Dolphin-non-renovated rooms??

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I are considering a quick weekend trip to Disney with a stay at the Dolphin at the nurse/teacher rate. I have read some recent negative reviews of the non-renovated rooms at the Dolphin (dirty, smelly, etc.).

I assume we will be given a non-renovated room for the low rate we will be paying. Will we be disappointed??

 

[Kapp]

that all of the room are renovated at the Dolphin now. They may still be doing some work on the hallways as they were going to wait until all of the rooms were done before they started on the hallways.

We went last December on the Teacher rate and got a renovated room with a balcony with a great view of Epcot! And that was when only about half the rooms were renovated. Be sure to become a Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) before you go (its free) as they can help you get an upgrade.

We LOVED the Dolphin!!! It was just as nice (and in many waysm, nicers) that some of the true Disney resorts. The renovated rooms are great and the Heavenly Beds are ....heavenly.

Have a great time!

Kapp

 

[travelin' tigger]

I think that all standard rooms at the Dolphin have been renovated. When I was there last Dec. they had done up to the 7th or 8th floor...

Anyone else???

 

[232271]

when we were there in July they were still doing the top 3 floors,
so unless you are 16 and up you should be fine.

just ask for a renovated room, price shouldnt matter.

 

[Tikiman]

We had our first visit to a non-Disney resort and it was at the Dolphin this last July-August. With our Vacation ownership in Maui with Starwood we are Starwood Preferred Platinum guests and we always get great rooms at all their resorts. Well our room was recently refurbished but the halls and the rest of the floor was it worse conditions than I have ever seen in a hotel anywhere. The staff was not well informed about anything we asked them but they were very friendly. The rooms were extremely small and the balcony was some what of a joke. I had to take a photo at how the chair and table barely fit on the balcony alone. The hallway carpet leading to the room seemed extremely dirty and had huge stains every couple of feet. In some areas the carpet was so loose it left a role sticking up about 1-2 inches. It was so big I almost took a photo because I figured no one would believe me. So far not a great impression. The room was nice but small and the beds were great. The bathroom had a sink outside the bathroom but it was a little cramped and the plug did not work over near the sink. The room hairdryer was mounted across from there over the food area where the coffee pot and refrigerator was. I thought that was an odd place to put it. There was paint all over the toilet area dripped on the tile and the top of the toilet that had never been wiped up and the bathroom could have used a better cleaning.

Parking was impossible. After I found the self parking it was all coned off with signs that it was full even if I could see spots. So I had to valet at $14 a night and this was the case most nights we were there. The place was full because of a convention and because of the convention they had small bars set up all over the lobby, or I am assuming they don’t do this on a regular basis. The place felt like a huge lounge with everyone drinking. You could hardly walk through the lobby and not get bumped into or a drink spilled on you. I would not have wanted to be there with young kids.

I would still like to maybe try the Swan but I will not return to the Dolphin. There are many who have loved the Dolphin but I am sorry to say I am not one of them.

 

[jwfla422]

Tikiman, sorry to hear about your bad experience with the Dolphin, did you request a room change?

I would have definitely said something to the front desk about the bathroom if it wasn't to your satisfaction. We've had very small problems here and there at these resorts but always contact mgmt about them and they were resolved promptly and efficiently. This is your vacation and you shouldn't be hesitant about contacting them.

The balconies are not large except for the torret balconies at the Dolphin on the ends of the wings. The rooms are amazing there with just outstanding views! There are 2 balconies with the end balcony being quite large and very private! I honestly never had a "private" balcony at any of the WDW resorts (BC, POLY, WL or BW), seemed that they were rather small and actually connected to the rooms next to us.

Parking can be tough at times especially if there is a convention going on. But, again I can remember walking forever to get our car at the WL & POLY. (I agree that the valet parking charge is a little high).

But, we have stayed at the Dolphin about 6 times (and the Swan probably about 10 times) in the last 3 years and never ran into such a busy convention as you have. Was it a rainy night? Most of the time they have those receptions outside, maybe they had to move it indoors because of the weather?

Anyway I would suggest trying the Swan next time, it isn't as overwhelming as the Dolphin can be since it is much smaller. Even with conventions there most of their festivites take place on the convention are side which was recently renovated.

The halls in both resorts are currently under renovation so that should look better. The Swan also has a sink outside instead of just a vanity which is very handy. We love the Dolphin but lean just a bit more toward the Swan because it is a more "intimate" atmoshpere
The nurses/teachers rate should be available as the Swan as well.

