Swan or Dolphin with kids?

[isabellea]

I just checked the Swan and Dolphin price for when we will visit in December and they are cheaper than for my POFQ reservation, even after adding all the fees. Which one would you choose for a family of 4 with two girls age 6 and 9 at the time of travel over NY? Which one is closer to IG gate or the boat launch to DHS?

 

[epcotobsessed]

My last stay was split between POR and the Swan (or Dolphin - I can't remember which). We very much preferred the Swan and my kids are just a bit older than yours. The POR grounds are lovely but you have to take a bus everywhere (or boat to Downtown Disney). Epcot is about a 10 minute walk from the Swan and HS is about a 10 minute walk as well. There is a dedicated boat launch for the Swan/Dolphin and you can take a boat to Epcot or HS as well. The Swan has a couple great pools, very un-crowded when we were there. Room quality is about the same - Swan rooms are bigger than POR rooms.

 

[chris benton]

Make a list of pros and cons.
I'd choose Swan for WALKING proximity to DHS & Epcot, and because of the food choices (including the Boardwalk, all EP area resorts, and the World Showcase if you have hoppers,) and the awesome pool complex, and the beds) - but that's me.

If you are a Costco member you might want to check their travel site for deals as well.

 

[Bostonbeans99]

I would definitely then choose Swan or Dolphin. There is so much to do if you then walk over to my second favorite resort Boardwalk.
Movies on the lawn and great food and entertainment! Plus you can sit on the Boardwalk benches at night and watch Epcot fireworks!
Pizza, cotton candy, jugglers and magic shows!
Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[SA mom]

We usually stay at the Swan because of the queen beds. But the Dolphin has the quick service restaurants. With younger kids, that might be more important. I think the walka to IG and the dock are about equal.

 

[tjmw2727]

My kids are older now but I say Dolphin - closer to the pool and you have the arcade and kids club in the same building. You also have 3 quick serve options, for me that was the tie breaker with young kids. My kids also loved the Play area by pool - just past the splash grill with kids activities, foosball (sp?), pool hula hoop & games, basketball and beach volleyball, all available to swan guests of course but much closer to the Dolphin.

We are heading back to the Dolphin in August ourselves - can't wait

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I just checked the Swan and Dolphin price for when we will visit in December and they are cheaper than for my POFQ reservation, even after adding all the fees. Which one would you choose for a family of 4 with two girls age 6 and 9 at the time of travel over NY? Which one is closer to IG gate or the boat launch to DHS?

They are equidistant to the boat launch and I would give Swan the slight edge to the IG entrance (only because I HATE the zig-zag path that leads from the Dolphin over to YC/BC and then to EP, LOL! I would much rather walk on the Boardwalk by the Swan).

You really can't go wrong with either one, though we prefer the Swan. I find it to be less chaotic and they have queen beds as opposed to doubles at the Dolphin. All amenities are so close - the pool, restaurants, etc., that proximity isn't really an issue with either resort.

We love Swan/Dolphin and they are our go-to when the prices for the EP resorts are too high for our budget!

 

[cutigerlady]

My kids love these resorts! The Dolphin is closer to the pool and Epcot IG. It also has more QS options. The Swan has a great character breakfast, queen beds and is closer to the miniature golf courses. I usually pick the cheaper resort. Also keep checking the rates because you may be surprised to see them drop!

We are staying at the Dolphin in September because it was cheaper.

 

[chris benton]

Make a list of pros and cons.
I'd choose Swan for WALKING proximity to DHS & Epcot, and because of the food choices (including the Boardwalk, all EP area resorts, and the World Showcase if you have hoppers,) and the awesome pool complex, and the beds) - but that's me.

If you are a Costco member you might want to check their travel site for deals as well.

My mistake. I thought OP was trying to decide between S/d or POFQ.

I'd just pick whichever is cheaper between S/D OR, choose Swan for the two queen cfg. I wouldn't worry about about proximity to amenities for either. They are very close to each other. Some Dolphin rooms are further from the pool complex than some of the Swan rooms. At times, one other drawback can be that the buses fill up at Swan first, then head to Dolphin.

 

[bluejasmine]

They say the beds at Swan are bigger but the Dolphin is closer to the pool and has several restaurants on site more than Swan

 

[Babsy]

staying at either one is very nice. Some small differences: queen beds at the Swan vs Long doubles at the Dolphin; bus stop is first at the Swan; guest laundry is at the Dolphin; more restaurants and facilities are located in the Dolphin building (but able to be used by guests at either resort); longer hallways to some rooms at the Dolphin.

We usually choose to stay at whichever is available/least expensive for our dates.

Enjoy!

 

[DSLRuser]

stayed at both...I would choose Swan / Dolphin over POR every time on cost alone. But when you add all the amenities the Epcot resort area adds. It's a no brainier.

Yeah, swan / Dolphin are technically not "disney"....but you would never know it if someone hadn't told you ahead of time.

 

[DSLRuser]

They say the beds at Swan are bigger but the Dolphin is closer to the pool and has several restaurants on site more than Swan

Think of Swan/Dolphin as a single resort, much like we do with Yacht/Beach. And in regards to food. you have 5 hotels and 2 theme parks all within walking distance.