Swan or Dolphin

[jjskribs]

For anyone who may have stayed at both resorts could you please share your opinions of the differences between the Swan and Dolphin. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? Is it worth the price difference to stay at the Swan? I presently have reservations for the Swan but I am considering changing them to the Dolphin. Decisions.... decisions

 

[Dan Murphy]

I do think the main reason Swan is more is becuase it has ALL its rooms refurbed. You could book Dolphin and requerst a refurb room, most likely you will get it. (no guarantee).

I like Swan better, smaller, 'cozier', easier to get around, and I am getting to know the staff. However, Dolphin has Tubbies (all nighter), ice cream place, and laundry. For the life of me, I don't understand why Swan does not at least have an all nighter and laundry, it is a deluxe.

Both are great.

 

[maggiew]

You didn't say who was going in your party, but with kids I prefer the Dolphin. It is closer to the pool. The laundry is there. The 24 hour Tubbis is there. The Swan seemed more cozy and romantic and smaller to us. We love the Dolphin.

When I made reservations for my Brother and Sister in Law for their anniversary, I didn't think twice about booking them in the Swan!

Maggie

 

[flynnmnstr]

Dolphin is the place to stay with kids.

DH and I stayed at the Swan before DH was born (about 9 months before he was born) and it was very romantic and intimate. Now we stay at the Dolphin because we love the convience of Tubbies and the Dolphin Soda Fountain and the laundry room is a must have with a toddler.

If DH and I were going alone, I don't think that I would have a preference of either hotel. To be honest when we stayed at the Swan we were over at the Dolphin often for dining and entertainment, even laundry it probably would have been more convienient to stay there. I love both hotels. If the $$ difference is big then switch to the Dolphin.

 

[Toadi]

We have stayed at both, most recently at the Swan, and would probably choose the Dolphin next time because we ended up going over there to eat, do laundry, and for DS to play video games, etc. I actually thought I'd like the Swan better, but I didn't ... that said ... I would be happy with either as their location can't be beat! Swan is a bit better located in my opinion as it is closer to the Boardwalk ... if you take the boat (Friendship) to MGM or Epcot, get off at the Boardwalk when you return to your resort; it's a 3-4 minute walk to the Swan whereas the boat goes to the Yacht & Beach before going to the Swan/Dolphin. Both have great gift shops. We had no problem getting the resort fee waived at the Swan. Isn't it great to know either decision will be wonderful?!!

 

[3for Me]

never stayed at the swan, but... we have stayed at the dolphin with kids (3) and loved being so close to the pool - we loved having tubbi's and used the laundry room twice. also, we let the kids stay at camp dolphin one night and they LOVED it.

 

[jjskribs]

Thank you all so much for your insight. We are not travelling with children.... only a 19 year old DS who loves the ESPN Club and MGM Studios. I am actually hoping NOT to do any laundry on this trip .

I believe I read somewhere that the Swan has 2 sinks... one inside the bathroom and one outside? Does anyone know if this is true for all of the Swan rooms. I also read (or dreamed!) that the queen size beds at the Swan are only slightly larger that the doubles at the Dolphin? Thanks again......... can't belive I'm actually planning another trip...thought it would never happen while DS #2 was still in college

 

[jmcross]

Yes, from what I have read, the Swan has the double sinks and slightly larger beds. The Swan has also been completely renovated while the Dolphin has not.
Joanne

 

[snels]

Hi,
We stayed at the Swan two times in 2003. The first time we had two queens. The room had two sinks.
The second time we stayed at the Swan, we had a king bed. There was only one sink in the king room.
Happy New Year!
Sandy

 

[kev97rach]

Some of you mentioned that the Swan's rooms have been refurbished and not the Dolphin. I read somewhere that the Dolphin was being renovated and should be complete by Spring 2004. Does anyone know if this is true?? I hope so b/c we plan to go in April/May 2004.

I read a lot of bad reviews concerning the conditions of the rooms at Dolphin and I am kinda scared to go there. But it is cheaper than the Swan and we need that. Anyone know anything?? Thanks!

 

[renniks]

I just booked our stay at the swan and now I am thinking I should cahnge it to the dolphin. I am horrible at making decisions! LOL We are traveling with ou2 2 kids (they will be 6 and 22 months) and my mom. We have 2 rooms at the gov't rate. The main reason picked the swan was because the beds are larger and looked more comfortable. Any suggestions?

 

[Mainebound]

Originally posted by renniks
I just booked our stay at the swan and now I am thinking I should cahnge it to the dolphin. I am horrible at making decisions! LOL We are traveling with ou2 2 kids (they will be 6 and 22 months) and my mom. We have 2 rooms at the gov't rate. The main reason picked the swan was because the beds are larger and looked more comfortable. Any suggestions?

Hi!

We are staying at the Swan in March, also with my mom, also two rooms on teacher rate, also with two young children (DS2, DS4). We chose it because it is smaller, and completely refurbed. We haven't stayed at either S or D, but walked around both last March and I felt the D was just too vast for my taste. We don't care too much about access to food 24 hours a day, as we eat three regular meals and will bring snacks (fruit treats, juice boxes) for our room. I thought they both looked very nice and while the Grotto pool is closer to some parts of the Dolphin, the D is so large that some parts of it actually seem farther away from the Grotto pool than the Swan. The walkway from S to D is not long -- I would think it would be easy to get to the D if you needed to. Good luck!