Swan/Dolphin or Yacht club?

[MrsJ Henry]

Ok , my husband and I did some research, asked questions on here and talked to some people about which deluxe to go with. After all that we came up with going (and booking) our 5 nights at the yacht club. (in November)
Well We never looked into the Swan or Dolphin. We are seeing that we could get a nice package deal. (room only) We would save $150 and also get our breakfasts free. We would get a nice view and King size bed. These are all attractive to us.
But ....... are we making a mistake if we change and go with the Swan or Dolphin?
We are two adults , 40, no kids. I've been to Disney before but he has not.
What do you all think? Have you stayed at the Dolphin or Swan? Help...... we can't make up our minds and we have never stayed at either one. In Fact we have never stayed on site before.

 

[aunt kelly]

We stayed at the Dolphin in November and really enjoyed our stay there. We had a room with an Epcot view and watched Illuminations from our balcony every night. The transportation to and from Epcot and MGM on the boat was very nice, and we never had to wait too long for a boat. (The same boat serves the Yatch club also). If you and your husband are planning on spending any time at the pool, the pool area at the Swan/Dolphin is lovely, and there are several areas where the kids don't hang out. Also, there is a nice poolside bar, where you can get adult drinks. The buses to and from MK and AK were fine, and we never had to wait to long for a bus. My only complaint about Dolphin is that it is so large, it was quite a hike from our room to the pool and Tubbi's, the cafeteria. However, we really enjoyed our stay there and I would recommend it.

 

[mom_rules]

I think you will enjoy either. We are staying at the YC this time (usually stay at BC)-tried to get S&D but everything was booked. Maybe next time. You can't beat the pool/waterpark at the YC. It not as convention oriented as the S&D (or as high). Both have great Steakhouses. S&D aren't "as Disney". Whichever you decide you can't go wrong staying onsite and the BW area is excellent and very convenient (I love walking around BW and Worldshowcase at night). Have a great time.

 

[Kathie808]

We have stayed on site many times and for years never investigated the Dolphin & Swan. My husband and I decided to stay there three years ago and loved it. We went back in September of 2003 and are going again in March. Great location, nice rooms and you can walked to the Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach within minutes. The only issue is a $10.00 fee for a newspaper, coffee and health club. We love Disney but we also appreciate the atmosphere at these resorts. They still have the Disney charm but it tends to be "toned down."

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Thank you for the responses.
We keep going back and forth. Which would have the least hike around the resort? It would be nice if they all were not so big so it wouldn't be such a chore to do anything. Any thoughts?

 

[sherry8253]

Hi Mrs J. My DH and I stayed at the Swan for the first time last December. We loved it. It was not huge like some of the Disney resorts. The heavenly beds were just heavenly. You cannot beat the location & service. The staff went out of their way to make sure that we had everything we needed and were happy with our accomodations. There are also a wider choice of restaurants in the Swan & Dolphin than in the Yacht & Beach Club. I think we are staying at either the Swan or Dolphin when we go next Dec. Now... the drawbacks... there is not theme in the hotel. It is a very lovely hotel and the rooms have recently been refurbished but if you are looking for a theme such as the Yacht and Beach Club has you will not find it there. You also cannot charge to your room key in the parks or other resorts. If you use valet parking, the fee you pay at the Swan & Dolphin is only for those 2 hotels. If you go to another resort to dine and want to valet park there, you will have to pay an extra $6. Good luck on your choice!! I enjoyed the Swan very much and if you chose that hotel I hope you will too.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Thanks
we are leaning more and more towards the Swan.
Theme is not real important to us so that should not be an issue,
We were not going to be charging to our room key anyway so that would not be an issue and we were not going to be using Valet parking so that would not be an issue.

We also think that we could get a good deal. What do you think:
5 nights-resort view with balcony-champagne and chocolate upon arrival-in room full breakfast every day- taxes etc included $1,195.

 

[sherry8253]

I think it sounds like a good price. Where did you find this kind of package? I have never seen this kind of package. I hope you enjoy the Swan as much as we did. I liked that you can book a room with a king size bed. You cannot do so at the Yacht Club.

 

[dandave]

MrsJ Henry, Make sure that you are figuring in the extra appx. $10 per night Swan/Dolphin resort fee into the price, as well.

When we stayed at the Dolphin, there was a convention going on at the grotto pool during one of our two nights there. We were then forced to go to the duck (and duck feather) inhabited lap pool at the Swan.

We did not care for Tubbies.

