Just back from the Dolphin!

[roozlilone]

Just back from a Thanksgiving stay at the Dolphin with my DH and 2 DD's! Let me first say.... I was one of "those people" the die-hard disney resort fanatic that would never, ever stay off-site or non-disney for fear of "lack of magic"....well not anymore! I was very apprehensive about our ressie...I was torn between my fav mod, CSR and trying the Dolphin for the first time with a great $139 rate! Boy, was I surprised! The Dolphin is very, very "magical" in every way!!! Pros: the room was spotless, very spacious (about the size of AKL and WL), heavenly beds were heavenly, equal to or better than the beds at GF, great minibar, on-demand movies and did I mention the VIEW! I booked the cheap $139 standard, "don't know what you are going to get view." Per my disney buddies, I requested a "epcot fireworks view" and boy did I get one!! When we arrived at the room and opened the drapes, the epcot ball was right in front of us (it was the BEST VIEW we have ever experienced). It was the most magical feeling ever, well you know what I mean! FYI, we had room 9025 (no balcony). Rooms 9023 and 9027 were right next to us and had balconies. We have a dead-on view of illuminations every night! Another pro: SERVICE! Outstanding, top-notch, and I hate to admit, in some ways better than the Disney resorts (that hurt to write). It's like they know they are not disney owned and they go "above and beyond" to make up for it! Dolphin Fountain and Tubbia's were great! FYI...you can buy refillable mugs at Tubbia's. Oh, the Dolphin has one of the largest Christmas tree displays out of all the resorts! We had one of the best trips ever and would highly recommend anyone thinking of trying the Dolphin to do it, you won't be sorry! My co-workers think I'm crazy but I'm ready to go back! It was an awesome resort! Any questions? I'd be glad to answer!

 

[tammy]

This is great. We are staying at the Dolphin for the first time in a few weeks. I couldn't turn down the great rate. We have requested a resort view with a balcony. I am so excited.

Thanks for the report. Got any pictures?

 

[NMAmy]

I'm glad you liked the Dolphin as much as my family does. It's our favorite resort--I don't think we'd stay anywhere else.

There's nothing quite as magical as lying in bed and watching the Illuminations fireworks. And the service has always been wonderful there.

Glad you had a great stay!

 

[Blondie]

We've had that view too, it's awsome isn't it!

Glad you had a great time!

 

[roozlilone]

This is great. We are staying at the Dolphin for the first time in a few weeks. I couldn't turn down the great rate. We have requested a resort view with a balcony. I am so excited.

Thanks for the report. Got any pictures?

Working on my pics (having trouble with my computer). I wish you could see the view from our room. It was incredible! I've stayed at almost every Disney resort and have never had a view like this...request the East Wing, epcot fireworks view in your ressie. We were on the 9th floor (room 9025, no balcony), but 9023 and 9027 had balconies! I can't say enough about this resort! You will have a blast!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Sounds awesome! Glad you enjoyed it!!!

 

[msklcassidy]

We're heading there Christmas day. We've always stayed at a Disney Resort but this time we are traveling with 3 kids (son, niece and nephew). We've requested a child roll a way bed and have heard that the rooms are large. Will we be OK? What was the transportation like? Can you really get the extra magic hours in the parks even though you aren't at a "Disney" resort?

Sorry for all the questions...I'm just a bit apprehensive!

 

[roozlilone]

We're heading there Christmas day. We've always stayed at a Disney Resort but this time we are traveling with 3 kids (son, niece and nephew). We've requested a child roll a way bed and have heard that the rooms are large. Will we be OK? What was the transportation like? Can you really get the extra magic hours in the parks even though you aren't at a "Disney" resort?

Sorry for all the questions...I'm just a bit apprehensive!

