Disney Orlando: Dolphin or Swan? 2007-present [Master Thread]
Apr 27, 2018, 5:42 pm
#181
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Back when the Dolphin was a Cat 4 and the Swan a Cat 5 I always went with the Dolphin.
Now that they're the same though...
The Swan has several advantages for me, including:
- Significantly smaller property, so less people generally are in the building (Swan has 756 rooms, Dolphin has 1514)
- First stop on the buses - meaning when going out, the Swan folks might have packed up the buses already
- Closer to Boardwalk (you have to walk by the Swan to get to the Dolphin)
I have also gotten probably my best suite upgrade ever at the Swan - it was 1400 square feet on the top floor overlooking the courtyard.
I do think the food is slightly better at the Dolphin, but not by much. Bluezoo/Shula's is a strong combo. I love the karaoke at Kimono's at the Swan though.
Now that they're the same though...
The Swan has several advantages for me, including:
- Significantly smaller property, so less people generally are in the building (Swan has 756 rooms, Dolphin has 1514)
- First stop on the buses - meaning when going out, the Swan folks might have packed up the buses already
- Closer to Boardwalk (you have to walk by the Swan to get to the Dolphin)
I have also gotten probably my best suite upgrade ever at the Swan - it was 1400 square feet on the top floor overlooking the courtyard.
I do think the food is slightly better at the Dolphin, but not by much. Bluezoo/Shula's is a strong combo. I love the karaoke at Kimono's at the Swan though.
Apr 27, 2018, 7:31 pm
#182
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Back when the Dolphin was a Cat 4 and the Swan a Cat 5 I always went with the Dolphin.
Now that they're the same though...
The Swan has several advantages for me, including:
- Significantly smaller property, so less people generally are in the building (Swan has 756 rooms, Dolphin has 1514)
- First stop on the buses - meaning when going out, the Swan folks might have packed up the buses already
- Closer to Boardwalk (you have to walk by the Swan to get to the Dolphin)
I have also gotten probably my best suite upgrade ever at the Swan - it was 1400 square feet on the top floor overlooking the courtyard.
I do think the food is slightly better at the Dolphin, but not by much. Bluezoo/Shula's is a strong combo. I love the karaoke at Kimono's at the Swan though.
Now that they're the same though...
The Swan has several advantages for me, including:
- Significantly smaller property, so less people generally are in the building (Swan has 756 rooms, Dolphin has 1514)
- First stop on the buses - meaning when going out, the Swan folks might have packed up the buses already
- Closer to Boardwalk (you have to walk by the Swan to get to the Dolphin)
I have also gotten probably my best suite upgrade ever at the Swan - it was 1400 square feet on the top floor overlooking the courtyard.
I do think the food is slightly better at the Dolphin, but not by much. Bluezoo/Shula's is a strong combo. I love the karaoke at Kimono's at the Swan though.
Apr 29, 2018, 5:32 am
#183
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Great stuff! So we went to book last night and found out that the Wednesday in the middle of our stay (1/29), both the Swan and Dolphin are totally full. Not a room to be had for love, money, or points.
We booked the Swan on points for a couple days before and a couple days after and took a room at the Vistana I-drive for the 29th (at a very reasonable price). No idea what's up at the S&D that one day but it's annoying that we can't use the 5 nights for 4 nights worth of points deal now.
Thoughts on the Vistana and our options?
We booked the Swan on points for a couple days before and a couple days after and took a room at the Vistana I-drive for the 29th (at a very reasonable price). No idea what's up at the S&D that one day but it's annoying that we can't use the 5 nights for 4 nights worth of points deal now.
Thoughts on the Vistana and our options?
Last edited by Out of my Element; Apr 29, 2018 at 5:45 am
Apr 30, 2018, 9:57 am
#184
Join Date: May 2017
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I would call S&D and tell them you're trying to book but that date is sold out. No doubt there is a conference and they are holding rooms, it will probably open up eventually. One time I sent an e-mail stating that exact thing, and magically, availability opened up at one of them.
