Swan vs Moderate?

[LaurenT]

Ok, my friend threw another suggestion out there...staying at the Swan. They have a deal for the 6th night free with a $100 food/beverage credit. That brings the cost in line with the moderates.
There is no ME for the Swan, so we'd pay about $160 for town car transfer. There is no DDP for Swan, but we do TIW anyway.
So, pros and cons of Sawn versus POR, POFQ and CBR?

 

[jwwi]

Location, Boat to DHS/boat or walk to Epcot: Swan
Deluxe resort/beautiful pool: Swan
Heavenly Beds: Swan
Access to multiple dining locations at BW, BC and Dolphin: Swan

Moderates: Disney theme and ME
POR/POFQ: Boat to DTD

I have not stayed at Swan, but loved staying at the Dolphin on recent trip

Of the moderates I would pick POR or POFQ

 

[Warren W]

That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

 

[pepe of ohio]

No matter what the Swan or Dolphin could offer, we're just not interested in a non Disney resort...it's just how I am......we're more interested in resort location than price....we know the area we'll be spending most of our time and are will to pay the price to be in that area.....values and moderates have no interest to us either....it's location and we really like having 2 modes of transportation to parks.....not condemning the Swan or Dolphin, but just have no interest as being not disney owned......we like the Disney feel in our choosing....

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Ok, my friend threw another suggestion out there...staying at the Swan. They have a deal for the 6th night free with a $100 food/beverage credit. That brings the cost in line with the moderates.
There is no ME for the Swan, so we'd pay about $160 for town car transfer. There is no DDP for Swan, but we do TIW anyway.
So, pros and cons of Sawn versus POR, POFQ and CBR?

We have stayed at the Swan and really liked it. Though it did not have the Disney theming throughout, it still felt like Disney property--it still has plenty of Disney to it, even if there aren't hidden mickeys in the carpet. The location is spectacular, especially if you are going to be going to DHS and Epcot. With the boardwalk right there, there are so many options for dining and shopping. And the beds can't be beat.

Unless you really want the convenience of Magical Express for the luggage service (a town car is more convenient for the actual transportation), I say the Swan wins hands-down.

 

[LaurenT]

Thanks for the input.
I actually just booked the Dolphin. I live in NY and they have a fabulous Super Bowl special. I got 7 nights for a total of $974 (all taxes and charges included)!
We have the boats or walking to Epcot or DHS, And the same EMH as on site guests, the boardwalk is right there and it's a deluxe resort for less than a moderate!
Very excited!
Oh....and because the Giants won, I get a free upgrade to a resort view room!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

No matter what the Swan or Dolphin could offer, we're just not interested in a non Disney resort...it's just how I am......we're more interested in resort location than price....we know the area we'll be spending most of our time and are will to pay the price to be in that area.....values and moderates have no interest to us either....it's location and we really like having 2 modes of transportation to parks.....not condemning the Swan or Dolphin, but just have no interest as being not disney owned......we like the Disney feel in our choosing....

So I like a deluxe on the monorail as well, but that did not seem to be one of the OP's choices. Given your requirements--location and transportation--between the OP's choices (moderate or Swan), the Swan wins as it's proximity to DHS, Epcot and the Boardwalk can't be beat and transportation to parks is good there too.

The deluxe on the monorail really only gives you multiple ways to get to 2 of the parks anyway. If you're travelling with little kids and plan to be at MK most days, then that makes sense. If you're planning equal or more time at Epcot and DHS, then deluxe on monorail may not be the best choice.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Thanks for the input.
I actually just booked the Dolphin. I live in NY and they have a fabulous Super Bowl special. I got 7 nights for a total of $974 (all taxes and charges included)!
We have the boats or walking to Epcot or DHS, And the same EMH as on site guests, the boardwalk is right there and it's a deluxe resort for less than a moderate!
Very excited!
Oh....and because the Giants won, I get a free upgrade to a resort view room!

That is terrific! You are going to have a great stay I am sure.

