For anybody that has stayed at either one of these resorts, could you please tell me your experiences? and how would you compare them to Disney Hotels (mod/deluxe) ? TIA!
There are lots of threads about this you can look up. We have stayed in both the Dolphin and the Swan. I cant compare them to the moderates as we have only stayed in Deluxes. We get a govt. discount so that is considered too. We prefer them over the deluxes for the price and customer service. There are pros and cons. the cons: No magical express No dining plan No stitch wake up call No charging back to the room, except on s/w property Pros: Location, Location Swan lst bus stop Friendship boats Restraunt choices Grotto pool Turn down service Starwood points Etc. Etc. We do prefer the swan over the dolphin because its a smaller resort, less walking and the beds are queen versus double. The dolphin sleeps 5 with a rollaway or air mattress. The swan sleeps 4.
I've done the comparison as well, and have stayed at the Dolphin (not Swan yet), and I have to agree with the items listed by the pp. For my money, I feel the S/D offer a better value than the WDW deluxes. The location and retaurant choices are a big part of it, but also, you seem to be able to find a discounted rate for S/D well in advance. WDW discounts are harder to come by, and often are released far too late for my 'serious planning' stage. If I were paying rack rates, I don't think my opinion would differ very much.
We just got back from our trip late last night and stayed for 2 weeks at the Swan and it was perfect!!!! Housekeeping was great and we never came back to a dirty room. One day we were early and came back around 1:00 and the rooms were already cleaned so there are no complaints there! Transportation was good and the bus was shared with the BW, Swan and Dolphin only. My only complaint this year was the Friendship boats. It was hot, hot, hot during our stay and the boats were just as hot. There is an individual a/c unit but basically to keep the drivers cool but not enough to cool the boat. That is something that needs to be worked on. Parks were pretty crowded but during our last week a bit better as school had started in Florida. Had a great trip and I miss it already
The Dolphin is great! The location is the biggest advantage because you can walk to the Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM or take the boat. The pool is fantastic and the beds are amazing. We have also stayed at POR and Csr and loved both of them but the Swan/Dolphin are a little more luxurious if that's what you are looking for. I think it is easier to get a good rate than at any of the Disney resorts as there are alot of different discounts available for the Swan/Dolphin...we paid $99/night just because I am a nurse.
