Has anybody stayed at the dolphin since renovation

[leasemasters]

I have booked 6 nights at the dolphin in April and 4 of those nights are only $159 per night. I am wondering if this hotel is any good at that price. It seems pretty inexpensive for a deluxe resort. I can cancel up to 5 days and am considering renting DVC points for a studio at BWV. Any thoughts would be great. I have a 2 year old boy who is always in awe of tons of action thus why I was thinking of the Boardwalk. The two times I have stayed in Disney resorts I have been mildly dissapointed. They were Vero Beach and Carribean Beach. I usually have much better luck in Downtown Disney, but those hotels seem to be getting older and I didn't have a child when I stayed in Downtown Disney. Also half of our party is staying in P Orleans French Qtr but I thought it would be to much like Carribean Beach which is just way to spread out for my tastes.

 

[dreamflight99]

What an amazing BARGAIN you have secured for the Dolphin!! With the newly renovated rooms, came newly increased room rates! Those amazing heavenly beds were not without cost. You just can not go wrong @ this resort! (IMHO).

We have always stayed at the Dolphin, and yes...have been there since the completion of the resort renovation. You will be pleasantly surprised (putting it mildly). It's our #1 favorite on Disney property.

Your 2YO will have PLENTY to do in this resort, as well as on the boardwalk area (which is just a quick hop away)! The boat transportation to/from MGM and Epcot can not be beat! Everything is conveniently located, and Tubbi's is VERY kid-friendly! He should enjoy every aspect of the resort, from the long hallways and oversized whimsical lobby, to the beautiful grotto pool and tropical grounds. You will LOVE this resort, and wonder how you EVER questioned the bargain price you have obtained!

Enjoy!!! And, if you decide to dump these ressies, I'm sure there are MANY others on this forum whom would snap-up the $159 rate in a NY minute!! LOL.

DF99

 

[leasemasters]

Thank you so much. I go to Disney every spring(just before all the yard work begins. YUK!) I just really didn't enjoy the Carribean Beach last year at all. I had to drive just to eat breakfast(not fun). And hauling a 1 year old and a stroller up the stairs 5 times a day was not a whole lot of fun. Although I will say the cleaning person would always tie a balloon around my sons stuffed EEeyore and place him right on top of the bed, which my son was absolutely thrilled with. I am now totally looking forward to it. Do you think I should put in a request for any particular rooms (so we don't end up staring out at a parking lot) not that we spend much time in the room but a nap for a 2 year old is imperative if you want to have a peaceful dinner.

i can not get any work done because I am so ready to go to disney. 21 more days for me.

Thanks
mike

 

[dreamflight99]

Happy to help allay some fears or apprehension associated with your Dolphin ressie! As for the room request, be sure to ask for a "preferred" view (which is definitely NOT the parking lot!). Hopefully, if available, your request will be satisfied.

Enjoy the Dolphin!! It's a QUIET property...perfect for a napping 2 yo.

 

[paras4ri]

I can echo what Dreamflight said, the Dolphin is wonderful and you got a great rate. You'll be impressed the minute you walk in the entrance - don't forget to look up to see the stars on the ceiling of the entrance hall.

As impressive as it is, your DS will love it all. The variety in the pool area is great for little ones and he'll also enjoy the sandy beach. Food can't be easier with Tubbi's (their cafeteria) open 24 hours. If you'd like a shorter walk to the restaurants and the pool area, I'd suggest the west wing.

 

[jenjersnap]

We stayed at the Dolphin in February with that great $159 rate. It was me and my 4-year-old on that trip. We enjoyed it. The rooms - yes, plural. We did have some issues with smoking in non-smoking rooms and it wasn't until the 3rd room that we escaped the smoke - were perfect, spotless and bright. We never heard a peep from the neighbors at night nor during naptime during the day. The Boardwalk area is my favorite spot at Disney, so much fun to walk around and so many restaurant choices between the BW, BC/YC and Epcot.

The heavenly beds were not as comfortable as I expected - better than most hotels though - but the clean white duvets ... priceless.

