Swan & Dolphin - Stay for Wedding

[honey2741]

Hello Everyone!

I was reading someone's TR about staying at the Swan or Dolphin for their wedding. I believe she also had her Escape meal there at the Bluezoo. I have never been to the Swan or Dolphin, but I had a great time riding a bicycle past it. I was wondering any pros or cons for either location? What makes you choose one over the other? Just looking to compare the two locations. Which one would you choose? Why? Thanks!

 

[dhay]

Can I be completely honest? This is just my opinion and I don't want to offend anyone at all. This is just based on my experience. I love the restaurants there, but I would not want to stay stay there for a HM. My work has a conference there every year and while I know the other hotels at Disney have conference centers, the difference is the conference areas in other hotles keep the attendees hidden.

At the S&D hundreds of us hang out at the fountain and the bar right there where the guests also stay because the events are right off to the side and as a guest I would be pissed if I were there for an event. And if I was on my HM I have to think some of the magic would be ruined. I am not saying to not have a wedding at the S&D where you are tucked away but to stay at the S&D where you walk thru the lobby every day and may encounter conference attendees is a different story.

I have been going to this event for 6 years there and it is the exact same every single year in October so I have to assume it is the same way for any other events. JMO.

 

[PrincessShea]

I would stay there is if it's cheaper for you. I had my wedding a few weeks ago. It was an escape and we had our dinner at Bluezoo. However, we stayed the Beach Club Villas.

When we went to Disney last June we stayed at the Swan. I personally really liked it. I did not feel there was really any difference between the Swan and Beach Club Villas. DH works for the government so when we stayed at the Swan it was like $160/night. The deluxe Disney resorts are like $300+/night. It's not worth it in my opinion for a towel animal to spend all that extra money as I personally felt there was no other difference between the two.

I prefer the Swan over the Dolphin because it's a lot more quiet. The huge big lobby is in The Dolphin. And for what it's worth there was some convention going on when we were at The Beach Club, and we did see them roaming.

So again, if it saves you a lot of money, do it. You are barely in the room anyway.

 

[honey2741]

Can I be completely honest? This is just my opinion and I don't want to offend anyone at all. This is just based on my experience. I love the restaurants there, but I would not want to stay stay there for a HM. My work has a conference there every year and while I know the other hotels at Disney have conference centers, the difference is the conference areas in other hotles keep the attendees hidden.

At the S&D hundreds of us hang out at the fountain and the bar right there where the guests also stay because the events are right off to the side and as a guest I would be pissed if I were there for an event. And if I was on my HM I have to think some of the magic would be ruined. I am not saying to not have a wedding at the S&D where you are tucked away but to stay at the S&D where you walk thru the lobby every day and may encounter conference attendees is a different story.

I have been going to this event for 6 years there and it is the exact same every single year in October so I have to assume it is the same way for any other events. JMO.

No offense taken. I appreciate straight forward opinions...I am having the HARDEST time sticking with a decision on where to stay for the wedding. We are at SBP. I think I will stick with the Yacht Club and go to AKL after the wedding day events....Decisions, Decisions....the rooms look so much bigger at Swan/Dolphin and the views too!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

DF and I were considering the Swan and Dolphin, since we LOVE the boardwalk area and want a nice pool, but cannot really afford the Boardwalk area resorts. As of yesterday, we decided 100% it will not be an option for us. The reasons:

1) It does not have a magical express stop. So if you are flying to Orlando, you have to figure out your own transportation to/from airport.
2) I beleive that the dining plan is not an option there. Whether or not the dining plan saves money is up for debate, but we like the convenience of it.
3) I'm sorry, I have to say it - it's not really disney!! For me, coming from far away (Canada), if I am going to Disney, I'm going all the way

Anyway, if you are looking to save money as well, look into the DVC's for Beach Club Villa's. You can get them for half through there than what disney would charge!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

And if I was on my HM I have to think some of the magic would be ruined.

I have to agree with this. It's been years since I stayed at the Dolphin (as a college kid when my dad had a work conference there) but last year we visited the S/D while we were staying at BC. Walking through the lobby and seeing all the conventioneers working away on their laptops, having conference calls on their cells, etc. was kind of a buzz-kill to my vacation mojo, kwim? It was like I was zapped back into reality of work, stress, etc.

 

[chipscinderelly]

I agree with the PP who suggested not staying Swan/Dolphin for your wedding/honeymoon. Having stayed at the Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin I prefer the Disney resorts for their themes and the special little touches that they have. The Swan/Dolphin was great for the convention I was attending and we are staying there again this week (for another convention) but it didn't have the extra magic.