CSR or Dolphin?

[kirasmom]

Hi,
We (family o' 3) are going to WDW in March 2008, and can stay at either the Dolphin or CSR for the same price. Which do you all recommend? We'd prefer not to rent a car.

Thanks!

 

[Buzz2001]

I've never stayed at the Dolphin but I can offer you to look at my CSR website below for pics and info to help with your decision.

 

[Disneymoon678]

I recently had to make the same decision! I am a big time CSR lover, but found out I could get a teacher's discount at the Swan or the Dolphin and that rate ended up being significantly less than I expected. We also do not rent cars while in Disney.

I think the convenience of the Dolphin's location is awesome-- you can take the boat to MGM or Epcot (it's also a great stroll to Epcot). It's also right by the Boardwalk and Fantasia Mini Golf-- lots of dining and entertainment options right there. Swan & Dolphin are technically "deluxe" resorts (I think), so if you're being offered the same price, I'd pick the Dolphin. The views can be outstanding, the pool is great, and there's a lot of convenience with the restaurants and location, which is especially true if you are not renting a car.

There is a lot to be said about CSR as well-- they have fabulous transportation and it's simply a beautiful place. I definitely realize what a tough choice this is, but mine was ultimately the Swan & Dolphin for the reasons listed above. Good luck with your choice!

 

[Tiffany]

Hi,
We (family o' 3) are going to WDW in March 2008, and can stay at either the Dolphin or CSR for the same price. Which do you all recommend? We'd prefer not to rent a car.

Thanks!

I would say go with the Dolphin or the Swan for that matter. We have stayed at all three and if you can get a Disney moderate for the same price as a room at the Swan or the Dolphin take the S/D hands down. You can walk or take the boat to EC and the ST and you have walking access to some of the best table service places in WDW. We usually rent a car but on our last stay at the Swan, this past June, we did Town Car service and we did not miss having the car since there is so much to do in walking distance of the S/D. We are booked to stay at the Swan again in December and will be using the car service once again.

 

[TaraPA]

We've stayed at both, and love both, but they are different. CSR is a very large, spread out resort. To me it's very remote & very relaxing, which is great after a long day at a park. Swan/Dolphin on the other hand is right in the middle of all the Epcot Resorts, the Boardwalk, and right by Epcot & MGM. It has a much busier atmosphere than CSR. However I LOVE the convenience of never having to take a bus/car to Epcot or MGM, it's right there! I say definitely try the Dolphin if you've gone to CSR before.

 

[dmwang9]

The only thing I'll add to what PP's have said is that you should be aware that the Swan and Dolphin are not owned by Disney and therefore aren't "Disneyfied" inside like CSR and all the other Disney-owned resorts are. Basically, the Swalphin are incredibly nice convention-style hotels. If you're looking for a completely immersive Disney experience that includes your room furnishings, the wake-up calls from Mickey, etc., then you may want to consider the CSR.

Personally, I don't mind staying in a hotel without all the Disney furnishings, so I'd go for the Swalphin for the increased luxury.

 

[G's mommy]

We have stayed at both and love both. The Dolphin is a more upscale hotel, great location, tons to do within walking distance. However, keep in mind that you cannont use Magical Express or the dining plan when you stay at the Swan or Dolphin and if you have a car, there is a charge for parking, about $9 a day for self-park. I get the teacher rate at S/D also and it can be a great deal. We decided to go back to CSR for our Christmas stay, wanted to try the DDP.

 

[kirasmom]

The loss of the dining plan isn't bad for us.... dd is only 4 and not a huge eater. As for the Magical Express... what's the avg cost for airport transfers to the S/D?
Thanks for your help!

 

[verticalchaos]

Teacher rate? What's that and how do you qualify? Just for future reference!

 

[Tiffany]

The loss of the dining plan isn't bad for us.... dd is only 4 and not a huge eater. As for the Magical Express... what's the avg cost for airport transfers to the S/D?
Thanks for your help!

We use FLTours and book a town car is it is $109 r/t from MCO to the S/D no inc tip. We used them in June and friends used them in August and we are booked with them again for our December trip.

 

[Rescue Ranger]

However, while Dolphin is not Disney owned, I consider it more a Disney-partnered resort than the Downtown Disney hotels that lease the property as well. And Disney does offer it. Dolphin is right in the middle of it all with good boat transportation, they have the characters and the EMH, so in that regard you still get some-lots of Disney plus their store has the whole Disney thing, Daisy operates it

I'd say go Dolphin. Yea, you dont get the full Disney treatment, but its still really nice and between the two, while neither is at the top of my list, I like Dolphin much better. Great pool too from what I can remember.

I still remember when I was a little kid and went their for their anniversary when they had the GIANT cake in the floor around the fountain for everyone to come and join in and eat with all the characters for free. I kept hanging around Roger Rabbit haha

 

[dmwang9]

Teacher rate? What's that and how do you qualify? Just for future reference!

For info on the teacher rate, go to

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/sd_discounts.htm

Any teacher or educational administrator qualifies. When you check in, you need to show a school ID or a recent pay stub.

You can book by calling the hotel directly, but I use the link below through Dreams Unlimited Travel:

https://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/sd.cfm#hm-sd-book

 

[AndyMcV]

I'd definitely choose the Dolphin over the CSR given the same price. It's a deluxe resort with a LOT of ammenities. We've stayed at the Swan and Dolphin and our kids love these resorts. The Grotto pool is awesome and you are so close to Epcot, MGM and the Boardwalk. There are lots of things to do outside the parts and it's a great place to stay.

Yes, yes... it's not owned by Disney but it's funny my kids now associate the Swan and Dolphin with Disney. We had a great time and the location is fantastic.

Go with the Dolphin.

 

[EpcotLove]

....Dolphin all the way.....


I just stayed at CSR. It was just too spread out (unless you LOVE walking alot...), and the pepper market was chaotic, long bus rides to MK...

 

[bab31]

If I am not mistaken you are not able to use your room key to make purchases inside the parks if you stay at the dolphin- not major but a nice little perk to not to worry about carrying cash or credit card- but it does end up there anyway

 

[MickeyNicki]

We love the Swan and Dolphin, it is so close to everything. I think CSR is too huge and too far away from what we like to do.

 

[Pig Pen]

We've stayed at both and have returned numerous times to CSR, but never back to Dolphin. I can't explain why, but lack of ME and some of the other Disney amenities may contribute. I think the location of the Dolphin is fabulous, but since we are DVC owners, we stay at BWV or BCV instead.

I love CSR's theming. It just feels friendlier, cleaner and better kept than the Dolphin to me.

 

[BadgerBruce]

We love CSR! Beautiful grounds, great food court, yummy food & frozen margaritas at the main pool--which is also great. Best bus transportation we've had at WDW. Having said all that---if the price is the same I would choose the Dolphin. You just can't beat that great location. Being able to walk into Epcot & the Studios, & having the fun of the Boardwalk a few steps away would be the biggest factors!

 

[belsam]

Location of the Dolphin/Swan is far superior. It's so great to be able to walk to EPCOT and MGM plus the fun of the Boardwalk at night.