Swan review -- Long

[Mainebound]

Hi all,

We stayed at the WDW Swan 3/1-3/6. We were in two lakeview connecting rooms on the 6th floor facing the Dolphin. I did ask about an upgrade to club level but was told only for Platinum SPG members (we are gold). No problem.

Here is our review:

Although the decor is not my personal style, it's a beautiful hotel with beautiful facilities and grounds. The hotel is extremely well maintained. The rooms are spacious and very well laid out. They seem much bigger than rooms the same size at AKL or Wl (340 sq feet). The beds are great, as everyone knows, except you have either a sheet or a heavy duvet -- nothing in between. The only room complaint is the AC system which shuts off when you leave or fall asleep, making it hot in the room. Also the fan blows right on the face of the person sleeping in the bed closest to the window.

The service is outstanding. It meets or exceeds anything we have experienced at a Disney resort. From the bellmen to the housekeepers to the restaurant staff, these people bend over backwards to accomodate you.

We have eaten at Tubbis, Dolphin fountain, Fresh, BlueZoo and Shula's and Kimonos -- except for the Fountain, all were terrific.

The pool area is beautiful and has a lot to offer. My boys enjoyed the seal that sprays water, the slide, the waterfall, the beach, etc. Also the game room is convenient for preventing the occasional meltdown.

We've been walking to epcot (10 minutes), took the boat to MGM (8 minute ride from Swan to MGM). The bus service varies -- when we have to stop at all the other Epcot resorts, it sucks. But that's true of all the Epcot resorts.

So, in sum, it's a great hotel. But -- and this is a big but -- we will not be staying there again. The conventioneer to family ratio seemed like it's about 1,000 to 1. The restaurants, lobby, walkways, and elevators were full of people in dark suits. I was constantly shushing the boys. There was NO ONE at the pool area -- except when they closed part of it it at 3:00 for a convention function -- and do you really want to be swimming with 200 fully dressed people standing on the edge of the pool?? We realized that we need to be around other vacationing families to really feel like we are on vacation. My husband and I work full time and we really don't need to see all this business taking place -- it makes us feel like we need to check our messages!

We don't regret staying here (although we did try to check into AKL after one night, but it didn't work out. LOL!!), but it is not for our family. This is not about "Disney magic" -- we preferred the Swan toiletries and do not need a Mickey wake up call on vacation. We checked into the Hard Rock Hotel on 3/6 and the pool area was filled with people having fun, music, laughter, the joyful sounds of families on vacation. My mother looked at me and said "Thank god we didn't stay here first!". That about sums it up.

I hope this helps some people make appropriate decisions for their families. Let me know if you have any questions and I will try to answer them.

 

[famcruisefun]

Great review!
My one question is in regard to the upgrade. We are also SPG gold and I was hoping for an upgrade as well. Were they only giving upgrades to Platinum because the hotel was very full or is this the usual? We've booked a resort view with balcony, so it won't be awful to not be upgraded - but I was hoping... I guess I was hoping for the extra advantage of the gold level - getting to platinum is not an easy task.
Thanks for the review and glad your stay went well!
Kelley

 

[RAV]

While I respect the original post, I will say that the Swan is wonderful for my family for just the reasons posted. Due to the fact that there are conventions at the resort, on many occassions, my family has felt as though we've had the pool to ourselves. With all of the stimulation provided at WDW, we find the Swan to be a lovely retreat. Just my opinion.

 

[DISAdam]

Originally posted by famcruisefun
Great review!
My one question is in regard to the upgrade. We are also SPG gold and I was hoping for an upgrade as well. Were they only giving upgrades to Platinum because the hotel was very full or is this the usual? We've booked a resort view with balcony, so it won't be awful to not be upgraded - but I was hoping... I guess I was hoping for the extra advantage of the gold level - getting to platinum is not an easy task.
Thanks for the review and glad your stay went well!
Kelley

Speaking from experience having achieved Gold and then Platinum status, automatic/ guaranteed upgrades to Club level (and that's just access to the lounge, not a guaranteed room on club level) are reserved for Platinum members. Gold members can sometimes get preferred rooms, but are not entitled to automatic access to the club lounge.

