Vacation Planning Help! Swan or Dolphin on Points

[AzzySpazbourne]

Hey all, I need help and opinions before we book.

So, I'm looking for input and advice on not only which the better hotel would be for my family of 4 and ages of my DDs, but also which weeks to go. We have enough SPG points to either stay up to 5 days at Swan or up to 6 Days at Dolphin. I'm also Gold Status, so I'm hoping for the Gold upgraded room benefit (but don't know if I get that if on points).

Family info for hotel: this would be both mine and my DW's first stay at either the Swan or Dolphin. We want the most convenient and best experience we could possibly get. We'd like to cut down on w/in WDW travel time as much as possible. We have 2 DDs (4 and 1). We would definately be scheduling at least one day to be a resort day to hang around at the pool(s) and do DS in evening, but want to have the option to be near kid friendly pools during other days too. We'd like some breathing room (hoping for a Gold Status upgrade to at least a king bed room... understanding it's not a guarantee though it's where we hope that DD4 could sleep on a couch, while DD1 could sleep in a Pack and play.)

Weeks: We're looking at 3 different potential weeks to go, but each have drawbacks.

Option 1: First week of April 2018 (Easter).

Pros

• During DD4's Spring Break from Pre-K (no missing school)
• Will be during our Wedding Anniversary
• Epcot F&G Festival (maybe?)
• Both Swan and Dolphin are available to book
• Weather has always been nice when we've gone in Aprils past

Cons

• Week of Easter (historically largest crowds after Xmas)
• Toy Story Land is not planned to be open until "Summer 2018"
• Have never experienced WDW during Early Summer or Fall (only ever have gone during Winter and Spring)
• DD1 will only be 20 months at that time
• Would be an additional trip south from where we live, other than 2 other trips south already planned (1 in May and 1 in June or July)

Option 2: Last week of May, 2018 (incl. first couple of days of June)

Pros

• Maybe (crossing fingers) Toy Story Land will be open??
• Will be during month of DD4's 5th birthday
• Both Swan and Dolphin are available to book
• Star Wars Weekends (maybe?)
• Never have gone in late May/early June
• Lesser crowds than Easter?
• DD4 will be done with Pre-K (no missed school)
• Will be immediately precceded with trip to Atlanta for a family event, killing two road-trip birds with 1 stone (i.e. saves an extra trip due to going directly from ATL to WDW without having to go home to VA then back down to WDW)

Cons

• Memorial Day week. Crowds?
• Possible (or rather, likely) Toy Story Land will not be open yet
• Will have to take almost 2 consecutive weeks off of work (will have time, but catch-up is harder)
• DD1 will be only be 22 months
• Hotter weather than Option 1 or 3
• No park-wide events

Option 3: First week of October, 2018 (including last day or two of September)

Pros

• Most desirable time we'd like to go.
• MNSSHP (I think?)
• Epcot F&W Festival (I think?)
• Cooler weather
• DD1 will then be 2 (26 months)
• More time to save/plan
• Lower crowds than option 1 or 2
• Toy Story Land should be opened by then

Cons

• DD4 (will be 5 at time) will start Kindergarten, and would have to miss a week of school only 1 month into school year
• Potential hurricane season (possibly too cold or rainy to swim)
• October 2018 is sooooo far away
• Possible complications/non approval to travel on last days of September (our end of fiscal year)
• Only Swan is available (which is more points and also means only 5 day trip vs possible 6 if Dolphin were free)
• Would be an additional trip south from where we live, other than 2 other trips south already planned (1 in May and 1 in June or July)

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and liked them both. I prefer the Swan, but I stayed there after their renovation was complete and the room was wonderful. You will be there after the Dolphin renovation is complete, so I wouldn't hesitate to stay there. The Swan/Dolphin pool complex is really nice and you'll be within walking distance of EP and DHS (plus you'll have the Friendship Boats). So, since I think both are great resorts, I'm going to vote to stay at Dolphin for 6 nights as opposed to Swan for 5. In terms of dates, I would do Memorial Day week. I've never done Easter week, but I've been over Spring break and crowds were big. Easter week will be even more crowded. I've also been over Memorial Day weekend (actually stayed at Swan that week!) and the crowds really weren't bad. Honestly, my first choice of travel times would be the first week of October, but if it means only 5 nights and potential school/work conflicts, I don't think I would do it. So I guess my vote is last week of May!

