Swan/Dolphin vs Value???

[arrdee11462]

We are scheduled for a Aug 16 - 26th vacation and since there is no discount for the disney locations we are looking at Swan & Dolphin. The difference from Pop to Dolphin is only @ 600!
Can those who have stayed at Swan & Dolphin give me some info on the benifits and some of the downside to staying there.

Thanks!

 

[Megsie1000]

I think Swan and Dolphin is a really nice resort and the location is spectacular. We always really enjoyed our stays there. Recently the prices seem to have gone way up, though, and I am surprised that we are now priced out of Swan and Dolphin, too.

Anyway, the only downsides I can see:

* No Magical Express. Not a big deal if you drive, but if you like the direct luggage service both ways, that is a perk you lose.

* No dining plan. If you care about it, it's a perk you lose. We used to care, but as the dining plan has increased in price, it has become less of a thing we want to do anyway.

* Fee for parking and the resort fee (keep that in mind when pricing it out). You also have to take into account the price of getting to and from the airport.

* The pools are really far away from the rooms, although that coudl be true at any Disney resort, too.

 

[arrdee11462]

* The pools are really far away from the rooms, although that coudl be true at any Disney resort, too.[/QUOTE]

On the map it looks like the pool is closer to Dolphin. How long a walk is it from each if you know.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I was wondering the same thing. I have a code for WDW. Our total came out to $1715 for ASMovie preferred, including tickets. Swan has a special rate where you get your 6th night free, plus $100 resort credit. This would bring our total to $2106. That is a difference of $391, but we also get the $100 credit that we can use for food. Plus we get 2 queen beds instead of 2 double beds. I was thinking of switching. It might be worth it.

 

[Bete]

and I really don't have anything good or bad to say about it.

I felt there were less children at this resort.

I don't think I would stay there during a big convention.

I agree with the other poster about not getting all the Disney benefits, but those benefits may not interest you.

I would stay there again, but I would stay at most Disney resorts again, too.

For the $600 difference I would stay at POP though.

 

[lizabu]

I love the Swan and Dolphin and for such a small difference in price I would switch. Just the convenience alone of being so close to HS and EP would make it worth it. Not to mention how close you are to the Boardwalk. There are nice places to eat and shopping and even sometime performers so close by. The grotto pool is closer to the Dolphin. It's probably a 2 minute walk from any room in the Dolphin and maybe more like 5 from the Swan. There are so many food options at the two hotels you will always find something new and different to try.

 

[Aggie89]

We have stayed at both. The Swan is smaller and much more quiet. We had a nice stay there when our son was a toddler because after leaving the hustle and bustle of the parks, he needed quiet down time. Our last visit, however, the kids were older, 9 and 4, so we stayed at the Dolphin because of the arcade, pool, etc. We had an amazing time. You cannot underestimate how awesome and not to mention convenient it is to walk to Epcot (our fave) and take a boat to HS. One day, after a long day at HS, we got back to the hotel and realized we forgot to pick up a souvenir that we had promised DS. DH took him to the pool and I got back on the boat, went into the park and bought it in no time. Purchases are sent back to the hotel and you get the extra magic hours like Disney resorts. We stayed at a value resort once and hated it because the rooms are small and you can hear all of the outside noise. I'm a teacher so we take advantage of the Swan/Dolphin discount- way more bang for our buck. We're heading back in August and staying at the Dolphin again!!!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

Does your comparison take into consideration the S/D resort fee of $15/day? For a 10 night stay, that could add $150 to your total stay.

Also, have you added the cost to either park your car if you're driving (or renting a car) &/or the cost for airport transportation which won't be complimentary at S/D?

Reason being, we're (tenatively) doing a split POP/Dolphin stay for 10 days. When I add the resort fee & airport transportation to my discounted Dolphin room rate, Dolphin for 3 days is still almost as much for us as POP for 7 days. I don't know what your discount was, but if you are able to book Dolphin for only $600 more than POP for 10 days, including those extras, hand down I wouldn't hestitate to book Dolphin!

You can always book POP the next trip you don't have a discount. Unless you've got your heart set on getting a dining plan, staying at a value vs. a deluxe resort is what it boils down to for only $60/more per day.

We're looking forward to our split stay, having not stayed at either resort, but we have stayed at Swan so I know I'm looking forward to the end of our trip stay feeling a little pampering over at Dolphin with the heavenly beds, grotto pool, dining options beyond the food court, Epcot right next door, DHS a boat ride away, the location is fabulous! Other than a monorail deluxe resort I don't think you can beat the location if you're relying on WDW transportation to go to the parks.

Good luck deciding!