The swan OR dolphin???

[ElleBelle]

Our upcoming trip in march is actually a family reunion- and EVERYONE (25+) on my mom's side of the family has rented homes in Acadia estates & Formosa Gardens from Allstar vacation homes. (This is the ONLY way I'll stay offsite again- my parents are paying! ). Just the other day my husband and I decided that it might be a good idea for the two of us to fly down a few days early and stay at either the Swan or Dolphin (I get the nurse's rate). We've never stayed at either, and truthfully I never thought I would ever think of staying at either. (The rate is just too good to pass up). Which do you prefer? Which offers better views of epcot? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[sters]

Most of the restaurants, conference rooms, and amenities are at the Dolphin, the bigger of the two resorts, with the larger,more impressive lobby. They share the pool and the boat launch is between the two. The two hotels are run by different companies, so maybe you can get special points at the one that you can't at the other? I don't think you can go wrong at either. Great location!

 

[Kapp]

Both are great and you really can't go wrong with either. The Dolphin is more impressive but the Swan is smaller and usually less crowded. You may want to see if the any Nurse rates are available for your trip since over the last year there have been fewer Teacher/Nurse rates available and both resorts are much busier since they have been remodeled and improved their customer service.
Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Demosthenes]

Both resorts are Starwood resorts (1 Westin, 1 Sheraton) so the points are the same for either resort. Definately sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest card; you get benefits pretty quickly, and just having the card may get you an upgrade.

I prefer the Swan to the Dolphin, but only because of the size of the hotel. Sometimes the rooms at the Dolphin feel like they are a mile away from the lobby. The Dolphin has more of the restaurants and lounges, but really these two sister resorts are more closely related than most. You might like Palo and Kimonos (at the Swan) more than anything at the Dolphin, or you may prefer Tubbi's and Shula's Steakhouse (the Dolphon) but they are all so close it doesn't matter. The Dolphin does afford better views of Epcot and Illumunations and there are more balcony rooms at the Dolphin.

 

[Mercy]

We stayed at the Dolphin a few years back, and loved it! I would choose the Dolphin, mainly because most of the restaurants are there and it is a bit more "grand". If you wanted to catch a quick breakfast and the weather is not good, I would want to be "in" the building where I wanted to eat and not have to go outside.

 

[NancyIL]

I prefer the Swan for the rooms - queen beds vs. doubles and two sinks vs. one. I also like the smaller size of the resort. I prefer the Dolphin for the WOW factor of the public areas - the escalator to the lobby level, the rotunda (especially at Christmas), and the casual restaurants. But the place is HUGE, and you can have quite a hike to get to your room.