Dolphin-Too good to be true?

[CSMCIC]

I just made reservations at the Dolphin through DU. I received a very good rate. However, I keep hearing very mixed reviews about this hotel. Has anyone stayed their recently? If so, can you give me your opinion? We are scheduled to stay on the CL.

Thanks!:D

[Joan S.]

Chris, We have not stayed there recently but 2 years ago we spent half of our stay there over Easter break. I really enjoyed the Dolphin and would not hesitate to book it again.(at a discounted rate of course;) It is a big hotel but I enjoyed the large lobby area and also the restaurants there. Tubbis was great for a quick bite and the food is good. The pool area was hugh and fantastic! I think there were like 3 pools and a slide and waterfall. The pool bar was also open and serving some great drinks!The rooms are larger than your average and 5 of us were quite comfortable. I also believe all the rooms have been redone since our stay?? Any more ??'s just ask! If you got a good deal I would stay with it I think you may be surprised. We had only stayed in Disney Hotels and DVC before trying the Dolphin so I was a little hesitant too! Joan

[dahess]

Hi. We stayed there in 11-01. It was right after 9-11 & we received a "Free Upgrade" package, we had originally booked POR. We love the Dolphin. It is definately not a "Disney" hotel & felt a little jipped about the lack of "Disney Atmosphere" but other than that it was great. I just read that someone got a room at the Dolphin for $77.00. I told my dh about it and he said if we could get that rate we should do it. We personally love the Boardwalk & the boats to MGM & Epcot. Have a great trip!

[BethC1952]

I was there in December, also on a free upgrade from PO R through DCL. It was very nice, very convenient, and we did enjoy it. I would not pay the full price to stay there, however, since I really didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary. It certainly is very easy to get to Epcot and MGM from there, and we enjoyed that.

There are a few pictures from our stay here. (http://www.wdwpics.com/gallery/BethC1952Dolphin)

I would go back there again at a discount rate (I'm eligible for the government employee rate and would pay that), but not at the $300+/night that's rack rate.

Beth

[Blondie]

We stayed at the Dolphin in February 2002, and fell in love with the resort!

The location is superb if you are an Epcot/MGM fan because you can easily walk over, or take a nice cruise on one of the Friendship Boats.

The lobby is festive and bustling with people and there are some gorgeous views from the Dolphin, as well as the Swan.

[JOC]

Blondie,
I can't seem to see any of the pictures you upload...can you PM me your Swan/Dolphin pics? Thanks a bunch!

[Blondie]

What photos are you referring to?

[JOC]

In all your posts it looks like there's a photo missing...all I get is a big block with a red "x" in it. Also, I think you posted some pics of your balcony view on the Swan/Dolphin thread and I couldn't "see" those either.

[Blondie]

Not sure why you get a red X JOC. I can see them just fine!

I also posted photos at another site, and they could see them with no problems. :confused:

[Minnie's Mate]

We stayed at the Dolphin the week after Christmas '02. This was our second stay at S/D.

The room renovations had not begun at the Dolphin yet. Some or most of the rooms at the Swan had been renovated.

We are going to try the Swan at Thanksgiving this fall. Any other questions and I will try to answer.

[CSMCIC]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my original question. I have a better idea of what to expect at the Dolphin. I feel very comfortable with my decision. Our trip is in 12 days so I will be sure to post a trip report detailing our experience at the Dolphin.
:D

[minniemmom]

We stayed at the Dolphin 12/29-1/2/03. We will not be returning ever again. It just did not feel like Disney at all. The rooms were very disappointing. The staff (for the most part) were not "Disney friendly". We paid for, and stayed in CL, but definitely not worth the money. (In all fairness, we checked in after spending 5 nights at the GF.) We had a great view (17th floor facing the Swan), but this is the only nice thing I can say about the resort. We had gotten an SPG AMEX Platinum card and a gold status SPG membership before this trip with the hopes of accumulating points for a return trip in May. I can honestly say we wouldn't return if the room was free. I know this sounds harsh, but we were not happy there at all. DS's (12 & 15) said it was "OK", but they wouldn't like to stay there again either. We honestly felt like we were staying off-property, which I would never do again. Just our opinions!

