Dolphin tips and thoughts

[TaraPA]

Which you would only want to drive to AK or MK since the other two are walking distance or by boat. They DO HAVE shuttles to those parks for free so no worries if you don't have a car.

Just to clarify, Swan & Dolphin don't use "shuttles" to MK & AK - they share the exact same Disney bus that picks up for BW, BC & YC. If it's a slow time of year all 4 resorts might share the same bus, at busier times they add more buses to the route. Both parks have a designated Swan & Dolphin pick up/drop off area just like all WDW resorts. So no worries there!

We've been at S/D twice during that same week you're going. You'll love the HUGE Christmas tree in the Dolphin lobby!

 

[RMulieri]

Thank you for the great information!!
I was thinking we might not need a car and can possibly just share it with our aunt (arriving the same day, staying off site). Then just rent one when we take our overnight stay at the beach. However when looking at prices I can get a car for $135 for the week! And usually you pay a pretty big price for only a day or two for a rental. I think I saw $70 a day after taxes extra. You only get those great $15 a day rates when you do a week.

Still looking at some different options actually. I think the price to park is $11 a day. But I like the option to drive to MK and AK.
I really want the kids to ride the boat over to MK. Granted I know it takes longer, but I think it would be a nice experience for them.
Guess I still have time to figure it all out.
Ok, I'm rambling on.

Its easier to take the BUS to the MK..If you drive you have to park at the TTC and then monorail or boat over to the MK.Resort busses get dropped off near the MK gates

 

[lsenquiz]

We stayed at the Dolphin for the first time this past memorial week. We loved it. We usually stay at the BWV but was not able to get that for a reasonable price at the last minute so we choose the Dolphin. We ended up joining SPG program right before we got there and did get upgraded to a nicer room. We loved Picabu for the convience.

Our favorite meal at the Dolphin was at the resaurant by the pool the fish tacos were delicious.

We found that the best place to watch illuminations outside of EPCOT is from a bench that is on your left as you leave the Dolphin to head to YC/BC.

We enjoyed roasting marshmellows and watching a movie on the Beach at YC/BC one evening.

We love eating at Big River Grill on the Boardwalk. Get an outside table and it is wonderful.

Transportation is exactly the same as you would get at YC/BC or Boardwalk. Love the walk to Epcot and Boat to DHS. The buses are what they are buses

MY DS6 loved the slide. We got a chair right at the end of the slide and he went down about 100 times. There was never a line.

I can not think of one thing I did not like.

We would definately stay there again.

 

[KrazyKollector]

My DD is a teacher and she is going with us. Does anyone know what the teacher discount % happens to be?

I still like the idea of WL and having the boat to MK and then using the monorail to get to GF, Poly and Epcot. (We are doing several meals at GF).

Has anyone ever made reservations at 2 different places (as long as they are refundable) and then choosing when it gets closer to the time depending on packages offered etc?

What if you make a reservation at Dolphin at one price (I can't seem to find much yet that makes it cheaper then WL) and then a good package comes out?


Can you all tell I haven't done this before?

 

[son3disfan]

I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that you can get restaurant.com gift cert for the swan and dolphin restaurants and sometimes they are on sale at 80% off. $2 for $25 gift cert. they have no expiration date but have some minimum orders and other stipulations.

I have stocked up on them even though we have never stayed there. Just looking for an excuse to try them (ie book an Epcot resort) next time

Where do you find these discounts? Would love to check it out......

 

[son3disfan]

Ok to update....
I checked restaurant . Com and saw some discounts.
$25 gift certificates for $10, and some had a coupon code to add. Good deal.

The only problem is you have to pick the actual restaurant.....and I am not familiar with them. Dont think i want to commit!
Then again....some $25 certificates were only $6.00There were quite a few in Lake Buena vista and at the swan and Dolphin resorts listed.
and there seemed to be a lot of stipulations ( sit down only, 2 entrees per table, only one certificate, $35 min purchase...and I'm sure that would not be difficult at some of these places ,

They do not sell "general" certificates that can be anywhere?

 

[LexiC123]

Where do you find these discounts? Would love to check it out......

Just go to restaurants.com and sign up for their emails. This week the discount is 60% off...$25 certificates for $4 with the promo code ENJOY...but they regularly post discounts at 70, 80, even 90% off.

PS - and no, they don't sell general certificates...they are restaurant-specific.

 

[son3disfan]

Just go to restaurants.com and sign up for their emails. This week the discount is 60% off...$25 certificates for $4 with the promo code ENJOY...but they regularly post discounts at 70, 80, even 90% off.

PS - and no, they don't sell general certificates...they are restaurant-specific.

Ok thanks ! I will.

Anyone care to recommend a family type , sit down restaurant at the swan?
My husband and I enjoy fine dining but with three kids who eat burgers and fries.........and not much at best!

There was a certificate for a restaurant called giordanos pizza. Looked like something the boys would like for lunch. Off property....
Any reviews?

