Swan vs CSR GDT

[MrsSLF]

Hi everyone!

I need some help/advice. I currently have a reservation in the tower at Coronado Springs but I am itching to stay in the Epcot Resort area...the problem is I'm unwilling to pay the crazy rack rates for any of those resorts right now. Oh, and I've never stayed at either of these resorts before. We usually stay at the Poly, for reference, though my daughter and I are getting more into staying in or around the Boardwalk. Our trip is planned for late January through the beginning of February (it's just my daughter and me).

So, which would you choose?
-Swan, resort view room
-CSR Gran Destino Tower, standard view room

The Swan is slightly more expensive but it's almost negligible.

The other wrench is that this is a surprise trip and my daughter and I were watching room tour videos recently and she was less than impressed with the Dolphin and Swan. Help!

 

[Ross Kratter]

Honestly, they’re both good choices. Swan has the better dining options. Rooms are comparable in size; GDT might be slightly larger. Swan is closer to the parks.

 

[Miffy]

I voted for GDT, where I just spent a night. The hotel is beautiful, the theming is fantastic, and if you get a lake-view room and you're high enough up, you'll have a view of fireworks.

I've stayed at the Swan and would only stay there again if that were my only choice. The Swan is a very nice hotel that's just like any other very nice hotel in Anywhere, USA. If that's okay with you, then go for it. For me, I love theming, the Disney vibe (and I don't mean giant icons or Mickey everywhere, but instead beautiful design and unique accoutrements), and that distinct Disney feel.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We spent 8 days at CSR during the pandemic (only 2 park days) and really liked it. That said, I will ALWAYS choose the BW area over any resort. We love being able to walk to the two parks....especially Epcot. We tend to do a park in the morning, go back and swim/nap, then end the night at Epcot for dinner and drinks around the world. I think it's the best location on property for adults and families with kids 7yr and older.

Swan/Dolphin also have discounts for AP holders as well as teachers/first responders so if you qualify for those check out those rates as well.

 

[MrsSLF]

I voted for GDT, where I just spent a night. The hotel is beautiful, the theming is fantastic, and if you get a lake-view room and you're high enough up, you'll have a view of fireworks.

I've stayed at the Swan and would only stay there again if that were my only choice. The Swan is a very nice hotel that's just like any other very nice hotel in Anywhere, USA. If that's okay with you, then go for it. For me, I love theming, the Disney vibe (and I don't mean giant icons or Mickey everywhere, but instead beautiful design and unique accoutrements), and that distinct Disney feel.

What you said about "Anywhere, USA" is what I was getting in the room tours we watched and was not super exciting for my daughter. We'd much prefer the hotel to feel like something more exciting than your standard Mariott, so your feedback helps.

 

[MrsSLF]

Honestly, they’re both good choices. Swan has the better dining options. Rooms are comparable in size; GDT might be slightly larger. Swan is closer to the parks.

Thanks! Yeah, the dining choices is less of a concern for us because I have reservations to places we like to eat around the parks and at various resorts but the location is probably the kicker for me.

 

[MrsSLF]

We spent 8 days at CSR during the pandemic (only 2 park days) and really liked it. That said, I will ALWAYS choose the BW area over any resort. We love being able to walk to the two parks....especially Epcot. We tend to do a park in the morning, go back and swim/nap, then end the night at Epcot for dinner and drinks around the world. I think it's the best location on property for adults and families with kids 7yr and older.

Swan/Dolphin also have discounts for AP holders as well as teachers/first responders so if you qualify for those check out those rates as well.

That's my issue: location! I love that area and I really am holding out hope (probably for nothing) of a discount coming out after the holidays are over but that's pretty pointless. I keep pricing out a hotel in the area and trying to justify the insane costs right now but can't. I think my daughter will be more excited about the resort being nice versus being able to walk to Epcot and/or HS. Decisions, decisions.

 

[stinkpickle]

In that case, just flip a coin.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I would choose Swan for the location. CSR is fine but it is so far from everything. Being able to walk to EPCOT or the Boardwalk every day, as well as HS would be a big deal for me. Whatever you choose, have a great time!

 

[mdmost]

Haven't stayed at CSR but we really enjoyed the Swan when stayed at the end of the summer, precisely for the ability to walk to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot. We also loved the two queen beds and being the first stop on the return trip on the Friendship boats from Hollywood Studios. It felt less crowded and more at ease than the hussle and bussle of a Disney resort.

I think it all comes down to theming over location. If your daughter would really enjoy the theming of a Disney resort and you are deferring to her wishes, I would stay at CSR. You do have the Skyliner as a nice transit option to both parks. Personally, I trust my feet over Disney transportation which is why we chose the Swan for our HS centric vacation.

 

[Marthasor]

I’ve stayed at both - IMHO, CSR has better theming, Swan offers a better location. The quality of the rooms and resorts are comparable IMHO. You can’t go wrong with either.

 

[glocon]

If you are choosing based on what your daughter likes, I’d go with GDT. It’s an amazing and beautiful resort with subtle Disney touches. Very deluxe feeling. And you can watch fireworks from the Dahlia Lounge at EP, HS and MK.

