Swan info

[tinkerbela]

ok, being that this will be our first stay at the Swan, i would like to know a lot of things about this hotel. if you guys can give me your personal experience of your stay at the Swan, i would really appreciate it. thanks guys for your help.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=265057

There is a sticky at the top of the resorts board for the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[swilphil]

Try to get a room that's close to the elevator, but not too close. The ice machine is next to the elevator, and it's a little noisy. If you don't have kids, you might want a king bed.

Join the Starwood Preferred Guest program at www.spg.com. It will make for an easier check in and they might upgrade you, though don't count on it. They serve Starbucks coffee at Tubbi's and, I think, in the lobby of the Swan. I know at Tubbi's you can get a refillable mug. There's also a shortcut to Tubbi's when coming from the Swan. Instead of going in the main door under the canopy, go to your left and go in the little side door.

It's much faster to get to Epcot if you go across the Boardwalk vs. going around by the Beach Club. There's also a pathway from the Boardwalk to MGM, but I like taking the boat there.

If you are waiting for a bus back to the Swan at MK or AK, you might want to hop on the Boardwalk bus if there's not one to the Swan. It's a very short walk to the Swan from the Boardwalk bus stop.
Feel free to post any specific questions that you have.

 

[snoopy two]

Do you prefer the Swan over the Dolphin? If so, why? I am trying to decide between the two, so any help is appreciated.

 

[tlynk]

Do you prefer the Swan over the Dolphin? If so, why? I am trying to decide between the two, so any help is appreciated.

Since the Swan offers 2 queen beds vs. 2 double beds I would choose the Swan.

 

[snowy76]

Since the Swan offers 2 queen beds vs. 2 double beds I would choose the Swan.

We chose the Swan for the same reason. The Swan is also smaller and quieter, which may or may not be to your liking.

 

[disnut8]

We loved staying at the Swan and did it three times. A friend of mine, who is a hotel snob, returns time and time again. It's not a big resort like the Dolphin and I prefer that. The Swan is very quiet even with the conventioneers. In the morning, you will see them off the lobby area sitting around looking important. I think the rooms here are very nice. Also, if you have to wait more than 10 seconds for an elevator, I'd be surprised. I don't know how they do it but you press the button and you are whisked away almost immediately. The gift shop is very nice.

The pool that is shared with the Dolphin is great. The hot tubs are wonderful. Plus, there's a Olympic style quiet pool. Hammocks are located there. There's a beach and a playground in between the quiet pool and the themed pool. It's a very easy walk over to Fantasia miniature golf. Easy walk to Epcot's International Gateway and about a fifteen minute walk to MGM. You can take the Friendship boat to MGM and you'd be the last pickup point and the first drop off point. I wouldn't recommend taking the boat to/from Epcot - it's much quicker to walk.

I second the recommendation to join the free Starwood Preferred program. It's easy and you get points. My aforementioned friend has racked up points using a specific credit card and is basically staying there for free.

Drawbacks are the $7/day parking fee (that's new this year) and that most of the usual facilities are in the Dolphin (like the laundry and any quick and easy meals).

But I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[tinkerbela]

thank you guys for all of your information. you have all been very helpful to me. i will look into this starwood preferred program, like you guys are recommending. ooh, hammocks. i've never been in a hammock before. i can't wait to be in one of those.

i do have one question: is there any specific reason why we should go to the BW to go on the bus for MK and AK?

 

[tinkerbela]

i have two more questions: i was just looking at the swan and dolphin website and saw that they have a spa!!! wow, that's so cool. is the spa up and running? and i can't believe how cheap the massage treatments are compared to the GF spa. wow! i want to check this out as well. my second question is: for AP holders, do you get discounts there like you do for GF? if not, that's ok but i'm just curious. thanks guys for all of your help.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can walk from the Swan to MGM. Take the path at the back of the Boardwalk. (It's possible from the Dolphin, too, but the Swan is a bit closer to the path).

 

[Maybelle]

This thread is great,I'm getting lots of my questions answered and I didn't even have to ask!

Just wondering how easy transportation is from the Swan (or Dolphin) to MK.

Thanks for any input.

 

[TDC Nala]

Your bus to MK will be shared. I believe at this time that peak time buses are shared with the Dolphin and maybe the Boardwalk. In non-peak times the buses will stop at all five of the EPCOT resorts...however, the SWAN is the first stop. This means 1) you're let off first when returning and 2) if outgoing, you get the first shot at seats. If first shot at seats doesn't matter to you, it isn't so difficult to walk over to the Boardwalk, which is usually the last stop on the loop, and catch the bus there.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but the "heavenly beds" there are the best beds I've ever slept in!

 

[Maybelle]

thanks for the quick reply! Just thought of another question...

Can you get the dining package if you book a stay at the Swan or Dolphin since they are not Disney owned??

 

[katallo]

The Swan is a great hotel. Make sure you visit the Dolphin lobby in the evening. They usually have a piano player near the bar. The health facility is also very nice. They have a station for water with lemon and herbal tea. Fantastic laundry room located at the Dolphin and heavenly beds.....wow!!

 

[Maybelle]

bump.

 

[CarolynK]

...my second question is: for AP holders, do you get discounts there like you do for GF? if not, that's ok but i'm just curious. thanks guys for all of your help.

Yes, you can get AP discounts at S/D. We have!

 

[swilphil]

You can't get the dining plan with a Swan/Dolphin room. You can get AP discounts on S/D rooms, but I'm not sure about spa services.

The Swan and Dolphin are both nice. You really can't go wrong with either one. I like the layout of the Swan room a little better and the bathroom is bigger. The Dolphin beds are actually oversized doubles. They are 1 inch smaller than a queen bed. We sleep in a queen at home and didn't notice any difference at the Dolphin.

I suggested taking the Boardwalk bus FROM MK or AK back to S/D, only IF the Swan/Dolphin bus isn't there. We had the problem of waiting in the heat twice at AK for an S/D bus. The Boardwalk/BC/YC bus had come and gone and we wished we had taken it. Definitely take the Swan/Dolphin bus to AK and MK. The bus service is great, and last time we were there went directly to the park without stopping at other Epcot area resorts. We never waited more than 5 minutes for an MK bus.

You don't need a car if you stay at S/D, so we don't have to worry about the parking fee. If you are flying, take a car service or shuttle to the hotel. Disney transportation is all you need.

 

[airhead]

We will be staying at the Swan next Summer. Last Summer we stayed at the Dolphin,and while it is very nice there,we found it too big. Also.once the conventioneers came the atmosphere totally changed. I like hearing that the Swan is a quieter resort! Hopefully,we will be able to get 3 rooms with Teacher discounts!!

 

[tinkerbela]

thank you guys so much for all of your help in regards to the swan info i'm looking for. you all have been most helpful to me and have made the anticipation of staying here and just going to WDW much more higher than before. thank you guys so much. you're the best!!!