Dolphin versus Value

[littlejen22]

We are looking to stay 2 nights for our kids 10 and 8th birthdays, we are staying at a Marriott timeshare for 6 nights after in 3 bedroom suite. This is our first time staying on site. I do not want to spend more than $200 a night. Which hotel would you stay at and why? I know the Dolphin has a lot more fees and does not include include magic bands which we do NOT own as this is our first time back since they implemented them. I am nervous that if we stay at the Dolphin we will have a better hotel with less magic. Thoughts?

 

[happymommy]

Have you looked at the Swan as well? It sometimes does run a few more dollars, but the rooms were all just renovated, and they have queen size beds (Dolphin has double beds).

I do love the Epcot area, to walk to Epcot and all. But, I just stayed the first time at Pop Century (just me and DD) and we totally loved that resort too! The room is smaller, and there is no coffee maker in the room (I had along a travel Black & Decker single serve one, just $15 from Amazon, so made my own in the morning, as I have to have coffee before I get going in the morning). The theming is very cute, and the bus service was great.

I'd price out both and ask your family what they prefer! Both will offer "magic" but in different ways. At the Dolphin, you can get a rollaway bed if they don't want to share a bed, but they charge for those now I think (they didn't used to). That's not an option at a value resort.

I liked the food court at Pop. Not crazy about food choices at the Swan and Dolphin, but it's okay, just I did like the options at the food court a bit more.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

If you are going during a discount time frame, you could probably stay at a moderate for that price. Even though I am leaving for the Dolphin tomorrow, I'd recommend that you stay in a true Disney resort given that you have young ones with you and that you will be staying in a beautiful Marriott - they will appreciate the size and plushness of the Marriott and will also appreciate the magic of Disney for a couple of nights as well. At their ages, staying in a Disney themed hotel would make their birthdays that much more magical on top of the luxury of the Marriott.

Tom

 

[littlejen22]

We will be going 10-12 December 2016. If we stayed at the Swan (I know I said Dolphin above) we would try to have a dinner at Garden Grove the night we arrive. But if you think value would better we will probably do that instead but I will ask the kids what is more important to them.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

We will be going 10-12 December 2016. If we stayed at the Swan (I know I said Dolphin above) we would try to have a dinner at Garden Grove the night we arrive. But if you think value would better we will probably do that instead but I will ask the kids what is more important to them.

I think with a discount you could find a moderate in that price range that time of year -- the Caribbean Beach Pool is very popular with kids your age, and even though it is December, the pool are all heated. All moderates have queen size versus full beds too.

Tom

 

[littlejen22]

Are those the discounts you need a pin for or just discounted prices they generally offer? I have never received a pin before, I need to find a better way to get one. Oh and do those discounts require 3 night stays?

 

[Mynamewastaken]

I would do a room only at a Moderate using orbitz and the code 48hrsale or one of the other codes.

 

[pepperandchips]

I don't have kids, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I think you are comparing apples and oranges, though. I love love love the Swan and Dolphin because it offers luxurious digs in walking distance to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot. But theming is not hugely important to me - I'd rather have the Starwood heavenly beds than the Disney theming. On the other hand, you can't beat that feeling of immersion in Disney details at the Disney owned properties.

I ran a couple searches through my usual discount channels - I always book Disney resorts through Orbitz stacked with an Orbitz promo code. If you are interested in pursuing the savings, it's fully refundable up to 5 days before travel and works seamlessly with MDE. You will need to wait for Disney resorts to be loaded into Orbitz for that time (if they aren't already, I did not check) and be prepared to cancel and rebook if a discount comes out, or simply wait for your desired discount before booking. For the same weekend this year, with a 15% 2 night minimum Orbitz promo code, they have POP $118 per night, they have Caribbean beach for $176 and Port Orleans Riverside for $187 per night. I have not stayed at Caribbean beach but Port Orleans is almost as nice as the Swan/Dolphin in my opinion, and parking is included in the rates I searched above.

For the Swan/Dolphin, I always book through LMTclub.com. I found a promo somewhere that waived the "annual fee" for this website - they always have the lowest rates for Swan/Dolphin when I search and (secret tip, I'm wary to even share in case they stop doing this) the resort fee has always been waived when I book through them. It doesn't say it at booking but it shows up to the front desk person that way. For the same weekend you're looking at in 2015, lmtclub has the Dolphin for $170 and the Swan for $192.