 

[Mail2artist]

My DD is a teacher and she is going with us. Does anyone know what the teacher discount % happens to be?

I still like the idea of WL and having the boat to MK and then using the monorail to get to GF, Poly and Epcot. (We are doing several meals at GF).

Has anyone ever made reservations at 2 different places (as long as they are refundable) and then choosing when it gets closer to the time depending on packages offered etc?

What if you make a reservation at Dolphin at one price (I can't seem to find much yet that makes it cheaper then WL) and then a good package comes out?


Can you all tell I haven't done this before?

Not sure what the rate is for teachers. I would call them directly and they can give you all those details. They're VERY helpful!
Here is the specials/offers page.
http://www.swandolphin.com/offers/index.html
I would sign up to be part of the starwood program as well. It's free and I hear they upgrade you a lot.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/index.html?ES=SOP_SPG50_ENROLLSPG_IND_SEC

There is no way that they are more then WL. However if you look at the packages on disneyworld.com they are OUTRAGEOUS! Total sticker shock!
That's why I never looked into staying there. I had no clue you could book through them directly. Just figured it was a Disney thing and the quote they gave online was right.
I think it's a way of making people stay at official Disney Resorts, spending money with them.

And if it wasn't for this board... That's what would happen.
For us staying 6 nights on a AAA discount in December (granted it might go down more, I hear this happens closer to the date). We are paying only $1100 TOTAL, that includes all the resort fees, taxes, etc.
And don't be discouraged by the $12 resort fee. It includes internet, use of the workout rooms and 2 bottles of water in your room a day.
I think Disney charges $13 a day JUST FOR INTERNET. If you want it that is.

As for reservations.. I have booked ADR already and might have to change some around when it gets closer. That's if they're available or not.
That's the only thing I hate about these ADR's. Planning your itinerary way early. Kinda of stressful.

I pretty much just booked the 3 I KNOW we want to do, the others... well I'll just hope somethings available when the time comes. If not, then we'll eat else were. I'm not worried about it.

We;re also not on a dining plan, so it's really up to us how we want to spend OOP.
That's another thing to note here... You can not use any pin codes, dining plan, etc. with the Swan/Dolphin. But with nothing being offered when we go anyway, it's not a big deal.
However you get all the other benefits Disney offers to their Resort guest. INcluding the amazing location.

If you're looking to stay deluxe and save money then go with the Swan or Dolphin, but if that's not really an issue, then totally stay at the WL.
You'll have a WONDERFUL vacation either way!!!

 

[Jenemmy]

Hi -- Don't know how much I can add to the info already given, but I wanted to share this. I am a die hard Disney Resort fan -- a complete purist. My hubby booked the Dolphin a few years back due to a fantastic rate. I was a skeptic -- actually thinking a Disney freak like myself should prefer a Disney moderate over the Dolphin for the same price. So, know that I walked in to the resort with a very closed mind.....Let me tell ya, i could not have been more wrong!

We now have 3 Dolphin trips under our belt and I have no doubt that that is where we will stay in the future. Although you aren't going to find Hidden Mickeys peeking around every corner, it is not a generic, standard hotel either. Very whimsical in theming, the rooms are large and incredibly nice, staff is super friendly and I absolutely love the atmosphere. The pool/beach area, in my opinion, ranks way up there with the best of the Disney pools. We have stayed on the 10, 4 and 2 floors -- all had advantages. When we stayed on the 10th floor, we didn't have a great view, but we could see the MK fireworks waaaayyyyy off in the distance at night.

I am also a fan of the location -- can't imagine NOT being in that area at this point. I loved grabbing a coffee and wandering the Boardwalk early each morning before most of the world was awake. It is great being able to walk to 2 of the parks (although the Studios is a bit of a haul -- it's still pleasant)

We have enjoyed the restaurants we have tried there....even Picabu, which is their fast service/food courty type place, was good. Grab your refillable mugs there!

Honestly the only thing I actually missed was the Mickey Mouse wake up call Nothing like waking up to his voice --LOL. That and the lack of Magical Express, but that's about it.

I am sure you will LOVE it! I would recommend it to any Disney fan. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask!!!

 

[KrazyKollector]

I am going to compare apples to apples here and show what I came up with comparing the WL and the Dolphin.

All I can get right now is a AAA discount and I prepared this with the ability to cancel, a balcony and view (like I would get at WL) and a food price that takes what I think the DDP actually covers.

For the Dolphin:
Room (balcony/view/double beds/refundable)
Food (including CRT and a few character meals)
2 adult and 1 child P/H pass for 9 days
1 adult P/H pass for 6 days

My total is $5772.49


Wilderness Lodge:
Room (2 Queen beds/balcony/view/refundable)
4 Nine day P/H passes (the way the package comes)
DDP-Regular
Extra food not covered by the DDP

My total is $5792.28


So I get just about a $20 difference in the two prices. It would be cheaper yet at the Dolphin if I was willing to go non-refundable, but that wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison. At WL, the laundry is free but it costs, I am sure at the Dolphin and we will have to do laundry (to save on baggage fees).

