would swan/dolphin satisfy a deluxe snob?

[hannymom]

yes, i am spoiled on staying deluxe. we have stayed at all 3 monorail deluxes, so i was leaning towards epcot resorts this time.
i, too, am waiting for 2008 codes. if they offer a teacher code in january at swan/dolphin, we could stay there for alot less than yacht or beach.
last year we went in january on a very last minute trip. because of cost, we stayed at POR. it's nice, but i have written on these boards before that i am one of those that once you stay at a deluxe, you can't go back. (for the record, POR was very nice, busses were good, no real complaints. even the closed food court wasn't a problem for us)
can someone who has stayed at 'disney' deluxe and swan/dolphin let me know if they were satisfied? and those of you that have stayed at swan, do you still walk to epcot?
thanks

 

[TimeforMe]

We have stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin. One stay at the Swan was for 2 weeks so I got a very good feel for that hotel. We loved the area there and would not hesitate at all to stay there. We are also DVC owners and have stayed at BWV and OKW. I prefer the Swan over the Dolphin--just like the decor better and it's got a more cozy feel to it. We love, love, love the grotto pool there. In fact, when we stayed at BWV last year, we would walk over to that pool to swim instead. They have lots of good restaurants and the boardwalk is very close.

And yes, we did walk to Epcot from the Swan many times.

 

[Keokagal]

S/D are deluxe. We'll be back at the Dolphin in 12 days. mmmmm heavenly beds. I usually go w the nurse/teacher rate. Great deal. Go for it, you may just love it!

 

[minnie61650]

I love the Swan and Dolphin resorts!

The Swan/Dolphin often has great rates that cost about as much as a Disney Moderate.

They are real 4 star hotels.

Deluxe but not as expensive as Disney's deluxe resorts.



The heavenly beds are ...well heavenly.

The Grotto pool and hot tubs are fun and relaxing.

Plus Epcot and MGM are just a short boat ride or walk away!

From Epcot hop on the monorail and head on over to the MK!


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/swan100.jpg

Heavenly beds

Grotto pool

Grotto pool slide

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/dolp5.jpg

hot tub

Disney Friendship to Epcot or MGM

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/swan25.jpg

Walkway to MGM

*note photos are from allearsnet

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[pooh2001]

S/D are both great and rated 4 star by AAA.
I ditto the above post. Starwood hotels are excellent.
The beds, pool, restaurants and service are wonderful.

If you get a great rate - use it. Join Starwood and get a free upgrade.

We had a great AAA rate for a standard room. We are AAA, Starwood members, and repeat guests - we were bumped to resort view with a balcony.
It was prime time - Easter week.

We like the Dolphin - we have teens. The Dolphin has the laundry room, closer to the Grotto pool, and game room.

The Swan has more adults and great views of EPCOT and STUDIO's.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Yes, they are both super resorts.



http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=680909

 

[hannymom]

thanks to all of you!
i am a starwood guest but don't remember the last time i used it so i probably don't qualify for any upgrades. i could buy the entertainment book if you guys think it would help.....or i could just use the teacher code if it's the same.
then my next decision will be which one to stay at. we will be traveling with our 17 year old daughter..... from what i have read so far, it sounds like the swan is closer to epcot, is that right? and with a teenager, less walking equals less whining.....so........
i'm excited because i just remember last january all the lucky people walking back towards Y/B after illuminations while we walked a long way only to get into an even longer bus line wait back to POR. it will be so nice to walk back!!
i'll keep reading the threads posted to try to answer all of my questions about the two resorts.
any other suggestions would be most welcome!

 

[minnie61650]

thanks to all of you!
i am a starwood guest but don't remember the last time i used it so i probably don't qualify for any upgrades. i could buy the entertainment book if you guys think it would help.....or i could just use the teacher code if it's the same.

Take a look at this DIS sticky about the great Swan /Dolphin discounts:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1284875

Have fun at Disney!

 

[SteveH]

First of all I say ask yourself what is it about the deluxe resorts that you prefer? The S/D offers many of the same type of amenities, but its not a Disney resort so you are also not going to get some small aspects that you may really want. Familiarize yourself with those aspects so that you are not shocked or disappointed if that feature isn't available.

What our family likes about S/D is the price and the location. I'd rather be able to do many trips (not just Disney) vs staying one trip at a Deluxe and spending all the money on a room. During our last stay we walked or took the boat to Epcot a lot, as its a family favorite it worked out great and the boat to MGM was fine too. Buses to MK and AKL ran frequent and if you don't want to ride the bus to MK then head to the Monorail in Epcot.

We enjoyed our stay enough that we're going back, doesn't hurt that we have enough Starwood points saved up to pay for our whole room either but even if we were paying for it we would still go back.

 

[bornwiththeears]

As far a deluxes, we have stayed at the Poly, Contemporary, WL and Dolphin. While the Dolphin is not a "themed" hotel, it is every bit a deluxe. My adult children preferred it over the others. We loved the option of walking to two parks and the Boardwalk was a favorite hangout at night. Of course, I did get the teacher's discount at Thanksgiving, which certainly made it attractive to stay there.

 

[G's mommy]

We have stayed at the Dolphin and loved it! I also get the Teacher/Nurse rate, it's normally the lowest available, beats AAA and AP rates. My son wanted to be close to the grotto pool, Dolphin is a tad closer than the Swan. The Dolphin is busier, more bustling and the Swan is more laid back and relaxed. Both are great and have the most comfy beds in all of WDW. The only reason we have not stayed there this year is because we have flown and needed ME which you can't get to the Swan/Dolphin. If you have a car, there is a charge to park, $8 or $9 a day, so be sure to add that to your costs. The location is wonderful and I would not hesitate to stay there again.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We have only stayed in the deluxes too but its because dh insists on a queen size bed. We have also done both the swan and the dolphin. We prefer the swan, it accomodates 4 in the room, it used to be 5. I can definetely do without the dining plan since we dont enjoy stuffing ourselves silly. One good meal a day is fine and if we need a snack that is o.k too or a small counter service meal to share etc. I budget the transportation expense in of not having the magical express and do a soda stop so we dont care about the refillable mugs. I give the 2 teen ds some cash during the day if they need it but most of the time we use our credit card.
Swan is the lst bus stop and more compact and less walking back to the room after a long day in the parks. You can always find a lounge chair etc, not like the Polynesian.
Most, Most IMportant: THe money you will save. The customer service is great, which disney really seems to be lacking in of late, our last disney hotel was nov/dec at poly concierge. You can read my review and my review of the swan for may 2007. We saved over $500 by choosing the Swan over the Polynesian this time. Also if you are a starwoods preferred guest you will get points and possible upgrade etc. Disney does not reward its frequent deluxe guest, the only reward you get lately is a nice big bill at the end of your stay. I have never been upgraded complimentary I should say at either the swan or the polynesian so that is equal. I am just looking at the bottom line financially for our family from now on unless its a special occasion. With no ap discounts etc. at the Poly, its the Swan usually for us. Best of luck deciding.

 

[yankeepenny]

S/D are deluxe. We'll be back at the Dolphin in 12 days. mmmmm heavenly beds. I usually go w the nurse/teacher rate. Great deal. Go for it, you may just love it!

Have fun!


41 days to go for us!!!!