WL or SWAN? Which one for small kids?

[STEPHILL]

My family of four and my parents are going to Disney
February 5-12. We have narrowed our search down to the Wilderness Lodge or the Swan. My children are 7 and 2. What do you guys suggest? How long is the boat ride to the MK at the WL? And what about the bus service? I have stayed at the Dolphin before, so I have a general idea of what the transportation is like at the Swan. Also, any idea when discounts come out for February? Thanks.

 

[patsal]

No idea about discounts, but lately they are out about 30 to 45 days prior to the month you are planning.

With kids that age and if you are planning on spending much time at MK, I'd pick WL. Boat service is great and lets you off very close to the gate--closer than the busses. If you will be spending most of your time at Epcot or MGM than stay at the Swan. While WL shares bus service with the campground, the Swan shares with Dolphin, Boardwalk and Y&B Club.

The fast food at Roaring Forks is less expensive than the choices at the Swan and Dolphin as well.

WL is close to all monorail hotels--boat to Contemporary monorail to all other resort/restaurants. Monorail switch to Epcot.

Good Luck!

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

Stayed at the WL in July and loved every minute of it!! Truley haven't stayed anywhere previously that made us feel as at home and by the CM's as happy to have us there.

We also considered Swan/Dolphin and almost booked that resort before finding out about the great AP rate (Thank you Disers) available at WL.

The only thing that I can think of that would make me want to stay at the other is location to Epcot/MGM. WL is really at MK resort and it does take a little more time to get to the other parks than the more centrally located Swan/Dolphin.

However, the transporation was great and we didn't mind the extra time to the parks when we had WL to come "home" to.

 

[robdam]

I can't reply on the The Swan. We stayed @ WL Villas this past May with 3 y.o. & 5 y.o. It was awesome. Great rooms, (@ BR Villa), great room service, restaurants, pool for kids was great. Fast, regular boats going to & from MK. I just made reservations for WL for May 2005 - 1BR Villa.

 

[currycook]

without a doubt in my view I would do the WL. Many more options for the family. Close to MK. Beach and rental equipment. Pool. Resturants.

 

[Kimberle]

I'm sure the Swan is just lovely. But if you're planning on spending alot of time at MK, WL is the way to go! Especially with little ones. The boat ride is just "cool" according to my dd. There is also another boat that goes WL/CR/FW so it's very easy to get to these resorts.

The large boat to MK is maybe 10-15 minutes and is such a refreshing ride on a hot day.

We found the bus service to be fine. We didn't wait more than 5-10 minutes for a bus and always got a seat because we were the first stop. In the am, we stopped at GF and in the pm, FW.

The pool area's are great. Plus WL is just so pretty. We spend a lot more time there than we generally do.

 

[swilphil]

I'm going to say the Swan. We just stayed there this summer with our 4 year old and 2 year old and loved it. I visited WL to eat dinner and check it out for a future stay. I was disappointed. It did not feel like a deluxe and we waited a long time to catch the boat over to MK and even longer to catch the boat back after we ate.

I love the location of the Swan and being able to walk to BW and MGM. The bus service to MK was much better this year. The bus went to MK after it picked up at the Dolphin 90 percent of the time, and there was never more than a 5 minute wait for an MK bus. I didn't expect to like the Swan better than the Dolphin where we stayed last summer, but I actually did. It's smaller and easier to get around. The kids love the pool, and the 4 year old insists we stay there on our next trip! I know some people love the theming of the WL, but I've decided if I want to stay at an MK resort I'll stay Contemp. or Poly.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Having stayed at both resorts with kids, I wud say go to the WL. The Swan was just to business like and the kids hated it.
Just my .02 cents worth

 

[Leota]

I personally like the Swan better. I have stayed at both & had better service at the Swan, the buses were efficient & so much in walking distance....