Don't be apprehensive!!! You will love it! I believe the Dolphin room size is between 340-360 sq. ft., a little larger than WL and AKL rooms but smaller than the YC and BC. Does that help? A roll away bed should fit fine. Christmas Day is a perfect day to go to the Dolphin. They have lots of Christmas Activities, are you spending Christmas Eve there? They actually have elf tuck in for your children, it's pretty cool. Transportation is very comparable to the YC/BC and Boardwalk transportation because the swan and dolphin share the bus transportation with these resorts. We never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus. You can take a boat to MGM or Epcot, or walk to Epcot. We always walked to Epcot because it's not that far! You can walk to MGM but it's quite a hike. Oh, small detail, every morning when we walked to the boat launch, they give you complimentary hot chocolate while you waited for the boat, which I thought was a nice touch! Yes, you get the "extra magic" hours at swan/dolphin, no you can not charge on your room key outside the resort, no mickey soap or towel animals, and you can't add the disney dining package. But you do feel the disney "magic." I felt the same way you are feeling now, but now it is truly one of my favorite resorts! Don't worry, be happy!

 

[msklcassidy]

We...or perhaps I should say I since the kids no NOTHING about the trip...are so incredibly excited about the trip! Thanks so much for the reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. I just want it all to be "right" since this is the BIG Santa surprise this year for my son, niece and nephew. They don't know that we are going...they just know that Christmas is lunch this year instead of dinner (because we have a 5:30 flight).

We all went (plus my brother and sister-in-law) at Spring Break, but I love the Christmas decorations at Disney and all the magic that goes with it.

Thanks again!

 

[tammy]

Working on my pics (having trouble with my computer). I wish you could see the view from our room. It was incredible! I've stayed at almost every Disney resort and have never had a view like this...request the East Wing, epcot fireworks view in your ressie. We were on the 9th floor (room 9025, no balcony), but 9023 and 9027 had balconies! I can't say enough about this resort! You will have a blast!

COOL! I will make a note of this. I am so excited!

 

[roozlilone]

We...or perhaps I should say I since the kids no NOTHING about the trip...are so incredibly excited about the trip! Thanks so much for the reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. I just want it all to be "right" since this is the BIG Santa surprise this year for my son, niece and nephew. They don't know that we are going...they just know that Christmas is lunch this year instead of dinner (because we have a 5:30 flight).

We all went (plus my brother and sister-in-law) at Spring Break, but I love the Christmas decorations at Disney and all the magic that goes with it.

Thanks again!

How funny!! And weird!! Our Thanksgiving trip was a surprise for our 2 DD's ages 6 and 8! They had no idea we were going. We packed the car while they were sleeping, got them in the car and went. We kept dropping hints until they guessed! The best of the trip was when they figured out where we were going!! And they didn't believe us! I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Kenswing]

Thanks for the great review! We check in next Monday for a 10 night stay. This is also our first non-Disney hotel stay.

Ken

 

[xmelissax]

Ooh you got me so excited. I'm going for my first stay at the Dolphin in Jan and I can't wait. It will be my first time back to WDW since I was 6 (I'm 22) and my boyfriends first time ever.

 

[CindeBella]

Glad to hear you had a wonderful time! We always stay at the Swan. We considered the CR but ended up going back to the Swan. Lol! For the price, service and resort you cannot beat the price. We get the gov't discount which makes it great! My kids love to ride the boat and the waterfall pool. We enjoy the short walk to the Boardwalk and everything it has to offer.
We're surprising our children with a trip this spring.... can't wait!!!

 

[PrincessKitty]

We'll be there for Christmas weekend--can't wait!! We've stayed twice before, always for a cheap Travelocity rate, and I never had the guts to ask for a view, but we had pretty water views each time. At what point did you ask for an Epcot view--via email or while checking in??

 

[roozlilone]

We'll be there for Christmas weekend--can't wait!! We've stayed twice before, always for a cheap Travelocity rate, and I never had the guts to ask for a view, but we had pretty water views each time. At what point did you ask for an Epcot view--via email or while checking in??

