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dmwang9
Agent P's sidekick-in-training
Registered: February 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 419Review Date: Fri May 1, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): room discounts, location, Heavenly Beds, SPG points Cons: convention hotel, not full-on Disney theming (if that's what you want)
I've stayed at the Swan -- a Deluxe hotel -- on a Teacher's Discount of $149/night, which is about what I'd pay at a Moderate resort. The proximity to the Boardwalk, Epcot, and DHS is a huge bonus, and the heavenly beds are amazing to sink into after a hard day of park touring. I also like the fact that if you're a Starwood member (www.spg.com), you get points for your stay.
Two possible downsides to the Swan, depending on exactly what you're looking for in a hotel. The Swan is a convention hotel, so (a) you're going to come across people there for conventions rather than Disney World, and (b) the hotel doesn't have the full-bore Disney theming that Disney-owned resorts do. Personally, neither of these things bother me, but I completely understand that others may find that these things detract from their vacation. YMMV.
jonmcguire
Earning My Ears
Registered: March 2007
Posts: 23Review Date: Thu May 7, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 6
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Location near Epcot Cons: Not very Disney
Good resort, especially with the bargains to be found sometimes. Blue Lagoon pool is nice.
My only complaint is that is definitely not very "Disney". When we went, we were in room 626. As much as my kids tried to tell the staff, they did not get the significance of this.
mikelan6
World Traveler, Usually Optimistic
Registered: September 2000
Location: Aventura, Fl
Posts: 3749Review Date: Fri May 8, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Price, Location, Great Rooms Cons: Theme, Not a Disney Resort
If you're looking for a deluxe property and want to save a little money, stay at the Swan. The rooms are very plush and comfortable. Some of them have great views.
The location is great, a nice walk to Epcot or the Studios. There is also boat service. Disney also provides bus service to the other parks.
It's pretty close to the Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Clubs in case you want to eat there.
Staying at the Swan gives you charging priveleges at the Dolphin across the way, but not at WDW owned resorts.
DLBDS
Loves that Sweetened Condensed Milk
Registered: June 2005
Location: Central NC
Posts: 5058Review Date: Tue May 19, 2009 Would you recommend the product? No | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 5
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Location, Pool Cons: No Disney Theming, No Laundry Room, Very long walk to the main pool, Parking Fee
The laundry room is located in the Dolphin so be prepared for a very long walk if you're staying at the Swan. You will probably want to take your laundry in a rolling piece of luggage... the walk is that long. It's also quite far to the main pool from the Swan. The pool is large and has a slide and waterfall. There is seating behind the waterfall but it's extremely loud back here. The bathrooms are also located in this area. Getting towels for the pool was a big hassle after about 6:00. If you arrive after this time, you have to go to the fitness center located in the Dolphin to get towels. There is a fee for parking (it's free at Disney-owned resorts). The only good thing about this resort was the beds. Very comfy. I would also like to add.... One pleasant surprise was being able to see Wishes from our balcony. We had a Resort View room that faced the back of the Boardwalk Resort. To the far right was Wishes and to the left we could see some of IllumiNations over the roof of the Boardwalk. Other than this, we weren't very happy here and won't be staying here again.
CanadianDISfan
Earning My Ears
Registered: January 2009
Location: Surrey, Canada
Posts: 19Review Date: Tue May 19, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): The size of the room and the comfort of the beds!!! Cons: theme
My family also took advantage of the teacher discount at the Swan and the distance to Epcot and Disney Studios was a definite advantage!! The boat ride was fun and relaxing, not to mention scenic. The two best things about the Swan though, in our opinion, that no one has mentioned yet are the size of the rooms and the heavenly beds! After a long, tiring day at the parks, we had never slept as well at any other resort! The pillows, mattress and bedding were super comfortable compared to other deluxe resorts we've stayed at including the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge, and moderates like Port Orleans, French Quarter. Theming is the only letdown but the restaurants are excellent alternatives to theme park dining as well as all the entertainment and eating options on the Boardwalk. We love the energy of the Boardwalk and enjoy the walk to International Gateway at Epcot. We ended up getting a park hopper the last time we were there so that we could eat at many of our favourite countries in World Showcase. We'll be staying at the Dolphin in December to compare the two and the only difference I predict is the size of the beds, from queens at the Swan to doubles at the Dolphin. I'll post my comparison when we return....can't wait! The last time I was there over Christmas holidays was for my 12th birthday in 1981! My husband and son have only been in the summer and for Spring Break so it'll be a great 40th birthday!
