GREAT Dolphin Stay!!

[jwfla422]

For any of those having their doubts about the Dolphin hotel I just want you all to know we stayed there from May 3-May 7th and had a great time!

The room we had was perfect. It had an Epcot view but was in the west wing so when we'd go down the elevator Tubbies was right there. It was a bit of a walk to our room but I really didn't mind, it was a little more private. It had a balcony overlooking the Swan, BW and Epcot area so I took advantage and sat out there a lot. We were able to see the fireworks everynight. The first morning my dd and I watched the sun rise, that was a real site.

Every CM we saw or passed smiled and said hi and were very cordial, including housekeeping. Every CM was extremely friendly and helpful. The CMs at Tubbi's got to know us because we were there 3-4 times a day filling up our refillable mugs, what a great thing!!

We took advantage of the pool and tried to swim almost every afternoon, it was hot! The pool wasn't crowded at all. We had lunch at the Cabana Grille which was very relaxing and fun.

This hotel is Disney in every way! The first morning as we were about to catch the boat to MGM we stopped in the lobby and there was the Character Caravan. My dd's favorite, Minnie Mouse was one of the characters to arrive and it was great to start off our first morning seeing her!

We've stayed at the Swan several times before but finally tried the Dolphin this trip and we were definitely IMPRESSED!! I highly recommend this resort!

 

[Debi]

Welcome home! Glad to hear that you had such a great stay at the Dolphin.

 

[The_Disney_God]

My family didnt have the same experiance.

We got there in the afternoon, went to go in the pool. A bunch of 20-30 year olds drinking. We were the only without a drink.

Then we had to give them our room key to check out 4 bad towels. We gave them back, but they messed up the system. About two days later, we looked at our room charge. 100 dollars for "stealing" the towels. My dad called, complained, and got a night or two free.

Another than that, it was good.

 

[jwfla422]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience The Disney God.

Can I ask which pool the "drunken" guys were at? Why didn't you go to the other pool? I wouldn't stand for that kind of behavior, especially in front of my 3 yr old. One day we went to the baby pool, one day the grotto pool and another day the lap pool.

When we got our towels they didn't even ask for our room key. And, they have a place to put the wet towels so there's no way they can keep track if you give them back. I'm really surprised that showed up like that on your father's bill like that (stealing towels). At least the problem was resolved quickly.

 

[The_Disney_God]

The guys and gals, and there were lots of them, could have been drunk. They kind of just stood in the pool, talked and drank. Its the main pool I guess. The one with the waterfall.

This was also 3-4 years ago. I guess they cleaned up their act.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Well...techincally..if they aren't rowdy or going crazy, they are allowed to hang out and drink I believe. On the other hand if they were drunk and being stupid, you should complain

mike

 

[Swan]

jwfla422,
Glad you had a great trip. I enjoyed my stay last June. When we stayed at the Poly in Dec we missed the boardwalk alot, so this visit we are going to try the Swan. I hope my trip goes as well as yours.

 

[The Pluto People]

We loved the Grotto pool! We only had to "flash" our room card and the attendant gave us as many towels as we requested. Since the card/key never left our hand there was no way he knew who we were and no way for us to be charged for towels! Another great thing about the Grotto pool is the size - my DH and DS had a rowdy game of beach ball in the pool without disturbing anyone! There were a number of people enjoying drinks - that is what people do on vacation! We did see a bird "fish" a cherry out of a drink when the person left the drink unattended to go for a dip - those Orlando birds are very brazen! We have stayed at the YC and the Contempo Tower and really enjoyed the Dolphin much more!!

 

[jwfla422]

That's so funny about the bird lifting a cherry out of someone's drink. We had a few waiting on us to leave at the Cabana Grille but they were more entertaining (especially to dd) than hindering. It's quite enjoyable watching the mallards and their babies trotting along the poolside.

You bet those birds are feed well, we saw lots when we were at the POLY! Pluto People, Interesting you liked the Dolphin better than YC. We found the Dolphin pool area lively but relaxing. Very enjoyable!

