Swan or Polynesian

[steamboat]

Hi Everyone, I know this maybe a stupid question – but because we live in so far away in Australia and this is our first trip to DW I really need some local knowledge.
We are about to book our accommodation for our October/November family holiday to Disney World, there are two resorts we are thinking about the Swan or the Polynesian. The Swan looks good because of the location, but the Polynesian has the monorail running through it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[iconjunkie]

Not a stupid question at all, don't worry!

It depends on where you think you might be spending more of your time. If you know you'll be in Magic Kingdom more, Poly is the way to go. Not only do you have the monorail, but you'll have easy access to the Grand Floridian and Contemporary resorts if you feel like visiting. Though I've never stayed at either, people definitely rave about Poly more than Swan.

The argument for Swan: If you know you love Epcot and will spending more time there, book at Swan. As you probably know, Swan is located on the large walkable loop with Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk, etc. and it's great to be able to enter Epcot through the International Gateway instead of having to take the bus.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

A few other things to think about...

-The Swan is significantly cheaper than the Poly.

-The Swan isn't a Disney resort, per se, since it's owned by an outside party (Westin). It's not really themed, and once you go inside, you could be at any Westin resort anywhere in the world.

-If Disney's Magical Express or the Dining Plan are things you're interested in, you're decision is pretty easy. The Swan (for the reason I mentioned above) does not participate in either of these, therefore you'd have to stay ay the Poly.

 

[chrissyw14]

Since this is your first trip I say do it big and stay at the poly, it gives you more of the Disney experience.

However, I do love the swan it is really nice and the location with the boats is awesome.

I think you should stay at the poly for your first trip and come back to the swan [:

 

[wdwmagic]

Hi Everyone, I know this maybe a stupid question – but because we live in so far away in Australia and this is our first trip to DW I really need some local knowledge.
We are about to book our accommodation for our October/November family holiday to Disney World, there are two resorts we are thinking about the Swan or the Polynesian. The Swan looks good because of the location, but the Polynesian has the monorail running through it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How long are you visiting for?

How about splitting the stay?

Swan is a fantastic resort. Walkable to Epcot and the Studios, some of the best rooms on property, great pool area, and great pricing.

Poly is an iconic hotel, views of the Magic Kingdom, and some great theming.

I would go for the best of both, and split the stay.

 

[tikiman]

We have split our stay with the Swan and Dolphin 4 times and I can tell you that if you love Epcot you should stay at the Polynesian. It is about a 5 minute walk from the farthest room at the Polynesian to the monorail and it is an 8 minute ride to Epcot. Walking from the Swan to Epcot can take 15-20 minutes to get to the World Showcase entrance and you can be in the heat or the rain during that walk. Also the boat from the Swan to either Epcot or Hollywood studios can be extremely long. I have told the story before about how we watched the boat leave from the dock at the studios and the next boat took so long that we actually listened to the beginning of Fantazmic until the fireworks at the end before the boat came. True story!!! Also with busses the Polynesian shares a bus with the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian but since you are in the middle of the two resorts you either get off the bus second stop or you only have one more resort to stop at when being picked up. With the Swan you share a bus with the Boardwalk, Dolphin, Yacht Club and Beach Club.

We do enjoy the Swan but it is not in my opinion a better choice than the Polynesian. Here is a trip report from our first split stay with the Swan so it will give you our initial reaction to the resort.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/trip-reports/120-december-2006

 

[Scuttle]

Since this is your first trip I say do it big and stay at the poly, it gives you more of the Disney experience.

However, I do love the swan it is really nice and the location with the boats is awesome.

I think you should stay at the poly for your first trip and come back to the swan [:

Agree. It's your first trip go stay at the one and only Polynesian. Make sure you get a lapu lapu.

 

[Matt and Kelly]

I've stayed at the Swan before and really enjoyed it. It was a great hotel, very comfortable beds and a terrific location. We were able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, which was great, then head to the Boardwalk at night for dinner, shopping or a quick drink.

As Nick said earlier, it's definitely cheaper than Poly, but nowhere near as iconic.

I have not had the good fortune of being able to stay at the Poly (yet) but it's high on my list of places to stay on future trips.

 

[eroyee]

You wont get magical express from the airport or the dining plan if you stay at the Swan. Also, its not Disney oriented at all. Just like another fancy hotel. I would definitely pick the Poly since you can afford a deluxe.

 

[SleepingMonk]

The price difference between the Swan and the Poly could EASILY be $300+ per night.

Savings like that would erase any benefit of both the dining plan and magical express.

