Dolphin vs POR, which would you choose?

[thelegacy27]

I'm waitlisted at David's for next May at the Boardwalk but just in case it doesn't come through, I need a back up plan.

Background info, it's our first trip and my family is me, husband, DDx3 ages 8,7,3. My mother and brother will be coming as well but in a separate room.

I'm considering the dolphin bc I fell in love with the epcot area and would like to stay close with the right price. However I wouldn't mind POR to keep the price down a little.

Wwyd?

Thanks

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would always pick the Swan/Dolphin over a mod because, for us, it's location, location, location. We love being able to walk or boat to two parks. The pools and restaurants are also fantastic at Swan/Dolphin. Are you a SPG member? If not, I would join (it's free) as they typically offer better pricing if you are a member of their loyalty program. If you are a AAA member, you can also get 20% dining at most of the Swan/Dolphin casual restaurants. Just make sure to price out what it will cost to get back and forth to the airport since you will not get Magical Express with a Dolphin stay. POR is lovely. I'm just not a fan of the location or buses to all of the parks.

 

[Steph01002]

It depends on what kind of trip you want, you really can't go wrong with either. Downside to Dolphin is that you don't have the Magical Express (we fly). Downside to POR is that you have to take a bus everywhere except Disney Springs. I loved POR Riverside when we were there in 2011 and our kids, when 6 and 7 years old, loved the pool. It's a very relaxing and quiet resort to unwind between park time. I have not stayed at the Dolphin, but walked the grounds early one morning while staying at Boardwalk. It feels more like a typical hotel and when I was there, I saw more people in suits than vacation wear, so there is a little bit of a different vibe. The location can't be beat with it's proximity to Epcot and HS. They have always been our two family favorite parks and being able to walk to them or take a boat is worth it to us.
Are you on a waitlist for points from Davids? When we rented the second time, David's didn't have any Beach Club points available and I rented from a lovely woman on these boards instead. We love the Epcot Resort area so much that we bought resale into Boardwalk so we could book there ourselves at 11 months. After renting twice and going on friend's points, it was time to just buy! Although, I would still stay at POR if I didn't have Boardwalk. Riverside is a beautiful resort and French Quarter has it's own little personality as a small resort.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I think both would be good options. Personally, I'd pick the Swolfin because the Epcot area means more time in the parks or the pools, and less time waiting for transportation. But if your girls are in love with everything "Disney" then POR will give you more of that fairy-tale feel.

We don't spend much time in our rooms, other than to sleep. So while I'd like more Disney-themed decor, I'd rather have more time in the Disney parks. But for some people they need to be truly onsite to feel enveloped in the Disney experience, so POR would be a better choice. I really think POR would appeal to princess-loving girls.

 

[thelegacy27]

Thanks for your replies!

Like I said, this is my first trip so I don't know anything about Disney, besides what I'm learning on this board, but having to rely on a bus to get everywhere just doesn't sound like fun lol.

I called the Dolphin and she gave me prices for a standard room, which is 328/nt, or a deluxe alcove that could sleep 7 (so would include my mom and brother) for 538/nt. Does anyone know how often discounts come out for them?

 

[loves to dive]

They have discounts for teachers, AAA and SPG members just about all the time. Go to their web page and look, play around with date and room sizes. I've never paid more than $250 per night for a room at Dolphin and that was after all the resort fees were added on.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

They have discounts for teachers, AAA and SPG members just about all the time. Go to their web page and look, play around with date and room sizes. I've never paid more than $250 per night for a room at Dolphin and that was after all the resort fees were added on.

Yes, I agree with this. Go directly to the Swan/Dolphin website. You should be able to see the regular rates, AAA rates and SPG rates there. $538 sounds steep for a deluxe alcove. What are your dates?

 

[thelegacy27]

Travel dates May 5-10.

I've never paid more than $250 per night for a room at Dolphin and that was after all the resort fees were added on.

