Swan and Dolphin questions.

[goofyguy1958]

Well, we decided we will go back to WDW in June of 2005 for, he holds his breath in hopes it is true, 2 weeks. We also are seriously thinking of staying at the Swan or Dolphin because, as a nurse (RN) I can get a really good rate at either resort. Questions, as usual, arise like:
1. How do the Disney resort perks work when staying at the Swan or Dolphin? Are they the same as other Disney resorts even though both the Swan and Dolphin are not owned by Disney?
2. Is there any diference in the transportation than other Disney resorts?
3. Do you still get the early entry into the parks?
4. Has anyone stayed there and what was your experience like?
I am sure I will have a thousand questions but I do not want to drive everyone crazy. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Oh yeah, how do I change my countdown and it disappeared? I tried the user CP edit profile route but must have missed something.

 

[CamColt]

We stayed at the Swan for the first time in December and really enjoyed it.
Ill try to answer your questions...

1, The only differences we found is you cant charge to your room key around the parks and the tv channel that shows the park hours, weather, recreation, etc...was missing. We thought they didnt have the maps at the front desk, but after returning I found out they have a separate Disney desk somewhere else, where the maps are available.

2,Yes, a difference...transportation is wonderful! The boat to Epcot & MGM is right there. You could also walk to those parks. As for MK & AK we found the bus service was just fine.

3, Yep, you can do EE when staying at S/D

4, Like I mentioned, we were impressed by our stay. We loved the location and being able to walk to the BW, and other Epcot resorts. The heavenly beds are wonderful! The hotel itself was very nice. The rooms were fine, and we enjoyed the pool too.

 

[exnortherner]

We have stayed at the Dolphin several times and once at the Swan. They are both lovely resorts, although we tend to favor the Dolphin. It is the larger of the two and therefore houses more of the restaurants and lounges. It also has a magnificent lobby (which is especially wonderful at Christmas).

From either the Dolphin or the Swan you have easy access by water taxi or walking to MGM and Epcot as well as to the Yacht Club, Beach Club and Boardwalk. This makes for additional dining choices as well as a lively nightlife within walking distance.

The only negative comment I have about the Swan and Dolphin is that, since they are not truely Disney resorts, the buildings are not decorated in Disney decor. When I am at WDW I like being completely absorbed in the Disney magic.

That being said, I still feel that the Dolphin is one of my favorite places to stay when at WDW.

 

[jwfla422]

These are our favorite resorts and after they've added those "heavanly beds" and "sweet sleepers" it's REALLY TOUGH to WANT TO STAY anywhere else!!

Besides the great location and being in the middle of the "magic", the great transportation, the beautiful grounds & lobbies, great restaurants & great amenities they also have the best CMs around!!

I can't think of any reason why I WOULDN'T stay there!! Especially if you can get a discounted rate, how can you go wrong!!

We love both of them for different reasons! You have all of the perks of staying in a WDW resort (but better beds!!!). Like one poster mentioned you can't charge back to your room outside of the S/D but we never did that anyway so that's not a bother for us.

 

[SeattleMark]

In additional to all the great info on the disboards site, check out the FAQ here too http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_dol.htm You'll find photos, reviews and a great discount code too.

 

[sugermouse]

We have stayed at the Swan and are staying at the Dolphin this July. They are both an incredible value for the price, we think the location is the best in DW and no other hotel can compare with those heavenly beds.
Not being able to charge directly to your room is not a big deal. Tubbis, located in the Dolphin is the best 24 hour snack bar in all of DW. Plus if you join the starwoods frequent rewards program, you earn points towards upgrades and free nights.

 

[goofyguy1958]

OK, now that I am getting all this positive feedback the real questions can start.

1. What the heck is a heavanly bed or a sweet sleeper?
2. Should I stay at the Swan or Dolphin? Hmm, maybe I should start a poll.
3. How far out can I book a room?
4. There will be 4 of us myself, DW, DD (will be 8) and DS (will be 5). What do you think the rooms, for space, will be like for our family?

You know, I'll bet if I would just read SeattleMark's post and follwow the link I would get all these questions answered. However, it is much nicer and, I believe, more sincere comming from everyone on these great boards.

 

[CamColt]

1, Check it out... http://www.swandolphin.com/nonflash/explore/rooms_standard.html

2, Ive only stayed at the Swan and really liked it, but I cant compare.

4, Plenty of room for 4

 

[prncess674]

What is The Heavenly Bed?

