Need some opinions about the Dolphin

[diskids2]

I take TripAdvisor reviews with a grain of salt. I find them to be a bit ... overdramatic ... sometimes. We've had yearly visits to the Swan/Dolphin since 1998, and I'll admit, it hasn't always been perfection (mostly with the housekeeping), we've never encountered problems like the recent reviews on TripAdvisor. In fact, in the same one about the rats? They also complain about the beds not being "Heavenly" and want fitted sheets - well, they were sleeping on Heavenly beds. Those beds aren't made with fitted sheets. They never have been. Loud housekeeping was another complaint. We have that issue most places we visit, not just WDW.

Having said all that, I do think the concerns with humidity and the air conditioner are valid. While we've never experienced mold or humidity issues during any of our stays, we don't love the A/C. We've gotten used to it, but it's sort of a pain. LOL.

I was at the Dolphin before and didn't have any problems so I was super shocked when I read those.

 

[DisneyFans4]

We always seem to have better luck with the staff at the Swan than the Dolphin. It's not that the Dolphin staff is bad ... it's just different. LOL.

I'm sure that has alot to do with the size of the hotel. The Swan staff would always greet me by name everytime I saw them which I liked very much. With some staff members I see them yearly so I've gotten to know alot of them, however, I like when you use the phone because no matter what area you are calling they will pick up the phone and greet you by name. Makes me feel special

 

[madge]

I was at the Dolphin before and didn't have any problems so I was super shocked when I read those.

We don't love the AC set up, but we've never had problems with it. But I have read many, many accounts (here and elsewhere) of humidity/mold problems, that's why I think there's truth to those.

But out of at least 10 stays at the Swan/Dolphin, we've got no serious complaints .... we're returning for at least one night in October, and maybe 2!

 

[diskids2]

We've been to the Dolphin before but never the Swan.....I wonder if we'd like it. The kids love the Dolphin pool, but I believe as a Swan guest you can use it. Don't know if its a long walk over though. Any help with that and anything you might add about the Swan

 

[madge]

We've been to the Dolphin before but never the Swan.....I wonder if we'd like it. The kids love the Dolphin pool, but I believe as a Swan guest you can use it. Don't know if its a long walk over though. Any help with that and anything you might add about the Swan

You can definitely use the pool if you're a guest at the Swan, and it's not a bad walk to the Grotto pool at all. There are some rooms in the East wing of the Dolphin that are FAR from the pool, so a little bit of a walk is to be expected.

We prefer the Swan because it's smaller and the service seemed to be better for us there. That in no way makes it better than the Dolphin, because as you've seen on these boards, there are people that prefer the Dolphin to the Swan because it's bigger or has the laundry & quick service food. Our main reason for loving the Swan is no longer there, though We absolutely loved the Club Level at the Swan - and were very fond of the CL staff.

The Swan is closer to the Boardwalk, too. Not by much, but it is closer.

 

[DisneyFans4]

We've been to the Dolphin before but never the Swan.....I wonder if we'd like it. The kids love the Dolphin pool, but I believe as a Swan guest you can use it. Don't know if its a long walk over though. Any help with that and anything you might add about the Swan

Yes, guests at the Swan and Dolphin share the grotto pool. We stay at the Swan because it is smaller and a bit more quiet which is what we prefer. The walk is not bad at all to the pool. The Swan's quiet pool is also very nice and the Splash Grill is right there also which is nice if you want a bite to eat.

 

[DisneyFans4]

We prefer the Swan because it's smaller and the service seemed to be better for us there. That in no way makes it better than the Dolphin, because as you've seen on these boards, there are people that prefer the Dolphin to the Swan because it's bigger or has the laundry & quick service food. Our main reason for loving the Swan is no longer there, though We absolutely loved the Club Level at the Swan - and were very fond of the CL staff.

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Ditto here on missing the club level and the staff!! Maria and Thabo were the best and I really miss them!!!

 

[diskids2]

I know what you mean about walking to the pool....We had (I think I'm right) and East wing room during our last visit (Epcot balcony view) and the walk was forever!

I'm still trying to find out about those patio rooms....I really think my family would like them.

 

[madge]

Ditto here on missing the club level and the staff!! Maria and Thabo were the best and I really miss them!!!

I remember our last stay at the Swan with our family of 4 and our first trip back as a family of 5 - we went over to the Swan, just to see Mama T. She remembered our family (even though we weren't listed as CL guests at the Swan for that trip) from previous stays and made such a fuss over our new baby :*) She's a truly special woman. I wonder where she and Thabo ended up after the lounges closed.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I remember our last stay at the Swan with our family of 4 and our first trip back as a family of 5 - we went over to the Swan, just to see Mama T. She remembered our family (even though we weren't listed as CL guests at the Swan for that trip) from previous stays and made such a fuss over our new baby :*) She's a truly special woman. I wonder where she and Thabo ended up after the lounges closed.

I tried to find Thabo last year and was told he was a greeter at the Dolphin and that he basically just walked around the hotel to assist guests, answer questions, directions, things like that. Of course everytime I went in there I couldn't find him. I guess they didn't know where else to put him but at least he still had a job.

Of course when we go there next week I will try to find him again.

 

[flynnmnstr]

We've stayed at the Dolphin for our past five trips and the trip before them we stayed at the Swan. We've been staying exclusively at the Swan/Dolphin since 2000. We have never experienced dirty rooms or little Remy's running around. Before the renovations some of the rooms/hallways needed a face lift but they were never dirty or gross. Even during the renovations the hotel and staff did an excellent job keeping the hotel clean and orderly. We love these hotels and will continue to stay there again and again. Plus our DS 5 would never let us stay anywhere but the "Dolphin Fish". I don't even think the animals at the AKL would sway him. We are all ready for our SEVENTH trip to the Dolphin Fish in less than three weeks!!!!