Dolphin vs Caribbean vs. Port Orleans French Quarter

[miracledaughter]

Going to Disney in the fall for a conference at the Dolphin and bringing the family. The pricing is @ the same. I'm going to stay at the Dolphin for the majority of the conference, but would prefer something more Disney with better pools for the family after the conference. Which hotel has the easiest/quickest access to Magic Kingdom? Which hotel is easiest to get around with stroller? Which hotel has the cleanest rooms? Which hotel has the best pool for toddlers?

 

[maxiesmom]

I would go with the Polynesian. It puts you very close to the Magic Kingdom, and using the monorail you will be able to wheel the stroller right on and off. Plus they have a new splash area that looks fantastic for younger kids.

 

[1sttimedisneymama]

We had a hard time deciding between CBR and POFQ. Here was our pro/con list. We ultimately have chosen POFQ.

CBR pros-newly renovated rooms, Caribbean theme, quiet and has a sit down restaurant
Cons-spread out, can be a long walk to the main lobby or pool, no elevators if your stuck on the 2nd floor.

If you book CBR I'd book a preferre room.

POFQ pros-small, compact, beautiful grounds, boat to DTD, carriage rides, beignets, splash pad for kids, shares amenities with POR, one bus stop, has elevators if you end up on 2/3rd floor.
Cons-rooms last renovated 2011, I didn't like the rooms theming as much as CBR, rooms are slightly smaller than CBR

We ultimately chose POFQ because of the size and elevators. Room requests are just requests and we know at POFQ we won't have a long walk or to walk up stairs no matter if we get our requests or not.

 

[Babsy]

Personally, I would stay at the Dolphin or move to a monorail resort (MORE expensive but with the easiest access to the MK). Best monorails resort for a family with a toddler is the POLY, IMO - especially if the pool is the most important amenity. Second choice would be the GF with its two zero entry pools and great splash area. If ease of access to the MK is the most important criteria, then choose the CR (preferably a tower, TPV room) for walking distance to the MK.

If you are only considering either the CBR or POFQ, I would choose a CBR preferred room. If I couldn't get a preferred rooms at CBR, I would book a POFQ standard room over a CBR standard room.

The most recent moderate renovation was at CBR, so, although all rooms at WDW resorts are clean, these rooms will have been recently refreshed. Best pool for toddlers at a moderate is at CBR, IMO, but you will find using it more convenient to access from a preferred room. CBR is a large spread out resort so rooms that are not preferred can be a distance from the main pool and dining area. It IS worth the extra $$ to stay preferred in CBR, IMO.

Both POFQ and CBR resorts have buses only to the main theme parks (not convenient for a stroller). POFQ does have a nice boat ride to DS, though, if that interests you. By contrast, the Dolphin has boat transportation (convenient with a stroller) to both DHS and Epcot, but only bus to the AK and MK.

What does 'more Disney' mean to you? For me it means being able to see the castle in the MK from my resort - hence a monorail resort for me. If your definition of 'Disney' is more in tune with animated kids movies, then you might want to consider either All Star movies or AoA.

POFQ is a small resort with fewer amenities (only a food court and one pool), but it has a new splash area for toddlers/young children that you might like. Also, there are the elevators which are convenient if you are on the second floor.

There are different advantages to staying at any of the WDW resorts. You just need to decide what are the most important features for you and your family. All the resorts are great in their own way.

Whichever you choose, enjoy your trip!!!

 

[loves to dive]

I would stay at the Dolphin if you are trying to decide between it and any moderate. It is basically a deluxe resort at a moderate price. They are in the process of renovating the rooms so from what I understand, some are a little dated. We were at the Swan last year and frankly I thought I'd hate it because I'm very much a WDW deluxe fan. We loved it and I have another trip booked there this upcoming Sept. I could have gotten a room at BW for the same price and still choose Swan. Swan and Dolphin share a great pool with lots of places for little ones to play and both resorts have their own lap pools as well.

As far as ease to MK, unless you are staying at one of the MK deluxe resorts, you are going to have to take a bus no matter where you stay unless you want to walk through Epcot and take the monorail. Which would require park hoppers and is not really very convenient. The MK resorts are nice but can be pretty expensive, they are not my favorites but we don't spend more than one day at MK so not very convenient for us. If you decide to go that route, I agree you should go with Poly.

Between POFQ and CBR, I'd go with CBR. Yes, it is bigger but it's a beautiful resort and I think the pool may be a little better than POFQ. The rooms have recently been redone and are very nice. We were there in March and really enjoyed it, it was very quiet and peaceful. I didn't bother with a preferred room, even though my son has nerve damage in his back we didn't find the walk to the main pool or food court to be very bad. We were in the Jamaica section on the bottom floor. I'm pretty sure all the moderates have at least one elevator per building so folding the stroller up or going up with stroller shouldn't be a problem but we didn't have a problem being on the bottom floor. Of course, the Dolpin and any of the deluxe resorts have elevators and inside hallways.

 

[Andy72]

As a Disney Dad who took my family to POFQ in 2013, I recommend POFQ.

It's a fairly small resort - quick walk to dining and bus stop. The setting is really cool w/lots of ironwork, cobblestone and lush gardens. Because it's small, buses don't fill up as fast. But, I've heard sometimes it shares buses w/Port Orleans Riverside (a larger resort) so be aware.

POFQ is near Epcot, just off the main road. For us, it was 10 minute bus ride to Magic Kingdom. CBR is further from MK, not a huge deal but w/traffic it could make a difference.

That being said, POFQ does not have sit-down restaurant. The rooms are Ok but kinda' small, but double sinks are good to have.

Have a great time!!

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Going to Disney in the fall for a conference at the Dolphin and bringing the family. The pricing is @ the same. I'm going to stay at the Dolphin for the majority of the conference, but would prefer something more Disney with better pools for the family after the conference. Which hotel has the easiest/quickest access to Magic Kingdom? Which hotel is easiest to get around with stroller? Which hotel has the cleanest rooms? Which hotel has the best pool for toddlers?

Between those 3 resorts you mention, the Swan/Dolphin has the better pool area. They are all about the same as far as getting to MK. The Dolphin is very close to Epcot and HS though. There is boat transportation to both of those parks. But it is faster to walk to Epcot from the Dolphin. The Boardwalk is also next to the Swan/Dolphin area and has restaurants and a few stores. I would stick with the Dolphin. All resorts are toddler friendly. The Swan/Dolphin resorts are run by Starwood. I believe the Dolphin is considered a Sheraton and the Swan a Westin (or vice versa).

The only resorts that have quick access to the MK are GF, Poly, Contemporary and the WL.