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

[DisneyFans4]

I love the Swan and just returned home last Friday and I plan on going there every year. Epcot is our favorite park so I love just being able to walk there whenever I want to go. Having the Boardwalk is also very nice because at night after our return we walk over there and hang out. The views are fantastic from these hotels as well. I can still imagine myself eating breakfast in the club lounge and seeing the Tower of Terror and opening my blinds every morning and seeing Spaceship Earth!
These two hotels have to set themselves apart from the Disney resorts because they want to be different yet be able to use the amenities of Disney which I think is great because it's something they don't have to do.
The Swan is so clean and I can't say that about the Disney resorts. I remember staying on Disney property and the mattresses were stained and spotted and I didn't even want to sleep on them. The carpets were real dirty and smelled and mind you, this is in a deluxe hotel. I even remember during our last stay at the Poly all the bugs by my patio door but I'M sure that was due to all the foilage but still...spray something occasionally to prevent that.
To each his own but please don't knock it until you've tried it. Don't judge something from it's outside appearance.

 

[TurnR@TheMouseHouse]

I love the "Big Fishie"

I love all the disney resorts because when you are there you feel you are in the place Disney tried to create. The south, PO and POFQ, South Pacific, the Poly, BC, New England, The "Jetson Days", the CR, and so forth. For me the Swan has the laid back, tony feel of a small out of the way metropolitan hotel, The Dophin, well, it's whimsy, fountains, tents, grotto pool and colors make me feel I'm in an enchanting place but I'm not sure "where". That's what I love about it.

It's like being some place very special but you are not sure "where". I walk around the Big Fishie and say to myself, "Where am I"? It does not try to capture a real location in exact replica. It's make believe. I like that!

Headed for the "Big Fishie" in Oct for F&W...Can't wait....

 

[jwfla422]

Not only are they our fav resorts but I think they are very "cool" looking-very "art deco"--that's why they stand out so much! When we stay at the Swan I just love looking out the Dolphin like I'm looking at a remarkable "work of art". It just amazes me how big it is and the detail of the building.

The rooms fit right in with the outside decor. I think they're the nicest rooms on property...not to mention the most comfortable with the most amazingly comfortable beds!!

 

[Jennasis]

I sort of wish they weren't so tall. Most of the Dsiney resorts sort of blend in with the surroundings and aren't readily seen unless you drive up to them. The Swan and Dolphin are so THERE...in your face. I get the themeing (sort of a whimsical somewhat nautical design). Again let me say, I LOVED our stay there. We had an amazing time. I would stay there again definitely, but the theme isn't my favorite and the design still is (to me) a bit whacky. I especially dislike the large BLACK space on the outside of the Dolphin. It looks like it's unfinished (I do remember all the rumors of what was going to be done with it).

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'm sorry but waking up and seeing Spaceship Earth and watching Illuminations from the balcony or sitting in the club lounge eating breakfast and seeing Tower of Terror....how much more Disney feel can you get?? What other "Disney" hotel has those views?

 

[DukeStreetKing]

In a few hours I'll be heading out to the Dolphin for the weekend. I love the walkway between the two buildings and watching the shuttle boats pull up. And being so close to the Boardwalk, Epcot and the Studios is a great bonus.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

If these two hotels were not placed between the BW and the YC, I would find them more appealing, but Yes I do find them an eyesore for the area.

I really wished they had tried to build something similar to the other resorts.

Sorry....I did a reply before updating the thread and in turn what I wrote was already posted!

 

[Jennasis]

When I was staying at the Swan back while the Dolphin was still under construction (the grotto pool wasn't even open yet). There was, I believe a RUMOR about a BOARDWALK type resort area about to break ground! One of those rumors that turned out to be true.

 

[HeatherPage]

I love the "Big Fishie"

I love all the disney resorts because when you are there you feel you are in the place Disney tried to create. The south, PO and POFQ, South Pacific, the Poly, BC, New England, The "Jetson Days", the CR, and so forth. For me the Swan has the laid back, tony feel of a small out of the way metropolitan hotel, The Dophin, well, it's whimsy, fountains, tents, grotto pool and colors make me feel I'm in an enchanting place but I'm not sure "where". That's what I love about it.

It's like being some place very special but you are not sure "where". I walk around the Big Fishie and say to myself, "Where am I"? It does not try to capture a real location in exact replica. It's make believe. I like that!

Headed for the "Big Fishie" in Oct for F&W...Can't wait....

Awesome post! You summed it up beautifully

 

[jwfla422]

The BW/BWI was the last resort to be built in the EPCOT resort area. There was just a boardwalk there at one time. There was a tram that ran on the boardwalk from the S/D to the YC/BC that would take you back and forth to EPCOT in addition to the Friendship launch. BW construction began around 94 and I believe it opened in 96.

 

[madge]

I'm sorry but waking up and seeing Spaceship Earth and watching Illuminations from the balcony or sitting in the club lounge eating breakfast and seeing Tower of Terror....how much more Disney feel can you get?? What other "Disney" hotel has those views?

and here's the thing....when I'm sitting in my room at the S/D..I'm looking at the beautiful WDW resorts, Epcot, MGM, whatever my view is...and not necessarily at the Swan & Dolphin themselves, LOLOL

 

[DisneyFans4]

All those that have stayed at either the Swan or Dolphin know they are truly in the heart of Disney because we've been there. We may not get a Mickey wakeup call or have Disney soaps and toiletries in the bathroom but those views are to die for and I'll take those any day.
I have stayed at all different types of Disney resorts and never had views like I have had and I didn't have to pay extra to get it.

 

[Sammy]

... We may not get a Mickey wakeup call or have Disney soaps and toiletries in the bathroom but those views are to die for and I'll take those any day.

Oh, but that oatmeal soap...love it!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Oh, but that oatmeal soap...love it!

That's right...how could I forget! I bought a couple of those home with me!!!

 

[paults]

we think there

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I read somewhere that the Dolphin would be used if an emergency situation at Disney were to arise. It looks like it would be sounder than some of the other nearby hotels. Anyone else read about this?

 

[opal]

I agree!!! They are ugly and so unDisney!!! I have felt that way the last four times I stayed there. I am going back in November and January just to see if it has gotten any better. I expecially dislike how close it is to MGM and Epcot. Did you know that you can actually hear the other guests screaming when the doors of TOT open while you are at the grotto pool. How annoying. And the fireworks from Epcot keep me awake at night because they light up my room too much. There are too many dining choices, I just can't decide.

 

[sherry8253]

I agree!!! They are ugly and so unDisney!!! I have felt that way the last four times I stayed there. I am going back in November and January just to see if it has gotten any better. I expecially dislike how close it is to MGM and Epcot. Did you know that you can actually hear the other guests screaming when the doors of TOT open while you are at the grotto pool. How annoying. And the fireworks from Epcot keep me awake at night because they light up my room too much. There are too many dining choices, I just can't decide.

I LOVE the Dolphin & the Swan. The fish are cute!

 

[Kay7979]

Many people who are Disney newbies, don't even know the Swan and Dolphin are NOT WDW hotels. I didn't know it for years. To me, they are part of the familiar landscape in the area, and are distintive, though not themed in the same Disney sort of way. I will probably start a fight here, but if anything is ugly it's the Contemporary Resort. The monorail going through is a very cool idea, but aside from that, it just looks like an angular mass of concrete.

 

[imwithgoofy]

oh, shoot....you're right!

It's a hideous, ugly, shabby old hotel.

And the beds....well, they are uncomfortable. really.

hee hee... that's right more rooms for us



...looking forward to our stay there...the pictures are awesome, the beds look amazing