Dolphin vs Swan Rooms

[ParentsOf4]

We are planning to stay at either the Dolphin or Swan for the first time (been to WDW over a dozen times) and have some questions before booking the hotel. Currently, we are planning to book the least expensive rooms at either hotel, depending on which one better suites our needs.

1. Does either the Dolphin or Swan offer an in-room microwave?

2. How many sinks does the standard rooms at each hotel have? (I've seen reference to a "Hollywood Bath" at the Swan.)

3. Is elevator service better at either hotel?

4. Are the lengths of the walks to the hotel-specific Lap Pools and the shared Grotto Pool any different?

5. What's the status of the recent renovations (mentioned on the official Swan & Dolphin website)?

6. How long does it take to walk from the Swan to the Picabu quick service restaurant at the Dolphin?

If anyone has any other information that would help us decide, it would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks!

 

[surfsupdon]

Dolphin was double beds and Swan has queens. Both have one sink located outside of the bathroom in most rooms.

Swan is closer to lap pool and basketball courts. Dolphin was closer to grotto pool. Both are close to all of that stuff though.

Picabu is an easy walk from Swan. It's easy to access everything aat both locations even if you stay in the opposite building.

Elevators were fine in all buildings. Dolphin is a lot bigger and therefore has a much bigger lobby with a lot more of things to do...there are more restaurants and food places at Dolphin.

 

[maelstrom]

I like the Dolphin better because Picabu and The Fountain (ice cream shoppe and cafe) are in there. It's nice to be able to walk or boat to Epcot, MGM, Boardwalk, and Yacht & Beach too. Once upon a time they had tram service to Epcot as well, but they stopped that and tore down the station.

 

[Chrim]

Thanks for the reply. We looked on the official Swan and Dolphin webpage more closely. No mention of a microwave so we assume neither has one. We stayed at the Boardwalk last year. At 360 Sq ft, the Dolphin and Swan rooms should definitely feel smaller. We liked the Swan; queen beds, better views, and 2 sinks but decided to go with the Dolphin so we could make it to the quick service Pecabu restaurant without having to leave the building. (We have a special needs daughter who is Gluten Free so we need to be able to prepare or purchase her breakfasts quickly.) Current prices ($139/night) are not much more than one of the Value Resorts. (Over the years, we've stayed at all of these and WDW is not offering room discounts for the nights we plan to go. ) Having never even been to the lobbies of the Swan or Dolphin, it should feel like an adventure to be able to stay at an unfamiliar onsite property. Both look like reasonable walks to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios so it will be nice not having to wait an hour plus for a bus back to the hotel at closing.

I believe there is a covered breezeway that connects the Dolphin and Swan hotels, with the Friendship fleet dock located half way between. It isn't air conditioned, but at least it is covered.

Keep in mind that if you are driving there is no free parking at either hotel. (Even self-parking costs extra.) I believe there is also a mandatory resort fee, so keep that in mind when calculating costs.

Also, the Swan and Dolphin are part of the Starwoods chain, so keep that in mind for either earning or spending Starwoods points or getting discounts. In the past, I think the Dolphin has been a Sheraton and the Swan has been a Westin.

Both the Swan and Dolphin provide the "Extra Magic Hours" perk to guests.