swan & dolphin?

[jonkatony]

Any views on these hotels. Service charge, no magic express. Why should we go there?

 

[Emma1987]

Any views on these hotels. Service charge, no magic express. Why should we go there?

Hi there

We have recently just booked our Orlando vacation for next June. We were originally all set for the WDW Dolphin. I wasn't sure about it and I was trying to convince everyone of the same. The only advantage, if you can even call it an advantage, is the Extra Magic Hours. But if you are planning a 2 week stay in Orlando, then I doubt you'll be making the effort to get up at 8am to enter the park for one hour before official opening times. I think on some Sundays the park will stay open til 1am and this is 3 hours of extra magic time.

For me, that is not enough to make me want to pay the extra to stay on the property. We ended up going for the Buena Vista Palace, which has the same perks such as the complimentary Disney Shuttle and in room wi-fi access.

This is just my personal opinion. But I hope to have helped in any way.

Emma

 

[wayneg]

No experience myself with these hotels but they do have fans, one of my customers always stays there, she is a nurse and tells me they get very good discounts, they also give discounts to teachers & other professions.

Hopefully someone will post who has stayed there to tell you why.

 

[paulh]

even thought there classed as onsite there not Disney owned hotels, that's why there are less benefits
Personally would stay at one of Disney deluxe hotels or there DVC ones
Paul

 

[jen_uk]

I've never stayed there either but I wouldn't really want to either. The locations is great as you can walk to the Studios from there and you are a short boat ride or walk from the Boardwalk or Epcot. Other than that nothing else really appeals. Someone else on here once said that when they stayed there it was lacking in Disney spirit, they also said the pools closed early which is a bit rubbish if you like to swim in the evenings. From the outside the rooms look like they have very small windows and no balconeys which is another disadvantage.

 

[wigeboo]

We have stayed at the dolphin It was beautiful and the beds was so comfy, the view from the room over boardwalk was great we watch the epcot fireworks too, we got married at the swan the hotel was great too. Food was good to.
We would love to go back.
We would go back just for the beds.
We have stay in most of the disney hotels and the dolphin was one of the best for us.

 

[MapleGirlUK]

We looked at staying at the these hotels for our two weeek trip in September next year. We eventually decided against as it hasn't got all the Disney perks as pp highlighted, the major problem for us as we always hire a car was no free car parking. Although I can't remember how much they were going to charge I do remember that over a two week period it added up to a fair amount!

Not sure if they are still charging for car parking, I suppose it depends who you book with, hope this helps.

 

[Elise79]

The main reason most people stay there is the price you pay for the location - they are in walking distance to both Epcot & DHS and about half the price of the Disney hotels even factoring the car parking/service charge.

Never stayed there but our friend got married at the Swan and gave it a good report.

 

[wayneg]

The main reason most people stay there is the price you pay for the location - they are in walking distance to both Epcot & DHS and about half the price of the Disney hotels even factoring the car parking/service charge.

Never stayed there but our friend got married at the Swan and gave it a good report.

If I remember rightly the last discounted rate my customer got was $69/nt, it was 2-3 years ago so no idea how much the current rates are but for that price I can see why people would stay there.
A guide here to discounts http://www.mousesavers.com/swandolphin.html#rates

 

[originalkk]

We have stayed at both and are going back at Xmas. The reason is simple, great Epcot location for often about half the price of a Disney deluxe. Can't beat being able to walk to and from Epcot and DHS at really busy times.

Yes, the Yacht & Beach is nicer, and the rooms are bigger but, unless you get free disney dining and/or a good discount, S/D are generally better value.

We don't tend to use Magical Express, and S/D still get EMH and disney park transport. Not too bothered about the disney "magic" at the hotels, we just want good rooms and service at a "reasonable" (for WDW) price.

Downsides are c$10 resort fee to include internet and bottles of water (similar to Disney's internet charge), plus a similar daily fee for parking.

We have sometimes had rooms with a balcony, and once had a lovely 2 aspect Epcot view room with balcony at the Swan.

 

[thestevied]

Love love love the dolphin. Been to AKL and prefer the dolphin.

It is in a prime location if you like Epcot.
It is slightly quieter than Disney hotels so after a busy day out it is easy to get back to the hotel and relax.
The price is fantastic.
The pool and pool bar is incredible!