Swan vs. POFQ - Please help!!!

[toriasmom]

My mom and 2 DD's (age 1 and 7) were planning a week long trip to the Swan this September ($149 teacher rate) and had planned to get a 5 day Park Hopper Plus passport.

However, I have just checked on the 5 + 2 Dream Maker package and found out that if we stayed at a moderate, such as POFQ, with the Unlimited PHP for the entire 8 days/7 nights, it would cost $300 less than the Swan.

I have stayed at POR twice and have read positive reviews about POFQ, but I have also read many nice things about the Swan (including location).

Is it worth the extra $300 to stick with the Swan, or should I opt for the less expensive moderate and enjoy the parks every day of our stay?

Thanks for all your input!Please Help

 

[jwfla422]

Stayed at POR and stay at S/D almost all the time. IMHO, I don't even think you can compare them!

Swan is a deluxe all the way!! The rooms are amazing, those beds, those "heavenly beds" ...oh I just don't think I could sleep at a WDW resort again!! The CMs are wonderful, the views are spectacular, the pools are great and LOCATION!!! You can't beat it!!

Especially with your 1 year old, you won't have to lug your stroller on the bus all of the time, just to MK. You can boat to MGM or EPCOT or even walk-without having to fold up your stroller. (you have to bus to EVERY park from POR/POFQ).

Full service restaurants. If you want a food court style restaurant, Tubbi's is a short walk across at the Dolphin. I just can't tell you enough how great the S/D are without even comparing them with other resorts but when comparing them to a moderate...there is no comparison!!

 

[Disney Doll]

POFQ is nice, but the Swan blows it away. They are 2 different levels of accomodations, so you are not really comparing apples to apples. For $300 more, I'd stick with the Swan.

 

[darrose]

Did you include the resort fee per night that Swan charges in the above figures?
Even if not, being able to get it at the teachers rate is a wonderful deal. I called once just to see what the usual none teachers rate is and was quoted hundreds of dollars per night.

 

[CamColt]

Weve stayed at POR twice so Im going on the assumption POFQ is similar. Weve also stayed at the swan once. To me, the location, nearby restaurants, transportation options, and heavenly beds would be well worth the extra $300.00 at the Swan.

 

[minnieandmickey]

Ok I have never stayed at the Swan/Dolphin, so I can't help you there. I have stayed at POR and loved it. My opinion is use the $300 and stay the extra days at WDW, no bed is worth not getting to stay extra time at disney!

 

[BambiTamby]

It'll be worth EVERY PENNY to stay at the Swan!

JMHO....the beds are important to me and the LOCATION!
(Your mother will thank you for this one!)

I have to agree, it's hard to compare a Mod to a Deluxe resort.

Either way, have a wonderful time with your mom and children!

 

[*Fantasia*]

So if you stay at POFQ, you get the UPH (5 + 2 Dream Maker) and it's less than the Swan. Hmmm... I think I would keep the POFQ reservation and enjoy the $300! The pillow or the bed can't be worth to spend $300 more could it? I like my pillows and beds at the moderates and the values just perfectly fine. I don't need a "heavenly bed" or "heavenly pillow", when I am in Disney...I am in heaven!! Anyway...have a "magical" time in Disney!!

 

[jwfla422]

I just have to say, if you're like me and you don't sleep well to begin with (wish I could pass out when the day ends at WDW, but I'm "wired")..when you don't get enough sleep or decent sleep at WDW it can ruin your vacation.

Those beds are WELL worth the extra (and you would never know this unless you slept in one), but it's NOT JUST the beds that calculate into that difference...it's EVERYTHING that us Swaners mentioned in our prior posts!!!!

Of course, one word of caution, if you do decide on the Swan this trip and you go back again and stay in a moderate, you'll be VERY disappointed because you'll have been bitten by the "spoiled deluxer bug"!

Now, if you can sleep good no matter what, don't care about taking buses everywhere, don't care about being away from everything, don't care about having deluxe accomodations, don't care about only having a food court to go to at your resort then go for POFQ.

OK in all fairness I found this thread just before, you might want to read it because it is a VERY REALISTIC review of POFQ, the good and the bad...
<a href="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=572895"> POFQ Review from 5-20-04</a>

 

[jillofspeed]

My very first trip I stayed at the Swan, and my second trip I stayed at POFQ. Okay, well --- the Swan was definitely more luxurious, beautiful lobby and lounges, and as I recall a great buffet breakfast (tho a little pricey). If you love the feel of a big hotel, then the Swan is the place for you.

On the other hand, we stayed at POFQ on our honeymoon and we just loved it. It had more charm, felt more relaxed and casual, and more dw-ish to me.

Also, both resorts have boat service which is great fun.

Either way I believe you will have a great trip! So it just depends on what you are looking for. If you really love a big luxury hotel, the go with the swan. If you want more casual atmosphere with more Disney theming, then you might want to save your money and go with POFQ. (I had no trouble with the POFQ bed! )

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I stayed at the POFQ after having stayed at the Swan, and I was disapointed! I loved all the amenities at the Swan that POFQ lacked--the water transportation option to MGM, Epcot, the walking trails to the MGM and Epcot, the walk (over the cute bridge) to the Boardwalk, which is great fun, the heavenly beds (the POFQ are NOT nearly as comfortable--not even close), the robes at the Swan, the great paddle boat rentals and waterfall pool/ jacuzzi area...the access to Dolphins facilities including all the wonderful restaurants at Swan and Dolphin, Boardwalk, and the Yacht and Beach club (the POFQ only has one full service restaurant, and then a food court--nothing like what the Swan/ Dolphin offers). To me, there's no comparison, the Swan is soooo much better.

 

[ecpool]

I wonder how hard it is to get my money back and can I apply it to the swan even though it really isn't a WDW hotel?

 

[jbencs]

will be better for the kids.

 

[sugermouse]

For $300 more I would definately choose the Swan. This hotel offers fantastic amenities and as far as I am concerned is the absolute best location in all of WDW. Great walking access to the boardwalk area, Epcot and MGM.