How do-able is this?

[Witchy Chick]

I just got my bonus notification letter from work, and it is a nice bonus. So nice, in fact, I am now seriously kicking around the idea of coming to WDW for the Villians thing Sept 13 (which is also right around my bday).

I would be coming down solo - ditching my DH at home for the kids, and only staying for a "long" weekend.

Since I will be without kids, I was looking at staying at an Epcot/DHS resort since I'll be spending most (all?) of my time in those two parks.

Beach and Yacht Club are nice and convenient, but I don't want to spend a ton on a hotel. Then I got the brainstorm of possibly staying at Swan or Dolphin (I would likely be renting a car for transport to/from MCO and possible visit to Universal).

On Disney's "Magical" website, it lists bus access under "amenities" but also has an icon of a boat. Is there boat/ferry access to Epcot and DHS? I seem to recall that from when DH and I stayed at Beach Club Fall '11, but didn't want to confuse myself. LOL

If I were able to swing this, any recommendations between Swan and Dolphin?

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

We're huge Swan and Dolphin fans!!! Check them out definitely.

 

[Witchy Chick]

leave the husband and the kids to go to Disney and stay at a Deluxe resort....??? I could never do that ... I would miss my family to much!!! Happiest place on earth is not the same alone...
But to answer your question Yes there is a ferry to EC and DHS from Swan and Dolphin.... Personally I like them both but Swan is a little nicer and Dolphin is cheaper...
Good luck...

Welllllllll, we did just have a family trip in January. And mama needs a break sometimes.

I had broached the Villians thing to DH previously, and he is not at all interested in it. Which led me to my "ditch DH and the kids" idea.

Thanks both of you for the input. I might have to treat myself to some Villians for my bday gift to myself. Hehehehe

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

Sounds like you need to join our Ladies Cruise from Sept 8-12, with some park days afterwards! And solo trips are great!
BTW, my birthday is the 10th - my excuse for ditching the family and cruising with the WDWMagic girls!

 

[ImagineerDude]

Well, you HAVE to visit MK!!! I don't know much about the Swan and Dolphin, but they look nice and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the villains! Sounds like you'll have some fun! I can't wait to do a solo trip one of these days

 

[olinecoach61]

It's a bonus, splurge!

 

[disneycouple07]

We stayed at the Swan for one night and liked it. The room was comfortable, clean, quiet and spacious.

I found this on WDWinfo:
Bus service is available from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Buses depart every 15-20 minutes.
Magic Kingdom Park: Bus service provided.
Epcot: Walking: A pleasant 15 minute walk will have you at Epcot's International Gateway.
Epcot: By Boat: The boats are a nice, leisurely way to travel. It is shared transportation with the Boardwalk and Yacht Club so be sure that you give yourself ample time. Disney's Hollywood Studios: By Boat: Take a separate Friendship launch. As with the Epcot launch, service is shared with the other Crescent Lake resorts.
Disney's Hollywood Studios: Walkway: If you cross over to Disney's Boardwalk, there's a walkway that leads you to Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's a nice walk along the waterway and takes approx 20 minutes.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Take the Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park bus. However, in addition to Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort guests, the bus also makes stops at Disney's BoardWalk Resort.
Downtown Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney West Side, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island: Take the Downtown Disney bus
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: Take the Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon bus
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park: Take the Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park bus

 

[MickeyPeace]

You will love the Swan/Dolphin. Comfy beds, great pool and walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood. Bus service to parks. Boats to Epcot and Hollywood although its quicker to walk. Top notch restaurants in resort. Adult friendly atmosphere. I've done 3 solo trips at the Dolphin and loved it.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The boat as a transportation option is really nice. It stops at Swan/Dolphin, DHS, BW, BC/YC, and Epcot. In fact, we are literally standing at the Swan/Dolphin dock in this photo and this is our boat arriving...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/houcusechickie/8224786759/

 

[Witchy Chick]

Sounds like you need to join our Ladies Cruise from Sept 8-12, with some park days afterwards! And solo trips are great!
BTW, my birthday is the 10th - my excuse for ditching the family and cruising with the WDWMagic girls!

No way!!! My bday is the 10th also!! Birthday buddy!!! LOL

Well, you HAVE to visit MK!!! I don't know much about the Swan and Dolphin, but they look nice and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the villains! Sounds like you'll have some fun! I can't wait to do a solo trip one of these days

I will probably pass on MK for this solo trip (unless I get bored with Epcot, DHS, and trying to squeeze some Universal in). We were just in WDW in Jan (with the kids), and spent A LOT of time in MK due to the kiddos. Not regretting that at all -- but if I'm on my own, I'm doing some "grown up" stuff.

 

[ImagineerDude]

No way!!! My bday is the 10th also!! Birthday buddy!!! LOL



I will probably pass on MK for this solo trip (unless I get bored with Epcot, DHS, and trying to squeeze some Universal in). We were just in WDW in Jan (with the kids), and spent A LOT of time in MK due to the kiddos. Not regretting that at all -- but if I'm on my own, I'm doing some "grown up" stuff.

Okayyyyyyy - SIGH -

 

[stillgoofy]

I think you may have to pay for daily parking at the Swan/Dolphin so I would check this out first if you are planning on having car rental with you.

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

No way!!! My bday is the 10th also!! Birthday buddy!!! LOL

 

[Andrew Burns]

I had broached the Villians thing to DH previously, and he is not at all interested in it. Which led me to my "ditch DH and the kids" idea.

