Dolphin v. Moderate

[jacksonheel]

This has probably been asked a million times, but here goes. Because I have a wonderful nurse for a wife, I can get a room at the Dolphin for the same price as the Disney moderate resorts. From reviews, it looks like the Dolphin is nicer, but that may not be true. We are traveling with a 3 year old, so that is a concern as well.

Thanks for the help.
Jacksonheel

 

[daannzzz]

The Dolphin is a large hotel all contained in one building with interior corridors to the rooms. Some rooms have balconeys. The Disney monderate resorts are all large 1000-2000 room resorts that are 4 stories (CSR) at the highest so are spread around lots of acreage. These all have exterior corridors and no balconies. The Dolphin hotel really doesn't have a theme but is colorful and fun and located in an awesome spot with walkways and boat rides to Epcot and Disney MGM. The moderates all have fun mostly well done themes and pretty grounds. They all have bus service to the parks.
There are many more resaturants to choose from around the Dolphin hotel and its neigboring resorts.
If the location of the Dolphin is exciting to you, go for it. We had an awesome time there. If the location is not quite as important than I suggest you choose by which theme interests you most.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

During our 2000 trip, we stayed at a value, moderate, deluxe and the Dolphin. The Dolphin was my husband's absolute favorite resort. The Poly will always be one of our favorites, but for him the Dolphin was great. The rooms are large, the beds are comfortable. The pool and view are great.

That being said, there is nothing wrong with the moderates either. We stayed at PO and enjoyed our stay there as well. Between the two, the Dolphin is probably the "nicer" resort; however, traveling with a 3 year old, I would go with a moderate "Disney" resort. You can't beat the Disney soaps, wake-up call from Mickey, etc.

Sorry, I probably didn't help you any!! Good luck with your decision.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Go for the Dolphin! Just asked both my kids and they agree the pool and beach areas were "way better" than any moderate we have stayed at or wandered through. You can't beat the location of the Dolphin, either! I think a three year old would love the giant Swan and Dolphins! Ask for an Epcot or MGM view, and you can watch the fireworks from your room on a day that your child falls asleep before you do!

I know the adults will LOVE the amenities in the Dolphin over the moderates. The heavenly bed at the Swan can't be beat and they might be done with refurbishing at the Dolphin during your stay. The nice fluffy towels, in room coffee, newspaper, and internet access make for a nice leisurely morning. We had turn down service every night which my DS got as real kick out of. The split sinks helped us get ready while DD did her hair, and did her hair, and did her hair... every morning. Huge windows allow for tons of sunlight to fill your room, or just pull the sheers, or the pinch pleated drapes and you are in total sleeping serenity. There are many more items that throw the Swan and Dolphin over the top of the moderates. The Swan and Dolphin are considered deluxe by Disney standards. If they had a category for the bed alone they'd over-take the GF!

The Swan Dolphin board is filled with great information. Ask here or there if you have any more questions or doubts! Have a wonderful vacation.

Debbie

 

[las3888]

I would definitely go for the Dolphin! It is a nice deluxe resort with many amenities that the moderates do not have. Besides that, it is my favorite location in all of WDW - the boardwalk area. You can walk to EPCOT and MGM (or take the boat) and walk to dozens of restaurants. The moderates are nice, but you will feel sort of away fromthe action. I do feel there is a definite difference between the moderates and the Dolphin. I think you will get more for your $ at the Dolphin.

Good luck!

 

[jwfla422]

Dolphin VS Moderates or Dolphin VS Deluxes??

Quite frankly, we've stayed at MANY of the WDW DELUXE properties and the Dolphin is one of our FAVORITE deluxes (there is no comparison to the moderates IMHO).

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

The mods do have great food courts, which is great with little ones. The theming is wonderful too, we love to walk around at the moderates. Check out some sites and pictures online. Remember you can often get a discount on a moderate if you keep watching mousesavers. We have CBR for $79! We will try the Swan or Dolphin one day. Trying to stay in them all(except the values perhaps)!

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by daannzzz
The Dolphin hotel really doesn't have a theme but is colorful and fun

The Dolphin may not be "themed" like the WDW resorts, but it is festive, bright and oh so beautiful at night when it's all lit up!

Definitely go with the Dolphin! You can't beat the location being an Epcot resort, you have the Boardwalk at your back door for something different to do other than the parks and you can't beat the value!

We love the Dolphin, and when I ask my boys (ages 12 and 13) what their favorite resort is, it's The Dolphin!

 

[jacksonheel]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I booked my room at the Dolphin today. You can't beat the $129 nurse rates.

jacksonheel

 

[#1hockeymom]

You're not going to regret it! A super-deluxe resort at a sale-moderate price! You are absolutely going to love the Dolphin! Remember, all the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin and the Boardwalk are a shorter walk than some moderate buildings to their own foodcourt. Have fun with your PSs!

Enjoy your heavenly bed, your plentiful supply of inroom coffee, the grotto pool that blows most moderates away! People with SAB wrist bands have been seen swimming at the grotto, and there were still plenty of chairs!

Debbie

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

Wow, after reading all of these replies and some of the swan/dolphin main thread, I feel like I stayed in a totally different hotel! I know I am in the minority, but I was not impressed with the Dolphin. It was way too large! I didn't like having to walk miles to get anywhere. Even after staying at the Boardwalk - I still felt like it took forever to get anywhere. I only stayed for 2 days, so maybe I need to give it another chance, but in those 2 days we had an extremely rude maid who kept banging on the door every 10 minutes. I finally told her that it was OK to come back later in the day. I thought she had left only to find her at the door when we left 20 min. later. I realize they are on a schedule and after she asked me if it was OK to come back later in the day and I said yes, I didn't expect her to still be standing there! We also had a rude valet guy. He was just interested in the tip money as he kept looking at my husbands hands for the money after he moved the car about 25 ft. We also must not have had a refurbished room. I did not find it very special and was shocked at how small the bathroom was. It was nice to have the sink out side though. No turn down service either. The funny part about all of this is that I have a relative that works for the Sheraton and got a really low rate. I was glad that is all I paid.