Will we be happy with the Swan instead of the Dolphin?

[Mickey76]

Hi, everyone!

I just found out that my family and I are staying at the Swan next week for my wife's conference. We were hoping to get the Dolphin, as we hear it is nicer. Is the Swan that bad, or can someone assure me that they're both the same, with the Dolphin maybe being just a little bit nicer. My wife is pretty bummed right now, especially since she found out that another family travelling with us is in the Dolphin. She said she's going to try to call the Swan to see about getting switched to the Dolphin. I told her not to get her hopes up, but we'll see. Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[floridaminnie]

Hi, everyone!

I just found out that my family and I are staying at the Swan next week for my wife's conference. We were hoping to get the Dolphin, as we hear it is nicer. Is the Swan that bad, or can someone assure me that they're both the same, with the Dolphin maybe being just a little bit nicer. My wife is pretty bummed right now, especially since she found out that another family travelling with us is in the Dolphin. She said she's going to try to call the Swan to see about getting switched to the Dolphin. I told her not to get her hopes up, but we'll see. Thank you for your help in advance.

The both are really nice. The swan is in the bigger building.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

The Swan is a WESTIN resort! Need I say more?

 

[LexiC123]

I wouldn't say the Dolphin is nicer. The Dolphin is the larger of the two resorts (read: more walking), the lobby is more impressive and certain amenities (quick serve restaurant, laundry, arcade and Grotto pool) are in closer proximity to the Dolphin than they are to the Swan.

That said, DH and I much prefer the Swan. The room, while slightly smaller than the Dolphin, has a much better layout for us, with the queen beds and two separate vanity areas. We also love the fact that it's much more navigable...both the front door exit to the bus stop and the rear exit to the Friendship boat landing are just steps away from the elevator. Another benefit is that the Swan is (usually) the second stop on the MK and AK buses, after the Boardwalk...makes it that much easier to get a seat than getting on at the last stop, the Dolphin.

And, as a previous poster mentioned, the Swan is a Westin resort, which is considered to be somewhat more high-end (for lack of a better world) than the Dolphin, which is a Sheraton.

I don't think you'll be disappointed by the Swan, at all. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Robert P]

The Swan is smaller, but the standard rooms have queen beds, and there is an extra sink in the bathroom area. The Swan seems less hectic than the Dolphin, IMHO. Of the two, we prefer the Swan. I think you'll be fine with either, but the Swan should not be a disappointment.

 

[patty57]

The Dolphin is not nicer. Bigger, a few more amenities, but not nicer.

 

[abner1776]

The Swan and Dolphin are both operated by Starwoods hotels but the Swan is operated by the Westin division and the Dolphin by the Sheraton division...sort of like comparing a Buick to a Chevy/Pontiac.

THe Dolphin has the convention attached to it so it gets the majority of the conventioneers and because of this the facility gets a ton of wear and tear. The Swan is also used as an overflow convention hotel but as a more upscale property does not get as much wear and tear as Dolphin.

As the main convention hotel the Dolphin is far larger than the Swan which translates to more people, more kids, more noise, etc.

It's a toss up.

 

[rteetz]

The both are really nice. The swan is in the bigger building.

The swan is the smaller building btw.

disney lover at heart

 

[WisconsinDad]

I would actually prefer the Swan to help avoid the conference crowd. I stayed in the Dolphin for a conference a few years ago and it definitely had an impact on the feel of the resort. I wasn't there with my family so it didn't affect me too much but I don't think they would have enjoyed it as much.

Also, the restaurants in the Dolphin were so busy we ended up going to the boardwalk for most of our meals and if I recall correctly, the Swan is closer to the boardwalk than the Dolphin.

 

[guppy1013]

We have stayed at both and prefer the Swan. It is a closer walk to Epcot, Boardwalk and HS. The Dolphin is "busy".

 

[mdsouth]

The Swan is smaller, but the standard rooms have queen beds, and there is an extra sink in the bathroom area. The Swan seems less hectic than the Dolphin, IMHO. Of the two, we prefer the Swan. I think you'll be fine with either, but the Swan should not be a disappointment.

