The Swan & Dolphin? Experiences?

[*NikkiBell*]

I just read a post on another thread about how the Swan went above and beyond to accomodate a guest. As a teacher, I am very interested in the teacher's rate they have to offer.

Anyone have specifics to share? Is it a good hotel? Will I miss Disney owned resorts? Do they go above and beyond? Will it be convient and special?

 

[swilphil]

The location of S/D is the best. You can walk/boat to Epcot/MGM. The service is great too. We had slightly better service at the Swan than we did at the Dolphin, but they were both very good. There's plenty of Disney magic all around though the Swan lobby is a little dull. Dolphin's lobby is much more impressive if that is important to you. The grotto pool is also fun and they serve Starbucks coffee, definitely a big improvement over the Disney Nescafe.

 

[TLinden16]

The Swan and Dolphin are both excellent resorts--they are amongst the nicest hotels I've ever stayed at. I have found the staff there to be extremely kind and helpful. The heavenly beds truly live up to their name--very comfortable. There are some neat dining options in the resorts, and the additional restaurants at the other Epcot area resorts and the world showcase give you a wide variety of choices within walking distance.

Karen

 

[Leota]

Both the Swan & Dolphin have delivered EXCELLENT service on our stays there. I used to think Disney bent over backwards, but have noticed over the past few years a real decline in Disney Service. Not so at the Swan/Dolphin.
I have medical issues & they have always been right on top of getting me what I need. Never have to wait, never have to call twice. In fact, the front desk has even caled to make sure I have gotten what I need.

I think the Swan/Dolphin resorts deliever the promise that Disney makes, but doesn't always follow thru on.

As far as Magic - what is more Magical than Park views outside your window? Being able to walk in & out of 2 Parks? Being surrounded by gorgeous atmosphere? sleeping in Heavenly Beds? Eating at your choice of Delicious restaurants all within walking distance? Watching Illuminations from your room?
Very Magical to me!

 

[Kapp]

under the Teacher discount and LOVED IT! We thought the staff was even friendlier than the "true" Disney resorts and never missed the "Disney magic". The resort is great especially if you can get a balcony with a view of Epcot! Be sure to become a SPG member (Starwood Preferred Guest) before you go and make sure they add you SPG membership number to your reservation. This can help with a possible upgrade.

Have a GREAT time!

 

[Blondie]

The Swan and Dolphin has become our resort of choice since our first stay in 2001.

It's an "Epcot Resort" so you'll be able walk to and from Epcot through the "International Gateway" or you can take the Friendship Boat that also services the Yacht/Beach Club and Boardwalk guests. You can also walk to MGM if you so desire. The S/D uses the same Disney transportation that the other resorts use.

The Boardwalk is at your back door with more dining options and things to do on the way to Epcot or MGM, or on the way back.

Give it a try! With the Teacher discount, it's a great deal! I don't think you'll find anything comparable at one of the other WDW resorts.

 

[Tiffany]

I just read a post on another thread about how the Swan went above and beyond to accomodate a guest. As a teacher, I am very interested in the teacher's rate they have to offer.

Anyone have specifics to share? Is it a good hotel? Will I miss Disney owned resorts? Do they go above and beyond? Will it be convient and special?

We have stayed at the Dolphin three time and the Swan once, just this past June. Each stay was great. I am not sure what you mean by above and beyound but I would reconmend these to resorts to anyone who wants to be close to EC and the Studios. The CMs are great and the location is outstanding.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Thanks everyone! Keep the info coming!

I am really starting to become interested in staying at the Swan. It sounds wonderful! A few questions...

1. I vaguely remember seeing the Swan & Dolphin listed on the package delivery slips...am I right? You can have Disney send your packages there just like their resorts?

2. Is there a charge for using Playstation 2 in your room?

3. Are the restaurants inside the hotel including with the Disney Dining Plans? Especially the Premium Plan?

4. Do all rooms have views of either Epcot or the Dolphin hotel?

5. Do all rooms have balconies?

 

[AndyMcV]

Hi NikkiBell

We've stayed at the Swan in June of 2003 and the Dolphin just this past June. We're from Ontario, Canada so it's a lot of $ for us to travel to Disney and stay on site. I was lucky enough to be travelling to a work conference (at another hotel outside of Disney) and we decided to stay at the S/D and add a few days of our own personal time. For us it's hard to justify $300-400 per night for a deluxe resort. When you add the exchange for us it's equivalent to $500 per night at a Disney deluxe resort. For an office worker and a stay at home Mom that's hard to swallow. With the discounts you can get at the S/D you simply can't beat it. In 2003 we got a club level room for $179 from DreamsUnlimited and this year we got a club level room for $169 (using some SPG points and the Allears code).

