Dolphin or BC?

[vicb224]

oh I just cannot make up my mind!
Is staying at the Dolphin worth $245 less for 3 nights?
That's about how much I would be saving after the Mears shuttle cost and resort fees for Dolphin.
I think I would miss the Disney feel...but I would miss the $245 also lol
I stayed at the Yacht club in April and fell in love with the Epcot area and all it has to offer. Being that it's only 3 nights this time, having 2 resorts close enough to walk to is a huge plus. But I just don't know if i can justify the price of BC.
I know I will love it because it's a Disney resort and I am so familiar with them, I don't know that I will LOVE the Dolphin.
Is the magic worth it?

 

[patty57]

Is the magic worth it?

That is a question you really need to decide for yourself. I can tell you my last two WDW trips were at the Swan and then the Dolphin after years of BC and BW. For me, the "magic" doesn't seem to be worth it as much anymore. The location is the primary goal for me. I also really enjoy the Swan and Dolphin. The pool and pool bars are great.

 

[MEK]

Personally I think its fun to try new resorts and have the actual experience of checking them out. The location of the Dolphin is great.

I have never stayed at the Dolphin or the Swan, but I have stayed at the BC. I like to save $, so I think $245 over a 3 day period is a pretty nice savings and will certainly defray some of your other costs.

My last trip to BWV I ran over to the Swan/Dolphin area a lot and, as was mentioned, the pool area looked lovely. It's a very pretty area.

Could you book the Dolphin and switch if the BC rate comes down? Not sure how soon you are going and if there might be upcoming promotions.

 

[pixarmom]

We've stayed at both BC (many times) and Dolphin (once.) For the price difference you mentioned, we'd choose BC no question. Dolphin is absolutely a great value for the location, and it would be tough to choose between it and a mod. Our youngest loved the playground, we love bluezoo and Il Mulino at the Swan, and the view of the Friendship boats from our room was very nice. We don't use CS much, but did eat at Picabu once and thought it was a great option.

But Dolphin did feel like more of a convention hotel and there were things about it that were certainly less Disney. You could tell in the interactions with employees, the theming, and the convention crowd. We missed the CM enthusiasm, the balcony at the BC (our Dolphin room had a window, but no balcony) the refill mugs (they have them at Dolphin, but they are different) and the pool atmosphere was entirely different from a Disney resort. Very much a party atmosphere there, especially with the employee selling $5 shots out of a backpack. Lots of long hallways to accomodate the conference space and many more convention attendees than I've seen staying at YC or CSR. When we stayed at Dolphin, we were coming from the beach and had a car, then transferred to AKL where we stayed a night before taking ME to the airport. But I would have missed magical express if we hadn't transfered!

Again, Dolphin is a great budget option for the location, but for less than $100/night difference, we'd choose BC.

 

[vicb224]

We've stayed at both BC (many times) and Dolphin (once.) For the price difference you mentioned, we'd choose BC no question. Dolphin is absolutely a great value for the location, and it would be tough to choose between it and a mod. Our youngest loved the playground, we love bluezoo and Il Mulino at the Swan, and the view of the Friendship boats from our room was very nice. We don't use CS much, but did eat at Picabu once and thought it was a great option.

But Dolphin did feel like more of a convention hotel and there were things about it that were certainly less Disney. You could tell in the interactions with employees, the theming, and the convention crowd. We missed the CM enthusiasm, the balcony at the BC (our Dolphin room had a window, but no balcony) the refill mugs (they have them at Dolphin, but they are different) and the pool atmosphere was entirely different from a Disney resort. Very much a party atmosphere there, especially with the employee selling $5 shots out of a backpack. Lots of long hallways to accomodate the conference space and many more convention attendees than I've seen staying at YC or CSR. When we stayed at Dolphin, we were coming from the beach and had a car, then transferred to AKL where we stayed a night before taking ME to the airport. But I would have missed magical express if we hadn't transfered!

Again, Dolphin is a great budget option for the location, but for less than $100/night difference, we'd choose BC.

This did it for me....thank you!!

 

[clapton]

Having stayed at both, and we love the BC, for just three nights I would save the money and stay at the Dolphin. You won't be disappointed!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

oh I just cannot make up my mind!
Is staying at the Dolphin worth $245 less for 3 nights?
That's about how much I would be saving after the Mears shuttle cost and resort fees for Dolphin.
I think I would miss the Disney feel...but I would miss the $245 also lol
I stayed at the Yacht club in April and fell in love with the Epcot area and all it has to offer. Being that it's only 3 nights this time, having 2 resorts close enough to walk to is a huge plus. But I just don't know if i can justify the price of BC.
I know I will love it because it's a Disney resort and I am so familiar with them, I don't know that I will LOVE the Dolphin.
Is the magic worth it?

I had a similar quandary for this years trip and ended up choosing the Dolphin. We have stayed at both and really love both so the choice was pretty easy for me. Being in the same general location but saving all that money...for us was about $700 was just a no brainier. We really don't notice much of a difference from Disney owned resorts. The staff is very friendly and the views are so awesome, actually better than the bc I think. Either way you'll be happy I think.

 

[DisneyGuy]

I'd go with the Dolphin. Unless you are interested in a dining plan and/or magical express, you aren't really getting any other "luxuries" that the Dolphin can't provide.

The whole "Magic" feeling is just that; a feeling. For me, to be right in the middle of the parks (Epcot and Hollywood Studios) and within walking distance to both (plus boat transportation options to both parks) is where the magic is at. True, there are no Mickey heads on your bedding, or in the carpet at the Dolphin (which is always a nice touch at a Disney owned resort) but your bed will no doubt be much better (at least in my opinion) at the Dolphin. Now, since you're comparing the Dolphin to a Disney deluxe resort you have to ask yourself, is that "feeling" you get worth the extra money? or can you try to obtain that "feeling" at the Dolphin knowing you are saving a great deal of money and getting all the luxuries you need/want and require for a Disney trip to be great. Ask yourself what the Beach Club can offer you that you need/want that the Dolphin can't?? and ask if it's worth the extra $245.00.

Another note about the "Magic" - lots of people have a different opinion on this. There are people who stay at places like the Contemporary who say "there's no magic there". Also, many say that the Swan and Dolphin are "convention" hotels - keep in mind that some of Disney's resorts are also "convention" hotels. Parties, weddings, conventions can all happen at any given time. Not a big deal to us.

Looks like you might of already picked Beach Club - and if so, great resort, great pool and you'll have a great time. You can't go wrong with any Epcot resort, really.