Swan nerves

[alliecats]

Hi. I am a little nervous about my May stay at the Swan after reading some of the reviews. I hope someone similar to me in taste will post and say how much they liked it! My DH and I are going for our 1 year anniversary. It is our first WDW trip together in 10 years. We have never stayed on site. I love Disney, but he is not really into it--he is going because I want to go so bad (plus he says he thinks he will have a good time once he gets there). So he is not into disney theming--he thinks he will get enough of it at the parks. We wanted a nice hotel, close to lots of places to eat and options of stuff within walking distance at night. Based on this criteria & the rate, I thought Swan was our best bet (Dolphin was sold out). Does anyone have any input? I am just so excited about this trip & I don't want to set myself up for a big letdown. I am pretty easy to please, but this is a big deal.

Also, I am Boardwalk-impaired because I have never been there. Do you have to pay to go out along the shops--like with PI? Is it within walking distance to Swan? What about DD? Is it free & within walking distance?

I will shut up now. Sorry so many questions.

 

[Connears]

You will love the Swan. We stayed on CL there from12/28-1/02/04. It is a Westin and the service was wonderful, housekeeping was always on time and turndown service every night with new towels. Rooms are very nice and beds are "heavenly". We are DVC members (since 1994) and we thought we might miss some of the "magic" by staying there, but we were wrong. The area is so convenient to MGM(boat or walk), epcot(boat or walk), and Boardwalk(walk). There is a fantastic grotto pool and the choices of restaurants between Swan, Dolphin and BW area is wonderful. Theming at both hotels is very nice and the gift shops have their share of Disney stuff! I didn't miss the mickey soap and shampoo at all. CM very amazing and couldn't do enough for us. If you aren't a member, join starwood preferred program before you go. (I got a rate disoc....with teacher's rate (I'm a college professor) of $149 but we upgraded to CL. Breakfast and afternoon hors D'heurves were wonderful and club lounge attendants very helpful.
Have a great time!
Connears

PS I almost changed my resservations at BCV last June because of other folks complaints; glad we didn't ,we had an amazing time!

 

[cheerdaddy]

relax and enjoy....remember that people who have bad experiences tend to more voiceforous and probably aren't the best folks to base a realistic impression of a hotel or resort on....also, what bothers some people, doesn't bother others at all...you'll be at disney, with your hubby, celebrating your anniversary....enjoy....I enjoy reading the opinions and posts of the folks here on the DIS, but, I don't usually let a few bad post or reviews change my plans or freak me out about a resort or restaurant...no one place can satisfy everyone; we're all too different...
the boardwalk area is free to enjoy and is walking distance from the swan/dolphin hotels...just my opinion, but, the boardwalk is much more magical in the evenings...
DTD is not walking distance from the swan/dolphin....there is a bus that runs there though....it's "free" to walk around the DTD area except what you buy of course....the is an admission to Pleasure Island....

 

[jgates]

You will be at the boardwalk in about 5 minutes. And I have short legs.......

Also close to mini-golf!!!! Wonderful pools. Beautiful atmosphere.

The gift shop at the Dolphin is larger but there is plenty at the one at the Swan.

These hotels are idea!!!!

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Just returned from the Swan last week (President's week) and this was our second stay at the Swan. We have stayed at the Dolphin three times, Yatch Club once (on same lake/transportation as Swan, Dolphin and Boardwalk), Animal Kingdom Lodge three times and Polynesian once. AKL is our undisputed favorite, but the Swan is our second. We love the boats and other amenities.

There is no admission charge for the Boardwalk and there are really great restaurants and clubs. The ESPN Club is at the Boardwalk so your hubby will probably enjoy the location very well. There is bus service to MK, AK, and Downtown Disney.

Don't worry, you will love it.

 

[Divamomto3]

Originally posted by cheerdaddy
relax and enjoy....remember that people who have bad experiences tend to more voiceforous and probably aren't the best folks to base a realistic impression of a hotel or resort on....

I don't think that's true at all. Everyone can't be a Swan Dolphin Cheerleader. Just because someone gives their fact based disappointment in a resort, doesn't mean they are voiceforous and unrealistic. As a matter of fact, I'm very easy to please and if I were more voiceforous, perhaps I wouldn't have had so much trouble getting my room cleaned at the Swan everyday.