 

[The Pluto People]

Jwfla422: We enjoyed our stay at the YC - we loved SB! But the YC has no food court/cafeteria and the rooms were not as well laid out as the Dolphin. We really enjoyed the Grotto pool - the resort pool is a very important factor in our vacation! We also felt the CMs at the Dolphin were the best we have ever encountered...and the beautiful view we had didn't hurt either !!We are planning our vacation for next year and really hope we can stay at the Dolphin again!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

So glad to read you had a GREAT trip! Now can you answer the age old question dolphin or swan? And do a comparison? Cm's?, Views?, Smells? (lot of c/o going around about smell of swan?), Size?, Rooms?, Overall ratings?, which one would you pick next time? Thanks so much for your fantastic advice! MKY

 

[littleducksmom]

MKY,
wow........your post is the first i have seen with a comment on the smell at the swan. i didnt wanna bring it up........as i thought my dh and i were the only ones who smelled this terrible smell at the swan.

we were in the swan lobby about ten days ago around 9 pm just checking the place out for our stay in sept......it was so bad we had to leave. dh said we are going to rebook at the dolphin(btw....there was no smell at the dolphin).........it was really bad......the whole lobby smelled like our baby's dirty diaper....and we didnt even have the baby with us......lol.

i didnt know others had even mentioned this before.

 

[jwfla422]

Wow I kinda have to laugh, maybe my sense of smell is gone because honestly I've never noticed any bad smells at the Swan. Now if this has been since last December, maybe?? We did go to Gulliver's for dinner this past trip and I didn't notice anything?? Hmm...

But a comparison. Well ok...
We've stayed at the Swan so many times and then finally tried the Dolphin our last visit. I must admit the Dolphin won us over. More than anything, the conveniences really won us. The rooms were about the same. I did miss the extra sink the Swan has just a bit, but we were able to put all of our food on the vanity area at the Dolphin which worked out better.

Otherwise the room was pretty much the same. I do like the Swan Studio rooms with their breathtaking views and extra room (they have a dining area), but as far as the regular room goes they compare about the same.

I found the CMs at both hotels to be equally friendly with the Dolphin being even a bit more friendly.

The convenience of Tubbies right downstairs also won me over, especially for filling our refillable mugs.

The 2 (VERY MINOR) small negatives that we didn't like but really really are minor and certainly don't change my mind about liking the Dolphin better.
Self parking seemed further away and there was quite a walk to the elevator from our room. But I would pick the same room again because it was private being further from the elevators.

The view we had from our room was great. We overlooked the Swan, the walkway between the hotels, the BW and had a perfect view for the fireworks. I think I used the balcony more here than I did at our Swan rooms. BUT, I must say all of the views we've had at the Swan were just as amazing, especially the last one from the Swan Studio, we could see all I mentioned above, plus Spaceship Earth & the fireworks at MK with a little building on the horizon I realized later was the CR!!

 

[Blondie]

Smelly Swan? That's a first for me!

Welcome back! Glad you liked the Dolphin as much as we did!

 

[Kitty 34]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the Dolphin!!! We will be there soon and can hardly wait!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Wow..I've read for months about the moldy smells in the Poly, but nothing about the Swan. Where did you see another mention of this Mky? I'm just curious and would love to read the post. I always stay at the Dolphin now, and there's definitely NO smell there!

 

[Ityldu]

What a great post. I'm so glad you had such a great time. We have also been won over by the Dolphin and can't wait to return again in June. Thanks for getting me psyched again, (as if I needed any help) .

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Ok now I'm not starting another "smell" thread, actually think I read it on dreamflight's thread quiet a while ago,I remember it cause I have 2 booking at the swan! I know I've smelled the "cigar" problem at the swan but have encountered that at the GF + YC BC too. (in sitting areas, bars). People were c/o about tobacco smells etc... Now jwfla422 so glad you still like the studio rooms! I ment to tell you that just as you told me about the studio on the club level, when I booked for Oct. the greatest cm said oh, I see your a starwood member and also coming in July/aug so would you like the studio on the club floor with the club amnenities? I asked how much more, ioh its the same! Well sign I up!!! So I really don't want to be dissapointed in j/a and think about moving, it is such a great price with the rn discount! Hope I get your view! MKY