Originally posted by GettinReadyforDisney
If you could get BWI and Dolphin for same price, at which would you stay? If you've stayed at both, what do you see as the pros and cons of each.
Thanks.
WELCOME to the DIS, and the RESORT BOARD!
Having stayed at both...I have to say:
Dolphin...hands down.
JMOHO...and you asked!! (*& I...like all the REST of you posting, are ENTITLED!!)
*The SWAN has QUEEN BEDS (contrary to a previous post)...which are HEAVENLY SLEEPERS, with Luxurious FEATHER DUVETS, high thread-count sheets, and lovely, plump feather pillows! The Dolphin has either KING beds, or two oversized doubles. Being newly renovated, these two resorts offer sumptuous sleeping, resting and just RELAXING accomodations!
Dolphin/Swan~Seem less crowded (less harried) and busy to us, since EVERYONE has now discovered the BW as the place to go from MGM/EPCOT via the friendship boats for some waterside entertainment.
The location is nearly identical...as they are only a few feet from one another! The Dolphin is much TALLER, and offers more SPECTACULAR views of the spaceship earth, Illuminations, and MGM fireworks! Especially in the Far East Wing of the Dolphin, in an upper floor room. The sights are BREATHTAKING from there!
Concierge readily available~As Finnie pointed out, for EVERYONE (not just CL). CM's are wonderful, and the GROTTO POOL is INCREDIBLE!
Swan/Dolphin are actually CLOSER with FASTER more convenient service to MGM~USING the water taxi, as it picks up and takes you DIRECTLY there, and DROPS you off FIRST on the return!!
Just left after 5+ weeks at the Dolphin...and we never experienced ANY problems with the BUS transportation. It is the BEST, and YES...the BW was the LAST stop. WHY on EARTH would you want to WALK to/from the SWAN/DOLPHIN's BUS STOP, if you are staying over at the BW? I never even knew people did such things! I stay at the Dolphin, and have never even walked over to the SWAN to take "better advantage" of such a situation. If I wanted better bus service, I'd stay at the resort which best suits those needs. If you are GOLD SPG, your chance of being upgraded to a preferred view is 99%, and one with a balcony, about as good.
PLUS...think of all the SPG points you'll be adding to your account. Staying at the BW offers no redemption, (unless you use your Disney Visa, and mine has yet to produce/impress much!).
24-hour pool!!~Best NON-DISNEY PERK around!! Can't be beat~!
GOLD SPG~LATE CHECK-OUT!! I would MUCH RATHER leave my room at 4:00 pm-ish, than be RUSHED OUT by 11:00 am! Disney is unyielding on this policy, and MAY, under extreme circumstances...permit you an extra hour!! (WOW).
SHERATON PROMISE~IF you find anything wrong with your room...or experience ANY problems, THE RESORT WILL MAKE IT RIGHT. They offer either SPG POINTS, CHOCOLATES, IN-ROOM MOVIE, BREAKFAST, OR...(*Disney will now GAG...) CASH CREDIT!! We called star 66 on the phone (service express), as our newspapers were not outside our door one morning. The associate phoned back and offered a CREDIT of $30 for EACH PAPER (total...$60 credit) missing!! We had a suite, and always receive one USA Today, and one local paper. She explained more than half the papers were not delivered. She apologized, processed the credit on our account, and also delivered two papers from the gift shop. AMAZING SERVICE. One of the main reasons I PREFER this resort over Disney.
MAGIC~Is EVERYWHERE!!
I'm the most MAGIC-CRAZED person I know, and I certainly never notice the absence while I'm taking up residence in the WDW DOLPHIN! It's everywhere I look, and even in the Oversized SHOWER RODS (Which are phenomenal!) and the OATMEAL SOAP!!
Numerous TOP Restaurants within the resort!~From SHULA's to BLUE ZOO and PALIO's, you can not go wrong when you merely have to stroll inside the mosquito-free, climate controlled interior, and RELAX for such CULINARY DELIGHTS!
MATISSE in the ELEVATORS~A little bit of ART and CULTURE for you and your children to enjoy! The building is an architectural marvel as well!
ROCKET~FAST and SMOOTH ELEVATORS!~The most proficient we've ever had the pleasure to use.
SECRET LOOKOUT~Over the KINGDOM!!!
Convenient self-parking~with ultra-close secret area...just PM me for the details!
TUBBI'S Chicken noodle soup..."Need I say more?"
REGULAR CONSISTENT STAFF~most of the bellman have been there 10 years or more, same with housekeeping, Concierge, and even front desk and reservation staff. I feel comfortable returning to a place where the associates are treated well enough to STAY. Speaks volumes for the business!!
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT!~no need to visit the front desk, or worry about your charges on the last day in Disney.
High speed internet access~With speaker phones, multi-lines, and all the fabulous convenient power ports (located in all the Michael Graves desk lamps!). Michael Graves alarm clocks too...very nice touch~!
Folio charges may be accessed from your room...~Via the tele, and checked anytime you wish. Very convenient and accomodating!
Internet ACCESS for EVERYONE~via in-room wireless keyboards! The net can be easily accessed for a nominal charge (about $10 hr) though the television. Wonderful touch!!
Now...I can not divulge ALL my SECRETS, so I must stop here! But...there are many, many more reasons we return and invest in this future of this resort. We have stayed at nearly every disney property, (except the values), and STILL return occasionally. BUT, we always end our visits at the WDW Dolphin (with an extended stay). It has a feel, which is difficult to put into words...but exudes MAGIC!
WHERE EVER you decide, both of these resorts are WONDERFUL, MAGICAL, and RIGHT IN THE MIDST of the WORLD!! ENJOY!!
TTFN...DF99