As for the original poster, it sounds like you will love your location and hotel. The hotel is BEAUTIFUL. I would have loved it even more if it were just my DH and I on the trip. But with 3 little boys, I tend to enjoy more of the "Rah-Rah Disney feel."
You'll have a great time..ENJOY! oh, and the Boardwalk is free to walk around on, the nightclubs have their own cover charges, and it's like a 3 minute walk from your hotel.

 

[cheerdaddy]

Divamomto3:
In no way, shape, or from did I ever mention you at all in my post...nor did I do any "cheerleading" for the swan or dolphin! I only made a comment to the original poster to relax and be comfortable with her choice and form her own opinions of a resort when she gets there. my post was based on the fact that at any given time someone, somewhere in a resort may not be completely satisfied with every aspect of their stay...I stand by my comment that people who are complaining about something they didn't like about a resort or restaurant shouldn't necessarily sway someone else from trying that resort or restaurant...If you would have read the entire post, I think you would have realized that the point I was trying to get across to the OP was that she should relax and not freak out because she has read a couple of not so good reviews...this applies not only to the swan, but, for anything else in the world...

 

[Mouseteacher]

DH and I went last July for our anniversary (we have stayed at the Dolphin when our teenagers were with us). We loved our Swan stay - we had a balcony that overlooked the lake and the Dolphin. It was so peaceful to sit out there early morning or late evenings with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. The easy access to so many wonderful restaurants (located at the S/D, B/Y Club and the BW plus World Showcase) was another plus. The walk to Boardwalk (free) and to Epcot and to MGM was another positive.

The atmosphere at the Swan was conducive for an anniversary trip.

We are returning this July to the Dolphin with one teen DS in tow! Can't wait!

 

[sherry8253]

Hi - My DH and I stayed at the Swan last Dec for the first time and we loved it. In fact, we are probably going to stay at the Swan when we go again this year. It sounds like just what you are looking for. You are very close to all of the Epcot restaurants. The hotel rooms are very nice and the heavenly beds are WONDERFUL!! You will have a great time and I bet your DH will too. Be sure to try Fresh in the Dolphin for breakfast. It is wonderful. And if you like Italian the Swan has a great Italian restaurant too plus Shulas steakhouse is over at the Dolphin and it is YUMMY too.

 

[alliecats]

Thanks everybody! I feel better now & am back to my original freakish enthusiasm for this trip!

I appreciate all the comments & information.

THANKS!!

 

[kda]

If DH isn't a Disney lover, it sounds like the Swan could be a great resort for you two --- deluxe resort, but not as much Mickey 'theming' as the Disney resorts. Epcot area gives you a wonderful choice of restaurants and the pool is very, very relaxing.

 

[christinelee]

I've already posted a review for the Dolphin. We were booked for the Swan, but on "check-in", it was overbooked and we got sent to the Dolphin. I consider myself very easy to please, but noone in my family liked it. If you can afford it try BW or YC/BC. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone and wish I had listened to posters who had had negative things to say about the resort when I booked it

 

[jgates]

Christinelee - what did you not like (don't worry - I won't criticize - I'm just very curious). What items you did not like might be of value in alliecats decision.

I chose the Swan vs. the Dolphin because the Dolphin to me is just SOOO big. It is overwhelming. But I really like the Swan!! We spoke with people at the pool area who were at the Dolphin (no S/D cheerleaders- just regular tourists) and they really liked the Dolphin and thought I was foolish for not staying there.

Each person has their own opinions which is why of course we have so many hotels!!! I had 3 days out of 7 worth of problems when we stayed at the Courtyard DTD (now Holiday Inn), however, Marriott properties are still my resorts of choice 95% of the time when I travel. And if it were the difference between going and not going I would still return to that resort. Others have had nothing but 100% praise for that facility with 0 problems and would return in a heartbeat. So it is definitely of value to hear both sides of the fence! Being able to read negatives on any property ahead of time can help you avoid the same situations. Had anyone posted here ahead of time that the a/c units (August 2000) were only partially replaced in the tower at Courtyard and you should not have more than 2 people in the room or your body heat would overheat it, we would have requested firmly a wing room immediately. Instead we had 3 days of being given wrong information, unfulfilled promises, etc before the maintenance head blew a gasket (not at us) and said there was no way we should ever have been put in that room.....or the one directly below it. (They had removed balconies on 1 side and the increased floor space was too much for the old a/c units - they had started on 1st floor and were only up to the 7th but we were on the 14th then the 12th). This was where a few honest opinions would have really helped us. PS- after our move to the wing 3 days later everything was wonderful.