 

[The Pluto People]

We have stayed at the Dolphin 4 times, and each and every time the Grotto pool has been full of kids! We love the fact that, due to the "business" people attending meetings, there are always lounges available at the pool. And, unless my child was saying something inappropriate ( which could happen at the All Stars, the Yacht Club, or anywhere), I would never feel the need to "shush" my child just because people in the area were wearing suits... Sorry to hear that you did not enjoy the Swan.

 

[Mainebound]

Originally posted by The Pluto People
I would never feel the need to "shush" my child just because people in the area were wearing suits..

It wasn't the suits alone. The atmosphere at the Swan (and Dolphin -- we spent a good bit of time there) was SUBDUED. In the evening there was the soft murmur of adults talking in the lobby piano bar (which you had to walk through), ice cubes clinking in drink glasses. Women in heels with small purses and cocktail dresses. In the daytime, adults clustered around tables in the lobby at laptops, on cell phones. People in the elevator intently reading documents on their way to a meeting. It was an adult atmosphere in every possible way.

My personal feeling -- and you may not agree -- was that in this environment my 2 and 4 year old would present more of a disturbance to other guests than at a resort where the adults are in shorts and flip flops and lots of other kids are running around with Mickey balloons and mouse ears. I felt I needed to rein them in a bit more than usual on vacation.

No one was rude to us at all. In fact, a man came up to us at Fresh and said that hearing my child talk reminded him of his little ones back home.

But personally, I would rather vacation at a place where most other guests bring their kids.

Just think -- that's one more teacher discount available for all you S/D lovers out there!

 

[NMAmy]

I have to agree with RAV although I also respect the OP's opinion. We were at the Dolphin and we found the ice breaker events that the conventioneers were participating in highly amusing! And we loved that the pools were empty--the Grotto pool was empty every time we went. The only place that had a lot of people was the lobby bar in the evening. When we checked in, the lady at the front desk made sure to tell me that she knew we weren't there as part of a convention and the Dolphin really appreciated our leisure time business and to be sure to ask for anything we needed. It seemed as though they were willing to bend over backwards for us.

 

[The Pluto People]

Mainebound: We don't spend too much time at the resort at night - except, perhaps, at the pool! But I can certainly understand that, with your little ones, you would feel more comfortable at a resort that caters only to families! Maybe the Poly would be a good choice for your next visit - great pool for small children and strictly a family atmosphere!!

 

[CAP Aircrew]

Stayed there for the first time last year with my wife and children (ages 7-9). We had a great time and thought the hotel was perfect after a long day in the parks. The proximity to Epcot and MGM can't be beaten. The pool area was always filed with kids and parents.

I have never stayed at a Disney owned resort so I really can't compare but one of the reasons, I chose the Swan was because I wanted be close to parks while still having a place to stay that would offer a sense of balance.

The resort worked well for my family and they still talk about it till this day. That to me is the best compliment.

 

[Divamomto3]

Originally posted by Mainebound
It wasn't the suits alone. The atmosphere at the Swan (and Dolphin -- we spent a good bit of time there) was SUBDUED. In the evening there was the soft murmur of adults talking in the lobby piano bar (which you had to walk through), ice cubes clinking in drink glasses. Women in heels with small purses and cocktail dresses. In the daytime, adults clustered around tables in the lobby at laptops, on cell phones. People in the elevator intently reading documents on their way to a meeting. It was an adult atmosphere in every possible way.

