Should we stay at Swan and Dolphin?

[biggroofy]

We will do a split stay in GF and SSR, then head off to cruise. DW wants to stay in Orlando for a few more days before returning home. We browsed lots of off site hotels and had different opinions.

Now, it comes to a point that we are considering Swan & Dolphin. Can I have some comments from those who've stayed there before? Are they within walking distance to MGM & Epcot?

How about parking - I heard they charge for self-parking. Do I still get the parking permit for free parking in other WDW resorts and theme parks?

 

[LindaR]

We stayed at the Swan during Easter week (March 2007). Loved it. Walking to Epcot or MGM???? I'm not too sure about that. It CAN be done, but it is not set up to be walked! Very, very long walk. If you don't have a car, then I would use the transportation provided by the hotel. Yes, there is a fee to park at Swan/Dolphin per day......you can go in and out as much as you like. AND parking at the parks is still free when you stay Swan/Dolphin. I hope I helped!

 

[biggroofy]

We stayed at the Swan during Easter week (March 2007). Loved it. Walking to Epcot or MGM???? I'm not too sure about that. It CAN be done, but it is not set up to be walked! Very, very long walk. If you don't have a car, then I would use the transportation provided by the hotel. Yes, there is a fee to park at Swan/Dolphin per day......you can go in and out as much as you like. AND parking at the parks is still free when you stay Swan/Dolphin. I hope I helped!

Thanks LindaR

Is parking lot (self-parking) far away from the hotel? When we stayed in SSR/POFQ, we parked right behind our building. However, for other deluxe resorts, I knew that self-parking is quite far away from your room.

 

[tjmw2727]

We will do a split stay in GF and SSR, then head off to cruise. DW wants to stay in Orlando for a few more days before returning home. We browsed lots of off site hotels and had different opinions.

Now, it comes to a point that we are considering Swan & Dolphin. Can I have some comments from those who've stayed there before? Are they within walking distance to MGM & Epcot?

How about parking - I heard they charge for self-parking. Do I still get the parking permit for free parking in other WDW resorts and theme parks?

We LOVE the Dolphin and like the Swan The only WDW perks you won't get are the dining plan, ME and room charging privledges. You can use EMH, WDW transportation and package delivery from the parks.

I was just there last week and the charge to self park was 11 per day and the parking lot is fairly close to the building.

You can definately walk to both MGM and Epcot and there are nice walking paths to both. To Epcot you can head toward the BC/YC or Boardwalk, both pleasant 7-10 minute walks. To MGM you head toward the BW and then veer off along the lake to MGM, slightly longer than to Epcot but also a pleasant walk. FWIW my dd's have been walking both since they were 6/7ish without problem. You can also take the friendship boats from the Dolphin to both MGM and Epcot and of course bus service to AK and MK.

We love the pool area its our 2nd fav of all the WDW resorts, having so many great restaurants in walking distance is another plus for us.

TJ

 

[biggroofy]

We love the pool area its our 2nd fav of all the WDW resorts, having so many great restaurants in walking distance is another plus for us.

Thanks TJ How would you choose between Swan & Dolphin? DW and I are more towards Swan mainly because it offers two Queen beds (I think Dolphin offers two doubles). We have one 4-year-old girl and a 7-month-old baby.

Before heading off to Disney Cruise, can we store some of our luggages at Swan/Dolphin for a few days?

P.S. I have AAA membership as well as SPG. Will I get the possible SPG upgrade benefits if I booked under AAA special rate?

 

[tjmw2727]

Personally we like the Dolphin better because it has two quick serve restaurants and the sundries shop. My dd's are 9 and 11 and we have been staying at the Dolphin since they were toddlers. Picabu is a cafeteria style restaurant with great food, my kids love the soups and homemade pizza the best. The fountain is a soda shop style restaurant with ice cream, burgers and sandwiches. The Dolphin also has the arcade and inside picabu there is a small grocery area so you can grab food and beverages to go. We found it much more convenient with kids to be at the Dolphin. The Swan does have a very small area in the gift shop with soda but not much else other than the formal restaurants so you have to walk to the Dolphin for milk, snacks etc.

We have stayed at the Swan a couple times and honestly I didn't notice a difference in the bed sizes. I also find that since the Dolphin is bigger your chances for a balcony or and Epcot or MGM view are better.

AAA and SPG is a great way to go - and yes even with a AAA discount if a room upgrade is available you could get one. I am about 70/30 as far as upgrades with my SPG. Also check the SPG website as I think there is a promotion to upgrade your SPG to a higher level with an AAA membership.

TJ

eta- I don't know about the luggage but it can't hurt to call. I have always found the staff helpful so try the resort itself, good luck.

 

[Rhonda]

We love the S/D! The walk to Epcot or MGM is very nice, and usually faster than the boats!

Personally, we like the Dolphin a little better. But, one is not really "better" than the other - it's just personal preference with decor, etc. They both offer nice rooms, great service, and a perfect location!

DU offers some great rates with them! Here's a link: Swan/Dolphin reservations

 

[MickeyNicki]

Stayed at both Swan and Dolphin and loved it because of the beds and the location to 2 parks. I prefer Swan because it is much quieter than the Dolphin..which has a ton of conventions and can get super crowded

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks! We have booked Dolphin for March 2008!

Hopefully the renovation will not create noise issues by that time