Swan+EEH vs. POR+AH

[mellowed_8974]

We have the choice between 2 options for very similar prices. 6 Day Trip. Both are within our budget. This will be late January so Skyliner is likely down (maybe? who knows? Soon?). Resorts are booked as cancellable, so availability isn't an issue. We have an 8 year old that sleeps like a teenager so has no problem staying up late as long as she gets to sleep in. I am all for anything that reduces crowds, so after hours and EEH are both appealing to me. Resort dining options are not super important to us. Our daughter loves to swim, but in January it's a coin flip whether we'll even be able to, so pool isn't a huge factor. We are more of a mid-day break family than a full rest day family.

Mod resort (POR) or Pop (if Skyliner avail), along with Wednesday HS after hours event. So schedule would be something like:
M: Epcot (afternoon break)
T: HS (afternoon break)
W: HS After-Hours, free during day
R: Sleep In, PM Epcot
F: MK
S: AK

Pros here are we do get an extended chunk of rest time on Wednesday. Cons are transportation is not as easy as with Swan, especially if there are mid-day breaks.

Deluxe Resort (Swan) with EEH. Schedule would be something like:
M: Epcot (afternoon break) + EEH
T: Sleep In, PM HS
W: MK + EEH
R: Sleep In, PM Epcot
F: HS (afternoon break)
S: AK

Pros here are definitely transportation, as we are doing 4 days/half days between HS and Epcot. Cons are just that we are a Star Wars family, so HS AH sounds fun.

I feel like I am over-thinking the transportation issue. We could do Ubers with POR and it would still be about the same price as staying at the Swan. I've heard after hours is a lot better than EEH, so wondering which plan is a better value. What am I missing?

 

[2vets]

Although I personally feel MK AH is a greater value/feels less crowded than DHS AH, there is no comparison between AH and EE. AH is far less crowded. And as a Star Wars family, I think AH will blow you away. Wandering around a nearly-empty Galaxy’s Edge at night, getting a drink at a nearly-empty Oga’s was cool for me, and I am not a SW enthusiast! Swan has a great location (although I prefer Disney resorts), that would be my only hesitation.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Given your preferred parks, I’d go with Swan. You’ll have the choice of walking to either park or taking a boat from/to HS. No idea if there is a bus for Epcot but it’s easy to find out; a really short and pleasant walk though.

 

[Dave006]

We have the choice between 2 options for very similar prices. 6 Day Trip. Both are within our budget. This will be late January so Skyliner is likely down (maybe? who knows? Soon?).

I would go with the Swan. Only minor Disney features that you would be missing is the ability to charge to your MB since Disney can't access your Swan hotel room folio. You still are able to use your MB for park access and LL access if your want to purchase LLMP and/or LLSP.

It has a great location with Friendship (boat), walking or Skyliner (maybe that week) to 2 parks, Epcot and HS.

The Swan bus to AK drops you of on the right side of the main AK entrance (very close) just not in the Resort bus loop with the Disney buses. The Swan to MK bus does only go to the TTC where you can use the Monorail or Ferry to reach MK. For both AK and MK you also can use the YC, BC, and BW buses to return to the Crescent lake area for your mid-day breaks or to go to MK.

Does this make sense?

No idea if there is a bus for Epcot but it’s easy to find out; a really short and pleasant walk though.

No bus from any of the Epcot Crescent lake resorts to the front of Epcot. You walk or use the Friendship boats to the International Gateway.

Dave

 

[Babsy]

No contest, I would go with the Swan for your itinerary. The rooms and beds are more comfortable IMO, the walk or boat rides to two parks is fantastic and the Epcot area is wonderful. The big downside of the Epcot area hotels is a shortage of QS dining, but at the Swan you are next door to the Dolphin with arguably the best QS in the area with Picabou (and The Fountain - not really QS, but small and not a bad choice for fairly quick meal).

 

[loves to dive]

Another vote for Swan. I love the Epcot resorts and stay there just about every trip. Can't beat being able to walk or boat to two parks. The rooms are slightly larger than the mod. rooms and the food options are great.

 

[Dug720]

I'll be the voice of dissent and saw POR. Even though the PO resorts are my least-favorite legit Disney resorts, I'll still take them over Marriott - which I've had major issues with in the past - any day.