Swan Hotel vs. Beach Club?

[loves to dive]

I would go Swan hands down. I'm a lover of the YC and have stayed at all 5 of the Epcot resorts (I'm counting Swan/Dolphin there) multiple times. Of all of them BC is my least favorite. It seems more kid friendly than the others (and that might just be perception on my part) and since my kid is an adult we prefer the adult type stays. We also aren't fans of Stormalong Bay. It can get very crowded and very noisy. The pool complex at Swan Dolphin has one larger kid friendly pool and two smaller pools and a great pool bar at Dolphin. The walk to Dolphin to all the good eats is probably shorter than the farthest room at BC to it's giftshop/QS location. Dolphin has Picabu and Fuel and Swan has a decent little QS breakfast type place. There is a great little courtyard at Swan where I love to sit in the morning with my coffee and breakfast. If you have stayed on property before you probably already have MBs. No you can't charge to the room with your MB but that isn't a problem for us since we don't do that anyway and you do have the room key card to carry around. As far as the Disney bubble, I've never felt out of the bubble staying at Swan/Dolphin. They are not over the top Disney but they do have Disney touches and now days most of the Deluxe resorts aren't over the top Disney any way (which I like). They do use Disney transportation to the parks. Do factor the resort fees in $22 per night and if you need it transpo from the airport to make sure you numbers still work out. It usually comes out to about the price of a moderate for us when I book it, I am a Marriott member but rarely get a discount better than the AAA with that.

 

[Beer Me]

I’ve stayed at BC and Swan and would stay wherever it’s cheapest. In my opinion being walking distance to Epcot and HS is the biggest selling point for all of the Epcot resorts and I can take or leave any other factors (theming, pools, restaurants, etc).

As someone else noted check resort fees and airport transfer when comparing costs. Swan and dolphin aren’t always that much cheaper.

 

[Babsy]

WE usually (but not always) choose the Swan/Dolphin over the BC for several reasons:

- usually less expensive*, even when you count the resort fee and airport transportation
- the beds are more comfortable, IMO
- we are able to book a room that has a balcony guaranteed and has a view that we know we will like
- we prefer the dining options at the Swan/Dolphin
- we like the grotto pool as much as Storm Along Bay
- access to Epcot and DHS is just as good, walk to the Boardwalk is easy
- we are not fans of DME - we prefer to book our own ride instead of leaving for the airport 4 hours before departure and we find waiting for a bus after a long day flying tiresome
- we have never found the dining plan to work out well for us
- we already have a ton of Magic Bands and would probably rather purchase one when we arrive with a nice design rather than get more of the same (yes, I have tried. to get and have given up on the MB's that you pay for when staying at Disney)
- we find that we feel just as much in the DISNEY bubble at the Swan or Dolphin as at any other Epcot area resort
- we always pay as we go rather than charging to our hotel room - it's the way we have always done it and it works fine for us
- AAA discount at the Swan/Dolphin is nice - rooms, dining. and purchases
- we get all the perks that matter (to us) when staying at a Disney resort - 60 day FP+, early/late admission and theme park transportation


*Note: that seems to be less of a difference since Marriott took over from Starwood, so we check the savings very carefully now.

 

[ACN2]

Hello, WDW novice, and trying to decide between these two. I know that the Swan is not a Disney property, but does have most of the perks, at a much cheaper price. Can anyone give me their opinion which one to choose? The rooms at the BC are about $200 more per night than the Swan during our stay. I want to be close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.It will just be two adults, no children, in June.

The only big difference is the pool area. If that’s not important to you, then go for the Swan. I personally like the beds better anyway at Swan and it’s only a few extra minutes walk. We got a resort view room last time and we could watch the fireworks so it was nice.

 

[rstevens333]

We did the Swan last week. It's a really nice, normal hotel. We were able to walk over for Star Wars boarding groups with no issue, the room was great, staff were nice. The only thing it lacks, for me, is the Magical Express ride.

 

[clapton]

I have stayed at the Swan/Dolphin a number of times for a short stay and have always enjoyed it. Although I love the BC and have stayed there as well, the one thing that I don’t like is the quick service. The pool is great if you have kids, since you don’t and the Swan is cheaper it would be my pick. You will be close to everything in the area and you can save some money! Enjoy !

 

[Toolulu22]

We’ve stayed at Swan once. What everyone says is true- beautiful hotel great food, spa, and so on.
We have not stayed there since. BC every time.

 

[Renarr]

Stayed at the Dolphin five years ago and Beach Club last year. Definitely felt more of the Disney mystique at BC than the Dolphin (which as I understand it is essentially the same as the Swan), but don't know that it was worth the difference in price, even factoring in transportation and resort fees.

If they're the same price (which they often seemed to be) and you're interested in doing the resort buses to Magic Kingdom (especially), Animal Kingdom, and other destinations, and you're thinking about Beach Club, I would suggest Yacht Club, or catching the bus there at the very least. Buses stop there first, and a lot of times, the buses were already standing room only by the time they hit Beach Club.

 

[EJ Fastpasser]

If you want to save the money, stay at Swan. If you plan to spend serious pool time on your trip, then Beach.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Nice thread! Next year I’m going to need to decide between Swan and Dolphin or Boardwalk villas renting DVC points. This thread has been very helpful. We already plan to book a car service for airport transportation anyway and have a ton of MBs. I didn’t know the AAA discount was even a factor.

Appreciate this info! Now if only my kid wasn’t obsessed with Stacy and the Disney Must Dos channel...

 

[Sweettears]

Nice thread! Next year I’m going to need to decide between Swan and Dolphin or Boardwalk villas renting DVC points. This thread has been very helpful. We already plan to book a car service for airport transportation anyway and have a ton of MBs. I didn’t know the AAA discount was even a factor.

Appreciate this info! Now if only my kid wasn’t obsessed with Stacy and the Disney Must Dos channel...

I could be wrong but I thought that both hotels had Stacey. I know they did a few years ago

 

[ClapYourHands]

We love the Swan! Yes, there's a resort fee ($34/night), and, no, there's no DME. But $200/night savings easily covers the resort fee at the Uber to/from MCO.

True, there's no DDP, but that doesn't mean you can't eat at Disney restaurants, just that you pay OOP, which usually comes out to be cheaper. The restaurants at the Swolphin are good (and don't take DDP anyway). I loved going to the Garden Grove for breakfast, and seeing Minnie and Goofy there without an ADR!

The location is just as good at BW or BC for Epcot and DHS access. The pools are not as elaborate at BC, but still very nice, and, better yet, not as crowded. It's very easy to snag a chair.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I could be wrong but I thought that both hotels had Stacey. I know they did a few years ago

Just had to come back and reply. We were watching a resort tour of the Swan from a few months ago and they had the Disney Must Do channel on in their room. My kid went insane. Yes, she's weird.