Swan or Dolphin?

[fmingo36]

Can someone please explain the difference of these two resorts (other than the general theming).
And how is it different than staying at a "Disney" resort.
Thanks!

 

[slappy magoo]

Can someone please explain the difference of these two resorts (other than the general theming).
And how is it different than staying at a "Disney" resort.
Thanks!

Do you mean the difference between the two compared to each other? Or the difference between the two of them compared to other onsite resorts?

If it's the latter, since they're on Disney property, but not owned by Disney, they do get some of the amenities Disney resorts get - Disney transportation & extra magic hours being the two main ones. What they don't get - free parking, even in their own lots (unless you have an annual pass), free package delivery from Disney stores to their rooms, no Disney Magical Express to/from the airport. In exchange for that, you get spacious rooms with some of the most comfortable beds in the resort industry in a phenomenal location for in many instance comparable costs to a Disney moderate resort. For example, allears.net and mousesavers.com have codes for visitors to their sites to give them rooms at Swan or Dolphin starting at 149 a night (plus parking, resort charges and taxes). The resorts also offer discounts to teachers, government employees and active military.

For the official shpiel: http://swandolphin.com/

For reader reviews and theoretically objective critiques

http://allears.net/acc/faq_dol.htm

http://allears.net/acc/faq_swan.htm

 

[fmingo36]

Do you mean the difference between the two compared to each other? Or the difference between the two of them compared to other onsite resorts?

If it's the latter, since they're on Disney property, but not owned by Disney, they do get some of the amenities Disney resorts get - Disney transportation & extra magic hours being the two main ones. What they don't get - free parking, even in their own lots (unless you have an annual pass), free package delivery from Disney stores to their rooms, no Disney Magical Express to/from the airport. In exchange for that, you get spacious rooms with some of the most comfortable beds in the resort industry in a phenomenal location for in many instance comparable costs to a Disney moderate resort. For example, allears.net and mousesavers.com have codes for visitors to their sites to give them rooms at Swan or Dolphin starting at 149 a night (plus parking, resort charges and taxes). The resorts also offer discounts to teachers, government employees and active military.

For the official shpiel: http://swandolphin.com/

For reader reviews and theoretically objective critiques

http://allears.net/acc/faq_dol.htm

http://allears.net/acc/faq_swan.htm

I was asking both question--the difference between the two resorts and than the difference in staying at one of those resorts compared to staying at a Disney resort.

Thanks for the info! I did not know that Magic Express was not included if you stayed at either of those properties.

 

[chrissyw14]

we've stayed in the Dolphin twice and absolutely loved it! The beds are incredibly comfortable, its owned by the sheraton company. when getting the soda refil mugs I think its also more convenient because you just have to go down the elevator rather than walking, which is a big change from the value resorts. the elevators are cool they talk! my family perfers the dolphin over the Swan although we do not have a great reason, the pool is awesome they have a basketball court and volleyball which is fun. we love the boat system to epcot and hollywood studios, perfect for going back to the boardwalk for dinner and then deciding you want to go back to the parks even if its just to ride tower of terror one more time.

also something thats really important, you still completely feel like you are staying in a disney hotel, i was worried about that but its still a great disney resort, it was originally built by disney.

The views from the Dolphin of the Tower of Terror and boardwalk are amazing, it would also offer great views of epcot if you are put in the correct side.

its just really nice to be able to stay out late at the boardwalk and just walk back to the hotel, ESPN club has free arcade games to play

 

[Dznycrzy]

In the rooms, the Swan has a sink that can be accessed while someone else is in the bathroom. The Dolphin's sink is in the bathroom.

The Dolphin rooms that we have had all had sinks outside the bathroom, too.

The only difference that I see is that the Dolphin building is bigger ,and they are obviously themed differently. The Dolphin rooms are a little less $$, too.( I just booked for September on a teacher discount and the room was only $139. That's less than a Disney moderate resort for the same time period!!:sohappy Either one is a good choice. Not to mention that the proximity to two parks, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, makes it feel like you are at a Disney Deluxe resort!!! LOVE it!!!

 

[fmingo36]

we've stayed in the Dolphin twice and absolutely loved it! The beds are incredibly comfortable, its owned by the sheraton company. when getting the soda refil mugs I think its also more convenient because you just have to go down the elevator rather than walking, which is a big change from the value resorts. the elevators are cool they talk! my family perfers the dolphin over the Swan although we do not have a great reason, the pool is awesome they have a basketball court and volleyball which is fun. we love the boat system to epcot and hollywood studios, perfect for going back to the boardwalk for dinner and then deciding you want to go back to the parks even if its just to ride tower of terror one more time.

also something thats really important, you still completely feel like you are staying in a disney hotel, i was worried about that but its still a great disney resort, it was originally built by disney.

The views from the Dolphin of the Tower of Terror and boardwalk are amazing, it would also offer great views of epcot if you are put in the correct side.

its just really nice to be able to stay out late at the boardwalk and just walk back to the hotel, ESPN club has free arcade games to play

Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing!

 

[CamiLyn227]

So since there is no Magical Express for these two what would be the best way to get to and from the airport without getting a rental car? Thanks!

 

[fmingo36]

So since there is no Magical Express for these two what would be the best way to get to and from the airport without getting a rental car? Thanks!

Mears shuttles or a taxi. Best price would depend on how many people are in your party.