Help! I've gotten myself so upset! Dolphin vs. GF

[leighe]

Ok - short version. My sister and I have been planning a short pre-Christmas trip. We have ressies at GF for Dec. 17-23. I just found a great rate at the Dolphin (because I'm a teacher) that would save us about $600!!!! Although we can afford the GF (my sis thinks we're staying at Pop - I was going to surprise her with GF) - is it really worth $600 more? I know that there are people that just love the Swan and Dolphin. I love the beds at the Westin and Sheraton resorts and love the thought of being able to walk to MGM and Epcot. (We are big walkers anyway.)

The reason I feel so guilty is because when we were little and traveled to WDW with our parents DSis always wanted to stay at the GF and she called it the "wedding cake hotel." We've made tons of plans and although we started off saying this was going to be a relaxing trip it looks like we're going to be park commandos now. We won't even be in the room that much and I don't think in December we'd take advantage of the pools or lake recreation. So I guess my dilema is: Is it worth an extra $600? My head says, "Of course not." My heart says, "Well, maybe."

Help!

 

[lmhall2000]

Will you be going back to Disney? Will you be able to afford GF on future trips? Are you willing to sacrifice a little in your budget to enjoy it? Will you be disappointed if GF doesn't live up to the $600 differential?

We are staying at the GF for the first time next year...it's our last trip to Disney for a long time...so I wanted it to be a monorail resort that was close for the kids...we've stayed at Poly and CR doesn't appeal to me...so it meant upgrading to GF. We've had a rough year (relocating to another state and living apart from Daddy while we wait for our house to sell) and I scrimp in so many areas (no cable TV, dial-up, never order sodas at restaurants, never buy sodas except for birthday parties, very frugal in most other areas) but I'll probably never be able to afford GF again because the kids will get bigger and we'll need two rooms on our next trip (probably 10 years down the road)....and our kids are all under 9 so we are saving on tickets/meals...so we're splurging....it just depends on what value you put on that $600. For me, I'm splurging.
Tara

 

[leighe]

We'll defintely be going back to Disney. In fact, we have a summer trip planned to BCV to celebrate our parent's 30th anniversary. The GF is actually not a resort I'm super interested in - I'd rather try BWI or go back to the Poly - but I figured my sister would love it. BUT since she doesn't know that I have reservations there she won't be disappointed by not staying there. This will be her first trip in a long time and she's really looking forward to it so I think a tent in the MK parking lot would be pretty magical to her!

 

[TLinden16]

If your whole point in surprising your sister to stay at the wedding cake hotel, and you can swing the $600, then go for it. You're worth it And so is your sister. I'm sure that no matter what you decide, you'll have a wonderful time. I say forget about the Dolphin, and stay at the GF.

Karen

 

[TXARISTOCAT]

I'm going to be the spoiler here & say try the Dolphin - it's gorgeous @ Christmas & there's so much to do in the Epcot area! With an extra $600, ya'll can splurge on a fancy meal, spa treatments, etc... - my DD & I splurged on the GF a few years back & weren't that impressed. I prefer the YC/BC. Right now there's an even better discount at the Dolphin than the teacher discount - $129/nt., that anyone can use. If your sis doesn't know your plans, she certainly won't be disappointed with the new rooms & great location of the Dolphin!

 

[Bracho]

I have stayed at each resorts and have had a great time at both but I'm going to have to go with TLinden16 on this one.. Stay at the Grand. The location of the Dolphin is wonderful and that alone makes it a worth the stay but it sounds like BWI is going to be in a future trip anyway... so stay at the Grand this trip.

No matter the choice, you can't go wrong!! Have a great trip...

 

[PamNC]

you know, 6 nights isn't a short trip really. Why not split it 1/2 and 1/2? Just a thought.

We just returned from our first trip to the Swan. It was great. Beds were wonderful and we too are big walkers. We've also stayed at the GF. Honestly, we like the Swan better.

PamNC

 

[sters]

you know, 6 nights isn't a short trip really. Why not split it 1/2 and 1/2? Just a thought.

We just returned from our first trip to the Swan. It was great. Beds were wonderful and we too are big walkers. We've also stayed at the GF. Honestly, we like the Swan better.

PamNC

This sounds like an excellent suggestion. End with the GF to add punch to your suprise and use half of your savings towards a spa treatment (pamper,pamper, pamper).

 

[gigi1313]

my first thought was save the money and stay at the dolphin, using the $600 to splurge elsewhere on your trip (spa treatment at the gf, afternoon tea, etc)... then i got to thinking, oh, go for it, your sis might be thrilled... then i focused on the "might" and then again, might not (just because i've admired the gf, i'm not over-anxious to actually stay there)... then i was going to suggest that you split your stay between the two... and finally settling on suggesting that you stay at the swan but upgrade to concierge level... the best of all worlds, imo...

 

[Tabetha]

Ohhhh, just stay at the GF. You'll blow your sisters mind!

