WL vs SWAN & DOLPHIN

[maGGie106]

Well, I'm thinking about making a trip to WDW next year and I need some advice. I'm considering to stay at Wilderness Lodge or at Swan & Dolphin. What resort do u recommend me?What is the best with repect to transportation, services, comforts, situation and themes? I' ve heard that the Swand & Dolpin seems less Disney but I don't know nothing.
Thanks a lot to everybody

 

[pershing]

We stayed at the Swan and although we liked the water boats and the grotto, we missed the magic of Disney.

This time we are staying at WL

 

[webray]

We have stayed at Dolphin dozens of time. It is right in the middle of all the disney magic, I never understood why people say it doesn't feel disney. Maybe because it is too nice..lol. The dolphin is a deluxe resort. They have wonderful rooms, great ammenities, beautiful grounds and wonderful restaurant options.

We would stay at the Dolphin in a heartbeat over WL. We stayed at WL once..for a long weekend. While we love visiting WL, we definately will never stay there again.

 

[swilphil]

From the Dolphin you can see MGM's Tower of Terror and the Boardwalk. From the Swan you can see the Epcot Ball and the Beach/Yacht Club. I've stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin, and they are wonderful. The best part is the location: walking to Epcot, boating (or walking) to MGM, and literally next door to the Boardwalk. How much more Disney can you get?

The S/D rooms are slightly bigger than the WL, and the room decor is much preferable to me. WL doesn't feel deluxe enough for the prices you are paying. I feel like I'm at a camping lodge, which is fine but I don't want to pay such a high price for it.

 

[TinLizzy90]

Well, I stayed at the WL last January, and I am staying at the Swan this weekend, so I'll let you know. However, in terms of price and location, the Swan/Dolphin already has the lodge beat. On the other hand, the lobby and restaurants at the lodge are amazing.

My two cents!

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

I've stayed at both and love both for different reasons.

I'm going to WDW next month and decided to stay at the Swan because of its location. Since I'll spend a lot of time at the Food & Wine Festival, it is important to be in close proximity to Epcot. I'm going to be traveling with a group of 4 adults, so choosing a resort within walking distance of both MGM Studios and Epcot, plus the Disney Boardwalk is the best location for our group. It'll be very convenient when 2 people want to go to MGM and 2 people want to go to Epcot and we can all just meet up at the boardwalk later.

However, last year I stayed 7 days at the Wilderness Lodge and loved every minute of it. The boat to/from the Magic kingdom was great and many times we'd catch the boat to the Contemporary, get a coffee in the lobby then walk to the Magic Kingdom. My husband and I loved the ambiance of the WL...we totally enjoyed the resort's little hidden surprises and beautiful landscaping. We even walked the trail over to Ft. Wilderness.

I think it depends on your party. The location of the Swan/Dolphin is great for groups that like to get out and walk...there is so much to do within walking distance. It may not have the same "disney theming" but they are both beautiful, whimsical, fantasy-like buildings with superior service and accommodations.

The WL may feel slightly more isolated, but that's part of the "wilderness theme" right?

The beds at Swan/dolphin are better! Nobody beats the Heavenly Beds! And you'll likely get a better rate at Swan/Dolphin. BTW...the Swan's rooms have 2 queen beds or one king, while the Dolphin is a much, much larger resort, but the rooms have 2 double beds or 1 king per room.

 

[jwfla422]

All our favorites! Actually the S/D are our favs but every now and then we go over the WL for a change. You are talking about very different resorts in very different areas.

If you'd rather be in the MK area then go with WL. If you'd rather be in the EPCOT/MGM area go with the S/D. I personally like the S/D because the amenities are awesome. I must admit it sooooo tough to go anywhere else now once you get used to the heavenly beds!! WDW resorts DON'T have them!

