Tell me about Swan and Dolphin

[Best Aunt]

First of all, the Swan and Dolphin resorts are NOT Disney resorts. They are operated by Marriott, and they don’t have their own bus stop. You would have to use a Friendship Boat to get to DHS or the Yacht Club and Beach Club, while Disney’s BoardWalk is only a short walk away.

Everybody here might already know this, but the Friendship Boat is the transportation to DHS for people staying at Yacht Club, Beach Club and BoardWalk as well as Swan and Dolphin. PP kinda sorta made it sound like there was a bus from Yacht Club, Beach Club and BoardWalk to DHS, but there isn't.

When I am staying at BoardWalk, I use the Swan stop for the Friendship Boat to and from DHS. When heading to DHS, it's the last stop. When coming back from DHS, it's the first stop. I see no point in sitting in the boat to ride around the hotel part of the lake before heading on to DHS. I would rather walk between Boardwalk and the Swan/Dolphin stop.

Heading to DHS, the order of the boat stops: is Epcot, BoardWalk, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin, then DHS.

Coming back from DHS, the order of the stops is: Swan & Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Club, Boardwalk, then Epcot.

 

[Grumpydad4]

Everybody here might already know this, but the Friendship Boat is the transportation to DHS for people staying at Yacht Club, Beach Club and BoardWalk as well as Swan and Dolphin. PP kinda sorta made it sound like there was a bus from Yacht Club, Beach Club and BoardWalk to DHS, but there isn't.

When I am staying at BoardWalk, I use the Swan stop for the Friendship Boat to and from DHS. When heading to DHS, it's the last stop. When coming back from DHS, it's the first stop. I see no point in sitting in the boat to ride around the hotel part of the lake before heading on to DHS. I would rather walk between Boardwalk and the Swan/Dolphin stop.

Heading to DHS, the order of the boat stops: is Epcot, BoardWalk, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin, then DHS.

Coming back from DHS, the order of the stops is: Swan & Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Club, Boardwalk, then Epcot.

You could beat the boat by 7 minutes by walking from Swan/Dolphin to BWI said multiple boat captains on our way back from DHS(MGM).

 

[katyjeka]

We have always loved them, especially the suites. If you watch your able to get some big discounts on them and the views are great. We've always found the pools relaxing and seldom crowded(maybe we are just lucky when we go). The location is great. The beds are comfy and we've always liked the bedding. Very comfortable!

 

[Carouselofplanning]

Only the first thing is true. And I will agree the bus to Disney Springs doesn't have a great drop off spot. But the bus stop at Animal Kingdom is just as close, if not closer. It is just on the right side of the parking lot, not the left.

So it stops at TTC instead of MK and the Disney Springs stop is nowhere near the other buses. Disney drops you right smack in the middle of everything. It’s also easier to transfer to water park buses from the Disney stop. And the bus wait times can get rather touch and go. But other posters do point out correctly that boat transport is available to Hollywood and Epcot so buses are irrelevant there. But to say most of my post is untrue (and I like the Swan and Dolphin) is just crazy. It’s just not as good as Disney busing.

 

[maxiesmom]

So it stops at TTC instead of MK and the Disney Springs stop is nowhere near the other buses. Disney drops you right smack in the middle of everything. It’s also easier to transfer to water park buses from the Disney stop. And the bus wait times can get rather touch and go. But other posters do point out correctly that boat transport is available to Hollywood and Epcot so buses are irrelevant there. But to say most of my post is untrue (and I like the Swan and Dolphin) is just crazy. It’s just not as good as Disney busing.

Please go back and re-read your post that I quoted. You listed 3 things, and only 1 was true. There is only 1 bus stop for a park. that is a "problem" the mk bus. The Animal Kingdom bus stop that is direct from the Swan is as close as, if not closer, than the Disney bus stops. Maybe it is that when you say park I'm only considering the theme parks, and not the water parks And I've never found a difference in wait times at a Disney resort vs the Swan or Dolphin. At both types of resorts it totally depends on luck. The wait between buses still tends to be around 15 minutes or so at both.

 

[Carouselofplanning]

Please go back and re-read your post that I quoted. You listed 3 things, and only 1 was true. There is only 1 bus stop for a park. that is a "problem" the mk bus. The Animal Kingdom bus stop that is direct from the Swan is as close as, if not closer, than the Disney bus stops. Maybe it is that when you say park I'm only considering the theme parks, and not the water parks And I've never found a difference in wait times at a Disney resort vs the Swan or Dolphin. At both types of resorts it totally depends on luck. The wait between buses still tends to be around 15 minutes or so at both.