I am thinking is staying at one of these for the first time. Do they both have queen beds in the standard room or just the Swan?

 

[mdsouth]

I wouldn't say the Dolphin is nicer. The Dolphin is the larger of the two resorts (read: more walking), the lobby is more impressive and certain amenities (quick serve restaurant, laundry, arcade and Grotto pool) are in closer proximity to the Dolphin than they are to the Swan.

That said, DH and I much prefer the Swan. The room, while slightly smaller than the Dolphin, has a much better layout for us, with the queen beds and two separate vanity areas. We also love the fact that it's much more navigable...both the front door exit to the bus stop and the rear exit to the Friendship boat landing are just steps away from the elevator. Another benefit is that the Swan is (usually) the second stop on the MK and AK buses, after the Boardwalk...makes it that much easier to get a seat than getting on at the last stop, the Dolphin.

And, as a previous poster mentioned, the Swan is a Westin resort, which is considered to be somewhat more high-end (for lack of a better world) than the Dolphin, which is a Sheraton.

I don't think you'll be disappointed by the Swan, at all. Enjoy your trip!

I have never stayed at either one but am considering them. When you are at MK or AK do they have there own busses or do you take the Boardwalk one and get off at the Boardwalk and walk to Swan/Dolphin?

 

[goofy4tink]

The S/D share buses with BW. At least for the majority of the time. I haven't been on a bus to the S/D that didn't also service BW.
I have stayed at both. The Swan is smaller and much quieter. But I tend to choose the Dolphin. I like everything about it. Yes, it's a bit longer of a walk but I'm not going to fuss about 50 or so addtl steps!!

 

[pooh2001]

Swan - 2 sinks
Dolphin - 1 sink

both have queen beds
both have refrigerators
both have flat screen TV's

Swan -1st bus stop before the bus goes to the Dolphin

Dolphin - closer to the Grotto pool and has the laundry, work-out room & game room facilities.

Swan - closer to the sandy beach play area, a nice quiet large rectangular pool, and the basketball courts.

Dolphin has Picabu's - CS open 24/7

Dolphin - can sleep 5, cot fits very nicely in the room
Swan - can sleep only 4

Your choice of which you would prefer.

 

[mdsouth]

Swan - 2 sinks
Dolphin - 1 sink

both have queen beds
both have refrigerators
both have flat screen TV's

Swan -1st bus stop before the bus goes to the Dolphin

Dolphin - closer to the Grotto pool and has the laundry, work-out room & game room facilities.

Swan - closer to the sandy beach play area, a nice quiet large rectangular pool, and the basketball courts.

Dolphin has Picabu's - CS open 24/7

Dolphin - can sleep 5, cot fits very nicely in the room
Swan - can sleep only 4

Your choice of which you would prefer.

Great comparison! Thanks for the feedback!

 

[mdsouth]

The S/D share buses with BW. At least for the majority of the time. I haven't been on a bus to the S/D that didn't also service BW.
I have stayed at both. The Swan is smaller and much quieter. But I tend to choose the Dolphin. I like everything about it. Yes, it's a bit longer of a walk but I'm not going to fuss about 50 or so addtl steps!!

Thanks so much for clarifying it for me!

 

[SA mom]

According to the website, Dolphin has double beds which is why we choose the Swan. The Dolphin is a Sheraton and the Swan is a Westin. So, technically, the Swan is supposed to be higher end. I'm not sure there is that big of a difference.

There is nothing bad about the Swan except I never want to leave!

 

[StrwLady]

We loved the Swan. I did have to go over to the Dolphin for Quick Service and laundry but being in an ECV made that a bit easier to zip over there and back.

I don't think you will be disappointed. Have a great trip!

 

[patty57]

Dolphin has double beds, not queen.

 

[minniemomRN]

It's rather like asking Coke or Pepsi. Most people have a preference, but there's really no wrong answer. I have stayed 4 times at Dolphin, and 1 at Swan, so you can guess my choice. That being said, I am very happy at either resort. It's a fabulous location, a great pool, and lots of fun things on-site and nearby. Have a great trip!!