We just got back from a stay at the WL and quite frankly IMHO, I know many people mention the S/D lacks the "Disney theming" thing, etc. After staying at the WL this trip, I really don't notice much of a difference. There are no pictures of Mickey Mouse or Disney characters in your room so you can really be anywhere once you're in your room. Besides the TV downstairs that was playing Disney cartoons and a few pictures here and there around the common areas of the resort, I saw no distinct differences of "theming". I really looked because the big issue about the S/D half the time on these boards is the "theming" thing and I just don't see the big difference! The only thing you can't do at the S/D is charge back to your room which we don't like to do anyway. I did find out this trip that YOU CAN have packages sent back from the parks to your room at the S/D.

So that being said, do you want "whimisical" modern rooms with heavenly beds or "woodsy" rustic rooms. They're both comfy so you have to decide on location and I guess that's where I started

 

[katallo]

We've stayed at both hotels several times. I love the location of the S/D. I also prefer the rooms. They are larger and brighter (beds are wonderful). WL is very nice but the rooms are tight. There were three of us and I can't tell you the number of times we walked into beds and dressers. It really depends on your preferences. WL is definitely rustic. I truly have never "missed" the magic at the S/D.

 

[TinLizzy90]

Actually that is a good point. The beds are "mission style" at the WL, which means you can expect to stub your toe on them at least twice daily. I think it's the way the frame sticks out from the mattress, but still - I know we aren't the only ones who have had this problem.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

Actually that is a good point. The beds are "mission style" at the WL, which means you can expect to stub your toe on them at least twice daily. I think it's the way the frame sticks out from the mattress, but still - I know we aren't the only ones who have had this problem.

No, you are not!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe those bed frames! &*%$#@$%@ !!

Yes, some choice words were said when we hit our shins. Poor dh!!!

However, for us, that was the only negative about the WL. We just loved it there!

 

[wilderness01]

We just returned from the Swan and had a bad experience with mold growing down the wall. The location and the beds were nice at the Swan but we could see a difference with the upkeep of the property compared to the YC where we stayed the first few nights. Just my opinion, have a nice trip.

 

[patsal]

We have stayed at both and enjoyed them both for different reasons. WL is close to MK and the monorail hotels which makes it nice for visiting the MK and dining at the other reosrts. Dolphin has a much bigger pool, is close to Epcot and MGM and what a view! You are close to the Boardwalk for dining as well as Epcot. Think about where you will be most and then make a decision from there!

 

[swilphil]

Well, I stayed at the WL last January, and I am staying at the Swan this weekend, so I'll let you know. However, in terms of price and location, the Swan/Dolphin already has the lodge beat. On the other hand, the lobby and restaurants at the lodge are amazing.

My two cents!

If you liked WL's restaurants, you will love those in the Swan/Dolphin area. At the resort, you have Palio and Shula's, which are among the best ANYWHERE. There's also the newer Fresh and Blue Zoo. I actually like the little Dolphin Fountain for a burger. My favorite thing though is they have Starbuck's coffee at Tubbi's, no more of the yucky Nescafe from the Disney restaurants. They don't have a fun restaurant like Whispering Canyon, but they do have a character dinner at Gulliver's and the food is good.

Right next door to the Swan is the Boardwalk and you have several great restaurants there. Flying Fish and Spoodles are the best, but the others are nice for a more casual meal. You can also walk to Epcot's World Showcase from the Swan in about 10 minutes and have your choice of lots of great meals.

 

[Mainebound]

Well, I'm thinking about making a trip to WDW next year and I need some advice. I'm considering to stay at Wilderness Lodge or at Swan & Dolphin. What resort do u recommend me?What is the best with repect to transportation, services, comforts, situation and themes? I' ve heard that the Swand & Dolpin seems less Disney but I don't know nothing.
Thanks a lot to everybody

We have recently stayed at both WL and Swan. If you have little ones, WL wins hands down -- lots of other families will be there, and it is totally geared to kids, with too many activities to even contemplate. In fact, it was too busy for our tastes. If not, I would stay at the Swan, which is quieter, and where you have better access to parks and great restaurants at S/D, Boardwalk, and Epcot.