Swan and Dolphin perks?

[crbenelli]

I know that if you stay here you can get the extra magic hours...but can you use the disney dining plan also?...Also..if anyone can post a review...how do they compare to other disney resorts ...pool area...food service etc...thanks in advance...

 

[amw]

I know that if you stay here you can get the extra magic hours...but can you use the disney dining plan also?...Also..if anyone can post a review...how do they compare to other disney resorts ...pool area...food service etc...thanks in advance...

Although not owned by Disney, these are considered "Disney Resorts" on this site .... you'll have better input over on that board. Here's a link to their Swan/Dolphin FAQs:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1567343

I do know that you can't get the Dining plan there, but you do get use of all the DIsney transportation. If you drive, there is a per night fee for the car, and there is a nightly resort fee as well.

 

[swilphil]

We didn't pay the resort fee when we went in March, but I don't know if they reinstated it.

 

[madge]

We didn't pay the resort fee when we went in March, but I don't know if they reinstated it.

we did in April - and when you check reservations on the SPG/Westin/Sheraton sites, it shows up in the reservation process. (I don't think it does if you book through Dreams Unlimited)

There were people that booked their trips before the return of the resort fee - I don't think they were charged the fee or were able to have it removed. I remember reading that somewhere ...

at any rate, there is a resort fee & a parking fee. No DDP. No charging back to the room from the parks. Those are the biggies. The pool area is awesome. Big pool, fun slide

I hear good things about some of the restaurants, and not so good on the others (specifically, Picabu)

 

[webray]

You can not get disney dining plan there, or the disney shuttle from/to airport.

The rooms however are well worth it. There are so many restaurant options, the staff is fantastic.

 

[TaraPA]

I'm a Disney snob for the most part & my FIRST choice of hotels is Dolphin or Swan, mostly for LOCATION!!! You can't beat it, you are at the Boardwalk, and can walk or take the boat to both Epcot & MGM. There are no Disney Resorts with a rate as low as Swan/Dolphin that have this location (unless maybe you get a code or great deal). You can often get a room for $159 or $179 at either hotel. The rooms are spacious & clean, and both hotels are gorgeous. The pool areas are better than some Disney resorts in my opinion. Lots of dining options - we love Picabu - quick, friendly, lots of choices & reasonably priced. We love to spend a day in the parks & then unwind on the Boardwalk at night. Tons of dining options there too.

The downsides are that you can't use the Magical Express airport transportation or the DDP. It's not a Disney themed resort, which isn't important to us since you can literally walk onto the Boarwalk within 5 minutes & be "in Disney." You can walk to Epcot in 15 min. & MGM in 20, which is less than the wait for Disney transporation busses at other resorts.

Can you tell we love it?!?!