Dolphin vs POFQ

[aubriee]

I currently have a bounceback deal booked for POFQ for Sept 1st-8th. I just checked and using a nurses discount can get the Dolphin for $265.00 more. However since you can't use DME with the Dolphin, I'd have to get a town car to get back and forth from the airport, so would have to add another $120.00 or so. I love POFQ, but also love the location of the Dolphin. Would you upgrade to the Dolphin for just another $385.00 more or just stay with POFQ? I also have an AP, so there is a chance the AP discount for POFQ may beat the bounceback deal I currently have.

 

[pgianna]

I currently have a bounceback deal booked for POFQ for Sept 1st-8th. I just checked and using a nurses discount can get Dolphin for $265.00 more. However since you can't use DME with the Dolphin, I'd have to get a town car to get back and forth from the airport, so would have to add another $120.00 or so. I love POFQ, but also love the location of the Dolphin. Would you upgrade to the Dolphin for just another $385.00 more or just stay with POFQ? I also have an AP, so there is a chance the AP discount for POFQ may beat the bounceback deal I currently have.

I would definately go with the Dolphin. It's a much nicer hotel im my opinion.


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[bear_mom]

We just got back from a stay at the Dolphin, it was awesome. The location was great, being able to walk to Epcot and DHS was nice. If we didn't want to walk, there were the boats and they were on a schedule so you could count on the next one coming in a reasonable amount of time.

(Note: we had great luck with the buses also, consistenet with our previous trips. We typically only waited 5-10 minutes for a bus, with one exception where we waited 45 min. This has been a standard for us when travelling to Disney.)

From our room we could see DHS, Epcot, and the Boardwalk so we still had that Disney feel.

Using a towncar was problem free and we really liked the grocery stop we picked up water (even though the Dolphin includes 2 bottles), breakfast stuff and snacks. There is even room next to the fridge to store everything.

The hotel itself is nice. The beds were comfortable and roomy. The pool was great, according to dds and dh. I liked the lounge chairs by the pool. There was lots of storage space.

Emily

 

[ireland_nicole]

I love both, a big question is where you want to spend time. My DD loves DTD- we stayed at POFQ and loved it. In Oct my DH are attain at the Dolphin in a king bed room. We knows most of our time will be spent at F&W at Epcot.

 

[LexiC123]

I echo what the other posters have said, and cast my vote for the Dolphin. It's a great property and the location can't be beat. So easy to pop back to the resort for a mid-day pool break from the September heat.

Also, for the past few years, Labor Day week has seen some of the lowest rates around...as low as $99/night, via a Starpicks rate. So I would definitely book the nurses rate, but keep your eyes open for an even better price as your travel dates get closer.

 

[tinkerbella16]

As much as I love POFQ, if the difference is less than $300 I would probably upgrade to the Dolphin. I have been there, but never stayed there and its so nice. My friend just got back yesterday after staying 10 days at the Dolphin and they all loved it. The view outside their room was of Tower of Terror...awesomeness!!!! She said the beds were the most comfortable she'd ever slept on.

 

[smiths02]

You have to pay $265 extra plus rent a car...don't you also have to pay a daily fee to park at the Dolphin

 

[LexiC123]

You have to pay $265 extra plus rent a car...don't you also have to pay a daily fee to park at the Dolphin

The OP mentioned that the $385 differential in price included the cost for using a town car service to/from the airport. She would not be renting a car.

 

[indigoxtreme]

I would stay with POFQ or POR as they have been recently refurbished and now have Queen beds etc. The boat to DTD is wonderful etc. I love these hotels as you can tell and I would spend the extra money on soveniers or nicer dinner etc. How much time are you really going to be at the hotel? If you are going to be there more then 25% of time then maybe upgraded, otherwise keep your money and do something else. Maybe a fireworks ice party at the magic kingdom..

 

[aubriee]

You have to pay $265 extra plus rent a car...don't you also have to pay a daily fee to park at the Dolphin

No, I'd use Mears or a car service to go back and forth from and to the airport.

I would stay with POFQ or POR as they have been recently refurbished and now have Queen beds etc. The boat to DTD is wonderful etc. I love these hotels as you can tell and I would spend the extra money on soveniers or nicer dinner etc. How much time are you really going to be at the hotel? If you are going to be there more then 25% of time then maybe upgraded, otherwise keep your money and do something else. Maybe a fireworks ice party at the magic kingdom..

