My fiance and I will be going to Disney from Sept 29 to Oct 9. We have already booked our vacation and right now we will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge. My fiance works for the FAA so if we stay the the Swan we get a great governmental dicount (it would be $400 cheaper). I love the idea of staying at the Swan because of being able to walk to Epcot & MGM but I do want to lose any of the Disney magic that the Wilderness Lodge may have. To me $400 is not a big deal, so it is not about the $. I also would like to know how the transportation is from the Swan to the water parks and Downtown Disney. Also is the counter service food court very expensive because I heard it was. Thank you for you time :)
2007-12-28 00:53:23 · 6 answers · asked by Amy J 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Orlando
If it was my choice i'd definitely go for the Wilderness Lodge. Its one of the best themed resorts on Disney Property (possibly the best) and the resort in general just seems to excel above most of the others in the general Disney feeling. The Swan is more fancy (i'm pretty sure they recently renovated it) but just lacks the Disney feeling which I believe you should get when staying on-property :P The Swan/Dolphin resorts aren't owned by Disney, they're actually owned by Westin (but you get all of the special features of staying on-property) which could explain for the slight lack of Disney decor.
The transportation from the Swan/Dolphin works a bit differently from some of the other resorts due to its location, which you may or may not enjoy. To get to Epcot you either take a boat (generally takes a while as it has to stop at Yacht/Beach and Boardwalk resorts) which drops you off near France in the World Showcase (which can be nice if you want to eat at one of the Epcot restaurants after visiting another park) or walk along the pathway to the same location which takes ~10 minutes or so. Transportation to MGM-Studios (renamed to Hollywood Studios next month) works the same way, with having the choice of the multi-resort boat or walking. Going anywhere else (the other parks, water parks, Downtown Disney, etc.) works normally with buses and as the Swan/Dolphin are located in the middle of WDW you'll generally have quicker rides to some places compared to other resorts.
The main counter-service restaurant at the Swan/Dolphin is Picabu Buffeteria, which is actually located in the Dolphin so it could be a bit of a walk. The prices there seem to be a bit higher than other counter-service restaurants at the resorts/parks and the food doesn't seem to excel in any way. There are a few casual restaurants including the Splash Grill and The Fountain, but they aren't truly counter-service.
You can always check out http://www.allears.net/reviewpost/ to see ratings and reviews of various resorts/restaurants around/in Disney.
Also visit http://www.allears.net/acc/faq_swan.htm for info about the Swan resort and http://www.allears.net/acc/faq_wl.htm for info about the Wilderness Lodge!
Have fun at WDW!
2007-12-28 03:38:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stayed in both and would vote for the Swan for location. Boats to MGM and EPCOT are great plus viewing the fireworks from EPCOT any night from the end of the boardwalk is a bonus. The boardwalk is nice at night too and gives you the Disney feel you want. The Swan does lack that but is awsome if you get a park view with a balcony. Ask for a free upgrade when you arrive at either hotel!
The Wlderness Lodge is great but only provides an easy commute to the Magic Kingdom.
2007-12-28 06:00:53 · answer #2 · answered by duane a 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Swan is a nice hotel, like any nice hotel, but the lodge will give you that disney magic. Transportation is the same from both, although you are right, you can more easily walk from the Swan. To help answer your question, ask yourself why you are going in the first place.
2007-12-28 00:59:14 · answer #3 · answered by Bonkers! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the placement is alluring, and in case you get a room dealing with the animals that's astounding. our little ones did no longer p.c. to flow away the room interior the mornings. The food has an African style which i in my view did no longer look after, we at there in simple terms as quickly as. that's been years on account that we stayed there, thinking my youngest age on the time it is going to have been approximately 9 or 10 years in the past. issues could have replaced substantially. Now that all and sundry is 15 and older we use the fee lodges, as we live interior the room so little. while the little ones have been youthful we spent lots greater time interior the hotel. As for a great place to eat for an Anniversary i p.c. to propose the California Grill interior the modern.
2016-10-20 04:11:29 · answer #4 · answered by saulsbery 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there is magic at the swan also. Loved it. They do provide transportation to water parks...you should just call the hotel and ask all of your questions...they are usually very eager to answer them. I do know that you should try to stay on the 11th or 12 floor or higher for a greater view, and the hotel pool offers a kick @ss view of epcots illuminations fireworks display.
2007-12-28 02:03:07 · answer #5 · answered by = ) 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well you just answered your own question. You said, you love the idea staying at the Swan, so if you like that idea, stick with it.
Staying inside the park will give you more freebies though.
I personally would stay at the Wilderness Lodge. That was a really cool place.
2007-12-28 01:09:33 · answer #6 · answered by Mom of 2 great boys 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