Swan or Dolphin? Please help me decide

[dreamflight99]

Mahalo Dory! Stopping by to offer my .02 and personal choice of these two outstanding properties!

For a large part of each summer, we (in effect) take~up residence at the WDW Dolphin (staying for more than a month...sometimes close to 5-6 weeks). We prefer the location, views and design of the resort over the Swan. It's merely a personal preference.

We always enjoy an exec. suite, and have CL privs too. I am a Plat. SPG member, and love the benefits associated with this travel program (one of the best in the industry). I love the pure unrivaled "Whimsey" synonymous with the Dolphin, the restaurants, and the layout. I also enjoy the intimate more subdued ambience created in the Swan. Yet, everything we truly need is found in the Dolphin, *(more a matter of convenience). We frequently obtain last minute car rentals to leave property, (the desk is in the Dolphin), enjoy the proximity of our favorite restaurants, laundry facilities, etc. Therefore, it will always be the DOLPHIN for our family.

The walkway between the properties (for the most part) is covered. This is especially beneficial during a rainstorm, or in the blistering heat/sun of the day. It's wonderful to wait for the friendship boat, under the covered canopy on the dock. The other resorts do not offer such a nice place to wait! These two resorts are the ONLY in all of the Starwood collection, to BOTH HAVE the same HEAVENLY BEDS (usually, the sheraton collection touts the SWEET SLEEPER as the brand used)! These beds are indeed PHENOMENAL!

Both CL lounges share the same staff...so you'll see Thabo and Marie at the Dolphin too. Both resorts reserve Conventions, and SHARE the prospective guests. Therefore...both resorts are similarly affected by these groups and convergences. Whether they bother you or not...is strictly a matter of personal opinion. We have NEVER been bothered by a convention/guests while "residing" at these properties.

Paula offered a GREAT link, which I hope you use for your upcoming visit! The late-checkout feature has always been one of our favorites. Also, the Grotto (well, all of them actually) pool is open 24/7...when all others are CLOSED at a specifed time. If you are staying at the Dolphin, and wish to do your laundry "after hours" when the facility is closed, a simple request to the associates on staff at the front desk--and the door is UNLOCKED! We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this benefit! As Paula also posted, the elevators are ROCKET-FAST and SMOOTH! The MATISSE~COVERED INTERIOR WALLS..are just another added benefit/TREAT!

Have to agree with swilphil when it comes to the Swan Lobby...rather Blah/dull when compared with the Dolphin. Especially considering my personal favorite "SHOOTING STAR CEILING" in the Dolphin entrance~! One of my FAVORITES in all of the WORLD!

Convenience, as Blondie posted...is the main reason we select the Dolphin. I also, enjoy the ENERGY of the Dolphin (and all the little secret passages, and places of interest I have researched/discovered over the years).

Our suite at the Dolphin is extremely QUIET, offering the absolute BEST view we could ever possibly DREAM of (which we did before our first visit)~!
There are many other reasons behind our choice, but mainly...it's simple convenience. Hope this helps~! Enjoy.

P.S.~I have some crucial "insider" information regarding the PARKING FEE recently added at the Dolphin/Swan. Please PM me for specific details and SAVINGS if you are planning to PARK at these resorts!

DF99...

 

[Dory41]

Hi dreamflight99,

Thank your for all the info! This will be our first stay at the Swan/Dolphin and I can use all the help I can get. We have only stayed at the Contemporary and thought that it would be a good idea to try out another resort so we are doing a split stay at WDW before heading out to the Portofino Bay.

Your post makes the Dolphin sound so great that I need to have another with my DH and DS to discuss the new information that everyone on this thread has contributed.

Wow, I wish I could take 4-5 weeks off to spend at WDW! With work and school, it is already a bit of a stretch to take 2 1/2 weeks off. I am so jealous

Thanks again and I'll definitely PM you.

Aloha Pumehana!

 

[rachael95]

We stayed at the Dolphin this past Christmas and we walked through the Swan this past week. We liked the Dolphin. Great service. The entrance to the lobby is much nicer than the Swan. If you don't stay there, make sure you do walk through the front door though. The ceiling is a glowing stars and every once in a while they will shoot across the ceiling. I found myself always cricking my neck back trying to see the shooting stars every time we walked into the Dolphin. Swan doesn't have that.

Also, we planned on eating at Palio this last time but for some reason forgot how expensive Disney is for dinner - normally we always make sure we eat a late lunch and get lunch prices instead. So when we saw that the only things on the menu that looked good were $23 a piece just for the entree, DH and I looked at each other and both said "Pizza Skins?" At the same time. So we went over to Pizzeria Uno instead and had a really good dinner for about $30 total.

Both hotels are pretty though and it's nice being able to walk to the boardwalk and take the boats to Epcot and MGM. I really liked the boats.

 

[dreamflight99]

Sher~I know you will fall in LOVE with the Dolphin, especially the huge (tall) tropical palm trees surrounding the white sand near the grotto pool & walkway. Very relaxing feel! 2 1/2 weeks is quite the DECENT vacation! Mine is a bit outlandish, and has stretched to this length slowly over time (It's still NOT enough...and I'm always sad to leave). We are actually in Florida about 8 weeks this summer (more if we add the week~long Disney Cruise leaving Los Angeles on the 4th of June!). We visit the PBH for a week (enjoy Universal Studios, and IOA), travel to Disney's Vero Beach for about 2 1/2 weeks before heading to the WDW Dolphin for the remainder of our summer stay! This fall, we head back to London/England for another three weeks to settle DD into college. In December, we pick her up from the airport in San Francisco to enjoy another break/Christmas trip! I'm ALWAYS busy making travel plans!!! LOL... (I'm NOT complaining!!)

I pm'd you with the parking specifics! Hope you enjoy. Which ever resort you select, you'll be very satisfied and comfy!!

Me ke aloha pumehana

DF99

 

[missymouze]

I love the dolphin...def. recommend it over the swan. The Swan was so "boring" to me, no life to it. The dolphin has beautiful decor and has a little life to it. Lots of restaurants and lots to do!

 

[Dory41]

Wow! I think if we get a few more posts of helpful hints and/or opinions this could be a mini Swan and Dolphin FAQ thread.

rachael95- Could you tell me where Pizzeria Uno is? I know what you mean about the boats. It is so much more relaxing than having to take the bus.

df99- Thanks again for the info on the parking!

It's funny that you mention the Disney Cruise because I soooo wanted to add that on to our vacation but DH gets so seasick that it wasn't an option. Isn't that strange for someone who is born and raised in Hawaii?

I wouldn't say 8 weeks is outlandish....well maybe a little Maybe after DS graduates high school and the mortgage is paid off I'll be able to do it too!

missymouze- Thanks for the recommendation. Chalk up another vote for the Dolphin.

 

[susie2]

hi, we have recently changed our booking to the dolphin, could you please tell me whether you can buy the refillable mugs at the dolphin, and if so where from, we are travelling for three weeks from the 21 aug 06, and have never stayed on site before so we are very excited about staying here, thank you for any advice susie2

 

[goofyfordisney]

Which resort offers more full sized balconys with views of Epcot?

And another question...what is included in the "resort fee"? Is it possible to request it to be removed from your bill if you don't use the services?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Can someone tell me which car rental agency is at the Dolphin? Thank you.

 

[NancyIL]

Can someone tell me which car rental agency is at the Dolphin? Thank you.

National and Alamo are at the Dolphin.