SWAN OR DOLPHIN? Which one would you choose?

[eyoreaud]

Hi All

We've just booked most of our accomodation for Sept 8th this year One week at Sheraton Vistana Villages followed by a week at the Atlantis harbourside resort in the Bahamas Then spend a few days at either the Swan or Dolphin. Does anyone have any info on which resort they would choose between Swan or Dolphin? ie, which is best for restaurants, facilities and what are the pools like? Also is there one better placed than the other for getting to the parks?

Thanks Audrey.

 

[Paul and Shirley]

Hi Audrey,

I am hoping that everyone after this is going to say the Dolphin as we have booked three weeks there in the Summer.

I should imagine that as they are joined and you can use the facilities in either that it really doesn't matter which one you go for.

we shall see

 

[Bexx]

So far I've read that the beds at the Dolphin are longer, while the beds at the Swan are wider (I think that's the right way round)!!! And the Dolphin has more eating places.

But I like the way the main path runs from the Swan, over towards the Boardwalk and then on to the Yacht Club!!! JMHO

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I have not stayed at either but have a friend who has and preferred the Dolphin overall.

The pool I believe is very nice and there are some good restaurants there too.

Pretty sure Tim (Goofyish) stayed there recently so may be worth asking him perhaps.

 

[Miffy2003]

Whichever you are staying at, you are literally seconds away from the other as they are connected by a covered walkway

I don't think you will be disappointed with either hotel I've not stayed at either but have explored both at length

 

[Goofyish]

Hi Aud

We stayed at the Dolphin in December for 14 nights.

The Dolphin is a great hotel. It's quite big and it takes a while to get your barings and find your way to the restaurants, pools, buses and boat dock.
The only place we ate in the Dolphin was 'Tubbies'. This is a counter service/buffeteria type restaurant. It's open 24 hours and has a little general store. You can also get re-fillable mugs as well.

The Dolphin also has a laundry, games room, gynmasium and a very posh spa!

We never actually ventured into the Swan, but the feeling and decore is similar to the Dolphin and it also looks slightly smaller.

Both hotels share pools. There are two laps pools, a large general pool with slide and waterfall and a childrens pool. There is also an area for basketball and table tennis.

The beach is between the two hotels and there are beach chairs, hammocks and 'swan' boats to hire

You catch buses to MK, AK and DTD from the front of either hotel from the Disney bus stop. The buses are shared with the Boardwalk, and sometimes the Yacht/Beachclubs.

To get to Epcot or MGM you can either catch a Friendship boat from the boat dock, or walk!
We found walking a lot quicker! The boats call at the Yacht/Beach Clubs and Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM in a continous loop.

Our Dolphin room was very nice - pretty much standard USA layour (2 double beds, bathroom, vanity area with hairdryer and coffee maker. There is also an iron and ironing board! You als oget a fully stocked minibar (expensive).
On the TV you get pay movies, pay TV interney access and Playstation.
We got a fantastic view of Swan, Boardwalk and Illumination! from our 11th floor window.

Pool

If you have any other question fire away

 

[eyoreaud]

Thanx for all your help

Have still not made up my mind as to which one they both seem to have good points!

Tim, Is the view of EPCOT better from one than the other? As we'll only be staying there for 4 days i really want to make the most of our time as we'll already have been in Orlando for a week then Atlantis resort in the Bahamas for the second week and are hoping to do without a car for our 4 day stay since there is transport from Swan+Dolphin anyway and we might just be ready to relax and enjoy the amenities at the hotel those last few days
Methinks we may need another holiday to recover after this one, He he he!

Any excuse eh?
Thnx again,
Audrey

 

[Goofyish]

I think the view really depends on the room and floor you get. Some rooms in the Swan face MGM, so you may be able to see Fantasmic.

 

[CarolynU]

Have just booked 2 nights at the Dolphin at the end of our Summer vacation this year. For the first part we are lucky enough to be staying in a friends townhouse atTerra Verde.

 

[Laurafoster]

i have stayed in both and prefer the dolphin. My reasons for that are - your much more lkely to get a balcony at the dolphin than the swan and the swan (the actual hotel not the pool) is in the shade most of the day. The pools are nicer at the dolphin ad its then a shorter walk up to your room.

If you get a room in the east wing and on a quite high floor (floor 5+) you get a fab view of the illuminations!!! i had a great view this year, was so nice to sit on my balcony at the end of the day and watch the boats and fireworks!

 

[eyoreaud]

Hi Again,

Our DD will be celebrating her 15th birthday while we are there and i was just wondering if either the Swan or Dolphin would do anything special for this? Like do you know if they do a birthday gift package or something similar? Do you think it would be worth mentioning this when we arrive?

Maybe i should have started a new thread for this, but i'll give it a try anyway

Thanx
Audrey

 

[Goofyish]

I now the Swan/Dolphin do special gift packs for your room (chocolates, flowers etc.). But I doubt they will do anything Dsiney oriented becasue they are not owned by Disney.

Make sure you get your DD a birthday badge from any Guest Relations window on her birthday and if you eat in a Restaurant mention her birthday to your server

 

[ollie]

Hi, we stayed at the Dolphin in October and absolutely loved it. I mentioned that it was my wife's birthday in a few days when checking in and they upgraded our room to a balcony room we had a view of mgm and the pool. Oh, and the beds are just heavenly!! I would recommend joining the Starwood program as you might get an upgrade if you flash your membership card. The restaurants are very nice (we ate in most of them at both the swan and dolphin) Any other questions before you book?

 

[eyoreaud]

Thanks for your replies

Tim, thanks for the reminder bout the birthday badge, i'd forgotten about that

ollie, we are already members of Starwood, that's who we have our timeshare with. I'll certainly flash my card if there's any chance of an up-grade though!

Thanx Again,
Audrey