Dolphin Review

[kctinkerbell]

We returned home late Tuesday from our very first trip to WDW. We stayed at the Dolphin and loved the hotel. We had a teacher rate of $135. and we would not hesitate to stay here again, especially at that rate!!!

Our room was ready for us when we arrived at 2:00 and our request of connecting rennovated rooms were met. I cannot stress how wonderful the heavenly beds are-they are GREAT!!!! I also really enjoyed the bus/boat transportation. We never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus and never more than 5 minutes for a boat.

The pool are was wonderful. Lots of great areas for adults and kids. We ate at a few of the restaurants and enjoyed them.

All in all we loved the hotel and loved staying at the boardwalk area with two DD's 6& almost 4. I do not believe you need to stay at a monrail resort with young children, the boardwalk area is close to everything and many restaurants to choose from!!

kctinkerbell

 

[NMAmy]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this resort as much as we did. We just had our first visit there and it won't be the last (especially with the teacher or govt rate!) The whole family just LOVED this place. There's nothing better than being able to walk home from Epcot after Illuminations and not have to fight the crowds for the bus or monorail.

 

[dmf208]

I agree that the dolphin is great hotel. We have stayed there 3 years in a row at the nurses rate of 129 and 199 for concierge level ( in my opinion I would not spend extra on the concierge level, but that is only my opinion) It is so close to epcot and the boardwalk is a blast at night. The pool was wonderful. This trip we will stay at the GF just for a change. At the Dolphin we were always upgraded to a larger room, if you don't mind a murphy bed. It is one of the best deals on disney property. We did not mind taking the bus to MK or AK, even with an active toddler, he loved it and felt it was part of the adventure.

 

[Yael14]

We have been staying at the Dolphin for 9 years in a row! The restaurants are fantastic and if you're on club level, you get a complimentary breakfast!!! I love it there! The staff was always there to help. We also got 100 dollars back because of some little problem in the room. It's called the "No sorry policy". I can't believe I'll be there in another 2 weeks!!! -Yael-
P.S. Does anyone know hoe many rooms have been renovated in the Dolphin? Are they all finished?

 

[dorisdvu]

What kind of rooms/view did you have? I'm arriving Sunday and also have requested connecting rooms. This is what my ressies say:
Beds: 2 Double Beds
Room Features: Traditional Non-Smoking, Resort View, Free Highspeed Internet Acces, Armoire/Tv/Stocked Minibar, Movies/Games/Video Check Out, View Of Crescent Lake. The Room Contains Iron And Ironing Board, Coffee Maker, Hair Dryer And Wall Safe.

 

[dmf208]

We had a view of Crescent Lake and it was beautiful. I found the front desk people to always be accommodating. I always ask for an upgrade and have always gotten it. One time I did not like the assigned room because it smelled like smoke, so she gave us a jr. suite. It was a little noisy since it was near the elevators, but was very spacious. It had a king size murphy bed, two sofa beds, small kitchen area (just sink and refrigerator, large vanity area outside the bathroom, a large walk-in closet ( largest enough to be a small room!). I think most people do not like the murphy bed but we always kept it down and it was no different form a regular bed. In any event the room you described above, is very very nice and you will love the view.

 

[diskids2]

OH I'm so happy to see this post. We will be going to the Dolphin for the first time in two weeks at the govt rate. I can't wait either. Our whole family is so excited. Which restaurants did you try?

 

[AimeeM]

We are thinking about staying at either Swan or Dolphin with either the govt. rate or an AP rate over Thanksgiving. My father is works for the post office in a managent position. Does that still qualify for the govt rate?? I looked at rates at DreamRES, and it shows 149/night, plus tax up until the sunday after Thanksgiving. Then Sun, Mon, & Tuesday jump to like 238/night plus tax. WHy the huge price jump AFTER the holiday??? Thanks!

 

[dmf208]

diskids2

We ate the japanese restaurant in the Swan Kimonos, very good if you like sushi and sake, they alos had karoke later in the evening. Tubby's is opened 24 hr in the Dolphin, cafeteria style, but will do the trick. They had starbucks coffee and you can purchase a coffee mug and get free refills of coffee and soda.

The Dolphin is within walking distance of the boardwalk which is really fun at night, lots of games and performers on the bw. Also you can rent these really fun bikes which seat upto 4 people and ride on the bw. We ate at a great restaurant called the flying fish,pricey but worth it. Make reservations here. Also since the Dolphin is close to Epcot, you can walk or take a very nice boat to one of the good restaurants there. I have eaten lunch at the french restaurant there everytime, the food is good. Also in France there is a great little croissant shop with outside bistro tables. Tables are first come, since there is only counter service here which is perfect.

