My husband and I are planning a trip in early December. The rates are pretty good at the Swan and Dolphin and we're Starwood members so get points. In Jan 2006 we stayed at the Dolphin and had a great time, but I can't remember if the Swan is considered the more "adult" hotel or is it the Dolphin? I can't seem to find any info on which has been most recently updated. I thought I saw that it was the Swan but now can't find the site I was on. Please share your thoughts if you've been to either in the past year. Thanks!
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Dophin vs Swan?
- Thread starter Juliaz3
- Start date
Jarienn
New Member
The Swan is more convention-oriented than the Dolphin and having been to both, I think it is just a tad more upscale than the Dolphin. Also, if you need rooms with 2 beds, the rooms at the Swan have 2 queens where the rooms at the Dolphin mostly have 2 doubles. The Swan is also about 1/2 the size of the Dolphin so it tends to be easier to navigate.
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The difference between the two can be explained by the branding of each hotel. The Dolphin is a Sheraton and the Swan is a Westin. go to this website: http://www.starwoodnet.com/faq.html#q2 to read the difference between a Sheraton and a Westin hotel to see who each hotel is geared for (either business or leisure travel).
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PintoColvig
Active Member
I don't know much about which one is more "adult" but I can tell you which one has the better beds. Only the Swan has the Heavenly Bed. :snore:
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The Dolphin had heavenly beds when I stayed there in February. My favorite part of the trip. :lol:
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I-4Warrior
New Member
Both are conventioneer-heavy, and both do in fact have heavenly beds (The convention rooms at the Dolphin are enormous).
The layout of the Dolphin is a bit more convoluted owing to the fact that it's much larger than the Swan. Not a positive for the Dolphin, but it does give it more of a sense of grandeur.
I have personally noticed slightly more children/families at the Dolphin.
If you plan on hitting the pools at either resort, I like the pools at the Dolphin better than those at the Swan.
The dining options are similar in both: Expensive... not Victoria and Alberts expensive, but more pricey than dinner at the parks.
Both have a common boat dock to Epcot and DHS that is equidistant to both hotels.
The Dolphin is a slight bit closer in walking distance to Epcot, while the Swan is slightly closer to DHS. If you're using transportation, than this is a moot point.
To me, you get much more grand views from the Dolphin than you do from the Swan (You have the chance for some nice scenery from your room at the Swan, but your view of Epcot, DHS and the Boardwalk has a chance to be more awe-inspiring from a larger selection of rooms at the Dolphin).
You can't lose with either option as far as I'm concerned. You may have people tell you that it doesn't have that Disney Magic... and it is true, but they're still terrific places to stay (and considerably less money than equivalent Disney-run resorts).
The layout of the Dolphin is a bit more convoluted owing to the fact that it's much larger than the Swan. Not a positive for the Dolphin, but it does give it more of a sense of grandeur.
I have personally noticed slightly more children/families at the Dolphin.
If you plan on hitting the pools at either resort, I like the pools at the Dolphin better than those at the Swan.
The dining options are similar in both: Expensive... not Victoria and Alberts expensive, but more pricey than dinner at the parks.
Both have a common boat dock to Epcot and DHS that is equidistant to both hotels.
The Dolphin is a slight bit closer in walking distance to Epcot, while the Swan is slightly closer to DHS. If you're using transportation, than this is a moot point.
To me, you get much more grand views from the Dolphin than you do from the Swan (You have the chance for some nice scenery from your room at the Swan, but your view of Epcot, DHS and the Boardwalk has a chance to be more awe-inspiring from a larger selection of rooms at the Dolphin).
You can't lose with either option as far as I'm concerned. You may have people tell you that it doesn't have that Disney Magic... and it is true, but they're still terrific places to stay (and considerably less money than equivalent Disney-run resorts).
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The majority of the restaurant and bar choices are located in the Dolphin. (also spa and beauty services) However- if you're easily disoriented- you might get confused with all the different elevators. The beauty is that they're so close- it almost doesn't matter which one you're in.
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I-4Warrior
New Member
The last two posts reminded me of some points I forgot: Mandara Spa at the Dolphin is a bit pricey but terrific (and inspired how we are remodeling our bathroom 
), and karaoke at Kimonos at the Swan is some of the most fun I've had on property. It's pretty intimidating because I've never seen anyone on stage there who isn't a fantastic singer. I always thought heckling bad karaoke was fun, but actually witnessing excellent karaoke is even better!
), and karaoke at Kimonos at the Swan is some of the most fun I've had on property. It's pretty intimidating because I've never seen anyone on stage there who isn't a fantastic singer. I always thought heckling bad karaoke was fun, but actually witnessing excellent karaoke is even better!
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Thanks everyone! I usually pick Westin over Sheraton, but my memory of the Dolphin 2 years ago is that it was as "nice" as most Westins and rather better than most Sheratons. I get the impression that it doesn't matter so much with these two hotels and they are somewhat "blending" the characteristic Starwood touches, such as having Heavenly Beds in both hotels. We had a nice view from the Dolphin, and so we're going with it again, this time with a balcony, since we do want to try the pools and the spa.
Now if only I could figure whether it will be very crowded at the parks or not. Thought I was picking a good time of year but seeing some threads that show most hotels sold out.
Now if only I could figure whether it will be very crowded at the parks or not. Thought I was picking a good time of year but seeing some threads that show most hotels sold out.
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westie
Well-Known Member
I've stayed at both and I think its whichever that has the 24 hr. cafeteria. Being from the westcoast we ended up there every night as it was the only place open. But, its in only one of them. Sorry can't remember which one but, I do remember having to take the extra hike to get a soda and a sandwich and that being the reason to stay at the other.
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