Shared Resort bus with Swan/Dolphin?

[global_mom]

Does anyone know if there is a WDW resort that shares buses with Swan/Dolphin so that you go directly from one resort to the other?

DH and I will be at WDW in Feb. for a convention and would like to fly down to Orlando. DH would need to get to the Swan/Dolphin each day to catch the shuttle bus to the convention at the Gaylord Palms. This will only work for us if he can get directly to the S/D and not have to change buses multiple times. If he cant get to S/D from another WDW resort then we will just drive down and he will have the car to go over to Gaylord. We are driving to Orlando 4 times in the next 6 months (from North GA) so it would be nice to fly just one time!

We dont want to stay at the Gaylord this year as I spend a large part of each day by myself while DH is in classes. Since we have annual passes, I would like to spend my days checking out the parks on my own.

Help!! TIA!!!

 

[Quinn222]

Where are you staying? The only resorts with direct access to the Swolphin are the other Epcot resorts, Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club.

 

[goofy4tink]

Why not stay at the Swan or Dolphin? Otherwise, you aren't going to find a resort that has a bus to S/D. YOu can walk there from BW, YC/BC. And POP is right down the road, about a 6 min drive. But, if you stay at, say, POR, you would have to take a bus to a park, then transfer to the S/D/BW bus from that park, and that could take upwards of an hour. I would try to get a good rate on the S/D, then dh could just catch his shuttle bus right there, and you could have the WDW buses to get you to all the parks.
Or, fly down, and rent a car for your dh so he can get to and from his convention, and you can head to the parks on a bus.

 

[swilphil]

Sometimes the Beach Club/Yacht Club and Boardwalk busses go to the Swan/Dolphin, but some times they don't. The good news is it's an easy walk from the Boardwalk bus stop to the Swan. You just go down the stairs and go over the bridge from the Boardwalk to the Swan.

I also would recommend staying at the Swan or Dolphin.

I don't really understand how you will get from one WDW resort to the Boardwalk if you don't go to a park first. S/D are great resorts. Definitely stay there. You will have easy access to all the WDW parks.

 

[global_mom]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like it would be hit or miss to get a bus to go direct from Boardwalk/BC/YC to get to S/D.

Here is the crazy story of why we were not going to stay at the S/D....I travel to WDW as part of my job but have never been able to stay at CBR or POFQ or CSR b/c we always travel with our kids making us a party of 5. The S/D is an official hotel of this huge convention so I can not get the rate that I would normally receive. Anyway, we thought this would be a good chance to try a resort that we would not normally be able to try. It sounds like we will just need to go ahead and rent a car so that DH can get where he needs to go w/o spending half the day trying to get there.

So here is part 2 of my question.....since I will be alone most of each day would you choose CBR, POFQ or CSR? DH would have the car if we rent one. Thoughts???

Thanks!

 

[Tiffany]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like it would be hit or miss to get a bus to go direct from Boardwalk/BC/YC to get to S/D.

Here is the crazy story of why we were not going to stay at the S/D....I travel to WDW as part of my job but have never been able to stay at CBR or POFQ or CSR b/c we always travel with our kids making us a party of 5. The S/D is an official hotel of this huge convention so I can not get the rate that I would normally receive. Anyway, we thought this would be a good chance to try a resort that we would not normally be able to try. It sounds like we will just need to go ahead and rent a car so that DH can get where he needs to go w/o spending half the day trying to get there.

So here is part 2 of my question.....since I will be alone most of each day would you choose CBR, POFQ or CSR? DH would have the car if we rent one. Thoughts???

Thanks!

Hi, Here is my take on your situation. Your husband is attending a convention that has activities off of WDW property but the S/D are official convention hotels so they are offering transportation to the off WDW property convention events? I would say stay at the S/D this way your husband is at an official convention hotel and will have transportation to convention events and you will be in the middle of the action. You can walk to EC or the ST and you have access to the YC/BC and BWI as well as everything at the S/D itself.

 

[global_mom]

Hi, Here is my take on your situation. Your husband is attending a convention that has activities off of WDW property but the S/D are official convention hotels so they are offering transportation to the off WDW property convention events? I would say stay at the S/D this way your husband is at an official convention hotel and will have transportation to convention events and you will be in the middle of the action. You can walk to EC or the ST and you have access to the YC/BC and BWI as well as everything at the S/D itself.

Thanks Tiffany! I am still having a hard time making myself pay the convention rate at S/D since we have multiple other trips to WDW is the next 6 months. Trying to conserve a few funds.

Of course the whole issue will be moot if Delta does not post better flight prices than $618 per person out of Atlanta. If the flights stay that high then we will plan to drive anyway.

 

[Tiffany]

Thanks Tiffany! I am still having a hard time making myself pay the convention rate at S/D since we have multiple other trips to WDW is the next 6 months. Trying to conserve a few funds.

Of course the whole issue will be moot if Delta does not post better flight prices than $618 per person out of Atlanta. If the flights stay that high then we will plan to drive anyway.

Well, good luck with the airfare prices. If the convention rate is less then $200 to $225 a night inc. taxes that is a great rate for the S/D. But I know that does not mean it would still be within your budget. Good luck on getting everything lined up.

 

[tjmw2727]

If you can swing it I would definately stay at the S/D instead of a moderate. Your DH will be where he needs to be and you will be in walking distance of two parks plus the boardwalk and IMHO the pool area is one of the best on property. I tagged along with my DH on a convention a year ago Feb at the Dolphin and it was wonderful

If you do decide to go with a moderate DH could take a bus to MGM and walk to the Dolphin but this can take time and if he needs a very early arrival buses may not be running yet. Depending on the number of days he needs tranportation you could also just use cabs. I never rent a car at WDW but we do budget for a few cab rides for resort to resport or late night transportation. It usually runs about $12 - 15 plus trip within WDW proper so its cost effective for us. If you do rent a car remember that the Dolphin has a daily parking charge so if he needs to park at the Dolphin for the day it will cost $12.00.

Have fun
TJ