Dolphin or POR? Which would you choose...

[kmc33]

We are staying two nights (Sat and Sun nights, first weekend in Feb. following DCL) and plan on going to MK one day (we have small kids 5 y.o. and under). I have great rates at each ($129 + $10 resort fee at Dolphin and $85 at POR). Although the Dolphin is in a nice location, are there other things to take advantage of or is the main advantage its close proximity to Epcot and MGM? Would there be more to entertain small kids at POR? And finally, I am weighing the quality of each. Even though POR is cheaper, I guess it's not apples to apples since one is a deluxe and the other is a mod. Would we be disappointed with POR since it's not a deluxe?

Thank you for your help!!!!!

 

[Blondie]

Personally, if given the choice, I'd stay at the Dolphin! It has so much more to offer. I've stayed at POR and while it is a cute resort with a charming atmosphere, the Dolphin is that much more appealing in my opinion! Some of the views from the Dolphin are spectacular!

 

[swilphil]

Another vote for the Dolphin. It has an arcade, the grotto pool, a beach, a playground. There's also the Boardwalk right there, and you will love not having to spend a lot of time with transportation to the the nearby parks. There's also great bus service to MK/AK.

 

[Bill From PA]

Last Nov. we stayed at Dolphin, the previous trip PO/Riverside, next March it's Dolphin again. Unless I was really strapped for cash I'd pay the difference. Being able to walk to MGM, Epcot and Boardwalk is worth it alone. PO may have the slightest edge in interest to a kiddie the ages of yours, but maybe not if you factor in the 'street entertainment' featured on the Boardwalk and the superiority, in my opinion, of the Dolphin beach and pool area. I'd be happy at any WDW resort, we've done the AllStar thing twice, but Dolphin at that rate is a no-brainer for us.

Bill From PA

 

[Kapp]

Dolphin!!!! Great rooms, incredible view and it feels very Disney to us!!!!!

 

[kmc33]

Well, so far it looks like Dolphin 4 - POR 0. My instinct was that the Dolphin might be a nicer hotel, especially if we can get a renovated room. But, I wanted to make sure I wasn't too quick to rule out a moderate. When the codes came out, I started out thinking that maybe we should switch the WL since MK is our main priority. But it would cost about $45 more per night to stay there since they didn't have any standard rooms available with the code. The bus ride to and from MK sounds like it shouldn't be too bad and there appears to be plenty to do at the Dolphin.

thanks for all the suggestions.