 

[wdwmagic]

We have split our stay with the Swan and Dolphin 4 times and I can tell you that if you love Epcot you should stay at the Polynesian. It is about a 5 minute walk from the farthest room at the Polynesian to the monorail and it is an 8 minute ride to Epcot. Walking from the Swan to Epcot can take 15-20 minutes to get to the World Showcase entrance and you can be in the heat or the rain during that walk. Also the boat from the Swan to either Epcot or Hollywood studios can be extremely long. I have told the story before about how we watched the boat leave from the dock at the studios and the next boat took so long that we actually listened to the beginning of Fantazmic until the fireworks at the end before the boat came. True story!!! Also with busses the Polynesian shares a bus with the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian but since you are in the middle of the two resorts you either get off the bus second stop or you only have one more resort to stop at when being picked up. With the Swan you share a bus with the Boardwalk, Dolphin, Yacht Club and Beach Club.

We do enjoy the Swan but it is not in my opinion a better choice than the Polynesian. Here is a trip report from our first split stay with the Swan so it will give you our initial reaction to the resort.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/trip-reports/120-december-2006

Definitely agree that it could rain or be hot walking from the Swan to Epcot, but I did once time it and also measured the distance - and it really is not far. It is 0.5 miles or 11.5 minutes walk from the Swan to Epcot.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Walking-Distances.htm

I'd be happy to race you to Epcot with me starting at the Swan and you starting at the Poly. No way you'd beat me . That 5 minute walk from the Poly to the TTC Epcot monorail is a bit optimistic, and that 8 minute ride assumes that the monorail is there and leaving right away - which rarely happens. That trip from the Poly to Epcot has to be more along the lines of 30 minutes total, but if everything works out optimally, 15 minutes.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Hi Everyone, I know this maybe a stupid question – but because we live in so far away in Australia and this is our first trip to DW I really need some local knowledge.
We are about to book our accommodation for our October/November family holiday to Disney World, there are two resorts we are thinking about the Swan or the Polynesian. The Swan looks good because of the location, but the Polynesian has the monorail running through it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

G'day!! Not a stupid question at all. We absolutely LOVE the polynesian!!! The rooms are bigger than the Swan, plus they are also on the monorail system and a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom. You didn't mention ages of your children, but if they enjoy the Magic Kingdom, you're alot closer. Also, for nights where your family may be too tired to go to Magic Kingdom, you can sit on Polynesian's beach and watch the fireworks over the castle. The Polynesian is a bit more costly than the Swan, but for the convenience, larger rooms, and the two pools, its really worth it. Have a fabulous vacation!!! :wave:

 

[tikiman]

Definitely agree that it could rain or be hot walking from the Swan to Epcot, but I did once time it and also measured the distance - and it really is not far. It is 0.5 miles or 11.5 minutes walk from the Swan to Epcot.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/Walking-Distances.htm

I'd be happy to race you to Epcot with me starting at the Swan and you starting at the Poly. No way you'd beat me . That 5 minute walk from the Poly to the TTC Epcot monorail is a bit optimistic, and that 8 minute ride assumes that the monorail is there and leaving right away - which rarely happens. That trip from the Poly to Epcot has to be more along the lines of 30 minutes total, but if everything works out optimally, 15 minutes.

Hey Steve,

Well I am sure if you walk like me you can get there fast but when we did time studies we did it at the pace of the other families that walked the walkways and just from the Yacht Club to the International Gateway was 10 minutes. Remember some have smaller kids that don’t walk as fast. Not that I don’t sometimes enjoy the walk, especially in the morning but I can tell you I was not happy when we walked that walk after a long hot day or when the daily downpour happened.

Good point with the monorail being at the station but really walking the whole Polynesian resort should not take more than 7 minutes if you were out past Luau Cove. That was another time study we had. I guess if you got lost it could take you longer :animwink:

How about this, I call you when I get on the monorail and you run from the Swan. Last one to the middle of Epcot buys the beer in England.:slurp:

 

[Aprilnjosh]

Poly...Poly...Poly

Stay at the Poly...much more relaxed atmosphere!

 

[Crush Dude!]

I gotta go with The Poly!!!

Simply it has easy access to both MK and Epcot!!

And it is just Amazing!!

For me its down to money, if its a problem go with Swan, great quality for great price!!!

 

[quirkle]

POLY!! If those are your only choices. I would stay at a moderate resort over the Swan. I just am not a fan of either the Swan or the Dolphin because IMO they are just hotels.

 

[olinecoach61]

You have to go with the poly! It's the best best resort in all of WDW, IMO.