Apr 30, 2018, 4:40 pm
#185
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There is a conference. The "Wind Conference", a big insurance thing. I expect they have booked everything for now and rooms will leak out.
For the time being we canceled the Vistana based on comments here and booked a property "on campus"
For the time being we canceled the Vistana based on comments here and booked a property "on campus"
Mar 13, 2019, 5:17 pm
#186
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Has anyone stayed here either since August or since the launch of Bonvoy?
Swan is a Westin and Dolphin is a Sheraton. Right?
Two clients of mine, one with titantium status and the other with ambassador status, want to take their families to Disney in June for a "business meeting." I'm guessing these properties aren't great with elite recognition given they're resort factories.
Swan is a Westin and Dolphin is a Sheraton. Right?
Two clients of mine, one with titantium status and the other with ambassador status, want to take their families to Disney in June for a "business meeting." I'm guessing these properties aren't great with elite recognition given they're resort factories.
Mar 13, 2019, 5:19 pm
#187
Join Date: Nov 2017
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swan - westin
doplpin - Sheraton
i finds elite recognition good given hotel is always full. Don’t expect a room upgrade or a suite ever but the hotel always reaches out asking for your preferences and check in details via email. In October I asked only for no connecting room and they gave me a corner standard room with no connecting door. I was happy
you also get the breakfast buffet as an elite
with Star Wars opening soon and this being the closet hotel to Hollywood there won’t be such a thing as slow season hence above statements on upgrades now a certainty.
Last edited by Nuhusky; Mar 13, 2019 at 5:25 pm
Mar 13, 2019, 5:21 pm
#188
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Mar 13, 2019, 5:24 pm
#189
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redemptions are expensive but you are at Disney and you won’t find a closer property.you get better value staying off property, heck you can stay at the ritz for the same price but you don’t get the 60 day fastpass perk. For that alone this hotel is worth it. If your clients want to ride anything popular you need a fastpass 60 days out
for what it’s worth I’ve been here three times in last two years staying 6+ nights each time. Going back again in a few months
Last edited by Nuhusky; Mar 13, 2019 at 5:31 pm
Mar 13, 2019, 7:53 pm
#190
Join Date: Nov 2013
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- 1000 points
- continental breakfast for 2 upgradeable to full buffet for $8pp. We chose this. Very good buffet. Characters on the weekend.
- family basket with chocolates, etc
there were other choices as well but didn’t look at them too closely as we knew we were going with the breakfast option.
Mar 13, 2019, 8:02 pm
#191
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we were just there this week for 3 days on a points redemption. Booked regular room, upgraded to the business suite (conference table and all). Received a choice of options for Platinim amenity including:
- 1000 points
- continental breakfast for 2 upgradeable to full buffet for $8pp. We chose this. Very good buffet. Characters on the weekend.
- family basket with chocolates, etc
there were other choices as well but didn’t look at them too closely as we knew we were going with the breakfast option.
Mar 13, 2019, 9:24 pm
#192
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Mar 14, 2019, 2:20 am
#194
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We stayed 2 weeks last summer at the Dolphin on a $150 BRG and were upgraded to a suite. Chocolate and champagne in the room as a welcome gift. We received 28 undated breakfast tokens which we were able to use at either the Swan or Dolphins breakfast buffet. We tried both. The Swans buffet is in a round room with a centrepiece tree called the Garden Grove. All hot food is in heating pans. Upgrade fee is $7. The Dolphins buffet is called the Mediterranean Market and has an open kitchen. Some hot food is in pans but eggs, pancakes and waffles are made to order. The upgrade fee is $8 there. We much preferred the atmosphere and cold buffet at the Mediterranean but did have the hot buffet a couple of times as I do enjoy my Mickey Waffles! If you have kids staying with you then it’s worth knowing that weekend breakfasts at the Garden Grove feature the Chip ‘n Dale characters