Swan, Waldorf or ??

[katmu]

I'm looking to plan a fairly last-minute trip for at least a week, hopefully, a little longer between May 20 and May 29. I will be doing a few days at Universal with the rest at Disney. If I can extend an extra day I would like to do a beach day as the weeks below zero here in Minnesota are really making me want some beach time. I'm struggling with a hotel choice for the Disney portion of the trip. I'm a Costco member so I'm looking at the hotel/ticket packages, although I'll upgrade the room to the refundable option just in case. I'm looking at the Swan resort view room package with a 5-night hopper. It includes the resort fee, theme park, and Disney Springs parking but the hotel parking is $29 plus tax per night. The Waldorf package is for a King room where the Swan package doesn't specify, but the parking fee goes up to $40 per night although it's valet. The Waldorf package would be an additional $375, still including the 5-night hopper and the resort fee. The Waldorf room is 448 square feet vs. 360 square feet at the Swan. I've never stayed at either, but I've stayed at both the Boardwalk Villas and Beach Club (regular) before so I know that area. I've also priced CBR and CSR but they're pretty close to the Swan so I'm not sure if either of those makes sense for an adult trip.

The wrench in the location issue vs. the last time I stay in the Epcot area is that I had a pretty bad accident in 2018 so I have some impaired mobility in my right leg and walk with a cane if I'm doing a lot of walking at home. I've only been to Tokyo Disney while I was still on crutches so I ended up renting a wheelchair and Disneyland before my leg had fully healed. I'm thinking given the 7-8 miles a day I normally do at Disney / Universal, it might be good to rent a small scooter for the week so I'm trying to figure out how that plays into where I should stay and if I'll want to scooter or drive myself to the parks instead of use bus or boat transportation.

For the Universal portion, I've decided on Portofino Bay for sure. I love Italy, I like the multiple pools and it looks quiet. I've only stayed at Royal Pacific before so it will be a nice change of pace. I bought an annual pass voucher l need to activate there so I have that covered.

I would like to head over near Tampa / St. Pete partly for some beach time and also to look around a bit.

 

[Marthasor]

I've stayed at all of these resorts and my choice would be the Swan. You already know the location and it is definitely the most convenient of all of the resorts you've listed. The Waldorf is nice, but really inconvenient and I really don't think it's nicer than the Swan. Certainly not nice enough for that price increase and an inconvenient location. If you aren't booked in a king initially, you could always ask at the front desk if they could accommodate you in a king room if one is available. If CBR and CSR are pricing out near the Swan, I would pick the Swan. Will you need transportation from the airport? That would be my only caveat as MDE will not take you to the Swan or Waldorf. If you don't need MDE, my pick is, hands-down, the Swan.

 

[katmu]

I'm most likely going to be renting a car regardless so I wasn't planning to use MDE

 

[OKW Lover]

I've stayed at all of those resorts. Given that you may be renting a scooter, I'd go with the Swan for its convenience to Epcot and DHS. Bus service to DAK will be reasonable. However, getting to the MK by bus from the Swan will require extra steps since the Swan bus (as well as the Waldorf one) drops you off at the TTC, not the MK gates. Still, even with those considerations, the Swan is a good choice.

 

[Tom_E_D]

I'm looking to plan a fairly last-minute trip for at least a week, hopefully, a little longer between May 20 and May 29. I will be doing a few days at Universal with the rest at Disney. If I can extend an extra day I would like to do a beach day as the weeks below zero here in Minnesota are really making me want some beach time. I'm struggling with a hotel choice for the Disney portion of the trip. I'm a Costco member so I'm looking at the hotel/ticket packages, although I'll upgrade the room to the refundable option just in case. I'm looking at the Swan resort view room package with a 5-night hopper. It includes the resort fee, theme park, and Disney Springs parking but the hotel parking is $29 plus tax per night. The Waldorf package is for a King room where the Swan package doesn't specify, but the parking fee goes up to $40 per night although it's valet. The Waldorf package would be an additional $375, still including the 5-night hopper and the resort fee. The Waldorf room is 448 square feet vs. 360 square feet at the Swan. I've never stayed at either, but I've stayed at both the Boardwalk Villas and Beach Club (regular) before so I know that area. I've also priced CBR and CSR but they're pretty close to the Swan so I'm not sure if either of those makes sense for an adult trip.

The wrench in the location issue vs. the last time I stay in the Epcot area is that I had a pretty bad accident in 2018 so I have some impaired mobility in my right leg and walk with a cane if I'm doing a lot of walking at home. I've only been to Tokyo Disney while I was still on crutches so I ended up renting a wheelchair and Disneyland before my leg had fully healed. I'm thinking given the 7-8 miles a day I normally do at Disney / Universal, it might be good to rent a small scooter for the week so I'm trying to figure out how that plays into where I should stay and if I'll want to scooter or drive myself to the parks instead of use bus or boat transportation.

