Swan or Poly or Grand Floridian for first two nights?

[SecondStarTilMorning]

Easy decision right- go for the poly!

Except it's not. This is because we have two nights booked at the swan on credit card points. These nights are "free" with the exception of $60 in fees (parking and resort fee).

After our first two nights we are switching resorts over to the boardwalk inn for the next 5 nights.

Two nights at a standard view at the Poly comes to about $500 more than we'd be paying for the swan. Same for the Grand Floridian garden view.

We are planning to go again for a short trip in December in which we could use our Starwood points for the Swan instead.

I am really struggling with this decision, because I've always wanted to stay at a monorail resort and we have access to an awesome discount right now.

 

[coachwnh]

Nothing beats a Disney resort at Christmas. Stay at the GF in December!!! Stay at the swan for free now

 

[SecondStarTilMorning]

Nothing beats a Disney resort at Christmas. Stay at the GF in December!!! Stay at the swan for free now

Wish we could afford it! Right now the grand would cost us about $299 for a night for our upcoming April trip. In December it would probably be closer to $500 a night without our special discount.

 

[coachwnh]

Wish we could afford it! Right now the grand would cost us about $299 for a night for our upcoming April trip. In December it would probably be closer to $500 a night without our special discount.

I hear you.

 

[bethymouse]

Well, if $ is an issue, The Swan may be your best option of course.
The Poly is a wonderful resort, and a bit cheaper than GF but not much.
Enjoy your trip! Sounds awesome!

 

[SecondStarTilMorning]

Well, if $ is an issue, The Swan may be your best option of course.
The Poly is a wonderful resort, and a bit cheaper than GF but not much.
Enjoy your trip! Sounds awesome!

I'm very curious if the swan is as bad as trip advisor etc. makes it sound

 

[Minthorne]

Stay at the poly now and at Swan in Dec on points. No brainer IMO - but I'm not a GF fan.

 

[bethymouse]

I'm very curious if the swan is as bad as trip advisor etc. makes it sound

It's not "Disney" owned, so perhaps it's not. I've never stayed there, but the people on this forum who have seem to like it.

 

[kane47]

Def. the Grand at Christmas. It will be fully decorated and the construction should be done. It really is very festive there during the holidays.

 

[jmargarone27]

Wish we could afford it! Right now the grand would cost us about $299 for a night for our upcoming April trip. In December it would probably be closer to $500 a night without our special discount.

You are so lucky!!! $299 at the GF is UNHEARD OF since about 2003! OMG go for it! I have never paid under $389 at the GF.

 

[SecondStarTilMorning]

Hmmm maybe we will just stick with the swan out of pure curiosity about the experience. Never done an "all disney" vacation before though

 

[SecondStarTilMorning]

You are so lucky!!! $299 at the GF is UNHEARD OF since about 2003! OMG go for it! I have never paid under $389 at the GF.

It's because I'm a travel agent, which is how we are booking our 5 nights at the boardwalk inn for $239 per night. Once a year I get to book up to a seven night stay at crazy good (but still expensive because it's disney) rates.

 

[coachwnh]

I'm very curious if the swan is as bad as trip advisor etc. makes it sound

We stayed there once and wouldn't stay again. Not that's its a bad hotel. It's very nice, but in Disney I want to be in Disney.

 

[luv]

I don't like to switch hotels and would just stay at the BWI the whole time. But if I couldn't, I'd probably do the Swan. It's a short drive (or walk, lol) to BWI. Plus, you save a bunch of money.

But if you have your little heart set on the Poly, then just go there!!

 

[bethymouse]

It's because I'm a travel agent, which is how we are booking our 5 nights at the boardwalk inn for $239 per night. Once a year I get to book up to a seven night stay at crazy good (but still expensive because it's disney) rates.

Hmmm maybe we will just stick with the swan out of pure curiosity about the experience. Never done an "all disney" vacation before though

Lucky ducky!
I would definitely try an all Disney vacation! There is just so much to do, and to me it's all inclusive if you get the dining plan, tickets, and stay in a package. It is expensive, but no more than the beach or any other place here on earth.