JW Marriot v. Grand Cypress v. Dolphin

[Boatingmom]

I'll be traveling with DH and DD9 and DS 10 next April. Currently we are booked at WL. We've stayed at Poly and AK before but am now considering other options as we didn't find the deluxe hotel customer service all that great. I don't think after being in the parks all day that I'd miss the theme , however, I'll need some activities available for the children. Any opinions out there on where to get the best bang for the buck? Like everybody else, We like nice things, but hate to pay a lot for them. (We're Gvt employees and AAA members so some of those discoutns may apply.)

 

[Kitty-chan]

We haven't stayed at Grand Cypress or the Dolphin, but we did spend a couple days at the JW Mariott last year, piggybacking some WDW time onto a business trip. The lazy river is lovely, and the pool area in general is very nice and relaxing. If you like spa treatments, the Ritz is right next door. All very posh, but perhaps a bit overpriced IMHO.

The hotel was a bit far away for our tastes. If I'm offsite, I like to be within a mile or so of the main gates to WDW; otherwise too much time gets eaten up in the commute.

I find Trip Advisor to be a great site for comparing hotels, combined with Google Earth to make sure I really understand where a given hotel is compared to the parks.

 

[G8RFAN]

We've stayed at JW a few times now but it usually is for a SW visit piggybacking an onsite stay. Kitty-chan hit it right on the head. The location is a bit far and sort of inconvenient to get back and forth to WDW. We may venture to DTD in the evenings but the drive back after food and fun is not appealing. The resort is two thumbs up. They do have children's activities poolside on weekends. Sometimes it costs $5 per child, such as their ice cream sunday making party. DW says the spa is excellent and I say the golf course is great. Unlike BB or TL, you can bring drinks into the lazy river.

EDIT: Forgot. The Dolphin is nice. The Graves artitecture and room appointments is a love/hate thing. I like it. The resort is extremely convenient to EPCOT and MGM. Too bad you can't charge to the room keys or I'd be hard pressed to find any faults. The bed is heavenly.

 

[happymommy]

I've stayed at the Dolphin (and Swan) and Grand Cypress, not the JW or Ritz. I agree that the JW Marriott may be a bit far if you're going to Orlando specifically for the Disney parks. I had a bad experience at the Hyatt Grand Cypress (it was my honeymoon, and we ended up LEAVING and going to the Grand Floridian, the staff was horrible but it may have been a fluke, the room was basic, you get the picture). I really like the Swan/Dolphin (although I have to admit, I've always disliked the skyline with the huge structures looming overhead, and it's a goldfish, not a dolphin...). But, the beds are so clean and comfortable, much nicer than ANY Disney resort we've stayed at. And I like the room service, the movies on demand (Disney resort TV sucks, sorry but it does). After a long day, it's nice to chill out and let the kids order a movie, get some carry out or room service and chill. Plus the service is really good, as opposed to much of my experience at Disney resorts, where it has been really hit and miss. The pool is fine, and yes I like the walk to Epcot or boat to MGM (we've walked it a few times, but it's about a mile I think, fine if it's not too hot, I don't mind the walk, but DD8 and DS10 get pooped).
It really depends on when you're going, but you'll get better than a deluxe disney resort room at the swan/dolphin (the swan has queen beds or a king, dolphin has double, just to let you know, and I liked the swan better, it's quieter) for a fraction of the cost. Swan rooms are smaller I think.
I can no longer do one room for DH and me with both kids. If it's just me with the kids, that is fine though. If you get a good deal, you could get two rooms at the swan/dolphin also, or have you looked into the villas (boardwalk?).

 

[TheresaNY]

I have stayed at all 3 hotels which you ask about. Based on your criteria, I would say that the Hyatt Grand Cypress would be your best option. Their pool complex is fabulous - caves and slides and hot tubs all over the place. Also lots of water boats for use as well as bikes all included in your mandatory resort fee. We just stayed at Grand Cypress Villas which was better than all 3 because it is a villa and you get to use all the Hyatts activities and it is real close to Magic Kingdom (PM me if you'd like more specific info). The rooms at the Hyatt are large but basic. Much better than Dolphin. JW Marriott has great lazy river pool but is a longer drive. It is also seems like it is more for an older crowd - but it isn't. There are beautiful birds in the lobby of the Hyatt that we would always stop and visit to hear them talk and see them wave to us. Dolphin was nice but too not as nice as Hyatt. It is great to be on WDW property though.

My vote is still for the Hyatt or, if I can, a write in response for the Villas of Grand Cypress !