WDW Swan Hotel

silvib · May 13, 2009

I'm doing some hotel & T/S research for my sister who is coming to FL at the end of Sept. Are the Swan & Dolphins hotels operated/owned by Starwood? I had always presumed and probably incorrectly, that they were actual Disney hotels? Thanks, Sylvia

silvib · May 13, 2009

I continued looking and see it's a Westin hotel.

Sea Six · May 13, 2009

Beautiful resorts, right next to each other. We stay there all the time. There are some differences that may matter to you, depending on what you want. If you want details, just let me know. I was just there yesterday, and the place was EMPTY!

silvib · May 13, 2009

My sister had called me from the UK yesterday because she'd seen a $149.00 + tax + $10 resort fee for Sept. and asked what I thought - she, too, thought it was a Disney hotel. It's just for her and hubby & she thought they'd stay a few days somewhere nice before they come further south to us. Do they have a free shuttle into the parks?
I know they don't want to pay OTT for a room, although the "movie" hotels aren't expensive.

Carl D · May 13, 2009

silvib said:
My sister had called me from the UK yesterday because she'd seen a $149.00 + tax + $10 resort fee for Sept. and asked what I thought - she, too, thought it was a Disney hotel. It's just for her and hubby & she thought they'd stay a few days somewhere nice before they come further south to us. Do they have a free shuttle into the parks?
I know they don't want to pay OTT for a room, although the "movie" hotels aren't expensive.

They can walk to Epcot and to the Studios. They also have access to the Disney busses.

While the hotels are nice, and the price is reasonable, keep in mind that it is September and there will be lots of good rates on Disney hotels. You may snag Animal Kingdom Lodge or similar for a price in the same ballpark..

Sea Six · May 13, 2009

What's the advantage to Animal Kingdom Lodge? From the Dolphin or Swan, you take a short boat ride or walk to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios or the Boardwalk, or take a bus anywhere else you want to go. From AK you take a bus or drive wherever you want to go. The hotel rooms aren't any nicer at AK, unless you want to watch the animals. Before you can say what is better for the OP, you need to know what they are looking for.

Carl D · May 13, 2009

Sea Six said:
What's the advantage to Animal Kingdom Lodge? From the Dolphin or Swan, you take a short boat ride or walk to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios or the Boardwalk, or take a bus anywhere else you want to go. From AK you take a bus or drive wherever you want to go. The hotel rooms aren't any nicer at AK, unless you want to watch the animals. Before you can say what is better for the OP, you need to know what they are looking for.

Well... I sorta agree with you.

By the way the OP asked the question I thought they wanted a Disney Hotel... Especially since they referenced a "movie hotels". Perhaps that was a bad assumption.

More importantly for me, and many others, is the theming.
There is no comparison in this category, but again, perhaps this is not what the OP is looking for.

logan115 · May 14, 2009

Not sure if this matters (and to be honest I'm not 100% sure either), but I don't think that staying at the Swolphin allows you to use the EMH at the parks.

If the EMHs don't matter, than I would much rather pay $149 for the Swolphin than under $100 for one of the values, but that's just me.

But as the PP posted, there are also likely to lots of deals in September where you can probably get a room at one of the deluxes resorts for $150-$200.

Chris

bnoble · May 14, 2009

logan115 said:
I don't think that staying at the Swolphin allows you to use the EMH at the parks.

It does. You also have "real" Disney transportation when on the resort. You do not have access to Magical Express, nor are you eligible for the various dining packages.

Other non-Disney hotels that have access to EMH include Shades of Green (open only to Dept. of Defense active duty/retired folks and their families) and the DTD Hilton. Neither of these have direct access to "real" Disney transportation, ME, or DDP.

Sea Six · May 14, 2009

I have to comment on the $10 resort fee. They give you two bottles of water, WIFI access, free local calls, and access to the fitness center. Seems like the hassle of the $10 is not worth the annoyance to the guests, but that's just me. I really like the location, mainly because we love the EPCOT restaurants. We like riding the boats around to the Boardwalk, EPCOT, and Hollywood. The Disney busses pick you up and take you anywhere else you want to go, like Downtown Disney, Magic Kingdom, or the Animal Kingdom. Actually, we use the place because we are Starwood owners and can get a room using points at the drop of a hat.

silvib · May 14, 2009

Thank you all so much for your comments. My sister first mentioned the Swan/Dolphin because she thought they were Disney hotels. A few years' when her kids were younger they stayed at the All Stars? and loved being right on site. I've told her to wait until nearer the time - she's just getting keen and wishing it was September already.
I'll pass along your info too. Sylvia