Booked the Dolphin for August - is it really a Deluxe?

[Imamom2]

I am waiting for DVC points to become available but booked the Dolphin just in case. We have stayed at BW and BC several times and we love the Epcot resort area. The pictures look lovely - how are the rooms? Is there any Disney theme / decor? How is the pool area? Thanks all

 

[fabfemmeboy]

I am waiting for DVC points to become available but booked the Dolphin just in case. We have stayed at BW and BC several times and we love the Epcot resort area. The pictures look lovely - how are the rooms? Is there any Disney theme / decor? How is the pool area? Thanks all

There's not really any Disney theme/decor because it's not actually a Disney hotel. It's a partner hotel, which means you're not going to get all the cute hidden-Mickey-type stuff. Personally, I would classify Dolphin closer to Moderate than Deluxe, but probably somewhere in between the two. The rooms I've seen are very nice, with a great assortment of views.

 

[Lewisc]

The hotels have interior corridors. The restaurants are far better then Disney's restaurants. The grotto pool is great. Not sure about today but precovid the hotels offered room service.

By any objective standard the hotels are deluxe. They certainly meet Disney's definition of deluxe.
Edited to add The Swan and Dolphin have a.business convention vibe to them.

 

[Miffy]

I've never stayed at the Dolphin but I have stayed at the Swan. If you're looking for the Disney vibe (love this phrase, btw!) or theming of any kind, then you aren't going to find it at the Dolphin. The theme of Swolphin is Nice Hotel That Could Be Anywhere. People love these hotels because of their location and decent pricing.

AFAIK, there are no balconies at the Swolphin and I'm pretty sure there are balconies at all the Disney deluxe resorts, so I'd probably put these hotels in the Mod category, although they do have interior corridors.

Side note: I cut short my stay at the Swan. I was fortunate that there were still AP discounts available at the time and I was able to switch hotels. When I'm at WDW, I want that Disney vibe.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Yes they are every bit as good as a deluxe resort, room quality wise. But they feel more like business hotels, because they are. I think they are a great value. A few rooms do have balconies FYI. Ive stayed in a few that had them. I wouldn't choose the Dolphin/Swan over Beach/Board/Yacht if the prices were the same. But for a cheaper rate, which is almost always the case, they are a great choice.

 

[Lewisc]

AFAIK, there are no balconies at the Swolphin and I'm pretty sure there are balconies at all the Disney deluxe resorts, so I'd probably put these hotels in the Mod category, although they do have interior corridors.

Side note: I cut short my stay at the Swan. I was fortunate that there were still AP discounts available at the time and I was able to switch hotels. When I'm at WDW, I want that Disney vibe.

The Waldorf Astoria in Bonnet Creek has relatively few balconies. Would you consider it a moderate resort?

Edited to add Balconies are not an industry standard for a deluxe resort. It is a Disney standard. S/D doesn't have a Disney vibe.

Disney moderates have many rooms which require walking up stairs. Deluxe hotels like S D have elevators

 

[BebopBaloo]

Something else to keep in mind with the Swalphin is that there are more room fees and the bus situation is different. They no longer have Disney buses, which means that they drop off at the TTC at MK and use regular traffic lanes (I believe), not the Disney bus lanes. It may not make a huge difference, just mentioning in case it does. Their location is obviously amazing. It’s hard to beat being able to walk to two parks and the friendship boats are available for use, as well.

 

[Miffy]

The Waldorf Astoria in Bonnet Creek has relatively few balconies. Would you consider it a moderate resort?

I was referring to the WDW resort classification system, which, really, I don't know all the ins and outs of. But my impression is (perhaps wrong) that the WDW resorts classified as Deluxe all have most or all of their rooms with balconies. And of course there are many non-WDW-owned hotels that are definitely deluxe that have no balconies.

 

[loves to dive]

I was referring to the WDW resort classification system, which, really, I don't know all the ins and outs of. But my impression is (perhaps wrong) that the WDW resorts classified as Deluxe all have most or all of their rooms with balconies. And of course there are many non-WDW-owned hotels that are definitely deluxe that have no balconies.

Mostly. The Beach Club does not have all balconies, they have some full ones, some of the small walk on ones and lots of rooms without them at all.

OP: They are nice resorts, they are not Disney owed so they don't throw Disney in your face (which I like). They are convention hotels so they have more restaurants and a great bar that caters to that group of people. The rooms are nice enough. The pools are great, I love them. They do not use Disney buses and that is only an issue at MK because they go to TTC instead of front gate. They do use the Disney boats between Epcot and HS. My favorite resort on Disney property is YC but given the difference in price, I have stayed at Dolphin or Swan the last 8 trips.

 

[Selket]

I love the Swan/Dolphin and will stay here if the price is right over a Disney moderate or value resort. If the price was close enough to the BC/YC/Boardwalk price then I'd pick the Disney hotel just because it is Disney. I have even been there for a convention and felt like I was in the Disney "magic" - you are really right there between the YC and Boardwalk and many, many people even if there for a convention have brought their family and are visiting theme parks. The rooms are well done and feel large. From memory the bathroom in the Dolphin felt smaller than the one at the Swan - probably the only thing I'd change if I wanted a lot of vanity space around the sink or needed two sinks (seems like the Swan had a double sink). I don't care that much about bathrooms but I'd prefer a larger vanity area if the price was all the same.