:(

[Leota]

Wow! Minniemom - I'm sorry to hear your experience was so awful - What a shame it was so bad you wouldn't return even if it was free...that must have been pretty awful....

I had a fantastic stay at the Dolphin in Dec 2001 - I loved it so much, that I just booked our upcoming stay there. The location is perfect, we found the staff to be very helpful & friendly. The rooms were very comfortable, the beds were great, the views, awesome. We enjoyed the Grotto & hot tubs & found the atmosphere to be quite Magical in it's own way. I think the architecture is stunning - not as literal as Disney resorts, but every bit as whimsical.... My teenage son loved it & is very excited to go back & my DH is looking forward to staying there as well. I have been recommending the Dolphin to friends ever since I stayed there - I was very impressed....

[Mouseteacher]

We stayed at the Dolphin for the first time in Aug 2002. You can't beat the location and the terrific pool. We stayed on the teacher rate - spg gold /starwood AMEX card _ comp upgrade to CL.

We enjoyed our stay very much. I would not hesitate to go back and hope to this coming August. However, I will only stay at S/D because of the teacher rate. If I had to pay regular rates, I would definitely go back to Disney resorts.

[kevind65]

this may sound stupid, but what does CL stand for? does anyone have any pics of the pool area?

[disnurse]

We absolutely love the service at both the swan and dolphin. It beats our one and only experience with a "true disney" resort by miles. Check-in isn't a long and winding, never ending line and i feel the staff is very kind and will assist with any snafus.

[jillhou]

We will never stay at the Dolphin again.

We stayed Dec 30/31, 2001. For a semi-luxury hotel - you walk forever to get to your rooms - around this corner and that. Makes the Contemporary look like a small, quaint hotel!

But our main problem was with service. We had a party of 5, yet they did not have anything set up for 5 in our room. Not a big deal. We called and asked for an additional pillow, blanket, etc - and towels. We waited and waited. We left and went to the parks and to church. Still nothing when we got back. They claimed they could not come in our room while we were gone. Two of my kids took their baths - no one else could cause we had no towels. We offered to come down and pick them up - no no no - we will have to right to you. Making a long story short - finally about 12:30 that night - we got what we needed to sleep and bathe. We had arrived at 3 in the afternoon.

We spoke to the manager on duty andthey offered us breakfast in the hotel for New Years morning - only good that day - and only good for 4 of us......it was really ridiculous. They had no desire to help us or make our stay comfortable.

I know some on these boards have had similar situations atDisney properties, but we have not so far. Seems many really enjoy their Swan and Dolphin stays. Guess as with most things - it is hit or miss.

Good luck

the parks make everything worthwhile!

[jillhou]

oh - forgot to add the thing we were waiting for most - the ROLLAWAY BED! that we had reserved from home and were paying extra for!

[Muffy]

We just got back from the Dolphin a few weeks ago and LOVED it. We are Plat SPG and were comped a Jr. Suite with CL (club level) We had an amazing time at the Dolphin. It is close to MGM, Epcot and the Boardwalk. You can take a friendship boat or walk to MGM or Epcot. I love the beach theme and the lobby is very grand. There is a wonderful piano player in the lobby every night. Try it and see for yourself!

[dreamflight99]

In fact, of ALL the resort Props we've stayed in, it's our #1 (We've stayed in all the resorts with the exception of the AKL, & Value resorts). Like MUFFY, we too are Platinum SPG...and can not tell you how wonderful CLUB LEVEL is in this resort! The elevators are absolutely the most Speedy and convenient on property (not to mention educational with the LOVELY VIBRANT "Matisse" covering the interior! Service and accomodations are top-rate. Location can not be beat. And...where else can you stay in the MIDST of the MAGIC, and still accumulate FREQUENT TRAVELER POINTS?!? LOL. In retrospect...this summer, we are staying 7 nights at Disney's VERO BEACH, 5 Eves in Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT 14th FLOOR SUITE, and 36 eves in the WDW DOLPHIN EXEC. SUITE CL. :p We definitely PREFER the DOLPHIN over all other resorts in the WORLD of DISNEY!;)

Kevind65....CL stands for CLUB LEVEL, and pictures of the pool are posted on the DOLPHIN/SWAN thread on this board (a few pages back...OZZIEWAGS posted a beauty! ) The only stupid question...is the one you fail to ask. ;)

[Blondie]

Just today I asked my boys (ages 12 and 13) if we are lucky enough to go in August, which resort would they like to stay at.

