Dolphin or Coronado, same price

[Zooteach1]

We have a standard room booked at Coronado Springs in May. We are going to be disappointed if we don’t get a renovated room, but looking at the number of standard rooms renovated versus the number not, looks like our chances for success are only around 25%. And there’s also the potential noise and visual disturbance of the ongoing construction that worries us. Today I found a rate at the Dolphin that would be exactly the same as our Coronado room (I’m including the Dolphin’s resort fee in that calculation). We love being able to walk to the parks and the Boardwalk, so now I’m thinking maybe we should change resorts. Which would you choose??

 

[hertamaniac]

Given the % chance of a renovated room at CSR, I would opt for the Dolphin. The boat ride to HS or EPCOT is a bonus and the walk to Boardwalk would be my tipping point.

 

[Maxie86]

Given the % chance of a renovated room at CSR, I would opt for the Dolphin. The boat ride to HS or EPCOT is a bonus and the walk to Boardwalk would be my tipping point.

I would take the Dolphin any day over CSR. All the rooms have been recently renovated and you can't beat being able to walk or boat to two parks and the boardwalk.

 

[ShelbyWagon]

Dolphin 100%. You can walk to two parks! The onsite restaurants are miles ahead anything at Coronado. I guess the only thing you "lose" is Disney theming. It's still a beautiful resort though.

 

[tbholc81]

The Dolphin would be the easy choice for us. We stayed at CSR in December as part of a split stay. It was the most disappointing part of out trip. Non renovated rooms seem old and run down, you can see the tower construction as soon as you get on the property and every where else you go. Transportation can be slow, there are 4 stops at the resort. At the Dolphin you won’t have any of those concerns and your proximity to the park make it worth the switch.

 

[OKW Lover]

Another voice for the Dolphin. Easy access to two parks. Lots of good options for dining.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Hands-down, Dolphin!

 

[Disneylover99]

Definitely Dolphin!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I've never stayed at either one. But with how close the Dolphin is to Epcot? There wouldn't be a question.

 

[kniquy]

Not sure if you are flying but if so you would also have to factor in the airport transportation and the cost of magic bands (unless you have some). just throwing that out there to factor in if needed. The S&D are nice and the closeness to the 2 parks is a great benefit, and there is no construction. You might get the busyness of conferences going on but that is likely better than construction.

 

[Zooteach1]

Well you all definitely talked me into it, switched to the Dolphin! I am happy to avoid the stress of putting in room requests and the potential disappointment of getting a worn out or noisy room. And you are right, the location can’t be beat for the dolphin! We aren’t flying and have magic bands from our APs, so for two nights it’s going to actually be six dollars cheaper than the two nights at CS, even with the fee added. $159 a night for standard with two beds... best rate I’ve seen at the Dolphin.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Well you all definitely talked me into it, switched to the Dolphin! I am happy to avoid the stress of putting in room requests and the potential disappointment of getting a worn out or noisy room. And you are right, the location can’t be beat for the dolphin! We aren’t flying and have magic bands from our APs, so for two nights it’s going to actually be six dollars cheaper than the two nights at CS, even with the fee added. $159 a night for standard with two beds... best rate I’ve seen at the Dolphin.

You did very well on the rate. Congratulations!

No question that the Dolphin is the better choice. And truthfully, you don’t even need the Magic Bands. Staying at the Dolphin, the only thing you can use them for is park entry and Fastpasses, but a regular ticket works just as well.

 

[snappy]

If you have AAA, use your card to get 20% discount at dolphin restaurants.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Well you all definitely talked me into it, switched to the Dolphin! I am happy to avoid the stress of putting in room requests and the potential disappointment of getting a worn out or noisy room. And you are right, the location can’t be beat for the dolphin! We aren’t flying and have magic bands from our APs, so for two nights it’s going to actually be six dollars cheaper than the two nights at CS, even with the fee added. $159 a night for standard with two beds... best rate I’ve seen at the Dolphin.

Just a reminder...The resort and parking fees at the Dolphin are $45 + tax.

Parking at CSR is $19, no resort fee, but if you booked before 03/21, there would not be a parking fee. Also keep in mind the Dolphin is, mostly, a convention hotel with large lobby bar = hundred of tipsy business professionals in the common areas and smoking at the back entrance.

But.....the location is great!

 

[Ciao Mickey]

If you have AAA, use your card to get 20% discount at dolphin restaurants.

Good to know.

 

[DLgal]

Dolphin all the way. We stayed at CSR in 2014 and HATED everything about it. I will never go back there, renovated rooms or not. It was a horrible resort, from the awful bus service that took forever just to leave the property, to the terrible food at the food court, to the moldy smelling room with an a/c that didn't work and the inability to change rooms due to a convention because the resort was booked solid, to the apathetic front desk employees and management. Literally the worst Disney resort experience ever (I've stayed everywhere except AKL and All Star Sports for context).

We stayed at the Dolphin in 2016. SO NICE! Even with the resort fees (we didn't have a car, used Uber to/from MCO), it was cheaper than a Disney moderate at the time. We got a newly renovated room at Dolphin and it was really well done. Loved the color scheme, bedding, and furniture. Dolphin has great restaurants and is an easy walk to Epcot and Studios. It's our fall back when there aren't any Disney Deluxes around Epcot available.

 

[loves to dive]

Hands down Dolphin, inside hallways, walking distance to two parks, huge pool, great pool bar, great restaurants. I love Coronado, we stayed there the week before Christmas because we couldn't find anything at Dolphin and loved it but having to take the bus everywhere (we have a car but park it and don't get in it again until we leave) got old. As far as noise and construction, it was a none issue for us. We never heard any noise, obviously you could see the construction but it didn't bother us. We did not have a renovated room and it was still fine. Still, given a choice between the two at the same price, Dolphin wins.

 

[MMR76]

I think you will be very happy with the Dolphin. Both Swan and Dolphin have been completely renovated and I would consider them equivalent to a Deluxe resort by Disney standards. There are great restaurants and the pool is nice. The biggest benefit is the location. The Epcot area is our favorite. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I would also pick the Dolphin in this scenario - although I've never stayed at Coronado. Working in the Swan/Dolphin's favor are location and ability to walk to the parks, the restaurants, and the pool. The only thing I miss is the ability to charge in park purchases back to my room with the magic band but that's not a big deal. The DIS Unplugged included a stay at Coronado in their recent "7 resorts in 7 days series." I think it was filmed in Jan or Feb and they did get a renovated room but might give you some more insight into current status there.

 

[Babsy]

The Dolphin was a great choice! We LOVE staying there! Enjoy the beautiful hotel, comfortable beds, awesome location and great dining options!!!!!
AND ..... Yay!!
What a fabulous rate you have!!