Walt Disney World SWAN, DOLPHIN & SWAN RESERVE RESORTS Information & Questions

[jennypenny]

I prefer to stay at the Swan but I like doing laundry on vacation and the laundry facilities are at the Dolphin. Not a huge deal, but less convenient than DVC resorts.

 

[SteveH]

One thing regarding the convention aspect....remember that the Contemporary, Y&BC, BW, GF and Coronado Springs/Gran Destino are all classified as convention hotels by Disney.

Had the pleasure of being at Conventions at CSR & CR - keep hoping (a) conventions happen again one day and (b) they will move one of our conventions back to Disney!

 

[glamdring269]

I really appreciate all of the feedback. Fully understand the negatives and from what I can gather I think the positives will far outweigh those negatives for us. The convention part is not really an issue to me and none of the missing WDW resort perks stand out as a true negative to the way we tend to vacation. The price seems right (unless we hit one of those $1k bubbles!) and the location is outstanding. The worst thing that could happen here is that we try it and decide it's not quite what we were hoping for... I just have a feeling based on the responses that is not what is going to happen.

 

[SteveH]

@glamdring269 you'll love it, I think most of us just want people to have a realisitc expectation. We wouldn't all be on there if we didn't really enjoy S/D. The price and location make it great.

 

[Dan Murphy]

One additional thought on conventions. I think it will be quite a long time before we see conventions anywhere.

 

[shoreward]

For those contemplating a stay at either the Swan or Dolphin, here are a couple of short YouTube video tours of Swan and Dolphin:

Unfortunately there is no room tour in the video of the Dolphin, and not all restaurant/lounge offerings are discussed.

 

[MarBee]

@glamdring269 you'll love it, I think most of us just want people to have a realisitc expectation. We wouldn't all be on there if we didn't really enjoy S/D. The price and location make it great.

Agreed! I’m looking forward to staying there again (hopefully) soon!
And even though I am a Disney Bubble person, S/D is my absolute favorite Christmas time resort. Even if I could get a deluxe Disney hotel cheaper, I would stay here for the holidays.

 

[MarBee]

I really appreciate all of the feedback. Fully understand the negatives and from what I can gather I think the positives will far outweigh those negatives for us. The convention part is not really an issue to me and none of the missing WDW resort perks stand out as a true negative to the way we tend to vacation. The price seems right (unless we hit one of those $1k bubbles!) and the location is outstanding. The worst thing that could happen here is that we try it and decide it's not quite what we were hoping for... I just have a feeling based on the responses that is not what is going to happen.

One other tip is to check out Priceline and Hotwire. Sometimes you can get S/D at a steal there. (That’s where I got my $85/night deal!)

 

[Dave006]

Great additional point @MarBee about third-party suppliers also being an option. We got the great $79 rates in May of 2018 and Nov. 2018.

For others playing along these crazy rates are used to fill rooms when convention bookings are slow, or due to cancellations or slow weeks of the year. So keep an eye out by tracking the Value Days Calendar.

https://www.swandolphin.com/value-days/
ETA: Also let's not forget that the new Cove building is set to open in March.

Dave

 

[SteveH]

ETA: Also let's not forget that the new Cove building is set to open in March.

I do wonder if they will stick to that opening date or hold off if things haven't gotten much better by then. Since it was built for more of the business/convention guests I wonder if they will slow down construction some.

 

[JacknSally]

Agreed! I’m looking forward to staying there again (hopefully) soon!
And even though I am a Disney Bubble person, S/D is my absolute favorite Christmas time resort. Even if I could get a deluxe Disney hotel cheaper, I would stay here for the holidays.

We were originally supposed to be at POFQ for the first few days of December, but booked at the Dolphin just in case POFQ doesn't reopen this year. We loved the Dolphin lobby at Christmas when we visited 4 years ago. Can't wait to see the new lobby decorated!

 

[MarBee]

We were originally supposed to be at POFQ for the first few days of December, but booked at the Dolphin just in case POFQ doesn't reopen this year. We loved the Dolphin lobby at Christmas when we visited 4 years ago. Can't wait to see the new lobby decorated!

So coincidentally my favorite Christmas resort prior to the Dolphin was POFQ! We’ve stayed there a few times at Christmas bc I loved it. This year I had a conference at the Dolphin at Christmas time so we took advantage of the conference rate to stay there then. I was fully prepared to be disappointed bc two of my favorite things are Christmas and Disney. I kept preparing my family that it would be different this year and not to get too excited. Well, I was right - I was different, and it was AMAZING!
The lobby was decorated nicely, but the best parts were the Christmas music they piped in throughout the pool area- a mix of new and old classics- and every night the walkway was lit up in red and green lights that “danced” along with the Christmas music being played. We actually skipped Epcot one night just to do the Boardwalk and watch the light show.
Totally staying here again at the holidays!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A few new pictures of The Cove. Click each for full size. Double pictures will have arrows to look at both.