I am soooo with you Sister! I was even mocked for shushing my kids! You described the atmosphere much better than I did. We were there during a drug company's kickoff week and the redecoration of the Swan and Dolphin lobbies into "Namenda" Central just reminded me that soon enough I'd be back at the hospital giving that drug to my patients! I like to be on vacation with other WDW families and addicts!
But to each his own and other than the possible night stay before a DVC villa stay, there's one more nurse discount for you all too!

 

[wilderness01]

This description reminds me of when we stayed at the Hilton in DD. There were a ton of business people everywhere. I didn't really mind it during the day but at night after some people's "liquid" dinners it was a bit much for my young children to hear while going up on the elevator to our room. It is ok for 1 night before the DVC stay, but much more than that would just not fly.

 

[liltoot]

I recently applied on line for the Starwood Preferred Guest Card. Can anyone tell me how long it takes them to mail a real card? Thanks

 

[dreamflight99]

Your candor and time (posting your experience) is greatly appreciated. Yet, I must attest...not all the conventioners are at the SWAN & DOLPHIN resorts. Oh no...quite the contrary. Most all the DELUXE properties owned and operated by Disney CATER to CONVENTIONS and CONVENTIONERS! I can not recount how many times I have encountered these "throngs" of suited folks at the Contemporary...Beach & Yacht club, etc. Yet, they just have little/no effect on me whatsoever. I would like the opportunity to kindly comment on some of your observations and experiences.

*Most all the Disney-operated resorts use the same/similar A/C system. Of course, this could have been altered to suit your needs with one phone call to maintenance.

*One call to housekeeping, and you would have had the "in-between" option of a medium weight blanket.

*The VENTS in the A/C duct are easily manipulated to change the direction of the FLOW away from the FACE of the person sleeping closest to the window. They are constructed to move "up or down" in a variety of degrees.

*Bus-route service stops are "standard" with just about every other resort, (with AKL exception).

*In the summer, when we visit, the pool area is FILLED with families!

*I PREFER the resort CLOSE the pool while holding a convention party. Alcohol is served/consumed, and some folks tend to become uninhibited/rowdy. Other resorts do not customarily close their pools under any circumstance. Therefore, when there is a PRIVATE CONVENTION PARTY in the Calif. Grill (for instance)...the inebriated guests spill out into the pool/jacuzzi area to mingle with leisure guests/familes. We have witnessed this "recipe for disaster" first-hand. Give me the CLOSED GROTTO Pool, anyday. Besides, the GROTTO pool is OPEN 24/7! No other Disney pool boasts such flexible & liberal hours.

*Hard Rock, PBH, and the Royal Pacific hotel ALL HOST major conventions at differing times. We ALWAYS see hoards of conventioners at the PBH while on our annual summer sojourn. Again, they have zero effect on our enjoyment.

*Perhaps the moderates and values (resorts) would be more to your liking. These properties RARELY host conventions, (but beware, they DO host cheerleaders, sports teams and La Tourismo from South America), and are filled to the brim with rambunctious kids, teens & families!

*When you described the "lobby" of the Swan, you may as well have been describing the lobby of the Grand Floridian! (LOL).

*We actually "enjoy" the non-Disney atmosphere these two resorts exude/provide. Sometimes, the parks can have an absolutely overwhelming (saturating) effect on us...and we need a place to "get-away" (DE-BRIEF) from it all. The Dolphin, while still in the MIDST of the MAGIC...provides the perfect amount of relief from all things MOUSE. (IMHO)

Hope you enjoy your next visit!

wilderness01~I've read countless complaints of the same generality with respect to the Disney resorts. This can occur anywhere, anyplace and anytime. I've heard posters complain about the teens yelling profanities at one another at the All Stars Music resort. I've witnessed belligerent intoxicated people chewing-out the staff in the halls of a nameless Monorail Deluxe. Some people have no shame/couth, and it has nothing to do with money/prosperity...or the lack thereof. Our Villa was "egged" by teens at Disney's Vero Beach resort. Just goes to prove, no one place/property is completely "absolved" from such a scene/occurrence.

