Swan&Dolphin or POFQ?

[WaltD4Me]

I'm planning for an upcoming trip and am trying to decide between staying at the Swan and Dolphin or POFQ? -- I've stayed at POFQ before and we loved it, but I wouldn't mind trying something new and with the nurses's discount, I thought it might be fun to give the Swan and Dolphin a try? -- I'm just not sure though...we love staying at the Disney resorts. I'm looking for opinions, good and bad on Swan and Dolpin...and wondering which one is preferred to stay at? Also do all the rooms have a balcony? I just LOVE staying somewhere with a balcony!

Also -- is there boat service to MGM and Epcot from the SD?

Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!

 

[grimley1968]

Also -- is there boat service to MGM and Epcot from the SD?

Yes there is. In fact, you can fairly easily walk to EPCOT from there as well, and it's about as fast as taking the boat. I would stick with the boat, though, to MGM. Quite a long walk from there to MGM.

I've never stayed at S/D, so I can't answer the main part of your question.

 

[tinkerrn]

Why not a split stay? We are planning on staying 5 days at the Dolphin with the nurses discount ( we are both RNs), then moving to POFQ for 3 days. Yes, the boat takes you to Epcot and MGM. I know there are rooms with balconies at both the Swan and Dolphin, they cost a little bit more. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[tortoni]

I've stayed at both places (POFQ and Swan) and both are nice. I would opt for the Swan or Dolphin due to their convenience to the parks and the Boardwalk area. It is not exactly the same as being on site, but it is so close to the action, that it makes for a very nice stay.

 

[hightown]

If I was able to get the nurse/govnmt/teacher discount at Swan/Dolphin I'd choose those over POFQ any day! In fact have ressies at POFQ for November but watching for a good AP discount there or elswhere.

The ONLY thing I missed when staying at the Dolphin was being able to charge purchases in Parks or resaurants to my room key.

Everything else was great!

 

[WaltD4Me]

The ONLY thing I missed when staying at the Dolphin was being able to charge purchases in Parks or resaurants to my room key.

Ooooo, I didn't think of that....can you still send packages from the park
to the SD? -- I would REALLY miss that!!!

I'm sorry, I just don't know one thing about the SD. I've researched the Disney resorts to death, but don't know anything about SD.

Do they use the same buses as Disney? I stayed at Grosvenor and I HATED waiting for their bus at the TTC in the middle of the parking lot!

 

[scanmom]

We stayed at the Swan and the busses to AK and MK picked us up right in front of the hotel. We LOVED the Swan. If you become an SPG member, you will probably get a free room upgrade! it is free to join at www.starwood.com
We had a balcony room that overlooked the lake and the Boardwalk. The view was beautiful! And the staff was super friendly and helpful. They sent up chocolate dipped fruit and champagne with a beautiful card because we were celebrating our anniversary.

 

[DisneyGuy]

Ooooo, I didn't think of that....can you still send packages from the park
to the SD? -- I would REALLY miss that!!!

I'm sorry, I just don't know one thing about the SD. I've researched the Disney resorts to death, but don't know anything about SD.

Do they use the same buses as Disney? I stayed at Grosvenor and I HATED waiting for their bus at the TTC in the middle of the parking lot!

They use the same transportation as the "Disney Hotels" do - busses to MK and AK, and boats for Epcot and MGM - however, of course, you can walk to those if you wish - for Epcot, it's easier to walk there than take the boat. You can't charge things back to your room at the Swan, HOWEVER, you can still send packages back.

I LOVE the Swan - to me it's just as nice as the other Disney deluxe resorts - the staff have always been wonderful, the pool is nice, it's very quiet - (Unlike some Disney resorts) and they offer GREAT deals most of the time - Honestly, if we can save $150.00 a night by staying at the Swan, we do it - the rooms are just as nice as the other deluxes and they offer almost all of the same benefits. My family are also big Epcot area fans - so the Yacht and Beach Club, and the Boardwalk are also are favorites - but as I've said, if we want to go and we can save A LOT of money by staying at the Swan, well the Swan it is...especially if you go once or twice a year. I know some say the Swan and Dolphin don't have the same amount of "Magic"...but I think they do.

 

[Leota]

I think the Swan & Dolphin are the best resorts on Property. The Dolphin is our favorite. I would choose it hands down over POFQ (or any other resort for that matter)

I switched from the Dolphin to POFQ purely for the free dining. I have a 16 yo son who can eat ALOT. Since this is a budget trip, I had to cut some corners. But I'll be back at my Beloved Dolphin in Dec!

 

[LiteBrite]

Definitely go for the Swan or Dolphin. I've only stayed at the Dolphin one night (July 4th this year), but I loved it! Really nice hotel, the staff is super friendly and helpful, great restuarant choices (love Tubbi's!), wonderful themed pool with lots of activities for the kids, and very convenient to Epcot, MGM, and the Boardwalk. Plus, the heavenly beds are amazing! I think you'll really enjoy it.

 

[NMAmy]

For my family, the Dolphin would win hands down over PO. The location is great, yes--your packages can be delivered to the hotel from the parks, not all rooms have balconies but on our first trip we were upgraded for free as Starwood Preferred Guest members. After that, I've paid extra for a guaranteed balcony because we loved it so much. Plus I earn points toward stays at other Sheraton/Westin hotels. The boats go to Epcot and MGM, you take Disney buses to DTD, MK, and AK. You're close enough to zip over to Epcot for dinner on a whim.

The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. After going to Tubbi's every morning for a mug/breakfast run--the cashiers were addressing me by name by the third morning of our trip. Plus, you can't beat being able to lie in bed or sit on your balcony and watch the Illuminations fireworks. The hotel is quiet--even when we were there at Christmas we heard no guest noise from other rooms. We love the Dolphin and can't wait to go back!

 

[DisneyFans4]

I love the Swan and as you can see I'll be there very shortly and can't wait.
In answer to another poster...yes, you can have your packages delivered to the Swan/Dolphin. I too miss being able to charge to your room key in the parks but that is fine. The charges that can be put on your room key is for those made in either the Swan or Dolphin.
I've never stayed at the Dolphin but I can tell you that the Swan is alot smaller and quieter which is what our family prefers. I think they are one of the best properties as far as views. We had a beautiful Epcot view last year and when looking out our balcony we could see the Boardwalk and we watched the boat that takes you to Epcot and MGM always going by. It was beautiful! We watched Illuminations from our balcony on those nights where we weren't in Epcot. The pool is huge!!!! Each hotel has their own quiet pool so it's real nice.
As far as transportation they also use the same Disney shuttle buses and the Swan is always the first stop, then Dolphin and Boardwalk so at least you'll always get a seat when your heading out.

 

[swilphil]

I love both the Swan and the Dolphin. The location is the best, and it truly is a deluxe resort. The heavenly beds are great! The Dolphin has a much more impressive lobby, but I like the bathrooms and room layout at the Swan a little better. You might have a better chance of getting a balcony at the Dolphin because it's so much bigger, but it may have more to do with availability. Sometimes with the conventions the Dolphin is more crowded. You might want to call the S/D reservations and ask. They are very nice. Also join www.spg.com. It's free and you'll have a better chance for an upgrade.