[Question] Is the Swan Hotel any good?

[calsig31]

I am making another trip to Disney World this spring and want to stay somewhere different. I like the location between EPCOT and the studios, but am just wondering if anyone has stayed there and can give some positive and negatives (besides ruining the World Showcase sight lines that is).

[Prometheus]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

Although I only stayed at the Dolphin, I took a 5 minute walk inside the Swan and it looked clean, and there were some nice looking restaurants and shops.

[calsig31]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

Although I only stayed at the Dolphin, I took a 5 minute walk inside the Swan and it looked clean, and there were some nice looking restaurants and shops.

Thank you very much. That is helpful.

[JesterMn]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

Depends on how you define "good". I've stayed there (although to be totally honest, I don't recall if it was the Swan or Dolphin, but they're basically the same), and I enjoyed it a great deal.

In my view, pros: great location--it's about as central as you can get to all the parks--clean amenities, great value.

Cons: no Magic Express shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel, not a lot of cheap eating options, not a lot of Disney "flair" (although to me, that's not necessarily a con--I didn't mind escaping it a bit after all day at the park).

The first con is the biggest problem for me. And while I could care less about the last con, it's a bit issue for others, especially for those with kids. While the hotel is clean and themed, it definitely has a more adult business convention hall sort of feel to it, with very few (if any) Disney nods.

[calsig31]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

Depends on how you define "good". I've stayed there (although to be totally honest, I don't recall if it was the Swan or Dolphin, but they're basically the same), and I enjoyed it a great deal.

In my view, pros: great location--it's about as central as you can get to all the parks--clean amenities, great value.

Cons: no Magic Express shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel, not a lot of cheap eating options, not a lot of Disney "flair" (although to me, that's not necessarily a con--I didn't mind escaping it a bit after all day at the park).

The first con is the biggest problem for me. And while I could care less about the last con, it's a bit issue for others, especially for those with kids. While the hotel is clean and themed, it definitely has a more adult business convention hall sort of feel to it, with very few (if any) Disney nods.

Thank you, that helps. The lack of "Disney flair" is not a deal breaker for me. When I go to Disneyland and actually stay overnight instead of driving home it is usually at the Embassy Suites on Harbor instead of on-property, so my kids are used to there not being a bunch of Disney stuff in the hotel.

The Magic Express thing is a problem, though. Is there no transportation from the airport to the hotel?

[JesterMn]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

Not unless you arrange and pay for transportation yourself. This page gives you the options.

I suppose if you were absolutely desperate... you could take the Magic Express to another hotel, and then from that go to a park/Downtown Disney/TTA, and then to Swan and Dolphin. But you can see how that'd be a major headache.

[lady3jane]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

Can you see into the WOrld Showcase from any of the rooms?

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

I suppose if you were absolutely desperate... you could take the Magic Express to another hotel, and then from that go to a park/Downtown Disney/TTA, and then to Swan and Dolphin. But you can see how that'd be a major headache.

I'm not sure you could without making a reservation at a Disney hotel, as they need that information when they send you the Magical Express packet.

We stayed at the Dolphin and loved it. The location is perfect and the amenities are wonderful, especially the beds! It's definitely good you get to use Disney's transportation and receive the Extra Magic Hour, but a definite con, as someone already posted, is the lack of DME.

However, there are some GREAT rates for what could be considered a deluxe hotel, especially with discounts for teachers, military, Florida residents, nurses, etc. check here or mousesavers for a list of discounts. We paid what a value hotel was going for at the time and it was well worth the money!

[calsig31]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

Not unless you arrange and pay for transportation yourself. This page gives you the options.

I suppose if you were absolutely desperate... you could take the Magic Express to another hotel, and then from that go to a park/Downtown Disney/TTA, and then to Swan and Dolphin. But you can see how that'd be a major headache.

I'm not sure you could without making a reservation at a Disney hotel, as they need that information when they send you the Magical Express packet.

We stayed at the Dolphin and loved it. The location is perfect and the amenities are wonderful, especially the beds! It's definitely good you get to use Disney's transportation and receive the Extra Magic Hour, but a definite con, as someone already posted, is the lack of DME.

However, there are some GREAT rates for what could be considered a deluxe hotel, especially with discounts for teachers, military, Florida residents, nurses, etc. check here or mousesavers for a list of discounts. We paid what a value hotel was going for at the time and it was well worth the money!

Thanks guys for the advice. I'll definitely have to weigh all this info. The airport transportation may be a deal breaker, though

[JesterMn]

Re: Is the Swan Hotel any good?

I actually have "snuck" onto Magical Express before without any sort of ticket. I wasn't trying to cheat the system intentionally; at the time (this was many, many years ago), I honestly didn't know you had to plan it in advance... I thought you just got on. And I did, and no one questioned me. I found out later, and felt really bad, especially when they didn't have my luggage as you can imagine (they did later find it!). However, it may be different today, or I may have just gotten lucky.

Oh, and I do concur with their discount list. I got the teacher rate; that's how we managed to afford it. I believe they just asked to see a pay stub, so bring the most recent along with you.