Swan and Dolphin

[Florida_is_hot]

Next time I think I will go for the Swan and Dolphin.
Non Disney but they get the same privileges. (Transportation including the bus to the airport, extra hours, charging room key) .... Correct?

Also which one is closest to Epcot?
I can never remember.

 

[wdwmagic]

Both fantastic resorts, and both are very close to Epcot and Studios. You get EMH and transport to the parks, but not Magical Express to the airport or room charging.

 

[Tater tot]

The Dolphin is closest to Epcot. I have stayed there a few times with my triple A discount. No magical express or room charging since they are not disney owned. You share the busses with Boardwalk, etc. so no direct route to and from the parks.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

My mother has points with Starwood and the Swalphin is a resort she can use her points at. The Dolphin is the larger resort and has LOTS of conventions throught the year. The Swan is a bit smaller and I believe is closer to Epcot. You would walk right by Boardwalk and then over to International Gateway. With the Dolphin, I don't know if there is a side exit or not but if there isn't you have to walk across to the Swan past the boat launch before you start towards Epcot. If there is a side exit, you still would have to go either past the Yacht and Beach Club, or over towards the Swan, then by the Boardwalk. For the buses, Swan is picked up ad dropped off before The Dolphin. Looks like on this map both are about the same, the Dolphin maybe a little longer. Hope this helps!

 

[epcotisbest]

My mother has points with Starwood and the Swalphin is a resort she can use her points at. The Dolphin is the larger resort and has LOTS of conventions throught the year. The Swan is a bit smaller and I believe is closer to Epcot. You would walk right by Boardwalk and then over to International Gateway. With the Dolphin, I don't know if there is a side exit or not but if there isn't you have to walk across to the Swan past the boat launch before you start towards Epcot. If there is a side exit, you still would have to go either past the Yacht and Beach Club, or over towards the Swan, then by the Boardwalk. For the buses, Swan is picked up ad dropped off before The Dolphin. Looks like on this map both are about the same, the Dolphin maybe a little longer. Hope this helps!

Yes, distance to the international gateway from either is about the same, certainly not worth measuring. While the Dolphin is bigger, it usually has better rates and they share the grotto pool and other pools. Beautiful places, both.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

We enjoyed our stay at the Dolphin this past May. The distance to Epcot I didn't notice as being anything hugely different from either Swan or Dolphin. The pool area we thought was beautiful, as was the children's area w/the playground & sand. I'd definitely stay there again.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

My brother and SIL normally stay at the Dolphin when visiting WDW. The rates there, especially with AAA or other incentives, always seems to be lower. I want to say they're paying around $117/nt for our visit next month. They do charge a daily resort fee and I believe also charge for parking, but it often still works out below a discounted moderate and definitely below a deluxe. We have skipped it since the rooms that sleep 4 seem to only offer double beds. I think the Dolphin may be a hair closer, but they both share the same boat dock if you want to access Epcot in that manner.

 

[Florida_is_hot]

They are both in waking distance or (boat ride if it is hot and I am lazy) between Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
I can walk to Epcot spend the morning exit and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom.

May rent a car next time, pay the parking.

Does the parking pass get you into the lots at the theme parks?
The Disney Hotels you have parking pass the wave you in.

 

[RedGear]

We stayed there for a few days in 2010, it was nice. We got a car service to pick us up from the airport, which cost about $50, and then just used Disney transportation that rest of the time were were there. As long as you don't mind waiting for a boat or walking to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, I think it's worth it.

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

Next time I think I will go for the Swan and Dolphin.
Non Disney but they get the same privileges. (Transportation including the bus to the airport, extra hours, charging room key) .... Correct?

Also which one is closest to Epcot?
I can never remember.

My personal preference is the Swan since it's a little more exclusive and the beds are bigger/more comfortable (at least in the standard guest rooms). Honestly, both places are really the same distance away from EPCOT/DHS even though one might feel like it's closer to one park than the other. With these resort hotels, you are eligible for EMH's/FP's and all other perks the Disney resort hotels offer except DME transportation and charging your room key. One other thing I wanted to mention is that these places also charge a daily resort fee and if you were to rent a car, they charge a daily parking fee as well. Good luck in your choice as you can't go wrong with either one.