Worried

[DizChick05]

Help. im kind of worried about staying at the Swan and Dolphin because it is not a disney resort. I read the reviews on Trip Advisor,Yahoo and msn and other disney boards. But you guys are my real friends and I know you will give me the truth. we are staying for 4 nights. Ive heard good reviews on those sites,but I just kinda felt like,There has to be a downside to this thing.
So if you can help me out,Thanx.

thanx again,
DizChick05

 

[kbkids]

I absolutely love those resorts!! We've stayed there several times, and anytime that it's the "area" I'm wanting, then I always opt for them. I honestly don't see paying the prices for the Disney resorts at the Boardwalk area. We usually stay when we go without the kids - not that they wouldn't be great for the kids! - but we don't go to MK if they aren't with us, just MGM and Epcot, so these resorts are awesome. When the kids go, we stay at the MK resorts. The boardwalk area is BEAUTIFUL!!!! The only downside for us is not being able to use your room key for charging - not that big of a deal though - we always take our credit card too, just in case.

I love the resorts. The pool is really nice! We loved the hot tub in the health club. I really don't have anything negative to say about the resorts.

 

[Tiffany]

Help. im kind of worried about staying at the Swan and Dolphin because it is not a disney resort. I read the reviews on Trip Advisor,Yahoo and msn and other disney boards. But you guys are my real friends and I know you will give me the truth. we are staying for 4 nights. Ive heard good reviews on those sites,but I just kinda felt like,There has to be a downside to this thing.
So if you can help me out,Thanx.

thanx again,
DizChick05

Hi,

We have stayed at the Dolphin three times and are booked to stay at the Swan on our upcoming trip. We have enjoyed our stays very much. They are great resorts. I would just go and enjoy.

 

[Terk-1]

I'm actually on the fence between staying at either the Dolphin or Beach Club for my next trip. Although the S/D are not owened by Disney, I doubt you'll notice that much of a difference. What really appeals to me is the closeness to EPCOT. Plus you still get all the transportation that Disney owned resorts do, as well as Early Entry into the parks.

 

[paras4ri]

Another S/D fan checking in!!!! We stayed at the Dolphin last summer and are looking forward to the Swan this year....and already have another Dolphin stay planned for 2006!!! We have 2 kids, ages 10 & 13 and they can't wait to get back.

Location can't be beat......both are magnificent hotels with a wonderful pool area that both share. Lots of food choices for all price levels. The crowning glory is the Heavenly Beds - and you can't find those at Disney resorts.

 

[Rhonda]

We love the Dolphin!! The S/D are both beautiful inside! They still have the Disney "feel" because there is a Disney Guest Services desk, as well as the Disney shop! And, the location is wonderful - walking distance to the Boardwalk, Epcot, and MGM!

We stayed at the Boardwalk Inn a couple of weeks ago, and personally I like the Dolphin better!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, I just returned from our second stay at the Swan (May 5 - 11). Last summer we stayed at the Swan for the first time. The location is great and I do love the beds, however, I discovered for me the view really is what makes the difference whether or not I could take it or leave it, or LOVE the Swan. This time I really enjoyed our stay more because our view was of the Dolphin and the YC/BC and we could see part of the Boardwalk. In the distance, I could see the CR, Space Mtn., and even the castle!! At night, I could see Wishes from my room and the beautiful lights from the Disney resorts. The view we had on our first stay last summer was of MGM. That MGM view didn't really cut it for me - what you see is Tower of Terror over the Swan parking lot. I felt like I wasn't a part of the Disney magic. I actually didn't think I would stay at the S/D again, but we got a great AMEX discount, so we gave it another try. The view I had this time was just terrific. Try and get that view - I am actually not sure what to request as we were on the club level floor, but I am interested to know! It really makes a difference. You won't know you're not in a Disney resort when all around you everything you see is Disney.

Have a great time!

Lives4Disney

 

[AJKMOM]

DizChick05:

Just so you know, they are 2 separate resorts next to each other. You say "it is not a Disney resort", but they are not owned by Disney, however, you get a lot of the same perks the Disney resorts offer.

Plus, they are deluxe resorts, have a nice shared pool area, and are convenient to walk to both MGM and EPCOT. We own BWV, and 1 day I took off from the parks and just walked around the lake and checked them out. I would consider staying there if needed, they looked nice.

