Help! CBR or Dolphin???

[barney4liz]

My dad is treating us to a WDW weekend 12/22-12/23. We can get 3 rooms at CBR for the Fla. resident rate totalling $1005, or 3 standard rooms at the Dolphin for $1073 w/ a military discount.

I've never stayed in either -- my problem with CBR is no elevators and my mom cannot do stairs.

Can someone give me a quick and dirty comparison??? We are looking for a happy holiday experience.

Also, three of us will be visiting the REAL Caribbean on Jan. 3-6 for a Disney cruise.

 

[NMAmy]

I have not stayed at CBR and have nothing against it. However, I would choose the Dolphin. It's a deluxe. It's close to Epcot and MGM--no buses needed for those two parks. The beds are wonderful. The prices are great. Elevators. Which sounds like something you need!

I've stayed there at Christmas and the lobby and grounds are decorated beautifully. When we stayed, they had elves to tuck kids in on Christmas Eve and different Christmas activities.

Whichever you decide, have a great time! Your dad is very generous.

 

[barney4liz]

In the few minutes I have spent researching, it also looks like the Dolphin has many more dining options than CBR. Food is important to this crew.

 

[NMAmy]

In the few minutes I have spent researching, it also looks like the Dolphin has many more dining options than CBR. Food is important to this crew.

Well, frankly, my favorite part is being able to just stroll over for dinner or lunch or a margarita in the WS.

My teenage dd is extremely partial to Picabu's.

 

[barney4liz]

Well, frankly, my favorite part is being able to just stroll over for dinner or lunch or a margarita in the WS.

My teenage dd is extremely partial to Picabu's.

I have a DD-13, and Picabu's looks like a place she would definitely enjoy!

Is there any advantage to booking a resort thru a TA? I've always done it myself, but I emailed my TA earlier today (the one we have used for cruise bookings) to see what help she might be able to provide. Haven't heard back yet.

 

[NMAmy]

If you decide to go with the Dolphin, I'd recommend signing up for Starwood Preferred Guest, if you're not already a member. It's at www.spg.com. It's free and I got the free upgrade on our first trip with no points accumulated.

There's no real advantage that I'm aware of for booking through a TA.

 

[barney4liz]

If you decide to go with the Dolphin, I'd recommend signing up for Starwood Preferred Guest, if you're not already a member.

I signed up, thanks! I just realized that the military discount is for active duty only, but I'm a gov. employee and it looks like the discount is the same. I'm going to go ahead and make a ressie, and then dad can decide which resort he would prefer. I think I know which one will get my vote.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

The Dolphin and Boardwalk area is very festive and nicely decorated at that time, so you all may really enjoy that...and it is sooo handy to EPCOT and MGM.

We love CBR but it would take more time to get around, and with a short visit and a fantastic rate, Dolphin is a wonderful choice!

Have fun!!
p.s. Swan, while not as festive as Dolphin, will have just completed room rehabs in December....if you can get that for the Gov't rate it would be incredible! Ans still lovely decorations.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resor...hin/xmas.htm#1
Scroll down almost to the end of holiday photos (included the Swan as I think it shows some outside between the resorts).
http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_dol.htm
http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_swan.htm
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1567343

 

[barney4liz]

Thanks for the input!

Now we have ressies at CBR, Dolphin, and my TA went ahead and made a ressie for us at AKL. I like to cover all the bases. But it really looks like we will get the most bang for the buck at the Dolphin. Though paying for parking is annoying.


I made the Dolphin ressie through the DU link, and there was nowhere to put in my (brand new!) SPG member number. I wonder if that needs to be added to the ressie ahead of time?

 

[DISNEYNY]

Oh, you have to pay for parking at Dolphin? How much do they charge??

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks for the input!

Now we have ressies at CBR, Dolphin, and my TA went ahead and made a ressie for us at AKL. I like to cover all the bases. But it really looks like we will get the most bang for the buck at the Dolphin. Though paying for parking is annoying.


I made the Dolphin ressie through the DU link, and there was nowhere to put in my (brand new!) SPG member number. I wonder if that needs to be added to the ressie ahead of time?

Yes, do add it in advance - then if available, the Dolphin will upgrade

Do you get a confirmation number and contact info for DU? If so, would email DU with the spg # and ask them to add it

Always good to have all the bases covered...then you can decide for sure

 

[jrogalny]

While we have never stayed at the Dolphin, we just returned from the CBR and did not enjoy it at all. Actually, it was our least favorite Disney resort hotel so far. The Dolphin looks lovely. I have read that they charge a daily parking rate if you have a car. Other than that, I think that would be the better choice.

 

[Baltazar]

I stayed at the CBR, there are elevators in the buildings also you can request a ground floor room. There can be a lot of walking if you're away from the lobby building. There are bus stops at each building group (named after islands).

However, the Dolphin can't be beat for proximity to the Boardwalk, EPCOT and a short boat ride to MGM.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I stayed at the CBR, there are elevators in the buildings also you can request a ground floor room. There can be a lot of walking if you're away from the lobby building. There are bus stops at each building group (named after islands).

However, the Dolphin can't be beat for proximity to the Boardwalk, EPCOT and a short boat ride to MGM.

Maybe you are confusing it with another resort?

Due to a medical issue we know CBR does not have elevators - though we love the resort!

True, a first floor room can be requested, but be sure it is requested for medical reasons

 

[barney4liz]

Oh, you have to pay for parking at Dolphin? How much do they charge??

I believe it is $9 or $10 a day for self-parking, which isn't awful but it's more than "free".

I'm also not so sure that the government rate I'm getting is very "special", as it is the same as the internet rate on the S&D website.

I found some previous threads discussing that a ground-floor room at CBR was NOT provided despite a need for one. That would make the weekend very unpleasant for my mom.

 

[Baltazar]

Maybe you are confusing it with another resort?

Due to a medical issue we know CBR does not have elevators - though we love the resort!

True, a first floor room can be requested, but be sure it is requested for medical reasons

It was a while ago, and I must be mistaken.

We stayed on a ground floor right off a parking lot. I guess I assumed all buildings had elevators.

 

[barney4liz]

I guess I assumed all buildings had elevators.

It is a surprise to me that they don't! DD and I stayed at one of the AS resorts last spring -- had to hunt around a bit for the elevator to get our luggage up to our room, but we found one.

It's probably something the CM's should mention when you make a ressie. I learned about it from this board. Go disboard!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have stayed at both and prefer the location at the Dolphin

 

[luvpalmtrees]

Never stayed at Dolphin, but stayed at CBR last year and LOVED IT!!!!!! It can be a lot of walking depending on your room. We stayed in Jamaica 45 and it was a fantastic location! Just a 3-5 min. beautiful walk over bridge to food court and main pool. There is a pool on each island. Like another post said, you can request a ground floor. Have a great time!!

 

[barney4liz]

My folks have voted for the Dolphin for this trip.

I definitely want to try CBR when it's just me and DH and DD. We can handle second-floor rooms and long walks. I think the Dolphin will be easier to manage for my mom.

Now I wonder if there is any chance of getting ADR's! I'll check the restaurant board, but please chime in if anyone cares to make Dolphin dining recommendations.