What are the pros/cons of the Swan/Dolphin?

[LucyStorm]

I was going to do another moderate or Allstars for my next visit, but with the great nurse's rate the S/D has right now, I am considering that instead. What would be your list of the pros and cons of staying at the S/D instead of one of the moderates?

 

[Ityldu]

Pros -
1. Location, location, location
2. our favorite pool on-site (haven't seen Polynesian pool yet)
3. Spectacular views (best on-site)
4. Truly at deluxe - amenities and service are top notch
5. Shooting stars in lobby
6. Best on-site resort at upgrading for free
7. Some excellent places to eat. Poolside rest. is one of our fav.


Cons
1. Spoiled us against trying other Epcot deluxes - just can't justify paying more for same amenities. We also loved DxL and wanted to try CSR, but can't justify that any more either.

In case you can't tell, Dolphin is one of our favorite resorts. We ended up there by accident a few years ago (we swore we'd never stay there, but Disney was totally booked). We fell in love with the place and now make it part of at least 1/2 of all our visits. Can't wait to be back there in June.

 

[Kitty 34]

Bonnie, we loved the Dolphin! The location was great as were the boats to get to Epcot and MGM.

We stayed at ASMU the year before but after staying at the Dolphin, we would have a problem going back to the All Stars.

We will be staying once again at the Dolphin this trip, with the help of the Teacher's rate.

Other pluses....the Grotto Pool is awesome. We loved the fact that there was an awning all the way to the boats......really nice when it's 90 degrees outside or raining!! Pizza at Tubbis is reasonable and good.

Honestly, the only drawback we found at the Dolphin are the food prices are a bit high (Pack a lot of snacks!!). Coffee in the morning was outrageous....but good!

Hope this helps!

 

[LBYC-19]

You may want to surf through several Dolphin/
Swan threads that will list everything you want to know about these resorts (and I mean everything!).

Regarding high food prices, with the Disney Club membership, you get 20% dining (except Shulas), and they just started the refillable mugs in November. There is so much to do and see in the Boardwalk area. You can walk to Epcot or MGM instead of taking the boats. Mini golf is within walking distance. Grotto pool is gorgeous. Elevators are quiet and very fast.

Cons- The possibility of the Grotto pool being closed for a few hours during a convention party, but other pools are available during these parties. It is a large resort, but so are many other Disney properties (like PO). Good luck with your decision.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Ityldu and the others have pretty much said it all. i love the resorts and will always stay there from now on.

The only con I didn't see mentioned is that you can't charge back to your room from the parks....you can from any place at the resorts but not from elsewhere. To me this isn't even a con, I take travelers checks anyway, helps keep me in my budget more so than if I were to be able to just whip out a card. But just wanted to mention it in case its an issue for you.

I say try them, you won't regret it!

btw, I happened to stay at them for the first time.... very unwillingly.....only because I was traveling with a friend that qualified for the govt. rate. I am so glad I did!!

 

[Blondie]

I ended up at the Swan by default as well. While trying to make ressies for our Easter break trip last year, I couldn't get anything below rack rate on a Shades of Green overflow! Disney wouldn't release any rooms to them.

BUT--they could offer me the Swan or Dolphin on an overflow rate of $115.00! So I grabbed it up (beat paying rack rate on a moderate of $170.00 per night! YIKES!!)

We fell in love with the place, and it's location! So much so, that we tried the Dolphin out a month ago! We are forever hooked on the Epcot resorts now!

The only con would be that it spoils you! You'll never want to return to a value or moderate resort again!

 

[MajorWoody]

Hello,

We recently spent a week at the Swan for the 1st time. Our feelings :

Pros:

Location is excellent, convenient walk to BW, Epcot, beautiful surroundings
Bus service to MK, DD, AKL, was also very good
Boat service to MGM & Epcot was great, plus you could also walk to either, although MGM was quite a hike
Very nice room, but we did not have a great view, due to requesting a king bed, we received an inner courtyard corner room. But most rooms do have a very good virew
Price ( we had the $99 rate, which can't be beat)
Better TV channel selections than a Disney resort (HBO)

Cons :
Staying at the Swan, the grotto pool was quite some distance away , and it is not heated to boot.
Laundry facilities are only in the Dolphin, again quite the hike to do some laundry
No Disney World charge privilges with room key, something we are used to with Disney resorts
Lack of Disney themeing, but this is relatively minor

All in all, with a good discount, we would definitely stay at the Swan again, but at a full price would most likely go with a Disney resort.

Hope that helps,

Take care,

Bill

 

[Rhonda]

We love the Dolphin! I agree with being spoiled for other resorts - you won't want to go back to a value or moderate resort again!

The location is wonderful! The pool is great! (by the way - the grotto pool is heated, it's just that it's so big, and the waterfall keeps it pretty cool).

The only con for us is the price of the food in the restaurants. Tubbi's is way overpriced IMHO, since it's supposed to be the "inexpensive" restaurant/food court place for families. But, the 20% DC discounts helps! I wish Shula's accepted it.......

But, being so close to Epcot has it's advantages! You can walk over there for dinner, instead of eating at the resort!!

 

[kathymc]

the only real con for us was no Mickey wake up call!

 

[glo]

Plusses

1) location
2) price and disconts offered
3) good sized rooms
4) 5 people in the room
5) entertainment options and restaurant available.


minuses
1) concierge is not up to par with the WDW resort.
2) some people do not like that their are buisnees people there also
3) no Mickey wake-call

 

[LucyStorm]

thank you all! The big thing I was worried about was the transportation as I wasn't planning on renting a car again. Actually, I think that the being away from Disney a bit is a good thing, because as much as I love it, after a few days, I just need a break. So a break in the hotel at night would be welcome. One more question. Do they have the channel that gives you the Disney tip for the day, and updates about the parks?

 

[Blondie]

Yes, Bonnie, you'll get the Disney channel too!

Here's the line-up in order (I wrote it down when we were there in February!)

NBC, Disney Info, PBS, CNBC, CBS, TWC, ABC, UPN, S/D Guest Info, Conv, FOX, Meetings, ESPN, Disney Channel, WB Kids, WTBS, HBO, CNN and TNT!

 

[LucyStorm]

Cool! Thanks!