Swan And Dolphin - Please Help Me

[richard3330]

I have never stayed at either but lots of my friends and relatives have made some really good remarks about it when they have stayed there.

Because Dolphin/Swan are not official disney hotels do you still get the 'disney magic'. Do characters still visit and are there lots of disney extras, like you get at the usual resorts (e.g- gift shops, Mickey wake-up call etc) and is there a 'disney' concierge.

Do you reccomend the Swan or Dolphin, if you have stayed at both which one is best.

Do you not reccomend the Swan/Dolphin?

Please give me your opinions so I could maybe think about adding to my next WDW vacation.

 

[DawnL]

We stayed at the Dolphin this July and loved it! The resort is very large, but beautiful. The pool area is great with a nice slide for the kids. They rent rafts and tubes by the hour. Our room was a very nice size for 2 adults/2 children with 2 double beds and a nice size bathroom with sink area located outside. They do have a Disney Guest services right in the lobby. I believe they do have character visits at the hotel on certain days/times, but we did not look into it when we were there. This was our second stay at the Dolphin and I would definitely go back, great service , beautiful hotel, and great location!

 

[marianne98]

We have stayed at both a couple of times. It is a very nice hotel and you can get alot of help with ticket and ressie on meals. In answer to the "disney magic" I do feel you do lose the disney atmosphere, but it's worth it sometimes to be so close to epcot, at night you can see the fireworks from the boardwalk, and the covenience between epcot & mgm, the boats are great. I would stay there again.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We enjoyed the Swan so much in March we are going back there in Aug. I like the quiet atmosphere in the evenings after being in the park all day. The pool is nice and the service was great. Enjoy!

 

[las3888]

I consider myself a disney 'freak' and don't like to lose out on the magic, and found at the S/D you really don't. You are really a part of the boardwalk which is such a fun area. There are some very slight, subtle differences there, but it really is a top notch resort.

I don't remember about seeing characters there - it has been a while since I have stayed there.

I would recommend the Dolphin if you have kids - it is larger and you will find more kids there. Or you may want to try the Swan - I find it a little smaller, and low-key, plus you are right next to the boardwalk.

I definitely recommend it! I have stayed at all the deluxes except for BWI and AKL and plan on returning to the S/D sometime soon!

 

[jgates]

Just back from the Swan- would not hesitate to go back at all. We loved it.

Sent packages from parks to our room. Took the boats to MGM & Epcot. Walked to Boardwalk & Fantasia mini-golf.

In fact, if I do get sent to the conference in September for our processing company, I may see if we can book Swan instead of World Center.

 

[Ityldu]

We also avoided S/D b/c we thought it wasn't "disney". We ended up there by accident one night b/c Disney was totally sold out. We fell in love with the place. We've been back twice since and continue to have wonderful experience. Our last trip this June, we found more "magic" then the beginning of our stay at Poly. conceirge.

Both Swan and Dolphin are fantastic, but we prefer the Dolphin over Swan. We definitely felt more in the middle of the action at Dolphin. Swan is much smaller and a great place to get away from all the stimulation if you need a break. We also like having Tubbi's and the laundry in the same building.

 

[cboudre1]

We stayed at the Dolphin for the first time this year and loved it. You use the same transportation as the Disney hotels, you can walk to MGM and Epcot, and you are next to the boardwalk. We are going back to the Dolphin next trip. You also call the Dolphin directly for reservation and don't have to deal with CRO.

MY 14 year old DS though it was the best hotel we have ever stayed at. I wanted to try the Boardwalk sometime but he thinks we should only stay at the Dolphin now.

 

[dahess]

I didn't feel any Disney Magic at the Dolphin on our 11-01 trip. My family was very disappointed. We loved to take the boats to MGM & Epcot. If you have children I would not personally recommend staying there. However, we left the Dolphin and went to the Disney Wonder cruise ship, which made up for the Dolphin's lack of Disney Magic!!!!

 

[NHBelle]

Well I consider myself and my family to be Disney "freaks" as well and we love this resort. We chose the Dolphin over the Swan and I am glad we did. I just like the bigger more exciting loby area and gift shop etc. The Swan was VERY understated. They are so close so the location of one or the other really doesn't matter, although the Dophin is closer to main pool and has the only laundry and 24 hour food/market. As far as Disney magic, I guess it's all up to you. You will get so many mixed reviews. There are no Disney soaps or wake-up calls, but they do have an all Disney Gift shop and Disney guest relations where you can buy tickets, book e-night and dinner ressie's etc. The bottom line is that the majority of views (standard rooms included) face Epcot, MGM, and the Boardwalk and they are right there. You can walk all over and have so many dinner options, and fun things like the bikes and boats for rent. The transportation was awsome with our kids. We rolled the double stroller right onto the boat to MGM and Epcot. We had an awsome character dinner at the Swan that included all you can eat shrimp and crab legs. Anyway, we loved it and felt that of all our disney hotel expierences so far the Dolphin was the best and we felt the most magic. We looked out of our room and could watch the fireworks, we were in awe of MGM all lit up every night and loved seeing the Epcot countries every morning as we were getting ready. All I can tell you is that these reosrts are very Disney IMHO, and that you will just have to see for your self and maybe for whatever reason you disagree, but each to his own. Good Luck!

