Dolphin or Art of Animation?

[Keith]

Please help me decide. Should we stay at Dolphin or Art of Animation? My wife and I are going to watch our 2 children perform at WDW with their high school marching band. We've taken our children to WDW 4 times and have stayed at CBR, CR, OKW, and POLY. This will be our 1st trip to WDW without the kids. We are going a few days before Easter, 2013, and are staying 4 nights. The price difference is about $275.00, plus the cost of transportation back to MCO. My wife says she doesn't care where we stay.

 

[canopynut66]

AoA be on property and Dolphin is nice but is not a disney owned resort

 

[raven69david]

AoA hands down. Dolphin is great for an adults-only vacation, but for a family trip, even with kids in HS, I'd go with AoA.

 

[Flossbolna]

I would recommend the Dolphin as it is a much higher class hotel with more space and amenities. You will have the advantage of walking to Epcot as well DHS (or take the boat) and you have the whole Epcot resort area to hang around at. After having stayed at the Boardwalk I don't really see why people would consider the Swan & Dolphin less Disney as it is directly in the middle of such a Disney atmosphere. There might be less character decorations, but that's about it. I had great meals at the Fountain and Fresh at the Dolphin.

 

[BMWTeamLeader]

AoA be on property and Dolphin is nice but is not a disney owned resort

If you plan on using Magical Express from and/or to the airport, A0A is the way to go

 

[RyMacJ]

Also if you plan on using the dining plan, you can not buy it at the Dolphin (or the Swan) as they are not true Disney resorts.

At AoA you could buy it, so AoA would be my choice (we're DDP fans, though)

Have a fun vacation!

 

[BuzzandWoodyMom]

As others have mentioned, Swan and Dolphin are not Disney owned resorts and don't have Magical Express or The Disney Dining Plan. The Dining Plan is a must for us, so that's a deal breaker and why we will never stay at one of those resorts.

 

[Keith]

AoA hands down. Dolphin is great for an adults-only vacation, but for a family trip, even with kids in HS, I'd go with AoA.

I just wanted to clarify. "This will be our 1st trip to WDW without the kids." Also, we only need transportation back to MCO. We're flying into Tampa, visiting family, then driving rental to WDW. I am considering Dolphin because of its location, close to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios, options for evening activities, among other amenities. I just wasn't sure whether it was necessary to spend the extra money? When we stayed at CBR, I remember feeling like I was on an island away from anything fun that we might be missing. I thought maybe we might get the same feeling at AoA? Also, we've never stayed at a value resort. I think we'll be fine with either resort. We have had DDP before, and enjoyed having it. Is it really that much of a deal breaker?

 

[Irishlisa]

For an adults only trip I would choose Dolphin. Because you've already stayed at other WDW resorts I think you would enjoy the Dolphin more.

 

[Irishlisa]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/dolphin-resort/services-amenities/


I'm not sure how much it would cost for a one way trip to MCO but you could call so you know ahead of time since the hotel will arrange a ride for you.

 

[AliceIn]

I've stayed at both -- the AoA would win for me, personally. The Swan and Dolphin are nice enough, but AoA is brand new and has such a Wow! factor. The Magical Express is a wonderful perk. I loved not having to worry about lugging all of our big bags around MCO.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I just wanted to clarify. "This will be our 1st trip to WDW without the kids." Also, we only need transportation back to MCO. We're flying into Tampa, visiting family, then driving rental to WDW. I am considering Dolphin because of its location, close to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios, options for evening activities, among other amenities. I just wasn't sure whether it was necessary to spend the extra money? When we stayed at CBR, I remember feeling like I was on an island away from anything fun that we might be missing. I thought maybe we might get the same feeling at AoA? Also, we've never stayed at a value resort. I think we'll be fine with either resort. We have had DDP before, and enjoyed having it. Is it really that much of a deal breaker?

I'd go with the Dolphin. You will get a different feel at AoA vs CBR. CBR is very lush and yes, it definitely have that island feeling. AoA is about Disney animations. It's about the movies. It won't have that laid back tropical feel to it. It's definitely geared towards family with children.

Dolphin will definitely have the upscale feel. It has a nice big pool with waterfall/grotto. It is a walking distance to Epcot and MGM. For two adults only, I would go with Dolphin.

 

[BuzzandWoodyMom]

I just wanted to clarify. "This will be our 1st trip to WDW without the kids." Also, we only need transportation back to MCO. We're flying into Tampa, visiting family, then driving rental to WDW. I am considering Dolphin because of its location, close to EPCOT & Hollywood Studios, options for evening activities, among other amenities. I just wasn't sure whether it was necessary to spend the extra money? When we stayed at CBR, I remember feeling like I was on an island away from anything fun that we might be missing. I thought maybe we might get the same feeling at AoA? Also, we've never stayed at a value resort. I think we'll be fine with either resort. We have had DDP before, and enjoyed having it. Is it really that much of a deal breaker?

