Dolphin or POR solo?

[maxiesmom]

It looks like I will finally take my first solo Disney trip this October. I booked POR when I thought I had others joining me during my trip. Now it is almost certain I will be solo. I was thinking of switching my ressie over to the Dolphin. My biggest concern with POR is how spread out it is. I am worried I would feel lost at such a big resort. I am also a little leary about walking all of those tree lined paths by myself. My thinking is at the Dolphin everything is much more open. It would be a quick walk outside to the boardwalk, and I wouldn't feel so alone. Am I crazy? How have you found POR to be for a solo adult? Would it be worth the extra $200 to change to the Dolphin? Please share your thoughts with me!

 

[zurgswife]

If you have the $200 I would much prefer the Boardwalk area. Especially alone.

 

[maiyasgram]

I have stayed solo at POR and The Swan, so I cannot comment on The Dolphin. I can tell you that I loved POR. I stayed in Magnolia Bend on my first solo. It was absolutley beautiful. Just a short walk over the bridge to Riverside Mill. There was a quiet pool right outside my building along with a laundry room. Although it is a large resort I never had that too big feeling. I felt right at home. On the other hand when I stayed solo at The Swan I did have the luxury of a short walk to The Boardwalk area. I like many didn't feel the "magic" while at the Swan. Each is a great resort but I would choose POR.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Oh gosh, I would spend the money and upgrade to the Dolphin in a second! I don't think you can even compare POR to the Dolphin, as the Swan/Dolphin wins hands-down to me!

I stayed at POR as a solo, and for whatever reason, I can't seem to get a well-located room. I think if I have gotten a room near the center/food court, or even along the winding river, I would have been much happier with the place. But nope - I always get a room "out in the boonies", which was the parking lot view of Parterre Place (twice)! I felt so removed from everything, which is NOT what you want on a solo trip! I had a view of my car, whooppee (well, it is a nice car, though!). I was near no pool (main pool was a hike), not close to the bus stop or food court, either. I still cringe knowing I paid $170 a night for that remote room at POR. Absolutely wasn't worth the money to me. Buses to MK were terrible (took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get there once). Never again.

But I stayed at the Swan last November, for only about $20 more a night than POR, and what a difference!! I had a 10th floor room with a view of everything - the Boardwalk, the river to MGM, the Tower of Terror, the whole Orlando skyline, too! I could walk around the Boardwalk, walk to MGM and Epcot, take the boat, it was great! The room at the Swan was far more classy than POR, much better if you are using a laptop. I felt connected to Disney, which is VERY important to me on a solo trip.

I don't feel the same when people talk of the "Disney Magic" is at POR, but not at the Swan/Dolphin. I felt lonely at POR (which is exactly what I was trying to avoid), while I had an awesome time at the Swan! Well, that's my opinion - go for the Swan/Dolphin!

 

[Forchunut1]

I would also vote for the Dolphin! I love that you can walk to the Boardwalk and also to Epcot. There are little bridges over the waterways and there are also other people walking so you don't feel uncomfortable, even walking from Epcot or the Boardwalk at night.

I also love the views from the Dolphin. It's great being able to look out and see the Swan, the Tower of Terror and other neat things.

I would definitely recommend the Dolphin for a solo person.

 

[kabbie]

I agree with most of other responses. I think the Dolphin with its atmosphere and location would be more ideal for solo travelers. I have only stayed at POR, but would not recommend for a solo trip. POR seemed more family oriented. POFQ would be a better moderate in my opinion, but for only $200 I'd say Dolphin.

 

[SingingMom]

I agree with most of other responses. I think the Dolphin with its atmosphere and location would be more ideal for solo travelers. I have only stayed at POR, but would not recommend for a solo trip. POR seemed more family oriented. POFQ would be a better moderate in my opinion, but for only $200 I'd say Dolphin.

Joining in here a bit late, but I will add my 2 cents and say for a solo trip, I would DEFINITELY chose the Dolphin over POFQ! We have been to both, and I felt isolated even with my DH... those walkways seem dark late at night, especially as you are fumbling for the room key, totally exhausted.

We LOVED the Dolphin last year and are returning next month.

 

[NancyIL]

I usually visit WDW solo, and I almost always stay at the Swan (my first choice) or the Dolphin. The Heavenly Beds are fabulous, and you can't beat the location. I spend most of my park time at Epcot, and there's nothing better than being able to walk or take the boat back to an Epcot resort for a break or at the end of the day.

