Swan or POFQ?

[thenickster]

I booked late and these are my options. I fear the Swan will be a disaster. It is too late for a disney deluxe resort. Which do I choose? I have two tweens and do not plan on going to Disney springs. Is POFQ's location ok for the parks?

Help!

 

[klmrph]

I recommend reading the threads on each of the hotels you mentioned. I have an upcoming stay at the Dolphin and I am excited to stay there. I am not sure why you would think the Swan would be a disaster???

http://www.disboards.com/threads/lo...-for-links-to-all-the-resort-threads.2876920/

 

[scanmom]

I've stayed at the Swan once and the Dolphin twice. They are both deluxe hotels within walking distance to Epcot. They have several restaurant options and the rooms and beds are great. I have stayed at POFQ twice. It's a nice hotel, but just not on the level of the Swan/Dolphin. I would definitely choose the Swan with no worries. And, the pool at the Swan is better too!

 

[piccolopat]

We love the Swan. I don't know why you would think it would be a disaster. The hotel is quiet, nice rooms, nice pool, good restaurants. It's a slightly longer walk to Epcot (but closer walk to Studios) for much less than the price of the adjacent Disney hotels. You still get most of the Disney perks like EMH but no MagicBands or MDE. We loved hopping into Epcot in the evenings.

 

[patty57]

Stay at the Swan. I have no idea why you think it would be a disaster.

 

[DWillowBay]

I guess I'm 'odd man out' because I just love POFQ!! Small, beautifully maintained, quiet, true to it's theme and BEIGNETS!!! It's fairly centrally located to the parks and the staff is amazing! Although I can't always stay there....I would, if I could.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would definitely choose the Swan! The amenities at Swan/Dolphin are fantastic. Great restaurants (arguably the best in WDW), walking and boating distance to EP and DHS, great pool, incredibly comfortable rooms. Swan/Dolphin far surpass the mods in terms of amenities, park proximity and comfort IMHO.

 

[patty57]

I guess I'm 'odd man out' because I just love POFQ!! Small, beautifully maintained, quiet, true to it's theme and BEIGNETS!!! It's fairly centrally located to the parks and the staff is amazing! Although I can't always stay there....I would, if I could.

I walked around POFQ once, and had some beignets. It looked like a very nice resort, and wouldn't hesitate to stay there. Recommending the Swan isn't a knock at POFQ at all. I absolutely love the Epcot resorts location, and ability to walk to two parks. At the Swan, you get a deluxe resort, but at prices much closer to a moderate.

 

[kayteekt]

We love the small size of POFQ, love the grounds...our favorite moderate by far...only moderate I'm interested in. However, the Swan (or dolphin) have the location beat 100x. We love the epcot resorts and S&D are more affordable but same amenities, so if we were making the decision it would be Swan all the way.

 

[allymouse]

Swan. Better location, walk to two parks. Hotel has great dining option plus all of the Boarwalk area resorts are right there. The smell of the lobby alone makes it worth it!

 

[UnderTheRialto]

I've stayed at both and would choose Swan.

 

[loves to dive]

Stayed at Swan for the first time early March, I too, was a little worried about it since I normally stay at YC/BC. Shouldn't have worried, loved it and will be staying there again in Sept. Go for it.

 

[PaintsWindColors]

I guess I'm 'odd man out' because I just love POFQ!! Small, beautifully maintained, quiet, true to it's theme and BEIGNETS!!! It's fairly centrally located to the parks and the staff is amazing! Although I can't always stay there....I would, if I could.

My vote also goes to POFQ - the transportation from this resort is actually pretty quick via bus and it's quiet. MDE and MagicBands are reason enough for me to stick with a wholly-owned Disney option.

 

[thenickster]

Thanks for the replies so far! There are obviously different opinions. I am nervous about customer service at Swan but if that is more of a delux feel I might have to go for it. But as PWC said, no magic band or MDE. I have 3 days at the Beach club but need a fourth. Those delux reservations (besides AK for some reason) are hard to come by!!

 

[patty57]

A magic band costs under $13.00. I wouldn't let that be part of a decision if I were you. I have had exemplary customer service at the Swan and Dolphin. There isn't MDE, but for me...that isn't a negative. I hire a towncar service and get to my resort so much faster. If you feel you need to be at a Disney resort, I've heard good things about POFQ.

 

[patty57]

Thanks for the replies so far! There are obviously different opinions. I am nervous about customer service at Swan but if that is more of a delux feel I might have to go for it. But as PWC said, no magic band or MDE. I have 3 days at the Beach club but need a fourth. Those delux reservations (besides AK for some reason) are hard to come by!!

After reading this again...are you looking to add on one night to your three days at BC? If you have a BC reservation, you will get a magic band, and DME either to or from the airport (not sure if you want to add a day at the beginning or end of BC res.). If you need a ride from WDW to MCO, I would take Uber. I did a split stay in March with three nights at the Swan, and three nights in a studio at BCV. I had an unrenovated BCV studio, and truthfully the Swan room was much nicer.

 

[loves to dive]

After reading this again...are you looking to add on one night to your three days at BC? If you have a BC reservation, you will get a magic band, and DME either to or from the airport (not sure if you want to add a day at the beginning or end of BC res.). If you need a ride from WDW to MCO, I would take Uber. I did a split stay in March with three nights at the Swan, and three nights in a studio at BCV. I had an unrenovated BCV studio, and truthfully the Swan room was much nicer.

If you are doing a split stay, you are going to get a MB, which is going to get you into the parks for how many days worth of tickets you have so the MB issue isn't there. You will have a card for your key at Swan but since I always carry an ID and a cc anyway, that card didn't really make any difference. You get all the perks at Swan that you do at a WDW resort except for MDE and the MB (which is taken care of). I had excellent customer service there when we were there and frankly, am looking into booking it again for my trip in Sept. instead of my beloved YC/BC I enjoyed it so much.

 

[thenickster]

I do not think doing a split stay as relatively short visit. I can kick myself for not booking the delux resorts on the monorail in dec. I have 3 days at beach club and need a fourth for april 27. I have been checking constantly- looks like it might have to be the swan. Any other swan fans?? Thank you!!

 

[DisneyADottie]

I've stayed at both resorts and I prefer the Swan, it has a better atmosphere and you can't beat having the chance to walk to a park! Just in case you're budget conscious, don't forget that the Swan has a $25 per day resort fee and an $18 per day self parking fee if you're going to have a car with you.

 

[bryanb]

I've done a split stay with two nights at POFQ followed by two nights at the Swan. Both of them have their fantastic advantages. The POFQ has a beautiful setting and convenient to Disney Springs via boat. The room I got at POFQ was nice on the outside but rather motel-like and dark on the inside. The Swan was actually cheaper when I booked, and much nicer in terms of room, bed, restroom, and hotel amenities. But it feels more like a corporate hotel. The location is awesome though. Walking to the Boardwalk and Epcot cannot be beat!