 

[MrsSLF]

If you are choosing based on what your daughter likes, I’d go with GDT. It’s an amazing and beautiful resort with subtle Disney touches. Very deluxe feeling. And you can watch fireworks from the Dahlia Lounge at EP, HS and MK.

That's a great point. She was simply not impressed with what she saw at the Swan in that room tour I showed her but I think my brain can't get over the location. To make things worse, I saw that there was a standard view room available at Beach Club this morning but it's still a ridiculous rate. The struggle.

 

[SteveH]

We've stayed at CSR, POFQ (2020), and Swan/Dolphin several times with and without kids. For us the location is 100% the deciding factor and S/D wins for us. While the grounds and pools at both POFQ & CSR were great, they both relied 100% on busing to get to the them parks. The ability to walk or hop on a boat from S/D to Epcot and DHS is a big win for us. I do think the pool at the Dolphin is amazing. The Heavenly Shower & Heavely Beds at the Swan are a big win too, we had a great sleep at POFQ as well. For my wife having the Fuel & Ground (new) to get her morning coffee is another plus. Reality for us is that we can usually safe money even vs Moderates, but not always.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

That's a great point. She was simply not impressed with what she saw at the Swan in that room tour I showed her but I think my brain can't get over the location. To make things worse, I saw that there was a standard view room available at Beach Club this morning but it's still a ridiculous rate. The struggle.

Maybe don't focus on this too much. I see in your tag that your daughter is 9 - maybe frame it as trying something new! You will be in Disney and surrounded by Disney theming. The Swan and Dolphin are lovely hotels in an amazing location. How much will you be in the room? They provide a comfortable experience for bathing and sleeping and have a nice pool. Please don't pay a crazy rate for Beach Club. Be happy with this choice - it really is a nice one.

 

[Marthasor]

That's a great point. She was simply not impressed with what she saw at the Swan in that room tour I showed her but I think my brain can't get over the location. To make things worse, I saw that there was a standard view room available at Beach Club this morning but it's still a ridiculous rate. The struggle.

Im with PP. I wouldn’t pay the crazy rate for BC. We typically stay deluxe, but the prices have gotten out of hand. CSR GDT is like a “deluxe” moderate IMHO and the Swan offers a lot of value for its‘ location. We will only stay Disney deluxe with extreme discounts at this point.

 

[MrsSLF]

Lots of really good advice in this thread which has given me a lot to think about. I think the final decision will be made tomorrow because this is a surprise and she will open said surprise on Christmas.

As an aside, has anyone had issues walking to another resort to grab a bus to MK to avoid transferring at the TTC? And any advice on the view options for the Swan, as well?

 

[mdmost]

As an aside, has anyone had issues walking to another resort to grab a bus to MK to avoid transferring at the TTC? And any advice on the view options for the Swan, as well?

No issues going from the Swan to Boardwalk to get on the shuttle for MK the 2 times we did it in September. We did the Swan shuttle to the TTC once just so we could ride the monorail into MK but that was on a late afternoon when we were park hopping.

 

[Marthasor]

Lots of really good advice in this thread which has given me a lot to think about. I think the final decision will be made tomorrow because this is a surprise and she will open said surprise on Christmas.

As an aside, has anyone had issues walking to another resort to grab a bus to MK to avoid transferring at the TTC? And any advice on the view options for the Swan, as well?

As PP noted, zero issues using BWI or YC buses to and from MK.

If it’s in your budget, we really like the resort deluxe rooms with balconies - the last time we stayed in that category we were placed on the 7th floor with a direct view of Spaceship Earth and the EP fireworks.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Hi everyone!

I need some help/advice. I currently have a reservation in the tower at Coronado Springs but I am itching to stay in the Epcot Resort area...the problem is I'm unwilling to pay the crazy rack rates for any of those resorts right now. Oh, and I've never stayed at either of these resorts before. We usually stay at the Poly, for reference, though my daughter and I are getting more into staying in or around the Boardwalk. Our trip is planned for late January through the beginning of February (it's just my daughter and me).

So, which would you choose?
-Swan, resort view room
-CSR Gran Destino Tower, standard view room

The Swan is slightly more expensive but it's almost negligible.

The other wrench is that this is a surprise trip and my daughter and I were watching room tour videos recently and she was less than impressed with the Dolphin and Swan. Help!

What’s your priority? Because you mention the view and that your daughter was unimpressed with videos of Swolphin I’m guessing the room comfort/quality is the priority? If that’s the case CSR GDT is the better property. If location is the priority EP.

I’ve stayed both GDT & Swan. I was definitely unimpressed with the Swan room. Very blah, awkward bathroom, a bit rundown. I find GDT to be the nicest rooms on property. Good size room, nice colors, still in good shape, huge windows. But you have to bus everywhere. Worth it on trips I’m spending more time in the room, not worth it if I’m at the park all day.

Your daughter is 9? In that case- what do you want? Buses for adults are one thing but if I had a kid in tow Swolphin and boat access to 2 parks it would be!