Dolphin $129 vs PO $109 - where to stay??

[rf]

I just got the rate of $129 for the dolphin and have a rate of $109 for PO for the first week in March. Is it worth the extra $100.00 for the 5 dyas? This money could pay for 2 MK tickets (we are only doing that Epcot and Cirque). We are on a budget but if the $100 plus tax is worth it we (couple, no kids)could swing it. Any advice?? Also, if you don't want a paper or use the gym or phone can you refuse to pay the resort fee at the Dolphin.

finally which is better Swan or Dolphin? Thanks!!!

 

[MickeyCrazed]

Cannot give you advise about which hotel to choose - Swan/Dolphin, but I would definately choose one of them over PO. The convience of the Boardwalk area is worth the extra $100.00.
You can walk to EPCOT/Disney Studios and Jellyrolls can't be beat for evening entertainment.
You won't regret the decision!

 

[starwood]

Where did you get the rate of $129? I got an entertainment rate of $170 for August.

 

[NancyIL]

I have stayed at the Dolphin but not Port Orleans. The Swan/Dolphin are deluxe resorts in a wonderful location. The Swan is half the size of the Dolphin and has two sinks in the room vs. one at the Dolphin. King rooms are available at either. You can advise the front desk at check-in that you want the resort fee waived because you won't use the things covered by it. You can't do better than a deluxe in that area at that price. But $111 (with tax) is still $111!

Do you already have your Cirque tickets? If it were me, I'd skip that show and buy 4 or 5-day park hoppers instead. But if Cirque is important to you - do it. You can buy 2 or 3-day park passes (one park per day - used to be called Bounceback) at a theme park gate. They have to be used within 4 days of purchase, and they're slightly less expensive than single one-day tickets. Go to http://www.wdwig.com/ticket.htm - scroll down to "Ticket Media and Prices" for a description of those passes.

I just noticed that you're from Ireland. Will you be in the United States longer than 5 days? I saw that you also asked about Disney Club membership. You won't save anything on single-day passes, nor would you get a lower price on Port Orleans with the DC than what you've already got. I'd skip it.

One more thought! If you plan to be at a park most of the time, then you might as well save the $111 and stay at PO. From what I've read, it's a very beautiful resort.

[This message was edited by NancyIL on 01-17-01 at 09:25 AM.]

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

I have been to both and I would choose the Swan or Dolphin. They are worth the extra money. They are deluxe hotels in the best area you could possibly be. If the pool is important to you, I guarantee you'll love this 3acre grotto with water fall and slide. You'll have Epcot right out your door and MGM not much further. You'll have the BW to stroll to. Definately go for it!!

The $129 must be a government or teacher rate.

<font size=4 color=red font face=Book Antiqua><center>Lover of all things Disney</center></font>
<font size=4 color=blue face=BrushArt><marquee>Charter Member of the Swan/Dolphin Cheerleading Team!!</marquee></font>
<img width="200" src="http://www.swandolphin.com/images/head2.gif">
<font size=2 color=red>PO 1998
Dolphin, Poly, YC 2000
Swan June 2001
Dolphin July 2001</img>

 

[rf]

Thanks for the info everyone.

NancyIL - thanks for the 2 day 2 park info. 2 years ago we did AK and Universal. We aren't doing MGM b/c we thought it would be similar. What do you think?


We'll be in Flordia for 12 days. The rest is spent with the parents who live there.

I am tempted to go for Dolphin but still don't know. agghhhh!

 

[NancyIL]

rf - MGM Studios is similar in IDEA to Universal Studios, but it has completely different attractions. Tower of Terror and Rock 'N Roller Coaster are the two BIG attractions, as well as Fantasmic. If you were to splurge on 4 or 5-day park hoppers, you could visit MGM for part of a day. Since your parents are here and you'll probably return in a few years, it won't hurt to have leftover days for your next visit.

For the money - it's less expensive for a WHOLE day at a WDW theme park than for a 2(?)-hour show of Cirque du Soleil. Do you REALLY want to see it?

Regarding Dolphin vs. PO - if you stay at the Dolphin, you're so close to the restaurants and two nightclubs at the Boardwalk. I think the cover charge at the Atlantic Dance Hall and Jellyrolls is only $5. The boat transportation to Epcot and MGM is great, and bus transportation to the MK is certainly AT LEAST as quick as it would be from PO, and maybe faster. Disregard my earlier advice and go for it - you may never see a deluxe hotel for that price again!