I am still on the fence though and will call the Dolphin to see what the teacher discount might be.

After I add airfare, a rental car and an ECV rental to the above I am absolutely petrified at the cost!

I HOPE-HOPE-HOPE that some decent discount will show up somewhere!

C'mon Disney--I REALLY need some pixie dust!

 

[Belle83]

I had no idea about the price either. We were going to stay at PO Riverside, but the Dolphin was cheaper (even with parking/fees) so we picked Dolphin. We loved it!

I was not a fan of Picabu (except for the hamburgers, which are really good). For the same price, you can eat at Fountain (a table service restaurant in the hotel). We loved Shula's, but I wish I had known about the gift certificate for it on restaurant.com (there's one for bluezoo and Il Mulino, too). We ate at Garden Grove and were surprised by how good the food was there.

You will love the Heavenly beds!

The parking lot is a zoo at the Dolphin, that was my only complaint.

You are walking distance to Fantasia Gardens mini golf (it's across the street), which I wish we had tried.

Check out my trip report for pics of rooms (we ended up in 3 different rooms).

 

[KrazyKollector]

Does Shula's and other Swan/Dolphin restaurants just have the $25 restaurant.com certificates? Do they ever carry higher value ones?

 

[P13]

I don't think anyone has mentioned yet that you can get restaurant.com gift cert for the swan and dolphin restaurants and sometimes they are on sale at 80% off. $2 for $25 gift cert. they have no expiration date but have some minimum orders and other stipulations.

I have stocked up on them even though we have never stayed there. Just looking for an excuse to try them (ie book an Epcot resort) next time

Do you know how long it takes to receive these?? We are leaving in 7 days.
TIA!

 

[LexiC123]

Do you know how long it takes to receive these?? We are leaving in 7 days.
TIA!

You don't have to wait for them...you can print them right off the computer!

PS - the discount varies from week-to-week...this week it's 70% off with the code SWEET.

 

[P13]

You don't have to wait for them...you can print them right off the computer!

PS - the discount varies from week-to-week...this week it's 70% off with the code SWEET.

Ohh!! Thanks so much for the info!! Guess my procastination didn't bite me in the butt this time!

 

[kaligal]

I like the Dolphin. I'm not in love with the colors in the rooms, but they don't annoy me, either. Relaxing enough and bigger than a normal Disney room.

I like Picabu and the Fountain (good tuna fish) a lot. Not a Blue Zoo kind of person, so never went in there. The restaurant (I don't remember what it is called) is fine, but I don't go there much. I don't know why.

The gift shop is okay, but it could be so much better.

The staff is helpful enough.

There are some really great views.

Very happy with the pool.

The only problem I've ever had there was trying to find the right elevators to get to my room. This is something you have to do the first few times to understand.

Oh! And resort fees. I hate resort fees. This is one thing I like about Disney pricing. They don't do that ridiculous "resort fee" crap.

 

[LexiC123]

Ohh!! Thanks so much for the info!! Guess my procastination didn't bite me in the butt this time!

Glad I could help.

Ironically, the only time I don't procrastinate is when it comes to Disney!

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

I am going to compare apples to apples here and show what I came up with comparing the WL and the Dolphin.

All I can get right now is a AAA discount and I prepared this with the ability to cancel, a balcony and view (like I would get at WL) and a food price that takes what I think the DDP actually covers.

For the Dolphin:
Room (balcony/view/double beds/refundable)
Food (including CRT and a few character meals)
2 adult and 1 child P/H pass for 9 days
1 adult P/H pass for 6 days

My total is $5772.49


Wilderness Lodge:
Room (2 Queen beds/balcony/view/refundable)
4 Nine day P/H passes (the way the package comes)
DDP-Regular
Extra food not covered by the DDP

My total is $5792.28


So I get just about a $20 difference in the two prices. It would be cheaper yet at the Dolphin if I was willing to go non-refundable, but that wouldn't be an apples to apples comparison. At WL, the laundry is free but it costs, I am sure at the Dolphin and we will have to do laundry (to save on baggage fees).

I am still on the fence though and will call the Dolphin to see what the teacher discount might be.

After I add airfare, a rental car and an ECV rental to the above I am absolutely petrified at the cost!

I HOPE-HOPE-HOPE that some decent discount will show up somewhere!

C'mon Disney--I REALLY need some pixie dust!

That sounds really high. What is your room rate for the dolphin? What month?

 

[N_Phoenix]

Oh! And resort fees. I hate resort fees. This is one thing I like about Disney pricing. They don't do that ridiculous "resort fee" crap.

They charge for Internet (at least at the values) so it comes up as a wash for us.