Resort Opinions Needed

[Schweino]

Seeking opinions:

Swan/Dolphin - I can get a fully refundable rate of 370/night here (336/night w/ no refund allowed, but we need refund capability). It would be close to HS/Epcot and we would get extra evening hours. Not sure if there is anything else to consider here compared to official Disney resort hotels?

POR-FQ - It's about 330/night for our desired room. Over a 6 night stay, its $240 cheaper, but lose the extra evening hours. Also keep the ability to cancel/refund.

The ability to be able to cancel/refund with no penalty is important because the only reason we are going is because my wife's family wants to go. If they have to cancel for whatever reason, we aren't going to go.

It's still not clear if Disney is putting HS into rotation per week for evening hours (so 3 parks a week as opposed to current two) or if HS is replacing MK. Time will tell. With a 6 night stay, is $240 worth 4-6 extra hours? What are your thoughts?

 

[NelleBelle]

Is the price you're figuring for Swan/Dolphin including the $35/pd resort fee? Either way, I'd do the Swan/Dolphin (that's what my preference was when I was trying to book something for our trip this summer until all the "traitorous" males in my family overruled me for a vacation house *sob*! I was considering POFQ as well but the ability to walk to EP and HS as well as food options won out (plus the pool is so much nicer IMO at Swan/Dolphin).

 

[Schweino]

Is the price you're figuring for Swan/Dolphin including the $35/pd resort fee? Either way, I'd do the Swan/Dolphin (that's what my preference was when I was trying to book something for our trip this summer until all the "traitorous" males in my family overruled me for a vacation house *sob*! I was considering POFQ as well but the ability to walk to EP and HS as well as food options won out (plus the pool is so much nicer IMO at Swan/Dolphin).

It did not, so it is indeed about $400/night. At that price, it's getting dangerously close to considering other deluxe resorts.

 

[KellBelle]

If it can be worked out, I would absolutely choose Swan/Dolphin. We stayed at Swan for the first time in November, we loved it and already booked to go back this year. Those boats and proximity to Epcot and HS as well as the nearby resorts were so worth the cost increase to us. I can't say enough how much we loved it. We also got free water in the room, which was a nice surprise. I am not sure how much housekeeping means to you, but in November, we could have had it daily, but we opted not to. It was nice that they did offer a daily service if wanted. At least at Swan, the lobby was nice and small and not overrun with kids. The food choices were great also. It was a very pleasant surprise for us.

We have also stayed POFQ and loved it, but in comparing the two, the Swan/Dolphin would be the clear winner.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

If you are going to utilize the extra evening hours, it is probably worth it. You can get a lot done during those hours so it will help make the trip more leisurely.

 

[Schweino]

@KellBelle - did they have a mini fridge in Swan? We watched a trip review video and they said there was no fridge in the room - which was a bit shocking to me. I need my cold monster energy drinks!

EDIT: Nevermind - found another video where there is a fridge. I now have questions about the first video we watched lol..

 

[ppet]

About the only downside to Swan or Dolphin that I know of is that the busses drop you off at the TTC instead of in front of MK.

 

[Schweino]

About the only downside to Swan or Dolphin that I know of is that the busses drop you off at the TTC instead of in front of MK.

But you can walk from Swan to Yacht/Beach and use those buses, right? I think it's close enough that it isn't a killer walk.

 

[ppet]

But you can walk from Swan to Yacht/Beach and use those buses, right? I think it's close enough that it isn't a killer walk.

I haven't done it, but I believe that is the case.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It did not, so it is indeed about $400/night. At that price, it's getting dangerously close to considering other deluxe resorts.

Animal Kingdom Lodge standard view, simple as.

 

[Schweino]

Animal Kingdom Lodge standard view, simple as.

It's going to be on the table and we might wait till July to actually book. Looking at Disney's historical discounts the past three years per mousesavers, it seems July is when they have announced discounts for our time we are going (12/3-12/10). Pending those discounts, there's a good chance we expand our choices.