We've done the Dining Plan every year since they introduced it in 2005. Eating at our favorite restaurants and character meals is part of the whole "magical" vacation for us and if you are eating at least 1 TS meal per day, its a money saver for us. Plus we started only doing free dining weeks a number of years ago. So, yes, the Dining Plan is a deal breaker for us.

We have stayed at all levels of resorts at WDW, but we are so excited to stay at AoA in November, I can't hardly wait - I actually think I'm way more excited than the kids, actually I know I am ;-)

 

[amberpi]

My DH and I don't do Disney Dining (few of the evening places we eat are included) nor will we take the Magical Express (its FAR faster to just grab a cab and even though I'm pretty girly I can pack in a carryon), so the Dolphin all the way. The location alone is enough and its a much more adult atmosphere with some of the best dining in property. I've had a few craptastic experiences at Disney properties and have stayed at D/S probably 20 times and have nothing but flawless service. MY DH prefers it over the GF and CR. The GF is only better due to location of the V&A, but our other evening meals tend to be Il Muliano, Shula's and Blue Zoo so it doesn't work.

That said, its not the place to look for characters, etc. Its a much more up market, adult atmosphere. Even then, we are taking our 5 year old nephew in just 3 weeks for his first visit (although we're staying at the Swan this time). We love it there.

No matter what, have a great time with your wife and family.

 

[amberpi]

The cab to and from the airport is like $60 but its fast and direct No waiting!

 

[Mackie Mouse]

If it helps sway you at all, DH and I are childless yuppies who stayed at the Dolphin last summer for our anniversary and stayed at a value resort (All Star Sports) for a couple of nights on our honeymoon.

Without kids in tow, I can confidently say that I will never stay at a value resort again! I thought the noise/families really wouldn't be bothersome...but somehow they really were when I wanted adult time with my hubby.

By contrast, I don't think I'll ever stay anywhere OTHER than the Dolphin again if I can possibly help it! The amenities at the hotel were absolutely awesome, and we were upgraded to an alcove balcony room with an Epcot fireworks view as some anniversary pixie dust (it was amazing!). I personally felt like the ice cream treats we got from the fountain beat those at Beaches and Cream, and the short walk to Epcot/ability to use the Friendship boats was absolutely awesome. The difference in location is really indescribable until you're there. And the POOL. I have to be honest...the grotto pool alone might be worth the difference in price per night. It's humongous, the theming is great, and it has a waterfall. Even when it's completely crowded mid-day, there was tons of room to swim. I would have spent a whole day there if we'd had the time.

In short - stay at the Dolphin. Hands-down. Don't forget as well that they offer discounts all the time - AAA, a teachers' and nurses' rate, government employee rates, and all sorts of promotions. Check the Swan/Dolphin thread here to see if you can save a few bucks at all...

 

[Keith]

We have decided to stay at the Art of Animation with some of our friends. They have chosen AoA, so we'll just stay there with them. I really would have preferred Dolphin, but AoA will be fine. I'll just use the extra $70/night we're saving on a nice meal each day.
Thanks to everyone for your input. I appreciate your advice.

 

[2bliss]

We just returned from the Dolphin last night, and I would stay there again. The staff was wonderful, the room was spotless and I felt we had a lot of extra space. There are great food options which all accept AAA discounts. Just the location alone is a big sell. We are a family of 4 who usually stay at a moderate or WL, and always do the dining plan. I didn't miss the plan and feel that it is way too much food for us. If you have a AAA card you can't beat the discount!
As far as theming goes I don't really understand what people mean, unless you are at one of the values I don't see how the Beach Club or Boardwalk are "disney" themed. The Dolphin would be my choice, especially for 2 adults. With either resort you can't go wrong! Good luck and enjoy!!

 

[ke3d98]

I would choose AoA because even though your children are teens, the Disney themed resorts are for people of all ages. The Dolphin/Swan is great for couples' trips but I would personally choose AoA

 

[Planogirl]

It would be the Dolphin hands down for me. You have quick access to Epcot and DHS and the Boardwalk. Plus there are plenty of good places to eat at the Yacht and Beach Club resorts and the Swan.

We took a bus to see AOA and it's a very cute resort but also quite kid-oriented. Plus the bus ride took a while and it would be so much nicer IMO to just walk to wherever you want to eat plus two themeparks! However like I said, AOA is cute and you will likely have a nice time.