I booked the Dolphin! 1st time stay! Please reassure me!

[donnamerry]

I have never stayed in any other resort other than Disney's but I wanted to try the Dolphin and be close to Boardwalk area - I get a discount with the Entertainment Card! For the last night we are moving to BWV! We'll whoop it up for the last night! Boy it will really be hard to leave after staying there one night! Anyway, the grotto pool at the Dolphin looks awesome and we're still close to Boardwalk, I am a little nervous about the room though- hope I like it. Anyway my son, my two sisters and I will be there 7/5-9. It's countdown time!

 

[jwfla422]

Quite honestly the Dolphin is one of our favorite resorts, Disney owned or not. That never seemed to matter to me. We've stayed there 3x and love it! Also stayed at the Swan 5x.

Personally I prefer their pools over the Disney owned resort pools. They never seem too crowded.

The cast members are great and the rooms are very comfortable. If I had a choice I would stay here over MANY of the Disney owned resorts. The only DISNEY thing you won't get are Mickey soaps, but they have these wonderful oatmeal soaps instead.

The BWVs are very nice but if you're paying a lot for that one night there I'd just bag it and upgrade your room at the Dolphin and stay there the whole time. Just a thought

 

[glo]

and now there is high speed internet service there a big plus for me. I love the Swan and Dolphin. I am more partial to the Swan as it is smaller, but the Dolphin is gorgeous, and has everything you would want in a hotel. The service has always been spectacular for me, and I love the location and cost. Have you check out the Swan and DOlphin FAQ at the top of this board? There maybe another discount you qualify for.

 

[Kitty 34]

We love the Dolphin!!! We've stayed there twice and have had great service and a delightful stay!! The pool is wonderful....large with plenty of room to sunbathe and swim, even on the hottest of days!!!

The pizza at Tubbis is a super deal, especially for a late night "snack" after being in the parks all day!!

We really really wish we could take the Dolphin to Vegas this summer!! Next summer....we will be back there, tho!!!

 

[BrerMom]

We loved the Dolphin. It felt more "Disney" to me than the Yacht Club. Would I stay at the Dolphin again? You betcha! Our kids liked the pool as well as, if not better than, Stormalong Bay.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

We only have the CR booked for the last 4 days of our trip, and need a resort for the first 3. I was considering the Dolphin, until I found out they don't move the luggage if you are resort hopping. I still haven't decided what to do yet. We'd really like to stay on the boardwalk, and I think the Swan and Dolphin have the best prices.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mickeyluver37
We only have the CR booked for the last 4 days of our trip, and need a resort for the first 3. I was considering the Dolphin, until I found out they don't move the luggage if you are resort hopping. I still haven't decided what to do yet. We'd really like to stay on the boardwalk, and I think the Swan and Dolphin have the best prices.

Not according to the current policy. The Dolphin will MOVE/TRANSFER your luggage to another resort ON-PROPERTY (even before this policy, I never incurred a problem with this). Please, call the resort directly and ask to speak with the BELL DESK. They will clarify this for you.

I agree with everything the other posters have written! I too, prefer the WDW Dolphin/Swan Pools over the Disney-resort pools, as they are never too crowded or inundated with unsupervised children, and stay open 24/7!! We have stayed at every resort on property, with the exception of a couple (as we've never done the value resorts), and we still PREFER the Dolphin over every one!

I second the motion for upgrading and staying at the Dolphin the last eve as well. You'll miss it when you leave (besides...it's too much of a hassle IMO to change rooms for one eve). The pizza at Tubbi's is astoundingly delicious (about $8.00 per large pie w/DC discount!), and the chicken soup is legendary! Better than "MMmmm~MMmmm Good!"

There is truly nothing "NON-DISNEY" about these resorts. But...please don't spread the word...we "SWAN~DOLPHIN LOVERS" prefer the image most have of these monoliths, and truly do not mind the negative comments (All the more for US!). LOL....JK!

 

[simonmunro]

You're going to love it there!

 

[Mom2aPrincess]

We stayed at the Beach Club in October and then at the Dolphin in March. We enjoyed the Beach Club but LOVED our stay at the Dolphin. My 6 yr old daughter was a little scared of the slide at Stormalong Bay. She loved the Dolphin slide and pools. Tubbi's pizza was a hit! The location and prices can't be beat in my opinion.

