Port Orleans or Swan/Dolphin?

[epcot2004]

Need some guidance please. We are planning a trip for later this year and are having an issue deciding on the hotel. We love the Beach Club but cannot afford it at this time. Port Orleans Riverside is our 'stand-by' but the location is not as good as Beach Club at least as far as location.

So to get the location we are considering the Swan/Dolphin since the pricing is much closer to Port Orleans. Is this a 'get what you pay for situation'?

The biggest 'mistake' we ever made was moving from moderate resorts to deluxe. Now we feel like we are hooked due to location/amenities. There seems to be a big difference in room upkeep the higher the resort tier and a so-so room will ruin my trip in the first 5 minutes (just a little OCD with cleanliness and overall maintenance).

Staying at the Swan/Dolphin seems like a good compromise but did see some mixed reviews and our stay at POFQ left us disappointed due to housekeeping issues.

 

[CheshireCat12]

I haven't heard anything bad about Swan/Dolphin, I would stay there myself except for the lack of DME service. Go for it!

 

[acishere]

For the next time I go to WDW the 3 possible resorts I'd like to stay in are Swan, CSR, or POR. So I'm in the same boat as you.

I did a few price checks and I've been able to find offers for the Swan/Dolphin that make it cheaper than the moderates. Especially with some help from my teacher friend. However, there is no DME and there is a charge per day for parking. So depending how you get to and from WDW and how many people you split the cost will factor on how much a value it is.

Theme is another thing. POR places you in this wonderful environment. Swan/Dolphin looks nice and has a bit of a whimsical atmosphere, but beyond the shape of the building and their huge icons, it looks like a hotel you could find anywhere from the inside.

Proximity to Epcot and DHS though is the Swan/Dolphins big selling point. I'm considering the proximity to the entertainment offerings at the Boardwalk to be a huge plus too. It is just has to compete with the nostalgia factor POR has for me. Although I don't get final vote so that will mean nothing when it is time to decide.

 

[slappy magoo]

I did a few price checks and I've been able to find offers for the Swan/Dolphin that make it cheaper than the moderates. Especially with some help from my teacher friend. However, there is no DME and there is a charge per day for parking. So depending how you get to and from WDW and how many people you split the cost will factor on how much a value it is.

Did your price quote include the $20 per day "mandatory resort services package?"

Because we always have a car with us, adding the extra $35 per day (15 for parking 20 for a couple of bottles of water, internet, phone service we won't use and a gym that we might) tends to offset any savings if we consider Swolphin.

 

[acishere]

Did your price quote include the $20 per day "mandatory resort services package?"

Because we always have a car with us, adding the extra $35 per day (15 for parking 20 for a couple of bottles of water, internet, phone service we won't use and a gym that we might) tends to offset any savings if we consider Swolphin.

I forgot to look into the resort fee. I did another comparison on Kayak and it put them at about the same cost as a mod with the resort fee. Which is still rather good for it's location. The parking or cost of a taxi vs being in close proximity to Epcot and DHS is still a major factor for what we choose.

 

[epcot2004]

Thanks! I think we are more worried about location. There is something that is so cool about being able to walk to 2 parks so easily. The theming could be an issue although we just got back from WDW/orlando (not a dedicated Disney trip) and rented a house and did not miss the WDW resorts. Will continue to ponder and see other responses.

 

[BransonJ]

We are staying at the dolohin for the first time in October. We are used to the boardwalk and deluxe resorts as well but couldn't afford it this time around. Since we are flying we hired a towncar service which came out to be $120 round trip. We decided on the dolphin cause the location ( we love all the activity in that area) and since we decided to stop using the dining plan we saw no reason not to try it. (Plus I hear great reviews on the dining in the swan and dolphin)

It might kinda seem weird since they don't have the disney magic and feeling in the resort but I feel that will change once we step outside and hear the ferry horn and get across the bridge to the boardwalk.

Also we booked directly with the swan dolphin website which came out to nearly $1,000 cheaper than what disneys website had for us.

 

[Michael Shiels]

So if Swan/Dolphin have no DME support or access, you may need to evaluate your plans to see if location is a big enough sell. If you do not plan to FP or FP+ rides or attractions, then this may be a good investment. I would like to stay there for the access to BoardWalk...

 

[epcot2004]

So if Swan/Dolphin have no DME support or access, you may need to evaluate your plans to see if location is a big enough sell. If you do not plan to FP or FP+ rides or attractions, then this may be a good investment. I would like to stay there for the access to BoardWalk...

We will have our car so DME is not an issue. We used FP+ the first day it was available to off site guests on March 1 with no problem. Can Swan/Dolphin guests not use FP+??? Since they are served by Disney Transport I assumed extra magic and FP+ would not be an issue.

