Shuttles from MCO to Swan/Dolphin

[ddbowdoin]

Hey all,

My wife and I are headed down to WDW in March 2013 for our second trip of the year. We normally stay at the BC but since this is our 2nd trip we are trying to keep the trip on the cheap. We're also traveling with another couple, so this all helps.

Anyways, BC quote was WAY too high and a room in Swan came at a little more than 1/2 the cost. I think we're heading in that direction but I wanted to double check with members to see their experience with shuttles from MCO to the S/D and what the expected cost was/is.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Mukta]

I have no experience, but I am highly considering staying at the Swan instead of the BC this December.

Doing my research, this is the one that looked the best to me price wise. There are only two of us, so $32 (with mousesavers discount) was the best deal
http://www.mousesavers.com/transpor...on-airport-shuttles-for-disney-vacations/#wdw

If there are 4 of you, the town car option will be cheaper.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I have no experience, but I am highly considering staying at the Swan instead of the BC this December.

Doing my research, this is the one that looked the best to me price wise. There are only two of us, so $32 (with mousesavers discount) was the best deal
http://www.mousesavers.com/transpor...on-airport-shuttles-for-disney-vacations/#wdw

If there are 4 of you, the town car option will be cheaper.

4400 for 7 nights in March at BC... 2200 at the Swan. HUGEEEEEEEE difference

 

[Mukta]

4400 for 7 nights in March at BC... 2200 at the Swan. HUGEEEEEEEE difference

It will be $1207 for BC (AP discount) or $804 for swan. I'm only going for 4 nights, but I can use that money for other things. I am so nervous about leaving BC though.

 

[ddbowdoin]

It will be $1207 for BC (AP discount) or $804 for swan. I'm only going for 4 nights, but I can use that money for other things. I am so nervous about leaving BC though.

I use KK... the 4400 was the best deal, with both an AP and AAA discount in hand.

 

[Mukta]

I use KK... the 4400 was the best deal, with both an AP and AAA discount in hand.

I use KK too. You know that feeling when you walk into the BC on arrival, or you walk into it after a long day at Epcot. What if I don't feel that way walking into the swan? That is my biggest fear.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I use KK too. You know that feeling when you walk into the BC on arrival, or you walk into it after a long day at Epcot. What if I don't feel that way walking into the swan? That is my biggest fear.

I'll break this down the best I can...

I know a lot of people love sipping the kool aid, but I try not to. My ONLY deluxe experience is the Beach Club (and a 2 night stay at Poly) I've experienced both the standard rooms (well, I think it was "garden") and a DVC 1 BR suite (when we stayed with my inlaws). I can tell you this, for the cost of the room it is NO great shakes. The theming is ok, I'm from New England so it's kind of hard to pull a MV theme over me since I go there every summer but its also not bad. Feels pretty standard to me, it's obviously no low end hotel/motel but at 350 plus a night it better be.

For me, it's the convenience... all convenience, which might actually pull me to S/D from here on out if the rates are more than half.

Walking to Epcot / DHS... unreal how I love avoiding buses. Being able to stumble home after drinking around the world, an easy exit after Illuminations. SaB is pretty awesome, which will suck not being able to enjoy but there are worse things in life and more things I could do with an extra grand in my wallet. But also Jellyrolls and all of the BW entertainment, it's awesome! Way better than the Mono loop where at night I felt there was just less to do.

I felt WAY more of a rush walking into Poly than I did BC... more so because it's an original resort, has immense theming, and just feels Disney.

 

[maryszhi]

maybe try another deluxe or even a moderate. also i know mears does shuttles. i dont know how much they are. your other option is a car hire or taxi cab

 

[Disney Dawg88]

4400 for 7 nights in March at BC... 2200 at the Swan. HUGEEEEEEEE difference

I've stayed at Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach before for Marathon Weekend. I also visit Central FL for work once a month for the past four years, and I've stayed at almost every offsite hotel in the area. I get it that people want to stay on property for convenience and to "feel the magic" but I'm glad someone on here sees that staying in another hotel is HALF of the cost of staying at a Disney hotel and just not worth spending the extra money. I'm not anti-Disney, I've had an AP for the past three years, but I just shake my head at the nightly rate of some their hotels and they're not that nice either!!! I'm sorry for the rant but that difference in price is just crazy. I've never stayed at the Beach Club or the Swan/Dolphin, I'm sure they're nice, but there are a lot of really nice hotels in the area that you can spend $100-$150 a night and it's a lot nicer too. I'm not poor but I'm not rich either and a $2200 savings is huge . . . that's another trip to Disney! Good for you saving that much and have a great time!

 

[Tiggerish]

I stayed at the Swan once and thought it was great. The walk to Epcot is a bit further, but there's always the boat (I never take the boats, they're freezing cold, and so slow!). I would definitely stay there again, except now I have DVC.

That was back in 1995, so it's been a while, and I'm pretty sure the Swan changed management to be part of the Starwood group of hotels, though I can't remember which hotel group it was part of in '95; it might just be that it was a Sheraton then and now it's a Westin. They did away with the package delivery from the parks, but you could always use package pickup at the International Gateway, it's nearly as convenient, and you'd still get the Disney transportation and the EMH.

We had a rental car, so I can't give you any advice on airport shuttles, but I know that they charge for parking nowadays if you have a car at the Swan, so you're better off with the shuttle.

If I were you, I would definitely take S/D over BC for that price difference; you get most of the perks of staying on property at half the price, so what if the hotel decor is not dripping in hidden Mickeys?