I’d just say it’s wrong to suggest the busing is the same quality when it absolutely isn’t. It’s not horrible but the only thing not “true” is that it’s just as good. I’m not one to argue with people in posts so I’ll move on.

 

[maxiesmom]

I’d just say it’s wrong to suggest the busing is the same quality when it absolutely isn’t. It’s not horrible but the only thing not “true” is that it’s just as good. I’m not one to argue with people in posts so I’ll move on.

Yes we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[Miffy]

I stayed at the Swan once and will never stay there again for several reasons, as follows:

The hotel, to me, felt like it was a Nice, Nondescript Hotel in Anywheresville, USA. I did not feel like I was at WDW, despite the proximity to Epcot and DHS. And I love feeling like I'm at WDW--and being there!

Lack of any kind of theming at all was part of the problem. A poster upthread said the theming argument had been overdone, but if you like theming (as I do) and especially the kind of theming that Disney is so good at, then the Swan does not have it. At all. Not even a little.

But even if I didn't care about theming, I didn't like the room. The room they gave me was adjacent to some kind of machinery on the roof and the noise never went away. I realize all rooms are not like this, so this was just bad luck, I guess.

Forgetting the noise and the absence of theming and the generic nature of the place, I was unamused by being in the lobby, the elevators, and the halls and seeing so many conferencegoers in their business attire. These were not people on vacation. I felt like I was crashing a business convention.

The only QS at the Swan when I stayed there (I realize this could have changed) was at the Dolphin, across the street, and the QS there at the time was in the basement and seemed like the kind of cafeteria they have in a museum that's running out of funding.

Yeah, I hated it there. Fortunately for me, I was able to switch to a WDW resort after only 2 nights. I would've switched after the first night, but I couldn't get a room that quickly.

 

[CaseyCruiser]

We stayed at the Dolphin twice and loved it. A lot of food options in the area and within walking distance to two parks.

 

[maxiesmom]

I stayed at the Swan once and will never stay there again for several reasons, as follows:

The hotel, to me, felt like it was a Nice, Nondescript Hotel in Anywheresville, USA. I did not feel like I was at WDW, despite the proximity to Epcot and DHS. And I love feeling like I'm at WDW--and being there!

Lack of any kind of theming at all was part of the problem. A poster upthread said the theming argument had been overdone, but if you like theming (as I do) and especially the kind of theming that Disney is so good at, then the Swan does not have it. At all. Not even a little.

But even if I didn't care about theming, I didn't like the room. The room they gave me was adjacent to some kind of machinery on the roof and the noise never went away. I realize all rooms are not like this, so this was just bad luck, I guess.

Forgetting the noise and the absence of theming and the generic nature of the place, I was unamused by being in the lobby, the elevators, and the halls and seeing so many conferencegoers in their business attire. These were not people on vacation. I felt like I was crashing a business convention.

The only QS at the Swan when I stayed there (I realize this could have changed) was at the Dolphin, across the street, and the QS there at the time was in the basement and seemed like the kind of cafeteria they have in a museum that's running out of funding.

Yeah, I hated it there. Fortunately for me, I was able to switch to a WDW resort after only 2 nights. I would've switched after the first night, but I couldn't get a room that quickly.

They now have a small quick service at the Swan. Just a few sandwiches, but also fancy coffee. They did away with the basement quick service at the Dolphin and have turned it into a large game area. You can get a few things at Fuel, which is on the same level as check in at the Dolphin.

 

[maxiesmom]

You could beat the boat by 7 minutes by walking from Swan/Dolphin to BWI said multiple boat captains on our way back from DHS(MGM).

I guess that depends on how fast you are. I use a scooter and one trip the boats to DS were full, one after the other. My brother in law finally offered to ride my scooter to the park and we hopped on the boat. Arrived maybe 10 seconds before he did.

 

[TXYankee]

I stay at the Swan and dolphin frequently because of the price and the location. We are adults so the Disney theme is not quite as important to us as it might be to a family. I am also a Marriott platinum elite member and I get some pretty good perks and points.

 

[MabelM]

We stayed at the Swan for the first time this year and loved it. When I priced hotels, it was about half the cost of the Beach Club and I got Marriott points. I’m not into theming so that isn’t a difference maker for me. With so many options to eat in the area, restaurants in our hotel don’t matter much. The biggest downfall is the bus system since it is not Disney transportation. My kids didn’t notice a difference between it and the Beach Club so I would not think twice about staying there again.

