HELP!!! WL v. Dolphin v. others

[Boatingmom]

To save money, if I switch to the Dolphin will I be dissappointed?? Is either really deluxe level ? Any fun stuff for children? Also considering Grand Cypress and JW Marriot. Opinions and suggestions welcome

 

[MickeyNicki]

I have stayed at WL, Swan and Dolphin and if I was going at Xmas time again I would stay at WL...this is the best decorated resort for the holidays. Any other time of the year I would do the other 2 places. The rates are MUCH cheaper but you cannot do the dining plan there.

We loved all three resorts, the beds at the Swan/Dolphin are amazing and much more comfortable. All three resorts have remodeled rooms and share the WDW transportation. I like the location of the Swan and Dolphin because we can walk to MGM, Epcot and the other resorts..BC, YC and BW

 

[MissMet]

I say Dolphin, no question. The beds alone are worth it!!

 

[f7prez]

I would go with the Dolphin. WL is awesome (spent my honeymoon there). However, we really enjoyed our stay at the Dolphin more. While the themeing is better at WL, our room at the Dolphin (corner deluxe room) was great. The pools are huge. But the best part for us was being so close to EPCOT. And sneaking in to Storm Along Bay. SHHH. If WL was on the monorail, handsdown the best resort.

 

[wiserabbit]

I vote the Dolphin also - we like the location - riding the boat to MGM and walking to Epcot - great pool area and some food choices close by....

Definitely worth the price...

 

[Boatingmom]

Sounds like I might like the Dolphin. Question: Is it on a different reservation system? I understand park tickets are sometimes free during the time I plan on going. Dolphin would definitely be the better deal if they dont offer free hoppers. If I get free joppers it would equal the amount i'd be saving at the dolphin. Anybody know if I can book both and then cancel one?

 

[hockeybabe]

Are you sure the offer is free tickets, or is it a free park hopper upgrade? I don't know of any time WDW has offered free tickets as a package, but in the past couple of years, the Jan-Feb offer was a free upgrade to park hopper and more tickets once you buy your base tickets. This saves about $48 a person per trip.

Swan and Dolphin are not Disney hotels. You cannot get a Disney package or Disney offers through them, so if the free park hopper upgrade is offered, it would not apply to the guests at Swan and Dolphin. The transportation is also non-Disney, but apparently nicer. You cannot purchase the dining plan. You can, however, participate in Extra Magic Hours at the parks.

 

[ilovecoasters]

The Swan and Dolphin do use the same Disney transportation, but we've always found that the buses do run faster than when we stayed at other on property resorts. The only downside I can think of is a $10.00 per day parking charge(if you have a car there) that is automatically added to your bill.
We just stayed on floor 14 of the Dolphin about 2 weeks ago. We had a beautiful view of the area. It is convenient to walk to the boardwalk and Epcot. The Dolphin also has a 24 hour convenience food court in addition to some very upscale restaurants. Our ds8 loves the pool area too. The Swan and Dolphin are Starwood properties where you can earn upgrades, late checkouts, and points for free stays. I would definitely become a member(it's free) if you might book at one of their hotels.

 

[LoveKermit]

If you want to feel "Disney", stay at WL. Also, it's close to MK, if you have small kids or know you will be spending a lot of time there.

If it's adults only, or the kids are older, the Dolphin is great. Best hotel bed--EVER! You can walk to SO much! The boat from EPCOT to MGM takes about 25 minutes since it makes 3 stops. If the boat was there, we'd hop on, get off at BWI and walk back to the Dolphin. We could beat the boat! But it's one stop from S/D to MGM and back.

The Dolphin (and any EPCOT hotel) location is fabulous. Once we have older kids, we probably will only stay in that circle (plus I get a great teacher discount there!).

But WL is neat too. Good luck.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Well, you can tell by my name which resort I LOVE but that said, we are staying at the Dolphin for a second time on our upcoming trip in Sept/Oct. If the prices were equal, it would STILL be a toss up, but at $159 a night FL res rate at the Dolphin, we just couldn't pass it up. We also love being walking distance to not only Epcot, but also MGM, the BW area, and all the other resorts in that area.

DD (she is 8) absolutely loves "Camp Dolphin" (she loves The Cub's Den at the WL, also, but CD is her favorite.) If you dine at Blue Zoo or Shula's at the Dolphin, your kids can stay at CD for free for two hours! You don't have to be a guest of the resort to do that, I am just letting you know!

 

[ms_mckenna]

We adored the Dolpin. The area is awesome to say the least. The hotel is great the beds are amazing. If you are going to be swimming my DD loved the grotto is a great pool! We will I am sure be back at the Dolpin I got a great rate for Beach Club so we are giving it a try this time.