Help! POR or Dolphin?

[Gagebre]

I've had a reservation at the Dolphin (government rate) for some time and was really excited, but after reading all the negative posts I started having second thoughts. I love the idea of being so close to Epcot and MGM and the transportation. Yesterday I called Disney reservations and was able to get a room at POR for about $14.00 less per night. I've never stayed at any of the moderates or deluxes, only the All Stars, so I don't know what to expect at POR although I know many people love it. Please help me make a decision!! Are the busses crowded at POR and how frequently do they run? I really don't want to be driving my car to the parks and this is one of the reasons I wanted to stay at the Dolphin.

 

[Shelly]

Hi! I have not stayed at either, but I will be staying at the Dolphin for our trip next month. I too have read the negative posts. I will tell you we have stayed at Poly and YC previously. we have 3 kids 11,7,5, we hated every bus ride we had to take.
The monorail or walking was WAY better. I didn't have the money for the disney deluxe this time and like you had the same dilema. The yc is next to the dolphin and we loved the location of yc. We had some problems staying at the YC similar to the posters complaining about the dolphin. But we still had a fabulous trip. We didn't spend hours in the hotel except sleeping and the pool time. We feel it's worth the risk. All the complaints I have read wouldn't bother me as much as they seemed to bother others.
But the busses would really bother me. Location means alot and the area around the boardwalk is amazing. We love finishing dinner and deciding we're not tired yet. We could just walk over the epcot for a couple hours it's soooo close. Or mgm or boardwalk. With the moderates you can't, we probably would have just sat around the hotel or something not wanting to go thru the production of the bus. Some people don't mink the buses I realize. I just noticed noone else had posted and gave you my opinion. You must go with what you want in you hotel. Shelly

 

[HappyandDoc]

Hi!
We have stayed at POR twice, beore it was joined as one resort. I know that some of the resorts have bus hassles, but at POR we did not experience this at all. In fact it was very easy and quick to the parks. We didn't even bother with a car. I believe that some of the other resorts have a couple more stops within themselves or at another resort. POR does not, it's pretty direct.
Ther is also a lot of fun stuff to do if your tired of the park scene. POR is very laid back and relaxing, also a nice pool and food court. I've heard a number of regular deluxe resorters are pleased with POR.

We are arriving in June and could stay at Dolphin, but I'm concerned that it might be too hussle-bussle in atmosphere. We're probably going to stay with our reservations at POR since we KNOW we love it there!

I'm sure you'll have fun either way!!

 

[Shelly]

We never had bus hassles, just hated it compare to monorail or walking.

 

[kimmar067]

...POR (Feb 2001) and S/D (Nov 2001) and you can't really compare the two. Obviously, since S/D is deluxe, you have more amenities (Location being TOP on my list). POR is more spread out and laid back (although my 3 DS's loved the fishin' hole!)
Regarding transportation, the buses at POR were VERY crowded, especially at peak hours. The S/D has the luxury of ferries going directly to MGM and Epcot (BTW - you can walk to both of these locations if you are reasonably healthy) and you are within walking distance of the Boardwalk, which in itself is a great place to spend the evening. On the other hand, POR has a ferry that goes directly to DTD...(I like the food court option at POR but I liked the pool at S/D better....now that I've totally confused you by putting in my "two cents", good luck with your decision...!!!

 

[Gagebre]

I think the transportation options will make all the difference to me. It also looks like a beautiful resort. Since I've been excited about staying here, I'm not going to let a few negative comments change my mind.

 

[mitzelf3]

Hi, I have to say that either choice would be great. Both are much nicer than the All-stars, so you would probably be very pleasantly surprised with either. The Dolphin gets the vote for interior corridors, view (maybe even a balcony?), and location. I have stayed at PO-R a few times before, and it is really wonderful too, beautifully themed and fun to walk around. I think that you will prefer the Dolphin, however, because of the location. Regardless, don't pay attention to the negative feedback, you will have a great time in either place!

 

[jwfla422]

We will also be staying at the Dolphin in May, the first week. I know, I've read the thread about someone's awful experience and this will be our first stay at the Dolphin also.

However, for the record, we have stayed at the Swan our last 4 visits in the past 1 1/2 years. Our stays for the most part have been great experiences (we had some trouble with housekeeping our last trip, but the problems were resolved, certainly nothing to keep us from staying there again).

We decided to stay at the Dolphin this trip since we've never stayed there, time for a change, but have been primarily happy with the service we've experienced at the Swan and Dolphin. I have found our experiences with customer service at the S/D as good as the DISNEY owned resorts. (if not better in some cases).

The last DISNEY owned resort we stayed in was DL which is POR now. Although it had a nice surrounding with bunnies and wildlife, I felt like I was very far from all of the Disney parks and entertainment. I grew tired of waiting on buses all of the time and the boat to DD was constantly at an hr to 1 1/2 hr wait. (That wasn't even peak time either). I know many people like it but we've been extremely spoiled because we always stayed at deluxes prior to that visit.

Just keep in mind, once you stay at the Dolphin you may really regret going back to All Stars (if you do It's just such a great feeling staying in the middle of the magic when you stay at an Epcot resort.

 

[Ityldu]

You'll be pleased with your decision to stick with the Dolphin. We stayed at FQ/POR and absolutely loved it, but it just doesn't compare to the Dolphin which is truly a deluxe. If it was only b/c of the location, that would be reason enough, but there is so much more to it. Now we make sure we do the Dolphin for at least 1/2 of every trip.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by jwfla422

We decided to stay at the Dolphin this trip since we've never stayed there, time for a change, but have been primarily happy with the service we've experienced at the Swan and Dolphin. I have found our experiences with customer service at the S/D as good as the DISNEY owned resorts. (if not better in some cases).

DITTO