Transportation to parks from Swan and Dolphin

[sunnymom5]

What transportation is available each of the parks when staying at the Swan and Dolphin? How are the buses? Can you take a boat to Hollywood Studios? If so, how often does it run? Do you share rides with other resorts or hotels? Is there a long wait, crowded etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated! We are debating on Swan and Dolphin vs. Disney resort and wanted to find out if they offer comparable transportation options....thanks!

 

[HelenParr]

The S&D shares bus route with Boardwalk, YC and BC. There is no difference bewteen the bus service.

And yes, the boat to DHS stops at the S&D too (on a circuit with YC, BC, Boardwalk that also goes to Epcot).

On the bus service: depending on the time of year, the destination, and internal Disney planning, the route might be just Swan, Dolphin and Boardwalk, but might be all five. Reasonable waits. Usually you wait no longer than 20 minutes. Same as YC and BC.

 

[nezy]

As for the boat to Disney Studies, Swan/Dolphin is the first stop leaving DS and last to be picked up before going there-so that is a good option. You can aslo take the same ferry to EPCOT-which means it is the longest ride as ferry stops at Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach. Faster to walk or take the ferry to the Y&B and then walk to EPCOT.

Swan/Dolphin is a nice resort, the service we had was great and the room was a nice size-I also love the access to Boardwalk. however, if you have a car, you must pay a daily parking rate that you do not have to pay at Disney resorts-but you were asking about buses, so I guess you will not have a car!

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed at the Swan for a night a couple of weeks ago before checking into AKV. They kill you with fees - $10 resort fee + $16 for parking (valet), plus tax.

 

[duffy]

And I stayed at the Dolphin Feb. 2008, used points from my spg.com acc't, paid $60/night for 3 nights, and not one penny more than $180. We got a free fridge, had a great view of the Epcot fireworks, and no dreaded "resort fee" or valet parking.

We used the boats or walked to Epcot and the Studios. We'd already spent 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge on the same trip, so we didn't go to the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, we saved Epcot and the Studios for the Dolphin part of our trip.

 

[goofy4tink]

I stayed at the Swan for a night a couple of weeks ago before checking into AKV. They kill you with fees - $10 resort fee + $16 for parking (valet), plus tax.

True, but you see the fees vs the fees that Disney has. Does anyone think that DME is truly 'free'??? Nope, Disney does nothing for free. Same thing with free dining...so not 'free'. Not when you have to pay rack rate to get it.

I stay at the S/D for a few nights before heading to BWV a lot of times. I just figure that $10 fee in when I decide what I'm willing to pay per night. I don't drive so a car isn't an issue. Although, staying at the S/D does impact my choice as to whether or not I will rent a car. If I do, I rent it on the day I'm leaving there...no way am I paying just to park my car..and that's not ever valet parking, it's regular guest lot parking!!

 

[DebbieB]

And I stayed at the Dolphin Feb. 2008, used points from my spg.com acc't, paid $60/night for 3 nights, and not one penny more than $180. We got a free fridge, had a great view of the Epcot fireworks, and no dreaded "resort fee" or valet parking.

We used the boats or walked to Epcot and the Studios. We'd already spent 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge on the same trip, so we didn't go to the Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom, we saved Epcot and the Studios for the Dolphin part of our trip.

These fees were instituted last year. I also used SPG points, my rate was $60, I ended up paying $87. Now if you don't have a car, you wouldn't get hit with the parking. From what I understand, the resort fee is now mandatory (includes internet, 2 bottles of water).