Swan and Dolphin Resort Stay! HELP!!!! please

[qanita92]

Hi
Well I really don't know much about the Swan and Dolphin so there are a lot of questions (planning to go Dec 21-29 with 7 people -2 adults(over 18 years old) and 5 kids (ages 16,15,13,11,9)):
1.Is there a bus service to pick me up from Orlando airport to Swan and Dolphin and back?
2.Can I get DDP?
3.Do they accept Disney gift cards?
4.How many people are allowed in the standard rooms?
5.Are there any rooms that allow 7 people? How is that compared to 2 rooms at Corondo Springs (3 in one room and 4 in the other)?
6.Does it cost extra to get a room with a balcony at the Swan?
7.Prices during the holiday season?
8.Pros/cons
9.ANY differences between staying at the S/D than a Disney resort (Corondo to be more exact)?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi
Well I really don't know much about the Swan and Dolphin so there are a lot of questions (planning to go Dec 21-29 with 7 people -2 adults(over 18 years old) and 5 kids (ages 16,15,13,11,9)):
1.Is there a bus service to pick me up from Orlando airport to Swan and Dolphin and back?
2.Can I get DDP?
3.Do they accept Disney gift cards?
4.How many people are allowed in the standard rooms?
5.Are there any rooms that allow 7 people? How is that compared to 2 rooms at Corondo Springs (3 in one room and 4 in the other)?
6.Does it cost extra to get a room with a balcony at the Swan?
7.Prices during the holiday season?
8.Pros/cons
9.ANY differences between staying at the S/D than a Disney resort (Corondo to be more exact)?

1. No. When I stay at the S/D I use a limo company or rental from Alamo and return it at the Dolphin

2. No DDP
3. No Disney gift cards....they aren't a Disney hotel - they are Starwood
4. 4 at the Swan/5 Dolphin
5 - maybe a suite? Not sure about Coronado...never stayed there
6. Yes...a standard room has no balcony - balconies can cost a lot more
7. You can check the room rates at Starwood.com - just enter your dates
8. Pros...IMO they are much nicer hotel than a Disney mod...although I am a deluxe gal and have never stayed at a mod. Location is great at the S/D
9. Differences....no room charging. People say they are not DisneyISH, but they both have Disney gift shops and the view is beautiful Disney - I always KNOW I am at Disney World when staying at the S/D....they're nice hotels, but I don't think they're as nice as Disney deluxes....somewhere between Dsney mod and Disney deluxe

Enjoy,

Lives4Disney

 

[AndyMcV]

You cannot go wrong with the Swan and Dolphin resorts. They are simply fantastic. In my opinion I'd stay at the Swan and Dolphin way before I'd stay at a Disney moderate.

- The location of the S/D is awesome. You are right between Epcot and Hollywood Studios and are in walking distance of both.
- The Disney Boardwalk is right beside the S/D
- There are tonnes of restaurants around the area (Epcot, Boardwalk and HS) and the S/D has some really great restaunts within itself.
- You get the choice of bus or boat transportation to the parks.
- The Grotto pool is really really really nice (and probably the 2nd best on property - besides SAB).
- You can watch Illuminations every night from the resort or even your room.
- Beaches and Cream which is in the BC/YC is a 3-5 minute walk away
- The rooms are nice and big
- The "Heavenly" beds are awesome.
- I hear the Mandara Spa is very nice

Oh... one more thing. If you are booking the rooms then definitely go to www.spg.com and sign up as a Starwood preferred guest. It's free and you'll get a tonne of points with this stay. Probably close to giving you and extra night free.

Andy

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

Truly depends on what you want out of your vacation. Stayed at Swan once cause I got a great nurses rate. It was a nice hotel, but I personally didn't think it was very "Disney". I also really like the convenience of room charging. On the other hand - sounds like you have a lot of older kids with you. They may like the convenience of DHS and Epcot. If price is big concern, you can't go wrong the with deluxe feel and location of S/D vs. moderate. If I was choosing between S/D or Coronado - S/D wins.

 

[Dan Murphy]

See the answers to the identical question on the Swan Dolphin thread,

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1567343&page=108


the answers I gave you in a PM you sent me,

Hi qanita.

Let's see what I can answer.

1)No Rental car or limo or similar
2)No, no Disney dining plan
3)No, no Disney gift cards
4)I think 4, no sure, best to ask on the S/D thread to confirm. Either 4 or 5
5)Only rooms that would take 7 would be a higher priced executive suite, quite costly
6)I think if you ask for it in a reservation, there is, but many are upgraded, though not guaranteed. Again, best to ask on that thread
7)Very costly. Not sure, you can price it here though

http://www.swandolphin.com/rates/index.html

8)Pros? Location, deluxe resort at less than Disney deluxe rates Cons Non that I know of
9)Basically see 1, 2 and 3 above. S/D is a deluxe resort in every respect, Coronado is a moderate.

Hi
Well I really don't know much about the Swan and Dolphin so there are a lot of questions (planning to go Dec 21-29 with 7 people -2 adults(over 18 years old) and 5 kids (ages 16,15,13,11,9)):
1.Is there a bus service to pick me up from Orlando airport to Swan and Dolphin and back?
2.Can I get DDP?
3.Do they accept Disney gift cards?
4.How many people are allowed in the standard rooms?
5.Are there any rooms that allow 7 people? How is that compared to 2 rooms at Corondo Springs (3 in one room and 4 in the other)?
6.Does it cost extra to get a room with a balcony at the Swan?
7.Prices during the holiday season?
8.Pros/cons
9.ANY differences between staying at the S/D than a Disney resort (Corondo to be more exact)?

and also in any other PM's sent.

 

[elf]

While you have the disadvantages of no DDP, charging etc.

I think with the ages in your group your going to love the area. I like to stay at the Dolphin as opposed to Swan (although I love the Swan too) because there is more action. The quick food on site (not sure if still 24hrs) can't remember the newer name used to be Tubbis, Plus the Dolphin fountain which is burgers/ice cream stuff.
Teens can be semi close and still have plenty to do Boardwalk, MGM or Epcot really close by. You will need two rooms though. I see your going at a really busy time so not sure about availability renting 2 bd. villa at Boardwalk from someone who owns DVC but that could be another option for area.

I can't remember if both allowed 5 or just the Swan or Dolphin. One time we did rent the extra cot for a 5th but it was quite a few years ago and I can't remember which it was.