Dolphin vs. Moderate... and birthday

[dipin]

Hello, all
I am a long time lurker who uses this board often for information, and now I need your help:
- My wife is turning 30 this december, and just wants to spend her birthday at WDW (she's been talking about this for over a year!). Right now, we are torn between staying at the dolphin and staying at one of the moderate resorts. The Dolphin is about 60 dollars more expensive per day, but I am stronly considering it because it is so close to Epcot and MGM (and more luxurious from what I've heard). On the other hand, the moderate resorts are cheaper, and my wife fears that the Dolphin might not be "disney" enough. Anyone has any suggestions/insights on this? I really don't want to disappoint.
-My second question is: when you have your birthday there, do they do anything special? We often see people with those "its my birthday" buttons, but I don't know anything else other than this. As I said, I really want to make this special for her...
Thanks in advance!

 

[Tinkbellfan]

Welcome to the boards and don't worry about lurking, alot of us do it! It's great that you are doing this for your wife. I guess if I had to choose, it would be the Dolphin. Location is very important to me so that is my reason. I also like the Boardwalk at night and the many, many great restaurants within walking distance (Swan/Dolphin, BW, BC, YC, Epcot).

If the $60 a day would make a difference to your budget, then by all means go moderate. You wouldn't regret it. The DIS has great reviews of all the resorts, so I guess you could do a pros/cons list!! Hope you have a great time.

 

[jwfla422]

Quite frankly I don't think the Dolphin even compares with a moderate. That being said I prefer this resort to MANY of the WDW OWNED DELUXE resorts. I would DEFINITELY pay $60 more for it. I don't think there's any comparison to the S/D and the moderates. I don't get why there's always such a comparison. It's a deluxe all the way.

It's as Disney as the other deluxes IMHO. Some people may not agree, but we stay at the S/D as much as we can now. I don't find the WDW resorts to be anymore "Disney". There's plenty of "Disney Magic" at the S/D

I've seen the buttons your referring to. I do know they are available in the MK...possibly guest services.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My husband is taking me to WDW for my 40th birthday in November and we're staying at the Swan. We love it because of the closeness to the Boardwalk. Lots of night things to do within a walking distance.

 

[swilphil]

Another vote for the Dolphin (or Swan). It is definitely Disney enough. We've had rooms where we can see the Epcot ball or MGM's Tower of Terror. And the Boardwalk is right next door. You really can't get much more Disney than that.

 

[Leota]

After having stayed at many Disney owned resorts, I now stay at the Dolphin most of the time. I just recently returned from a stay at POFQ (stayed there for free dining) I missed the Dolphin every second we were there. Sure POFQ is a nice Moderate resort, But it's NOT a Deluxe. I've become very accustomed to a Deluxe. When I stay Deluxe, I want a True Deluxe Experience, which I get more so at the Swan & Dolphin than I do at the Disney Owned resorts lately. I missed the Dolphin when I was at both AKL & GF also.
I spent a Spectacular 40th Birthday trip at the Dolphin. There is no where else I would have wanted to be.

As far as Magic - Think about this:
Gazing out your window over either Epcot, MGM or the Boardwalk area
Walking in & Out of 2 Theme Parks
Heavenly Beds - Like sleeping in a Cloud
Lush Tropical Grotto Pool
Being Surrounded by Great Dining Experiences, just steps away

 

[edingerc]

Even though I think that the outsides of both the Dolphin and Swan are silly and over the top, the insides are great. The room sizes and setup are definately deluze level and they try harder to make you think you're at a Disney resort. If I were to do a direct comparison to a deluxe resort in cost etc, it'd have to be WL. And the WL rooms are smaller, as it's the moderate deluxe. I think they'd be a good idea for your wife's birthday.

And you can get the birthday buttons from Guest Services. In MK, that's in Town Hall. As far as what the CM's will do, that's for them to decide.... it's up to their imagination and inspiration.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

One year we did a split stay. First 5 nights at the Swan and then last 5 nights at Coranado Springs. The Swan was soooooo much more luxurious. Don't get me wrong, CSR was nice, but the Swan was amazing! They had just refubished the room we were in, and the bed was to die for. IMO, the S/D has just as much "magic". It is in the heart of Disney. You can walk to Epcot and MGM. I personally felt that the Swan's service was even better than the Grand Floridian. Oh, and did I mention the view from our balcony, amazing!

 

[lynx]

we stayed at the dolphin with my family about 5 years or so ago and even then it was awesome!!!!! i loved all the coral colors, and we could see the tower of terror out our window. the hotel felt so fresh! every time I've gone to Disney after, no matter what hotel i'm in, when we drive by the S/D resorts I really really really miss staying there and wish I had booked there!

 

[dipin]

Wow, I guess it's settled, then.
Thank you so much, everyone...