Swan or Dolphin? Which would you choose?

[MarBee]

Im staying for 7 nights at Dolphin at he end of June then headed to Wilderness Lodge (got a great bounce back offer to WL and only paying $250 a night).
However, I just found out that because of the lobby construction at Dolphin, the busses are only picking up and dropping off at Swan.
I have the option to switch to Swan for 6 nights (no availability on the 7th night) and add a day on at WL. It'll cost me $350 for the extra WL night.
Originally we chose Dolphin because it was cheaper points, but it was an added bonus that it had the game room and quick service cafeteria there. (We have a 5 and 7 year old.) However, I don't really have a preference for either (should I?)

What would you do? Is it worth the extra $350 to not deal with the construction issues?

 

[mousegear]

Our family stayed at both Swan/Dolphin multiple times thanks to SPG points. As a family, we do prefer Swan more because of queen beds and also smallness of the resort. Sometimes, at Dolphin, we find ourselves trekking to our room because the hallways could be so long. Also, sharing double beds weren't that nice. We just return from Dolphin (April) and because of the construction, the bus service was only at Swan. We drove to AKL and just cut through Epcot and took monorail to MK. It was annoying to get to Swan and then the bus. Picabu is on the ground floor of Dolphin so it was very easy to get to from Swan through the walkway. Sometimes, the night you need opens up close to your trip once they settle down so keep checking.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We also prefer the Swan for the very reasons mousegear mentions.

 

[chris benton]

I'd completely remove the "pro" of the game room and Picabu. Those are both totally accessible for Swan guests. Short, fun walk. No big deal. The bus thing might be a hassle, an added short walk from the front of Swan, through the lobby, and across the walkway to Dolphin. Depending on how many times you are going to use the bus, it might be worth that 350, especially late night, if the kids are crabby. The swan beds are enough to sway me. Two queens vs one king or 2 dbls for several days is worth it, imo. Add in the construction, and if you're going to be carrying flopping kids, I might lean towards Swan. I wouldn't let picabu or the game room be any real part of the deciding factor, tho.

 

[patty57]

I prefer the Swan with or without the construction for the same reasons as mousegear. Also agree that the game room and Picabu wouldn't influence my decision as they are a two minute walk across the way.

 

[MarBee]

Thanks everyone! I made the switch! Fingers crossed it was the right decision

 

[DizDaD7]

Good info here all.

While we've never stayed at either, we've visited from BWV's plenty of times when friends have stayed there... W/out knowing the sleeping accommodations prior to reading this post, I would've immediately chosen Dolphin...For it being newer, and more dining options (especially Picabu ) which we loved. The bus thing would get annoying though. I'd hate to have to spend the extra 350, but Honestly an extra night at WL....Can you really beat it?