MickeyNicki
It is pretty darn sad when a valet picks you out as a big Boma eater
Registered: September 2005
Location: Naples Florida
Posts: 21450Review Date: Tue June 16, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 10
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Great deal, great location! Cons: The horrible smell in the lobby
Stayed here June 7-10, $119 a night special. We had an upgrade upon check in, a water and theme park view (EE anyways) and 2 queen beds..the beds are so soft and comfy, great pillows too but the tv channels are the pits, you only get 20 of them!
Free internet service but it is slow, you can upgrade to faster service for $5. $16 a day valet fee is pretty steep too.
No balcony but we had a gorgeous view, the ac worked perfectly, the room was immaculate.
The lobby has a horrible smell, like a bad men's cologne that someone used too much of but the staff said that is their signature vanilla musk candles and air freshener..ICK!
We had breakfast at the Java Bar one day, killer fruit salad but the pastries were not that great. Dinner at BlueZoo was incredible...cannot wait to eat there again!
The best was my day at the Mandara Spa, they offered 20% off services and goods and had a $59 mini facial and mini massage deal running. I splurged and had a 90 minute stone massage and TriEnzyme facial...heaven!
Would stay here again but hope they get rid of that nasty odor!
carelo
AKA - Jasminegirlsmom
Registered: June 2006
Posts: 70Review Date: Thu June 25, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): location, location, location! Cons: theme, parking and resort fees
My dd and I stayed at the Swan the first week in June. The rooms are very spacious and the beds are so comfortable. One of the nicest things about the room was the dual sink areas, one in the bathroom itself and one just outside the bathroom door. With two women trying to get ready each morning this was especially nice. We had a water view with a partial view of Epcot and the Studios.
The location - just a short boat ride or walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios - was great. Since we're both adults with a penchant for thrill rides and food, we spend the majority of our time at these two parks. A warning however, since the boat service is shared with the Yacht & Beach Club and the Boardwalk, you may occassionally have a bit of a wait for the boat. there were only a couple of times during our stay that we had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes, but we talked to several people who claimed they had never waited less than half an hour.
If you're looking for themeing, you won't get any here. This is definitely not a Disney hotel. And another word of warning they charge a $10 a day "resort fee" and a $9.95 (ok might as well be another 10) parking fee. So in essence you'll need to add an additional $20 to the price of your hotel. We got a discount rate of $119 a night so even with the extra $20, we got what is considered a deluxe resort for $139 a night. It was certainly worth that price.
Overall, this is an excellent resort. As long as you've done your homework and know what to expect I don't think you'll be disappointed.
kim532
DIS Veteran
Registered: February 2000
Location: Racine, WI
Posts: 590Review Date: Thu June 25, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): location price and beds Cons: do not have room charging privledges at parks
I loved this resort. You can not beat the location. Walking distance to EPCOT (I timed it at a leisurely pace of 20 minutes) and to Hollywood Studios (didn't time that). It is right next to the Boardwalk.
Someone previously mentioned they didn't like the lobby smell. I loved it. It made me feel like I was walking into a spa.
Rooms were spacious and the beds comfortable.
irunnoft
I'm What Willis Was Talkin' 'Bout!!!!
Registered: July 2008
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 710Review Date: Mon December 21, 2009 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 9
Positive aspects of the product (pros): great beds, large rooms, proxmity to epcot Cons: parking fee, resort charges, lack of theming
The Swan has very comfy rooms and usually has a super deal for educators and nurses. : Posted via eTicket
DopeyDame
DIS Veteran
Registered: July 2010
Posts: 1402Review Date: Thu January 31, 2013 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: None indicated | Rating: 4
Positive aspects of the product (pros): Price, location Cons: atmosphere
This was the only place in all of Disney World where I ever felt uncomfortable with my child. I realize there are a lot of conventions there, but drunk old guys singing in the lobby, and professionals glaring at my kid aren't exactly what I want on my Disney vacation. The room also seemed to need a renovation.
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