Swan/Dolphin vs. Moderates

[wellesleyprincess]

I probably should have posted on the Resorts board but I know a lot of people here are big Swan Dolphin Fans.

My friends and I are considering a trip next year at Thanksgiving (yes I know the parks will be packed, but we've all been before during the summer). It will be four of us all in our early twenties.

My first question is do you miss any of the perks that you lose by staying at the Swan/Dolphin? I've done the dining plan the last few trips, but I'm really wondering if it gets annoying not be able to charge to the room.

Also, do you get guaranteed admission like at the other resorts? With it being such a peak time this could be important.

The location is appealing but how would you compare the hotel to the Disney moderates. I loved our stay at the Coronado when I was in middle school. The Swan/Dolphin looks nice, but it also seems somewhat plain . Do you miss the Disney touch when you stay there?

 

[LilGMom]

We had a very short stay at the Dolphin last December and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat!!! You do still get to take advantage of EMH so the only real perks you lose out on would be the DDP & charging things to your room. I'm not sure if you can have packages from the parks delivered back to the Swan/Dolphin or not.

While the resorts aren't as as themed as the WDW resorts they are really beautiful resorts. And the service we got while there was super! As soon as we walked in we noticed a very light and extremely pleasant smell - hard to describe but it was very nice. The room was nice and roomy, liked getting two bottles of water in the room, bathroom was a good size and I liked having a second sink (there is one in with the toilet and shower and one outside the bathroom in a seperate small vanity area). And the beds..... oh my they are comfy!!!! There are single service packets of Starbucks in the room as well as Bath & Body products. Add in the convenience of walking to Epcot and it is, imho, a wonderful place to stay!

I didn't really miss the little WDW touches in the resort because those beds, location, level of service, and wonderful smell throughout the resort made up for it.

 

[newmouse2008]

I deal with the Swan Dolphin every day with my job and would recommend them completely! I have also stayed there and had a wonderful time. I love the boat ride to Hollywood studios, and the short walk over to the Boardwalk. Wonderful service!

 

[carol1231]

We stayed at the Swan for a weekend before checking in at SSR and had a good time. We don't take advantage of many perks, so we didn't miss them. I think I'd prefer staying at the Swan compared to a moderate because the location is great. We loved the pool. The rooms aren't disney themed like the disney resort rooms, but the rooms were comfy.

 

[DavidandLeahZ]

Can swan/dolphin guests use ME?

 

[Leigha]

No but LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!! The rooms really are so nice too - more spa like. On the flip side, it's not so Disney like but then you're surrounded by that with the great views! With the lack of ME, you also may have to consider the fee you have to pay to park there. Overall, its good outweighs the bad.

 

[mejkjj97]

We stayed at the Dolphin this past year and we loved it!!

The location was unbelievable and the hotels are really nice- The beds were great.

the only things that you don't get that other Disney resort do- Magical Express to and from the Airports (we rented a town car for 120 round trip for 4 people)., can't use the dining plan or charge things back to your room and have the delievered.

These are all small things considering considering you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[oc_tony]

I would definitely stay at the Swan/Dolphin. My family stayed there for 2 weeks last summer. We got the teacher/government employee discount for us and my dad. The location is incredible You can still use the EMH and get packages sent to the hotel. In terms of value, no other hotel that nice and on property will be that affordable. We plan on going back there soon!

 

[jcb]

Last trip (for the TSM event), we did POR and later stayed at the Dolphin. There was no contest. The Dolphin won in every category.

Thank you DU!

 

[rtobe]

I have stayed at the Dolphin and liked the room and beds. I did not have the second sink mentioned. One thing I missed was the park hours on the TV but I could certainly have brought the paper brochure up from lobby. The location is great.

 

[msteddom]

I have a reservation at the Dolphin this August. Their teacher discount was just too good to pass up. Plus my parents will be at the Yacht Club, so I'm right next door at half the price!

Melissa

 

[jpeka65844]

I have a reservation at the Dolphin this August. Their teacher discount was just too good to pass up. Plus my parents will be at the Yacht Club, so I'm right next door at half the price!

Melissa

I called a few days ago for a January 2010 reservation and they didn't know anything about a teacher's discount. The lowest they could offer me was $279 for a standard view. Mabye you can't book that far ahead on a discount?

 

[msteddom]

I called a few days ago for a January 2010 reservation and they didn't know anything about a teacher's discount. The lowest they could offer me was $279 for a standard view. Mabye you can't book that far ahead on a discount?

They seem to only release the discounts for the current calendar year. I booked mine through Dreams Unlimited Travel, you can check their site to see if discounts have been released, or just keep calling! Good luck, it's a great discount!

Melissa

 

[DWFan4Life]

We also loved staying at Dolphin. We are planning again to have a trip this year and think about it to surprise our kids. I'm kinda excited.

Have a nice day to all.