How Does the Dolphin Compare to Disney Deluxe Resorts?

[Blondie]

I've always been treated like a Princess while staying at the Swan in April 2001, and the Dolphin in 2002.

Anyplace that treats me like royalty, gets my business and high praises!

 

[Kitty 34]

The only Disney Deluxe that I would try over the Dolphin (for the same rate) would be the Contemporary Tower.......just because I've always wanted to try the CR Tower.


But if I could get the Teacher's rate at any of the other Disney deluxes versus the Dolphin, my family, would pick the Dolphin hands down!!

It's such a great place, in a great location with a great staff!!

 

[dahess]

We love the Dolphin also. We decided to be CrAzY and stay at the Swan this trip.

 

[Bimmy56]

Another Dolphin Lover

We have stayed there 5 or 6 times and LOVE it. I think a lot of it is really pure luck. Any hotel at some point can lose track of your your request, have an employee having a bad day ( or month, or year, or decade) , forget to clean something, etc. But the Dolphin would be higest on my list for the most bang for your buck of any of the Disney Resorts.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Kitty 34
The only Disney Deluxe that I would try over the Dolphin (for the same rate) would be the Contemporary Tower.......just because I've always wanted to try the CR Tower.

That's the "other" place we are staying this summer, Kitty. The "tower" in the Contemporary Resort! I too, have LONG wished to stay on the 14th floor in the 1BR suite...and well, finally...we are (5 eves). I am excited, and it will be something fun & different. After that...we head for the Dolphin! Still....our #1.

 

[catsrule]

We like the Dolphin better than BC. The view was much nicer, Tubbies open 24 hours, and the room was less expensive.

 

[NCRedding]

We stayed one night at the Dolphin prior to our cruise; it was too cold to swim and we didn't visit any of the parks, so I can't speak to the perks of the Dolphin, although I can certainly see where the location would be wonderful after having stayed at the Beach Club Villas. Also, the pool was awesome looking, although quite apart from the hotel. I found the rooms to be very small compared to our room at the Poly; the beds were doubles, not queens. Our view would have been beautiful--overlooking the Swan and the fountain--had it not been for the fact that the fountain had been drained so our view was of the black mildew at the bottom of the fountain. Probably my least favorite part was the fecal matter floating in the toilet when we checked in--yeah, that room had really been cleaned

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by NCRedding
Probably my least favorite part was the fecal matter floating in the toilet when we checked in--yeah, that room had really been cleaned

Yeah, that musta really said "Welcome Home!" to you! OH my!!! Thats just awful!!! Did you get another room?

Darian
(Mortified beyond belief)

 

[Darian]

dreamflight99,

What were some of the " special features and perks" of the Swan/Dolphin hotels?

Is there any real differences between the Swan and Dolphin? Different room sizes? Decor? Better service?

We've stayed at the YC, AKL and Poly in the past and have been very pleased with resorts. The Moderates are tempting due to their much lower costs... but the level of comfort/service you give up at a moderate might not be something we'd like to do. So, we've been looking at the Swan/Dolphine. This thread has been wonderfully informative!

Darian

 

[NCRedding]

Darian: Yes we were moved to a different room next door--just because I felt that if housekeeping had missed that, what else COULD they have missed. The next room was clean enough to my standards and perfectly adequate.

 

[Darian]

I'm still squirming at the keyboard thinkin' about it! Personally, I'd rather have a fruit basket....

 

[tjmw2727]

Almost forgot - COFFEE LOL
I love my am coffee and do not like the "mug walk" so refillable mugs do nothing for me. At every deluxe except ALK and Poly I have had to literally BEG for a coffee maker and they did not supply coffee (except for ALK). (I would have paid if given the option) Four days at the BC asking more than once every day and we never did get the coffeemaker :-(

Also the health club is included which we took full advantage of. IIRC only the GF has a health club and its fee based?


TJ

 

[Princess Dot]

If you read these boards long enough you will hear about bad experiences at each and every hotel at WDW including all the deluxes and the Swan/Dolphin. I am a firm believer in speaking up if you are not satisfied with your room or the service.

We stayed at the Swan and really loved it. Especially since I was paying the govt rate of $119 at the time. I did encounter a very rude bartender at the Dolphin pool bar with whom I had an argument over the bill due to a mistake in one of the drinks (I won't go into details, but needless to say I should not have been charged.) We spoke with the manager of the Swan the next day and he was very apologetic and removed all of the charges from the pool bar from that day. I thought that was good service.
We were also upgraded to a balcony room at check in when I asked and we thought the room was wonderful.
I don't know what rate you have, but having stayed at the BC for much more $$$, I was very satisfied with the Swan. The location is great, the pool area is great, transportation was good, and the room was fine. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

 

[Blondie]

Princess Dot? Is that really you? Haven't seen you around here in a very long time! Welcome back!

I remember reading and printing out your Swan Review from the Trip Reports Board a few years ago! It was full of great tips! We've stayed there, the Dolphin and are returning again to the Dolphin in August!

Good to see your name again!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Darian
dreamflight99,

What were some of the " special features and perks" of the Swan/Dolphin hotels?

Is there any real differences between the Swan and Dolphin? Different room sizes? Decor? Better service?

We've stayed at the YC, AKL and Poly in the past and have been very pleased with resorts. The Moderates are tempting due to their much lower costs... but the level of comfort/service you give up at a moderate might not be something we'd like to do. So, we've been looking at the Swan/Dolphine. This thread has been wonderfully informative!