 

[DVCjj]

We stay at the Swan, love the beds, for the start or end days of our trips. We use the BWI bus stop for MK, and there are numerous dining options if needed.

Stayed many times years ago then once we bought DVC, we only stay DVC.

In May we decided arriving a night before and used my Marriott points for 2 rooms at the Swan. Both daughter and I loved the Swan. The beds were AMAZING. HOLY COW!!
I’m a lousy sleeper even every trip at BWV (where we were moving to for the week), and I had the BEST sleep on that bed/pillow/sheet/blanket at the Swan that I’ve had in many years. I dream about that night’s sleep 3 months later.
Would definitely go back. Those beds make up for the very few negatives of non ‘real’ Disney or DVC.

 

[angryduck71]

I like it as I stay at a Marriott when I go visit son at college so like getting the points. Also, my son had a bad experience with cleaning crew at Boardwalk when he was about 14 (one ignored the do not disturb sign, and the closed door to the bathroom, and walked in on him in the bath (I was only gone 15 mintues to mail something from the gift shop that time); then a large male housekeeping employee tried to get in but he had bolted the door this time and the guy tried to get DS to let him in. We both complained heavily to management as my son was really traumatized. They gave us a $50 gift card. My son refuses to ever stay at Disney properties again, so this was my solution. We also love the pool and the spa at Dolphin. And, the convenience of going to our two favorite parks, EPCOT and HS.

 

[kylenne]

You could beat the boat by 7 minutes by walking from Swan/Dolphin to BWI said multiple boat captains on our way back from DHS(MGM).

You know we stayed at BWI in May and I feel really dumb for not doing this now. We got off at BWI every time.

Re: the bus service, the Swolphin bus legitimately do drop off much closer than the Disney buses at AK. Charter/third party bus drop off at AK is where non-Minnie Van rideshare drops off, which is way closer to the main entrance than the Disney depot. I still don't bother with it at rope drop though because I find they don't start running early enough for me. I usually catch a regular rideshare.

Theming is so subjective though. I feel like Yacht and Beach look way more boring and generic than Swolphin except for the pirate ship slide but that could be because I live in NY and spent a lot of time in New England growing up. So that theme is very much lost on me as anything interesting or unique (especially since YC got rid of my favorite curtains on property. I ended up buying some off eBay lol). BWI is way more fun to me and feels much more "Disney", especially since the recent room refurb. Our first timer friend was raving about how magical it felt to her. If I had to rank the Crescent Lake resorts, it would be BWI tied with Swolphin, YC a distant fourth, then BC.

 

[Dan Murphy]

other posters do point out correctly that boat transport is available to Hollywood and Epcot so buses are irrelevant there.

Just wanted to say and emphasize that buses are not available to Epcot or HS. It's boat or walk. So not just irrelevant, but rather, not available.

And welcome to the DIS, good to see you, @Carouselofplanning.

I have stayed at the Swan maybe 25 times over the years, though have not visited WDW since 2017. I would not stay anywhere other than the Swan. Just my opinion.

 

[AussieFan8]

I have stayed at the Swan maybe 25 times over the years, though have not visited WDW since 2017. I would not stay anywhere other than the Swan. Just my opinion.

Dan, assuming you want to go back, I hope you get to soon. I always appreciate your kind, friendly, welcoming posts.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Dan, assuming you want to go back, I hope you get to soon. I always appreciate your kind, friendly, welcoming posts.

Well thank you, @AussieFan8. Thank you for your kind words. I would like to get bsck, but physically, seems to keep getting tougher. It is a bit of a workout to go to WDW. But, I always keep an open mind. Thank you again.

 

[reylas]

My family has been to WDW countless times, yet I've never researched or considered Swan or Dolphin resort. Why? I do not know!! Speak to me like a newbie and tell me what they're all about. Why choose to stay and which? Benefits? Drawbacks?
We love staying on property for many reasons but a main one is proximity and not wanting to rent a car and have to drive on my vacation. I'm perfectly happy with Disney buses (or skyliner) to and from parks even at park close waiting in a long line.

We have stayed at both swan and dolphin many times, but currently they charge 38 per day for parking. If you are driving in, that is a good chunk of change just to leave a car there.

We had booked a Dolphin room in the fall, but switched to Coronado and saved ~600 due to parking fees at Dolphin. Kids love the place, but could not justify 600 for just that. It is nice though and when I fly in for conferences, no question Dolphin.