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

I've stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin and liked them both. I prefer the Swan, but I stayed there after their renovation was complete and the room was wonderful. You will be there after the Dolphin renovation is complete, so I wouldn't hesitate to stay there. The Swan/Dolphin pool complex is really nice and you'll be within walking distance of EP and DHS (plus you'll have the Friendship Boats). So, since I think both are great resorts, I'm going to vote to stay at Dolphin for 6 nights as opposed to Swan for 5. In terms of dates, I would do Memorial Day week. I've never done Easter week, but I've been over Spring break and crowds were big. Easter week will be even more crowded. I've also been over Memorial Day weekend (actually stayed at Swan that week!) and the crowds really weren't bad. Honestly, my first choice of travel times would be the first week of October, but if it means only 5 nights and potential school/work conflicts, I don't think I would do it. So I guess my vote is last week of May!

Thank you so much for your input!

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Bump. Hope to get more input before we book. Thanks!

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Bump. Hope to get more input before we book. Thanks!

Last bump. Please advise, if you can!

 

[barbliny]

I'll take a stab at it, but more from a time of year perspective. I have not stayed at either of the resorts, but in my eyes they seem pretty interchangeable. I would always lean towards more days in that case - so Dolphin.

I would go in May as first choice. We were at Disney June 5 - 11 and the crowds weren't bad. We're from NY and when we flew down and back there was only one family with small children on each flight - schools in NY (and most of the northeast) do not end until mid-June or later. On the flip side our oldest daughter is in grad school in Indiana and met us at MCO - her plane was full of families - their schools had closed the Friday before. So, for your dates - a lot of schools are still in session. Weather was not unbearable. Good pool weather.

My second vote would be Easter week - particularly if you are early risers. They really extend the hours - so rope-drop, long mid-day break, back to a park in the evening.

My last vote would be September. I took my kids out of school many times (up until 6th grade) to go to Disney. However, I would not do it for a brand-new kindergartener. I think it could be difficult on your daughter - being out of school for a week so soon. It could make adjustment difficult. October is no longer a low-crowd time of year.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I am a big fan of the Swan and the Food & Wine Festival in September/October.

In terms of school, if you can't take your child out of kindergarten to go to WDW, when can you? I realize that you are dealing with points here, but if there were any way to match your week with one that has a school holiday or so, I'd do that to lessen the impact.

 

[writerguyfl]

Just for comparison, the Walt Disney World Swan is rated higher than the Walt Disney World Dolphin by the professional inspectors at the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Walt Disney World Dolphin: 3-Diamond Rating
http://www.aaa.com/travelinfo/florida/lake-buena-vista/hotels/walt-disney-world-dolphin-62243.html

Walt Disney World Swan: 4-Diamond Rating
http://www.aaa.com/travelinfo/flori...tels/walt-disney-world-swan-resort-57314.html

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

I'll take a stab at it, but more from a time of year perspective. I have not stayed at either of the resorts, but in my eyes they seem pretty interchangeable. I would always lean towards more days in that case - so Dolphin.

I would go in May as first choice. We were at Disney June 5 - 11 and the crowds weren't bad. We're from NY and when we flew down and back there was only one family with small children on each flight - schools in NY (and most of the northeast) do not end until mid-June or later. On the flip side our oldest daughter is in grad school in Indiana and met us at MCO - her plane was full of families - their schools had closed the Friday before. So, for your dates - a lot of schools are still in session. Weather was not unbearable. Good pool weather.

My second vote would be Easter week - particularly if you are early risers. They really extend the hours - so rope-drop, long mid-day break, back to a park in the evening.

My last vote would be September. I took my kids out of school many times (up until 6th grade) to go to Disney. However, I would not do it for a brand-new kindergartener. I think it could be difficult on your daughter - being out of school for a week so soon. It could make adjustment difficult. October is no longer a low-crowd time of year.

