CSR vs Dolphin

[Tallent]

We're currently booked for CSR in for 9 days late June through early July. Fingers crossed that it's only regular FL hot and not crazy FL hot for that week!! We're summer first timers We've been in other times of the year and have stayed at ASMu, POP, CBR and CR. I booked CBR for myself and dd9 and ds6 for dd's love of water slides (and in the summer I"m sure we'll be at the pool a LOT). However, the size does intimidate me. We stayed at CBR last year and while we did enjoy it I didn't care for the size. Now I've stumbled onto the Dolphin's teacher rates which I'd qualify for and wonder if a) it would be less expensive and b)how it would be overall. We typically don't take ME so that's not a big deal. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Disney Fool]

If you're going to be using the pool a lot, then you have several pools to choose from at the Dolphin; They have the huge grotto pool, a lap pool, kiddie pools, and a pool at the Swan. All are located in the same area, but I can't remember if they have slides. Dolphin is huge hotel, but not spread out like CSR. I would look at the pictures and see which resort appeals to you. I think it's like comparing apples to oranges: both have their selling points, both are also convention hotels.

 

[Woth2982]

I have never stayed at Dolphin, but I have stayed at CSR and it is my fave mod thus far. Just request a room near the main pool and you will be all set. It is close to the food court and bus stops. I think it is also a little smaller than CBR (not a big fan of CBR myself). If you do decide to go with the Dolphin, the location can't be beat! I love the Epcot area. THere is fast transportation to all parks. Only thing to keep in mind with the Dolphin is they do charge for parking. I want to say it is $14 a day.

 

[DCbride]

I have stayed at both and love CSR! But if going in the summer, and you would be at DHS and Epcot a lot I would switch over to the Dolphin. It would be very easy to hop from the park to pool.

I think the rooms are bigger, you don't have to deal with busses. But there is a parking fee and you can not use Magic Express or get the Disney Dining plan.

 

[PSUGuy]

We've scored the Dolphin and the Swan 3 times each at the Teacher's Rate and I can't say enough about them. Huge Grotto Pool with a smallish slide and the hotels themselves are several cuts above any Mod. As mentioned, you will pay to park and there's a resort fee, $10/day I believe, which may put this too far above the CSR for you. The location is the sellng point for us. The BoardWalk is right there and it's a park in itself. There are entertainers, magicians, jugglers etc. on the boards most nights, my granddaughter got chosen as the Magicians Assistant a few years back, you walk to half the parks, Epcot and DHS, you can see the aerials of Illuminations from the S/D bridge. In addition to the S/D, next March marks our 4th stay at BoardWalk itself. We're spoiled.

Bill From PA

 

[ElizabethB]

Pick the Dolphin. It's a luxury hotel with wonderful bedding, terrific service and a pool that is the second best on on property (only SAB is better). The pool has a great slide, a waterfall, hot tubs -- and many guests at Dolphin are conventioneers who don't even use the pool. It was never crowded when we stayed there.

Add to all that, boat service to DHS and Epcot (you can even walk if you want), plus all the fun at the Boardwalk and lots of great restaurants within walking distance.

The Dolphin is a no brainer, especially with a teacher discount!

 

[cjsm&d]

We did CSR this year and we loved it (ask for building 8A, close to main pool and bus stop, and just a short walk over the bridge to the main building)! It is far and away our favorite Mod. My son loved the main pool (slide) and we liked the food choices and the resort as a whole. Bus transportation was the best of any of the mods we've stayed at.We would go there again (if the 4/3 came up again) without hesitation.

Without the 4/3 deal we got the past 2 years (POR last year), we could not pass up the Dolphin for our next visit (March). The sunsational deal (Ends in March) we got is less expensive than CSR (the nurse rate was also better) with complimentary upgrade, $100 food credit. Also, we spend more time at EPCOT than any other park. DW and I have stayed at the YC in the past and love the area!

BTW, you'll have a great time whichever resort you choose! Good luck

 

[rtngolf]

I have used the teacher rate at swan and dolphin. The standard rooms are good but for a little extra request a room with a view of the epcot fireworks show. Perfect if the kids are tired they can watch the show from your room and then go to bed. The pools at swan and dolphin have a water slide My kids loved them. Will be staying at swan in decemeber I can hardly wait

 

[rie'smom]

The Dolphin is the only resort we love better than CSR. It's because we can get fantastic rates, wonderful beds, restaurants with delicious food, a fantastic staff, and walking to Ecpot and DHS cannot be beat.

I have used the teacher rate at swan and dolphin. The standard rooms are good but for a little extra request a room with a view of the epcot fireworks show. Perfect if the kids are tired they can watch the show from your room and then go to bed. The pools at swan and dolphin have a water slide My kids loved them. Will be staying at swan in decemeber I can hardly wait

 

[Tallent]

It definitely sounds like the S/D is worth checking in to. I'll have to call and price it out (online it wouldn't give the me the teachers rate) with the epcot view room. We won't have a car so the parking fee doesn't affect us (we use a car service to get to the resort) and the resort fee shouldn't max us out. But I'll call and see!! We're already booked at CSR so it sounds like either way we'll have a great trip. Thank you everyone!!!!