 

[WALT PENN]

My family stayed at the Swan in july for 13 nights.The hotel staff
was very nice and checkin was efficent.The rooms are nowhere near as nice as a Disney Deluxe.I had the government discount so
the cost was a reason we chose the Swan.There are Disney characters at the restaurants but the hotel has a business and not a Disney feel to it.Transportation was good to the parks but i think the closeness to Epcot argument is overdone.It is not that close of a walk and the only advantage over busses is the walk back after the fireworks.The pool at the Swan and Dolphin is outstanding.My family would probably go back again with the discount just for the pool.

 

[richard3330]

Thanks Everyone for your opinions.

The majority of you seem to think it is worth a stay, so I think I'll give it a try!

Thanks!

 

[Blondie]

Just the other day I asked my boys which Disney hotel was their favorite out of the ones we've stayed at. We've had the pleasure of staying at;

Shades Of Green
Dixie Landings (now called Port Orleans-Riverside)
Coronado Springs
Polynesian
Swan
Dolphin

Their answer--The Dolphin!

No, it's not "owned and run" by Disney, but it comes pretty darned close!

You are at the backdoor of Epcot and MGM! Some of the views of Epcot and MGM from the rooms at the Swan and Dolphin are spectacular! How can you not feel Disney when you look out at Epcot's Spaceship Earth and the fireworks from Illuminations!

 

[mjlebo]

Just wondering what Disney magic is the Dolphin missing? My husband and I have stayed at BC, which is definitely a magical experience. We have also stayed at DL, which after staying a BC was very disappointing. Just wondering??? Thanks

 

[pooh2001]

We LOVED the Dolphin this past June. Going back next Easter 2003.

We added our own Disney Magic.

We had flowers sent to our room for our DD's 7th birthday - came from the WDW
florist in a Mickey farmer vase and a Mickey/Minnie balloon.

I brought Disney paper cups for use in the bathroom, Disney character window
clings, Johnson's Pooh shampoo for the kids, a plastic Princess cup to
rinse my DD's har out with, Disney character paper plates, cups, bowls
for breakfast and snacks at night, and gave my kids DISNEY items as
'tinkerbell gifts' in the morning.

We were in room 8025 with a great room of Boardwalk, EPCOT, MGM and
Fantasmic fireworks every night.

The pool is great - 3 acres of fun, divided into 3 sections ..
left side - 'kiddie' side, 4 feet quiet
middle - waterfalls, great slide thru 'rocks', and 6 ft deep section
right side - volleyball net

There is also a very large kiddie pool for the very young
and a lap pool for older kids and adults.
I think there is also a jucuzzi (spelling ?) - but we never use it - germ breeder.

Stay at the Dolphin if you have kids.
Stay at the Swan if you want a quieter resort.

Be a Starwood member and collect points.
Use your DC to get a 20% discount on food at all S/D eats except Shula's.
Do try the coffee at the coffee bar off the main lobby.
My DH loves it - he's a dedicated coffee drinker (I hate the stuff)

Do walk to EPCOT and Boardwalk at night
Boat to MGM - walk is very long and hot
Bus everywhere else - only a 15 min wait between busses.
Can't wait or have a special PS ? - use the towncars ALWAYS waiting at the front
entrance - they will take you anywhere - even to the competitors (Univeral, Sea World...)
ASK the price first - it cost us $10 to get to Chef Mickeys for dinner- but we were there
in 10 minutes - vs doing bus then monorail for 1 1/2 hours.


ENJOY

 

[mjlebo]

WOW! Thanks for all the positives about the Dolphin. I feel much better. Thank YOU!

 

[Mark P.]

Another thumbs up for the Dolphin here

Along with the Dolphin(on our last trip), we've stayed at CBR, Coronado Springs, Contemporary tower, YC, and AKL. We too consider ourselves to be "Disney freaks", and didn't find that the Dolphin lacked anything. For us, the location between two parks and adjacent to the Boardwalk, is a major plus.

Enjoy!

 

[Samsma]

Could you also see Illuminations from 8025? We're staying in 9025 on your recommendation next summer. Had to have smoking, so 9th floor for us. The CM said it was right above 8025. Thanks.

 

[Blondie]

Samsma, we were in 6025 @ The Dolphin which is only three floors below and had a great view of Illuminations!

If we could see it, I'm sure the view is even better three floors higher!

And depending on which way the wind is blowing, you'll be able to hear the music too!

 

[dreamflight99]

We've been here two MAGICAL weeks...with another 1 & 3/4 to go! We LOVE it here...it has all the MAGIC of DISNEY, and THEN SOME!

I LOVED reading all the positive reviews of all fellow DISer's stays at the SWAN/DOLPHIN. I have to agree with everyone..and attest I learned some new angles (BRING MAGIC W/YOU!). Thank you for all the great & very accurate reports.

IT is by far our #1 fav...and we've stayed at every resort on property (w/exception to AKL/Value resorts) over the past 12 consecutive years. Please, try it for yourself. Experience, is the best teacher. OR...as a little cricket once said: "Let your conscience be your guide." ENJOY!!!