Hmm, that's interesting. I better call back. I know she did give me the flexible rate so that I could cancel at any time but I doubt that would make a huge difference. I also saw they do nurse discounts (yay! ) so that's something too. Or maybe it's because it's so far out

 

[Best Aunt]

I felt isolated at POR because it felt far from the parks. There are many stops before the bus actually leaves the resort. If you stay in the Mansions section, the mansion design is the facade of the side you do not enter. The side of the building you enter to get in your room is like a motel. I would stay at the Dolphin, no question. It is right near Boardwalk area and easy walk or boat ride to Epcot and DHS. You feel like you are right in the middle of the magic. You should check out the Swan and Dolphin thread:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...olphin-resorts-information-questions.3264274/

 

[klacey1]

Dolphin!! There's nothing like being able to walk to two parks, and the variety and quality of restaurants at Swalphin far exceeds POR. I stayed at POR my first two trips--loved it the first time, got super frustrated with the buses the second time. Now we only stay at resorts that have a minimum of one non-bus option. The Dolphin is a gorgeous resort with beautiful landscaping, nice sized rooms, some great views and super comfortable beds. And I must repeat--the quality and quantity of the restaurants and walkability to DHS and Epcot cannot be overstated!!

 

[Babsy]

The Dolphin gets my vote, as well. Be sure to look into that nurse discount, but also ask about every other discount that you might qualify for. Get all the rates for the room type that you want and choose the lowest. Also keep checking the website as lower rates may be offered later and you can call to get your rate adjusted.

Enjoy!

 

[snappy]

Another vote for swan dolphin. Beautiful grounds! The rooms for both resorts have been renovated and the bedding is so comfy! The rooms and in general the grounds feel deluxe. The renovated lobby at the Dolphin is beautiful. I have found the Bus service to AK and MK is great. Customer service and housekeeping is great. AAA discounts at the restaurants are wonderful. Easy access to the international gateway entrance to EOCOT so easy to get to many additional restaurants in addition to the very good options at swan dolphin.

I also love the cabana bar at the dolphin and all the activities at night at the boardwalk with a nightcap at the Bellevue lounge at the Boardwalk. You can see the Star Wars fireworks from many rooms at the dolphin abd even from the walkways and Epcot fireworks from some rooms. Or walk to BWV and see both MK fireworks in the distance from the second floor lobby balcony and the high Epcot fireworks from the boardwalk easily.

Have a great trip whichever resort you choose!

 

[JerseyJanice]

If you have a Costco membership, their travel agency offers some pretty sweet package deals for the Swan and Dolphin.

 

[Babsy]

Travel dates May 5-10.
Hmm, that's interesting. I better call back. I know she did give me the flexible rate so that I could cancel at any time but I doubt that would make a huge difference. I also saw they do nurse discounts (yay! ) so that's something too. Or maybe it's because it's so far out

I checked your dates. The nurse discount for a standard room is $309 per night which is the same as the AAA discount. (I believe that the resort view with a balcony was about $368 per night, BTW.) If you have AAA you can also get a resort credit of $50 along with the same rate. Ask to make sure that you get it. Not a big deal, but if you have AAA it is just as well to grab the extra credit.
These rates seem high, but there is always a chance of lower rates being offered between now and May. 'Book now, but Keep checking' is my motto.

 

[kylenne]

If you have a Costco membership, their travel agency offers some pretty sweet package deals for the Swan and Dolphin.

This. I grew up staying at the Swan/Dolphin largely through these Costco packages. The nice thing about booking this way is Costco packages almost always discount you the resort and parking fees and sometimes throw in things like a character breakfast.

FWIW, I think the “vibe” argument is overblown. Even as a Disney obsessed little girl I didn’t ever think it was boring or not magical enough. I was at Disney World! We could see the World Showcase from the balcony, that’s pretty dang magical to me. I think people tend to overestimate how much kids care about this stuff tbh. I love these resorts and would stay again.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I personally love the vibe at the Swan and Dolphin. I feel so relaxed when I’m hanging in the resort. The pool area is spa-like.