Swan vs Dolphin

[maxsmom]

Hi! We're considering staying at one of these this summer. Do you have a preferance? Pos. vs neg. of them. I was leaning toward the Swan b/c it had been renovated, but I guess the Dolphin has also. It also seems like the walk to the boardwalk would be closer. We'll have a 15 mth old and want the shortest walks. It's also the 1st bus pick-up b/w the 2 right? thanks for your help.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We've only stayed at the swan with our 3 teen ds. I like that the swan is more compact, less walking, queen sized beds, the swan is the lst bus stop, then the dolphin. Both share the boat launch to mgm and epcot. More restraunt choices are at the dolphin, like tubbies, the dolphin is a little less, and has oversized double beds. The swan also has the extra sink outside the bathroom. They are pretty equal in most other respects.

 

[twocat]

Stayed at the Swan last Novemeber. (2 adults). I had the same questions you do. I picked the Swan because---
--smaller resort meant less walking. Dolphin is HUGE.
--many more rooms have balconies. Love them.
--Quuen size beds and sink outside bathroom.
--recently renovated.
--Heavenly Bed, queen size. I have NEVER slept in a better bed. Ever.

After staying there, and it was a fine property, I might go to the Dolphin next time because--
--MANY more dining options.
--Better views of Epct/MGM. Our room at the Swan looked at the Dolphin.
--Closer to the pool. And it is VERY nice pool. Second onlt to SAB IMHO.
--Rooms here have been renovated also and have a version of the Heavenly bed but not THE Heavenly Bed.

So.. I guess it depends on what is important to you. A balcony and small resort were my priorities so I went with the one that met those. Figure out you priorities and that may help in your decision-making. Don't hesitate to post again with more questions! PM me too if you want; I feel like you are in my shoes back when trying to decide!

 

[dznyntnh]

I stayed at the Dolphin last year and loved it.

I just changed me rez from BWI cuz the rate was much better and I had to choose between Dolphin and Swan. I chose the Dolphin, cuz it is much bigger, I loved the view I had (Boardwalk) and there were so many dining choices, not just the number of restaurants, but the variety of offerings and prices (I loved Fresh). The rooms are huge, bright and airy.

 

[paras4ri]

--Rooms here have been renovated also and have a version of the Heavenly bed but not THE Heavenly Bed.

Although the Dolphin is a Sheraton resort and the Swan a Westin, both have the same Heavenly Beds, rather than the Sheraton's trademark Sweet Sleeper. It was done intentionally to keep the resorts similar in that respect.

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi Michelle

That's great to hear that you're going to the S/D! You'll love either resort. We stayed at the Swan in 2003 with our DS3. We're going back this June with our now DS5 and our DD1.

This time we picked the Dolphin. I think the main reason we picked it this time was that we found ourselves walking a lot over to the Dolphin from the Swan. Most of the restaurants are there, Camp Dolphin, laundry facilities, games room, car rental are all at the Dolphin. Also the Grotto pool is closer to the Dolphin as well. The rooms are identical in both resorts. The only difference is that the Dolphin has double beds instead of queen beds. The doubles are only 1 inch shorter than the queens. In our case this dosn't matter as we'll be requesting a room with a king bed. All beds are the heavenly beds too. The Swan is smaller and quieter and the Dolphin is bigger with more happening.

I think really you're splitting hairs comparing the two as they are almost identical. With a small child I think you'll find the Dolphin a bit (and a small bit) more convenient. No matter which one you pick you'll be happy.

Good luck,
Andy

 

[swilphil]

You can't go wrong with either one. We have stayed in both, and love them equally but for different reasons.The Dolphin has a much more impressive lobby while the Swan's is just your basic Westin hotel lobby. The Swan is smaller and easier to get around in. It actually took us less time to get to Tubbi's and the grotto pool from our room at the Swan than it did from our room on the East Wing of the Dolphin. If you go Dolphin, try to get a room on the West or Central Wing.

 

[jwfla422]

BOTH are great resorts, just a matter of "personal preference" as most of the posters mentioned the differences. We prefer the Swan because it is smaller which makes it a little more intimate, but when we stay there we do miss the convenience of having Tubbi's right downstairs. We always try to visit Fresh whenever possible. Of course they are right across the courtyard. The Swan is the first bus pick up and drop off and the BW is closer.

Even though we have stayed at many of the WDW owned resorts we still prefer the S/D. Either one is great!

 

[famcruisefun]

We've stayed many place onsite and finally last year tried the Swan - we are headed back again next week - we loved it. I'm sure either Swan or Dolphin would be great - I liked the smaller Swan and we found it perfectly easy to walk over to the Dolphin if there was something we needed/wanted there. Staying at either one is kind of like staying at one resort with 2 buildings. I love the whole area of EPCOT resorts - lots to do and see at Boardwalk, Fantasia Gardens mini golf is a late night favorite with my teens. I can't say enough about the S/D. If you are going to stay there and aren't Starwood Preferred guests already - I would reccomend signing up. You'll earn points for your stays at Starwood hotels (Westin, Sheraton...) and get perks like upgrades when they are available. We are staying at the Swan next week - 6 nights - and 5 of them we "paid" for with Starwood points. The site is www.spg.com
Have fun!!!
Kelley