Swan vs. Dolphin?

[Colinsmom]

We are going in Dec 2007 and I'm getting impatient waiting for an AP discount to a WDW resort. DH is a government employee, so I think that I'm going to book a discounted room at the Swan or Dolphin to lock in a reasonable rate at a nice hotel.

It will be DH and I, with our 5yo and 22mo boys in one room, and grandma and grandpa in another room. We'll book the cheapest available room when we book.

So, which one should we book? Is there any difference?

(I'm sure that the answer was buried in the Swan/Dolphin thread but I was intimidated by the 182 pages in that thread! Apologies for any duplication!)

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I haven't been to the Swan yet(but will be in a few days), and I was at the Dolphin about 14 years ago for a convention so I don't remember a whole lot about it except that I was very impressed. From what I have read in my research of the 2 the Swan is smaller and more intimate, quieter, and has queen beds. The Dolphin is much larger, houses more of the convention crowd and has a more bustling lively atmosphere with more of the restaurant options and food court being over there and has double beds. I absolutely love the Epcot resort area and at the teacher rate of $149 I am very excited about our upcoming trip. I think I would have been happy with either S or D, but they only had availability at the Swan for our dates. Good Luck deciding.

 

[deej696]

I think its really tough to find reasons to choose one over the other. Both are themed basically the same, and both have nice rooms with comfy beds. The swan is smaller so it may seem a little more intimate, and you may not be standing in line with the convention that just let out of the ballroom to c/i.

 

[lorik]

The Swan has the advantages of bigger beds and a vanity area with sink outside of the bathroom. The Dolphin has the advantage of Pikabu and a better game room. Which one you choose depends on which amenities are more important for your family.

 

[Liltx]

I would pick the Dolphin and ask for the west wing.

The Peekabu is right downstairs as is the kids club, grotto, and arcade. There is also the fountain for ice cream and a candy shop that is super cute. I think the hussle and bussle is a plus when you are staying with little ones. Mine were free to make mucho noise in the lobby and no one noticed because the fountain and piano player drowned them out. The swan was a little too quiet for young families IMO. If it was just dh and I it would be the Swan.
Fabulous hotel either way. We will be back! I'm not wasting any more money on Disney deluxe unless the prices are lower that the dolphin teacher rate.

Monica

 

[Aurora63]

I've stayed in both. I preferred the Swan. I think it was because the bathroom had the two vanities.

THough, the Dolphin does seem to have more dining options in the hotel. But it is a quick walk from the Swan.

Also, our room at the Dolphin had a distinct mildewy smell. I did not experience this at the Swan. We had three rooms at the Dolphin, and they all had the smell. They really should do something about it! This was in the west wing, btw.

 

[DLo]

We just made this decision. We chose the Swan because of the bed size. Also, we have already stayed at the Dolphin and my dad wanted to try the Swan to see if there is a difference. When we stayed at the Dolphin it was fod a convention. Our room was far from the lobby and could be confusing to find at the end of a long day !!! I think you will be fine either way. There doesn't seem to be a huge difference between them from what I have read.

 

[Blondie]

When it's just my husband and myself, we go with the Swan. When we bring our boys along, we choose the Dolphin. The Dolphin seems more festive and it does have the advantage of Picabu's right downstairs as opposed to walking acorss the courtyard from the Swan to get there. It's not a long walk at all, it's just more convenient having it in the same building when the kids are along. Also, if you plan on doing a load of laundry, it's located inside the Dolphin as well, just a few doors down from Picabu, the Dolphin Fountain (cute ice cream parlor type eatery) and the arcade.

The Swan does have slightly bigger beds though and is the smaller resort of the two making it very easy to find your room.

Either way, I think you'll be happy!

 

[swilphil]

You can't go wrong with either one, but I liked the Swan much better for the reasons stated. Plus if you have a stroller, the Dolphin can be a little difficult to navigate to get to the pool and Pickabu. We had to take more than one elevator. It was actually faster to get to grotto pool and Pickabu's from the Swan than it was from the East Wing of the Dolphin. There used to be another door to the left of the main Dolphin door that made it a little faster to get to Picabu's.

 

[yankeepenny]

glad to see al the positives here, we booked dolphin for this trp, DH is a govt emp and we got a great rate.


Have any of you eaten at Gullivers for the evening meal?

we just usually mellow out arrival day.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We have stayed at both and prefer the Swan mainly for 2 reasons. One being that the beds are more like queen versus the Dolphin which seems more like a full sized bed and we are big people with 2 teens so we value the space, also the Swan is the lst bus stop, this really is a plus because I have some physical issues and standing on a bus is not good for me. During busy times by the time the bus gets to the Dolphin you will be standing on the bus. That might not be a good situation if the grandparents arent in good shape to stand for a long bus ride to a park etc. We really didnt use the restraunts too much and in december even our teens didnt want to use the pool too much, they did and said it was pretty cold for them. At the holidays I think the Dolphin lobby is better decorated. Dh and I sat there and enjoyed the huge pointsetta christmas tree and there was a piano player there too. Very nice. The Swan is definetely a lot less walking back to your room after a long day in the parks. We also do a soda stop with our transport guy Berkley Edwards Transportation since you cant get ME from Disney. We just have him go to the Hess Mini Mart by the Swan. You will love the resorts. Have a great trip.

 

[Colinsmom]

Thank you all so much for the helpful information!!

I think that we're going to go with the Swan. The smaller size, quieter hotel, and 1st bus stop seal the deal. I've stayed at one of them before and know that it is an easy jaunt to the other, so I'm less concerned about proximity to food and the kids' club.

Plus, I think that my parents would prefer a quieter atmosphere.

Thanks again, and enjoy your trips!!