Swan/Dolphin vs Moderate?

[book_junkie]

Heya-
OK, here's a weird question for you, but please bear with me... Hubby and I are debating a trip early next year, and are trying to decide where to stay. We were looking and debating about resorts online (he doesn't want to stay offsite) and found that for about the price of a moderate we could get a room (with discounts available to us through his work) at the Dolphin/Swan...

I've stayed at a couple of the moderates so I'm familiar with those, but I've never stayed at the Dolphin/Swan.. What would be the pros/cons to both for those that have experience? "Disney" theming at the moderate vs a more hotel feel? Room service?

Just trying to figure out options...

Thanks!

 

[ThumpersWorld]

Would absolutely recommend the Dolphin or the Swan over a moderate. We have stayed at the Dolphin twice and the Swan once and the hotels are first rate. You can't do any better than the "Heavenly" beds...most comfortable beds ever. The location is much better than the moderates. Boat or walk to HS and EPCOT. Our favorite place to stay is one of the hotels on the Boardwalk. The main thing you don't have is the Magical Express. We didn't rent a car so we had car service take us to and from the airport. The rate is amazing for a deluxe hotel...and if you have AAA, even better...

 

[jujube]

The only cons are no charging to the room at the parks and no dining plan.
There is a parking fee if you have a car and there is a resort fee. The fee includes 2 bottles of water per day, use of the health club, internet access, local and long distance calls.
I'd choose either the Swan or the Dolphin in a heartbeat. You cannot beat the location. There are great restaurants too. The beds are called "heavenly beds" for a reason.

 

[madelyn]

Have stayed at the Dolphin and the only two moderates I have stayed at are CBR and CSR. I would pick the Dolphin over either of those mods. Love the location!

 

[Robert P]

I would say S/D over any moderates. You will miss some of the WDW theming, but the benefits far outweigh that.

 

[Uno Mas]

Definitely S/D. Tons of restaurants to choose from, great location on Boardwalk, can walk to two parks...and the rooms are fairly large and well appointed. Dolphin is the Sheraton brand and Swan is the Westin brand, so the Swan is a bit nicer, and quieter. Dolphin tends to get more convention crowds. Enough Disney theming to know that you are there.

 

[pgianna]

Swan Dolphin by far!!!!!!!. Think of it this way. Its like comparing the grand floridian to a.moderate, they dont compare.

 

[book_junkie]

Awesome, thanks! That's what I was thinking, but having never been to either the Swan or the Dolphin, I wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

 

[tgropp]

Location...Location...Location

Also helps if you are an active member of the Sheratons SPG program. I have only stayed at the Dolphin three times but have been upgraded from a standard room all three times.

 

[nkereina]

We love the dining plan, rely on Magical Express, and always have things charged to the room. These reasons rule out Swan/Dolphin for us. But if none of these things are important to you, then definitely go Swan/Dolphin. The location is hard to beat.

 

[Geezer12]

Not even close for us. Swan and Dolphin by far!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Location...Location...Location

Also helps if you are an active member of the Sheratons SPG program. I have only stayed at the Dolphin three times but have been upgraded from a standard room all three times.

Hi there, so you were able to get an upgrade on your first stay? I joined and we are booked for June. Did you ask at the time of check in? TIA

 

[tgropp]

Hi there, so you were able to get an upgrade on your first stay? I joined and we are booked for June. Did you ask at the time of check in? TIA

I aiways stay at Sheraton hotels so I have past stays to my account....but when I go to the front desk , I always ask them how they are, ask them if they are booked full and then ask if there is a chance of an upgrade. But most importantly, be polite[. Shearton , by far is the best hotel chain.

 

[MBELSANTI]

I aiways stay at Sheraton hotels so I have past stays to my account....but when I go to the front desk , I always ask them how they are, ask them if they are booked full and then ask if there is a chance of an upgrade. But most importantly, be polite[. Shearton , by far is the best hotel chain.

Thank you for the tips!

 

[mickeygirl14]

Thanks for asking this, book_junkie. I am in the same position trying to decide between Swan and POR for our upcoming trip which got moved up from September to JUNE! Somehow, everything has fallen in to place with ADRs and room availability, so I'm running with it. Today is the day I HAVE to decide which one to cancel and which to keep...and after reading this and several other threads, I think it's going to be Swan for us!

 

[TaraPA]

Swan or Dolphin, hands down. It's like comparing apples to oranges. Don't get me wrong, mods are nice but if given a choice for about the same price, S/D would win for us every time.

For us the only negative is no ME. There's enough Disney theming around - you can look out most any window at S/D & see either Epcot, ToT or The Boardwalk - that's enough Disney theming for me LOL!

We've stayed at all WDW resort levels - value, mod, deluxe, deluxe CL & villas - and we still find ourselves giong back to S/D. My kids love the Grotto Pool over any other WDW Resort pool (ok maybe not over SAB!)

We've been all levels of SPG from preferred to Gold to Platinum. We've gotten comp upgrades a little over half the time (I think we're on stay 7 or 8 at S/D). Since they are convention hotels they are almost always fully booked, so then there are none available. If you're Gold SPG or above, the comp upgrade it automatic, if available. It used to be for Preferred as well, but they took that away about 2 years ago, unfortunately.

Go & enjoy!

 

[a1tinkfans]

We love the dining plan, rely on Magical Express, and always have things charged to the room. These reasons rule out Swan/Dolphin for us. But if none of these things are important to you, then definitely go Swan/Dolphin. The location is hard to beat.

ME for us is a biggie as we used to use a limo for transport from MCO.....no dp was also a factor, charging to room, as well as the themeing are all factors for us, otherwise, we'd just stay luxury outside of disney all together...
so for us, we'd go mod.........over s/dolph

 

[lovetogowdw]

Are you traveling with kids? If so, how old are they?

The Disney themes/colors/activities make a big difference for little ones and makes a moderate (or even a value resort like AofA, an All Stars or Pop Century) the winner. For a family of teens/adults only, then hands down Swan or Dolphin. And this is coming from a lifetime SPG Gold member.

I've paid out-of-pocket for Value resorts (with the ridiculous bright colors and huge characters) instead of using Starwood points just because my little kids like the Value resorts better.

But ---I love room service, pantry service (did I mention a six pack of beer was just $8 at the Swan?), etc. at the Swan/Dolphin. And the location!!!! Boardwalk area rocks.