SSR vs Swan

[VickieMouse]

Update: our travel dates changed, and we are now looking at OKW or the Swan. I’m not sure if that changes anything.

What advantages does SSR have over the Swan? Which would you choose? Those are the only 2 resorts we are considering for this trip.

For reference, we are a group of 3. Two teens (14 and 18) and their mom. We will be going to each of the 4 parks one day and usually stay all day. And we will have 3-4 no park days so time to sit by the pool, sleep in, and just enjoy relaxing days doing whatever we feel up to. And we could have a car- would probably get one if staying at SSR but not at the Swan.

We have stayed at the Swan (as well as YC), and we love the location. We love the boardwalk, the food options, the convenience to get to EP, HS and the Skyliner. We also love that the main pool is open early. We thought the room and beds were comfortable. Drawbacks of the Swan are the long drive to DS and that resort fee. We do walk to Boardwalk to catch the bus to MK. We really loved the Swan, but we also like trying new things.

We are thinking of switching to SSR because we also love Disney Springs and we know the room (1 bedroom) would have more space and laundry. However, the drawbacks are it seems like it is a further drive from the parks, and takes away the convenience of walking/boating to 2 parks. I think I have also read that the main pools don’t open until 9 or 10. But there must be more positives/negatives I am overlooking.

I appreciate any thoughts.

 

[rangerxenos]

Are you Costco members? If you book the Swan through them, the resort fees are waived, and I believe parking is capped at 5 days.

 

[Anthony1971]

I have stayed at BW and SSR. BW is great if you don't mind the walk to EPCOT and HS there are plus and minus as again you are adding a few miles to your day for either park by walking which we don't mind but an all day park with no break might make me think twice. The bus to DS is fine from BW at least. To me resort days we end up in DS so.....
SSR is very easy to DS also if you stay in the right areas. I would suggest Paddock they have a pool with a decent slide, food and a view of fireworks in the distance. The bus and the Pool are a 3 minute walk from most buildings 5 from the further ones. The main building is maybe an 8 minute walk from there the boat to DS also another bus stop is very easy you can also walk but look at the map it will be around 15 minutes form that area. The parks HS and EPCOT are close the are under 10 minutes once on the bus. AK and MK are a little over 10 to me SSR, OKW, PO are the most central located resorts as they are very = in bus time. I can not say what time Disney pools open they have a schedule I do know the drink stations open 7AM The pools are open by 9AM but I believe earlier especially in the summer. Also a 1BR with a washer dryer and full kitchen I just have 0 way of comparing that to a room at the Swan so better left alone. If you were sending a lot of time at HS and EPCOT swan BW area is great choice otherwise there are better locations with a far more relaxing vibe and far more to offer with resort grounds and food.

 

[Marthasor]

I'm a big Swan fan and tried SSR (1-bedroom) for the first time this past April. The room was GORGEOUS - loved the space and having a washer/dryer. That being said, it was so far from the parks and, unless you are staying in the preferred section, you could be far away from everything. We ended up taking lyft/Minnie Vans most of the time (so spending even more money) because I couldn't deal with the buses there. Two of us also got lost walking around the resort. I suppose if you have a car, need a lot of space and/or spend a ton of time at DS, SSR would be a good option. I won't stay there again. I'm all about location and Swan provides that.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We usually end up in the same predicament and down the same resort decision rabbit hole, given swan/dolphin is such a great location and comparing it to other disney resorts that have little to no good transportation options is always tough. I like to try new resorts too but in the end, we usually end up back at S/D. The location, park transportation/walkability and price usually decide it for us. I have not yet stayed at SSR since I have a hard time justifying the cost to stay at such a large resort that is bus only to the parks. The rooms do look really nice but we're in the rooms so little, the space is not really an issue for us nor do I usually do laundry. I might if it's there but not a necessity.

We are doing POFQ on our next trip since it was a killer price and beat S/D this time so I'm more "okay" with bus only transport to the parks and it's more than likely we'll end up ubering/minnie van a few times too. If I had to pay more for bus only to all the parks, I'd be less inclined to stay. I've eaten and walked around SSR. It's a really large resort so you might want to look into a preferred location or requesting a room that fits your booked category in a convenient building.

 

[CarolynFH]

we will have 3-4 no park days so time to sit by the pool, sleep in, and just enjoy relaxing days doing whatever we feel up to.

When I read this I thought I should point out that SSR has 2 feature pools with slides as well as 2 quiet pools. I know that Swolphin has a fabulous pool, but in case y'all might want some variety on those no-park days, SSR might fit the bill!

 

[nw6675]

If you have a car, I'd choose SSR. We were in the preferred section last month in Congress Park and had our vehicle. It was so easy and quick to get to the other resorts and the parks. We had a beautiful view of DS, super close to the walkway and a nice quiet pool. The main pool was great and felt compact and spacious at the same time.

With that many down days plus if you have a car, I'd pick SSR.

 

[Upatnoon]

With that many non-park days I would pick SSR every time just for comfort. We have stayed at SSR twice for a week and have not gone to any parks at all, just to relax.

Some highlights:

- More space in the room. Washer and dryer. Kitchen. The recently remodeled rooms are great.

- Two pool areas. Activities you can do, like cornhole, billiards, foosball, and ping-pong.

- You can walk to Disney Springs or take the boat or bus. You also can boat down to other resorts to look around or eat.

- Overall for relaxing, it is just a more peaceful resort. It always feels less crowded than any other Disney resort I have stayed in. No big lines for anything.

- Want to get in the car and run to the grocery store or somewhere else off-site for supplies, a meal or a snack? It's a quick, easy drive. Your car is parked right at your unit.

- I like being able to just walk down and hop on the bus to any park and be let off right at the front entrance.

Overall, I would say that if relaxation, space a more laid-back atmosphere is appealing, SSR is the winner. If you want to feel like you are in the middle of the parks all the time and don't care about staying in a small hotel room for days, the Swan is better positioned.

 

[teawar]

I am a fan of both resorts for a lot of the reasons mentioned above.

You can also add the community hall at SSR with its activities as a bonus.

 

[VickieMouse]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. Our travel dates just changed (mid August) and we are now comparing OKW and the Swan. I am still torn. As soon as I think we are leaning in one direction, I read another comment and change my mind!!