Swan vs. PO-Riverside

[kwhdmd]

My family and I are planning a stay from Oct.17-Oct.24. 4 adults, 4 children ranging from 2-7.

We have rates locked in of $124 a night at PO-R and $190 at the Swan.

Which of these 2 resorts would you recommend and why?

Thanks a lot, I love hearing insights from other Disney buffs!

 

[d'Isigny]

Go with Port Orleans Riverside. The Swan and Dolphin are not owned by Disney (from what I understand)...so I felt it was lacking in the experience. It also took a long time to catch a bus to the Theme parks...and they only had one bus depot. Swan is like any Hotel...nice ammenities...but just a Hotel.

POR is a themed Hotel. The rooms are off of the lobby, which I like. It allows for walking over the bridge at night...walking past the main pool...absorbing the surroundings...it's just beautiful.

The Lobby, General store, food court, lounge and restaurant are in one building. The rooms are spread out, divided into mansions and bayou buildings.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/porss.htm

http://www.suitedisney.com/id244.htm

 

[i<3disney4ever]

i love the swan because it has a boat that goes to both MGM & Epcot. for MGM ur the last hotel picked up so u get straight to the park without sitting on the boat going from hotel to hotel. but port orleans riverside is really nice too. they are both a good pic for your vaca. hope u have fun on ur trip!

 

[captcanada]

I'd have to say PORS. It is simply my favorite of all the resorts.
But....that's just my tastes.
It's just too pretty.

 

[wdwmagic]

I would go with the Swan, because:

1. you can walk directly to Disney-MGM studios
2. you can walk directly to Epcot
3. you can take a boat to Disney-MGM studios
4. you can take a boat to Epcot
5. you can walk to Epcot, jump on the monorail to MK.
6. that leaves only a bus to go to AK
7. great pool
8. best hotel bed I have ever stayed in
9. high speed internet in all rooms
10. 24 hour food court
11. it's a deluxe resort with deluxe features

 

[rob_b]

Swan would be my choice! Many more dinning options. You can also walk to the Boardwalk.

I have never stayed at the Swan but I visit there often while staying at the BWV. Even though the Swan is not run or owned by WDW I can feel the magic there.

The best thing about PO-Riverside is the boat to Downtown Disney.

 

[dixiegirl]

i'd go with por....its my favorite resort...(if you can't tell from my signature)...lots to do there ..fishing for the kids, quite a few pools ...bike and boat rentals..sassagoula river steam boat ..which is water transportion to downtown disney ,,which is a nice ride...to me the grounds at por are beautiful...great dining hall..and boatwrights which is a table service restaurant has great food , not to mention the best bannana stuffed french toast....if you forget little odds and ends they havea really cute general store..toothpaste and the such along with beer , soda , wine...and then the usual disneyworld resort things..photo album, shirt , plush animals and many other things...i just love walking through the place....and then there is piano man bob...he plays in the bar , i believe wed through sat nites...he is great for the whole family..hope i was a little helpful...sorry to go on and on,, but this is my favorite resort..any other qustions feel free to ask anyone here. they are so helpful, also do a search i'm sure you'll find plenty.. :sohappy:

 

[beagle 1]

I highly recommend the Swan and Dolphin.

I have stayed there twice and I have no complaints. The bed are extremely comfortable and the rooms are very clean. This resort is not owned by Disney, however, you get all the amenities of a Disney Resort. Importantly, there is huge selection of restuarants at your disposal. Tubbi's is cafeteria style dining with a full buffet (perfect for children who may have different tastes) and is NEVER closed . Also, there is a Dolphin Fountain that makes a root beer float that I would kill for. Dolphin Fountain also has hamburgers,hot dogs and french fries to order. The prices are very reasonable compared to prices in the Disney parks. For example, I got salsa and chips for $2.00 one night as a snack.