In 1999, Westin introduced its signature innovation - The Heavenly Bed. Unlike any other bed in the industry, the sumptuous, stylish, all-white Heavenly Bed consists of a custom designed pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets ranging in thread count from 180 to 250, a comforter, duvet and five of the best pillows in the business. For true rest away from home, experience the unbelievable comfort of Westin's Heavenly Bed.



I always look for Westin's and their Heavenly Bed while travelling for work. I am seriously considering chunking down the money and buying one. They are SOOO comfy!

 

[bigsky]

The first night I slept on a Heavenly bed at the Dolphin, I didn't wake up once during the night! I LOVE those beds!! I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again!

 

[zumbergc]

The swan has a sink/vanity outside the restroom,
in addition to a sink in the bathroom.
The dolphin doesn't have the extra vanity/sink
outside the bathroom

The swan has rooms with 2 queen beds,
the dolphin has 2 double beds.

These items may lean you towards the swan
with 4 people.

The swan is done with renovations, when we
were at the dolphin in march still remodling.
They both have the heavenly beds.

Dolphin has tubbies, the 24 hour food court type thing.
The swan doesn't have one, but you can still access
it however a longer walk. They have the refillable
mug there.

Dolphin has a nicer workout facility, however swan
guests can use it too.

We've stayed at both places, like dolphin for
the better gym, tubbies.
If you do end up dolphin, might as well request to not
be near the remodling to avoid the noise.
However we are a group of 2 not 4, in your case
we would go with the swan.

I highly recommend staying here, like the other posters,
wonderful location. You can walk/boat ride to MGM and Epcot,
to the boardwalk, lots of extra dining location because
your close to the boardwalk.

Have fun,

 

[sarahsmom73]

We stayed in April on the teacher discount... It was GREAT! You can't beat the location! The poool is fantastic! Very family friendly! We are already planning our Christmas 2005 stay!

 

[goofyguy1958]

How do you prove to the resort that you are a nurse, teacher, etc.? Is a copy of my RN license enough?

 

[SeattleMark]

Originally posted by goofyguy1958
How do you prove to the resort that you are a nurse, teacher, etc.? Is a copy of my RN license enough?

You could always use the discount code here http://allearsnet.com/acc/sd_discounts.htm then you don't have to worry about being a certain profession, and you get the same big discount!

Regarding Swan vs Dolphin, we chose the Dolphin as our kids LOVE to swin and the 3 acre Grotto pool is next to the Dolphin.

 

[goofyguy1958]

OK, now that I have the preliminary questions out of the way, how far out should I look at booking for the last two weeks of June 2005?

Has anyone noticed that I am a bit anal when it comes to planning a vacation? My wife just stands back and lets me run with it after we decide where we are going on vacation. And we (I really should be saying I here) decide on the next vacation on the day after we return from our vacation. Yes, my name is Mike and I am a vacation planaholic. Too bad I wasn't this detail oriented in my professional life, I would be CEO by now.

 

[Lewisc]

Book as soon as the discounts become available for your dates.

 

[jgates]

Good luck!!! The Swan is my resort of choice (although someday I would like to stay at either GF or Wilderness - just to say I did). The walk to Tubbi's/laundry etc from the Swan is not bad unless you have mobility problems. When you consider all of the walking you are doing in the parks, this is just a tiny stroll. I think DS went down, refilled mugs over there and was back in 5 minutes (course his legs are twice as long as mine........).

To be consistent both hotels offer the same brand of bed. The doubles at the Dolphin were always 'oversized' ones also and not much smaller than the Queens.

 

[sarahsmom73]

You are in the right place, Mike!

 

[DisneyFanatik]

I booked our Dolphin stay for this June in July 2003 using the government rate. Good luck in your planning!

 

[jwfla422]

As far as which one to stay at, that's a tough question. We actually go back and forth because we like them both for different reasons.

Just to give you a little overview of that...

As zumbergc review most of the amenities I'll touch on a few other things...

The Swan's atmosphere is more intimate since the resort is smaller it's a little more compact, smaller lobby, less restaruants (but really good-we love both Gulliver's and Palio for dinner!)

The Dolphin's atmosphere is more lively and "grand". It has a very large lobby area, more restaurants including a food court/cafeteria style type (Tubbi's) that has refillable mugs you can refill there.

Honestly we're kinda torn between both for all of the reasons zumbergc and I mentioned.

I always liked the Swan and didn't want to stay at the Dolphin until I was kinda talked into it (LOL) and ended up loving it almost more, but I still love the Swan. Our last 2 stays were at the Swan so it's time to take 5 1/2 yr old dd's advice and stay at the Dolphin We've probably stayed at the S/D more than 10 times between both of them in the last 4 years