 

[Blondie]

The beds are great, as everyone knows, except you have either a sheet or a heavy duvet -- nothing in between.

When we stayed at the Dolphin last August, there was a sheet, blanket, another sheet and then the heavey quilted duvet.

I agree with others that you tend to get saturated with "Disney" while at the parks, and coming back to the Swan or Dolphin is a nice break.

Sorry you won't be returning, but glad there are many other options for all of us to choose from!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Your candor and time (posting your experience) is greatly appreciated. Yet, I must attest...not all the conventioners are at the SWAN & DOLPHIN resorts. Oh no...quite the contrary. Most all the DELUXE properties owned and operated by Disney CATER to CONVENTIONS and CONVENTIONERS! I can not recount how many times I have encountered these "throngs" of suited folks at the Contemporary...Beach & Yacht club, etc. Yet, they just have little/no effect on me whatsoever. I would like the opportunity to kindly comment on some of your observations and experiences.

*Most all the Disney-operated resorts use the same/similar A/C system. Of course, this could have been altered to suit your needs with one phone call to maintenance.

*One call to housekeeping, and you would have had the "in-between" option of a medium weight blanket.

*The VENTS in the A/C duct are easily manipulated to change the direction of the FLOW away from the FACE of the person sleeping closest to the window. They are constructed to move "up or down" in a variety of degrees.

*Bus-route service stops are "standard" with just about every other resort, (with AKL exception).

*In the summer, when we visit, the pool area is FILLED with families!

*I PREFER the resort CLOSE the pool while holding a convention party. Alcohol is served/consumed, and some folks tend to become uninhibited/rowdy. Other resorts do not customarily close their pools under any circumstance. Therefore, when there is a PRIVATE CONVENTION PARTY in the Calif. Grill (for instance)...the inebriated guests spill out into the pool/jacuzzi area to mingle with leisure guests/familes. We have witnessed this "recipe for disaster" first-hand. Give me the CLOSED GROTTO Pool, anyday. Besides, the GROTTO pool is OPEN 24/7! No other Disney pool boasts such flexible & liberal hours.

*Hard Rock, PBH, and the Royal Pacific hotel ALL HOST major conventions at differing times. We ALWAYS see hoards of conventioners at the PBH while on our annual summer sojourn. Again, they have zero effect on our enjoyment.

*Perhaps the moderates and values (resorts) would be more to your liking. These properties RARELY host conventions, (but beware, they DO host cheerleaders, sports teams and La Tourismo from South America), and are filled to the brim with rambunctious kids, teens & families!

*When you described the "lobby" of the Swan, you may as well have been describing the lobby of the Grand Floridian! (LOL).

*We actually "enjoy" the non-Disney atmosphere these two resorts exude/provide. Sometimes, the parks can have an absolutely overwhelming (saturating) effect on us...and we need a place to "get-away" (DE-BRIEF) from it all. The Dolphin, while still in the MIDST of the MAGIC...provides the perfect amount of relief from all things MOUSE. (IMHO)

Hope you enjoy your next visit!

wilderness01~I've read countless complaints of the same generality with respect to the Disney resorts. This can occur anywhere, anyplace and anytime. I've heard posters complain about the teens yelling profanities at one another at the All Stars Music resort. I've witnessed belligerent intoxicated people chewing-out the staff in the halls of a nameless Monorail Deluxe. Some people have no shame/couth, and it has nothing to do with money/prosperity...or the lack thereof. Our Villa was "egged" by teens at Disney's Vero Beach resort. Just goes to prove, no one place/property is completely "absolved" from such a scene/occurrence.

What she said!

 

[Lewisc]

I greatly enjoyed my recent stay in S/D. In many ways I enjoyed it more than my stays in Disney owned resorts. I think the restaurant offerings are superior and enjoyed the (slightly) more grown up feel as a break from the parks. BUT

I think are being COMPLETELY unfair in your responses to people with different opinions. S/D caters to conventions FAR MORE THAN the Disney owned resorts. Until CSR was built S/D had more meeting space than all of the disney convention facilities COMBINED. Some guests don't like staying in a hotel when the hotel is almost fully booked with convention and business guests.