That is funny.... my wife and I just got back from a big family trip and then found out about the Villians event (which is on her birthday) so we are totally going back!

 

[Hot Lava]

I had broached the Villians thing to DH previously, and he is not at all interested in it. Which led me to my "ditch DH and the kids" idea

HOw do your kids feel about you going to Disney without them? Mine would be too little to know, but if I was a kid and my mom went to WDW without me, i would be ticked!

 

[luv]

I just got my bonus notification letter from work, and it is a nice bonus. So nice, in fact, I am now seriously kicking around the idea of coming to WDW for the Villians thing Sept 13 (which is also right around my bday).

I would be coming down solo - ditching my DH at home for the kids, and only staying for a "long" weekend.

Since I will be without kids, I was looking at staying at an Epcot/DHS resort since I'll be spending most (all?) of my time in those two parks.

Beach and Yacht Club are nice and convenient, but I don't want to spend a ton on a hotel. Then I got the brainstorm of possibly staying at Swan or Dolphin (I would likely be renting a car for transport to/from MCO and possible visit to Universal).

On Disney's "Magical" website, it lists bus access under "amenities" but also has an icon of a boat. Is there boat/ferry access to Epcot and DHS? I seem to recall that from when DH and I stayed at Beach Club Fall '11, but didn't want to confuse myself. LOL

If I were able to swing this, any recommendations between Swan and Dolphin?

A boat (not a ferry) will take you to Epcot or DHS...or you can walk.

I haven't slept at the Swan, but have stayed at the Dolphin a number of times. Other than the fact that the lobby confused me a bit, I had no trouble and very much enjoy staying there.

The Fountain is a nice place to grab a sandwich and Picabu has great food and is cute.

The pools at Swan and Dolphin are the best on all the Disney property, IMO.

They do add a "resort fee" and a parking fee to the total, so the price you are quoted will be higher.

Have fun and Happy (early) Birthday!

 

[Tiggerish]

I will probably pass on MK for this solo trip (unless I get bored with Epcot, DHS, and trying to squeeze some Universal in). We were just in WDW in Jan (with the kids), and spent A LOT of time in MK due to the kiddos. Not regretting that at all -- but if I'm on my own, I'm doing some "grown up" stuff.

@Tiggerfanatic beat me to it, but hey if your bonus is big enough, think about the WDWMagic Girls Cruise!!! Even if you don't cruise with us, there will be a bunch of WDWMagic ladies around the resort that weekend (see link to thread in my signature). We are all ditching our significant others for the week! I'll be at the Boardwalk from the 12th-14th.

I've stayed at the Swan before and would highly recommend it.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

@Tiggerfanatic beat me to it, but hey if your bonus is big enough, think about the WDWMagic Girls Cruise!!! Even if you don't cruise with us, there will be a bunch of WDWMagic ladies around the resort that weekend (see link to thread in my signature). We are all ditching our significant others for the week! I'll be at the Boardwalk from the 12th-14th.

I've stayed at the Swan before and would highly recommend it.

Well.... Ill be with ya girl... but so will significant other... but awesome suggestion.. the more wdwmagic sistas the merrier (or in my Jersey speak, is that merria'????) Full steam ahead... good times comin!!!!!!!!!

 

[Witchy Chick]

Thanks for all the recent "bumps."

HOw do your kids feel about you going to Disney without them? Mine would be too little to know, but if I was a kid and my mom went to WDW without me, i would be ticked!

My kids are 3 and 4.5. And we just got back from a family trip in January. I probably would not tell them where I was going. I've been priming them for a possible DLR trip in the next 12-18 months, though. hehehe

I have not booked anything as yet, but am still considering it. I'm holding off for a bit as my "baby" boy (3 yrs old) is undergoing some minor health issues. I want to make sure that doesn't escalate and possibly cause me to cancel my plans down the road.

If I do the Villains thing, I'm in for only 3 night stay likely at Dolphin or Swan. No cruising for me (this time ). I can only afford to take two days off of work (Thurs and Fri, flying home Sunday). I would like to maybe hit Universal on my arrival day. My employer has an employee perks deal with ticket broker; combo ticket (3 PH days Disney + 1 day Universal) for $379.

@luv -- thanks for the Dolphin/Swan info. Either one sounds just fine to me.

@Tiggerish -- while the bonus $$$ is pretty nice, I'd still have to worry about vacation time. With having just taken a week in January (Disney trip) and almost a week last week (my son's illness), I'm already scraping on vacation time. No can do for a multi-day (work week) cruise. Lonnnnggg weekend vacations for me the remainder of the year (and how sad is it to say that in March??). sigggghhhhhh

 

[Hot Lava]

@Tiggerfanatic beat me to it, but hey if your bonus is big enough, think about the WDWMagic Girls Cruise!!! Even if you don't cruise with us, there will be a bunch of WDWMagic ladies around the resort that weekend (see link to thread in my signature). We are all ditching our significant others for the week! I'll be at the Boardwalk from the 12th-14th.

The cruise sounds fun! Maybe if you do another in about 5 years I can join in then.

My kids are 3 and 4.5. And we just got back from a family trip in January. I probably would not tell them where I was going. I've been priming them for a possible DLR trip in the next 12-18 months, though. hehehe

LOL! Subterfuge! Well, if that is what works. I would love to go for the Villains thing, but i think it is too early in the month, even if we go in September.