FourFourSeven
Member
I just returned today from a five night stay at the Swan. Since it's sort-of a Disney hotel and sort-of not, I thought I'd give a rundown of my impressions for those who are considering it (most of these thoughts also apply for the Dolphin):
Positives:
1) It is convenient to everything. 15 minute walk to either Epcot or MGM, right next to the Boardwalk.
2) The service was really quite good, and "Disney-esque," even if it isn't technically a Disney hotel.
3) You get all the Disney perks, like early entry, Disney transport, package delivery, etc. Only perk you don't get is ability to charge to your room.
4) If you're a Starwood member, you can earn points or use points for your stay. We stayed for free on points I've earned from all my business travel. Nothing like a free hotel on Disney property!
5) We were on a club-level floor, and were able to use the club room (called the "Carribean Beach Club") for free continental breakfast and snacks and cookies and stuff at night.. There were two big positives here -
-First, the food was REALLY good! Fresh fruit, muffins, bagels, as well as cereal, juice, coffee, etc. Perfect start to a day.
-Second, we met the BEST cast member on Disney property (okay, she's a Westin employee, not a Disney one) - Mama T, who works in the club room in the mornings. Honestly the nicest, most enthusiastic person I've met in all of Disney. How nice was she? In addition to being friendly, chatty, and helpful during breakfast, she had room service send us (for free) cookies and milk one night, along with a handwritten note on a card! I was completely blown away, and we looked forward to seeing her at breakfast every morning.
Negatives:
1) It is a convention-heavy hotel. There was an IBM convention when we were there - 5000 people, mostly in the Swan and Dolphin! Actually, we saw this mostly as a positive - we were one of the few families there, and I think we got more personal attention as a result. However, with the convention in town and most rooms taken, I didn't get the free upgrade to a suite that I usually get in a Starwood hotel.
2) Our room needed a little updating. It was large, clean and comfortable (and whimsical), but our room didn't have the Westin "Heavenly Bed." If you stay at Westins a lot, you know how nice that is. Shower pressure was terrible too.
3) There's really no theming, other than "whimsy." I didn't mind this, but you may prefer having a stronger theme. Also, the hotel feels more like a hotel than a resort, in that there are 12 floors. I saw this as a positive - no long walks to bus stops!
Other aspects were similar to Disney resorts (great pool area, etc.)
Is it worth considering? If you're a Starwood member, especially Platinum or Gold, then definitely yes. You get the benefits of Starwood within a Disney experience. And, the Carribean Beach Club room - and especially Mama T - make it worth it. If not, it's still a very good alternative as long as you don't mind a lack of a theme, and when the rest of the rooms are updated to the "Heavenly Bed," they'll be the most comfortable beds in Disney!
Hope this info is helpful!
Positives:
1) It is convenient to everything. 15 minute walk to either Epcot or MGM, right next to the Boardwalk.
2) The service was really quite good, and "Disney-esque," even if it isn't technically a Disney hotel.
3) You get all the Disney perks, like early entry, Disney transport, package delivery, etc. Only perk you don't get is ability to charge to your room.
4) If you're a Starwood member, you can earn points or use points for your stay. We stayed for free on points I've earned from all my business travel. Nothing like a free hotel on Disney property!
5) We were on a club-level floor, and were able to use the club room (called the "Carribean Beach Club") for free continental breakfast and snacks and cookies and stuff at night.. There were two big positives here -
-First, the food was REALLY good! Fresh fruit, muffins, bagels, as well as cereal, juice, coffee, etc. Perfect start to a day.
-Second, we met the BEST cast member on Disney property (okay, she's a Westin employee, not a Disney one) - Mama T, who works in the club room in the mornings. Honestly the nicest, most enthusiastic person I've met in all of Disney. How nice was she? In addition to being friendly, chatty, and helpful during breakfast, she had room service send us (for free) cookies and milk one night, along with a handwritten note on a card! I was completely blown away, and we looked forward to seeing her at breakfast every morning.
Negatives:
1) It is a convention-heavy hotel. There was an IBM convention when we were there - 5000 people, mostly in the Swan and Dolphin! Actually, we saw this mostly as a positive - we were one of the few families there, and I think we got more personal attention as a result. However, with the convention in town and most rooms taken, I didn't get the free upgrade to a suite that I usually get in a Starwood hotel.
2) Our room needed a little updating. It was large, clean and comfortable (and whimsical), but our room didn't have the Westin "Heavenly Bed." If you stay at Westins a lot, you know how nice that is. Shower pressure was terrible too.
3) There's really no theming, other than "whimsy." I didn't mind this, but you may prefer having a stronger theme. Also, the hotel feels more like a hotel than a resort, in that there are 12 floors. I saw this as a positive - no long walks to bus stops!
Other aspects were similar to Disney resorts (great pool area, etc.)
Is it worth considering? If you're a Starwood member, especially Platinum or Gold, then definitely yes. You get the benefits of Starwood within a Disney experience. And, the Carribean Beach Club room - and especially Mama T - make it worth it. If not, it's still a very good alternative as long as you don't mind a lack of a theme, and when the rest of the rooms are updated to the "Heavenly Bed," they'll be the most comfortable beds in Disney!
Hope this info is helpful!