Thanks so much for the input! This is along our thoughts too.

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

I am a big fan of the Swan and the Food & Wine Festival in September/October.

In terms of school, if you can't take your child out of kindergarten to go to WDW, when can you? I realize that you are dealing with points here, but if there were any way to match your week with one that has a school holiday or so, I'd do that to lessen the impact.

This is exactly why we'd love to go in October as our first preference, but the CONS listed are much greater than the CONS in options 1 or 2. A former CM friend also said Oct, but we still are really hesitating pulling DD4 (will be 5) out for a whole week only 1 month into it. We're assuming she'd be a good student and not get too far behind, but we really can't say that for sure without seeing her in actual school. The only way that would say us is if option 1 or 2 were so overwhelmingly a non recommendation.

This far, based on feedback we're leaning towards option 2a at Dolphin. We were Leaning towards 1a, but feedback so far has pushed us to May.

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Just for comparison, the Walt Disney World Swan is rated higher than the Walt Disney World Dolphin by the professional inspectors at the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Walt Disney World Dolphin: 3-Diamond Rating
http://www.aaa.com/travelinfo/florida/lake-buena-vista/hotels/walt-disney-world-dolphin-62243.html

Walt Disney World Swan: 4-Diamond Rating
http://www.aaa.com/travelinfo/flori...tels/walt-disney-world-swan-resort-57314.html

This is probably why the Swan costs 2k more points per night. If we were mostly in the parks, is the extra star rating worth it (and 1 day less). It might be but have no idea. Are the rooms larger? Is there better views, better chance of gold upgrade?

 

[JerseyJanice]

This is probably why the Swan costs 2k more points per night. If we were mostly in the parks, is the extra star rating worth it (and 1 day less). It might be but have no idea. Are the rooms larger? Is there better views, better chance of gold upgrade?

By next year, the room and lobby renovations at the Dolphin will be complete so it should be as spectacular as the Swan. By then, the biggest difference should be the size of the beds. The Swan's rooms have queen-size beds while the Dolphin's are an oversized double.

I'm not sure about room size. I've stayed in both and my room at the Swan did feel larger.

The Dolphin does have very good views of Epcot in some rooms. More of the resort's restaurants are on the Dolphin side including Picabu which is the resort's quick service.

One thing not to like about the Dolphin is that your room can be down a twisting corridor. Because the building has a triangular shape, you have to make sure you use the correct elevator for your room.

If I were going next year and the Dolphin were much less, I would take it.

 

[writerguyfl]

This is probably why the Swan costs 2k more points per night. If we were mostly in the parks, is the extra star rating worth it (and 1 day less). It might be but have no idea. Are the rooms larger? Is there better views, better chance of gold upgrade?

Sorry, but I'm a Hilton loyalist so I don't have any direct knowledge from staying at either of these hotels. Generally speaking, any hotel next to (or in the middle of) a huge tourist attractions is a magnet for points redemptions. That makes upgrades really tough for second tier member of frequent guest programs. I was Hilton Gold (one step below their top level) and only got upgraded once in about 10 stays over at the Hilton hotels next to Disney Springs. I'd guess that an upgrade for a Starwood Gold Member would be unlikely.

I spent many years working in hotels, so I do know a lot about AAA ratings. If you're not spending a lot of time at the hotel, I wouldn't spend the extra points (and potentially one less day) just to stay at the 4-Diamond Swan. The two hotels are operated as close as two separate properties could be. My educated guess says that the Dolphin would easy be a 3.5-Diamond (if that existed). Sometimes a simple physical requirement is the reason why a hotel can't get that extra Diamond. For example, I believe you have to have queen beds to be 4-Diamond and I know the Dolphin only offers double beds.

Hope that helps some.

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

Sorry, but I'm a Hilton loyalist so I don't have any direct knowledge from staying at either of these hotels. Generally speaking, any hotel next to (or in the middle of) a huge tourist attractions is a magnet for points redemptions. That makes upgrades really tough for second tier member of frequent guest programs. I was Hilton Gold (one step below their top level) and only got upgraded once in about 10 stays over at the Hilton hotels next to Disney Springs. I'd guess that an upgrade for a Starwood Gold Member would be unlikely.