 

[DisneydaveCT]

I would stay at POR over the Dolphin, even as a solo. I would ask for a room on the Bayou side. I have found it a little more quieter than the Mansions. I have also found that I don't feel the Disney Magic when I visit the Swan or Dolphin. I would save the money by staying at POR...and then spend the money on something else special for me.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It looks like I will finally take my first solo Disney trip this October. I booked POR when I thought I had others joining me during my trip. Now it is almost certain I will be solo. I was thinking of switching my ressie over to the Dolphin. My biggest concern with POR is how spread out it is. I am worried I would feel lost at such a big resort. I am also a little leary about walking all of those tree lined paths by myself. My thinking is at the Dolphin everything is much more open. It would be a quick walk outside to the boardwalk, and I wouldn't feel so alone. Am I crazy? How have you found POR to be for a solo adult? Would it be worth the extra $200 to change to the Dolphin? Please share your thoughts with me!

I know what you mean about walking around the tree lined paths at POR solo. I was very concerned about that until, on my first solo trip to POR, walking back to my room after dark, I heard adult voices around the corner. As my heart started beating faster, I rounded the corner and came face to face with... 2 adults in formal attire, wearing Mickey Ears! Somehow, after that, I wasn't as scared. Until we joined DVC, I stayed 4 times solo at POR. My only concern after that encounter was that I always requested an upper floor room. That's because one time I was on the first floor and I was so afraid that someone could hide in the bushes outside my door and jump out at me, I went back to the front desk and requested a room change. They were very nice and accomodating. I preferred the POR exterior corridors because I always figured there were CMs within yelling distance if I ever had a problem!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

To the Original Poster --

When you say the Dolphin would be $200 more, is that per night, or total for the whole trip?

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Dolphin - not so secluded, inside corridors, more restaurants to choose from, better transportation (IMO), better hotel (although I love POR).

HTH!

 

[EWR2AUS]

Dolphin - not so secluded, inside corridors, more restaurants to choose from, better transportation (IMO), better hotel (although I love POR).

Sounds like a lot of people love the Swan & Dolphin. I just don't find staying there to be the same magical experience. On one last minute solo trip last winter, the best I could do was Dolphin on the first night and POR on the second night. I was literally relieved when I checked in to POR, feeling like I was back where I belonged.

 

[swilson2000]

before we had the DVC membership we stayed at POR and Dixie Landings several times and never had any problems... even since they have combined those resorts we head over there to eat..

 

[Hedy]

I stayed at POR on my first solo trip and I was fine (then again, I've only stayed at Dixie Landings/POR). I was far from the main building, but it wasn't bad-there was a bus stop near my room, and the main building was 10 minute walk-great for grabbing a CS breakfast and heading to the bus.

 

[maxiesmom]

OP here.

Here is an update. Now my mom and dad are definately going with me this fall. But, not being able to leave well enough alone, I still keep checking room rates at other resorts. And guess what? Even if you add in the extra $25 a night for having a 3rd adult, the S/D would only be $125 more total for 5 nights! Now I really don't know what to do. I have been building up POR to my dad. I think he would love the whole ambiance of the place, plus piano man Bob. However, I think he would like being able to stroll around the boardwalk too. I am soooo confused!

Where is the smacking-my-head-into-a-wall smilie?

 

[Noramar]

I agree with all the posts regarding The Swan/Dolphin. Two years ago I stayed at POR, and found that everything was a hike. By the time I got back to my room at night, I was exhausted from the bus trip and the walk back to the room.

Then, last December I stayed at The Dolphin, and my experience couldn't have been any more pleasant. You really can't beat the location. Those water taxis are are really convenient, and a lot more fun than the buses. The Boardwalk is a really cool spot to hang out at night. As for Disney Magic, well that's what I'm going to the parks for. I don't need that much Disney Magic in my hotel room.

I'll be staying at The Swan when I return to WDW this coming October, and only paying about $20 more (total) for the four nights there than I would have paid at POR. Even it it had been $200 more, it is SO worth it!

Nora

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Sounds like a lot of people love the Swan & Dolphin. I just don't find staying there to be the same magical experience. On one last minute solo trip last winter, the best I could do was Dolphin on the first night and POR on the second night. I was literally relieved when I checked in to POR, feeling like I was back where I belonged.

Well...I guess to each his own! While I love ALL of the "Disney" resorts that we have stayed at and wouldn't hesitate to stay at any of them again, I would pick the Dolphin again if I could. We didn't feel that it was any less magical then our Boardwalk stay - surprisingly!! The beds were wonderful, our view was wonderful and the boats to MGM and Epcot were priceless. We also loved all of the food options and the variety of gift shops.