How does Dolphin compare to BC—For the Same Price?

[100acreHiker]

Oh well. I tried to get my family to give WL a try this November/December but they just can't give up staying at the EP resort area. It's great, we love it, so that's that, I guess. That said, we've stayed at BC/YC and BWI (our favorite). I've read several threads comparing Swan/Dolphin to other EP resorts, and many of the pros and cons center around not using magicbands to charge and not having access to Magical Express and dining plan, and also how after adding in resort and transportation fees, it winds up often being the same price (or more).

All of those issues aside, I'm wondering how folks who have stayed at both would just compare the resorts themselves, assuming all factored in costs were equal. So, if BC and Dolphin (specifically, not Swan), were the same price, which resort do you enjoy more? Thinking about food, pools, rooms, bus transportation to parks (not airport) and general overall vibe and comfort.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

 

[dansdad]

All of those issues aside, I'm wondering how folks who have stayed at both would just compare the resorts themselves, assuming all factored in costs were equal. So, if BC and Dolphin (specifically, not Swan), were the same price, which resort do you enjoy more? Thinking about food, pools, rooms, bus transportation to parks (not airport) and general overall vibe and comfort.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

Transportation is identical and if price is equal our choice would be BC. BC wins in all the other categories listed in this family's opinion.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with @dansdad BC wins in all categories

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm with the PP's. If cost is equal, we would go with BC. We do stay at Swan and Dolphin when the price can't be beat, though!

 

[gillep]

We stayed at the Dolphin once, it was fine, but we have had no desire to return. We book BC every chance we get.

 

[100acreHiker]

It's always a relief to get consensus. Thanks everyone!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I haven’t stayed at the Beach Club so I can’t compare it to the Dolphin.

The Dolphin does have a 24/7 quick service in Picabu. Mentioning it only because I’ve heard that lack of a real QS is one disadvantage to staying at the Beach Club.

 

[DJFan88]

The walk over to Dolphin isn't that far if you need the Picabu while at BC

 

[uramr]

We have stayed at both and If their rates were the same price, would pick the beach club over the dolphin every time! We really like the rooms at the beach club and their pool is awesome!

 

[bjakmom]

We have stayed in them all, except YC, many times over the years. BW is one of our DVC home resorts and our all-time fav. I am traveling again these days with littles 1,3,6 and love the pool set up there for those ages - also love BW with young teens who enjoy being able to go down to the boardwalk by themselves for a break from us lol.
BC pool is awesome for me with kids old enough that I don't have to have them in eye-sight at all times - it is large and spread out - but fun.
We stay at Dolphin when we run out of DVC points, or when we accrue enough spg points. No problem there, more 'hotel' like for me and there always seems to be a lot of business and/or convention guests whenever we are there - which can be a diff vibe. Pool and play areas are nice - kids love the slide. Plenty of good dining options and Picabu is always a great quick service option for any meal. Mandera Spa is awesome!
You really can't loose - but if I was paying equal, BW would always be my choice.

 

[Laura's Dad]

The Beach Club has queen size beds and I believe that the Dolphin has only full size. Everything about the Beach Club is better (to us) than the Dolphin

 

[1GoldenSun]

In my opinion the Beach Club is far superior in every way except for the food. I really hate the Beach Club Marketplace for anything but a drink or a snack, but Picabu is quite nice and so is the Fountain (at the Swan). But both resorts are so close to the Boardwalk that this isn't really important, and if I'm at BC I'll just pop over to the United Kingdom in Epcot for fish and chips before I'll eat at their Marketplace. Everything else (ambience, decor, POOL) is better at the Beach Club.

That said, we very often stay at the Dolphin simply because we can stay using SPG points, and we do really enjoy it there. The pools are quite nice (not Stormalong Bay, but nice), you can use the swan-shaped paddle boats for free (well, it's included in the resort fee), the gym is very well equipped and the stationery bikes and treadmills look out on a very nice view, the grounds are clean and attractive, the rooms are pleasantly appointed, and the staff we've encountered have always been friendly and attentive. We have always gotten a full balcony at the Dolphin, usually with a fairly good view and sometimes with a spectacular one, while we've only gotten a juliet balcony at BC.

Cost being equal, I'd go with BC with no hesitation, but we stay at the Dolphin because we really like it and it saves us a big chunk of money. If we stay at the Dolphin, we can afford to stay on property way more often than if we stayed at BC.

But talk your family into trying WL sometime. It's my favorite!

 

[hedberg1661]

For the same price I would choose the BC. I love the Swalphin but given you are saying it is the same price...to get DME and to have Stormalongbay...uh yeah BC is the way to go!

 

[chris benton]

No dog in the fight, but, off the bat, it would seem that Dolphin should always be cheaper than BC?

Also, if you are Costco member, check their package price for Dolphin.

 

[100acreHiker]

I was sure that Dolphin would be cheaper, and it is, by about $200 TOTAL over the 5 night stay (I get a deal through a TA for Beach Club). But after paying for Uber back and forth and the cost of getting our tickets direct from Disney instead of through our TA's discounted package, it comes to exactly the same cost. So, we booked BC! We liked BC just fine, and they have the day bed so my boys don't have to share a bed. I do want to walk over to the Dolphin and have dinner at Bluezoo and spend some time exploring. The boys love the mini golf course over there. We are Disney folks, for sure, but we are finding we spend less and less time in the parks and more at the resorts, so the EP area is ideal for us. Thank you for your thoughts and advice everyone!

 

[Laura's Dad]

Does the deal include the resort fee that is charged at the Dolphin for parking and Internet? That can drive the price of deals at the Swan/Dolphin complex up.

 

[100acreHiker]

Does the deal include the resort fee that is charged at the Dolphin for parking and Internet? That can drive the price of deals at the Swan/Dolphin complex up.

The final cost of the Dolphin included the resort fee but not parking, since we don't rent a car. I also factored in for our own comparison the cost of an uber to get to and from the airport, and the $100 difference in ticket costs to buy our tickets from Undercover Tourist or Disney instead of through our TA. With those factored in, the cost of the Dolphin was exactly the same as the package we book through our TA. The Swan was actually $120 more than our BC deal. The cost alone wasn't enough to base our decision, since all three were within a comparable range, which is why I asked about the resort's feel, food and function.