 

[Tikiman]

I agree that much of our bad experience was due to the convention going on and the resort is a little large for me compared to the Disney resorts we have stayed at (YC, AKL, Polynesian). We did ask if there was another room right after we got to the room but with the convention that was all their was.

We tried to book the Swan but it was full. I would be interested in trying the Swan during the next visit.

Thanks for the info jwfla422.

Aloha

Steve

 

[floridagirrl2]

Thanks everybody! After reading your replies, DH and I booked two nights (tomorrow and Saturday) at the Dolphin through Travelocity for $315 including all taxes and fees. This was the rate available to anybody ($139/night plus taxes and resort fees), not the nurses' rate (we called the Dolphin directly and it would have been $10 more per night).

We are SO excited about staying at the Dolphin and being walking distance to Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival!!

Plus, we've never walked around the Boardwalk before--on our last trip, we took a quick stroll just past the Beach Club (we had never been out that way before and, believe it or not, we had no idea what the Boardwalk was until I read about it on the DISboards!), then turned around and walked back to Epcot (too hot to walk further).

So this will all be very new to us!!

 

[kilee]

Hi Floridagirl- I'm at the Dolphin now. I think they are still in the process of redoing the hallways as the carpet and walls show some small signs of wear. However, our room is gorgeous. The beds are out of this world!!! I find all the amenities in the hotel to be outstanding as well.

 

[Muffy]

As a Platinum Starwood member you could of been upgraded to a 2 room Jr. Suite or a corner king with 2 balconies just by requesting them. I am very surprised that the Dolphin didn't automaticly upgrade you. Sometimes you have to remind them that you are Platinum and always make sure your Platinum acct. number is on your res. I have stayed at the Dolphin twice as Plat SPG and recieved a suite both times. Platinum Starwood members are always given club level privs too. You can request it in advance or at checkin. You do not have to pay the daily $10 resort fee if you are Plat. either. Again you DO have to ask to have it waivered at checkin. We have always had great stays there. I'm sorry your stay was less than perfect. If you do try the Swan, hand the desk clerk your Platinum Starwood membership card at checkin and make your requests.

 

[FINFAN]

Muffy....thanks for the info....good to know. We are at gold status now, platinum WILL happen I tell ya...it WILL!


pAM

 

[Tikiman]

Muffy,

I agree we always get upgraded until we visited the Dolphin. We asked when we got to the room and they said they were all booked. We also called the front desk because you know how sometimes there are some specials or discounts so we asked and they had no information about the starwood preferred guest. They transferred us to someone outside the hotel to speak to about starwood and they said we needed to speak to someone at the hotel and it was just a big mess. No one there had a clue. We were not going to push it because we don’t need to be treated like we are better than anyone else but we just wanted to know what the deal was. Well we never got an answer and we just stayed in the room. We did also ask at check in and always give them our card. They did not even want to see it and did not know why we were showing it to them. Like I said they were all very nice just clueless. You would think they never heard of starwood.

All of our experiences with Starwood resorts have been great except this one. With all the points we have I can’t even remember the last time we paid for our room.

 

[Muffy]

Starwood Prefered Guest is one level below Gold. Platinum is one level above Gold.

 

[Tikiman]

They are all called Starwood Preferred Guests. There is just preferred, gold preferred and Platinum prefered. As I stated before we are Platinum preferred. I just did not write out platinum.

I don't blame the Dolphin for not giving us a free upgrade as we have gotten at every other resort because I believe it was due to the convention. I do blame them for not even being informed to answer questions and look at us like we were crazy when we mentioned Starwood Preferred.

I am sure everyone here has heard enough about Starwood membership.

The Dolphin will be off my list of places to stay but someday I hope to try the Swan.

Thanks for all the input. Sorry we had to get away from the original posters question.

Aloha

Steve

 

[madge]

While we enjoy some things about the Dolphin, if I have the choice...I will pick the Swan every time. I have had much better luck there with front desk clerks as well as CL staff (Thabo and Mama T ) at the Swan....I have even been comped CL privs at the Swan, and I am only gold SPG.

We love the whole complex, but I prefer to stay at the Swan.

 

[Muffy]

You should of recieved a Platinum upgrade at the Dolphin! Sorry about that! We will be staying at the Swan for the first time in Feb but as Gold this time around. I love the location, I love the views and I love the points so I keep going back!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Tikiman
We had our first visit to a non-Disney resort and it was at the Dolphin this last July-August. With our Vacation ownership in Maui with Starwood we are Starwood Preferred Platinum guests and we always get great rooms at all their resorts.

