Swan or Dolphin? Please help me decide

[Dory41]

We are booked at the Swan for our upcoming trip in September but after reading posts on how great the Dolphin is I am thinking about switching. My DS also saw some photos of the Dolphin's lobby and asked if we could stay there instead.

I originally booked the Swan because:

1. The person I spoke with when making the ressie said the view from the king suite is better at the Swan.

2. I read that there are large conventions at the Dolphin and was a little worried about the crowds.

3. Because of the Swan's smaller size, it just feels more relaxing to me.

Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just wanted to bump you up....

I have stayed at the Swan twice and I do like it. I have never stayed at the Dolphin, however I have reservations for August as there were none available for the Swan. I am interested to hear the comparison between the two resorts.

Our last Swan stay earlier this month was really nice. We had a CL room with a beautiful view of the Dolphin, YC/BC, and part of the BWI. I could see Wishes from our room in the eve.

I like the Swan for the reasons that you have mentioned and with our family, I prefer the queen beds to the doubles at the Dolphin.

Have a great stay!

Lives4Disney

 

[sherry8253]

I have stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and would not hesitate to stay at either again. I LOVED the Swan until I stayed at the Dolphin. We couldn't get a discounted room in Jan at the Swan and I was prepared to not like the Dolphin as much as I did the Swan. However, just the opposite was true. I am now a Dolphin fan. You can re-fill your mugs at the Dolphin; you can't at the Swan. No fast food place the the Swan - there are 2 places at the Dolphin where you can grab a quick meal. I know it is only a short walk from the Swan to the Dolphin but to me it is must much more convenient to be able to go downstairs for a refill rather than hiking from the Swan. I didn't think the Dolphin was 'crowded' and there was a major convention going on when we where there but there did seem to be more hustle and bustle but I think that is because the Swan lobby and sitting area is so small compared the the large area at the Dolphin. But I didn't think it was noisy or crowded. We are not pool people, but I think the Dolphin is also closer to the pool (hopefully the other Dolphin fans out there will correct me if I am wrong). Honestly, I really don't think you can go wrong with either one of them. Let us know which one you chose and how you liked it when you get back.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Just another bump up...

Yes, the Dolphin is closer to the pool area. It is kind of a hike from the Swan, actually.

Lives4Disney

 

[sugermouse]

We love both resorts. They both share the same main pool and the same snack bar even though both are in closer proximity to the Dolphin. They are only a couple 100 feet apart. The rooms are very similar although the swan rooms have two sinks versus the dolphin's single sink.

 

[Dory41]

Thanks for the replies

Lives4Disney- Good point about the queen beds and thanks for the bumpity.

sherry8253- Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of the fast food locations and refillable mugs.

sugarmouse- Thank you for the info on the sinks. Just another thing that I wasn't aware of

Anyone else willing to help out an indecisive Dory?

 

[gigi1313]

no laundry facilities at the swan... gotta go to the dolphin...

 

[Muffy]

I've stayed at both and prefer the SWAN. We also love the DOLPHIN though. The reason we prefer the SWAN is because of it's intimacy and atmosphere. It really is a special resort. The location of the S/D is what keeps bringing us back over and over. We love the water taxis and the walking paths to MGM and Epcot. The dining options at the Boardwalk are great too. Our favorite buffet is at the DOLPHIN, FRESH. We're booked to go back Feb 06 at the Swan, 2 BR executive suite. I just love the views from the SWAN. You really can't go wrong with either one! Happy planning!

 

[Samsma]

I've only stayed at the Dolphin, but I think you made the right choice. I found the Dolphin to be very big. We had a beautiful view from our room, but the hike to the elevator was a long one. I think that although the swimming pool might be closer to the Dolphin, with a room at the Swan it couldn't take any more time to get there. I would go ahead and try the Swan.

 

[madge]

I've stayed at both and prefer the SWAN. We also love the DOLPHIN though. The reason we prefer the SWAN is because of it's intimacy and atmosphere. It really is a special resort. The location of the S/D is what keeps bringing us back over and over. We love the water taxis and the walking paths to MGM and Epcot. The dining options at the Boardwalk are great too. Our favorite buffet is at the DOLPHIN, FRESH. We're booked to go back Feb 06 at the Swan, 2 BR executive suite. I just love the views from the SWAN. You really can't go wrong with either one! Happy planning!

I could have typed much of the same--we love the whole resort, but prefer to stay at the Swan.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I stayed at the Swan for the first time last year and as you can see we're are going back and I can't wait!!
The Swan is smaller so it is alot quieter there. The Dolphin attracts alot of the conventioneers because of all the restaurants and shops so I prefer the atmosphere of the Swan.
I have 2 teenage boys so I need the double queen beds which the Dolphin does not have.
We were in a suite last year and had beautiful views of Epcot and watched Illuminations from our balcony almost every night and it was beautiful. If your staying club level Thabo and Maria are excellent!! Eating breakfast in the lounge every morning and looking straight at the Tower of Terror was great!!
I just prefer the Swan because I prefer the quieter atmosphere there and do not care for the loud, large crowds...maybe it's an age thing. Either way, both hotels are great.