 

[glo]

I would stay at the Swan or Dolphin also. I can't compare to the PO, but have stayed at CBR. I would prefer to stay at the Swan and Dolphin over it, and I wasn't in a old horrible room you hear about.

If you want more info on the S/D please click here

<font size=3><font color=red> Happy Valentine's Day!</font></font>
<font size=3><font color=red><marquee>Co-Captain & Charter Member of the Swan/Dolphin Cheerleading Team!!</marquee></font>
<font color=red>15 times to WDW 13 off-site three on!
Next trip Dolphin in July & Swan in DEC. 2001!</font>

 

[rf]

We were really set on ging to the Cirque... but when you think about what you said ($71 for 2 hrs vs. $50 for a whole day) it really makes sense. I think we may save that show for another visit and upgrade to the Swan.

The only thing is everytime I say thats the final decision I see a raving review about PO?!?!?!

NancyIL (or anyone) is there a number to ring about the 2day/2park (etc) tickets??

Thanksundefined

 

[tink2dw]

choose the resorts board by clicking the 'go' button at bottom of the page,then ask Swan/Dolphin[the poster] your question and ask him/her to e-mail you,[please]and see if you get the help you require!!

 

[Hi Ho To Disney We Go]

Hi - I have never stayed at Po and we are staying at the Swan in 3 weeks. But I have seen Cirque and it is well worth the money. I loved it and would see again this trip , but we are bring a 4 & 2 yo and it is not worth it to go with them yet. That's just my opinion. Liz

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[NancyIL]

I'm not sure if the general WDW number (1-407-WDISNEY) will have info on those tickets, as they are available only at the parks. I hope you understand that what you're getting is two one-day one-park tickets, so you can't park hop. They're slightly discounted because you are buying two or three days' worth all at once, and they expire after 4 days.

 

[Amy23]

We have stayed at both Port Orleans and the Dolphin. I really enjoyed Port Orleans. Probably because of it's size and I enjoyed the theme. It was also our first time on Disney property. We stayed at the Dolphin last year. It was the best. The location can't be beat. The boats to Epcot, MGM, and the boardwalk are great. The transportation at PO was good, but many times it took longer to even get on a bus, and then sometimes we had to stand. Also, every time the bus left PO, we had a couple stops to make at Dixie before heading to the park. We never had to wait for the next boat, and we always had a seat on the boat. The pool is a definite plus too. We are going back this year. Swan, here we come!

Amy

August 1994 Off-site
July 1998 Port Orleans
July/August 2000 Dolphin, Poly, Yacht Club
June/July 2001 Swan

 

[poppins50]

I've stayed at PO, Swan and Dolphin and I would choose either the Swan or Dolphin. While I loved PO, some pluses were the decor, double sinks, size of rooms, nice walking area, easy boating to Downtown Disney.
Minuses they did close their full service restaurant and you reach the rooms by outside walkways like a regular motel (although, I love the decor and feel of the place). You would need to take the boat downtown or drive somewhere to eat (PO now shares a full service rest with DL).

With or without kids we choose the Epcot area. During the day you can drive, bus or monorail to MK and AK. At night you can freshen up in your room and walk or boat to a myriad of choices for parks and food. For dinner you can choose from Epcot, MGM, Boardwalk, or Beach/Yacht club, not to mention many choices at the Swan/Dolphin itself without driving. You would need the park hoppers though to switch to a different park at night.

<font size="2"><font color="green"><font face="book Antiqua"><marquee>Charter Member of the Swan/Dolphin chearleading team!!</marquee></font><font></font>

 

[rf]

I think we may go for the S/D at $129 over the PO at $109 in March. Can we request the S or D when booking the teachers rate? I know there are 1 and 2 sink and double and queen bed issues. Do you have a better chance at one or the other at getting a free room upgrade? What room/view to ask for when arriving? Any help from the S/D veterans?
Did someone say that one had evening snacks etc and the other didn't?

And I was a bit confused at asking the S/W suggestion?!?

thanks <IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif" alt="razz">