CSR or Dolphin?

[lomillerin]

I know the Dolphin is supposed to be equal to the deluxes, but do you lose the Disney magic?

Both are convention hotel, so which is more kid-friendly?

Which is cleaner?

I like the idea of being able to walk to Epcot, MGM, and the Boardwalk but I like staying Disney....

It is just going to be me and my DD6 for six nights at Christmas time, which is more done up for Christmas??

Sorry so many questions, but I need help fast....

 

[Tiffany]

I know the Dolphin is supposed to be equal to the deluxes, but do you lose the Disney magic?

Both are convention hotel, so which is more kid-friendly?

Which is cleaner?

I like the idea of being able to walk to Epcot, MGM, and the Boardwalk but I like staying Disney....

It is just going to be me and my DD6 for six nights at Christmas time, which is more done up for Christmas??

Sorry so many questions, but I need help fast....

Hi,
We have stayed at the Dolphin multiple times and CSR once. We would not return to CSR unless it was stay there or not go to Disney. If the differance in price is not an issue with you vacation budget then go with the Dolphin and do not look back.

 

[lomillerin]

I can get a discount at the Dolphin so it comes out close to the same price.

 

[Tiffany]

I can get a discount at the Dolphin so it comes out close to the same price.

There are various discounts that the S/D offer and there are times where a discounted room at the S/D is around the same price of a rack rate room at a moderate but an AP rate at a moderate is always less than an AP rate at the S/D.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I really enjoyed CSR very much, but for our next trip, we are seriously considering the Swan or Dolphin, because of the excellent location as well as the rave reviews about service, and especially the beds! I am sure you can't go wrong either way though.

 

[Leota]

As much as I enjoyed CSR, it's not remotely in the same catagory as the Swan/Dolphin.
The Swan/Dolphin are truly deluxe resorts, with all the added amenities you would expect & the superior service. I like them better than the Disney Owned Deluxe resorts for several reasons. I think the service is better at Swolphin, the toiletries are better, I like being able to rent a movie or game on the TV,Starbucks vs. Nescafe,quieter with thicker walls, I like the local weather station on the TV,and last but not least, the BEDS!

Other things in Swolphin's Favor are the Location (best WDW location IMHO) and the Grotto.

Also, I hear people say they don't think Swolphin has the Disney Feel - To me, there is nothing more Disney than looking out my window over Epcot, MGM or the Boardwalk area. The themeing is more upscale & sophisticated - not as literal- and that suits us perfectly.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree with Leota. We really enjoyed the amenities of the Dolphin, and the outside pools and recreation were wonderful. Felt no loss of Disney Magic whatsoever!

 

[lomillerin]

Thank for all the replies.

If we go DEc. 22nd-Dec, 28th, I can get the Dolphin at 169.00 a night and the CSR is 184.00 a night. I can't find any discounts for CSR now.

I read a few reviews on trip advisor that said the Dolphin is in major need of repairs, mold all over the water fall area at grotto pool and bad smells in some food areas.

Have any of you noticed these things?

Also, we would have to pay to get transportation from airport as the Dolphin isn't included in Magical Express....
I need to make a decision ASAP as I know this book up soon.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If I were you I would grab it while that price is still available (over a major holiday no less - maybe no conventioners that week? ). We were very impressed with how nice the Dolpin was, no mold anywhere that we saw.

Maybe this picture will reassure you. It was taken from the top of the Grotto pool slide (one of these days I have to get a camera that can take panoramics - this is such a small shot of a very large area). You can see the beach straight ahead, with the Swan boats through the trees. Boat and bus loading areas on the right and left, respectively. Very nice/beautiful at night. We watched the fireworks from Illuminations while we sat on the beach one evening.

Mind you, this is not in any way to put down CSR - I hope stay there myself someday. But if I can get S/D for the price you're getting it for, I'll grab it with my hot little fingers for sure, LOL.

 

[madthemouse]

IMO, you do loose out on the "Disney Majic" or feel for lack of a better word. We have stayed at both, and I would lean towards CSR. We stayed at the Dolphin in May of 04, after moving over from the BCV. Something my teenage daughter said to me, seem to echo my same feelings. And that was how it felt like we were staying off site, although we had moved only a few hundred yards over. The Dolphin is a very nice hotel with a great location. If you and your 6 year old daughter will be visiting MGM and Epcot for a good part of your time then I would stay at the Dolphin. On the other hand, if your speding more time at MK I would stay at CSR. CSR is IMO, a beautiful resort with deluxe features, it has one of if not the best transportation to and from the parks. In so far as the pools go, I do like the theme of the pool at CSR better than the Grotto pool. You have a lot of opinions on both, but.....Hey you'll be at WDW in any case!

That's my 2cents.

 

[Leota]

Here's a link to my photos of our April 2005 stay at the Dolphin. We didn't notice mold anywhere in the Grotto (or anywhere else in the Resort for that matter) Perhaps these photos will offer you some help in your decision.

My Webshots Dolphin Album

As far as Transpo, we take Tiffany Towncars re. of ME. I like the grocery stop so I can stock up on water (can't drink FL water, makes me sick)

I do have to say, I was ambivilant about my first stay at the Dolphin, I was worried because it wasn't a Disney owned resort. But, once I stayed there, I find it hard to stay anywhere else. Even when I was at the Grand Floridian, I missed many things about the Dolphin.

Oops! Forgot to address the bad food smells - We didn't notice those either at Tubbi's, the Fountain or the Cabana Bar & Grill.

 

[nwdisgal]

Thank for all the replies.

If we go DEc. 22nd-Dec, 28th, I can get the Dolphin at 169.00 a night and the CSR is 184.00 a night. I can't find any discounts for CSR now.

I read a few reviews on trip advisor that said the Dolphin is in major need of repairs, mold all over the water fall area at grotto pool and bad smells in some food areas.

Have any of you noticed these things?

Also, we would have to pay to get transportation from airport as the Dolphin isn't included in Magical Express....
I need to make a decision ASAP as I know this book up soon.

I stayed at the Dolphin this past March and didn't notice any mold (and I'm allergic to it, so believe me, I notice it!). I'm very picky about room condition, as well. Our room was beautiful and recently renovated. I would stay there again without hesistation.