For the Universal portion, I've decided on Portofino Bay for sure. I love Italy, I like the multiple pools and it looks quiet. I've only stayed at Royal Pacific before so it will be a nice change of pace. I bought an annual pass voucher l need to activate there so I have that covered.

I would like to head over near Tampa / St. Pete partly for some beach time and also to look around a bit.

When comparing the Swan and Waldorf, you say you "know the area." I'm wondering if you're confused as to where the Waldorf is. It's not in the Epcot resort area. It's in the Bonnet Creek area (offsite). It's not that far away, but you'd likely be driving to the parks if you stayed there; that means no scooter. The Disney buses can handle scooters. I'm not sure whether or not the Mears buses that the Swan uses to transport people to MK and AK can. (I think at least some of them can.) However, you could scooter from the Swan to the Yacht Club or the Boardwalk and get Disney buses there. I don't know about whether the buses from the Waldorf can handle scooters, but have read that their service isn't that regular anyway. I've never stayed at any of the Bonnet Creek hotels but from what I've read, you don't want to rely on their bus service.

I've never stayed in any of the hotels you mentioned, so won't make a recommendation.

 

[katmu]

Yes, the Disney buses can handle scooters but I've noticed in the past that people with scooters often have to wait for the next bus during busier times of the day so that's why I'm leaning towards driving. I would be ok using the scooter to Epcot and HS for sure. It's mostly getting to MK and AK that I'm worried about.

I think only once when I've stayed on-site did I not have a car, so I'm pretty used to driving around. I know exactly where Bonnet Creek is since I've been coming to Disney for 43 years at this point, but I think the biggest drawback for me is that I lose the ability to take a midday break as easily. When I've stayed at BWV or BC I would often go back to the room for a nap or a pool break, so I would lose that at the Waldorf.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Yes, the Disney buses can handle scooters but I've noticed in the past that people with scooters often have to wait for the next bus during busier times of the day so that's why I'm leaning towards driving. I would be ok using the scooter to Epcot and HS for sure. It's mostly getting to MK and AK that I'm worried about.

I think only once when I've stayed on-site did I not have a car, so I'm pretty used to driving around. I know exactly where Bonnet Creek is since I've been coming to Disney for 43 years at this point, but I think the biggest drawback for me is that I lose the ability to take a midday break as easily. When I've stayed at BWV or BC I would often go back to the room for a nap or a pool break, so I would lose that at the Waldorf.

People without scooters also have to often wait for the next bus, or the one after that or the one after that . . .
Driving to AK and MK means not having your scooter with you. Of course, you could possibly rent one at those parks. I already admitted to not having stayed at any of the resorts you're considering, but for transportation considerations, the Swan seems like your best bet.

 

[hedberg1661]

So I have stayed at all of your locations except CBR. I will say hands down (especially with a mobility issue) that you should go with the Swan for your WDW portion of your stay. Nothing against the Waldorf but the Swan makes it pretty easy to get your scooter (rent one ahead of time - I have used Buena Vista Scooters and love them) and you will instantly have access to two parks without needed another mode of transportation. Yes, you will need to load up for MK and AK however, on an adults trip I find it important to have the ability to stroll the Boardwalk resorts or hop in to Epcot and enjoy the World Showcase.

 

[Eeyore daily]

I've never stayed at the Swan so I can't speak to that. Does the total include the ridiculous resort fee? The convenience to Epcot is nice.

Also Scooterbug has a collapsible scooter that can fit in your car if you rented one. We did that for my grandma so we didn't have to take the bus to the parks.

 

[katmu]

I've never stayed at the Swan so I can't speak to that. Does the total include the ridiculous resort fee? The convenience to Epcot is nice.

Also Scooterbug has a collapsible scooter that can fit in your car if you rented one. We did that for my grandma so we didn't have to take the bus to the parks.

The Costco packages do include the resort fee.

So I have stayed at all of your locations except CBR. I will say hands down (especially with a mobility issue) that you should go with the Swan for your WDW portion of your stay. Nothing against the Waldorf but the Swan makes it pretty easy to get your scooter (rent one ahead of time - I have used Buena Vista Scooters and love them) and you will instantly have access to two parks without needed another mode of transportation. Yes, you will need to load up for MK and AK however, on an adults trip I find it important to have the ability to stroll the Boardwalk resorts or hop in to Epcot and enjoy the World Showcase.

I'm going to book the Swan today once I confirm the availability of my dog sitter.

Thank you both for the scooter company recommendations. I'll check them out. I want to have one for the week so I need to decide what size of one I need.

