Swan vs Dolphin ? Leaving soon....

[maepartner]

HI,,,just thought i might get some input from someone who has done both, having not been to either. My Sis and I (both in our forties) are going in a week and I cant decide which one. Here are our druthers:

Nice view, of course, preferably of boardwalk, fireworks etc.
Close proximity to ESPN?
Hopping bar/lounge (we dont like quiet LOL)
Chance of an upgrade
Lanai/terrace/balcony


I know that is a lot to consider but any or all would be a plus,,,,does anyone know which has the better club level? Do the street level rooms have patios that you can walk to pool from?

Thanks for any input
Mary

 

[maepartner]

Bump

 

[Muffy]

All I can tell you is we recently came back from the Dolphin and it is our new favorite. We split our stay between AKL and the Dolphin and prefered the Dolphin! We were in a Jr. suite with CL privs. CL was great for a quick breakfest and snacks in the evening. We were on the west wing with an MGM view. The location can't be beat. The beach theme, the piano player in the lobby, the grotto pool and access to Epcot, MGM and Boardwalk all add up to magic! You can join starwood at www.starwood.com and enjoy some perks from the free memebership. Just make sure your membership number is on your reservation.

 

[jwfla422]

Stayed at the Swan 5 times, Dolphin 2 times.

To answer what I can, they both have nice views of the the BW depending of course where your room is. Both would have fireworks' views of EPCOT and even MGM. Some rooms can actuallly have views of the MK fireworks. Both have balconies. Both have lap pools and both share the grotto pool.

The Swan is closer to ESPN, Atlantic Dance Co and the other BW area bars and clubs. The Swan is smaller, a little more intimate. They have KIMINOS which is a sushi bar, they did have karoke night, not sure if they still have it or not.

The Dolphin has some really nice balcony rooms at the end of the wings, I guess you can call them lanai type balconies (in addition to the regular balconies that man of the rooms in the wings have), the Swan has rooms with regular balconies.

The Dolphin's most western wing has a row of rooms that face the beach and waterfall of the grotto pool. You can walk out of your room to the lap pool but it is a bit of a walk. But, you could see your room from the lap pool and cabana grille and bar (fun).

We haven't stayed on the club level but did have use of the club room at the Swan which was very nice. You might see comments about MamaT on her occasionally, what a super sweet woman!!

IMHO, (this is my opinion). I get a little more of an "adult" feeling at the Swan. We always go with our dd (who is now 4) and this never bothered us at all, but when we tried the Dolphin. It seemed there were more "kid" things there although the Swan's Gulliver's Grille has a nightly character dinner. I think there are more conveniences at the Dolphin which make some things easier for families. (ie. Tubbi's 24hr buffeteria, Camp Dolphin, the arcade, etc)

 

[RobMax]

The Dolphin has more going on most of the time and is quite grand, but I prefer the swan!

Swan
Closer to both walkways to boardwalk and MGM
Fewer Conventioners
Better resturants
Quiet
Often later stop on bus route so you don't have to ride as long.

The better bars are in the dolfin IMHO and I am a high functioning alcoholic.

 

[disnurse]

high functioning alcoholic?? I like that one. Dolphin is much more active, lots of fun people watching in the lobby. I wouldn't chose the swan over the dolphin based on its closer to the BW its abiut a 1-2 min walk closer.

 

[goofymom23]

We are going to the dolphin. We like it there.

 

[RobMax]

Originally posted by disnurse
I wouldn't chose the swan over the dolphin based on its closer to the BW its abiut a 1-2 min walk closer.

Evidently your not pushing anything.

 

[flynnmnstr]

Dolphin definitely has more going on, especially with kids. When we stayed at the Swan we enjoyed the fact that we could walk over to the excitement when we wanted it and then retreat back to our room. This was all before we had kids. Now that we have an active 18 mnth DS, we actually prefer the Dolphin. I like that fact that Tubbies is right downstairs. We ate there almost every morning the last time we were there and with DS in tow its much more convienient to have it right downstairs. The lobby and common areas are more active and noisy, so I won't feel bad letting DS loose. Another big plus of the Dolphin is that the laundry facilities are located there. It was tough lugging our stuff over from the Swan.
On the other hand, I loved the views from the room at the Swan (I was on the fifth or sixth floor overlooking the Boardwalk and Epcot ball). I liked that fact that it was the first bus stop (first to pick up and drop off).
It's really is a toss up. Both resorts are great and are very close to each other and Boardwalk and Beach and Yacht Club.
You won't lose no matter which you choose.

 

[maepartner]

Thanks all appreciate your input, sounds like we'll stay in the swan and shoot over to the dolphin for some "high functioning alcoholic" fun ! LMAO

 

[maepartner]

JWFLA, whereabouts in S FL are you, im in Naples, just moved from marco island? DISNurse, sis is flying in from N. Kingstown, RI,,,,,are you a neighbor ? Just got back from WDW and acan't wait 2 wks more to go again!