Split Stay Between CBR & Swan???

[Terk-1]

Ok. I'm thinking of splitting my upcoming stay to WDW between Caribbean Beach & the Swan (w/AP rate). How is this resort? If I get a water view room, which way is that facing (EPCOT or MGM)? How is the transportation? Is it worth the extra $$? Can anyone recommend a specific floor or room? Does it cost more for a king-size bed? Do all the rooms have balcony's? How far of a walk is it to EPCOT & MGM?

 

[Terk-1]

Can anyone help me?

 

[hookedup]

I just returned from the Swan and GF split stay. It was my first time at the Swan. I really liked it and although I love the GF I would have stayed at the Swan the whole trip had I known ahead of time how much I was going to love it. If you can stay there the whole trip I would do it. I split my stay between CBR and GF last year FYI.

There are king bed rooms - they do not cost more - if there is one in the category rate you are booking available then you can book it. You will get views of the boardwalk or MGM areas or toward Epcot. All are great views. The rooms are nice. High speed internet is free (well part of the $10 a day resort charge) the beds are GREAT! The whole place is really a great deluxe resort. There are 12 floors but the 11 and 12th floors are for Club Level guests. The walk to Epcot MGM is around 15-20 mins and they have boat service right at the Swan for both parks, bus service for all the others which we found to be just fine too. You and also easily stroll over to the Boardwalk area which is fun to check out too - it's right over the bridge from the Swan.

If you are planning to stay there I suggest you join the Starwood Preferred Guest program (spg.com) it's free and you qualify for free upgrades and can earn points on your stay.
I suggest you read the Swan/Dolphin questions and tips thread on this board for more info.
Hope this helps.

 

[Terk-1]

Ok. I booked the Swan for 1/2 the stay, but am wondering if I should still split it with the Caribbean Beach or just stay there the whole week. It's going to be a little more than what I was planning on spending for a room, but I'm wondering if it's worth taking the time to split the resorts. I know you can have luggage sent from one Disney resort to another, but can you have it sent from this resort to a Disney one? Does Mears go to the Swan & Dolphin? Finally, am I going to lose the "Disney" feeling like you get staying at a Disney resort.

 

[daannzzz]

Splitting the stay is something I always do. It makes for a new adventure part way through the vacation and can save money by satying part of the time at a economy or moderate resort. If both of these resorts appeal to you and you don't mind the move you should give it a try. For me the move is easy. There are not a lot of people and no kids involved.
I have not stayed at the Swan but at the Dolphin and CBR. Both are great places. You room will be very close in size with the CBR having exterior corridors so it may feel a bit larger. I would assume that the water view rooms at the Swan face Epcot, the Boardwalk, the Dolphin and the Fantasia Gardens. I don't think any face over to the Studios.
I never used the transport at the Dolphin but it is shsred between the Swan, Dolphin Boardwalk Inn and Villas and Yacht and Beach Club. I have read it can get crowded. It is very worth it if you have gotten a good deal and still nice for full price.

 

[swilphil]

It's about a 5-10 minute walk to Epcot from the Swan, and I think 15-20 to MGM. I just took the boat to MGM. There's also a boat to Epcot. We love the Swan/Dolphin. I would stay there the whole trip if I were you. The grotto pool is great and you're right next to the Boardwalk. There's so much to do!

I'm actually surprised that you are paying more for the Swan. They have so many special deals. You might want to look into Dreams Unlimited if you can't use the $139/night AP rate.

 

[kda]

Perhaps I missed it, but I don't think anyone answered your balcony question. Many rooms DO NOT have balconies, so if that's important, request it (depending on it if's included in your rate category). Standard view rooms would not generally include a balcony, but Swan and Dolphin both seem to give upgrades a little more often than the Disney resorts. That's where the SPG card may be helpful.
Hope you have a wonderful stay. We like this resort a lot. The Epcot area is great!

 

[Terk-1]

I got the AAA rate for CBR, which is I think $118 w/tax and the AP rate at the Swan for $165 w/tax & resort fee. I booked it under a standard king bed room, but was upgraded to water view room. I asked about the resort fee and she listed what it included. Since I would not be using any of those features, I asked about it being waived and she told me that you have to pay the fee whether you use it or not. I read on another post that you can ask for this fee to be waived. Has anyone had success with this?

 

[swilphil]

From reading posts, it sounds like they used to waive the resort fee, but in the last several months they have been making everyone pay the fee. I still think it's worth it with the AP price. It sounds like staying at the CBR for part of your trip will work well for you. Make sure you save your Epcot/MGM/Boardwalk days for when you will be at the Swan.

 

[Terk-1]

I asked about the chance of waiving the fee, but the woman on the phone said no. I'll try again at check-in. I still can't decide about splitting the stay or just staying the whole time at the Swan.

Also, is there a big difference between the Swan and the Dolphin? Is one better than the other? How are the views from each? When they say water view, does that mean it would face either EPCOT or MGM?