Swan or Dolphin?

[miko]

Is there much difference between Swan and Dolphin Hotels? Rates are the same and location difference is nominal. Any preferences?

 

[glo]

I like the Swanl It is smaller and easier to manuver. There is an understaed elegance there. I also like that the Swan has Queen sized beds. The drawback is that there are hardly any view of Epcot that are not obstructed. I love the fountain in the lobby of the Swan.

The Dolphin is twice the size of the Swan. It has Double beds instead of Queens, b ut there are much more Epcot view rooms, and they have Tubbi's which is the buffeteria which is opened 24 hours a day . It is where you can get the your refillable mugs filled. It has a hopping lobby.

Both hotels are owned by the same corporation, so all the emenities are the same.

I vote for the Swan, but really there are minor differences. Hope you have a great time when you go.

If you go to the S/D FAQ there is some info on the differences between the two and between the S/D and the Disney hotels. Hope it helps.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Glad to see an endorsement for the swan! Seems like the dolphin gets all the attention. We have the swan studio booked for 2 trips this year, and its our 1st time at swan, have been to dolphin once! Thanks! mky

 

[kimmar067]

...at the Dolphin but it was not by choice. Since there are 5 in our family and we needed the rollaway bed, it was pretty much a "done deal" that we stay there instead of the Swan. We were very happy with our decision and we would DEFINITELY go back agan. I'm sure that you will be happy with EITHER location....(personally, I liked the Grotto pool at the Dolphin, Tubbies's, and the convenience of the laundromat with 3 boys....)

 

[glo]

kimmar067 the Grotto is the main pool for both hotels. Each hotel has a lap pool, and they both share the groto. You can use the emenities at each of the two hotels, and charge it back to your room key. They are both owned by the same company. So you can go to Tubbi's and charge to your room key even if you are staying at the Swan.

mkymouse4ever you will love the Swan. I stayed in a studio when I went last Dec. I loved it. Mine was located towards MGM and I had great view of the pool and of TOT. You have a great table set up, and a king sized bed and a sofa that pulls out. I feel in love with my room, especially since I was alone, and I had all that room to myself. Hope you love the place as much as I do. I know of atleast one other person who shares the love of the Swan, so I am not alone!

 

[Blondie]

Having stayed at both now, I have to say I prefer the Dolphin, especially for family trips. As previously posted, having Tubbi's and the laundry just a quick elevator ride away makes it a little easier. You can still use the amenities at the Dolphin if you stay at the Swan, (and vice versa) but you'll have to walk outside across the courtyard.

You can read a description of our room at the Dolphin, and see photos of our view of Epcot by reading Day One of my trip report.

 

[Poohlovr]

I, like Glo, am another of the minority who prefer the Swan.

I like the larger beds, the two sinks,the smaller, more intimate feel of the resort, the quiet-ness of it when compared to the Dolphin.

The restaraunts, etc, at the Dolphin are just a short stroll away.
Actually, it's less of a hike to them from some rooms at the Swan than from some rooms at the Dophin! The same is true of the Grotto pool....it's closer to some rooms at the Swan than to some at the Dolphin.

I posed this question to my husband and he, too, prefers the Swan "It's not as crowded and when you are carrying stuff up to your room, you sure appreciate that shorter walk".

Either is great, though, and I will continue to be back at both in the future

 

[Figaro]

Count me in as another person who prefers the Swan(smile). I like the quiet elegance of the Swan, the calmer atmosphere and the size of the hotel just seems more manageable to me. And since I use a wheelchair, the Swan is a LOT easier for my spouse and I to get around in.

We stayed there in November, and are going again for 10 days towards the end of October (22nd through the 2nd of November) to celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. I found the staff to be absolutely wonderful....polite, decent and willing to go out of their way to be of assistance. Housekeeping was perfect, and I felt so "taken care of" by everyone at the Swan. If we looked puzzled, even the person weeding the flowers would stop and give us directions. The people at bell services went out of their way to be helpful getting our wheelchair loaded in and out.

All in all, I can't imagine staying anyplace else!(smile)

Oh, and Glo is a wonderful, kind and helpful person! Before our first stay at the Swan, I emailed her for information about the handicap accessibility, and she took the time to answer my questions and go above and beyond in helping us out. So, THANK YOU GLO!! All of your help made our trip even more special!