Swan Resort Only Trip? Worth it?

[Erica Ladd]

We were going to do parks for two days on a 3 night trip but it looks like it’s going to be Crowded in the parks (5/8-9). We got great flights and a good deal on the room IMO. Should I consider skipping tickets and just enjoying the area?

 

[Marionnette]

We were going to do parks for two days on a 3 night trip but it looks like it’s going to be Crowded in the parks (5/8-9). We got great flights and a good deal on the room IMO. Should I consider skipping tickets and just enjoying the area?

How will you feel about being "in" Disney but not going into a park? Lots of DVC members do "resort only" trips. If you feel that the area offers enough for you to enjoy being there then go for it. You will definitely need a plan in the event that weather prevents you from enjoying a pool day or leisurely stroll around Crescent Lake.

 

[Erica Ladd]

I feel like it would be quite difficult to be there with nothing to do but eat. And drink. And walk around. I was thinking maybe of doing some skyliner rides and maybe a monorail trail but… I’m torn. I need a spreadsheet or some super algorithm to plug in some numbers and pop out the best answer for me!

 

[raddisneyfan]

I don't think I could stay at an EP area resort and enjoy myself with resorts only, knowing that 2 of the theme parks are just a walk away. For resort only stay, I think I would do FW or WL/CC/BRV or AKL... maybe Saratoga or one of the Disney Spring hotels to at least have access to the shopping ....even POFQ or POR would work with boat to DS.

 

[emilyann704]

I'm going for a 3 night, 2 day park trip May 12-15 and I think for an extra $120(ish) even for just one park day wold be worth it. Unless you've gone so many times you really won't miss it. Get a one day pass plus park hopper to give you some flexibility and then have one full day be a resort day.

 

[Marthasor]

IMHO, Swan isn't worth a resort-only trip. We only stay there due to the price and proximity to EP and DHS. If we weren't visiting WDW, I would probably stay somewhere else in FL entirely.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I'm with Marthasor, I like the Swan and Dolphin but not enough for resort only but I would also say, I would not be the type to come to disney for a resort only stay. I think if you're ok with skipping the parks all together than the Swan could be nice since you'd be close to some good dining and even the mini golf if you wanted to change it up a bit. But if you're just looking for a resort around Orlando, there are some with much better options around town. You could do Margaritaville, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, Gaylord Palms, the list goes on.

 

[Erica Ladd]

We are still in our free cancellation window so I love the other possibilities!

 

[k5xs]

It would drive me nuts to see other guests who were obviously returning from the parks while I'm hanging around the hotel.

 

[_19disnA]

What are you looking at to know Disney parks will be crowded the second week in May? Disney doesn't publish that kind of info in advance and no 3rd party would have any better crystal ball into the future. Part of what you are paying for with a hotel on the property is proximity to theme parks. If you don't plan to do that, you can likely stay elsewhere for far less money.

 

[RoseGold]

I'd book a different hotel, if you are going to do this.

 

[loves to dive]

Like others, I'd probably book a different hotel off site. There are a number of them that have loads of things to do and they cost a whole lot less. I love Swan/Dolphin and stay there just about every trip but only because I can walk to two parks. The other alternative is go to the parks but don't plan on riding rides. There is a ton to see in all the parks if you look at the details and all the parks have great shows that aren't usually too crowded.

 

[Ursula_Fan]

I would either park hop and use early entry plus late hours, with going to the resort in between, or stay off-site. If you are going to do a park then I'd make a reservation on the 8th now--the 9th and 10th are already sold out of all parks except AK. Off-site I'd recommend Gaylord Palms or Hilton Bonnet Creek.

 

[Shellyred8]

For a short trip like this, I think you could absolutely have an enjoyable time without going to the parks. Fantasia Mini golf is right across the street. You could hop a bus over to DS where there are several things you could take in: bowling, movies, Circque show, hot air balloon ride, ride the amphi-cars. You could also do a skyliner loop. Go over to Art of Animation and walk around the grounds. I love walking the loop that goes around that resort. Make a stop at Riviera for a snack (at their coffee shop) or a quick meal at Primo Piatto. You can take a leisurely boat ride around the lagoon on the Friendship boats. Rent a Surry bike and ride around the boardwalk area. You could also use this trip to take in a water park (much cheaper than the regular parks!). You can also take in some of the EP fireworks from the Boardwalk area.

