Swan/Dolphin people! Questions!

[Dreamsdocometrue9112]

I couldn't find the thread particularly for Swan Dolphin, so I decided to just ask on a separate thread. First off, this is our first time staying here. We plan to stay one night before moving to Coronado Springs with my in laws. We LOVE the boardwalk, and will stay at BWI for our December trip. We've always wanted to give this resort a try as it offers a great nurses discount and its right on the boardwalk.

If you had to pick between the two, which one? The dolphin seems to offer a better discount, can anyone tell me why?

Also, will this resort transfer luggage to another Disney resort? I know it's only "Disney affiliated," so I wasn't sure what amentities they have and how much they do.

Third, is there DME to the swan/dolphin? This makes or breaks it as we won't have a car.

TIA!!

 

[Sappermont]

Have fun - your trips sound great!

I can't answer most of your questions but from reading similar threads RE: DME & Swolphin DME is not included but I *think* that you have the option to pay for the DME.

Hopefully, others with more expertise will chime in!

Have a magical vacation!

 

[patty57]

No DME and as far as I know...no option to pay for it. You can take a Mears shuttle, cab, town car etc. There is a Swan/Dolphin thread with lots of info here. Take a look.

 

[dmaz]

They are 2 totally different hotels the Dolphin is owned by Sheraton the Swan by Mariott? The Dolphin has double beds while the Swan has queens. The Dolphin will also accommodate 5 in a room with a roll away(for a fee) or in our case a twin air mattress.

We stayed there for 11 nights last year and loved the accessibility to the parks. We will be doing a split stay there again this year.

Here is the information link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904771

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I stayed at the Swan last summer and heading back in a few weeks this year. I actually really enjoy it. The Dolphin and Swan are very similar. The Dolphin is larger and a bit more "bustling" in the common areas. The rooms also have 2 double beds vs. queen beds (for 2 bed rooms), and the bathroom areas are smaller (but only slightly). If you are at all a view person, I would highly recommend doing an upgraded view. The standard view rooms can be pretty bad view-wise (room itself is identical, obviously).

As for Magical Express, that is not an option. But, as many have noted, shuttles are available. For a single person, add on $20 each way and $17 per day for the resort fee to get the total cost.

They both come recommended by me!

 

[Babsy]

I do not think that the Swan or Dolphin will transfer your luggage to a Disney resort because they are not Disney owned. I expect that you will have to take a taxi to CSR. WE have done so in the past.

We usually stay at the WDW resort and then move to the Swan Dolphin at the end of our stay because DME insists on bringing us to the airport 4 hours in advance of our flight. (international - I think it's 3 hours for domestic) Once we waited over an hour in the wee hours of the morning before any staff was even at the check in desk. What a waste of good sleeping time! Staying at WDW owned resort first means we can use DME. Then we take a taxi/town car back from Swan/Dolphin to the airport about 3 hours before the flight. Works well for us!

The Dolphin is much larger and hallways can be convoluted and confusing. However, the fitness center is at the Dolphin (can be used by the Swan guests, though) as well as a nice soda shop, Peekaboo and Fresh.Although the rooms are somewhat nicer at the Swan, we tend to slightly prefer the Dolphin. However, it isn't a big deal. If we can't stay at the Dolphin we are happy to stay at the Swan. At both hotels the beds are super comfortable!

And, of course, the location is wonderful!

 

[Tege]

They are 2 totally different hotels the Dolphin is owned by Sheraton the Swan by Mariott? The Dolphin has double beds while the Swan has queens. The Dolphin will also accommodate 5 in a room with a roll away(for a fee) or in our case a twin air mattress.

We stayed there for 11 nights last year and loved the accessibility to the parks. We will be doing a split stay there again this year.

Here is the information link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904771

They ARE 2 separate hotels BUT both are owned by Sheraton/Starwood Hotels.

 

[nfouey]

They ARE 2 separate hotels BUT both are owned by Sheraton/Starwood Hotels.

You are correct. They are both 100% for sure Starwood Properties.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I think 1 is Westin and 1 is Sheraton but I always forget which is which. They are both Starwood though, yes.

 

[BayouBelle77]

I think 1 is Westin and 1 is Sheraton but I always forget which is which. They are both Starwood though, yes.

Yes, the Dolphin is Sheraton and the Swan is Westin.

 

[dmaz]

Oops I knew they were different but didn't see it on the first post of the thread. Hopefully I can burn the Westin part into my brain.

 

[bballmom56]

The Swan seems to always be $10-$20 more than the Dolphin. I don't know why but I have noticed this over the years. The Swan is smaller than the Dolphin and according to most people, the Dolphin is more "kid friendly" and the Swan is more geared to adults. That being said we stayed at the Swan twice with teenagers and they loved it. We prefer a smaller resort.

DME does not participate with Swan/Dolphin, but since you only need transportation one way (I assume you would take ME back to MCO since you are moving to CSR during your visit), you can get a town car for $65.00 plus tip one way. We find that it is a nice, luxurious way to start a vacation and they will do a 30 minute grocery stop for you if you wish. And even with that additional cost, it still is a great deal. I have seen rates for the Dolphin as low as $129 and the Swan as low as $139 recently. Granted you have to add the $17 daily resort fee to that, but we still find it to be well worth it.

I have read where people have been able to have luggage transferred and I have read where they have not been able to get it transferred. I don't know what the official line is or if it just depends on who you talk to.

And yes, they are both Starwood properties, but the Swan is Westin and the Dolphin is Sheraton.

 

[Dominus]

You are making great choices! My family has stayed at both CS and the Dolphin, and both are great. I do however give the edge to the Dolphin. Mostly for it's ease of transport to the parks. The boats are awesome, and IMO way better than the buses. And you can easily walk to Epcot. We took the boats to HS and Epcot. We would often boat to EP and then monorail to MK. AK is the only park you have to bus to. We chose the Dolphin over the swan because we had our 2 sons and a niece, so we needed the 5 person option. That said, the swan was very nice and we ate there on occasion. If it were a trip with only adults, I'd pick the Swan. But with kids, even up to teenagers, I'd go Dolphin. If you stick with CS, you pool and slide were huge hits with my kids. And the rooms were nice as well. Enjoy your stay!!!!!