 10,000 points? What is the dollars to points ratio? Did you ever get upgraded by being a SPG? Thanks!

 

[Samsma]

The ratio is 1/1. We spend a lot through our business and just pay it off every month. I also buy groceries, gas, etc. Plastic all the way. When I get my max. of Disney Visa Points I start on the Starwood again. As I said, we got three free nights, and I don't believe ours was a standard view room as we had a great view of EPCOT, YC & BC, and could watch the Friendships on the lake. I will try the Swan next time though, the Dolphin is very big.

 

[mapmakerj]

Don't forget the oatmeal soap! My skin is very sensitive, and that is the only resort soap I can use. I didn't miss those Mickey soaps at all. Try to do a little research on room locations/requests. We requested the far east wing for the Illuminations view, but it was quite a hike from the elevators. We did have a wonderful waterview and could watch the fireworks from our Heavenly Bed!!!

Also, go to Starwood.com and join. It is free and you will have a better chance at an upgrade with membership. Just show your card at check-in, I believe they have a special check in for members also, not sure. We have a Starwood American Express also. You can build up points to use toward a free nights stay. Right now, I think a free night at the Swan or Dolphin is 10,000 points. We stayed for 3 nights for free back in Feb. 2004 and had a great time. Have fun!

I did sign up for membership right before I booked. Thanks for the soap info. The mickey soaps are cute, but I only used them for little gifts for the kiddies back home. (I too have sensitive skin.)

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am a big S/D fan, and leaving in a few days to stay there again. I most often am at the Swan, a bit smaller than the Dolphin, though the Dolphin has a few more conveniences there (Tubbys, laundry). The location is tops, hard to beat, the beds, well, they are Heavenly. The grotto pool, though I really never have time to use, is breathtaking, has a beach, waterfalls, just beautiful. If you want to see some pictures, click on the resort link in my signature (lots of other resorts there too). Enjoy.

 

[mapmakerj]

Thanks for the link Dan. Your pictures were great. I am really starting to get excited about the Swan, especially the location since we will be there for F & W fest next year!

 

[Valentine]

Another S/D fan here... Since becoming a DVC member that is one of the only regrets I have.. that I won't be able to stay at the S/D that often anymore!! But I do plan on staying there on my high points days.. see a solution for every problem!! LOL!! Oh.. and for all of you needing a S/D soap fix... yardley makes the exact same soap.. Yes.. i was so addicted to the S/D soap that I started researching diligently.. and the Yardley Oatmeal Almond soap (in a brown and beige box) is exactly the same soap as S/D... AND i just found that they are making a lotion and a liquid soap also.. Yippppeee.. the smell takes me right back to Disney!! It's faboulous!!!!

Kathy

 

[swilphil]

You made a great choice with the Swan. It's my favorite, but I do like the lobby at the Dolphin.

Were you able to get a govt. discount WITH a AAA Discount on top of it? I always thought it was one or the other??

 

[Mommy Poppins]

I have the same question as above--did they stack the discounts for you?

 

[mapmakerj]

No, just the Gov't discount, which BTW was $165 nt. The AAA rate was $189 and their internet only rate was $209.00 so I am happy with the rate I got for an EPCOT area resort.