Dolphin or Beach Club Villas?

[micks]

I'm going to be making reservations in the next few weeks and am looking at the Dolphin - maybe Club level - (AP or teacher rate) and the Beach Club Villas.

I need help making this choice! We'll be there with extended family and will be sharing the villa or adjoining Dolphin rooms with my MIL. Just a few facts- it will be DH and me, DD (6), DS (3) and MIL. We'll be eating breakfast in the room (or Club Level) and lunches and dinners out. We've stayed at the BC before (last Oct - free upgrade to the Presidential Suite - can't possibly top that!) and loved SAB and the Boardwalk in general. Here are my first few questions...

1. After SAB, will we feel very deprived with the Dolphin pools?

2. Are there rooms with balconies and Epcot (fireworks) views? Where are they in the hotel?

3. Do you miss the special "on-property" stuff, e.g. Mickey soaps, charging to your room, Mickey wake-up calls, etc?

4. Can we get a fridge in our room?

The teacher rate ($129) at the Dolphin is just too good to pass up, I think. In each place, we'd have two bathrooms beds (no pull outs) for all. We wouldn't be using the kitchen in the BCV much - no cooking for me on vacation! So, there are my thoughts and questions. Can anyone help? THANKS!

 

[Mouseteacher]

After reading your points - great rate, not using kitchen, 2 bathrooms and no pull out - going for the Dolphin is a no brainer!

I am a S/D convert. I love the location, the grotto pool and the heavenly beds and of course the awesome rate for a deluxe resort! I didn't miss the Mickey soap - you get the oatmeal soap (took some home b/c it's so terrific) or the wake-up call or charging to your room. These are such minor differences in comapring Disney resorts to S/D, imho. And did I mention, the location?! You are in and surrounded by Disney magic.

Re: Grotto pool - it is never really crowded - never have had a problem finding a chaise lounge at any time of the day. It is a large pool with a beautiful waterfall. There are quite a few hot tubs around the pool area, too. There is a great outdoor bar and restaurant - the Cabana Grille.

There are balcony rooms with Epcot views as well as standard rooms with Epcot views.

Based on your post - going with the Dolphin is the way to go!

 

[micks]

Thanks so much for your reply MouseTeacher (I'm a teacher as well!) DH and I discussed it a bunch last night and I think we've definitely dedcided to go with the Dolphin - for all of those reasons you mentioned! I truly loved the Beach Club, but at this point, the theming is a little over my kids' heads. So, we're headed to the Dolphin! Thanks again!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I have found this post very interesting. I was planning on staying in a two bedroom at BWV with myself, DH, DS 8, DD5 and MIL and Mother. However, I have become concerned that the second bedroom where MIL and Mother would be, have queen and then a pull out instead of two queens. I feel uncomfortable having one of our mothers sleeping on a pull out. (the kids would be on the other pullout together - they are fine with that).

I started thinking about the S/D - wondering if we could get adjoining rooms - we could put the kids to bed in one and hang out in the other. Will the S/S guarantee adjoining rooms? At least the Moms would each have their own regular bed. We could book with the teacher's rate because MIL is a teacher.

The only thing is we were planning on using the fridge and kitchen for breakfast only. I don't like to pay for breakfast at the resorts or parks - but will do all other meals there. Can you get a teacher's rate for concierge? If so, what is it normally in value season? Because, at least then we could have breakfast in the lounge.

Any advice?

 

[micks]

I spoke with someone at the Dolphin yesterday and she quoted me $129/night, standard room and $199/night conceirge (Club Level). You can rent a fridge for $12/night also. They will not guarentee adjoining rooms, but she said that the earlier you book and request it, the more likely you are to get it. I'm not sure how true that is, but that's what she said. I

think we're going to give the Dolphin a shot - I'm now trying to figure out where to try and request a room that has a balcony and a view of Illuminations! Hmm...

Good luck!

 

[jimmiej]

Having just stayed at the Swan on the teacher rate, I was perfectly happy to book the Dolphin using the teacher rate ($129) for our upcoming trip. If I can get an AP rate for AKL for about the same, I'm going to switch. Other than that, I'm happy with the Dolphin. The Grotto pool is awesome! The entire S/D area is gorgeous. I got some great pics there last trip. You're right; the teacher rate is hard to pass up. I think you'd love the S/D. Have fun planning your trip.