Will Swan/Dolphin Disappoint?

[PeterP]

Three-time Beach Club visitors, we are consideringthe Swan or Dolphin (for reasons with which I will not bore you). We love the BC. Will we be disappointed with the Swan orDolphin? Thanks.

 

[missycj96]

It depends what you love about the yacht and beach club. If you love the location and the many dining choices and access to the boardwalk, epcot and the studios, i dont think you'll be disappointed. But if what you love about the yc/bc is the disney feel or stormalong bay, you might.

 

[vicb]

DH and I stayed Dolphin last year for the first time after 1 Poly, 2 BWI, 1 BC and 1 CSR and we were not disappointed at all. For the time we went (right before Easter) we saved a bundle by staying there. And last trip we had stayed at CSR as we now need two rooms (our "kids" are college age) and were a bit disappointed in the location and rooms vs. deluxe so Dolphin was a great compromise. I would stay there again.

 

[mya12347]

I love the Dolphin, but definitely is not Disney mood, the rooms are big , beds are comfy , good restaurants, excellent location!!!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Won't stay there, won't even consider it no matter what the price.... It's not Disney!

If I'm traveling 1100 miles, I'm staying at a deluxe, being immersed in Disney, and close to the park of our liking....

Swan or Dolphin buildings never interested us in the least ... Can't imagine why Disney allowed or outsourced these properties!!

 

[aidtrismommy]

My family goes every year and we stay at one of the villas,our favorite being the Boardwalk. We took a last minute trip this past Novemberand there wereno 2-bedroom villas available anywhere at Disney so we stayed at the Swan since we love the epoct area. I was hesitant at first, but went with an open mind.
The rooms were spacious, clean, and the beds amazing. My kids loved the pool and the game room. I preferred the quiet swan pool to the grotto pool, we were the only ones in it most of the time. Very peaceful.
They also had some free things going on for Christmas like free cookie making and santa. My kids loved it.
It was nice to skip the housekeeping and get a $5 coupon for food. I tidied up the rooms myself and it was no big deal.
We onlyever ate at Picabu (I got tired of that pretty quick) for breakfast and a couple of dinners.
I did catch myself yearning to be at the Boardwalk or Beach club as we walked past to get to the parks.
The bus service was the most horrible we have ever had at any resort, but that could have been based on many factors.
We had a great vacation and I would stay there again, only if there are no villas though. The location can't be beat and much nicer than a moderate.

 

[Couchy]

I absolutely love the BC and SAB. However we also enjoy the Swan and Dolphin for half the price
It is clean, the beds are amazing, rooms are spacious, grotto pool and bar are great and there are many food options. It is a 2 minute walk to the Boardwalk and 5 minutes to Epcot. The boat has a dock at the hotel. We never feel we are missing that much when we are staying at S/D.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

If the price is right, and I'm driving to the World, I'll take the S & D any day. The Y & B are my favorite Disney resorts, but during high season, I can't justify the cost. To me, the Disney "feel" is still there at the S/D because of the location.

For example, the week before Easter this year, I got 2 nights at the Dolphin for $240 per night. The same nights at Y/B were going to be $600 per night

 

[pumba]

we have stayed at the Dolphin four or so times.
IT is beautiful and if you get a view of Epcot..the view is amazing. it is very quiet there and the rooms were huge.
The layout going to the pool was a little different but we soon got used to it by the end of our week..
I think you would love the location and going there.
We had no problems with the buses..
and getting a boat to go to either Epcot or the studios..fantastic..or even walk to those places.

 

[2manydaves]

You won't be disappointed. Rooms are big, beds are comfy, and the pool area is absolutely gorgeous. It has my favorite pool bar in the Disney area, for sure.

I really don't see a huge difference in staying there vs. the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk area is a short walk away, and you can get an nice Epcot view.

 

[CamColt]

We have stayed at the Swan and Dolphin many times and love them both! Never had a bad stay. Everyone above has mentioned all the things we love about them, but I have to say I never feel like Im missing out on any "Disney" feel. You are right there in the middle of it all, and could have some great views of Disney icons (TOT, SSE...) . Also, I have found the employees to be just as Disney like as any Cast members Ive come across.

The only thing I can say the Beach Club has over them is the pool, but BC has that over every resort on property.

 

[SA mom]

I doubt we will stay anywhere other than Swan or Dolphin. We stay on points and the rooms are luxurious. You just can't beat 6 nights at WDW for free.

Then there are those wonderful, heavenly beds.

And the smell....love those scents in the lobbies.

 

[DisneyJanFeb2008]

Stayed at Swan last year and next week will be at BC instead. For us, we liked the location but really missed the vacation/resort feel of a Disney property. We're willing to pay more for that. Swan felt like a boring business hotel and not a vacation destination - even though we didn't come back to our room until 9 or so every night we still wanted some vacation magic. But Swan/Dolphin are a great value based on the location.

 

[Sweettears]

As a PP said, if you are into the Disney immersion you will be disappointed. They are decent hotels but they don't have the Disney feel. Most notably for me is the lack of background music. The only way I would stay there again is if cost is an issue or you are using points.

 

[FRANKTSJR]

I'm a DVC member but planning a stay in April at the Dolphin because I'm out of points but don't want to give up the Crescent Lake location. The rate is much less than BC, BW, YC would be. I've never stayed at the Swan or Dolphin before.