Swan and Dolphin. Wife very hesitant

[MDH]

Hi, I need some help here. Family is returning to the best place in the world in 1 year. Will be our third visit in last 5 year. Previously we've stayed at AOA family suite both times. This time we were looking to change it up. We are a family of 5, and thought about a split stay between beach club and caribean beach. Our biggest thing is we want to be able to walk to epcot (our favorite park) for a few of the days. I started considering the swan and dolphin, and after looking at Costco's travel website, the price to stay the entire stay at the dolphin would save us 1000 dollars. My wifes concerns are that it won't feel as disneyish because not official hotels. Any input is very much appreciated here. Quality of hotel? differences between it and disney hotels? No magical express, just get a shuttle instead? restaurants? Thanks for anything!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Quality of the hotel is better than CBR or AOA. You still get 60 day FP+ and EMH; you cannot buy Dining Plan, and will have to make ADRs a day at a time. Also, pay for your own shuttle, but at a $1k savings you should be able to cover that.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I just did a split stay between Swan and WL... had a great time at both. The Swan is definitely less Disney, but you can't beat the walk to the Boardwalk and Epcot for the price. And I thought the rooms were nicer than the average Disney hotel room. I've only stayed in WL and AKL DVC rooms recently, but my Swan room felt more luxurious and roomier. The staff was also great. I think Dolphin is undergoing a refurbishment right now, so you may want to check that out. Since it's a convention hotel, it felt much bigger and busier than the Swan.

No magic bands (but you can use your old ones from a previous stay for entrance to the parks, FPs, photopass, ADRs, etc.) or magical express, so you either have to rent a car or taxi over. You do have buses to the parks, access to Extra Magic Hours, FP booking at 60 days, and free park parking (if you rent a car). I didn't eat at any of the restaurants there, so can't comment on that, but they seem to have a lot of options between Swan and Dolphin. Be mindful of their resort fee which can tack on an extra $25/day plus extra for parking (not in the parks, but at the hotel).

I did miss charging things on my magic band to the room, sending parks purchases back to the room, and using the magic band as my room key, but they were far from deal breakers.

 

[robinb]

I love the Swan and Dolphin! They are beautiful resorts in the heart of the Boardwalk area. IMO, they hold their own with the other nearby resorts. No, they are not quite as "magical" but I can give up a tiny bit of "magic" for $1000. I would go with the Swan over the Dolphin because of the queen sized beds. The only drawback for us is the resort and parking fee. Make sure to include that in your calculations. Transportation will be a problem for you. Taxis/Uber from MCO is VERY expensive, close to $70 each way and you may be out of luck when it comes to a car seat. I would recommend pricing out two one-way car rentals and seeing if it comes out cheaper. You can also look at Transportation Board for advice on shuttles or limos.

How old is your 3rd child? CBR only sleeps 4 plus and child under 3 in a pack and play. If your 3d child is older, then you'd have to choose a different WDW resort that actually sleeps 5. The Swan will provide you a crib/pack and play or roll away for him/her.

 

[MDH]

That's one of things i was going to ask. I can't charge food to my magic band and then pay it off later?

 

[robinb]

That's one of things i was going to ask. I can't charge food to my magic band and then pay it off later?

No. You'll need to bring other payment with you into the parks.

 

[OKW Lover]

I can't charge food to my magic band and then pay it off later?

Correct. Just charge it to a credit card (preferably one that earns points) and pay off the card before your next billing cycle.

 

[robinb]

Correct. Just charge it to a credit card (preferably one that earns points) and pay off the card before your next billing cycle.

Or you can bring Disney gift cards into the parks with you. We did that when we stayed offsite in July. It was easy and we have Magic Bands with our park passes on them.

 

[Lynne M]

As far as "magic" goes, while the hotels themselves aren't owned by Disney, there are plenty of Disney touches. And, you're about as close to the middle of the magic as you can get. You're a five minute walk from the Boardwalk and a five minute walk to the Yacht & Beach Club resorts, with all of the restaurants and shops of those resorts. Or, boat service to those resorts if you like. You're also in easy walking distance to Hollywood Studios and Epcot, with boat service available as well.

And that $1000 you save will buy a whole lot of magical meals and experiences.

 

[iheartglaciers]

I would recommend pricing out two one-way car rentals and seeing if it comes out cheaper. You can also look at Transportation Board for advice on shuttles or limos.

I rented an Alamo car at the airport and was able to return it to the Dolphin, so it was very convenient! I think National also has a office at Dolphin.

 

[robinb]

I rented an Alamo car at the airport and was able to return it to the Dolphin, so it was very convenient! I think National also has a office at Dolphin.

Yup. You can even drop off after hours ad leave the car with the valets.

 

[MDH]

Thanks for all the info! CBR actually does allow 5 people in some of the rooms with a day bed, so that's a viable option still. As to transportation from the airport, I aman executive elite member with national and have more free days than I can possibly use. I didnt know that there is a national location at the S&D, that makes transportation a breeze for me, I'll just pick up at airport and drop off at hotel. Can I stay at the Swan with people in a room? The website made it sound as though only the dolpin would accomodate 5. As to resort fees, they are waived when booking through costco and you get a free upgrade to a resort view room. This hotel is an SPG hotel is it not? With the recent merger of SPG and Marriot rewards, I wonder what my platinum elite status would net me as far as another upgrade goes when i get to resort? We'd be going in late January 2018, not sure what the occupancy levels would be at that time.

 

[GreatLakes]

I have stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and I never felt less in the Disney bubble then when I stayed in a Disney owned resort. The theming was less obvious but the proximity to Epcot and being on property felt the exact same as when I stayed in any Disney hotel.