We would definitely stay there again, if we got a good rate. Though I agree with those who say it's missing some of the Disney magic, the location and cleanliness are wonderful. (I have yet to walk into a Disney resort and NOT find the previous occupant's cereal, pills, wadded up kleenex, etc. on the floor for my 2 small kids to find. The Dolphin's housekeeping seemed at a much higher level, IMO)

Have a wonderful time!

 

[Lorix2]

leasemaster - I will be there April 20-23rd and I also have a $159. rate through DU. I can't wait, I'm sure we will not be dissappointed.

 

[*Flower*]

Love it!!

Have a great time.....

 

[webray]

The dolphin is amazing...the rooms blow the disney deluxe rooms right out of the water. Once you stay in those renovated rooms, you will have a hard time staying at a disney resort again. The beds and linens are outstanding. The shower curtain rod curves out..so the shower curtain doesn't blow in and stick all over you, leaving you little room to shower. The soaps and shampoos are outstanding of course. The rooms are still excellent size, and the restaurant options at the dolphin are also wonderful.

 

[leasemasters]

Thanks for all the input. Before this weekend I didn't even know these boards existed. It rocks! I spend tons of time planning my Disney trip every year and this board is going to make it so much better.

HMM wonder if I can get one of those Dolphin corner turrett rooms with the balcony for that price. I guess it won't hurt to ask. I will call in house reservations tomorrow.

I am totally looking forward to Disney. My 2 year old thinks I am crazy!

 

[dreamflight99]

The dolphin is amazing...the rooms blow the disney deluxe rooms right out of the water. Once you stay in those renovated rooms, you will have a hard time staying at a disney resort again. The beds and linens are outstanding. The shower curtain rod curves out..so the shower curtain doesn't blow in and stick all over you, leaving you little room to shower. The soaps and shampoos are outstanding of course. The rooms are still excellent size, and the restaurant options at the dolphin are also wonderful.

Since first staying at this resort more than a decade ago, we have found it VERY difficult to justify staying at any other resort! For all of the same reasons posted by Webray, and others on this thread--we find it difficult to check-in to any other Disney property.

That little "heavenly" shower curtain is the most ingenious thing, I bought one for a guest shower in my home upon returning last summer! Isn't the room (you can ACTUALLY turn around in the tub without wrapping the wet clingy shower curtain to your body like a mummy too!), this little device affords absolutely priceless?!? The white duvets, and feather comforter and pillows, coupled with the bathroom amenities (oatmeal soap, etc.) are all winners!

The restaurants are all GREAT, offering a wide variety of fare (especially the home-made chicken noodle soup in Tubbi's!). The Matisse-decorated elevators are the most proficient and expedient I've ever had the pleasure of using! Figure all this into the location, pool, customer service and top-rate housekeeping, and you have one of the best-kept secrets in all of the MAGIC! I was once a critic of these resorts, until I tried them...now I'm a true-blue believer & fan!

To everyone traveling to these resorts in the near future, especially for the fab rate of $159 per eve, have a MAGICAL time!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[nwdisgal]

I just stayed there a week and a half ago, and was very happy with it. We had a resort view room (looking towards Epcot and the Boardwalk area) with a terrace. The Heavenly Beds were wonderful and the room was very clean. Our housekeeper was always on top of it - room cleaned early and towels replenished and extra toiletries. We asked for a scale, and my DH forgot his razor. No problem there. They brought a scale right up as well as disposable razors for DH. Also, the cheerleaders were there while we were staying there, as well as a few conventions going on, but the room was very quiet. We never heard a peep from our room and our view was spectacular. Hallways looked recently painted and the carpet looked new. This is a great resort and we really enjoyed our stay there.

 

[dreamflight99]

Also, the cheerleaders were there while we were staying there, as well as a few conventions going on, but the room was very quiet.

Reminded me of the couple of times we have been there when the DOLPHIN CHEERLEADERS were there *(for SHULA'S STEAKHOUSE promo). They were always so sweet and nice, whenever we came across a group. They were also VERY quiet...not a peep in the halls or rooms.

So nice to read you enjoyed your recent stay!!

TTFN...DF99