The fact is the Grotto pool is frequently closed for private functions. I suppose business guests may go to the pool after a CA grill function BUT doesn't the same thing happen after a function in S/D? I didn't realize convention guests staying in S/D were only allowed to use the pool during private functions.

Disney books conventions, S/D caters to conventions. Not to be rude but you're replies are not objective or very accurate.

Originally posted by dreamflight99
[BYet, I must attest...not all the conventioners are at the SWAN & DOLPHIN resorts. Oh no...quite the contrary. Most all the DELUXE properties owned and operated by Disney CATER to CONVENTIONS and CONVENTIONERS! I [/B]

 

[jgates]

I guess I just have a tendency to ignore the conventioneers. I have been in their place several times the last few years and I would much rather be the lucky person there with their children enjoying myself than the one calling home on my cell phone right before DD's bedtime telling her how much I miss her and listening to her cry cause I am not there. Either way I am paying those $$ and have every right to enjoy myself regardless of why I am at their facility.

I instinctively would probably also tell my DD to shhh! though. It is kind of an automatic since she never shuts up. I might be a little more leary with a 2 or 4 year old but you are still paying for your room - you have every right to be there and unless they are screaming bloody murder at the top of their lungs, they and you have every right to enjoy yourselves!!!

However, I will seriously say we REALLY enjoyed the 'atmosphere' when we went into the hotel. We went on overdrive at the parks and it was so nice to just come into the 'quiet' and the splash of the fountain. Very soothing to me and I really liked that. I guess I spent enough years hauling kids around to hockey games with hotels full of screaming, smelly loud kids that it is heaven to me.

I will say that in the last few years we have become much more outspoken with our needs. I was moderately meek in taking what I got for years but now I no longer hesitate in asking for extra pillows, blankets, towels, etc. We will request maintenance if needed (such as your exhaust vents etc). I have become much more confident in this as my $$ are paying their wages. Don't be a doormat like I was for years - ask nicely and yee shall receive!!!

And thanks to the advice of this board, I did check when we got to the Swan for any closure dates for the swimming area so we planned around that night. Otherwise I probably would not have thought about it. (I now have that on my list right along with checking out what rides are under refurb in the parks).

But don't ever feel guilty for your opinion. We all have a right to our own!!! I personally don't feel I would be able to stay comfortably at the Pop or AllStars etc. That's my personal opinion and I don't even know why I have it since I have never stayed there!

 

[mdlinda1]

We have stayed at the Dolphin several times and love it. Yes, I have found the hotel quieter but I think that is a plus. I love the fact that the bus stop and boat dock are not crowded. The pool is wonderful and the discounts can't be beat. We are DVC members and if we want to save our points we will book the Dolphin at the discount rate( my husbands in the police department). The Boardwalk is our home resort and I just love staying in the Epcot area.

 

[loonertic]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
*Most all the Disney-operated resorts use the same/similar A/C system. Of course, this could have been altered to suit your needs with one phone call to maintenance.

Is this really possible??? I stayed at Coranado Springs which has the same type of air conditioning system and when I called their house keeping department they told me there was no way to adjust the AC. Were they lying to me to save a buck or two. I am going to be staying at the Swan in August and I love my AC . Has anyone actually called and had the maintenance people adjust the AC for you so it was on all the time at the Swan??? Its just too hot in August not to have AC all the time.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I didn't know you could get this adjusted either, they have installed this thing in all the deluxes now too. The poly has them since the refurb, the cr does, bc does I think its going to be universal and it sucks. We try to string somthing up to the fan so somthing is moving in the room and the air will stay on but the a/c caught on to it and shut itself off.

MKY