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Swan or Dolphin?
- Thread starter kwhdmd
- Start date
luvorlando
New Member
The Dolphin has more festive atmosphere in the lobby and more dining options. The Swan is more subdued and is much smaller than the Dolphin. To be fair though, the walk between either hotel to eat or shop at the other is not far at all!
The main difference in the rooms is that the Dolphin has double beds, where the Swan has queens. With the age of your little ones, you may even look into a King room, where the kids could sleep on the sofa bed. You'd have much more "room".
Depending upon where your room is located at either hotel, your walk to the grotto pool could be a good hike.
The Disney transportation is the same for either hotel. The boat dock is centrally located between both, and the busses run to the front of each, just outside the respective lobbies.
Both offer rooms with great views where you can see the Boardwalk and Epcot or MGM all lit up at night, or you could get a room at either that looks away from those parks.
The main difference in the rooms is that the Dolphin has double beds, where the Swan has queens. With the age of your little ones, you may even look into a King room, where the kids could sleep on the sofa bed. You'd have much more "room".
Depending upon where your room is located at either hotel, your walk to the grotto pool could be a good hike.
The Disney transportation is the same for either hotel. The boat dock is centrally located between both, and the busses run to the front of each, just outside the respective lobbies.
Both offer rooms with great views where you can see the Boardwalk and Epcot or MGM all lit up at night, or you could get a room at either that looks away from those parks.
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I would go for the Swan, as it has a much less busy feel to it. At the Dolphin it is generally very evident that there are large scale conferences taking place inside. It's a relatively minor thing though, both hotels are great. Have a great trip! 
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kwhdmd said:
At that time of the year, I'd say the Swan. October is busy with conventions, and the Dolphin might be busier. Having said that, the Dolphin lobby is much more impressive and the quick-service restaurants and laundry are located at the Dolphin. Honestly, I don't think you can make a bad choice.
I'd suggest, if you haven't already, that you join the Starwood Guest Program. SPG members often get complimentary view upgrades.
One thing to remember about the Swan/Dolphin--the property is incredible, but it is also quite large. It can be quite a ways to the pool from your room, and with 2 little ones, you might want to use a stroller.
Enjoy your stay--we love it there
Go Cats!
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mousermerf
Account Suspended
I'm not a big fan of the Swolphin - but the Swan itself just got repainted and looks very nice.
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mousermerf
Account Suspended
As of like last week everything but the center part of the Swan facing the dolphin was done - Dolphin is taking a bit longer, part of the faux-camoflage are done, but nothing really major yet.
The Swans that loom over the Boardwalk look very nice after being repainted.
The Swans that loom over the Boardwalk look very nice after being repainted.
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kwhdmd said:
I forgot to mention earlier, I have a lot of photos of the Swan at http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts_swan.htm
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GoofyMom2
New Member
We have only stayed at the Dolphin (Love those beds!) and have another visit planned for 4/06.
As for conventions...it seems that many of the large ones use both hotels (at the same time) for their group. The Dolphin has the big conference rooms and banquet halls, but you hardly see the people since they are "working" during the day. I hardly ever saw them at the pool, either. My husband has a convention there every year and we went with him last year. We never found the extra people to be a problem. In fact, since many of the rooms were filled with people who weren't using the transportation system, we never had a full bus!
The Dolphin is also used by DVC (Swan, too?). At least we were told this by DVC owners on a bus.
My kids, 4 and 7 at the time, just loved the Dolphin, their snack bar, ice cream, gift shop, and pool. They are excited to go back in April.
Have fun on your trip!
As for conventions...it seems that many of the large ones use both hotels (at the same time) for their group. The Dolphin has the big conference rooms and banquet halls, but you hardly see the people since they are "working" during the day. I hardly ever saw them at the pool, either. My husband has a convention there every year and we went with him last year. We never found the extra people to be a problem. In fact, since many of the rooms were filled with people who weren't using the transportation system, we never had a full bus!
The Dolphin is also used by DVC (Swan, too?). At least we were told this by DVC owners on a bus.
My kids, 4 and 7 at the time, just loved the Dolphin, their snack bar, ice cream, gift shop, and pool. They are excited to go back in April.
Have fun on your trip!
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