Swan, Dolphin or POR

[jonemick]

I'm trying to decide if I should stay at the Swan or Dolphin with my family of 5.

I have stayed 3 times at POR and the last time (11/2004) we checked out early because of the general un-cleanliness of our room. I would consider it again if I knew for sure that the AB section had been refurbished.

Any info would be helpfull, thanks.....

 

[Slapster]

I've stayed at the Dolphin, and will be staying at the Swan in November. Never been to POR, but I can tell you that you will love the Dolphin. The rooms are perfectly clean and well appointed. They've recently been remodeled and everything feels brand new. We're going to the Swan with the AP rate and will report back after!

 

[swilphil]

We have stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin. They both have had impeccably clean rooms. We stay there mainly for the location--it's so close to MGM and Epcot. We found the bus service to be excellent to MK. This summer the bus went straight to the park after picking up at the Dolphin. You also will love the newly renovated rooms and the heavenly beds.

 

[jonemick]

Sherri, what month did you go this summer. Were planning on going in August 2005 and have been worried about heavy crowds. We have been to Disneyworld 4 times in the last 5 years but always in November !

 

[232271]

hey Slapster

if you dont mind sharing what is the AP rate for the
Swan, you have???

 

[EsmeraldaX]

My instinct is to say POR, because it's my favorite onsite but since you have stayed there 3 times, why not try something new? I'm considering a few options for our 2005 May trip and the Swan is one of them.

 

[Slapster]

Originally posted by 232271
hey Slapster

if you dont mind sharing what is the AP rate for the
Swan, you have???

I got $724 for 4 nights with tax, or $181 per night. This was a last minute thing so I really didn't do much hunting for good rates. Just booked it when they said they had availability.

We're going for a week in February and we got to talking yesterday about Thanksgiving, next thing you know we're booked. That's the way things work at my house....

 

[swilphil]

Originally posted by jonemick
Sherri, what month did you go this summer. Were planning on going in August 2005 and have been worried about heavy crowds. We have been to Disneyworld 4 times in the last 5 years but always in November !

We went mid-July this summer. The crowds were manageable, but it was hot, perhaps even unbearably hot, depending on your comfort level. We did MK Early Entry one day, and on another had an 8:15 PS at Crystal Palace--I would highly recommend both to beat both crowds and the heat. We took a mid-afternoon break every day, supposedly because of our two toddlers but the adults needed the rest also. If you go early and use fast pass well, you won't have long waits. We never waited for more than 15 minutes for a ride.

The Swan/Dolphin offers many discounts--AAA, Entertainment Card, teachers/nurses/govt--which are usually around $150 a night. There also have been some discounts offered through allearsnet.com, usually in the off-season including August.