Swan or Dolphin?

[tortoni]

Looks like the weekend we are going in December is booked at the Disney Epcot resorts but the Swan and Dolphin both have availability. Any views as to which is better. We stayed at the Swan once and found the rooms to be a bit musty, even after the renovation. Wondering whether the Dolphin is similar?

 

[Leota]

I have never had any mustiness at the Swan or Dolphin.

For adults only & a little quieter stay, the Swan is nice as it's smaller. If you have kids in tow or use Tubbi's alot, I'd say the Dolphin. We usually stay at the Dolphin.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I was just getting ready to ask this exact question! I think I will look into the dolphin.

 

[kmkja1]

Do they have refrigerators?

 

[lizcro326]

Do they have refrigerators?

Yes, they have refrigerators BUT it is for their items only. If you want them to empty it for personal use theres is a charge (I think $20). I've heard that if you tell them you have to keep medications cold they will waive the fee.

We booked through this ressie system and got a great AP rate. Unfortunately when I called to verify our King smoking room. I was told I could not be accommodated. I was told I could either have a king bed OR smoking, but not both. I was upgraded (Clerk slipped and said upsold at check-in) for an additional $30 per night. I was also told the AP late 2pm check out was not avialable since they offered no AP rate. Could have argued the point but decided not to.

In my personal experience, If you spend alot of time in the parks, the cost of the room isn't worth it. It was just barely larger than a regular hotel room. The heavenly bed wasn't so heavenly. The decor was ok but I ,personally, was in pastel hell. The grounds are gorgeous and transportation was acceptable. Service was exceptional. Food costs were ridiculous even for Disney. Room Service is untouchable if you are on a budget. By the time you consider the inflated beginning price , add 20% service charge, $3 service charge, 6.5% sales tax and tip. Breakfast for two would run about $50. We didn't order room service.

We were told Tubbi's was open 24 hours. So after a long night at the parks headed over to get something to eat. After what felt like a 2 mile hike to Tubbi's, We found out we could have a pre made turkey sandwich or a 12" pizza. Two pizzas with one topping ,two cans of soda and a quart of milk ran us over $40.

Worst part is, a day before we were schduled to arrive, I found out I could have gotten a deluxe savannah view room at AKL for $15 LESS than what we eventually paid at the Swan.

Oh well, Live and Learn.

 

[kmkja1]

We stayed at POR in the past and we really liked it. I was checking out S&D and saw that nurses (that's my Wife) can get a room there for around the same price. Not to sure if we want to go there. Still looking to get a feel for the place.

 

[frazzled one]

Room Service is untouchable if you are on a budget. By the time you consider the inflated beginning price , add 20% service charge, $3 service charge, 6.5% sales tax and tip.

Maybe someone could clear this up for me. because I've always found it confusing. Is a service charge for room service a tip? Or is it something the hotel tacks on just because it can? I have no problem tipping the person who brings our meal to our door, but I'd just as soon not do it twice, if you know what I mean.

 

[sanibelover]

When we stayed at the Swan in Sept., I just asked for a fridge and they brought one up - no charge. Many other posts talk of being charged $20 for them to clean out the minibar fridge. Not sure what the policy is, but we didn't even take the key to the minibar at check-in and were not charged at all for the fridge. I love, love, love the Swan. We had a split stay between the BC and the Swan and the Swan won hands-down!!! Gave a great trip.

 

[NancyIL]

In my personal experience, If you spend alot of time in the parks, the cost of the room isn't worth it. It was just barely larger than a regular hotel room. The heavenly bed wasn't so heavenly. The decor was ok but I ,personally, was in pastel hell. The grounds are gorgeous and transportation was acceptable. Service was exceptional. Food costs were ridiculous even for Disney. Room Service is untouchable if you are on a budget. By the time you consider the inflated beginning price , add 20% service charge, $3 service charge, 6.5% sales tax and tip. Breakfast for two would run about $50. We didn't order room service.