I have not stayed at the YC, but loved the BC.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

as luck would have it that $10 a day fee is also already included.
That's one of the reasons we thought it was a good deal.
Since we are flying free (thanks to frequent flyer miles) and 3 days of the park are free (thanks to OLD park passes) We thought we would splurge a little and get a deluxe hotel. I'm glad that we are getting a good deal. At least I'm hoping it is a good deal!!

 

[dandave]

Mrs. J Henry, "5 nights-resort view with balcony-champagne and chocolate upon arrival-in room full breakfast every day- taxes etc included $1,195" (which includes the resort fee), sounds like a very good price to me, then.

I'm the first to admit that a resort may be wonderful for one family, while another family may not care for it. To each his/her own. The price sounds good, however.

I hope you have a wonderful vacation!!

 

[dandave]

Mrs. J Henry, The numbers here are bothering me, so I did some searching.

The Yacht Club is $289 + 11.5 % tax for a standard in Value Season ( November).
$289 x 5= $1445 (room without tax)
$1445 x 11.5%= $166.17 (tax)
$1445 + 166.17= $1611.17 (total with tax for YC standard)


$1611.17 for the YC (standard, value season rate, taxes included) - $1,195 for the Swan/Dolphin (including taxes and resort fee, breakfasts, and welcome champagne/chocolates- your figure) = $416.17 savings

How is it that you figured that you would only be saving $150 by staying at the Swan/Dolphin?

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We were also getting a good deal on the yacht club so we wouldn't not have had to pay $1611. It was more like $1300 something.... (don't have it right here in front of me now)

 

[ozziewags]

As posted earlier, I think you will enjoy the S/D very much. I have stayed at several disney resorts and like them all(including the YC). A year ago, we wanted to go at Christmas and I felt spoiled by the deluxe experiences we have had, but disney just about priced me out of them. I checked into the S/D teacher/nurse/gov rate and I paid $129 for a jr. suite, club level a the Swan. Couldn't pass it up and now I am hooked. The location is great, lots of restaurants, great pool. I also liked that the Swan was the first pick up and drop off of the busses to the MK and AK. It is across the street from the mini golf. A draw back was that we had to find our own transportation to the golf courses. If you go with the Swan you might want to join their hotel card program, it's free and it might help you get an upgraded room. http://www.spg.com
Here are some pics:

view from our room last summer

those heavenly beds

view of Grotto pool from Swan private pool:

another view from our room:

Grotto Pool:

I just like this picture:

 

[PamNC]

would be stick with the Yacht Club. Now, I'm bias because it's my favorite resort. However, I think the Swan and Dolphin are beautiful resorts and you still would get to be in the Epcot Resort Area. For a $150 savings for the entire trip, that wouldn't be enough for me to switch. If the savings were more, perhaps. And the free breakfast, well...you can eat cheap if you had to.

Either way - I know you'll have fun. But that's my honest answer. If I were savings $300+ maybe I would be more apt to switch.

PamNC

 

[jgates]

MrsJHenry -

I would suggest booking the Swan.

Again - what will you miss?
1. Charging to your room.
2. Mickey Wake-Up call

What will you gain?
1. $150 minimum!

If you want to eat somewhere at the Y & B, you are very close - walk around the lake and there you are.

Seriously though. I would still check other discount rates if you are eligible for any of them - including -

1. Nurse
2. Teacher
3. Government
4. Entertainment Book
5. AAA
6. Firefighter

What I am missing here guys?

The in-room breakfast is not that important to me. I would rather try to find a better discount for a club-level room and go down to the club room and pick what I want to eat. I know it is not a 'hot' breakfast, but their variety is outstanding. Fruit, yogurt, cereals, pastries, coffees, juices, milk, more fruit!

SD Website

I believe you have to call to enquire about the special rates, but as you can see from Ozziewags post - they can be fantastic !!!

So many people feel the 'conventioneers' are distracting - we never really noticed them. And just remember - they are jealous because you are on vacation and they are working!!!

 

[4khansen]

We obtained 3 nights at the Dolphin in July this summer through Priceline at $69.00 a night. I would like to upgrade to a Junior Suite, is this possible? and at what rate would be charge for the upgrade?

 

[Tigger Woods]

Originally posted by sherry8253
I think it sounds like a good price. Where did you find this kind of package? I have never seen this kind of package. I hope you enjoy the Swan as much as we did. I liked that you can book a room with a king size bed. You cannot do so at the Yacht Club.

This is the Heavenly Paradise package. It's available at the Swan/Dolphin website. (swandolphin.com)