swan or dolphin? which is better & why?

[missycj96]

Hello - I just got a teacher rate of $149 ($166 with tax) for 8/11 (and yes I am sad we won't be there for the $99 rate) and it was available at either resort. This is enough less than my yacht club res which comes to $244 pn that I am thinking about it.

Which one is preferable? Is the walk to epcot, boat docks, boardwalk etc shorter from one to the other? How about all the swan and dolphin restaurants? For now I am leaning to the swan because they have queen beds instead of double.

What do you think?

 

[bballmom56]

We've stayed at the Swan twice because we prefer the smaller type of hotel. However, we did eat at the Dolphin Fountain twice, at Fresh once, and visited Tubbi's twice. The walk from the Swan is very easy - you can be under a covered walkway for the whole distance, if you wish. I commented to DH that we may have had a shorter walk than some of the more remote rooms in the Dolphin. That being said, if there were no rooms available at the Swan, I would definitely try the Dolphin. I have heard there is not much difference between the size of the beds, but with a 16 yo, 6'2" son, we need all the room we can get! We have stayed there with the teacher's rate both times and that can't be beat! So I think you'll be happy no matter which you choose .

 

[Deb & Bill]

Swan = queen sized bed
Dolphin = double beds

 

[i like stitch]

We stayed at both last fall. I'd prefer to stay at the swan if it were just my spouse and I because it's more intimate and the beds were larger (and we had a few problems at the dolphin). However, my child liked the dolphin better because of the lobby, game room and pool being closer, and we had a great view of the epcot fireworks.

We are returning in Sept. and staying at the dolphin.

 

[disnut8]

My observations. I prefer the Swan because it's smaller. The Dolphin's lobby is huge and very "active". The Swan's is more relaxed and "formal". But, all most of your food options (Tubbi's, for example) and the laundry are over at the Dolphin. I didn't mind anything about that except I felt really dumb dragging a laundry bag across from the Swan to the Dolphin.

Both the Dolphin and the Swan have lap quiet pools. They share the main themed pool (which we liked a lot). I think the walk to Epcot and MGM is closer from the Swan. Also, Fantasia mini golf is just across the street from the Swan.

 

[Disney's My Goal]

We stayed at the Swan last summer on teacher rate and LOVED it. We went to Dolphin for Fresh, and thought the theming was neat, but we also thought that we observed patterns in the bus service that suggested the Swan was more desirablr in this regard. I also felt the main areas of the Swan seemed less crowded than what I observed in the Dolphin.

 

[Leota]

I know the beds at the Dolphin are doubles, but they seem like large doubles to me When we were at the Swan, we had a King room, so I can't compare. I find the Dolphin more convienient for our family but love them both.

 

[swilphil]

The Dolphin beds are oversized doubles. They are one inch smaller than queens. We have a queen at home and didn't notice any difference.

We have stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin. You can't go wrong with either one. They are both great. I like the room layout and the bigger bathroom at the Swan. We actually had a shorter walk to Tubbi's and the grotto pool from our room at the Swan than our room in the East Wing of the Dolphin. It also took less time to get to the boat dock, the Boardwalk and the parks. Much of this was due to the fact that our Dolphin room was quite a ways from the elevator and we had to take the East Elevator to the main floor and the Central elevator to the lower level when we had the double stroller.

Dolphin's lobby is much more impressive and might appeal to some people who are looking for that 'wow' factor in a lobby. If you do go Dolphin, see if you can get a room in the West Wing.

 

[tink90]

Well personally I find the DOlphin too "busy" for ne. The lobby has a lot going on! However i do LOVE both s&d. My vote goes for the swan. It is just enough smaller to give it a very intimate feeling. The rooms are great! I find the walk to the pool a little longer from the swan than from the dolphin. But the walks to boardwalk and epcot and mgm are about the same fromboth resorts. No matter what resort you stay at nothing is set in stone. Meaning if you stay at Swan you have a very short walk to dophin to eat! The walk is very managable! the views from swan are amazing if your facing mgm! When i stayd there i saw fantasmic at mgm and illumiations every night because of the angle my room was at! Good luck on your decision...you cant go wrong!

 

[DisneyFans4]

I felt really dumb dragging a laundry bag across from the Swan to the Dolphin.

Don't feel dumb...I look at it as a workout!!! I've had to do it myself but what can you do. It is real tough though, especially when your washing for 4 people!!
I've suggested to the Swan to get a laundry room and I think it's under consideration because I'm sure there are alot of us who have been asking for it.
I also prefer the Swan because it's smaller and more intimate. The Dolphin is a very active hotel. Besides, it's just a walk across if you want to do anything there.

 

[Pugdog007]

Do either (or both) have balconies? Is the decor the same?

 

[DisneyFans4]

I can only speak for the Swan but they have balconies if you request one, not all the rooms have them.

 

[sugermouse]

We like both but if I had to choose, I would pick the Dolphin. More ammenities.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Sugermouse--
I see your leaving right before me. Enjoy!

 

[pooh2001]

About every other room has a balcony at the Dolphin.
CL floor has no balconies- but great views.

You will pay extra for the balcony.

 

[nwdisgal]

I've stayed at both and it depends on whether you prefer a more boutique experience (Swan) to a larger hotel with more activity going on (Dolphin). Dolphin is in closer proximity to Tubbies and the Laundry Room - if you're interested in your Starbucks fix and convenience for laundry . Swan tends to be less crowded, more peaceful and subdued in the lobby area. Other than that, it is a toss up as far as proximity to the boat, Boardwalk etc. Same with the beds - a think Dolphin is an oversized double with about an inch diffence in mattress width. I really didn't notice the difference in bed size having stayed at both.

 

[paras4ri]

We've stayed at the Dolphin and agree with other posters, we noticed no difference in bed size and we're used to a queen.

We'll be at the Swan for the first time in just over 2 weeks so the info here is great for us.

 

[Blondie]

For our first stay, I chose the Swan. Based on reviews I had read here and elsewhere, I thought I'd prefer it over the Dolphin.

Turns out I liked the Dolphin more, so thats where we stay. The Dolphin has more of the conveniences my family is looking for (arcade, laundry, Tubbi's, etc.)

I do prefer the bathroom layout at the Swan, but the Dolphin just calls to me!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Bear in mind though that the amenities of the Dolphin are just a short walk from the Swan. I'm still working on the Swan to get their own laundry room though and it's something I still wonder to this day why they don't have and I also think the Dolphin should enlarge theirs. When you think about the size of both hotels that laundry room definitely needs more machines.

 

[iluvmickeytown]

Can anyone led me to pictures of the rooms with the balconies? Or info for that matter. I would love to see the views. I miss the balconys with the values and moderates. I don't think I'll be able to afford a deluxe for awhile. Thanks.