Seahunt
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2002
I posted last week asking for opinions on a one night stay last Saturday night between the Swan (@$139) and the Dolphin(@$125) Starwood website internet rate. We ended up choosing the Swan - I was leaning toward the Dolphin and using the difference toward a mug (suggested per a reply on the board), DH thought the Swan. It came down to a coin toss, and the Swan won. We had never even considered these hotels in the past, and were intrigued when we were staying at the Poly last time and took a "Friendship" boat from the Studios to the Boardwalk, and one of the stops was at the Swan & Dolphin - thought we should try them one time. We were VERY pleasantly surprised, and loved the location. Location, location, location - they have it, at such a great price compared to Disney! Soooo convenient! When checking in I asked about room choices at that rate, and first was given 1268 with a king - which I know was a great room, but DH likes a balcony (which they did not have to give us - res stated "resort view" only), and they switched us to 587 w/2 queens with a step out balcony (balcony had 2 chairs/table). Really they couldn't have been nicer, and now I wish we just would have stuck with the original since it was again an E ride night and we were only in the room late that night for sleeping and only went on the balcony for about 15 minutes Sunday morning (watched the people lazing away in the hammocks!) (BTW, when we were down checking on another room there was another couple w/kids asking to see a room because they were so unhappy with their Dolphin room that they sent them over there, so I guess they are used to dealing with people changing rooms all the time!) We explored everywhere, and even hit Tubbi's at the Dolphin late,late at night (and listened to some man complaining because they were out of Krispy Kremes!) The heavenly beds were heavenly (but how in the world do they keep those duvet covers so white??!), and I did notice that it seemed like the rooms were much quieter than the Disney resorts,(room to room noise) OR there just wasn't anyone in either room beside us! Loved being able to walk to Epcot, and used the boats to the studio (Star Wars weekend going on - first time we've seen that, really fun!) We also spent a lot of time on the Boardwalk this time (since we could just walk right to it), and really enjoyed it. Don't be afraid to try these hotels!