To be honest I couldn't imagine paying the higher prices at the three Disney Epcot hotels when I personally don't feel you are getting that much better of an experience.

 

[disnut8]

I would prefer to stay at the Swan as the Dolphin seems to be more of a "convention" type of resort but I'd go with either. Have your wife look at photos of the Grotto. And there is a spot underneath the waterfall there that is quite nice for a break for all your family. But, there is a parking fee and a resort fee so factor that into your equation.

 

[Hopefully]

I share your wife's hesitation. I don't feel they are as "Disney". I personally don't like the room decor

 

[piccolopat]

We've stayed at the Beach Club, Yacht Club and Swan. For the money and the ambience, we like the Swan the best, followed by the Yacht Club. We found the Beach Club to be too noisy. The Yacht Club was better in this regard but the Swan was the quietest. We particularly like the Swan's family alcove rooms even though it is just the two of us traveling. There is a sectional with a sleeper and plenty of room to move even if you add in a pack and play. If you will have a car during your stay (we don't), the parking fees might make a difference to you in your comparison. We also prefer the pool at the Swan to Stormalong Bay. When Beach Club first opened, there was much more sand at the bottom of the pool. I remember being able to dig my toes in and it was great. When we went back a couple of years ago, the sand was noticeably thinner and actually missing in manner areas. The hot tub was also overrun by young kids who weren't even supposed to be in there. They offer discounts like AAA if you are booking direct.

 

[Miffy]

I'm with your wife. I stayed at the Swan once, and although it's a nice hotel, I felt like I was at a nice hotel in Anywhereville. Saw loads of people in suits, attending conventions, etc. The room was just OK. The first morning there I was on the phone with WDW reservations getting a room at a WDW resort and moved the next day.

Yes, the location is convenient to Epcot and DHS. If that's the most important thing to you, you won't be disappointed. If theme or maybe I should call it ambience or maybe atmosphere (atmousesphere?) is most important to you and your DW, stick with a WDW property. Although I understand that money is a key consideration.

Just don't think that someone who loves the Disney theming and ambience is going to think the Swan or Dolphin has it. IMO, they do not. They have good prices and great locations.

And I hope Merriam Webster picks "atmousesphere" for their 2018 dictionary!!!

 

[happymommy]

Thanks for all the info! CBR actually does allow 5 people in some of the rooms with a day bed, so that's a viable option still. As to transportation from the airport, I aman executive elite member with national and have more free days than I can possibly use. I didnt know that there is a national location at the S&D, that makes transportation a breeze for me, I'll just pick up at airport and drop off at hotel. Can I stay at the Swan with people in a room? The website made it sound as though only the dolpin would accomodate 5. As to resort fees, they are waived when booking through costco and you get a free upgrade to a resort view room. This hotel is an SPG hotel is it not? With the recent merger of SPG and Marriot rewards, I wonder what my platinum elite status would net me as far as another upgrade goes when i get to resort? We'd be going in late January 2018, not sure what the occupancy levels would be at that time.

I've stayed at the Swan and Dolphin several times, and LOVE them! They are definitely more upscale than the Disney moderate and value resorts.

Yes, you can make a reservation with National to pick up at the airport and drop off at the Dolphin. If you are willing to pay the parking fee, you can keep it for running out to the store if you choose. But, it's likely not worth the fee if you're using Disney transportation while you're there anyway. You can also reserve to pick up at the end of your trip at the Dolphin and return to the airport, to use up a couple of your free days with them! Double check the fine print: sometimes they have a clause that says that if you drive fewer than 75 miles you must show a receipt that you put gas in it (even a gallon or so) to avoid an extra $15 charge.

Only the dolphin will accommodate 5 in a room, using a rollaway (that they used to offer for free, but now I think they charge for it). The dolphin has double beds (the Swan has queens, and doesn't have the space for one).

Yes they're both SPG, so be sure and create an SPG account and link them if you don't have one already! You may get an upgrade. Late January isn't always so busy.

I would choose them over a moderate. You may get upgraded to a room with a balcony; I always have!

The Swan was just renovated completely, and the Dolphin is starting, so the new decor will be very nice.

 

[mb187143]

We stayed at the Dolphin this past April because I had Starwood points to cover our stay. We are usually in the bubble people, frequenting the mods and deluxes when we go 1-2 times per year.

The room was fine. Nothing special. I travel often for work and when I woke up each day I felt like I was on a business trip. That's how non-descript the rooms are. We also hated the pool complex. The pools themselves were fine but we had cheerleaders taking over one section and convention families on the other side, lots of alcohol being served and bad decisions being made commensurately.

Walking to EPCOT and DHS was great, and at a lower price point than the Disney hotels in this area that is a definite benefit. We missed the small things though. The decor, the music, the Disney tv channels with the must-dos and the hours, etc. I felt like I was somewhere else the whole time we were at the S/D resort.

In the end we won't be back to either. It's not for us. But a great many people swear by the Swan and Dolphin and it might be right for you, OP

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

We stayed at the Dolphin for a quick anniversary weekend in 2010 and LOVED it. It is definitely one of my favorite hotels at Disney (then again, we don't stay deluxe very often, so I think I was just impressed by the deluxe amenities). The room was spacious and comfortable, although certainly not as Disney-themed as an AOA suite! We had a nice view of Epcot. We did eat at a couple onsite restaurants - Garden Grove for a breakfast and the soda shop sort of place for some burgers - and thought they were good. It was super nice to walk to Epcot. The thing we liked best was the pool - we spent most of a day at the Dolphin pool cabana. It wasn't very busy and we had excellent service from the bartender; we still talk about it.

I would say go for it. You never know until you try!