Swan and Dolphin - Am I the only one that cringes when they see them?

[Patio]

I was definitely not a fan of the Dolphin or Swan, until, I stayed there.... In June 2004 we were making a trip to WDW and all the resorts were priced high. Well, we got the Dolphin for $159 and decided to try it. All I can say is WOW, what an awesome hotel. The rooms are huge, the beds sooo comfy, the pools are awesome, so close to the BW and BC/YC, the boat rides and buses very efficient. My DH says he'd never stay anyplace else. Can you tell we loved it?!?

OT, but, I also felt the same way about Pop until I stayed there in July. It was a fun place. I truly believe all the resorts are special in their own ways. We just need to be open-minded and determined to have fun, no matter what.

 

[DisneyFans4]

This is why I mentioned in an earlier post not to judge the hotel by what it looks like outside. Despite how some of the posters felt I think the Swan and Dolphin are beautiful hotels and are very different. Inside they are absolutely gorgeous. But...to each his own

 

[PrincessKitty]

We think the Dolphin looks like a goldfish! But we absolutely love the Dolphin, including the over-the-top decor. It's a wonderful place to stay for the price--heavenly beds, 7 restaurants from which to choose, beautiful pool area, virtually soundproof rooms, and best of all....easy walking/boating distance to Epcot!

 

[jenks0718]

I never stayed at these hotels, but when we drive passed them we all comment on how cool they look. If I were to stay onsite I would give them a go.

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm going to cry this November when I see them because I won't be staying there like we usually do. I will be with my son's marching band and we're staying at some offsite Comfort Inn. I'm sure I will be cringing when arriving there.

 

[VSL]

Hey, this thread has stayed so lovely and civilized!

Anyway, when I first went to WDW I remember seeing S/D and not being fussed on them. I think it was a bit of 'they're not really DISNEY hotels' prejudice! But I've heard that inside the Dolphin, especially, is quite pretty, so I imagine that me and BF will be paying a visit there to check out their Christmas decorations this December (BTW, are we allowed to do that in the S/D? - I understand that we are allowed to 'tour' Disney's hotels but I'm not sure if it applies here!).

 

[#1hockeymom]

Yes! You are allowed to tour the Swan/Dolphin, visit their stores and art gallery, and of course, have a gourmet meal or just a light snack! An easy way to visit is to take the friendship boat from MGM. You'll be the first stop! Be sure to walk to the Grotto Pool area. It will take your breath away!

Debbie

 

[*Fantasia*]

I'm going to cry this November when I see them because I won't be staying there like we usually do. I will be with my son's marching band and we're staying at some offsite Comfort Inn. I'm sure I will be cringing when arriving there.

Can't you add a few days to your trip so you can stay at the SwanDolphin? This way you won't regret being in Orlando and not stepping foot at this resort?

 

[PrincessKitty]

Hey, this thread has stayed so lovely and civilized!

Anyway, when I first went to WDW I remember seeing S/D and not being fussed on them. I think it was a bit of 'they're not really DISNEY hotels' prejudice! But I've heard that inside the Dolphin, especially, is quite pretty, so I imagine that me and BF will be paying a visit there to check out their Christmas decorations this December (BTW, are we allowed to do that in the S/D? - I understand that we are allowed to 'tour' Disney's hotels but I'm not sure if it applies here!).

You can defintely tour the Dolphin--they have 7 restaurants and many people are in and out of the hotel just for that reason--you do not have to be staying there.

 

[Blondie]

Hey, this thread has stayed so lovely and civilized!

Amazing, isn't it?

Feel free to take a walk through the S/D resorts! It's one of the best ways to get the feel of a place you might want to stay at in the future.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I love Michael Graves and the way he designs things So of course I love the way the Swan and Dolphin look but I have never stayed there . I will be staying there in Oct this time though and I will report back about what i thought about the rooms . But I heard they were redone

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I think every hotel on Disney property each has their own "feel". I didn't know for a few years that they weren't Disney owned and operated hotels! I just thought they were designed differently. They REALLY are nice inside! They are huge and have great restaurants! I actually like the Dolphin Fountain. If you want a good cheap table service meal, that is similar to Beaches and Cream, GO HERE! (minus the wait! you will usually get seated IMMEDIATELY!!!)

As others have said in this thread, the Contemporary is really an eyesore. However, I wouldn't pass up the chance to stay there if someone gave me a deal for $99 a night!

By the way, where is everyone getting the $99 Swan/Dolphin rate?

 

[Muffy]

Here is another vote for the S/D! These two elegant resorts are like a welcome home to my family. We can hardly wait to return to the Swan in Feb. The S/D has the best views, the best beds, the best location!

 

[Danauk]

I personally do not care for the look of the inside of the Swan and Dolphin. I have not stayed at the resorts but have been inside both of them and the decor did not really appeal to me. Having said that I do like the location of the resorts and if I could not stay at the other Epcot resorts I would consider staying there.

 

[VSL]

Thanks for confirming that I can pop in for a look and some food - I see me and BF going over there for some lunch after a morning at MGM or EPCOT (I'm only going to attempt Beaches and Cream at BC during as off-peak hours as possible!).

My parents never did any type of hotel touring when I went with them a few years back (maybe they thought I'd get bored?), so I've never seen inside them. In fact, the only resort I've seen the inside of (apart from ASMo and AStarSports) is CR (and that was because we were on the monorail!), so I'm actually planning 'hotel touring' into my itinerary!

 

[minnie61650]

The Dolphins depicted on the hotel are not the mammals everyone is familiar with. They are dolphin fish ....see link:

http://www.indian-river.fl.us/fishing/fish/dolphin.html


Its a good thing we all have different opinions and like different things or we'd all be at the same hotel at the same time!

Sammy

When I took my sister (in her 50's) a few years ago I told her the hotels were called the Swan and the Dolphin.
She said that dosn't look like a dolphin and I had to expain it was the fish dolphin and not the mammal.
Sometimes when I am dining at a resturant that has dolphin on the menu I overhear people saying that it is horrible and they would never eat FLIPPER!
Linda

 

[minnie61650]

I'm going to cry this November when I see them because I won't be staying there like we usually do. I will be with my son's marching band and we're staying at some offsite Comfort Inn. I'm sure I will be cringing when arriving there.

Awww
I feel for you.
But you will have a great time with the Marching Band.
My dh and were HS Marching Band chaperones in 1999 when dd was a freshman and ds was a senior.
The 24 hour (had to sleep on bus no overnight stay) bus ride from Michigan was a trip to remember! So many excited teens--a lot of whom had never been to Disney. Maching in the MK just before the afternoon parade. I enjoyed seeing them take the wonder of it all in.
It will be a wonderful memory for your family.
I know it was for us.
Have a great time
Linda

 

[PamNC]

Everyone has different taste, but I can't imagine going to Disney and not seeing the majestic Swan and Dolphin hotels. I think they are very magical despite the fact that they aren't Disney-owned. We stayed at the Swan once and it was wonderful. The rooms are more modern and what you might expect from a premium hotel. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Poly, YC/BC, GF....but I consider the S/D part of the eye candy of going to Disney.

PamNC

 

[Superman]

Stayed at the Swan on one trip. Hotel was nothing special but the location was outstanding. At the time, we used a government discounted rate $139. Now that I'm retired that rate is no longer available to me and the hotel is was overpriced. Hotel colors are tough to take!

 

[treehugger]

Hotel colors are tough to take!

Hey I happen to love pastels, as did Monet!