Swan/Dolphin Questions

[MikeWazowski]

Well we just back back from a one week vacation at the Pop Century. So we are ready to start planning our August trip. This will be a 10 day to 14 day trip and we are looking to probably 2 different resorts.

I have a few in mind. But, for once my family is agreeing on a resort. I always wanted to stay at the Swan or Dolphin just based on the appearance. Then we dined at Fresh and Shula's and my parents really fell in love with this place. I then showed my mother the beds at the Swan and she liked the place even more.

Here's a few question:

1) Are the heavenly beds only at the Swan?

2) How are the transportation services (Boats/Buses)?

3) What are the best rates you can get?

4) Is it true that Government Employee's/Military/Nurse's/Teachers can get discounts? I als have an AP.

5) What is this place comparable to?

6) What place would be considered better?

7) What else do I need to know?

 

[OKSTATE99]

1) Are the heavenly beds only at the Swan?
No the Dolphin also has them
2) How are the transportation services (Boats/Buses)?
Boats to MGM and EPCOT (which my family loved the boats nice and relaxing) Buses to the rest
3) What are the best rates you can get?
in Value sesason $149 for a standard
4) Is it true that Government Employee's/Military/Nurse's/Teachers can get discounts? I als have an AP.
Yes butt some months there are very limited discounts like May, and October for example
5) What is this place comparable to?
a very nice resort hotel, like a Hyatt or a Westin.

6) What place would be considered better?
I have only stayed at the Dolphin like it because of Tubbi's (24 buffeteria) is in the Dolphin
7) What else do I need to know?
There is alot of walking from your Elevator to your room if you are staying in one of the wings. I would stay there again but we are going WL this next time

As I was saying we are going in May and only 3 days out of the whole month had the discounted rate, which one reason but not only reason we are staying at the WL. We loved the Epcot area a 10 minute boat ride and you were at MGM which was nice. It was about 25 minutes to Epcot as you stopped at Boardwalk Inn and Beach and Yatch Club first

 

[DisneyFans4]

I absolutely love the Swan and as you can see that is where we are going again in August. The heavenly beds are wonderful! They are so comfortable. The comforter and pillows are down and after a long day at the parks it's nice to have a comfortable sleep. I am very particular with the beds I sleep in.
You can either take the boat to MGM or Epcot or even walk which is only about 10 mins. and a very scenic walk.
Depending on how many are in your party, the Swan has queen beds whereas the Dolphin only has double beds. I have two teenage boys so the queen beds are a must for me.
I feel there is alot more traffic in the Dolphin because they have more food areas but it just depends on what your into.
The only downside for me is that the Swan doesn't have a laundry room so I have to walk to the Dolphin but it's a short walk.
Whatever your choose, they are both nice.

 

[elf]

We have been to both. Both have heavenly beds. We always go with younger children so I like the Dolphin better. Easier access to Tubbi's, the pool (depending on where room is), and Laundry. The Dolphin is alot larger and it is quite a hike from one end to another. The Swan is smaller. To me there seems to be more action at the Dolphin. We enjoyed just sitting in the lobby area one night drinking coffee's while listening to the piano player while people watching.
I don't remember what the time interval is for the boats but it seems like every 20 minutes. But I love the fact that if you have enough energy it's takes the same amount of time to walk to Epcot than take the boat. You can even walk to MGM (about 20 minutes-30 minutes).
With a group it's great because you have so many choices for food and entertainment without even getting in a car or bus.
While we do quite a few breakfast sitdowns. Many times we like a simpler quicker breakfast. We walk to the Boardwalk get coffee and muffins and sit outside on the Boardwalk while the kids feed and chase the birds. My kids seem to remember things like that, even more than some character breakfasts.
Dinner your choices are incredible. All the Restaraunts between Dolphin/Swan, the Boardwalk (places such as Flying Fish, take out pizza window, ESPN) and Epcot.
Love it there, and sad that without discounts they are priced out of my range this year.