Originally Posted by jimrpa

I go down several times a year and sometimes stay at Swan/Dolphin. I always try to stay at Swan for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. I agree with everything the other posters have said about the Swan. Since it's the smaller hotel, it's easier to deal with. It's a Westin, while the Dolphin is a Swan, so the room amenities are slightly nicer. The busses stop there first, which is convenient. Also, since you can walk to two of the 4 parks (Hollywood Studios and Epcot), the walk is a bit shorter from Swan. If you're not planning on spending too much time away from Disney, I strongly recommend just relying on Uber/Lyft. I did so on my last trip down and found that the cost was comparable to a rental car, and a lot less hassle. Also, they have priority drop-off and pickup areas at both Disney and Universal, so it's more convenient than parking. To be honest, you really can't go wrong with either. I will say though, that as an SPG Plat, I NEVER got a "real" upgrade at either the Swan or the Dolphin. At best, they'd grandly announce that I'd been "upgraded" to a room with a balcony, or a room with a "resort view" (which usually meant that if I craned my neck while looking out the window, I might catch a glimpse of a part of a theme park). As for these fabled multi-bedroom suites with salons and pianos? I guess I don't rate Maybe now that I'm a Lifetime Platinum Premier I'll do better

Originally Posted by gsimmons2005

Mine was 20$ last time in February as a Plat. But I had to call to remind them

For those with families, given the points are the same now for both, the Swan has queen beds versus doubles at the Dolphin. More room for those with bigger kids or used to some space.

Stayed here (swan or dolphin) 30+ times over past 15 years, so happy to offer Tips. Some are:

- Use plat breakfast at Swan, upgrades to hot menu are cheaper (by a few dollars)
- If multiple nights and not staying on business (expensed), the breakfast voucher is worth way more than the 500 point amenity
- Do go green and get lots of points
- Dolphin has more balconies, so better chance
- Avoid the dolphin pool side rooms unless you like deep bass from the pool music all day
- When super busy, walk to Swan for disney bus as it picks up there first and you have a better chance of making a bus instead of full buses passing the swan
- Actually had better upgrades at Swan. 5 times put in 3 room suite with kitchen, living room, piano. Helps when I had two rooms booked (one kind, one queen) and was not staying during busy time or during a convention. Dolphin has been twice
- Dont upgrade to the family room if you have a family - you get a king bed with an alcove which never works for adults staying up past kids bedtime.
- Call 2 weeks prior to ask for connecting rooms as asking plat concierge or putting it online never works
- Skip the car...take an uber, get to know the driver and do it offline for uber for airport trips. We get a minivan trip from airport for 50$ for all 6 of us
- Swan pool is never busy and I find it more relaxing than larger grotto pool
- Gyms at both are fine, but dolphin one is bigger with fitness rooms and more selection of weights
- They have bed rails for those with little kids prone to falling off
- With all the bends and alcoves, the walk to Epcot or Hollywood studios is shorter for the swan
- Fountain (shake place) at Dolphin is good and a cheaper alternative to Beaches at Cream at Yacht club
- Often need to call to remind them to lower resort charge for plats
- Character breakfasts at Swan on Sat/Sun - with plat breakfast voucher, its the best deal going
- Smores at beach many nights are fun with the kids
- For Swan, be careful of rooms that face interior fountains as if you are low enough people smoke down there and it flows up
- Faster room service at Swan
- Checking in early often doesnt get you far. I rarely ever get in before 2pm
- For those runners out there, most folks run the boardwalk or to Hollywood. Another option is the run on the right side of the canal to hollywood or along the outside perimeter of the hotels (4 miles) with one section running on the grass
- You get magic hours benefits
- WALK, WALK, WALK, the boat is SLOW to hollywood or epcot


All in all, we like the swan better as it is smaller, closer to breakfast and better bus access. However, it is really a toss up