Swan vs. Dolphin Pros and Cons

[xmelissax]

What are the differences between the Swan and Dolphin?Which do you consider better?What are the pros and cons of staying there instead of one of the more "disney" resorts? How is the pool,it looks great!

 

[Kimberly]

Well, there is certainly an older crowd, as the Swan draws conventions and such (my mother is a doctor and she's had a few there over the years) but it is a gorgeous hotel. The beds are probably the most comfortable thing i've ever slept in, and i just like the whole Epcot area. I've actually never stayed in the Dolphin though...

 

[Goofy4Disney]

I'm really interested in hearing some of the answers you get. We are looking at the Swan or Dolphin for our trip in June 2006. DH will get the 50% off rate!

 

[xmelissax]

How is he getting a 50% off rate?

 

[cbird]

I have stayed at both properties and they are both fantastic. The Swan is slightly smaller bedrooms but beautifully furnished. The Dolphin rooms are slightly bigger and again are beautifully furnished. The Dolphin wouldbe my choice, but that is a purely personal feeling.
The staff at both resorts are wonderful and have very much a 'can do' attitude.

 

[Martha7]

We booked a stay at the Swan, (which I don't think we'll be able to make now, but that's beside the point), and we booked the Swan because I think they have two queen beds rather than two doubles. I don't know if that makes a huge difference to most people, but we sleep on a king-sized mattress at home, so psychologically, every little bit helps! I think the Dolphin has more food options, though.

 

[swilphil]

You really can't go wrong with either one. We've stayed at both, and now that the Dolphin has been renovated and has heavenly beds it's up to par with the Swan. The Dolphin room is slightly larger but I like the layout of the Swan room a little better. The Swan bathroom is more appealing to me. There is one sink in the large bathroom and one sink outside of it by the closet. The Dolphin has oversized double beds, which are one inch smaller all around than a queen bed. We have a queen at home and didn't notice a difference.

The Dolphin lobby is much more impressive and more whimisical. If you afraid of missing out on Disney theming, it may be more appealing to you. The Swan overall is much smaller and it makes it easier to get to out of the hotel and off to your destination. It also actually took us less time to get to the grotto pool and Tubbi's from our room at the Swan than it did from our room on the East Wing of the Dolphin.

 

[blanq]

We prefer the Swan over the Dolphin: 1) Queen beds instead of Double beds, 2) The Swan is a smaller facility, so not as crowded and it's easier and quicker to get around as a result.

I guess one of the cons to both of these is lack of theming, although really they have beautiful room decors. The architecture is not my favorite.

The biggest pros are location, deluxe amenities, and access to a number of excellent WDW restaurants. Also, the grotto pool is a nice size.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

How is he getting a 50% off rate?

He is using his Starwood points from his stays at Sheraton hotels. Normally, it's 10,000 pts/night at Swan or Dolphin. But for 1,000 pts, you can get 50% off for up to 5 nights (we'll probably stay at POFQ for the first couple of nights before moving to Swan/Dolphin). Also, since my parents are going with us and will need their own room, he can do the same for them for another 1000 pts.

 

[xmelissax]

That's great! My dad has tons of starwood preferred points he would definately let me use. I'm assuming because he can pay for your parents the points can be used for other family members?

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Yes, he asked that question while on the phone with them. They said he could get additional rooms, but it would be another 1,000 pts/room. BTW, if you ever find yourself in need of points, you can buy in increments of 500 for $25! So, $50 will get you 50% off up to 5 nights and you still are saving money!

 

[xmelissax]

Ooh,thanks! Do you buy them from Starwood? And if so where would I go to to buy them? That's a great idea.

 

[tippytoe]

Is that 50% off the rack rate?

 

[tinkerbelle22]

We just got back from a stay at the Dolphin and I am still deciding whether I would stay there again vs. a Disney Deluxe. We stayed there this time because, like you we got a great starwood discount. Loved (1) the rates (2) proximity to MGM, Boardwalk, Epcot (3) pools - big and not crowded (doesn't get swamped in the 1 to 3 p.m. hours with families taking breaks from the park since majority of people there are conventioneers) (4) very efficiently run - (5) recently renovated rooms (6) comfy beds (6) nice variety of quality restaurants. Had a problem with (1) the employees aren't Disney and I missed that extra perkiness (2) no Disney stuff in sight - no merchandise, no chance encounter with a character (3) you are in the minority NOT wearing a business suit and a convention ID when walking down a hall, riding an elevator or waiting in the lobby - I didn't realize how much I would miss the feeling of the masses being en route to Disney (4) I found the lobby decor to be very dated - from the 70's - and if you look up and the fake ivy on the lattice work, it looks like it hasn't been dusted since then. Hope this helps!

 

[Kaycee]

I've stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin. I love them both and would happily go back to either one, but I personally prefer the Swan. It really just depends on what you like in a resort though.

The Dolphin has Tubbi's, which is open 24 hours and has the refillable mugs (with Starbucks coffee). The laundry is also located in the Dolphin. It's bigger and has more dramatic decor, so there's more of a feel of excitement in the air there.

The Swan is smaller and much quieter. To me it has a very cozy, intimate feel, which is why I prefer it over the Dolphin. Although we enjoyed our stay at the Dolphin very much, it had an almost cold feel that the Swan didn't.

As far as the bed size goes, I think the actual difference is only one inch. I know that I couldn't tell any difference in the size at all. And both resorts have the heavenly beds - which truly are heavenly!

I can't wait to go back to the Swan in 11 days - woo hoo!

 

[Docsknotinn]

5 Days till we do the Dolphin Dance !

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Is that 50% off the rack rate?

Yes, their website says specifically 50% off the regular rack rate.

And, just to clarify something that I *might* have misunderstood (we are going to call tomorrow to make sure)... the 1,000 pts for up to 5 nights thing.... well, tonight my DH said now he's wondering if it is 1,000 pts/night (5,000 pts for 5 nights @ 50%) or just 1,000 pts period. Their website does not say it is 1,000 pts/night. It says:

"For just 1,000 Starpoints®, you can stay at any participating Starwood hotel or resort for up to five consecutive nights for 50% off the regular rack rate."​

Is anyone else reading this the same way as me? Has anyone else ever used their Starwood points and have any knowledge of this?

 

[AndyMcV]

...Is anyone else reading this the same way as me? Has anyone else ever used their Starwood points and have any knowledge of this?

Hi Terry

I'm 98% sure that it's 1000 points per night totalling 5000 points for 5 nights. Sorry I wish it was the other way.

Just to note we got the MBNA Starwood MasterCard about a month ago to get some extra points for our stay at the Dolphin in June. You get 5000 points just for getting the card, then another 5000 points if you stay at a Starwood hotel and on any purchases you get 1 point for every 2 dollars spent. Now we have lots of points and are hoping to upgrade to club level using our points during our stay. The MBNA MasterCard is for Canadian residents and I believe they have an AMEX Starwood card for US residents. If you're interested go to http://www.spg.com

Andy

 

[mommykds]

TERRY,

I just called the information at sheraton & I was told that the 1,000 point was for 5 days...like you could use 2,000 for 10 days!!! Sounds great!

I asked what the rack rate was for August & he said $339 for standard.
Divide in half & you get $169...good price for the location but you can sometimes get that price booking through all ears or disboards.

 

[AndyMcV]

Whooops sorry guys for my misinformation.

Wow that's pretty great 1000 points for up to 5 nights of half off the rack rate!

Andy