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

[treehugger]

I think you mean before the Yacht and Beach Clubs and the Boardwalk, right?

Yup, I did mean before the Epcot area resorts.

 

[Sammie]

Actually the Swan and Dolphin were open before the Disney Resorts.

They opened the same year, 1990 and the design for the Yacht and Beach was certainly known before then. So they could have blended in if they had wanted to.

 

[treehugger]

When did they open?

The Swan and Dolphin opened in 1990 the YC/BC opened later that year. It is my understanding that all the plans were reviewed and approved by Disney prior to construction. Below is a link to the history of WDW, the info is found under Epcot Resorts.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/wdwhistory.htm

 

[Sammie]

The Swan and Dolphin opened in 1990 the YC/BC opened later that year. It is my understanding that all the plans were reviewed and approved by Disney prior to construction. Below is a link to the history of WDW, the info is found under Epcot Resorts.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/wdwhistory.htm

Your link to the history is not working.

It was my understanding that Westin and Sheraton won the right to build there and the design in court. I know that shortly after they were build Illuminations had to make some adjustments due to the height of the buildings and the Swan and Dolphin had to agree to dim their outside lights during the performance.

I am sure many find them attractive, I am just not one of them.

 

[Blondie]

I've never stayed at either, though we're thinking about the dolphin for a long weekend just to SEE!

But, like other posters, I used to find them distasteful and not at all in keeping with the other Epcot resorts. But my sister, an award-winning interior designer (who lives in Orlando and independently contracts with disney on some projects - the witch's cauldron at DD is her design) introduced me to the concept of ACCENT, like in an accent chair, one piece of furniture which stands out because it's so different and I've applied that concept to just this situation and found it works here too. I've managed to embrace these resorts as accent pieces that provide contrasT, thus working to highlight the wonderful qualities of the other resorts.

Hey! It works for me!

Well put Viki, well put! Works just fine for me too!

 

[Sammie]

I've never stayed at either, though we're thinking about the dolphin for a long weekend just to SEE!

But, like other posters, I used to find them distasteful and not at all in keeping with the other Epcot resorts. But my sister, an award-winning interior designer (who lives in Orlando and independently contracts with disney on some projects - the witch's cauldron at DD is her design) introduced me to the concept of ACCENT, like in an accent chair, one piece of furniture which stands out because it's so different and I've applied that concept to just this situation and found it works here too. I've managed to embrace these resorts as accent pieces that provide contrasT, thus working to highlight the wonderful qualities of the other resorts.

Hey! It works for me!

I will try to visualize that concept.

However the accent piece usually, while being different, does not over power the other furnishings. I guess I find their size more distastful than the outside decor. I am not a fan of large high rise buildings.

 

[treehugger]

Sorry Sammie, I tried the link and it worked fine, don't know what's going on. I certainly respect your opinion, not every resort appeals to everyone. Have a magical day!

 

[Sammie]

Sorry Sammie, I tried the link and it worked fine, don't know what's going on. I certainly respect your opinion, not every resort appeals to everyone. Have a magical day!

I tried it again, all I get is script. I will keep trying as I would like to read the info. Thanks.

 

[Sammy]

Wow...thanks for that link, treehugger! Looks like some great reading!

 

[DisneyFans4]

We just got back from our second year in a row stay at the Swan and the hotel is absolutely beautiful!! First off, the heavenly beds are wonderful and in all the Disney resorts I have stayed at they are the only beds I ever had a good night's sleep in and very clean. I can recall many beds on Disney property with all kinds of stains and didn't even want to sleep in them.
I have also been treated better at the Swan than I have on Disney property because lately some CM's need lessons on how to treat guests.
Both the Swan and Dolphin are beautiful hotels and their restaurants are out of this world.
As the old saying goes...don't judge a book by it's cover...

 

[Blondie]

Your link to the history is not working.

The link opened okay for me. It's a great piece by the way. I've included only what it had to say about the Epcot resorts.

THE EPCOT RESORTS

Plans to add hotels around EPCOT Center had been on the drawing boards for some time. In fact, Walt always intended to build his resorts near the theme parks for Guests’ convenience. First workers dug the 25-acre Crescent Lake to be encircled by hotels. At one time, a nighttime water show called "Noah's Ark" was planned to take place in the middle of the lake, but never went past design stages. Crescent Lake was attached by water channel to the World Showcase Lagoon to allow resort Guests easy access to EPCOT Center through the International Gateway. This channel would later be connected for boat travel to the Disney-MGM Studios. The first resorts to open around Crescent Lake were the Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin in 1990. Not owned or operated by the Disney company, these two hotels were designed by architect Michael Graves. Their eye-catching architecture features oversized geometric buildings and windows, and five-story statues of swans and dolphins on the rooftops. Next door came Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, both opening about the same time in late 1990. In this Disney resort "first," the two hotels share similar themes and are physically connected together by a common recreation area, health club, and restaurant. Disney's Yacht Club Resort is styled after New England's summer cottages of the 1880s. The nautical theme is unmistakable, with oak wood floors, porthole-styled windows, antique chandeliers, and brass fixtures. Disney's Beach Club Resort returns to the seaside hotels of the 1870s. This casual setting features ceiling fans, wicker furniture, and seashell motifs. The unique swimming area between them is called Stormalong Bay. It features a winding, sand-bottom lagoon and a 150-foot water slide originating from a shipwreck on the beach of Crescent Lake.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I think the Swan/Dolphin are striking, and beautiful. Very dramatic. And the Dolphin depicted looks to me like the very common ancient Chinese figure of a dolphin (not a fish, just much more stylized, like the foo dogs and lions and such). Someday I hope to be able to stay in one of these wonderful resorts, for they look so fascinating from the outside.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I didn't initally like either the Dolphin or the Swan and thought they might be better in La Vegas. That was BEFORE I stayed there. Now I love them and think they blend in fine. Great hotels.

 

[photonut]

The Dolphin is a "gem".
By far the most wonderful hotel we have ever stayed in. AND I mean anywhere.
The rooms are "HUGE" and comfortable. Service is amazing. Beds are so comfy you don't want to get out of them. AND the VIEWS!!!!

Wow....

All I can say is too bad that some of you feel that it is an eyesore because there will just be more room for me the next time I go.

 

[tiki23]

How were you able to get the $99 rate?

 

[DisneyGuy]

I find them very unique and have stayed at the Swan three times - and think it's wonderful - the rooms have been re-decorated for quite some time and aren't quite as "crazy" as they used to be in the past. I, at times, preffer the Swan to "Disney" owned Hotels.

 

[nem75]

i think they look like the evil step-sisters to the Disney resorts. Too big and intimidating for me, but I am glad they keep some others happy and out of my resort.

 

[tiggersmom2]

i think they look like the evil step-sisters to the Disney resorts. Too big and intimidating for me, but I am glad they keep some others happy and out of my resort.

Here, here sister!!!! I stayed in the Swan last year and hated it!!!! Yes, I DID think it was ugly but I didn't care how the outside looked. I am just spoiled by my WDW resorts and won't be leaving the magic again!!!!

 

[snels]

Hi,
The biggest reason we will stay at the Swan (if we get a discount) is the location.
I am not crazy about the decor, but I love being so close to Epcot and the Studios.
Sandy

 

[mom2rb]

They are nice resorts if they were in Vegas, but they just don’t fit the theme of WDW.

This is exactly what DH and I think. If they were in Vegas we would gladly stay there but they just don't look right at DW. Now we are going to eat at Shula's our next trip. So who knows, we may love it when we get inside.