If you got a great price on the flight and room, I would say keep it and go have a great time!

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I love the Boardwalk area....but being that close to Epcot every night and NOT being able to go would drive me nuts. If I was in your shoes I'd look at some of the Disney Springs hotels. You could lounge by the pool during the day then head to DS at night to eat and check out the sites.

 

[Miffy]

OP--Do you have park reservations in place? It seems you may not, judging by "skipping tickets," since without tickets you can't make park reservations.

I just looked at park availability and everything seems to be available on May 8 for "select resorts" (is Swan one of these?) but on May 9 only DAK is available.

If this is what you're looking at and you don't already have parks reserved, then unless you want to spend the 9th at DAK, you actually cannot go to a different park even if you had tickets.

 

[Her Dotness]

If ...you don't already have parks reserved, then unless you want to spend the 9th at DAK, you actually cannot go to a different park even if you had tickets.

Actually, yes, you could go to all the other parks with only a 1-day ticket, AK reservation that day and ParkHoppers.

Sounds like the OP is unlikely to want to add all that but could to get access to all the parks with a good deal of dashing about.

Wouldn't even have to do anything in AK as you only need to tap to enter your reserved park and can immediately u-turn to exit. You're simply required to enter your park-of-the-day to enable PH use after 2:00 pm. Conceivably, the OP could then go to EP, HS and MK anytime after 2:00 pm.

 

[Erica Ladd]

OP--Do you have park reservations in place? It seems you may not, judging by "skipping tickets," since without tickets you can't make park reservations.

I just looked at park availability and everything seems to be available on May 8 for "select resorts" (is Swan one of these?) but on May 9 only DAK is available.

If this is what you're looking at and you don't already have parks reserved, then unless you want to spend the 9th at DAK, you actually cannot go to a different park even if you had tickets.

Actually we do have reservations in place, HS for 5/8 and MK for 5/9. We currently have dated tix for this trip but they are for 3 days and this May trip was cut short so I was going to move our 3 day tix to a September trip but not before adding 2 day tix to MDE so as not to lose park reservations. I feel I would not want to purchase tix without PH and G+ since part of the reason was to practice for our more intense ALL DAY PARKS trip with 3 kids in tow. I do question paying over $700 for the 2 day tix but also would love park time. DH isn't the type to sit out by the pool so no matter where we stay it would have to involve more activity - and I don't want to focus tooooooo much on food and drink as it's pretty much bathing suit season lol! Thanks for all of the input from everyone - somehow I am no closer to deciding what to do! And would a 1 day ticket even be worth it? Maybe... but which day??????

 

[Miffy]

Actually we do have reservations in place, HS for 5/8 and MK for 5/9. We currently have dated tix for this trip but they are for 3 days and this May trip was cut short so I was going to move our 3 day tix to a September trip but not before adding 2 day tix to MDE so as not to lose park reservations. I feel I would not want to purchase tix without PH and G+ since part of the reason was to practice for our more intense ALL DAY PARKS trip with 3 kids in tow. I do question paying over $700 for the 2 day tix but also would love park time. DH isn't the type to sit out by the pool so no matter where we stay it would have to involve more activity - and I don't want to focus tooooooo much on food and drink as it's pretty much bathing suit season lol! Thanks for all of the input from everyone - somehow I am no closer to deciding what to do! And would a 1 day ticket even be worth it? Maybe... but which day??????

I'm so glad to hear that you have park reservations. And I hope all your decisions from here forward will be this pleasant!

 

[Erica Ladd]

I'm so glad to hear that you have park reservations. And I hope all your decisions from here forward will be this pleasant!

Kinda seems like if I happened to already have park reservations for days that are almost sold out it’s a sign that I should just buy the 2 day tickets and go!!!