 

[BransonJ]

We will have our car so DME is not an issue. We used FP+ the first day it was available to off site guests on March 1 with no problem. Can Swan/Dolphin guests not use FP+??? Since they are served by Disney Transport I assumed extra magic and FP+ would not be an issue.

Yes you can still use EMH and FP+ however you Will not get the 60 day window like disney resort guest. Only 30 days out.

 

[James Clifton]

I've stayed at the Swan,POR ,& POFQ.I liked POFQ the best! What did I dislike about the Swan...... don't really know how to put this but I missed the DISNEY FEELING! The Swan was (to me)just another business hotel.....just like any other hotel I've ever stayed in! Location was fine....price was more than fine.....just something missing for me! Just my opinion!
Jim

 

[slappy magoo]

Meanwhile I was looking at travelocity rates for both mod resorts and Swan or Dolphin for my "what if we arrive in WDW one day earlier than expected" research. There, the rack rate for a mod is around $17 less than the Swolphin, but once you include the mandatory resort fee, it's close to a 40 dollar difference. And then the parking fee on top of that. My wife is a school librarian/teacher so if we opt to arrive early we can always see if there's a deal to be had for us, but I have a feeling that we'll just be going to Pop for the night.

EDIT: I went to the Swan/Dolphin web site and found the link to get rates for teachers, which is a great rate for those resorts, starting at $139/night. But once you include the resort fee, the parking fee and the taxes all resorts charge, it's like 191, versus 175.50 for most standard rooms in a mod the same time. Granted, for just 15 bucks more you're getting a bigger room, better location and I'm sure a far more comfortable bed. Once again it's mainly a question of how steeped you want to get into that ol' Disney magic. Meanwhile Pop for a night is about $115 all fees included. For a single night where we're already drop dead exhausted from the drive, I think I could deal with a room that small. Were I going for a full trip, the $15 per night difference between a mod and the Dolphin would be verrrry tempting. And of course, it's $15 per night during the time I expect to go; I have no idea what the rates would be for the OP when it's their intended time to vacation. Could be more, and they might not have a car to deal with (though they would then still have to deal with the cost of getting to/from the airport).

And to the OP, if it makes you feel any better, we arrive with cleaning products and while I show the kids around the hotel, my wife basically gives the room a Karen Silkwood-style shower.

 

[slappy magoo]

I can't say anything bad except I didn't like the little extra charges like parking and the resort fee. The resort fee is complete BS but many hotel charge it now. It's still BS so they can show a lower room rate.

You're right in that many resorts now charge it and you're right that it's all BS. IMO, if you run a resort, and if there is a mandatory resort fee then include it in your actual price because the sticker shock will automatically turn people off and then your hotel better be super spiffy to counteract the negative people formed because of the tacked-on resort fee.

 

[danpam1024]

Need some guidance please. We are planning a trip for later this year and are having an issue deciding on the hotel. We love the Beach Club but cannot afford it at this time. Port Orleans Riverside is our 'stand-by' but the location is not as good as Beach Club at least as far as location.

So to get the location we are considering the Swan/Dolphin since the pricing is much closer to Port Orleans. Is this a 'get what you pay for situation'?

The biggest 'mistake' we ever made was moving from moderate resorts to deluxe. Now we feel like we are hooked due to location/amenities. There seems to be a big difference in room upkeep the higher the resort tier and a so-so room will ruin my trip in the first 5 minutes (just a little OCD with cleanliness and overall maintenance).

Staying at the Swan/Dolphin seems like a good compromise but did see some mixed reviews and our stay at POFQ left us disappointed due to housekeeping issues.

Our biggest mistake was going to Deluxes as well- then going to suites at the Loew's Resorts at Uni (same price as a Disney Deluxe). I won't budge on "slipping" back to mods, I will cut a day of vacation first. Swolphin is perfect if you can't afford BW or BC, but doesn't seem to have the intimate feeling that even the largest WDW resort has- it's more convention-ish to me. Would def chose Swolphin over POFQ just out of convenience- and they have room service

 

[mlw119]

Our family has stayed at the Swan/Dolphin probably half a dozen times. We've never been disappointed. We adore the location of the Epcot hotels, and have no desire to stay anywhere else. You're within walking distance (or a boat ride) to both Epcot & Hollywood Studios (and Fantasia mini-golf, which is fun when you need to escape the dreadful park crowds mid-afternoon). Any other Disney hotel with a comparable location will cost at least twice as much. You get the majority of the same perks, such as EMH & Disney transportation, without spending a fortune. For the rooms, they also offer a AAA discount, teacher's rates, and military rates. We're staying this Sept for the F&W Festival and got a AAA rate of $143+taxes per night. Even adding in their $20 a day room fee (which gets you two daily bottles of water, wi-fi, & gym access), it's still gobs cheaper than something like the Beach Club would have been.