 

[Lewisc]

I just got back from S/D. First time in the resort having previously stayed in BC, BWV and BCV. I was very happy (and somewhat surprised). Some objective points comparing S/D with the Disney EPCOT resorts:

1) S/D have a better variety of restaurants
2) S/D are very well themed BUT NOT THE THEME ISN'T MICKEY.
3) You can't charge back to your room from Disney.
4) S/D has a $10 resort fee. Just add that to what your'e paying when you compare S/D to the Disney resorts. Some may get value from the fee but I use a cell phone, don't use the health club and get refillable mugs for coffee. I think the fee is just a way in increase your rate and not have it show in the internet searches.
5) The main pool may get closed for a business function. This is not done in Disney.
6) S/D tends to have better discounts.
7) S/D tends to have more business and convention guests.

Sorry I don't agree with other posters, I think housekeeping is about the same as with the Disney hotels. When a lot of guests are checking out and the resort is booked continuing guests get their room cleaned last. I found the same situation at Disney hotels as with S/D.

As long as you won't miss micky soap and wake up calls S/D is an excellent choice.

 

[Jockaroo]

I have stayed twice at the Swan. I really hope you will like it. I'm kinda an artsy person and I love the Michael Graves architecture of the Swan/Dolphin. I actually get goosebumps when I see the first glimpse of the statues on the buildings. The hotel gives you a sense of fantastical whimsy in the hallways. But no Mickey Mouse. The rooms, I found to be very nice--best beds in Disney!!!! From our room in May (standard looking over the Swan fountain) we could see parts of illuminations and also the fireworks used in Fantasmic. I've not seen the other resorts' deluxe rooms, but found the Swan rooms to be very nice. You'll have a nice closet, ironing board, extra vanity and sink outside the bathroom, internet access and a cozy stuffed chair. The rooms are set up to accomodate convention people, so I enjoyed the more desk like setup of the table and chairs. And the location is super. You can walk/boat to MGM and Epcot. And from Epcot you can take a monorail to MK. Only need to move the car for Downtown Disney and AK. If you enjoy minigolf the Fantasia Gardens course is adjacent to the Swan/Dolphin. It is really quite a bit of fun if you enjoy this type of stuff.

Strolling down the Boardwalk is very relaxing and romantic, especially if you can see the illuminations fireworks from Epcot. One night we saw a huge fireworks display towards the Dolphin and Beach Club. Not sure what park, may have been MK?--it was Memorial Day weekend, so I don't know where they came from. Lots of nice places to eat in the Boardwalk/Resort loop. You can rent surry bicycles and ride around the Boardwalk too.

The only problem we had with our room was that the room air conditioning is set to detect motion and cool when someone is in the room. Our bed was soooo comfortable, we didn't move enough during the night for the sensor to know we were there!

Have a ball--and happy anniversary!

-Jockaroo

 

[vhoffman]

I've read about the motion detector ac units in the Swan (don't know if they are in the dolphin, too). Well, here's my solution--I saw a life size Santa at WalMart that moves his arms up and down and twists from side to side. He operates on batteries or plug in. Just plug him into the center of the room and I'll bet that place will feel like the North Pole! Only problem is, how do I get him on the plane? Maybe if he rides on my lap he can ride free. Or perhaps I should ride on his lap. In that case, best to keep him unplugged!!!

 

[Connears]

We were worried about the motion detector thing for AC but really didn't have a problem with it when we were there. We were comfortable during the night. It occasionally was too cool for us. No real problem.
Connears

 

[MLAinVA]

IMO you've made the right decision to stay at the Swan. It is the best of both "worlds". It is in the middle fo the best parts of WDW for adults and is not so themed as to drive an non Mouse fanatic crazy. Enjoy your stay! It is a wonderful hotel.

 

[Mainebound]

We'll be there TOMORROW! I promise to write a detailed hotel review. Hopefully, it will make you feel better!

 

[buckeye]

Here's another word of reassurance about the Swan. We stayed one year at the Beach Club and the next year at the Swan---and we would pick the Swan over the Beach Club. Our service was great, the pool was beautiful, and the convenience was incredible. I like the smaller size of the hotel---feels more personal to me. Your husband and you have made a good choice!!