I'm not sure how Travelocity works, but I always note my request on my reservation when I make the reservation, whether it is via the internet or on the phone. If possible, call and tell them you want to place a room request on your ressie (of course they will tell you there is no guarantee). I asked them to note "epcot firework view, high floor" on my reservation. I know there is no exact date to do this but I believe it helps to have it on the reservation before it is downloaded into the hotel's system, usually a couple of days ahead of the date of arrival. Hope this helps. Here is some pixie dust for your a magical view

 

[PamNC]

We were there too 11/23-11/27 in room 10093. I totally agree with you. The Dolphin, in many ways, puts the Disney resorts to shame. Well, that's a little harsh. But c'mon, the rooms, the service, the food, everything is top notch. And you're right, the service was as good if not better than Disney. We LOVED IT and we typically stay at Disney owned resorts, we're die-hard Poly and BC fans. Given the new BRP and the non-refundable deposit rule, and the crappy discounts, the Swan and Dolphin might become our new "home" at WDW. We too paid $139 and felt like we were getting a bargain, and that's a great feeling.

PamNC

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Rooz, I could have written your post except the view from our patio was of Tower of Terror and the Grotto Pool!

 

[Leota]

Just back from a Thanksgiving stay at the Dolphin with my DH and 2 DD's! Let me first say.... I was one of "those people" the die-hard disney resort fanatic that would never, ever stay off-site or non-disney for fear of "lack of magic"....well not anymore! I was very apprehensive about our ressie...I was torn between my fav mod, CSR and trying the Dolphin for the first time with a great $139 rate! Boy, was I surprised! The Dolphin is very, very "magical" in every way!!! Pros: the room was spotless, very spacious (about the size of AKL and WL), heavenly beds were heavenly, equal to or better than the beds at GF, great minibar, on-demand movies and did I mention the VIEW! I booked the cheap $139 standard, "don't know what you are going to get view." Per my disney buddies, I requested a "epcot fireworks view" and boy did I get one!! When we arrived at the room and opened the drapes, the epcot ball was right in front of us (it was the BEST VIEW we have ever experienced). It was the most magical feeling ever, well you know what I mean! FYI, we had room 9025 (no balcony). Rooms 9023 and 9027 were right next to us and had balconies. We have a dead-on view of illuminations every night! Another pro: SERVICE! Outstanding, top-notch, and I hate to admit, in some ways better than the Disney resorts (that hurt to write). It's like they know they are not disney owned and they go "above and beyond" to make up for it! Dolphin Fountain and Tubbia's were great! FYI...you can buy refillable mugs at Tubbia's. Oh, the Dolphin has one of the largest Christmas tree displays out of all the resorts! We had one of the best trips ever and would highly recommend anyone thinking of trying the Dolphin to do it, you won't be sorry! My co-workers think I'm crazy but I'm ready to go back! It was an awesome resort! Any questions? I'd be glad to answer!

Love your review! The Sw/olphin Resorts are our favorite place to stay too. I wasn't sure about it either, the first time we stayed there. But it really was Love at First Stay for us. We find everything about them superior to the Disney owned resorts. I never thought I'd say that, but based on my experiences, I can't honestly say otherwise.

 

[roozlilone]

We were there too 11/23-11/27 in room 10093. I totally agree with you. The Dolphin, in many ways, puts the Disney resorts to shame. Well, that's a little harsh. But c'mon, the rooms, the service, the food, everything is top notch. And you're right, the service was as good if not better than Disney. We LOVED IT and we typically stay at Disney owned resorts, we're die-hard Poly and BC fans. Given the new BRP and the non-refundable deposit rule, and the crappy discounts, the Swan and Dolphin might become our new "home" at WDW. We too paid $139 and felt like we were getting a bargain, and that's a great feeling.

PamNC

PamNC, it's a small world isn't it?? I agree about the BRP, I'm an annual passholder and have always gotten great rates at disney resorts, but now with the new policy...things are just not the same....and if I keep getting great rates at the S/D that will become my new home! I agree too about the service...which is hard for me to admit....everyone I came in contact with at the Dolphin was so nice...It's hard to put into words how nice...because it was just little things....like the way the treated my 2 DD's. The waitress at the Dolphin Fountain brought my girls a whole plate of extra chocolate covered strawberries and a toy dolphin to take home...we got hot chocolate while we waited for the MGM boat...I just hope my post has helped some die hard disney fans to try the S/D.....