Have fun

 

[dreamflight99]

Thank you for a great review! I am so pleased you had such a wonderful time at the Dolphin. It is one of my all-time FAVORITE resorts.

*NOTE: Yael14~This feature is actually titled the "Sheraton Service Promise." If you experience anything unsatisfactory, from check-in wait time, to housekeeping, you will receive an offer for SPG points or cash credit. It's one of the BEST in the industry, and helps to maintain high standards through rigorous accountability.
It seems to be working, as I experience less problems at the WDW Dolphin than any other resort property~!

TTFN...DF99

 

[XStAnt]

KCTinkerbell,

Glad you enjoyed your stay.

Were you one of the people who posted concerns about this hotel or concerns about it not having the Disney magic? Just curious and, if so, how soon did it take before you no longer had those concerns?

 

[liltoot]

We are planning on staying at the Dolphin December 1st thru 5th. Does anyone have an idea of what the price would be for a standard room with an AARP discount? Their web site only lists the discount up to September. Also, do you think I would get a better deal with the entertainment book? Thanks in advance!!

 

[kctinkerbell]

Dorisdvu- My ressie said the same thing as yours. I had an east wing room on the first floor and it faced to walkway to the Swan and the boatdock. At first I wasn't thrilled with a first floor room, but my DD's loved watching the ducks in the morning and watching the boats dock. If you want you could ask for a view of epcot and then you might be able to watch some of the fireworks.

Diskids2- We ate at the Dolphin Fountain-sandwiches and icecream and we liked it for that kind of food. We grabbed a quick lunch here the day we arrived. My girls got hotdogs served in cardboard cars, they loved this, and DH and myself split a BLT and they served it on two plates each filled with chips. We ate breakfast every morning in our rooms. The last day, however, we did eat breakfast at Tubbi's. It is cafeteria style. It was great for breakfast.
We did eat at the Boardwalk a number of times, and it is great to have so many choices in the area.

XstAnt- I hadn't posted any concerns, just lots of questions. We had never been to WDW (or at least in 25 years) so I guess I didn't have any Disney Magic to compare it to. I just felt like everyone was very nice, and very accomadating. We had a problem with our toliet one night, it overflowed, and they adjusted our bill by $50. They fixed everything very quickly, and I thought the adjustment was very nice.

I hope I was some help!!!

Kctinkerbell

 

[hellokitty]

you should call and ask they are very nice and would have this information over the phone most likely.

 

[airhead]

We can't wait to get there! We arrive 7/3 after a week at AKL. I'm wicked psyched about staying there!!!!

 

[dznyntnh]

I'm glad to here such great reviews since I'll be at the Dolphin in just 6 short weeks.

I'm getting very excited, but I do have one concern. It has been like pulling teeth to get a confirmation from them. I never received one when I made the rez, paid the deposit or paid off the room. It took several phone calls and unanswered e-mails to get one e-mailed to me and it still says nothing about what I've paid.

Is this normal for the Dolphin??

I guess I'm just used to the wdw confirmation which I always get right away.

Other than this one little glitch, I am looking forward to visiting the Dolphin.

 

[dmf208]

I have always gotten a confirmation number over the phone, in addition to letter in the mail confirming the reservation. I don't recall information about the deposit on the written confimation, although you might want to consider bring your credit statement showing the charge if you are worried. I believe it is standard for them to charge one night's stay up front. They always have with us( wehave alwys taken advantage of the nurses rate) Hope this helps.

 

[Boo Mc]

kctinkerbell - Can you tell me what documentation you had to bring to get the teacher's rate? Do you just tell them over the phone you're a teacher and then bring proof at check-in? Is this rate just for elementary and high school teachers or college professors as well? We'd love to stay here if we could get a good rate. Thanks so much!

 

[callahanjulie10]

I am getting the teacher rate as well. I called and asked what I needed as proof and they said an ID badge, check stub, letter from school, etc would be fine.

 

[kctinkerbell]

I did not receive confirmation in the mail. However I did apply for an SPG account and then I could see my ressie on their website and it stated our rate information.

I was told to bring a copy of my teacher's certificate, which I did. They did not ask any questions about it at the time. I have an elementary certificate, I assume it would apply for all teachers, just call the hotel directly and ask. They are great about answering questions.

kctinkerbell