Swan or Dolphin In Oct - Help Me Decide

[twocat]

I am able to get the Dolphin for $169 per night and the Swan for $179 per night from 10/13-15 using a Florida resident discount (my dad). After reading these boards, I'm more confused than ever!! What hotel would be best? I think both places will have been completely renovaterd by this time. Bioth have some version of the Heavenly Bed (is there a difference betwwen the 2). What about amenities and views in the 2 hotels. I am an SPG gold member (with very few points) and am wondering what this will do for me at reservation time or check in time? Given this, where would you stay?

 

[DisneyFans4]

I know for me I went with the Swan because with my family I needed 2 queen beds. The Dolphin only has double beds. I don't know your situation but if the beds are important this is something you should know. The Swan also has a spa and the Dolphin doesn't. The only bad thing is the Dolphin has a laundry room and the Swan doesn't but I'll just have to walk over which is no big thing for me since I will only be doing it every few days. It's bad enough I'm doing laundry on my vacation but I guess a Mom can never get away from that no matter where she is!!
I'm new at this myself as this will be my first stay but I'm really looking forward to it and I can't wait!!

 

[mouseRD]

Hi twocat! What a dilemna to have! Both are great hotels. We stayed at the Swan in May & plan to stay there end of Sept/beginning of October for the F & W festival. The neat thing is that if you are staying at one, you can use the amenities at the other. Each one has its own lap pool; then there is the gorgeous grotto pool which is shared but closer to the Dolphin. The Dolphin also has more dining options & you can get refillable mugs from Tubbi's Buffeteria; also has the Dolphin Fountain which is similar to Beaches & Cream. Both have a fitness room but the one at the Dolphin is larger (my husband used that one even though we stayed at the Swan!)

We really loved the Swan. The staff was superb & they gave us a great room upgrade to Epcot view w/ balcony (we are also SPG members). The resort was peaceful. I understand the Dolphin is a little less quiet (relative) because it has twice the number of rooms. Either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay. The heavenly beds are great! (By the way, the rooms at the Swan have 2 sinks - one in the bathroom & one in the vanity area outside the bathroom; as you mentioned - Dolphin beds are 2 oversized doubles & Swan is 2 queen. I believe the sq footage of the Dolphin room is larger 360 vs 340.)

 

[twocat]

Thank your for the advice. I decided on the Swan based on the quenn beds, double sinks, REAL heavenly beds and smaller resort size. I originally had the Boardwalk booked 10/12-10/14 through Disney CSO and tried to switch for those dates or any Tues-Thurs or Weds-Fri nights anytime in October and was told by CSO that none of those dates were available at the Swan or Dolphin. I called the Swan directly and was able to get 10/13-15 (3 nights) for $179 standard view with FL resident. Go figure!! The CM did do her darndest to try and get me a good rate there but was unable too and seemed sorely disappointed that she was not able to do so. I'll still be looking for further discounts sice we have just about everything but govt. employee or teacher discount!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

You still got a good rate.
Enjoy!!

 

[luvdisney14]

We stayed at both resorts, I think I like the dolphin better, swan is quieter, dolphin's lobby is nicer. I think I just like the fancier atmosphere. I thought there wasn't that much difference in size of the beds.

 

[las3888]

To me the Dolphin is more bustling - has a real big, active open lobby with lots of activity usually, whereas the Swan has a small intimate, quiet lobby. We had better luck with views at the Swan than we have the Dolphin as well. That being said, I think they are both great. Have a great time!!!

 

[jwfla422]

Hey maybe we'll see you there We'll be there the same time in October. We've stayed at both resorts LOTS of times because we love them!!

We switch back and forth and quite frankly we love them both, there are things about each one and why we like them, etc. --the Dolphin has a few more conveniences like Tubbi's (open 24 hrs), Fresh and the laundry facility, but it can be quite a walk to your room (although the rooms we've had were very private with great views).