 

[rie'smom]

It definitely sounds like the S/D is worth checking in to. I'll have to call and price it out (online it wouldn't give the me the teachers rate) with the epcot view room. We won't have a car so the parking fee doesn't affect us (we use a car service to get to the resort) and the resort fee shouldn't max us out. But I'll call and see!! We're already booked at CSR so it sounds like either way we'll have a great trip. Thank you everyone!!!!

This is a good link to find out the discounted rate but as of now, the 2011 rates
have not been released:
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/sd.cfm

Keep watching the boards or keep trying the site to find out the release dates.

 

[AggieTexan]

We're currently booked for CSR in for 9 days late June through early July. Fingers crossed that it's only regular FL hot and not crazy FL hot for that week!! We're summer first timers We've been in other times of the year and have stayed at ASMu, POP, CBR and CR. I booked CBR for myself and dd9 and ds6 for dd's love of water slides (and in the summer I"m sure we'll be at the pool a LOT). However, the size does intimidate me. We stayed at CBR last year and while we did enjoy it I didn't care for the size. Now I've stumbled onto the Dolphin's teacher rates which I'd qualify for and wonder if a) it would be less expensive and b)how it would be overall. We typically don't take ME so that's not a big deal. Any ideas?

Thanks!

We're going in the same time frame (late June), and made reservations with the teacher's discount. For a standard room the rate was $159/night or $189.53/night with tax & the resort fee (no parking). I ended up choosing a resort view with a balcony, which is $199/night or $234.53/night including tax and the resort fee. That's $167/night less than our standard view room at the Boardwalk Inn, so unless I get an awesome PIN, I will be making my first trip to the Dolphin this summer.

I saw you're planning to use a car service. I'm also looking into that, because last time we rented a car and it sat in the YC parking lot the whole time we were there. We'll have 3 trips...MCO to the Dolphin, Dolphin to Port Canaveral, and Port Canaveral back to MCO. I thought the rates for FL Tours looked very reasonable, but I'm open to suggestions. Who do you use?

 

[Tallent]

rie'smom, thanks for the link. I was just on hold with CRO for nearly 30 minutes and the woman who 'helped' me had no idea what I was talking about with the teacher rate and assured me that everyone she asked had never heard of it either and wanted to know when/where I'd seen it. I'll check the link and see what it has to offer in the way of info. Thanks again!!

 

[Tallent]

AggieTexan, we've used ****** Transportation for the past few years and have never had a problem. They're GREAT!!! We were supposed to try and save $ on the last trip and only take them from the airport to CBR but decided while en route to the resort that the service was just so stellar to add the r/t part then and there. Thankfully Bob has room for us in his schedule!


oops, guess I can't say the name of the company....I'll PM you with it.

 

[rie'smom]

rie'smom, thanks for the link. I was just on hold with CRO for nearly 30 minutes and the woman who 'helped' me had no idea what I was talking about with the teacher rate and assured me that everyone she asked had never heard of it either and wanted to know when/where I'd seen it. I'll check the link and see what it has to offer in the way of info. Thanks again!!

You're welcome. I forgot to give you the link to the S/D discount site. I also check here for discounts that become available. Not all of them are on the previous link. For instance, I was able to get an executive suite for our upcoming trip for 50% off by checking this site!

http://www.swandolphin.com/offers/index.html

You might also want to join starwood preferred as it can get you upgraded. We've been upgraded a few times just because we're members:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/account/enroll/index.html

 

[AggieTexan]

rie'smom, thanks for the link. I was just on hold with CRO for nearly 30 minutes and the woman who 'helped' me had no idea what I was talking about with the teacher rate and assured me that everyone she asked had never heard of it either and wanted to know when/where I'd seen it. I'll check the link and see what it has to offer in the way of info. Thanks again!!

Don't go through CRO...just contact the Swan/Dolphin directly. They are very helpful!

 

[Tallent]

ahhh! gotcha. will do

 

[ireland_nicole]

The direct line through the link at the top of the page will get you to S/D reservations- they will have the rate, I've already booked w/ the nurses rate for Thanksgiving 2011. Good luck!

 

[rie'smom]

The direct line through the link at the top of the page will get you to S/D reservations- they will have the rate, I've already booked w/ the nurses rate for Thanksgiving 2011. Good luck!

That's great information to know! Sorry, Tallent I thought I was giving you the correct info.

 

[Tallent]

Thank you! Sadly though I didn't know S/D didn't take the DDP so that kind of throws a wrench in the plan. I'll still contact them and see what the price difference is.