Dolphin Hotel...NEVER AGAIN!!!

[TinkHappy]

Now let me start off by saying my husband and I honeymooned at the Swan 11 years ago and LOVED IT!!! We couldn't wait to stay at the Dolphin with our 2 DD's (6&7) and walk through the Swan with them.
We checked in and everything went well. Going to our room, in the hallway, was almost half a brownie laying there. I thought, gross, I hope somebody picks that up. The hallway carpets were filthy and the paint was chipping off the walls. When we got to our rooms, the carpets did not look like they have been vacumed, the windows had finger prints all over them. The beds were horrible and very uncomfortable. After 4 days someone (I don't know who) finally picked up that brownie. It became an ongoing joke between our family.
We also stayed there for the proximity to the BroadWalk, MGM and EPCOT, but our kids are young, so walking to MGM or EPCOT was a feat in itself. It is not that close and to walk to EPCOT and then expect the kids to walk around EPCOT was just too much. However, it would have been just fine, if it were just myself and my husband.
Don't get me wrong, I try and look for the positive in EVERYTHING (it drives my husband nuts) but this was just...YUCK!!
I will say, we did have a nice view of EPCOT and MGM fireworks and the pool was out of this world.
If you were to aks me if I would stay there again my answer would be a BIG FAT NO!!!! I would not rule out giving the Swan a chance. I am sorry to post bad news, infact this is my first really "bad news" post ever and I feel really bad, but I wanted to let you know. Thanks

 

[Blondie]

I'm sorry your trip didn't go as planned.

Just wondering was it the brownie in the hallway that ruined it, or the long walks to Epcot/MGM? The reason I asked is that you really seem to signal in on those two subjects.

I would think that the walks would be a bit long for a 6 and 7 year old, and would therefore take advantage of the Friendship Boats.

Every hotel on Disney property has it's bad day(s). It is still the "summer" with lots of people checking in and out every day. It's probably hard for housekeeping to keep up with turning the rooms over. This doesn't excuse their housekeeping skills (or lack thereof) just trying to make a point. I wonder if everyone thought the brownie was "doo-doo" and didn't want to pick it up!

It's hard to belive that one person's dream vacation to the Dolphin is someone else's trip from hell, but it does happen.

Our stay at the Dolphin in February was one of our favorite and most memorable trips to WDW yet, and I am counting down the days until we can return to the Swan (because the Dolphin is booked for a convention!)

 

[Threehearts]

Thanks for posting, TinkHappy. I'd rather have your honest opinion and make up my own mind about staying there than have a more guarded report that may sound "magical." Of course, if the stay was magical then that report is appreciated too! Threehearts

 

[TinkHappy]

Blondie~It was more the filth than anything that had me upset. I expected the walk to be too long for our DD's, so I wasn't disapointed with that.
I am not a "neat freak" but really, the carpets and the windows should be clean. I understand if the hotel is older and needs paint, but we saw three housekeepers on our floor alone and I understand they work very hard, but someone really needs to get in there and clean those carpets, walls and windows. The mildew was terrible.

 

[CookieGVB]

So sorry you didn't enjoy your stay in my very FAVORITE resort. I know you shouldn't have to do this, but did you bring the condition of your room to housekeeping's attention? I've read reviews about just about every resort at WDW having an "off" day or days - so sorry you went when the Dolphin was obviously experiencing theirs!

 

[Crow323]

I stayed at the Swan Sept 01...I loved the location & Kimonos, but wouldnt stay there again unless a real good price. Carpets were worn. I liked CBR where the rooms were remodeled recently.
I was actually there for an extra night due to flight cancellation (it was Sept right after the 11th) & asked if there was a little better rate to stay extra night & was told I already had the good rate...It was an Entertainment rate like 1/2 off & I only stayed there for the location & that it sounded nice.

 

[Blondie]

TinkHappy, did you receive in your room a little "report card" (don't know what else to call it) that you could write down your concerns on?

We had one, and I filled it out and turned it into the front desk when we checked out.

Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the oil (or the dirty carpets get shampooed!)

Sorry if I seemed harsh in my post.

 

[DisOrBust]

Isn't the S/D undergoing a "total" rehab now?? Sounds like its necessary.

I have never stayed at S/D but we stayed at PFB and I was REALLY dissapointed in the condition of the public areas of the resort.

 

[Luvdisney]

We just got back from the Dolphin. This was our 3rd stay here. Our room was on the second floor and had a view of EPCOT. The room was very clean but I would agree the mattresses do need to be replaced. One thing we noticed was the mildew smell near the elevators, but by the time we got to our room you could no longer smell it. I spoke to someone at the front desk and then that night Houskeeping shampooed the carpets in the hallway. This didn't help though. I was told that they are in the process of remolding the S/D. The Swan first and then they will move to the Dolphin. The front desk said it should take about a year and a half to complete. I didn't experiance anything that would keep me from going back though we love the location and my 2 kids rate the grotto pool as the best in Disney. We also stayed at the WL and AKL on this trip and the kids still like the Dolphin slide and pools better.

 

[zagafi]

Originally posted by Luvdisney
I was told that they are in the process of remolding the S/D.

I know this is only a typo, but given the topic of this thread, I am LMAO!! "Remolding" the S/D, indeed!

 

[DisneyVa.]

We just got back on the 23rd of August from a week at the Contemporary and then a week at the Dolphin. We loved the Dolphin so much that we have reservation there for Dec 27th - Jan.4th. I quess we were lucky. our room was great and spotless. I don't know if the floor we were on makes a difference but the lady at check in told us the upper floors were quieter so I requested an upper floor. We were first on the 16th floor but I didn't like the view, so they moved us to the 11th floor with a great upgraded view. Both the 11th and 16th floor I thought were in great shape and very clean (except for the beds which I agree need to be replaced)

 

[NancyIL]

Yes, both will be "remolded" soon - beginning with the Swan.

 

[Trekker]

Typo's can be such fun LOL "remolded"

This could not have happened on a better thread!

 

[Tinkbell]

Hopefully all the rehabbing they plan on doing will help the situation. I know that's no consolation to you though. Here's hoping your next trip will be better.

 

[dreamflight99]

Sure hope you salvaged the fun for the kids, and kept your disdain hidden from them (maintaining some magic, etc.). Kids are usually not too adept at picking up these things (which annoy us adults), after all...they are usually not too preoccupied with carpets and beds, but would laugh hysterically at the brownie in the hall! LOL.
I LOVE the Swan/Dolphin, and am still residing there presently (Since 7/27). I have not noticed any smoke/mold/mildew odors/dirty carpet/rooms, etc...and the brownie in the hallway made me ROTFL!! Perhaps it was the "moldly smelly culprit!" LOL...I must agree, the "Remolding" will make it all the more wondrous for those whom love this resort! Thanks for your post. I wish you a much more pleasant trip in the future.

 

[TinkHappy]

I just wanted everyone to know, in all fairness, I am writing a letter to let hotel Mgmt. know of the situation. Thanks for listening.

 

[jgates]

Swan was in excellent shape when we were there late July. My only suggestion would have been to replace (or really clean) the hallway on 12th Floor. But I have a feeling it will be coming soon. One morning they were in a room down from ours 'remolding' it? Had stuff pulled away from walls, about 5 guys working, trimwork pulled off, etc.

Room was in good shape. Stuff never left sitting out in hallways. I would go back in a flash. And to be honest - it doesn't take much to tick me off so I would request a different room if I ended up in your situation. (And I probably wouldn't be very polite either!)