I've stayed at POFQ twice already since the refurb (May 2011 and Feb 2012) and will be back there again Oct 27th-Nov 4th. If I do decide to stay at the Dolphin I'd do most of my meals in the Boardwalk area (Yachtsman, Shulas, Flying Fish, Kouzzina, Il Mulino, Blue Zoo, Kimonos, Garden Grove, etc) I have the TiW card so get 20% off most of my meals, so will be doing alot of nicer restaurants regardless of where I stay. I too love the PO resorts, which is why I'm having a hard time deciding. Actually my two favorite resorts are POFQ and CSR (just got back from CSR this past Saturday in fact and was also there this past Nov/Dec and Sept). I go to WDW 4-5 times a year and normally stay at a moderate, but have also stayed at AKL, WL, BW, and Yacht Club. I have also stayed at three of the Values, but that's been awhile (probably about four years ago). Because I go so much, I seldom find any souvineers to buy any more. My room at POFQ is already paid in full and I have a couple of Disney gift cards put up to pay for most of my meals (I know the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin do not accept Disney gift cards though). If I cancel the POFQ reservation, the money would go back on my cc, so would be available to pay off the Dolphin reservation and I would just have to pay the $264.94 difference, plus come up with the money for the town car, so money doesn't really play into the decision. I just don't know if I want to give up the boat to DTD and the small size of the POFQ, plus the ability to use DME. I do like the location of the Dolphin though and do like to spend time at the resort. I definitely do not do commando touring anymore. Because I am a very early riser, I usually make rope drop every morning, go back to the resort around lunch time, take a nap or read and hang out, then go back to the parks at night.

 

[indigoxtreme]

In that case sounds like you might enjoy a change in resorts since you do stay a lot at the resort. Maybe try the Dolphin and then you will have something to compare too. Our just save money and go visit the dolphin or some other resort a few times I am glad you get to go so much. We used to go about every year or at least every other, but have not been able too since 2007. That is why I am so excited about going back home to POR or PQ this summer. Enjoy the which ever one you decide on. I too enjoy the boat to DTD so it is hard to give up...

 

[Amy&Dan]

As much as I love POFQ, I would suggest the upgrade. Trying a new resort is always fun!

 

[kerri0616]

We just stayed at FQ in December. Loved the upgrades.

We've stayed at Dolphin a few times also. Last time, our room was up in the triangle portion of the resort...what a view!

If DDP isn't a consideration and you like to spend time at Epcot/DS, I'd definitely go with Dolphin. If for no other reason than the in-room coffee!

We are taking a Carnival cruise in July and we've decided to spend one night on site and visit Downtown Disney. We chose The Dolphin. Got a nice AAA rate.

You can't lose! Enjoy!

Kerri

 

[aubriee]

Wow it's almost 50/50! Anymore opinions? Thanks!

 

[mmmears]

I'd go with the Dolphin because I like "deluxe" resorts and because the ability to walk to both Epcot and DHS makes the location so convenient. Also you will have tons of dining choices within walking distance of your room.

 

[CaptainEO71]

I also vote Dolphin since you're already visiting POFQ so often. Mix it up a little bit! Now I like $300+ savings as much as the next person but with such frequent trips it will be really nice to get a change of scenery, and I do feel you will get $300 more out of Dolphin, just on the location alone. (Ok and personally for me I LOVE the Heavenly beds, the in-room Starbucks & the amazing lobby!)

Is the nurses rate fully refundable up to 7 days prior? I think it is, and if so, I'd suggest going for it. Then, a few weeks out, like someone else suggested, chec the Starpicks rates. You may find something cheaper for Swan or Dolphin, and if your nurses rate is refndable, you can book the cheaper package under Starpicks, and cancel the existing one. You may find yourself paying less than POFQ in the end!

Good luck whatever you choose, you can't go wrong with either choice.

Oh also Mears would be much cheaper than a town car if you're travelling alone, or if it's just 2 of you. I think they're around $40 RT per person. In case you want to save a few more $$$!

 

[LoriJune]

My vote is for the Dolphin. I think one of the best things about going to WDW is making it a different trip every time, so since you have this opportunity to stay somewhere new for a reasonable amount of money, do it! (I think you already know you want to .)

 

[Robin&Marian+2]

My vote is the Dolphin, especially since you've been to POFQ many times. The Dolphin is a nice hotel, and the location is great. We stayed at BWV last year, and begin able to walk to two parks is great. Town car over ME sounds like a bonus to me.

 

[aubriee]

Since the poll is staying about 50/50, I just wanted to bump this up for more opinions. I am so indecisive.

 

[RachelTori]

Since the poll is staying about 50/50, I just wanted to bump this up for more opinions. I am so indecisive.

I would (and have been!) happy at either! For me, it would really depend on what I was planning to do on this trip. For Epcot and DHS, you can't do much better than the Dolphin!

I may have missed you mentioning this, but are you aware that there's a $14/night resort fee at Dolphin? With tax it's $15.75/night.

Sorry, this wasn't much help, was it?!!!