Coronado Springs or Dolphin?

[Allison Carpenter]

We will be going in September and will either stay at Coronado Springs in a tower room or at the Dolphin with a firework balcony room. Any thoughts as to which is better? We don’t care about the dining plan, so that’s not a perk we need.
I’m leaning towards the Dolphin because our 2 year-old could watch fireworks from our room before bed. However, I’ve read some reviews that Dolphin rooms are outdated.
Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Micharlotte]

I would pick dolphin if the food and wine festival is of interest to you at all. We stayed at beach club last year and absolutely loved the area. There is nothing like being able to walk to two parks! We’re staying at dolphin for the first time this year before our actual
Trip begins as a way to be in Disney but not doing Disney things. I love the whole area and expect to love dolphin too!

 

[Tigerlulu]

Dolphin!

 

[Fangorn]

As much as I like the Swophin, and love being in the Epcot area, there are some downsides to the Dolphin you need to keep in mind.
1) no DME - so you have get to/from the resort on your own
2) if you have a car, there is a daily parking fee of $23/night so renting a car because of #1 becomes even more expensive.
3) there is a $28/nt report fee tacked on to your bill.
4) you won't get Magic Bands, nor will you have the ability to charge food and purchases to your room.

None of these are necessarily deal breakers, but need to be taken into account.

Steve

 

[SteveH]

Having been at both, if I had my choice I'd stay at SwanDolphin. The rooms, IMHO, are nicer and you're smack dab in the middle of Epcot and DHS, and you can walk or boat to ether of them. Generally you can get the SwanDolphin at or below what you pay for a Moderate, and you're getting more Deluxe amenities. The biggest reason for us to stay at the Swan has been it's location.

 

[maxiesmom]

I stayed at the Dolphin in October, and didn't find the rooms outdated at all. The location is great! Being able to walk or boat to both Epcot and the Disney Studios is a huge plus!

 

[Allison Carpenter]

Thanks, everyone! I feel good about going with the Dolphin now!

 

[snappy]

I would choose the Dolphin. Upscale rooms, recently updated, very good beds and linens. We usually get upgraded to an king bed end unit with a balcony and a side window. Both swan and Dolphin have good food options. We like the firework views and those views are more plentiful at Dolphin. Great pools. This time we booked a car service with a grocery stop. Made arrival day more relaxing. If you need a car, you can rent with Alamo at the Dolphin. It is very easy. Best aspect is location with easy access to 2 parks, Epcot through the international gateway. You can walk faster but the friendship boats are relaxing. Easy to pop into Epcot for breakfast or dinner if you have park hoppers before or after a visit to a different park.

 

[Allison Carpenter]

Thanks! I had thought the rooms were redone recently, so I was surprised by that comment in one of the reviews.
We booked through booking and not the Disney site, so now I just hope I can call the hotel and prepay to confirm the firework balcony.

 

[snappy]

If you have the SPG or now Marriott gold they might upgrade you if available.

 

[SwanVT2]

We found the newly renovated rooms very nice last February and watched fireworks from the bedroom every night which was awesome for dd age 5!

 

[Allison Carpenter]

thank you! That’s exactly our plan - fireworks in our pj’s and early bedtime for our 2 year-old!

 

[chris benton]

Thanks! I had thought the rooms were redone recently, so I was surprised by that comment in one of the reviews.
We booked through booking and not the Disney site, so now I just hope I can call the hotel and prepay to confirm the firework balcony.

The review was either old, or someone gave a current review, but stayed there before the reno. The rooms and lobby were redone. Location+amenities+price makes swan/dolphin a no brainer for our fam. The misinformation about these resorts is a plus in my book. Keeps the riff-raff away. (J/k.) I'd stay at Dolphin over Coronado. The dining plan isn't really a perk, either. You can make it a perk if you plan it out correctly, but it's just a way to average out your meal costs.

 

[Matt Acton]

We will be going in September and will either stay at Coronado Springs in a tower room or at the Dolphin with a firework balcony room. Any thoughts as to which is better? We don’t care about the dining plan, so that’s not a perk we need.
I’m leaning towards the Dolphin because our 2 year-old could watch fireworks from our room before bed. However, I’ve read some reviews that Dolphin rooms are outdated.
Thanks for any feedback!

I’m staying at the Dolphin and can say I would never stay here again. First off on check in day we booked two rooms. One room wasn’t ready till almost 8pm. Went to desk to speak to a manager and all we got was a shoulder shrug and told they ran out of linens. The next day we came back from Magic Kingdom only to find out room not cleaned. Had to call housekeeping and another “tough break” attitude. Finally went to the Garden Grove Buffett at the Swan. Half the items constantly empty. Had to again ask a manager....twice and yet again the same attitude. Seems like they know they have prime real estate but their customer service stinks. Stick to the true Disney resorts

 

[maxiesmom]

As much as I hate to say it I agree with the lack of service at the Dolphin. This trip it definitely was lacking. But I'm just back from a split stay between the Dolphin and CSR, and I was almost 6 pm before I could get into my room at CSR.

Stay at the Swan. Same great location as the Dolphin and better service imho.

 

[SteveH]

@Matt Acton I believe that Eric Opron is the Hotel Manager of the S/D, you might try escalating things to his office.

Over the years we've had some outstanding staff at S/D but a few that could have been better. I am of the belief that if you don't contact the management to let them know about the great times or the bad times they can't make it right.

 

[Matt Acton]

@Matt Acton I believe that Eric Opron is the Hotel Manager of the S/D, you might try escalating things to his office.

Over the years we've had some outstanding staff at S/D but a few that could have been better. I am of the belief that if you don't contact the management to let them know about the great times or the bad times they can't make it right.

Thank you for the Managers name. I am definitely going to contact them. It’s sad because the resort is in a great location with good rooms rates.

 

[SteveH]

@Matt Acton if you are a Bonvoy member, and very possible even if you are not, you should get a survey be sure to fill it out. You can also email or Marriott, I know with a lot of industries Twitter seems to get a pretty prompt reply but I'm not sure about Marriott.

Customer Care Email: customer.care@marriott.com
Customer Care Toll Free: (800) 721-7033
Customer Care Direct: 301-380-3000
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marriott

 

[Wild4Walt]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say Coronado Springs in the Gran Destino tower. I've watched the videos and it looks amazing. I just stayed YC and the Gran Destino looks every bit of a deluxe resort minus the balcony.

 

[cwestpvb]

I haven't even been to CS, but after how horrible my experience was at the Dolphin I'd say avoid it at all costs. The rooms at the dolphin are very typical and feel like any other hotel, additionally they need to take care of the property (the hallway on my floor smelled atrocious). The staff there are also nowhere near as good at Disney. I had better service at AOA than the Dolphin. My mother was completely disrespected by the valet staff, and the front desk manager immediately tried to counter our claims about the horrible experience. I honestly think the experience you'd get at a Disney Resort is significantly better. The new tower looks beautiful, and I'd probably consider it over WL which is where I typically stay. If you do go with Dolphin, maybe try to the Swan across the way. I hear it's much better.