Where would you stay?

[CBRorBust]

Here is the story.

4 Adults

2 have never been to Disney

$300 difference total in hotels (WL=1200 Swan=900)

 

[Micca]

We have stayed at WL twice and loved it. The view isn't all that important to us as we're hardly ever in the room except to sleep, and shower. I've never stayed at the Swan, but I'm sure it's very nice. I think I'd rather spend the $300 on other things at WDW.
If money were no object, I would choose the WL.

 

[CarolMN]

For 4 adults, I'd choose the Swan. It's location has so much more to offer than that of the WL. You can walk (or boat) to two major parks (EPCOT & MGM) as well as the Boardwalk entertainment area. There are many more restaurant choices in the area, too.

The WL is certainly a wonderfully themed resort, but unless you plan to drive everywhere, transportation is not as convenient. Other than the boat to the MK (which makes stops at the Ft. Wilderness campground), you'll need to ride the buses.

In my experience, adults who have never been to WDW tend to imagine it as a giant amusement park for kids - i.e., the Magic Kingdom. Wouldn't it be great to show them what a wide variety of entertainment options WDW has beyond that? I think the EPCOT resort area is a perfect showcase for adults making their first trip! JMHO. YMMV.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: if those are the only available choices, i'd say go with the swan because of the location. if you want disney theming and can fit it into the budget, i'd go with one of the epcot resorts like yc/bc or bw. if you rent points from a dvc member for one of the villas, it might work out to about the same cost. then you could have disney theming and location if you went with bcv or bwv.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

The swan for sure, unless you have some Eddie Bauer or Cabellas type person in your group We just got back from the swan and went to the wilderness lodge to eat. DH commented this place is too much like the wilderness (WL). The swan is very romantic and peaceful and suited more for adults. The only drawbacks are you cannot use your room key to charge in the parks and the inability to get a resonably priced snack quickly unless you walk to tubbis at the dolphin. The restraunt choices are many as well as your transportaion options. There is a coffeemaker in your room so that might help. The swan is the first bus stop too.

 

[swilphil]

The Swan is great for the location by Epcot/MGM/Boardwalk. You save so much time NOT riding a bus to those parks. The heavenly beds are just that. The grotto pool that you share with the Dolphin is wonderful. Plus you can walk next door to the Dolphin for the 24-hour cafeteria and more great restaurants. Think of all the great things you can do with that $300. There's some wonderful restaurants in Epcot's WS.

Have fun!!

 

[July]

Try the swan! Save the $300 for other stuff, at Disney it will be needed...
The location of the Swan is ideal for adult entertainment, dinner, dancing, Pleasure Island.
It will be so much fun. Disney is so cool....

 

[DeeP]

Here is another vote for the Swan due to the location. Best location on property IMO is the Epcot resorts.

 

[crystalb]

Swan due to location and $.
We stayed at WL the end of August. But had the S/D Labor Day discount rate kicked in one day earlier, we would have stayed there instead.
Although we both REALLY enjoyed WL. You can't go wrong there.

 

[beck1123]

I'd also vote for the Swan based on location. It is really cool to be able to walk to the boardwalk and take the boat to epcot. I've stayed at the Dolphin, and thought it was nice. If you are planning to go out at night, definitely the Swan. If you want something very themey, maybe WL is better. for us, location is everything, and we loved going out at night to the boardwalk and Epcot since World Showcase is open late and it's so much easier to walk or boat rather than take the shuttles.

 

[Kimberle]

Another vote for the Swan.

I think there is more "adult" stuff closer to the Swan than WL. You can spend the "found" $300 on some nice dinners.

If you had small children, I'd vote for WL.

 

[puffkin]

I will go against the grain and vote for the WL.

I have found that first impressions are everything, and I think that the Wilderness Lodge will WOW a first-timer, especially at Christmas. I just think that the Swan is very nice and has a GREAT location, but is comparable to other nice hotels across the country. And, with them being first timers, they won't know the difference about the convenience of the Swan. I am sure they will love the WL.

 

[photobob]

I'll echo the the previous thoughts due to location. We stayed at the YC recently and absolutely love the convenience to Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM. Swan is a beautiful resort to boot plus saving $300, it would be a no-brainer for me.

 

[jdads2]

We haven't been to either one. We'd pick Swan...not sure why.