 

[elastigirl]

If you can realistically swing it, I would stay at the GF. If it's a stretch, I would honestly look at splitting the stay, start at the Dolphin and finish at GF. Best of both worlds!

 

[webray]

The Dolphin (we think anyway) is much better than the GF. The rooms are larger, the beds/bedding and ammenities are much better. Decorations are just as nice, if not better. Dolphin has much better restaurant options, and many, many restaurants very close if you don't want what is at the Dolphin..all you have to do is pop over to one of the other EPCOT resorts..or right into EPCOT worldshowcase itself for a great meal.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm going to go with Pam & Sters on this one, split your stay. Begin at the Dolphin from 12/17 and switch to the GF on the 19th or 20th for the remainder of your vacation. Logistically, you can hit Epcot and MGM while over there and you're within walking distance. I love surprises, so I'd even go so far as not telling her about the switch. Whichever morning you decide to move, plan a breakfast at Fresh. Shortly after ordering, excuse yourself to run back to your room and throw everything back into the suitcases. Disney will move them for you, so no worries there. Have this be your first MK day. While at the MK tell her that you'd love to stop by the GF for an afternoon break. Make a PS for afternoon tea and again after ordering, scootch over to the registration desk (just a few feet away) and check in.

Tammi

 

[CarolA]

I would stay at the Dolphin.

I found the GF to be about the most disappointing Disney resort. I was very upset that it didn't live up to the fantasy of a luxurious special resort and your sis may be also. It is beautiful, but it doesn't live up to the hype. There was a poster yesterday talking about how you are constantly run over by little carts. THe staff is just so so... not 5 star luxury. The service at the two hotels is very comparable. Which to me says you are paying a lot for a cute hotel and your view could easily be not very nice.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I was just thinking of saying "split your stay" and then several others beat me to it!! What if you never knew about the "teachers special"? You can't look at it as a $600 thing.
When you go back for your parents 30th, is staying at the GF an option, or will you be staying together at the same resort?

If it were me, GF would win hands down. I wouldn't look at the price difference, they aren't the same hotels. The GF is close to the MAGIC (in my opinion of course) you can watch wishes, eat at amazing restaurants, go back for naps (if at MK) easily, and enjoy so much, thats what makes GF so special.

I can't afford to stay there at all right now, so if someone was treating me and asked me where I wanted to stay, I would choose the GF in a heartbeat, I do LOVE WDW, but if I got to choose, yeah, GF is my dream resort too....

 

[Kallison]

After reading your arguments I would say stay at the Dolphin. I've never tried the GF, but I've been in the BC and frankly I'm not all that impressed with Disney's idea of Deluxe and what they charge. Loved the Dolphin, a nice balcony view room and being in the Epcot area is where we like to stay. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Alaska Catdog]

He'd dreamed since childhood of staying at CR which didn't appeal to me at all. We did it last month for his 40th birthday. We both agree that we will never go back but that we had to do it because he would not have been as thrilled anywhere else. Now that he has that out of his system I can start rallying for YC. It's fun to fulfill childhood wishes. What better place to do so, go for GF.

 

[leighe]

Well, I decided to split the stay. I've never stayed in an Epcot area resort so that should be fun and then we'll head over to the GF. I'm still going to suprise DS - have all the stuff packed up and let it be transferred and then suggest taking a break from MK and heading over to GF. Thanks for all the advice and suggestions!

 

[Tabetha]

That's a really great idea. You'll save a little money, and it may be even more fun surprising your sis halfway through the trip.

Aw. You're a good sister.

Have a lot of fun!

 

[Tiffany]

Ok - short version. My sister and I have been planning a short pre-Christmas trip. We have ressies at GF for Dec. 17-23. I just found a great rate at the Dolphin (because I'm a teacher) that would save us about $600!!!! Although we can afford the GF (my sis thinks we're staying at Pop - I was going to surprise her with GF) - is it really worth $600 more? I know that there are people that just love the Swan and Dolphin. I love the beds at the Westin and Sheraton resorts and love the thought of being able to walk to MGM and Epcot. (We are big walkers anyway.)

The reason I feel so guilty is because when we were little and traveled to WDW with our parents DSis always wanted to stay at the GF and she called it the "wedding cake hotel." We've made tons of plans and although we started off saying this was going to be a relaxing trip it looks like we're going to be park commandos now. We won't even be in the room that much and I don't think in December we'd take advantage of the pools or lake recreation. So I guess my dilema is: Is it worth an extra $600? My head says, "Of course not." My heart says, "Well, maybe."

Help!

In the end only you will be able to determine if the GF is "worth" $600 more then the Dolphin to you and your sister.

My husband and I would say no, it is not worth more to us. We love the Boardwalk area and being able to walk to EC and MGM or take a boat. So our vote, assuming we have one, is no. Stay at the Dolphin is use the $600 on something else.