dolphin or moderate?

[Mainebound]

Hi all,

We've booked 2 rooms at the Dolphin for our March 11-16 trip (me, DH, two DS [1 and 3], my sis, and my mom) at the teacher's rate. But, I'm just wondering, if you had to choose between the Dolphin and any moderate resort (which are about the same $$$ for us), which would it be?

Also, I just want to say, this board is so helpful. Everyone on it is so respectful and friendly. Whatever we decide, we'll have a much better trip as a result of reading all your posts!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I have stayed at the Swan several times on the teacher rate. It is wonderful! The transportation alone is worth it over a mod. And you get so much more, your right on the Boardwalk with lots of shops and entertainment. The pool is really fun, the staff is excellent and if you join Starwood Preferred Guest you will earn points for your next trip!

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at all the moderates and the Dolphin. The Dolphin was great. We had a wonderful view and the location is superb. We enjoyed the atmosphere and decore. How ever it is a teeming and busy place. The bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside is temptingly quiet and serene.
It is a personal decision. If you want a great location and a hotel with interior corridors the Dolphin is great. You may not like the somewhat ecclectic decore though and it would be better for you at one of the moderates.

 

[las3888]

To us, it is Dolphin hands-down over moderates....we would really love to get the teacher's rate...without it, it's pricey, so we don't get to stay there too often, but when we do, we love it there...

 

[hallie]

I've never stayed at the Dolphin but I'd choose it because of the location being right next to Epcot, MGM and the Boardwalk is great!

 

[Eeyore1954]

I'll buck the trend and recommend a Disney moderate. I would prefer the Disney theming and staying at a Disney resort. I've been to the Dolphin for a business conference and honestly could not stand much more of the color scheme. Plus I missed the real Disney touch. I'd pick POR or POR-FQ any day over Swan or Dolphin. But like someone else said, it's really a matter of personal choice & taste. For me, the S/D just didn't thrill me -- even with the close proximity to Epcot, BoardWalk, etc. I'm ok with Disney buses and a little ride to the parks only adds to the anticipation.

 

[hygienejean]

I personally like to be close to the parks....I am not a big bus fan so I would vote staying at the Dolphin! That area is just so cool at night. Keep checking Mousesavers too. There may be some really great spring rates at the deluxe hotels. If that happens then the choice will really be tough. Anyway, whatever you choose you really can't miss because there is something special about every on site hotel. Have fun!!!!
Jean...a fellow Mainer!

 

[KelliR]

Yes, everyone has their own opinion, but it would be the Dolphin...hands down for me! The Dolphin is more comparable to a Deluxe Disney Resort, IMHO. Get a Starwood Preferred Guest membership and accrue points. You can get a possible upgrade at check-in as well. Go to www.spg.com to get more information. If you are so inclined, you could get an American Express SPG card to get points from purchases. (Just some suggestions.)

The Dolphin transportation and location are great. And I love the pool area and the restaurants. The elevators are the fastest too!

 

[skuttle]

Dolphin!! It's a wonderful resort! The location cannot be beat. And to me, it's just as "disney" as the other resorts w/ the exception of All Stars.

 

[Blondie]

As long as I can afford it, I'll always go with the Dolphin or Swan over a WDW Moderate any old day!

The location is superb, the Boardwalk is at your backdoor, and has just as much Disney theming as anywhere else on property IMHO.

Dolphin, Dolphin Dolphin!!!!!!

 

[BadgerBruce]

I also would go for the Dolphin. We love POR, but I would always choose a Boardwalk/Epcot area resort if I could get a decent rate. Our first stay at the Swan was under circumstances that might be kind of like yours. It was peak season & we couldn't get a good discount at any of the Disney resorts in the Epcot area. We were going to go to POR again, but checked and found the Swan availabe for just a few dollars more a night. We were a little nervous about staying in a "non-Disney" resort, but the Swan was great. We stayed at the Dolphin the next year & it was wonderful, too. For us, you can't beat the location!

 

[Otisp]

Well, this is just another vote for the Dolphin. Great location, view, friendly personnel, and while the place isn't teaming with "theming", there never seems to be a shortage of Disney characters meeting and greeting the folks.

 

[Mainebound]

Wow, that was a lot more one-sided than I expected. I wonder how much less "Disney" the theming will be at the Dolphin after the renovations (dark wood, marble). But it sounds like the location trumps most other considerations for folks with lots of Disney trips under their belt. Thanks for the info!

 

[cboudre1]

I would choose the Dolphin too. I didn't feel it was less Disney. You are so close to the Boardwalk, and Epcot to us it felt more like Disney.

 

[phanomouse]

Looks like you have had tons of support on this one! So let me just add in my two cents. I like to mix up my vacations from trip to trip so I frequently stay at diff. resorts. The first time that I thought about staying at the S/D I got very nervous, just the thought of staying in a non-disney resort had me feeling like my trip would have trouble as the theme. I looked into the differences throuroughly and found only a few major issues... 1) not room charges backs outside of the hotel. 2) we couldn't have our purchases sent back to our hotel (I think this might have changed in the last few months not sure). So if you can handle this then the Dolphin is a good choice just to expand your resort portfolio... hehe.

I am completly loyal to two resorts YC/BC and the GF why??? LOCATION!!! I have to say I favor the BC more then GF because the location is so great. I tell you this because the Dolphin is in the same location. You are in walking distance of tons of resteraunts, of course Epcot and MGM. You wont be disappointed whichever you choose, just be sure to focus on where you are and how much fun you are having and then it will be a great trip no matter what!!!

 

[gschmerl]

I didn't feel the Dolphin lacked the "Disney touch". When I looked out our window I saw the Sorcerer's Hat and TOT in MGM,, the Eiffel Tower in Epcot ,and the Boardwalk. How much more Disney can you get??!!

 

[skuttle]

You CAN get your packages sent back to the S/D. We stayed at the Dolphin in December 2001 and August 2002 and were able to have our packages sent to the resort both times.

 

[jwfla422]

You mean, Dolphin or deluxe...DOLPHIN, no contest!!! Better than many of the deluxes IMHO and from my experiences