Due to the location alone, I'd go for the Swan/Dolphin. They share the Disney resort benefits, and I prefer the decor and bedding. Again, I don't think you can adequately compare these rooms to value resort room amenities and accommodations. To me, the Swan/Dolphin are lightly themed deluxe resorts at a moderate price. As far as magic, I love the restaurant choices nearby (world showcase is not far) and it doesn't get much cooler for kids to be able to take a boat to and from your resort! I see the magic there, but I can understand how there is different appeal in different resorts.

Regarding magic bands, I'd pay the $12 per person and not let that influence my decision on the resort. I certainly understand keeping a budget but if you decide that the Swan or Dolphin works better for your family, the magic bands are really not that expensive (but I do think they are worth the money versus using RFID cards).

If you have questions about using the discount websites feel free to PM me and I will help you out as best as I can!

 

[Sue M]

Are those the discounts you need a pin for or just discounted prices they generally offer? I have never received a pin before, I need to find a better way to get one. Oh and do those discounts require 3 night stays?

Look on the WDW web site under special offers. You'll see what discounts are available.
I wouldn't book a value. Those rooms are tiny. I'd stay at a moderate, POR is our fav, or Swan/Dolphin.

 

[bryanb]

I find the Dolphin/Swan to be a really great value for the money. In my experience, the hotel staff members are every bit as professional and courteous as Disney cast members are. The beds and amenities are awesome. It's got a sand beach, decent pools, and great fitness centers. Whether you like the theming is a very subjective matter depending on your family's taste. But the biggest benefit is that it has a deluxe location at a price that's often much less than a deluxe resort.

As for magic bands, I haven't used them yet... although my next stay is at Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ) and will try them for the first time. A lot of people think the bands are cool, and enjoy using them to open doors and charge meals at Disney-owned resorts. I'm still a bit wary about them as a gimmicky tracking device, as opposed to a real bit of added value.

 

[hsmamato2]

I do have kids,and I would vote swan or dolphin- they have awesome pools,and a fantastic setting and there is nothing like being able to easily access two parks plus all the boardwalk area has to offer right there-it's beautiful and I prefer it over 'disney' hotels. I've stayed onsite many times,and S/D is my new choice -best bang for your buck on property (technically not,but it is) I don't need ME,or a magicband,and my ds LOVES the pools at Dolphin way more than the disney resorts.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Hands down Swan or Dolphin. Especially during the holidays as Santa and Mrs.Claus will be there! There is plenty of Disney Magic to be found by simply walking around the Boardwalk, walking to EP and DHS or playing Fantasia mini-golf right across the street. There is simply no comparison. Swan/Dolphin is far superior to a value. I stayed at the Dolphin in December, 3 years ago when DS was 5 and we had a blast.

 

[Babsy]

There is no comparison between the Swan/Dolphin and a value resort. The Swan/Dolphin is so much nicer! Larger rooms, better beds, closets, restaurants in your hotel, better location, walking/boat access to two theme parks, nicer pool, interior corridors, covered bus stops......overall a better hotel.

The values are "disney themed' which is a term that means different things to different people. Some equate Disney theming with Disney animation movies, some with an immersive experience, some with tropical ambience, some with an experience that is unlike what they have at home. Some say the CR is not Disney themed, but it was one of the first Disney resorts.

Whatever Disney theming is to you, a comfortable room and bed are the best respite at the end of a busy day in the theme parks. Most young children are happy wherever their parents are happy as long as they have a good pool to play in.

You can look at pictures of the rooms at any resort online and decide where you would like to stay. We have stayed at both and find very little difference between the experience at the Swan/Dolphin and a Disney resort, except the price.

be aware that you do not get some of the Disney perks staying at the Swan/Dolphin. you cannot charge theme park purchases back to your room, do not have DME, have to purchase magic bands, cannot book a dining plan.....we do not use any of these so we don't mis these things. If that matters to you, you might prefer a disney value or moderate resort.

 

[robinb]

Swolphin, fins down. There is really no comparison.