YC or Swan?

[Stressa]

Which would you go for if you were me? I can book the YC for the discount $215 May 28-June 2 or June 3 to June 11 at the Swan on the teacher's discount(@169). What are the pros and cons of each? I'm glad to have this choice, but stil not sure which way to go. Please help me decide

 

[ms_mckenna]

I have never stayed at the YC or the Swan. But we love the grotto that it shares with the Dolphin. You are in basically the same area either way, so that is no help.
Honestly I think I would stay at the Swan and use the extra 368 plus tax to do something special like one of the fireworks cruises etc. But we are not in our room much at all so that factors a lot into the decision for us.

 

[sanibelover]

Did a split stay at the BC and the Swan - the Swan won hands down!!! Our room at the BC was SHABBY!!! The Swan room was beautiful and bigger!! I thought that the BC was seriously lacking in Disney Magic and the folks at the Swan seemed genuinely interested in making sure you were happy. We had to call down to the front desk for a couple of things - can't even remember what now. Everything was taken care of promptly and they called to make sure everything was A-OK.

I was there with just my husband, so I didn't really pay attention to all of the Disney themeing, etc. at the BC, but for adults, I think there is no comparison. The restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin are far superior to the Disney offereings, the pool is very nice with a much more adult feel. I never got to go to Stormalong Bay because by the time we got back to the resort, the pool was closed.

Plus the Starwoods rewards program is one of the best out there. (Staying for free in March with the kiddies!!)

Hope this helps.

 

[paults]

stayed at the Swan not the YC.
The Swan if only for the beds there heavenly

 

[leighe]

DH and I love the Beach Club and were planning on trying the YC this summer until we found out I'm pregnant and will probably now be having a baby the week we had planned for Disney! My sister and I split a stay between the Dolphin and the GF once and loved both resorts. Like others have said, the beds at the Swan and Dolphin really cannot be beat. However, I really do like the fact that YC/BC are true "Disney" resorts and the pool is fabulous. We have always had great service there and love the decor and feel of the resort.

Are you flying? I don't think the Swan is included in the Magical Express transportation.

I'd probably go with the YC over the Swan but what a great choice to have to make!

 

[hmp2z]

You just can't beat that teacher's rate at the Swan. The YC is nice, but the beds at the Swan are amazing. Even though it's not a Disney owned resort, and the outside of the building is somewhat of an eyesore (it doesn't fit in with the general theming of the boardwalk area), the inside of the Swan hotel is great. And you are still on WDW transportation, right in the Epcot area, etc. We would much rather have lovely rooms with nice, comfortable beds than a hotel that looks nice on the outside (like the YC) but is just like every other deluxe on the inside.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[rie'smom]

We stayed at the Swan during the Thanksgiving holidays. Usually I have problems sleeping on hotel pillows but not these. Imagine your head on a marshmallow(not like memory foam). The staff was 5 star except for one person.
It's so easy to walk to Epcot and to MGM. It is a bit of a walk though. If you prefer,take the motor launch. It really is a wonderful hotel.

 

[Stressa]

Thanks for your ideas. I appreciate the help.
Stressa

 

[webray]

Definately the Swan. We have stayed at both a number of times and the Beds, atmosphere and ammenities at the Swan are much much better than Yacht Club. Enjoy!

 

[YCFAN]

I love the YC and the whole atmosphere of the Epcot resorts. While the area would be about the same, not only would you not be able to use Magical Express if you were flying but you also cannot charge to your room (you can however carry a charge card with you and just use that) and you cannot use the package delivery from the parks to your hotel. These are big differences to me.

 

[fa mulan]

For those who have split stays, did the Swan help you w/ luggage transfer or is it completely up to you to handle? - - I imagine it's not as easy as splitting stays totally on Disney property, right?

We have 2 kids (who will love Stormalong) and will be there during peak season, so maybe our situation is different, but I do like nice rooms, especially for the prices paid!

I'd save $400, just by splitting my stay 4 nights Swan & 3 nts YC. . . . That'd pay for our dinner at V&A!

It's great to be able to make a choice between 2 great places, but still tough to decide!

 

[LindaR]

I am currently holding two ressies for 31 Mar-7 Apr) one at YC and one at Swan. Just a few minutes ago, I called and got my rate lowered from $299 per night (peak season - Easter) to $209!!! I think our rate at YC was like $374. I stay at Starwood hotels alot but love the Disney themes. BUT the theme is NOT worth that amount!!!!!!!!!!!! Swan it is.

 

[fa mulan]

LindaR, How did you get the $209 rate? Is it thru rewards or open to anyone? Just curious - I haven't started scouring the net for discounts yet. If I got that, it'd probably be a no brainer.

 

[mericletwins]

For those who have split stays, did the Swan help you w/ luggage transfer or is it completely up to you to handle? - - I imagine it's not as easy as splitting stays totally on Disney property, right?

We have 2 kids (who will love Stormalong) and will be there during peak season, so maybe our situation is different, but I do like nice rooms, especially for the prices paid!

I'd save $400, just by splitting my stay 4 nights Swan & 3 nts YC. . . . That'd pay for our dinner at V&A!

It's great to be able to make a choice between 2 great places, but still tough to decide!

With kids I would stick to all YC so you can do Stormalong Bay or split the stay between the two.

 

[LindaR]

fa mulan, i was on allearsnet and saw the "code" and called and got my rate lowered!

 

[fa mulan]

You're awesome & it's an amazing rate! Now I have to recrunch my numbers, factoring AP & DDE (which I already purchased). . . and of course research peoples' views of the Swan!! I did see someone's post about "mold issues" at S&D. . . . (pleeez, say it ain't so!)

I wish this vacation could get here, so I could stop my PLANNING!

 

[rie'smom]

I love the YC and the whole atmosphere of the Epcot resorts. While the area would be about the same, not only would you not be able to use Magical Express if you were flying but you also cannot charge to your room (you can however carry a charge card with you and just use that) and you cannot use the package delivery from the parks to your hotel. These are big differences to me.

Yes you can use package delivery- we did at Thanksgiving. It was great not to carry our packages through the parks.

 

[kath1210]

We just booked 4 nights at the Swan for an adults-only trip for DH and me. We got a AAA rate of $211 for a standard room with 2 Qs. After reading this thread, I think we made the right choice, especially since the YC and BC are over $100 more per night!

I have not stayed at the Yacht Club, but my DD, her friend and I did stay at the Beach Club for our Girls Trip last fall. I loved our room and we had a gorgeous full balcony. However, we never used the balcony or SAB because we were on the go every day and SAB was closed every night when we got back. I also wish there was something like a food court area open late for burgers and pizza, etc. The sandwiches sold at the little food area at the BC gift shop were kind of stale and not really kid-friendly. Beaches and Cream was not a good alternative because it was so hard to get in there.

I absolutely LOVED the location, though, and we walked to Epcot and MGM more than once. I hope we'll love the Swan!

 

[Skroops]

I have not stayed at the YC or the Swan, but I've stayed at BCV's.

Reasons to choose YC:
Location to Epcot
Gorgeous resort
Best pool on property
Balconies

Reasons to choose Swan:
Good location
Heavenly beds
Better price

Good luck to you!

 

[Kimberly]

I love the Swan and the Dolphin, they're probably my two favorite hotels on the Disney property. While not Disney owned, I always feel that their service might actually be better than that of Disney's. Their concierges just seem to do a little bit more for you, at check in the same too... it's hard to describe, just an intangible thing that those two hotels have that some of the deluxes do not have. If you haven't stayed at either, just try it, you will not regret it!