Thanks to bioreconstruct and his great aerial photography.

https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct

https://twitter.com/x/status/1297245867758542853

https://twitter.com/x/status/1297224009319419910

https://twitter.com/x/status/1297223702342447105

https://twitter.com/x/status/1295167992070889472

 

[Dan Murphy]

So coincidentally my favorite Christmas resort prior to the Dolphin was POFQ! We’ve stayed there a few times at Christmas bc I loved it. This year I had a conference at the Dolphin at Christmas time so we took advantage of the conference rate to stay there then. I was fully prepared to be disappointed bc two of my favorite things are Christmas and Disney. I kept preparing my family that it would be different this year and not to get too excited. Well, I was right - I was different, and it was AMAZING!
The lobby was decorated nicely, but the best parts were the Christmas music they piped in throughout the pool area- a mix of new and old classics- and every night the walkway was lit up in red and green lights that “danced” along with the Christmas music being played. We actually skipped Epcot one night just to do the Boardwalk and watch the light show.
Totally staying here again at the holidays!

 

[pepperandchips]

We just sold our Boulder Ridge contract and have been considering our next move. One thing I do know is that I love the Boardwalk area (which is where we typically used our BRV points) but I'm not planning to buy into DVC at the moment based on current economic conditions and I don't plan to buy another 2042 contract.

So that brings us to Swan/Dolphin.

If you were a couple, who visits WDW apprx every other year, and stays roughly 4-5 nights each trip, do you feel Swan/Dolphin is a good alternative? To be honest the prices look reasonable, I like the idea of earning Marriott points, and the location is awesome (especially the Swan) since we love walking to Epcot and DHS. It doesn't seem like you really give up any perks vs. staying at a WDW property other than charging off to a magic band which I couldn't care less about. Am I overlooking anything here? Thanks!

You already have lots of good feedback but as a Swolphin groupie and a DVC owner I will share one other difference, which may not mean much to you if you’re coming every other year. We have gotten spoiled on the DVC kitchenettes (FULL SIZE COFFEE POT!) and balconies/patios on every room. You can solve the coffee problem with an Owner’s Locker, an Amazon delivery, a large suitcase, or trips down to the coffee bar. However, balconies at the Swan and Dolphin do come at a premium and seem a little smaller than most Disney balconies/patios to me.

Post-pandemic I have taken a virtual look at a lot of off-property up market hotels and it is remarkable how few offer balconies in Orlando. Even the brand new shiny JW Marriott over at Bonnet Creek looks like it only offers balconies on its top of the line two bedroom suites.

Like I said, you may not care... if I could only get to WDW once every other year I’d eat every meal out and probably only be in the room for sleeping, and for those reasons it’s really hard to recommend against the Swan or Dolphin.

And the Swalphin kicks Disney’s butt at bed comfort IMO

 

[glamdring269]

Just found another amazing perk that I didn't realize when first looking at Swolphin... teacher discount! Fully understand that offer can come and go by the minute but if it's in play it basically covers the resort fees. We'd be traveling during the traditional teacher travel times so I imagine our room price will be a little more on the upper $ side. Alas, no $85/night room pricing likely in our future!

 

[glamdring269]

You already have lots of good feedback but as a Swolphin groupie and a DVC owner I will share one other difference, which may not mean much to you if you’re coming every other year. We have gotten spoiled on the DVC kitchenettes (FULL SIZE COFFEE POT!) and balconies/patios on every room. You can solve the coffee problem with an Owner’s Locker, an Amazon delivery, a large suitcase, or trips down to the coffee bar. However, balconies at the Swan and Dolphin do come at a premium and seem a little smaller than most Disney balconies/patios to me.

Post-pandemic I have taken a virtual look at a lot of off-property up market hotels and it is remarkable how few offer balconies in Orlando. Even the brand new shiny JW Marriott over at Bonnet Creek looks like it only offers balconies on its top of the line two bedroom suites.

Like I said, you may not care... if I could only get to WDW once every other year I’d eat every meal out and probably only be in the room for sleeping, and for those reasons it’s really hard to recommend against the Swan or Dolphin.

And the Swalphin kicks Disney’s butt at bed comfort IMO

Awesome info here, thanks. The coffee and balcony would be a potential loss for sure. With that said, I did see that there are Balcony options available, at least at the Swan, so that might be an option. Fully understand it would be more expensive than a room w/o a balcony but I also know those DVC prices aren't cheap either. We would definitely have to come up with a coffee plan but seems a small price to pay if the price variance I have in my head works out the way I think it will. DVC will always be there if we decide to pivot back that direction!

 

[patty57]

@ glamdring269
I love the Epcot Resorts, and stayed at BW or BC for years. One year I realized I could try the Swan for half the price for that trip. Tried it, and loved it. I know everyone loves SAB...I do too, but I REALLY love my lounge chair behind the waterfall at the Grotto Pool! As an adult, I also appreciate the excellent cocktails, many including fresh squeezed juices as opposed to a mix, and the really great dining options.
Kind of hate to rave too much, because people are different, and I still love BW & BC, but my first choice is the Swan & Dolphin now.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I REALLY love my lounge chair behind the waterfall at the Grotto Pool!

As an adult, I also appreciate the excellent cocktails, many including fresh squeezed juices as opposed to a mix,

 

[pepperandchips]

We'd be traveling during the traditional teacher travel times so I imagine our room price will be a little more on the upper $ side. Alas, no $85/night room pricing likely in our future!

Don’t write off the option though - my husband is a teacher so we travel on school breaks too. We got thanksgiving week 2018 for $87/night on Hotwire!

Totally agree that I can suck up a lot of inconvenience for a deal like that And any “inconvenience” I can think of at S/D has never been major. Basically if you wanted the people here to talk you into the magic of the S/D you’re in the right place!!