Gaylord Palms or Disney Dolphin

[minniemomof3]

Hi,

I am planning a trip to Disney with my husband and 3 kids in December. This will be the first time we've been there in to see the Christmas lights.

Anyway, I am torn between two resorts...Disney Dolphin which is onsite or Gaylord Palms which is offsite. The Palms is less expensive and looks nicer in the photos. The Dolphin is onsite and has an awesome location plus has bus transporation, although we are still planning on renting a car.

Please help me decide....which resort is better.

I should also mention we are planning on visiting Universal this trip also, this will be our first time at Universal....we've been to Disney 6 times and onsite 5 staying at Wildnerness Lodge, Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans (2) and Saratoga Springs.

Thx!

 

[CarolA]

Well... Techinically Gaylord is probably better, but there are a few things that would push me towards Dolphin

1. Parking. Hard to believe but it costs MORE at the Gaylord and self parking is way out there LOL! Plus you will have to pay to park at Disney. I think with the Dolphin you get free parking at Disney. (Dolphin also charges to park)

2. Resort size. The Gaylord was built to house HUGE convenvtions. So it is HUGE!!!!! I stayed there for a convention... LONG LONG walks. Everything there is very spread out.

3. Location... It's in the middle of "nothing" Dolphin is in the Disney resort area, lots more food choices and things to do.

4. Christmas Events. Gaylord does it right. However, what that means is there is a LOT of traffic coming to see their "lights etc"

Also, check the resort fees. I think they both have them. Gaylords was fairly high as I recall.

 

[minniemomof3]

Thanks for your reply.

I looked into the the resort fees and parking, both charge and the difference is minimal between the two. I will also be paying $50 dollars more a night for the Dolphin.

Another idea is to do do a split stay....although, I'm not not sure I like the idea of packing up and moving mid vacation.

Wow, I never thought it would be so tough to decide to stay offsite even when the hotel looks amazing.

I hope to make my decision in the next few days....please keep your opinions coming...

Thx.

 

[cheerky]

Check Dolphin for any discounts.... they aren't owned by Disney and offer many different discounts. The Dolphin is very nice.

 

[wdwhereicome]

We stayed at the Gaylord Palms last Christmas for a few days - the week between Christmas and New Years. It was wonderful. We did a split stay between Disney and Gaylord Palms and didn't have a problem in packing up and moving. It was rather easy.

Gaylord Palms is big, but it is easy to navigate. They have an ICE SHOW that is so much fun! We spent one evening touring it - taking lots of pictures along the way. We had an atrium room and it was beautiful. And more importantly - it was exceptionally clean! My DS#2 has fallen in love with GP and now asks why we can't stay there.

I think you're best solution is a split stay. GP for Universal and the Dolphin for Disney. It will give you the best of both worlds.

 

[disneystacy]

Not sure, but I would find out if either one allows 5 in a room. Unless the 5 person is a baby I think the max for both is 4. Something to consider.

 

[minniemomof3]

Thanks for the replies...I believe both hotels allow 5 per room....the Swan doesn't, that's why I am considering the Dolphin.

I am now leaning towards a split stay at both....can you tell me what is the lowest rate you have gotten for either hotel? I'm looking to book with Dreams Unlimited, they seem to have the cheapest rates.

Thanks.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I would go for the split stay, but one of my hotels would definitely be a Universal Resort for the UO days. Staying onsite at Universal makes a bigger difference in your overall experience than staying onsite at WDW does. For your WDW stay, I'd choose the Dolphin for transportation alone. We don't like to drive on vacation though. If you don't mind driving to the parks, that would be a tougher choice. Both are great resorts. I've got an idea. Flip a coin! Creative, huh?

 

[DiscussDisney]

Not sure, but I would find out if either one allows 5 in a room. Unless the 5 person is a baby I think the max for both is 4. Something to consider.

I can confirm Gaylord Palms only allows 4 in a room (unless you get a suite).

Edit: I just read that at Gaylord you can have 5 in a 2 queens room. Rollaway available for $30.00 for 5th person.

 

[webray]

We have stayed at both numerous times and we love them both.

We usually choose by rate and what parks we will be spending the most time in.

Gaylord palms has computer/internet right in the room, which is great and there isn't any charge for it. In the section we stay in anyway. (Emerald Bay). It is so cool, the rooms have balconies which face the inside, which looks like the outside. There is also a Key West type section..fantastic.
The restaurants are fantastic, in fact sometimes your rate comes with complimentary breakfast every morning. Now, it sounds like you are going over the holidays, and I can definately say..Gaylord Palms during the holidays is fantastic. They have so many extra activities. ICE (special paid event, sometimes included in a package), also, the holiday package includes gingerbread house building, there is the travelocity nome hunt, special holiday concerts, the decorations are fantastic. They have alligators on loan from gatorland and they have daily feedings. The restaurants and bars (if you like a cocktail) are all fantastic.

Now, the Dolphin, also an outstanding resort. Beautiful tree during the holidays. The rooms are fantastic, great ammenities from bath and body works so you don't have to worry about traveling with soap and shampoo.
Also, you can't beat the location. The restaurant options nearby are fantastic, huge selection because you have the Swan/Dolphin restaurants as well as the EPCOT resort restaurants, and the EPCOT/studios restaurants all minutes away. ONce at the dolphin you wouldn't need to use the car except to get to Universal studios, which is also outstanding during the holidays!

 

[cheerky]

Thanks for the replies...I believe both hotels allow 5 per room....the Swan doesn't, that's why I am considering the Dolphin.

I am now leaning towards a split stay at both....can you tell me what is the lowest rate you have gotten for either hotel? I'm looking to book with Dreams Unlimited, they seem to have the cheapest rates.

Thanks.

I got a teacher discount rate for a standard room at the Dolphin for $129/ nt. July 20-24... loved it. I would definitely stay there again. I upgraded to a balcony room at check-in. We had a beautiful view of the boardwalk, Epcot and Illuminations. Sending some pixie dust your way and hoping you can get a great rate for your trip.

 

[yxe dad]

I would go for the Dolphin, I didn't like the Gaylord Palms.

Way better dining options around Swan/Dolphin and your still in WDW.

I was a little upset with the resort charges and parking charges plus we didn't get the room view we paid for.

 

[dunkie7557]

Stay at the Dolphin. GP is really not geared towards kids. Dolphin has so many food choices and it's location is hard to beat. GP is out in nowhere land. And if a convention is in, it is loaded with adults. It's huge. You will love being near Epcot with the Dolphin.