The difference between the Swan & Dolphin?

[bigsky]

I need to choose quick! I was called with an upgrade for our land/sea pkg from my TA. I see the location is great for the Swan/Dolphin, but is there any diff. with the two? Is one better located?? Never being to WDW, I have no clue which one to ask for if I have a choice. She said I'd probably be put in the Dolphin.

What's the difference? Please help!

Thanks!
Laura

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi, big sky. I have stayed at both Swan and Dolphin. There is no difference in location - they are sister resorts steps away from each other. So, walking access to pools, boat launch, MGM and Epcot is virtually equal. The Dolphin is much larger and house the fast food restaurant Tubbi's and the Dolphin Fountain. The Dolphin has double beds and one sink which is located outside the bathroom. The Swan is smaller and has queen beds with 2 sinks - one in the bathroom and one outside.

The differences in the 2, in my opinion, are minor. I loved my stays at both resorts and couldn't pick one over the other. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[froglady]

IMO, the Dolphin is more family oriented. The rooms have 2 doubles; the Swan has two Queen beds, or a King with a double sleeper sofa. The Dolphin has a food court (buffeteria) dining area plus full service restaurants; the Swan has all full service restaurants. The Dolphin has an arcade area. The Dolphin guest laundry facilities are easily accessible. I'm not sure that the Swan has any. The Dolphin is closer to the pools; the Swan is closer to the Boardwalk.

The Swan is geared more to adults, but my son was still very welcome there.

 

[bigsky]

HOw about the views from both of them? Anyone better than the other?
I think I"d rather have two queen sz beds. I know I'll end up sleeping with my teenage daughter and she doesn't want to sleep with her brother!

ANY other differences would greatly be appreciated!

Thanks so much!
I have to decide tonight!

Laura

 

[Mouseteacher]

Laura -

Our view at the Dolphin was fair. But there are some rooms that have wonderful views including resort lake views as well as views of Epcot, ToT.

Our view at the Swan was incredible. We faced the Dolphin and could see the lake, the boat launches, the pools (Swan quiet pool and the grotto pool in the distance) as well as the beach area.

 

[Mouseteacher]

One more for you:

 

[bigsky]

Thanks for the pics!
I'm going to take the upgrade. Can't beat the location!! I"m going to ask for an Epcot view. NOt sure if we'll get it. I know me, and I"m sooooo picky about my view from the hotels we stay at.
If we don't get an Epcot view, is there a place that we can just walk to or sit and watch if we don't want to stay at Epcot and watch from there. I'm guessing we'll be too tired and would rather just watch from our hotel and relax there.

I'm going to request the dolphin as well. I don't think we can go wrong with either. And not being there before, I don't know what I'm missing.

Thanks for the info!! I appreciate you taking the time to answer and send the pics.

Laura

 

[kda]

The Dolphin has some phrase to describe their beds --- something like "oversized doubles". The point is, they're a little bigger than a double, but not quite a queen. We dislike doubles very much, but have stayed at the Dolphin several times and were quite satisfied with the bed size.
Hope you have a great trip!

 

[SteveH]

kda thanks for the comment about the beds, we are looking at going back ot WDW which will be our first trip since 99 and since my wife is a teacher the rates are appealing but like you I hate double beds.

 

[KristaTX]

Does the Dolphin have the "heavenly beds" too?

 

[SteveH]

skporter, from what I have read the Dolphin doesn't have the heavenly beds, just the Swan.

 

[KristaTX]

I thought maybe that was the case. The Swan costs more than the Dolphin with the nurse discount - maybe that's why.

 

[Poohlovr]

The Dolphin has the Heavenly Beds in the rooms that have been renovated. I believe they're working on the 7th floor now.

So, the Dolphin does have some some Heavenly Beds and will have more as renovation continues.

Some people have said that their unrenovated rooms already have Heavenly Beds.

 

[KristaTX]

Thanks for the info Poohlovr!

 

[SteveH]

Ty for the info poohlovr. Do you know the renovation schedule or time to completion? I haven't had a chance to read all the S/D threads yet so it might have been discussed already.

 

[Muffy]

Yes, people are reporting back that Heavenly Beds are showing up in non renovated rooms at the Dolphin! Someone even posted a digital pic of the Heavenly tag on the side of the matteress! The Dolphin is definatly getting Heavenly Beds! Renovation should be complete by March 2004.

 

[SteveH]

Muffy thanks! Since we are looking at going in June that is great news and one more reason for us to look at the Dolphin vs. a moderate or the WL.

Even after all these years I'm amazed how active this site has remained. Now I'm just wondering what happened to all my post counts lol.