In addition, you are within walking distances of Epcot, Fantasia Gardens (minature golf course, highly recommended), MGM, boat rides to EPOT and MGM (highly recommended) and you can walk to the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk has even more food choices. In addition, there is a general store where you can buy milk, snacks, etc. Plus, you can watch the Epcot fireworks everynight and take a nice stroll along the Boardwalk back to your resort.

The bus system was extremely organized. The buses came almost every 15 minutes. In the morning, there is Magic Kingdom buses that comes almost every 10 minutes.

Check out http://www.swandolphin.com

 

[Goofy4WDW]

Now, if your mind wasn't made up before, it probably isn't now either.

I have stayed at POR, and absolutely loved it. It's very beautiful, and the food court is great, and as a whole, is probably more kid-friendly.
My wife and I, would like to stay at the Swan someday. As others have said, the convenience of having EPCOT, Disney Studios, and the Boardwalk nearby is a plus. There is also miniature golf.

You can't go wrong, with whatever you decide. You're at Walt Disney World.

 

[Kadee]

I've stayed at POR before and am staying there in Dec. It is wonderful! My whole family loves it. As for the Swan, I've heard great things but never stayed there. I had thought about switching to the swan because they have such great rates for teachers. Just don't worry about which is the best. Just pick one and have a wonderful time. You will enjoy either one, I'm sure.

 

[Thunder Kz]

Given a close call, I would go with POR if for no other reason than price. Both resorts offer so much in the way of aesthetics vs. convenience. IMHO I prefer POR because I didn't get the "Disney" feel at the Swan, which isn't a "Disney" property.
Really, you can't go wrong with either, but you'll have extra spending cash by staying at POR, and, I for one think POR is the better choice anyway. Have a great time!

 

[Rayray]

I agree with ThunderKZ. The price should be enough to sway you to POR. If you like rustic southern architecture and the "hospitality" atmosphere, you will enjoy the resort. Plus, you'll have access to POFQ's facilities if you stay at POR.

 

[pax_65]

POR is good for young kids

Given the age of your kids I would strongly recommend POR. The food court, arcade, pool and activities are all designed for young kids. We've stayed there with our kids many times and always enjoy ourselves.

Your kids will likely want to spend a lot of time in Magic Kingdom, so the biggest advantages of the Swan (closeness to Epcot & MGM) aren't really a big benefit for you. The bus service at POR is pretty good in my experience.

BTW, you do NOT want to walk your entire family from the Swan to the front of Epcot and then catch a monorail to MK. That would take a LONG time.

One last tip... in the Alligator Bayou section of POR they have a trundle bed under one of the beds. It's very comfortable for a child and gives you a little more room for sleeping. You can add the request for that section to your reservation and they'll make every attempt to honor it.

Good luck!

Jon

 

[slappy magoo]

How much, if any, time do you plan to spend at the resort? Because PO-R is beautiful, no doubt about it, with plenty of amenities and ambience. But if you plan on hitting the parks hard, the proximity the Swan has is an incredible perk, not to mention the close proximity to all the other hotels and their restaurants (one major negative I have with PO-R is that it seems to take forever to get food at the food court. I swear it's faster to eat at Boatwright's!)

 

[MKCP 1985]

I don't agree with those who say the Swan doesn't have the Disney magic. Poppycock! heh The rooms are nicer than those at Port Orleans, the restaurants offer more and better selection, and you just might have a view of the EPCOT park out your room window. When I was down there last year it shared the same bus transportation with the Boardwalk resort, which is Disney property.

Both are nice resorts, but there is a reason the Swan is more expensive - it is a nicer hotel with better amenities.

But don't sweat it. Either choice should give you a fine, relaxing holiday.

 

[DisneyRoxMySox]

POR, without a doubt. It is cheaper, better themed and best for the kids. The Swan, is just, bleh. It is boring, the kids would not enjoy it at all.

 

[Dj Corona]

Add 1 more vote for PO-R....for all the reasons above, and then some.