Our last trip (pre-covid) we stayed at the Dolphin and I liked the food choices - some place near the bottom floor had good pizza and was open late (many other food items as well) and was a zippy elevator ride away. Their gift shops are not the same as the ones at the resorts of course - but you have 3 resort gift shops you can walk to fairly easily. I am not a fan of the current bus situation to the MK.

If it is a once in a lifetime trip then .... I might push someone towards a Disney hotel but otherwise I have loved it.

 

[Lewisc]

I was referring to the WDW resort classification system, which, really, I don't know all the ins and outs of. But my impression is (perhaps wrong) that the WDW resorts classified as Deluxe all have most or all of their rooms with balconies. And of course there are many non-WDW-owned hotels that are definitely deluxe that have no balconies.

The Dolphin lets you book a room with a balcony. Balcony is a bookable room category. Disney does not let you book the BC with a guaranteed balcony. It's true Disney deluxe hotels generally have balconies. JMO but having fewer balconies doesn't justify dropping Swan Dolphin to moderate category. Food options. Pool. Health club. Stairs not required to access many rooms. Interior corridors. Direct access to 2 theme parks. Valet Parking.

I certainly agree guests who are looking for more immersive Disney theming might prefer a Disney moderate or even a value over Swan or Dolphin.

 

[gottalovepluto]

No Disney theming. I stayed Swan and found myself missing that actually. I also missed MB charging capabilities but my pocketbook did not

Do note Dolphin has double beds, deluxe disney hotels have queens.

 

[Miffy]

The Dolphin lets you book a room with a balcony. Balcony is a bookable room category. Disney does not let you book the BC with a guaranteed balcony. It's true Disney deluxe hotels generally have balconies. JMO but having fewer balconies doesn't justify dropping Swan Dolphin to moderate category. Food options. Pool. Health club. Stairs not required to access many rooms. Interior corridors. Direct access to 2 theme parks. Valet Parking.

I certainly agree guests who are looking for more immersive Disney theming might prefer a Disney moderate or even a value over Swan or Dolphin.

You make very good points, @Lewisc, including many I was unaware of. And I agree with your closing paragraph.

 

[Imamom2]

Something else to keep in mind with the Swalphin is that there are more room fees and the bus situation is different. They no longer have Disney buses, which means that they drop off at the TTC at MK and use regular traffic lanes (I believe), not the Disney bus lanes. It may not make a huge difference, just mentioning in case it does. Their location is obviously amazing. It’s hard to beat being able to walk to two parks and the friendship boats are available for use, as well.

Thanks - that’s good to know

 

[Imamom2]

Thanks so much for the feedback! The Dolphin will be almost $2850 and if we get our DVC request at BC that’s $2440 so Dolphin will be a bit more. For me it’s the location that will keep me at Dolphin - we love the Epcot Area. I did reserve a King Room and I’m happy to hear that the restaurants and pool are nice. I will miss the room charging but I’m sure I’ll find a way to spend some $$.

 

[Dave006]

I don't know all the ins and outs of. But my impression is (perhaps wrong) that the WDW resorts classified as Deluxe all have most or all of their rooms with balconies.

Disney just qualifies a Deluxe resort has having indoor hallways. Tthe new GDT 500 room tower breaks the rule by having indoor hallways but it is located at a Moderate (Coronado Springs.)

Some more complexities around balconies. At the Polynesian resort 1 third of the resort rooms (all 2nd floor rooms) don't have a balcony or patio. A design issue from the early 1970s still haunts them today. Same goes for the Garden wing at the CR no balcony on the 2nd floor rooms so again 1 third of the Garden wing rooms have no balcony or patio.

Now the Beach Club has a real mix of balconies due to the architectural design. Some very large balconies, some Juliet (standing space only) and some rooms share a large shared balcony between 4 rooms.

The Yacht Club and the BWI had the highest balcony to room counts. Only 1 room at the YC does not have a balcony or patio ( CL room 5163). And at the BWI only 1 traditional hotel room does not have a balcony or patio. There are several Club Level Access Cottages at the BWI that don't have balconies.

Now to get us back on track for the Swan & Dolphin.

AFAIK, there are no balconies at the Swolphin and I'm pretty sure there are balconies at all the Disney deluxe resorts, so I'd probably put these hotels in the Mod category, although they do have interior corridors.

Both the Swan & Dolphin have bookable categories with a balcony. In the East and West towers at the Swan every other room has a balcony. It's part of the architectural design.

Dave

 

[Coconut8473]

The Swan/Dolphin complex definitely has a more "Deluxe" feel to it overall from an adult standpoint, with lovely pool grounds, pool bars, a spa, 2 gyms/fitness centers, lots of dining options, Marriott rewards perks, and the #1 selling point for me, easy access to two theme parks and 2 other Disney resorts within walking distance (or boat). That said, even without all of the overt Disney theming, my kids love it as much as they do staying at Disney-themed resorts, minus the hidden Mickeys. They still get Mickey waffles for breakfast and can visit a Disney-owned gift shop on site (in both Swan and Dolphin). The look and decor is lively and whimsical - not too stuffy or corporate, even though it is more of a business hotel. In my opinion, NONE of the rooms anywhere on site are truly "Deluxe" (from a luxury travel perspective), but rather it's all about the location and amenities, and S/D definitely has that going for it.