The Swan or the Beach Club?

[Lisa BC]

Hi! This is my first time to this board, so I don't know all of the abbreviations... sorry!

My husband and I are planning a 7 day trip to WDW in November 2004. I'm so excited. It will be his first trip to WDW, and my last visit was in 1986! We are comtemplating a stay at the Swan because we've heard really great things about the heavenly beds. A very comfy bed takes priority over everything else for us.

If the beds are great, then we will absolutely stay at the S-D, if not they we are also considering the Beach Club. Since we're going in the off season, we decided an Epcot resort makes the most sense.

Any comments?

Thanks!

 

[luckytso]

I would go with BC, if the price is not an issue. I like the charging privileges when staying at a Disney resorts and I like the fact that you can just use you hotel phone to make priority seating arrangements, and I like BC pool, Stormalong Bay. Overall, it is still closer to Epcot.

I think BC was just renovated also or in the process of being renovated, something like that.

 

[Terry S]

I would go with the Beach Club, this is our favorite resort. The theme and atmosphere at this resort just can't be beat.

The Swan is a nice resort, but there are some disadvantages because it is not a Disney Owned resort and some say it is just not as "magical".

 

[DisneyLisa]

I'd go with the BC as well. We stayed there in 2001 & loved it. We walked over to the Swan & Dolphin and although they are nice resorts, they felt more like a hotel in any city. Plus, as stated above, the charging privileges are great at Disney owned hotels.

 

[bubbles]

we have stayed at both the BC and the dolphin. if money were not the issue i would choose the BC, although my kids (21 and 16) like the Dolphin better. the discount rates at the S/d can t be beat. have booked there for our next trip. good luck

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I love the Swan. It is beautiful, classy, and quiet after a long day in the park. To me that is magical! The discounts are really good and you do not have to wait around for a code to come out and then try to deal with CRO. I really like that I can earn points for each night stayed from Starwood. Just sign up at the web site. And I like that the boat dock is covered, so that I can wait in the shade for the boat. I am sure Beach Club is very nice too, but I would choose the Swan!

 

[WDW2000]

I have stayed at Both the SWAN & BC. Both resorts are very nice, so it comes down to what your priorities are. If charging priviliges aren't important and a good bed is, then go with the SWAN. I hear all the rooms have the "heavenly beds" now, and you can definitely get a better rate at the SWAN. The only think I like better at the BC is the atmosphere and theme. The swan feels very much like a convention type hotel, and it's just a different feeling you get there. (Yet it defintiely is a much more quiet hote, if that is important) Where the BC I felt was more family friendly, cheery, & unique. (And nothing beats the view of the Boardwalk and beach from one of the water-view rooms).
THe only thing I DON"T like about the BC is the price.

I know you will be happy with whichever choice, both are great resorts!

 

[disney4me4ever]

I agree with Terry S (and hey--I used to work in Plymouth, MI--right next door to you!) that the Swan is not as magical as Beach Club.

We've stayed many times at Beach Club and in Aug. stayed at the Swan on business. The difference was very noticeable, particularly theming and just overall "disney atmosphere". I missed everything---the Mickey wakeup calls, the soaps, the "Have a Disney Day!" greetings. Heavenly beds are nice, but I've never had a bad bed at the BC. All things being equal, I would say BC with Stormalong Bay gets my vote.

Nancy

 

[Lisa BC]

Thanks so much for all of your input! I do really appreciate it. I can't believe how much I'm learning through this website, and the discussion boards!

Just as an FYI, I called WDW guest services and asked them about the beds... if all the beds were the same at all of the resorts. The answer is basically "yes". I was told all beds purchased within a certain time frame would be the same regardless if were purchased for the GF, the BC, or ASMu. I think the guest services person thought I was a little crazy for asking. She never had anyone ask her which resorts had the most comfortable beds....

We still don't know for sure where we will stay, but we are leaning towards the Swan because of the price, access to high speed interent for DH (he's a computer "nerd" for a unversity) and wants to be able to check in on "his" servers; and the heavenly beds. I'm glad no one said, "I hate the Swan....its a horrible place". I know from the on-line pics that BC looks to have a more "Disney" theme. But, staying in a semi-quiet place has its own appeal since we don't have children.

So, we are planning a weekend at another Westin property with cheap weekend rates ($85 /night), so that we can try out the heavenly beds.... just to see how good they are. As a bonus, its a new property for Westin, so we'll earn 1000 bonus SPG points per night!!

We'll probably change our minds about our resort choice at least 5 times, between now and the time we make our ressies.... we're not going until Nov -Dec 2004.

 

[JOC]

Lisa BC,
Check out the Dolphin/Swan thread and the Starwood thread in this forum...there's a lot more info, plus many people who have stayed at Swan/Dolphin who can answer questions you may have.