Dolphin or POR?

[MusicalAstronaut]

Looking at a quick weekend trip to Disney, and I can get POR for a total of $462 or Dolphin for $332 (that's including the resort fee). However, I'll be flying in (Frontier) so no car, and as far as I know the Dolphin doesn't have Disney busses/Magical Express, right? So I'd be taking uber to & from the airport (which will add about $70 to the cost of the weekend). Which one would you do? I've never stayed at either and will be enjoying the pool!

 

[Sue M]

Are you going to the parks? POR is our fav moderate. I haven’t stayed at Dolphin but have stayed at BC/YC and love that area. Lots of dining options and walk to 2 parks. You are correct, no DME for Dolphin.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Are you going to the parks? POR is our fav moderate. I haven’t stayed at Dolphin but have stayed at BC/YC and love that area. Lots of dining options and walk to 2 parks. You are correct, no DME for Dolphin.

I'll probably do the parks. I have an AP so I'll probably pop in & out, but also spend some time relaxing at the pool. I agree with you on BC/YC - that's where I would stay every time if I could! Lack of DME might even up the price enough for me to just stay at POR...

 

[Jadyreen1282]

POR. Dolphin is not Disney. ...sorry..forgive me.

 

[a742246]

If you are comfortable with Uber, I would pick the Dolphin. Their pools are better, and I love the EPCOT resort area.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Definitely Dolphin. Great pools, better restaurants and with an AP, super easy to pop into EP and/or DHS.

 

[CynBeth]

POR.

 

[katyjeka]

They are both great resorts!! I love the Epcot area and the Dolphin at night is so beautiful.

 

[crazylady]

Dolphin

 

[Sue M]

I'll probably do the parks. I have an AP so I'll probably pop in & out, but also spend some time relaxing at the pool. I agree with you on BC/YC - that's where I would stay every time if I could! Lack of DME might even up the price enough for me to just stay at POR...

Hard decision. But Epcot area gives you 2 parks walking distance plus multiple dining options. As much as I love POR, I’d try Dolphin

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

If you are comfortable with Uber, I would pick the Dolphin. Their pools are better, and I love the EPCOT resort area.

I'm totally fine with Uber! It's more about the fact that once you add in the cost of Uber, it's the same price for either hotel. I do loooooove the Epcot resort area.

 

[JerseyJanice]

The Dolphin is about 1,000 times better than POR in every way except Yeehaw Bob. I love him, but the pool complex at the Dolphin will blow you away. The pools are nice at POR, but far from spectacular like the Dolphin/Swan pool complex.

If you are by yourself, I recommend taking the Mears shuttle from the airport for $23. Uber will be cheaper for the return transport because they don’t pay MCO fees on departing flights.

 

[FSU Girl]

Definitely Dolphin. You'll be in a Deluxe resort location, being able to walk to two parks (Epcot and Hollywood Studios) You'll also have access to the Disney bus transportation to parks and Disney Springs. Yes, you'd probably have to Uber to the hotel since they don't have Magical express. You also won't have to deal with the daily room checks.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

The Dolphin is about 1,000 times better than POR in every way except Yeehaw Bob. I love him, but the pool complex at the Dolphin will blow you away. The pools are nice at POR, but far from spectacular like the Dolphin/Swan pool complex.

If you are by yourself, I recommend taking the Mears shuttle from the airport for $23. Uber will be cheaper for the return transport because they don’t pay MCO fees on departing flights.

Please tell me more about this Mears shuttle! My flight will land close to midnight, is it 24 hours? Do I need to prebook it? How do I find it at the airport?

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Definitely Dolphin. You'll be in a Deluxe resort location, being able to walk to two parks (Epcot and Hollywood Studios) You'll also have access to the Disney bus transportation to parks and Disney Springs. Yes, you'd probably have to Uber to the hotel since they don't have Magical express. You also won't have to deal with the daily room checks.

So they don't have Magical Express but do have the Disney busses?

 

[dansdad]

So they don't have Magical Express but do have the Disney busses?

Correct.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

Dolphin all the way!

Pros:
Cheaper (but make sure taxes were included in your number, you mentioned resort fee included, just making sure you're making sure)
No room checks if you don't want em
WALKING DISTANCE TO TWO PARKS
Better pool
Better food
Disney Resort Transportation

Cons:
No magical express (but not much of a con in my opinion, uber/lyft is much much quicker)
Double bed instead of a queen (should be a non issue...i'm well over 6 ft and could sleep in a double just fine if necessary)
No magic band (but you're an AP person, so a non issue, really)
No dining plan (putting it here, but honestly it's a ripoff unless you eat a ton)
Can't charge purchases to the room (is this really a huge issue for folks? putting it here anyways)

 

[FSU Girl]

So they don't have Magical Express but do have the Disney busses?

Yes for all four parks and Disney Springs.

 

[bgirl29]

If you buy drop off and pick up with the Mears shuttle I believe you get a deal and it would be even cheaper. I was checking it out myself last week. I just googled it and lots of discounts were showing up. And I would pick the Dolphin any day over por. Have a fun trip.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Please tell me more about this Mears shuttle! My flight will land close to midnight, is it 24 hours? Do I need to prebook it? How do I find it at the airport?

You will need to book it ahead of time on-line since the desk where you buy the ticket closes at 10:00 PM.

I usually take Mears one-way ($23) on arrival, but it’s $33 round trip. I prefer to take Uber for the departing flight because I can choose the time I want to leave for the airport. If you take Mears back to the airport, they will assign you a time for pick-up because their vans usually stop at more than one hotel.