The Swan is a bit more initimate because it's smaller, but not as many conveniences as the Dolphin. (although the Dolphin is just a short walk away so it's really no biggie )...we love 'em both!

Check out some of our photos from our trip back in November, we had a "studio" room at the Swan which is larger than a regular room but it gives you and idea of the decor and the view<a href="http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/community.dll?ep=331&folderid=111669&groupid=157664&folderview=thumbs&ck=">CLICK HERE</a> and if you click on the link that shows our June visit when we stayed at the Dolphin there should be some photos of the Swan and our view from the Dolphin! BTW-LOVE LOVE the heavenly beds!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

jwafla-
I can't wait to see the pics, I'M heading right there to see them. This is our first stay at the Swan and we leave in a few days and I can't wait. We were upgraded to a studio suite so now I'll really get to see.
Thanks!

 

[twocat]

jwfl422-(i hope that's right)!,

Thanks for the pics. Any hints as to how to get an upgrade? When I made my reservation, I was told my SPG Gold wouldn't do me any good with this reservation, I could only accumulate points. This seems to counter other things I've seen on this sight. Any hints? Nice to know you'll be there the same time as me and my dad! If you see a 5' 3" 43 y/o blond walking around with a young-looking 6' 67 y/o gray/blond gentleman, you might run into me and my father!

 

[DisneyFans4]

twocat-
When will you be at the Swan?
We're arriving on Aug. 10 as you can see from the countdown.

 

[twocat]

disneyfans4-
My father and I will be ther October 13-15th at the Swan. Sorry we won't be able to meet up with you in August! Hope to hear about your impresions about the resort. I'm really excited about staying her; I get the impression you get a much more "deluxe" treatment at the S/D than you do at the WDW propertisc, nice as they are.

 

[Maryjane1]

Just came back from the Dolfin and love it You will not be sorry if you book this hotel i hope this helps you decide e-mail me for any questios anytime

 

[SGF]

We've stayed at both several times but we prefer the Swan. We like the queen size beds plus we find the hotel a little quieter. You really can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[Mouseteacher]

twocat~ I am spg Gold and have 3 stays at the Swan and Dolphin. I have always received a comp upgrade. I do believe it is can be determined by how filled the resort is - my stays are usually in July or August. All you need to do is e mail through their website a polite request for an upgrade and include your spg# (make sure it's attached to your ressie - call directly to do that) or ask politely upon check-in. The worst case scenario is that they will just say no. Nothing lost, nothing gained.

I hope the S/D magic works for you - I absolutely love the resort.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I know I have been treated very well by the Swan and I haven't even arrived yet!! I had also sent a very polite request for an Epcot view and mentioned my DH and I were celebrating our 25th and then I received a phone call at home that they were upgrading us to a grand suite because they wanted to make our 25th memorable!! How great is that!!!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

What an upgrade! You're going to love the Swan, with or without that wonderful upgrade! Have a wonderful time and please let us know about that glorious room when you get back!
Debbie

 

[DisneyFans4]

Debbie-
I sure will, thanks so much!
Just being away on vacation makes me happy

 

[jwfla422]

twocat-
As mouseteacher mentioned, upgrades depend on the availability of rooms. If the hotel is booked then that might be tough but it never hurts to ask when you check in! I would still ask about SPG upgrades unless they told you it wouldn't help because they're getting filled up? What type of room do you have booked now?

DisneyFans4-
You will LOVE the studio room! It's very roomy, yet cozy and the views are great. If you end up with one without a balcony don't be upset because some of the views from the main building are the best in ALL of WDW!! We had an amazing room a few years back where we could actually see the MK fireworks!

I just spoke to my friends who went up today (I am their "cell" tourguide LOL!!)-she said mornings are nice but afternoons are rainy which is typical August weather so enjoy!! but don't forget the ponchos!!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks Jwfla. I'm used to the rains in August because as you can see it's when we always go.
The manager at the Swan granted my request for an Epcot view so he told me we would be on the seventh floor on the east side in what he called the "finger" building.