 

[Dory41]

Thank you for the additional replies! I am leaning towards sticking with my original reservations at the Swan.

Muffy- What you said about the atmosphere and the more intimate feel is what I was thinking it would be like. Oh and thanks for the suggestion on dining at Dolphin's Fresh.

DisneyFans4- Lol. It must be an age thing for me too because that's exactly how I feel too. I don't think that I booked the club level but I'm not sure. Oh no, now I have another decision to make

Thanks again everyone

 

[DisneyFans4]

Dory-
The club level is the same as concierge which I love mostly because of breakfast only. Nothing like all of us starting out with a good breakfast before we head to the parks and just having the beverages on hand in the room.

 

[disneypalgal]

I returned from a 7 night stay at the Dolphin on May 9 and for most of the week the hotel was full. I would never have guessed it - the elevators were lightening fast (and almost always empty) and we never had any real lines or crowds to deal with. There was hardly anyone in the pools (of course, overcast most of the week probably had much to do with that!)

We had the most amazing view of Epcot and Illuminations We were upgraded from the "standard view, gov't rate". I think I would take either resort given the chance. Both are lovely resorts I truly believe that when it comes to these two properties, you really can't go wrong.

BTW, If you have a SPG card, and AAA/CAA, you can now get a Preferred Plus level - it gives you some extra benefits (an automatic upgrade to a preferred room, check out at 4pm if available, plus double the points). See http://www.starwoodhotels.com/promotions/promo_landing.html?category=AAA&IM=SI_HP_PA3_AAA for details.

paula

 

[swilphil]

We have stayed at both, and you really can't go wrong with either one. Given your concerns about size and view, you will probably like the Swan better. The smaller size does make it easier to get around. Don't worry about being too far from the Dolphin amenities. It took us less time to get to the pool or Tubbi's from our room at the Swan than it did when we were staying on the East Wing of the Dolphin. When you check into the Swan, you might ask for a room that is fairly close to the elevator (but not too close because of the noisy ice machine).

The one thing the Dolphin has over the Swan is an awesome lobby. If you want to walk into a lobby with a Wow factor, go Dolphin. The Swan's lobby is nice but nothing special.

 

[DisneyFans4]

The distance to visit anything between the Swan and Dolphin is alot closer than alot think. Hey....I stayed in the Swan and hiked laundry to the Dolphin. It got tough at times but it really wasn't that bad. I still wish the Swan would get a laundry room and I still wonder why they don't have one. As SwilPhil said, depending on what wing your in at the Dolphin the Swan can actually be closer.

 

[Blondie]

I like to describe the Swan as more elegant and refined, the Dolphin as festive and bustling!

Either resort is a good choice, but we do prefer the Dolphin for the conveniences my family is looking for; grab a quick bite at Tubbi's or the Dolphin Fountain, the arcade to keep my teen boys busy, and we enjoy sitting in the huge lobby to people watch!

Have a great time at the Swan!

 

[DisneyFans4]

The hotels are set up that way just for the purpose of making them different to attract the different crowds. I prefer the Swan for the quiet atmosphere where people that like the big crowds and the noise would prefer the Dolphin. I think it's great that no matter which one your staying at you can just walk across the way to visit the other and being able to enjoy the amenities of both hotels.

 

[Dory41]

I love this thread and all the info and tips everyone is posting A big mahalo to all of you!

disneypalgal- Thanks for the info on your stay. It sounds like the Dolphin is able to absorb large crowds well so large conventions do not negatively affect the other guests. I did sign up for the SPG program but am not a AAA member (believe it or not they don't offer a program where I live!).

swilphil- The photos of the Dolphin's exterior and lobby is what prompted my son to ask about the possibility of switching. Oh and what you and Samsma mentioned about the distance from some of the Dolphin's rooms to the elevators/eateries made me realize how large the Dolphin must be.

Blondie- Thanks for the well wishes! I can definitely use elegant and refined as I will probably get my fill of festive and bustling at the parks.

DisneyFans4- I am going to call reservations tomorrow about the additional cost of the club level. Having food and beverages available throughout the day is definitely a plus, esp. for my son! I was wondering the same thing about the laundry situation. It seems a little strange that two hotels would share the same facility even if it is a large one. I just found a photo of the walkway between the hotels and you are absolutely right. I had thought it would be much longer than it actually is. Thanks again for your help.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Dory-The walkway between the hotels in the picture looks long but when your there it really is not. Of course when hauling laundry it seems longer but but now what I do is I use one of the suitcases on wheels as my laundry carrier so it's easier.