Oh, Steve... ~I had NO IDEA you experienced this type of Stay at one of my ALL~TIME favorite resorts?! I feel so terrible for you...your post reflects unacceptable conditions (IMHO). Being Plat. SPG also, I would have definitely been more outspoken and assertive, (YOU are TOO DARNED NICE!) and obtained either something else (there are usually ALWAYS suites available in these resorts), or insisted the Dolphin manager make other arrangements for us.

BTW...I was THERE during the same time (So HOW COME YOU NEVER CONTACTED ME FOR A QUICK MEET??!!). There were a few conventions, but these never bother me/us. I'm so sorry you experienced problems with respect to these events. The Dolphin is VERY different from the Poly, GF, CR...etc. The Balconies are tiny (*Quaint), and the rooms are also quite different. While I LOVE the Poly, (& visit two-three times each stay), I prefer the accomodations and location of the Dolphin. As Jflaw mentioned...the CORNER KING with a TURRET balcony is astounding!
The hairdryer is located in that area as it is a VANITY counter. There should have been a nice fabric-padded/iron bench under this area, where you could leisurely sit and style/dry your hair, apply make-up and/or sip some coffee. OOppps...you probably would not want to apply make-up!! (LOL)

PARKING...is NEVER a problem for moi. I have a SECRET AREA where I park...which is ALWAYS OPEN and VERY CLOSE to the RESORT!!! PM me for 007 DETAILS!

I just wish you would have contacted me while I was there. I would have taken some steps to assist you with your quandary...possibly alleviating a LOT of these problems thus permitting a more enjoyable time. Did you receive complimentary CL privs? PLAT SPG ALWAYS receives CL at each location (where available...and it's available at the DOLPHIN!). Which WING/FLOOR were you on?

Again...so sorry for all the problems you encountered. I'm sure you'll LOVE the SWAN. It's a bit more refined, subdued and easier to navigate.

I wish you would kindly contact the Dolphin management and inform them of these shortcomings, and the manner in which you were treated during your visit. Explain in detail (as you did here), your disappointment, and permit them an opportunity to amend the situation. It certainly can not help, and in all fairness to the property staff...it offers the opportunity for improvement in the future.

*floridagirrl2~GOOD for YOU!! I wish you both a memorable time, at an incredible rate! Since you and DH have not walked around the BW...it will be a FIRST~TIME experience~! These are always the BEST!! Enjoy every moment, and take lots of pics.

TTFN...DF99

 

[floridagirrl2]

Thanks DF99--we are almost out the door--we expect to have a wonderful weekend!

 

[CarolA]

Upgrades (platinum, gold, etc...) are subject so someone not previously paying for the room. If you go during a major convention I would think that your chances might be lower of getting your upgrade. The hotel companies and airlines don't upgrade if they can get the cash rate!

 

[Tikiman]

Dreamflight99,

Thank you for your concern. I had no idea you were there the same time. I think it was just a shock to be at such a large resort compared to the Disney resorts and having the evenings full of conventioneers was not what we were use to when staying at WDW. Not getting the upgrade only upset me for the first night but we were not staying there the whole time we were in WDW so I was not going to let it ruin my trip. They said all the suites were booked from the convention and we did book our stay there last minute well only a few weeks out so I can not blame them for not having room. I was just surprised that the people at check in could not answer questions about SPG. They acted like they had never heard of any perks from being a member. Even before we were platinum we got things like 40% off all food at the resort in Hawaii as well as upgrades in our room as an example. I know sometimes you only find out if you ask. Well when we asked they had no clue as to what we were talking about. Well anyway you get the idea. They were nice so I was not going to make a huge issue about it. They did take the valet charges off at the end of our stay because the lots were full every night because of the convention and the parking was coned off.

I just don’t think the Dolphin was my style but I will say it has everything you could ever need and I can see how it is a favorite of many. I don’t mean to knock it and I hope no one would change their reservation just because I did not like it. I believe you have to see for yourself and to be fair to the Dolphin I should give it another chance.

The Corner King sounds like a great room and I was hoping for something like that. I think if we had stayed in a better room with a better view we would have a different impression of the place. I also think if we went when there was not a convention I would feel completely different about the resort. Seeing all the business people with cell phones and laptops at all the places to eat made me feel like I was on a business trip myself and got me out of vacation mode. I take no electronics on vacation with me!!!

Where the hairdryer was had the coffee maker and under it was the refrigerator with food and drinks. No seat. Yeah I will stay away from the make-up (lol).

Also no CL privileges were ever mentioned.

Thanks for the input.

Aloha

Steve