I spent many years working in hotels, so I do know a lot about AAA ratings. If you're not spending a lot of time at the hotel, I wouldn't spend the extra points (and potentially one less day) just to stay at the 4-Diamond Swan. The two hotels are operated as close as two separate properties could be. My educated guess says that the Dolphin would easy be a 3.5-Diamond (if that existed). Sometimes a simple physical requirement is the reason why a hotel can't get that extra Diamond. For example, I believe you have to have queen beds to be 4-Diamond and I know the Dolphin only offers double beds.

Hope that helps some.

It does. I guess I'm used to being spoiled with room upgrades. We're been gold for a few months and recently had 10 stays. We were upgraded at all 10... most of the time to a suite, a few times from a standard to a king.. but none of them were in Orlando nor near a major theme park. Maybe I'm overly expecting an upgrade based on my past 10 hotel stays? If we end up getting a room with 2 doubles, DW and DD4 would share a bed, I'd take the other, and DD1 would be put in a pack n play. Probably a little more cramped than we'd like, but doable.

 

[JerseyJanice]

It does. I guess I'm used to being spoiled with room upgrades. We're been gold for a few months and recently had 10 stays. We were upgraded at all 10... most of the time to a suite, a few times from a standard to a king.. but none of them were in Orlando nor near a major theme park. Maybe I'm overly expecting an upgrade based on my past 10 hotel stays? If we end up getting a room with 2 doubles, DW and DD4 would share a bed, I'd take the other, and DD1 would be put in a pack n play. Probably a little more cramped than we'd like, but doable.

FYI, the king rooms in either resort have a pullout sofa. If you chose that, you and your wife could share a bed and your 4 year-old could be in the pull-out as it's close to the floor.

 

[mdsouth]

I have not stayed at either hotel but I think from reading trip reports and threads on them, you can not go wrong with either one. I picked the week around Memorial Day to go since I have been then at it was really nice time to go. The crowds were not bad, much less crowded than when I went over President's Weekend in February and the weather was fantastic. The weather was perfect, not to hot and not to cool for swimming.

Like someone else said the week around Memorial is a good time to go because so many schools are still in session. Plus, you will not have to take your daughter out of Kindergarten and you also had a possible conflict with work.

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

FYI, the king rooms in either resort have a pullout sofa. If you chose that, you and your wife could share a bed and your 4 year-old could be in the pull-out as it's close to the floor.

Nice to know! Now I'm really hoping for that upgrade!!

 

[AzzySpazbourne]

I have not stayed at either hotel but I think from reading trip reports and threads on them, you can not go wrong with either one. I picked the week around Memorial Day to go since I have been then at it was really nice time to go. The crowds were not bad, much less crowded than when I went over President's Weekend in February and the weather was fantastic. The weather was perfect, not to hot and not to cool for swimming.

Like someone else said the week around Memorial is a good time to go because so many schools are still in session. Plus, you will not have to take your daughter out of Kindergarten and you also had a possible conflict with work.

I appreciate your input! DW and I are strongly leaning May now.

 

[shellyj]

I have no experience at Swan or Dolphin, but October gets my vote. A month into kindergarten is plenty of time to be established. I pulled my kids out in October of kindergarten and they transitioned back with no trouble. F&W is a great experience. A lot of new stuff should be open. The kids will be a little older so they will be able to experience it differently. The only draw back is that your points don't stretch to the 6th night. I think starting or ending your trip at another resort is well worth all the pros for October.

 

[SA mom]

I picked the fall because that is when I would like to vacation but have older kids that can't miss school. I would not hesitate to take pre-k or elementary age kid out of school. I wish we had done more of that when the girls were little. Going in the fall means opportunities at F&W and MNSSHP.

If your spring break is Easter week, it will be very crowed.

As to upgrades, we've gone in the middle of summer with high crowds and been upgraded to the family suite. It just depends what is available.