The hotels have a good number of restaurants (Il Mulino, bluezoo, Shula's Steakhouse, Kimonos), along with Picabu, which is a 24 hour quick service/snack spot. The pool area is very pretty for any afternoon swimming one might want to do.

The lack of DME (which baffles me when people list as a con. People are aghast when they discover that they have to obtain their own transportation to the hotel... which is something you do on any other vacation you would take anywhere else.) If there's a concern about that daily parking charge, well skip the unnecessary car rental and either take a taxi or the Mears Shuttle. The Mears Shuttle is super easy to book and much cheaper than a cab ride if it's only a couple of people in your party. But either of those options are still more affordable than shelling out $ for a car rental and parking.

People like to harp that there isn't enough "Disney magic" thrown at you in these hotels. But honestly, how much time does one really spend in their hotel room & lobby when they take a Disney vacation? Hardly any. The hotels are clean, well kept, and have super comfy beds. And again, the location. Oh, and because these hotels are part of the Starwood family, you get the bonus of being able to accrue points staying here, which you can use towards future hotel bookings.

 

[jlsHouston]

I have stayed POP, CBR, CSR, and an assortment of the deluxes including the dvc studios at BWI and BLT. And I've stayed at the Dolphin.
CSR I am actually staying at again in a couple of weeks because I really wanted to be at $ 150/night and I couldn't find availability at any dvc studios for the memorial day weekend part of my trip. I toyed with DOLPHIN because it is EPCOT area and nice with a great pool but with the resort fees tacked on and parking because I have a car, I could stay at AKL standard room. And then I would once again be at over $ 200/night and sometimes I just really have to stick to what I am have budgeted ya know?
I didn't much care for CBR but I really loved CSR. Liked the grounds and the food and the room. Buses worked fine the time I stayed there before and this time I have a car. Price was good $ 134/night before taxes. So I am looking forward to a repeat visit.
I love the DOLPHIN but it does have less of a disney immersion feel to it. Great pool and restaurants and the spa is nice too. They always give me the crappiest room with the crappiest view or else it is 10 miles to an elevator. Of course I don't pay for an upgraded room but you would think being an SPG member I'd get a perk now and then. And the DOLPHIN is an EPCOT resort. Absolutely the best location is an EPCOT resort. I love the monorail but I dunno, something about the ring around the lake and EPCOT to one side and HS to the other. Doesn't get much more perfect IMO.
I really don't compare DOLPHIN to the mods. I compare it to the cheaper deluxes WL and AKL. IMO it is a deluxe resort.
Depending on budget and the location and amenities you are looking for, CSR or DOLPHIN are both great resorts.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Yes you can still use EMH and FP+ however you Will not get the 60 day window like disney resort guest. Only 30 days out.

Actually, this was recently changed. Swan and Dolphin are now also eligible to book FP+ 60 days out. I'm not sure how it all works or when it changed (maybe the end of March?), but I've seen it come up on several Disney news shows.

To OP, my parents and brother stay at Dolphin on most of their WDW trips and they love it. Mind you, they're usually getting FL resident rates, but I've still seen many great rates where it's a major savings compared to any of the Epcot area Disney deluxe resorts. And if you have an ebates account, you can see which travel site is offering the best cash back deal (Expedia, Orbitz, etc.)...i.e. more cash back in your pocket. The only issue they've encountered is pre-park opening meals. Swan and Dolphin don't get those super early buses like the Disney resorts, so they normally walk to Yacht Club if they need to pick up an early bus for an 8:05a or earlier ADR.

 

[BransonJ]

Actually, this was recently changed. Swan and Dolphin are now also eligible to book FP+ 60 days out. I'm not sure how it all works or when it changed (maybe the end of March?), but I've seen it come up on several Disney news shows.

I hope so. When I booked the hotel I asked and they mentioned it was set to 30 days out, that was a couple weeks ago. Hopefully it did change or the person I talked to hadn't been notified.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I hope so. When I booked the hotel I asked and they mentioned it was set to 30 days out, that was a couple weeks ago. Hopefully it did change or the person I talked to hadn't been notified.

I first heard about it on a super popular weekly Disney webcast I follow (from another forum). There are several websites also posting the info. Ex. http://attractionsmagazine.com/disn...-now-make-fastpass-selections-buy-magicbands/

"Only guests staying at a Disney resort will be able to use their MagicBands to make purchases. Disney resort guests can also make FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance of their visit instead of 30. Guests staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels can make FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance of their visit, but will not be issued complimentary MagicBands. Guests at the Shades of Green Resort and hotels on Hotel Plaza Boulevard are treated as day guests. Disney says the MyMagic+ system is still in a testing stage."

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I would personally Stick with Port Orleans