 

[hedberg1661]

The Costco packages do include the resort fee.



I'm going to book the Swan today once I confirm the availability of my dog sitter.

Thank you both for the scooter company recommendations. I'll check them out. I want to have one for the week so I need to decide what size of one I need.

I know the DIS has a free add on if you use this link https://www.buenavistascooters.com/offer/wdwinfo/

Just something to think about. Plus they offer a couple of other extra add ons.

 

[katmu]

I know the DIS has a free add on if you use this link https://www.buenavistascooters.com/offer/wdwinfo/

Just something to think about. Plus they offer a couple of other extra add ons.

Thank you so much. Now I just need to get over my fear of actually using one.

Ok, that’s partly because a grocery store employee at the store nearest my house ran into my bad leg while returning one to the cart area. She had her head turned and was talking to a coworker and wasn’t looking forward. I haven’t been able to bring myself to use one after that.

 

[hedberg1661]

Thank you so much. Now I just need to get over my fear of actually using one.

Ok, that’s partly because a grocery store employee at the store nearest my house ran into my bad leg while returning one to the cart area. She had her head turned and was talking to a coworker and wasn’t looking forward. I haven’t been able to bring myself to use one after that.

Honestly they are easier than the grocery store ones. We get one for my mother and one night once we got back I took it for a "spin" just for fun to see how it was. I went from GF all the way to PVR and back and had no problems. The worst part, as you can imagine, is getting on and off busses and monorails. Other than that we had no issues. I wouldn't be worried at all.

 

[Pooh's World]

I'm looking to plan a fairly last-minute trip for at least a week, hopefully, a little longer between May 20 and May 29. I will be doing a few days at Universal with the rest at Disney. If I can extend an extra day I would like to do a beach day as the weeks below zero here in Minnesota are really making me want some beach time. I'm struggling with a hotel choice for the Disney portion of the trip. I'm a Costco member so I'm looking at the hotel/ticket packages, although I'll upgrade the room to the refundable option just in case. I'm looking at the Swan resort view room package with a 5-night hopper. It includes the resort fee, theme park, and Disney Springs parking but the hotel parking is $29 plus tax per night. The Waldorf package is for a King room where the Swan package doesn't specify, but the parking fee goes up to $40 per night although it's valet. The Waldorf package would be an additional $375, still including the 5-night hopper and the resort fee. The Waldorf room is 448 square feet vs. 360 square feet at the Swan. I've never stayed at either, but I've stayed at both the Boardwalk Villas and Beach Club (regular) before so I know that area. I've also priced CBR and CSR but they're pretty close to the Swan so I'm not sure if either of those makes sense for an adult trip.

The wrench in the location issue vs. the last time I stay in the Epcot area is that I had a pretty bad accident in 2018 so I have some impaired mobility in my right leg and walk with a cane if I'm doing a lot of walking at home. I've only been to Tokyo Disney while I was still on crutches so I ended up renting a wheelchair and Disneyland before my leg had fully healed. I'm thinking given the 7-8 miles a day I normally do at Disney / Universal, it might be good to rent a small scooter for the week so I'm trying to figure out how that plays into where I should stay and if I'll want to scooter or drive myself to the parks instead of use bus or boat transportation.

For the Universal portion, I've decided on Portofino Bay for sure. I love Italy, I like the multiple pools and it looks quiet. I've only stayed at Royal Pacific before so it will be a nice change of pace. I bought an annual pass voucher l need to activate there so I have that covered.

I would like to head over near Tampa / St. Pete partly for some beach time and also to look around a bit.

How much is the total price for the Swan?

I love Portofino Bay. And you can take the boat to Universal from Portofino right to the Universal entrance.

If you are going to Tampa I would recommend a day at Tampa Busch Gardens.

 

[katmu]

How much is the total price for the Swan?

I love Portofino Bay. And you can take the boat to Universal from Portofino right to the Universal entrance.

If you are going to Tampa I would recommend a day at Tampa Busch Gardens.

For 4 nights 5/16 - 5/20 at the Swan with Costco calls the February Limited Time-Promotion comes to $1458 with taxes and the resort fee. There's a one-night cancellation fee for cancellations, no-shows, or date changes within 5 nights of arrival. Only, I happened to read some of the recent reviews of both the Dolphin and the Swan. There were enough bad ones in the last few months to really make me worry. A bad review here and there is certainly understandable.
Since this is going to be my first trip anywhere in 2 years as a big trip to Europe was canceled last year I voted in my own poll and went with "other - Yacht Club". I used the 30% off room offer, and I applied a gift card I had from an award I won at my old job, that I almost didn't remember I still even had, so that helped bring the cost a lot closer to the Swan package. I'm also going to be celebrating my 5-0 a little late, albeit.

 

[Pooh's World]

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