Darian

...But PREFER the WDW Dolphin & Swan for all the reasons posted here, and MORE! Most of the Special features and perks are associated with the SPG program. No where else (currently) on DISNEY property...can you STAY IN THE MAGIC, and accumulate points to HELP you STAY AGAIN in the future. Now, with the inception of the Disney VISA CC...we "MAY" see a change in this policy w/regards to Disney-owned resorts. Hopefully, they are taking notes from Starwood and Loews and many, many other resorts. REWARDING loyalty and returning patrons is the BEST way to insure survival in a competitive market.

Yes...there are MANY REAL differences between these two properties, from the room decor, configuration and company ownership. The Swan is owned by WESTIN and operated/managed by Starwood. The Dolphin is owned by Sheraton and Operated/managed by Starwood. The Swan was recently renovated with the NEW WESTIN HEAVENLY BEDS! The Dolphin's renovation is currently underway, with a similar product...the SWEET SLEEPER. The Swan has QUEEN sized beds, where as the Dolphin offers Double sized beds. The Swan has a "Hollywood" bath (an extra sink in the vanity outside of the bathroom area). All have coffee machines, high speed internet access, and amenities up the gazoo! The resort fee, which covers everything from the free 60-minutes (per session) phone/internet use to daily coffee, papers and health club access, costs a meager $10. For some SPG members, this fee is waived. 24-hour ROOM SERVICE is a Wonderful asset, coupled with a fabulous CLUB LEVEL & Concierge.

Princess Dot...Thanks for a great post. I too have had a few "snags" (rare, but these occur everywhere), while staying at the Dolphin. Last summer, we went to Palo's across the way (Swan) and requested some Spaghetti to go. We received small portions of "watery" sauce-covered over-cooked pasta, w/o bread, etc. in styrofoam containers. The cost was $45.00 for three containers. Once in the room of the Dolphin, I called the front desk/concierge. They called Palo's for me, and removed the entire cost from our room charge. They also sent over some GREAT fare, room-service style. VERY NICE. It was initially disappointing, as we could have ordered the SAME dish at Tubbi's for about a third of the cost. One of the NUMEROUS reasons we LOVE the Swan/Dolphin is the immediate amelioration we receive regarding such a situation.

 

[disney91]

We stayed there once and had the worst experience. There is NO comparison to a Disney Deluxe. I wouldn't even compare it to Disney at all!! You can stay at many off-site hotels nicer than the Swan or Dolphin for a lot less expense. Sorry I'm so negative, but we were totally dissapointed with the Dolphin.

 

[BettyCv]

Disney91,

Can you be a little more specific about what you didn't like? I am hoping to stay at the Dolphine in Sept/Oct and would like to hear all experiences, good and bad.

Thank you!

BettyCv

 

[Princess Dot]

Hi Blondie! Yes it is me again, still dreaming of my next Disney trip. No trip planned yet but every once it awhile I need to "talk Disney" with those that understand the "addiction"!!
I always like to post about the great trip we had at the Swan. Thanks for remembering my reports! I'm glad they were of use. I know people have posted about bad experiences there but my point was that people have had bad experiences at Disney resorts too. Just speak up and get the situation straightened out the best you can.

Its funny, but its really my DH who is the pro at speaking up about a problem. It seems when I "complain" I let my emotions get in the way and I often do not get a good result. Then my Dh will speak to the same person and we will end up with a free meal, gift basket, $$ off the bill, etc.. . I think it has to do with his demeanor, he is very calm but firm. Maybe it also helps that he is 6'1'' and , I hate to sound old fashioned, but he is a man. I always wonder whether he gets more "respect". Gee this is way OT!
Oh well, glad to be back at the DIS!

 

[Darian]

disney91,

Sorry things didn't go well for you at the Swan/Dolphin. My DW and I are considering staying there during out next WDW trip so your input would be very welcome. Did you post a trip report? I would like to hear all about your trip and the experiences you had this hotel.

When we were at the World last fall, we walked around the lobby of the hotel nearest the YC - was that the swan? (I know -stupid question huh.) Anyway, the lobby was this huge soaring expanse... seemed like it was circular... very surprising, very nice. The people who worked there seemed very friendly. We were looking for a car rental counter and everyone we bumped into asking for directions was very polite, cheerful, almost like they were on drugs or something. We liked it.

This is not to say that we would encourge or condone any sort of illegal drug use. Far from it, this is a disney board after all.

Darian

 

[NHAnn]

Originally posted by Darian
disney91,
When we were at the World last fall, we walked around the lobby of the hotel nearest the YC - was that the swan? (I know -stupid question huh.) Anyway, the lobby was this huge soaring expanse... seemed like it was circular... very surprising, very nice. The people who worked there seemed very friendly.

That was the Dolphin! The Swan is smaller and it's lobby is much smaller and less dramatic than the Dolphin...though they are considered as part of the same "resort" and share the Grotto Pool. We've stayed at the Dolphin 4 times in the last 2 years. We tried it due to the great rates for government employees, and kept returning because we loved it...the location is fantastic and a deluxe at the moderate price just can't be beat !! In the past 10 years we've also stayed at the old Dixie Landings and Wilderness Lodge and a couple of off-site stays as well. We've not had "bad" experiences anywhere, but the superior experiences were WL and the Dolphin....and due to the rates and location, the Dolphin is our preference