Wow, yours is the first report I've read where someone DIDN'T like the Heavenly Beds! I think they are fabulous!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

DH and I just returned from the Swan. We thought it was great. My nurses rate was $149.00 a night , with tax it came to $166.00. I agree about Tubbi's being sooo far. That was a royal pain in the butt, if you wanted something late. It was expensive, with not a very good selection.

We learned after that to grab a drink or something to eat on the Boardwalk before we got back. We love the location. Its so nice to have something to do at night or even during the day if you don't want to do the parks. And not have to worry about taking a bus or cab. We didn't see as many kids here as the BC/YC or BW but for half the price of those resorts, I don't see a problem, though we didn't have the kids this trip.

Sorry but we thought the beds were heavenly. The room did have a musty smell, but so did the CR when we were there , plus alot of other warm climate hotel rooms we've been to. I would give the Swan/Dolphin a try.

 

[jwfla422]

Yes, I'm shocked as well. The heavenly beds are even more comfortable than my bed at home! LOL We even stayed at WL this summer and boy did I ever miss my heavenly bed!!

We like both the S & D but prefer the Swan because it is smaller. I have a 7 yr old who has accompanied with all of our MANY Swan stays since she was 2 and she loves it! I don't agree at all that it's an "adult only" resort. Tubbi's is convenient but I don't find myself there too much. We prefer the "pool" grills/restaurants like the Splash Grill or the Cabana Grill.

We recently returned from a week long stay at the Dolphin (to escape the lack of electricity in our area due to hurricane Wilma) and had a very enjoyable stay. It REALLY was our "home away from home" for this week. We were in the east wing and while it is quite a walk to everything it was still a comfy place to stay. The one rainy day we had, we decided to hang in the room and do laundry and that was very convenient as the Dolphin has a nice size laundry room with good working washers and dryers. (wouldn't have been as convenient to walk outside from the Swan). So, each one has it's perks and so forth.

As far as the "musty" smell. I didn't notice a musty smell but I do notice a high humidity level HOWEVER this is true with ALL of the Disney resorts we've ever stayed in during the more humid times of year. Any hotel in FL in fact has this problem. Now the ceiling fans help circulate the air and most of the Disney resorts have them which may take away that somewhat "stuffy" atmosphere. The S/D don't have ceiling fans so we bring our own little fan which takes care of it. It's just the matter of getting the air to circulate. Our house at home gets stuffy during humid times of the year unless our ceiling fans are on.

I highly recommend these resorts. They are our favorites and IMHO I can't think of any other more comfortable place to stay than the S/D.

 

[lizcro326]

Wow, yours is the first report I've read where someone DIDN'T like the Heavenly Beds! I think they are fabulous!!

I'm sorry maybe I should clarify that statement. The beds themselves were comfortable enough. However, the duvets were lumpy and looked uninviting even after being freshly made up and for some reason through our whole stay the dust ruffle was hanging off of the bed and onto the floor. Not at all like the pictures or tv commercials. I also have alot of back problems. I've found the beds at Marriott's and Disney to be most restful for me. As soon as I figure out how to upload a picture of the bed I will.


We'll be back in December. This time we will try the Coronado Springs Resort. We'll report back.

 

[lizcro326]

As soon as I figure out how to upload a picture of the bed I will.

Well I finally figured it out. TA-DA Now all I have to do is figure out how to make them smaller.

 

[Leota]

That's the way Down Comforters look. We use down at home too & they are never perfectly flat.

I am surprised at your take on the Heavenly Bed. I have never seen/heard of anyone who didn't love them.

As far as Service Charges on Room Service - I'm not sure about Sw/olphin, but having worked in the hotel/restaurant business my experience is that the percentage service charge (in this case 20%) is the tip for the server as some folks don't tip. The additional fee (in this case $3.00) is the charge for the room service itself. Like some Pizza places charge a dollar or two for delivery & then you add a tip to the driver.

I find room service everywhere to be exhorbitant. I didn't feel Sw/olphin's to be any worse than anywhere else I have stayed. AKL's was just as bad last April.