 

[mrsR123]

We stayed at the Dolphin the first and last night of our trip in 2002. The middle was at the Poly. DH actually preferred the Dolphin. I really liked it as well. The location is dynamite. The pool is huge, lovely and was much less crowded than the Poly.

One consideration: if you're flying, the S/D are not participating in ME which could mean $$ for a town car or shuttle.

Nonetheless, I'd stay there again in a heartbeat, especially with a good rate.

 

[DizChick05]

Thank You!!! We found out we were staying @ the swan. Again, thanx 4 all of your help!!





*Love Ya!*

 

[BunnieGene]

We also like both of these hotels. 2 things offered there that aren't offered at the other resorts on property are 1) Starwood points...you can register at spg.com...and 2) in room movies Sometimes you just need a little break and a relaxing in-room movie hits the spot.

 

[PamNC]

We felt the same way last year. We stayed @ the Swan for the first time in November for a spur of the moment, 4 night trip. Got a great AP rate of $161. Up until then we only stayed at Disney-owned resorts including YC, BC, Poly, Grand, All Star, CSR, CBR, WL, and the CR. We were afraid we would miss the "magic." But, guess what? We loved it. The S/D are truly magical, the staff was just as wonderful, the location is fabulous, great restaurants to choose from...we were pleasantly surprised. The heavenly beds are to die for. All I missed was my Mickey wake-up call.

PamNC

 

[lillygator]

Our friends just returned from there and said they would never go back...they said the service was not that great and although they had wonderful views they still felt like WDW step children...

I have always been interested in trying them but doubt I will....I really like my Disney resorts.

Have a great time no matter where you end up - if you don't spend much time at the resort then it won't matter anyway!

 

[ADisneygirl]

My family loves the BWI, but we have stayed at the Swan. We thought that it would be missing a little disney magic too, but what we found was that it was a great resort! I admit I missed the mickey soaps, and wake up calls, but the Swan had the most luxurious oatmeal soaps -- very upscale toiletries. And as far as the view goes, well we had a wonderful view of Crescent Lake and the Friendship boats! I felt the view from this resort was one of the better standard views you could get at Disney, since most standard views in the other resorts is of a plain parking lot. If we had a view out the other side toward the parking lot, well who wouldn't feel like they were at Disney with a view of the Tower of Terror? Better than just cars to look at.

I think the location of the Swan/Dolphin, within walking distance of Epcot and MGM, makes up a lot for the missing mickey soaps, etc. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again, just to sleep in those heavenly beds! They were the best beds we have ever slept in!

 

[ducklite]

The crowning glory is the Heavenly Beds - and you can't find those at Disney resorts.

If you are allergic to down and/or feathers, theya re FAR from heavenly! As an FYI, this is my case. When I called about how they could accomodate me, I was told that when I got to the room they would send housekeeping to replace the pillows and comforter. Um, I said, what if I don't arrive until after midnight? The person hesitated and said that it could be a bit of a wait for this to be taken care of at that hour. (Just having the stuff in the room is a problem!) I asked if they couldn't block a room and have it stripped of the down/feather bedding before I arrived, and I was told flat out "we can't do that". Odd that several other places I stay fairly regularly can manage to do so--Fairmont Resorts and Hotels being one of them.

So forget it, they aren't worth the misery, and I took my business to the Hilton instead.

Anne

 

[OKSTATE99]

Our friends just returned from there and said they would never go back...they said the service was not that great and although they had wonderful views they still felt like WDW step children...

I have always been interested in trying them but doubt I will....I really like my Disney resorts.

Have a great time no matter where you end up - if you don't spend much time at the resort then it won't matter anyway!

And I thought this thread was to make Dizchick feel better about the Swan or Dolphin.

We stayed at the Dolphin last year, the beds are great. Its my favorite resort so far, but my wife likes the WL alittle better. The sharging back to the room is what I missed, other than that its great.

 

[sharonk]

Don't worry. These resorts are great. Personally, I prefer the theming of the BC, YC and BWI better, but when I can get a room at the S/D for about half the price, it's an easy decision for me to pick the S/D.

Sharon

 

[CamColt]

On mylast stay there I had the BW pool out my window to the left, and TOT and Earful Tower out my window to the right. Short of seeing the castle, I cant imagine more Disney feeling than that!

I have had very Disney like service there, the location/transportation options cant be beat, and well...the Heavenly Beds say it all.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Dont worry-I have heard great things too! We would consider staying there for the right price-what a great location!!!