IMHO the resort is beautiful. Very new and fresh looking. The rooms are very large and up to date. The beds are amazing. I've never slept on something so comfortable. They have 2 lap pools and a HUGE grotto pool with a great waterslide and water fall. Very impressive. Our son loves the pool there. They also have a sand beach too. They have a tonne of restaurants right at the resort including Shula's steakhouse, Palio, and Todd English's Blue Zoo - all fantastic. For us Tubbies came in handy too. It's a lower cost cafeteria style restaurant but they have good food too. The pizza is really good.

The location of the resort is really great too. You're right beside the Boardwalk, Yacht Club/Beach Club and within walking distance to Epcot and MGM. The Boardwalk has performers, shops, and restaurants. It's a sight to see. Make sure you make reservations at the Flying Fish! Also at Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club (for the best cheeseburgers and milkshakes anywhere). Yes you'll have to make reservations.

The transportation is great too. You can either take a bus everywhere or you can take a boat to MGM, Yacht Club/Beach Club, the Boardwalk or Epcot. Our son loved taking the boat ride.

Every night you can see the fireworks from Epcot and MGM. Both times we went we got a room with a view of Epcot where we could see the fireworks right from our room.... very magical! I was also told that a great place to watch the fireworks was sitting on the beach between the Swan and Dolphin.

Anyway.. we love this resort. For a deluxe resort at the price of a Disney moderate there is no comparison.

Have a great trip
Andy

 

[Leota]

Thanks everyone! Keep the info coming!

I am really starting to become interested in staying at the Swan. It sounds wonderful! A few questions...

1. I vaguely remember seeing the Swan & Dolphin listed on the package delivery slips...am I right? You can have Disney send your packages there just like their resorts? Yes you can have packages sent to the gift shop at S/D

2. Is there a charge for using Playstation 2 in your room? Yes, you can play or watch movies for a fee

3. Are the restaurants inside the hotel including with the Disney Dining Plans? Especially the Premium Plan? That I don't know, sorry.

4. Do all rooms have views of either Epcot or the Dolphin hotel? I would say views of Dolphin, BW & MGM - Dolphin has Epcot views, I don't know about Swan.
5. Do all rooms have balconies?

I don't know. We did on our stay in a King Jr. Suite.

 

[swilphil]

Swan/Dolphin is not part of the dining package as far as I know. The views are great at the Swan/Dolphin. We've had views of MGM's Tower of Terror, the Boardwalk and the Beach/Yacht Club. On most floors at the Dolphin, every other room has a balcony. The Swan also has many rooms with balconies though I'm not sure it's as many as the Dolphin has.

 

[i like stitch]

While at our stay last Fall at the swan club level, we asked to move over to the dolphin club because they closed the swan club for renovations (so we had the experience of staying at both places)!

Overall I preferred the swan and thought they were more accomodating, more friendly. The swan was cleaner and the dolphin seemed to have both housekeeping and communication issues.

However, we have reservations again for the dolphin because it felt more "kid-friendly" and fun. Our experiences with the food and staff in the club room were both terrific. We loved the boat rides to the parks and the views of epcot and mgm.

 

[heatherfeather24]

Does anyone know if Disney does a pin for Swan/Dolphin? I try to get one from each resort I stay at, so I'd love it if they do. Also is Disney merchandise available on-site for those very last-minute souveniers?

Thanks!
H

 

[Tiffany]

Does anyone know if Disney does a pin for Swan/Dolphin? I try to get one from each resort I stay at, so I'd love it if they do. Also is Disney merchandise available on-site for those very last-minute souveniers?

Thanks!
H

Hi,

Both the Swan and Dolphin have Disney gifts shops. This is where you would pick up any packages that you have shipped back to your resort from the parks and where you can find your Disney merchandise.