 

[TDC Nala]

For a comparable price I would pick the Swan over a Disney moderate at any time, because of the ability to walk to two parks (Epcot and DHS) from the Swan, with no reliance on Disney transportation required. Being able to do that for about half the price of a Disney deluxe is awesome.

 

[lizabu]

You won't regret your decision. The swan is fantastic.

 

[jwwi]

You will love the Dolphin, and congratulations to your great discount due to the Giants superbowl win! A fun bonus.
Have a great trip.

 

[melodyka]

You will love the Dolphin! Location can't be beat, and what a great deal

 

[rpcvpanama]

In two words..."Heavenly Beds." Hands down I would pick the Swan over a moderate. The Swan is actually a Westin property, the Dolphin a Sheraton. So you get the upgraded beds. That with the proximity to Epcot and DHS can't be beat.

In the past when flying into Orlando we have rented a car for the day to get to the hotel. The Swan/Dolphin has a drop of for one of the car rental companies (I can't remember which) so we did not have to pay the parking fee and beat the prices of taking a taxi or limo.

 

[litlpixie]

I jumped on the same wagon as LaurenT. Being from NY I booked 3 nights at the Dolphin w/ the superbowl promo code and will be enjoying 3 days in a resort view for a total price of $609.5....which incidentally came out $182 less than FQ...even w/ the cab ride to and from the hotel to the airport, I still come out ahead.

Never stayed the Dolphin before, but it sits next to Epcot, my favorite park

 

[TaraPA]

You'll love it! I've stayed at all levels of Disney resorts & absolutely love Swan & Dolphin. You can't beat the location for the price - with a boat or a short walk to Epcot & DHS just like the Epcot Area Resorts that are Disney owned.

I've found the customer service at S/D to be top notch, actually better than at many Disney resorts I've stayed at.

You mentioned $160 in airport transporation costs - that seems high. I've stayed at S/D 5 or 6 times & have used all forms of transportation to get there, and the most expensive was $120 for a town car. I had a coupon for $95 round trip, plus tip. I've taken a cab ($65 one way, so about the same price round trip as a town car), and I've used the Mears shuttle which is your most economic way, about $30 per person, round trip.

Make sure you register in the Starwood program, you will earn points for your stay that you can use for free upgrades, free nights, etc. That's another bonus - Disney doesn't offer any type of rewards program for staying there.

 

[LaurenT]

You'll love it! I've stayed at all levels of Disney resorts & absolutely love Swan & Dolphin. You can't beat the location for the price - with a boat or a short walk to Epcot & DHS just like the Epcot Area Resorts that are Disney owned.

I've found the customer service at S/D to be top notch, actually better than at many Disney resorts I've stayed at.

You mentioned $160 in airport transporation costs - that seems high. I've stayed at S/D 5 or 6 times & have used all forms of transportation to get there, and the most expensive was $120 for a town car. I had a coupon for $95 round trip, plus tip. I've taken a cab ($65 one way, so about the same price round trip as a town car), and I've used the Mears shuttle which is your most economic way, about $30 per person, round trip.

Make sure you register in the Starwood program, you will earn points for your stay that you can use for free upgrades, free nights, etc. That's another bonus - Disney doesn't offer any type of rewards program for staying there.

Thanks Tara.
I've stayed at Beach Club Villas a few times with my DH & DD, this time it will be DD, my friend and her daughter - when I travel with her we usually stay at the off site time share - so Im excited for her to be at the Dolphin location with the fancy pool!
There will be 4 of us with the kids, so the $160 was figuring a town car with tip. Mears at $30 per person would be $120 anyway, so I'd just as soon go fancy and have a driver help us.

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks Tara.
I've stayed at Beach Club Villas a few times with my DH & DD, this time it will be DD, my friend and her daughter - when I travel with her we usually stay at the off site time share - so Im excited for her to be at the Dolphin location with the fancy pool!
There will be 4 of us with the kids, so the $160 was figuring a town car with tip. Mears at $30 per person would be $120 anyway, so I'd just as soon go fancy and have a driver help us.

Ah that makes sense then for $160!

My boys LOVE the Grotto Pool at S/D. However they've never stayed at BC, we staying there next month, so I think that may win over Grotto Pool!