Not sure about the pools being heated. As a wimpy South Floridian we pretty much only swim from about May - October anyway LOL!!
Dolphin - Large scale resort, lots of eating establishments with 24 hr Tubbi's (very convenient), very lively atmosphere, rooms that have 2 beds have full sized beds with a vanity area outside the bathroom.
Swan - Smaller, more intimate atmosphere, a few eating establishments, a little mroe laid back, rooms that have 2 beds have queen beds with an extra sink outside the bathroom instead of the vanity area. Both have beautifully remodeled rooms.
We've stayed in both MANY times. These resorts are like our home away from home. We prefer the Swan just a bit more because it is smaller and a little more intimate. The facilities at both are available to you regardless of which one you stay in and are just a short walk away. Laundry, game room also available in the Dolphin.
You have almost all available WDW benefits. The only things you can't do is chargeback to your room on your room card, no Magical Express and the 90 day ADR can only be done on a daily basis (you can't make ADR's for your whole trip on the 90th day away).
But that being said, IMHO, I think these are VERY MINOR benefits anyway (FYI: the S/D wasn't even offered to participate in these programs-I did put my 2 cents in to a "WDW" supervisor about the ADR benefit-as an AP & DDE holder I told him that was rather rude to disclude these resorts in this program).
ANYWAY, the main benefits include the WDW transportation, EMH and just being in the middle of the magic...and at the S/D...you are in the middle of the "magic"!!
....oh and those "heavenly beds...those heavenly beds...." ...you won't find them anywhere else on Disney property.
