Swan and Dolphin

[jimb519]

What are the experts thoughts on the Swan and Dolphin. They have great rates form May 20-27 ($169) and we are planning on going form May 20-25 and would like to stay at an EPCOT area resort. Do these offer all the benefits of staying at the other EPCOT resorts? Is the Disney Dining plan available when staying here? Are these also within walking distance of MGM amd EPCOT? Magical Express from the airport for these hotels? Wow--lots of questions there! Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[NMAmy]

We love the Dolphin. Because it's not a Disney hotel, you lose certain benefits but gain others.

Magical Express is not available nor is the dining plan. Guests are eligible for extra magic hours. It is within walking distance of Epcot and MGM although MGM is a further walk--we always take the boat but we're lazy.

If you decide to stay there, sign up to become a Starwood Preferred Guest at www.spg.com It's free and we were upgraded on our first stay with no points at all on our card at that point. What I love about the Dolphin is that we earn points toward future stays and free upgrades if available and without any of the coyness that happens at a WDW hotel--I've never had to ask for one. The beds are also the best. Buses and boats are shared with the Beach Club and the Boardwalk.

It does take a little price comparison but usually, staying at the Dolphin is a cheaper option for us than a Disney hotel. The dining plan doesn't work for us because of our eating habits so it's not something we'd get no matter where we stay. But if I add in the price of a town car and our discounts on the room, it's usually considerably cheaper to stay at the Dolphin.

I hope you have a great trip wherever you decide to stay!

 

[kapoof]

you got a good rate so it totally worth it! these are very pretty resorts with a great location and losts or restaurants to chose from. the beds are so nice and they have starbucks coffee! also the rate you got is cheaper than staying at the mods, you got a deluxe for less! enjoy your trip!

 

[jimb519]

WOW! Thanks for all of that great information!

 

[jcb]

I completely agree with prior posts. While the Swan and Dolphin don't have all of the WDW amenities (ME etc.) that the WDW resorts have, for the price you are staying in an incredible location and very comfortable room.

You do have to arrange for transportation from the airport (if you fly, obviously) but the price differential makes this cost effective. When I stayed in December, the cost of a trip to the airport was $19 per person plus tax or if you booked a private towncar transfer (through Mears) it was $63.00 plus tax total for up to 4 people. This was the cost booked in advance and it is obviously subject to change.

The rooms are beautiful, bed extremely comfortable (can you tell I enjoyed that) and you can easily walk to either EPCOT or DHS. I enjoyed the walk to/from both parks very much. The boat is nice too.

 

[heidi8]

I've stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and was involved in putting on a conference at the Swan back in 2003, and they are one of my top three places to stay at WDW. If the price is significantly better than either Contemporary or AKL, we stay there, and we have never been disappointed. The room service, btw, is also terrific and if you get a room with a view of HS or Epcot, you can see the fireworks at night. We generally walk to Epcot and take the boat back afterwards when the kids are tired, and both are lovely. No, the theming isn't as magical as AKL or as whimsically pervasive as Coronado or Port Orleans, but for the value, it's a luxuriously lovely, convenient place to be.