Swan/Dolphin vs WDW resorts?????

[Minnie]

Hi everyone

We are considering a long weekend trip with the main purpose being the Epcot Flower & Garden show

So we are considering the Swan or Dolphin or a WDW in the Epcot area.

Any suggestions as to which one or if we'd be happy at a "non" Disney hotel in WDW????????

Thanks!

 

[LindaR]

I'm not sure how a stranger can tell you if you would be happy! But, you will get lots of opinions!

Here's my opinion.......I love the Swan (Dolphin is alot bigger). I am a Starwood member and love Starwood properties (the beds are fantasic). My daughter (age 19) and I have stayed at the Swan. We loved the spa, the pool/beach area, the easy access to Boardwalk, Fantasia golf, and Epcot. It has a little more "adult" feel to it even though there are tons of kids there, too.

We get enough "Disney" by being in the parks and don't need Disney decor to feel comfortable. The rooms are nice and large, the room service is very good....it's really a full service hotel.

 

[ChelleinNC]

S&D are very nice hotels, but very corporate/business centered. We stayed at the Swan a few years ago because we couldn't get a room at BC. I can say that we did actually walk over to BC and ask at the desk if they had any rooms available. It was a planned split trip, so we waited for our Pixie Dust.

That said, the Swan was very nice (and much cheaper) it just isn't very "Disney" (example: we were in room 626. DS was very excited that we were in Stitch's room and no one there got it a few days later when we moved to WL, DS told the CM there what room we had just been in and he reacted immediately, asked if Stitch had caused any trouble....)

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

The Swan and Dolphin are not Disney owned, so:

--No Magical Express
--No Dining Plan
--You can't charge purchases to you room (unless the purchase was made at the Swan or Dolphin)


Other than that, you get all other on site benefits like EMH, Disney transportation, and closeness to parks and other Disney resorts.

 

[copper68]

We will actually be staying at the Swan in 3 weeks...

We usually only really enjoy staying in the Epcot area...the only other hotel we ever really stay at is the Poly and while it is a beautiful hotel, we really only stay there when we will be down for a long trip and split stays between there and an Epcot resort...

While we do enjoy the Swan (have never stayed at the Dolphin), we generally only stay there due to the discounted rates (wifes a nurse and I am a gov't employee)...However, I don't know if that is just a psychological things or what, because we have also stayed at the BW many times, and the BC a few times, and to me when it really comes down to it, there isn't really all that much difference...

We don't use the dining plan, and I don't recall ever having a package shipped back to our room, so that doesn't really matter to us that much...

I guess it's just personal preference...I mean if I had a choice I would stay in a 1-2 bedroom BWV, but if it's just a standard room, it wouldn't matter to me if it was the BC, BW or S&D...

No matter which one you choose, you're going to enjoy your stay and be in the center of it all...

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

We check in to the swan tomorrow and return tuesday

but like the posts, above said.

 

[tlynk]

I stayed at the Swan and would definitely stay again! I love the location! Next visit we might stay at the Dolphin since it can accommodate a family of 5 with a rollaway bed. I would rather stay at a Deluxe Disney resort, but the prices can be a little steep. I think you will be happy just to be at WDW, save money, and to be within walking distance of Epcot. Have fun!

 

[Minnie]

Thank you all for your comments

The "business or convention" issue and the size of the complex are the only things that has me a bit concerned. I travel for work and during this quick trip want to totally relax and I don't know if I would if this resort has that "feel".

We've now had a date change so I need to rerun the figures and see what shakes out best.

Thanks again!

 

[TDC Nala]

When figuring out the cost for the Swolphin rooms, be sure you add in the $10 per night resort fee, the cost of airport transportation, and the self -parking fee if you have a car (which if I remember correctly is up to $11/night.)

They're nice hotels with big rooms.