 

[snowiit]

Originally posted by jwfla422
The only DISNEY thing you won't get are Mickey soaps, but they have these wonderful oatmeal soaps instead.

Oh my! How I loved both of their soaps. I just TODAY finished my last bar of the facial soap and used their oatmeal soaps until they were gone. I don't think anything smells so yummy! We stayed at the Dolphin before our new years cruise and enjoyed it very much. Our room was at the end of the hallway, so a long walk from the elevators... BUT I think it was worth it. We had a great view of world showcase and could lay in bed and see the fireworks from illuminations and the top of the "ball" in the water. We could view the Boardwalk and over the top of the wing to our right we could see the top of the Tower of Terror. I wouldn't hesistate to stay again.
Nancy

 

[bridgettesmom]

I just stayed at the Dolphin,which wasn't my first choice and honestly all I can say is WOW !!!! The Dolphin has become my favorite hotel ,there is so much to do, Tubbi's is great (great pizza and Krispy Cremes),pool is so well spread it doesn't seem crowded, the staff is wonderful and if you ask for a high floor the view is unbelievable.Also, the moment you check in they tell you about SPG customer satisfaction policy and their commitment to it and if that wasn't enough they have LATE CHECKOUT free of charge until 12:30 (if available).That oatmeal soap is so wonderful,the moment that soap touches your body you are in heaven.I was planning on staying at AKL for our december trip,as soon as I got home,I told DH I wanted to stay at the Dolphin and he was in shock .'Nuff said

 

[gator]

Hi!!!

We also love the Dolphin!!! We booked the Dolphin over a year ago for our 25th Wedding Anniversary---We will be there June 9th(I am so excited). We are Disney Club Members and even with all those wonderful discounts they have out there---we didn't even think about switching resorts. I will agree with everyone on that chicken soup and pizza at Tubbies. If you are going in the rainy season you will love the covered walkway(we were dry but all disney deluxe epcot resort guests were really wet waiting for the friendship boats) I know that you will love the Dolphin/Swan. There are so many wonderful experiences that I can tell you about the staff, but that would take all day. You will be able to see for yourself, for lots of people on these boards have experienced the Dolphin/Swan Magic. Have a great vacation----you already took the first step by booking the Dolphin!!!!

ps!!! Donnamerry I agree about not moving to another resort for one night---vacations are relaxing---checking out of one resort, checking in another resort, packing, unpacking,packing and checking out all in 24 hrs doesn't sound relaxing(lol). Besides you will be busy doing all those things to even get a fare opinion on the other resort. I know what ever you decide you will have a wonderful time at the Dolphin!!!!

 

[webray]

Hi,

You will love the Dolphin, and you will find the quality, room cleanliness and overall service much better than you will find a t a Disney owned resort.

Enjoy!

 

[donnamerry]

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR REPLIES! I'M LOOKIING FORWARD TO OUR STAY AT DOLPHIN!

 

[dahess]

We are staying Club Level in 4 days!!! We can't hardly wait for our 2nd stay at the Dolphin

 

[Muffy]

The beach theme, central location, access to Epcot, MGM and Baordwalk, grotto pool, piano player in the lobby, you will LOVE the Dolphin! Have a great time!

 

[TINKTWINS]

We also really like the Dolphin. Just wait till you walk through the main door, make sure you look up and see the shooting stars!!! My kids loved this.

Also the lobby is so huge and very pretty!

The rooms a very comfortable. The views are great.

The pools are awesome, and sitting on the beach is our favorite thing to do. I will say though, that the pools were very crowded when we were there in April, however it was spring break so it is to be expected. My one gripe is that people go down very early and put towels on the chairs but then leave and do other things. As the day goes on its very hard to find a lounge.

But my favorite thing about the Dolphin thats at the top of my mind right now, is its location. I cant tell you how many times we walked to the Boardwalk/ Beach club. We also walked to MGM and going in the back entrance to Epcot is the best treat ever!! Its just so peacful all around that area.

You will enjoy your stay.

Oh and Shulas too!!