So far we've stayed at Shades of Green, Riverside, Coronado Springs, Polynesian, Swan, Dolphin and Wilderness Lodge.

Their response was The Dolphin!

For me, it's a tie between the Dolphin and Wilderness Lodge, I love them both but for completely different reasons.

[The Pluto People]

We stayed at the Dolphin in April, 2002 and December 2002 - and we are booked there again for June!!:D We loved our rooms, the great service, and the Grotto pool!! And the location can't be beat! We felt just as much "magic" at the Dolphin as we did during our stays at the Yacht Club (where we experienced the longest walk EVER to our rooms) and the Contempo Tower!!:rolleyes:

[BadgerBruce]

DW & myself really enjoyed our stays at the Swan (5/00) & the Dolphin (3/01). We've stayed at POR, BC, YC & BWV, and feel the service we received at S/D was equal to or better than any of the others. The properties are certainly convention-oriented, but we never were made to feel our comfort & enjoyment of WDW was any less important to the staff than anyone else staying there. We are looking forward to our return to the Swan in April!!

[skuttle]

We stayed at the Dolphin in December 2001 and August 2002. We LOVE the Dolphin! It is a beautiful resort w/ wonderful CMs. The location cannot be beat! I think it's just as "disney" as the other resorts (except AllStars). It doesn't get more disney than looking out of your window and seeing Spaceship Earth twinkling in the night sky. :)

Almost forgot...LOVE the pool area!!

[NHAnn]

I've been there 4 times in the last 2 years. DH and I were just there from 1/17-1/21/03. I love it...obviously ;) Can't get much more "Disney" IMHO, than looking out of the east wing room at the view of Boardwalk, YC/BC, and the Epcot Ball in the distance, and Illuminations fireworks at night from the room ;)

As far as service, it was great. I was there over July 4th with my daughter and DID experience some housekeeping service issues, but none this time. Best service ever too as far as bell services, check-in, and at Tubbi's. With the discounts available, and the fantastic location, it's our first choice :teeth:

I hope you have fun :)

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by skuttle
It doesn't get more disney than looking out of your window and seeing Spaceship Earth twinkling in the night sky. :)
TRULY MAGICAL!

*I was in the Epcot AP lounge this past July/Aug too...nice place w/Chip & Dale in THE LAND costumes! LOL. Adorable pics of your doggies as well. The Welsh Corgi is a cutie-pie, and the little terrier has the sweetest face. Do they truly LOVE their plush Mickey's? :p

[tjmw2727]

We love the Dolphin and have stayed there 3 times, while the Swan was just ok - only one stay. I have also been lucky enough to stay at ASmu, ASSp, CBR and (formerly) DxL as well as the CR, Poly and the BC. IMHO the Beach Club had the least "disney" feel to it even with concierge level. I found the CM's just ok and talk about a long walk to your room!! Second to Stormalong Bay I love the Dolphin Pool, Tubbies is great and lets not forget about the price. For the price of a moderate you can walk to MGM and Epcot as well as the Boardwalk, have inside rooms and really great service. The Dolphin is the only resort where I have had a coffeemaker without begging for it. I have a stay planned in Feb as well as April and both are at the Dophin. The only resorts I prefer are the Polynesian for atmosphere proximity to MK and the AKL which is just plain wonderful esp when your not doing as much park time.

TJ

[Kitty 34]

We have stayed at the Dolphin twice now and when we go to WDW again we will definetly stay there again!!! It's a wonderful way to experience Disney!:D

[Liz]

Hi! We stayed at the Dolphin last summer and the summer before. It is FABULOUS and we had no complaints whatsoever. You will love it!!!! Have fun!!!

[jgates]

If you like things on a smaller scale (jillhou) I would suggest the Swan instead. It is only minutes from one place to another. It is also so quick to go out the door and across to Tubbis or the laundry - 5 min from 12th floor Swan to laundry tops. I thought the size of the Dolphin was just too intimidating which is why we went with Swan.

& No regrets!

[JohnTBap]

We have always stayed at the Swan because we don't use the pool. I like it because it is smaller. :) Regardless, both resorts are in an excellent location. You will LOVE it!