Opinions on the Dolphin????

[G-gang]

Family of 5, first trip to Disney. Kids ages 11, 8 and 6. Going first week of September. We were considering several different resorts (i.e. CR, poly, BC, but offered great rate at Dolphin ($129 night- government employee rate).

Haven't seen many pictures of the pool area and my kids love to swim. Can we visit other resort pools w/o a problem?

Would you recommend the Dolphin? Any pros/cons?

I greatly appreciate any help as this is our first family vacation and I want everybody to enjoy themselves to the fullest! From what I hear, we'll probably become die-hard Disney fans.......

 

[daannzzz]

I thought the Dolphin was great. I have stayed at 11 of the Disney resorts. The Dolphin is not owned by Disney but it has most of the same perk as the others. It is LARGE and impressive. The colors of the building and rooms and decor are great. The room was comfortable and everyone was quite nice here. Transport to and from Epcot and Disney MGM is by boat and fun in itself. I did not use the bus to the other parks though so can't comment. The Swan and Dolphin share the Grotto pool which is great looking though I didn't swim in it. There is also another large pool closer to the building. The kids should have fun and hopefully you will get a great view.

 

[urchin]

I love the dolphin. Have stayed there twice, March 2000 & July 2002.
Huge pool with slide, bigger than the BW pool but not as exciting as the Yacht & Beach club pool. Main pool w/slide was not heated in 3/2000 (brrrr) visit, adjacent lap pool was.
As far as I know pool hopping is not allowed.
I like the dolphin because of the location, you can walk or take a boat to epcot & mgm, any alternative to those long disney bus rides is a plus.
Tubby's buffeteria in the dolphin is ok for a quick snack & the dolphin ice cream shop is great.
The dolphin is quieter, less young kids & more conventioneers. Some might say I'm cranky but I appreciated the lack of a horde of noisy kids poolside, it also made it easier to keep track of my own.
It's a "best buy" at $129, I would prefer the Y&B, but not at that price !

 

[gschmerl]

The location of the Dolphin is fantastic and getting to the parks is so easy.
If your children like to swim, they will love the Grotto pool. It is HUGE, has a slide and waterfalls. There is also a lap pool by the Swan and another one by the Dolphin.

 

[COACHSTING]

If you get the gov't rate (don't forget to add the $10.00 fees), you will not be disappointed. I have stayed at many of the Disney Resorts as well and I continue to say that the Dolphin is the best kept secret in Disney.

 

[G-gang]

Thank you everyone for all your input--it sounds like the Dolphin is a winner!

 

[pooh2001]

The Dolphin has 2 double beds, a table with 4 chairs, 4 large drawers and lots of closet space. Suitcases easily store on the floor with shoes. Bring extra hangers for clothes.

For 2 Adults and 3 Kids - 4 to the beds - one in a cot ?
The cot will easily fit next to the window, just past the beds.
Ask the Dolphin the best way to set up the room.
There is a large 'comfy' chair at the end of the room by the window too.

The Dolphin rooms are 360 sq feet. Lots of room to 'play' with.

The Dolphin is my DH favorite resort.

enjoy

 

[JetMom]

We atayed at the Dolphin 10/01 with 3 DS's and LOVED it! We kept the roll-a-way set up near the window the whole time and still had plenty of room.

We also had the discount rate because I am a teacher. When I spoke with the front desk after making my reservations, I told them that a friend (fellow DISer) had mentioned the roll-a-way being free if there were 3 children under 12 in room with parents and they gladly took off the $25/day charge.

The rooms were clean and well-maintained. The lobby and other public areas were beautiful. We frequented Tubbi's for quick snacks and Krispy Kremes for breakfast and were very pleased.

My boys brought their report cards and were given baseball caps and free sundaes at the Dolphin Fountain for becoming members of the Straight A Club.

We used the boats to Epcot and MGM and the buses to MK, AK and TL. We never waited more than 10 minutes for transportation either to the Parks or back to the Hotel.

All together it was a wonderful experience. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Dolphin to any family.

 

[pooh2001]

sorry - I did not fully read your post.

The pool - 3 acres of water fun.
Check out www.swandolphin.com

Main pool - Grotto
picture 3 'oval' parts connected at the ends.

The left side is more of a kiddie area. Water is only 3 - 4 feet high.

The middle is the largest area. There is a waterfall - yes you can swim under it,
though it, sit on the other side of it,... AND a great water slide which twists
and turns though a rock. Not very long slide - but lots of fun.
The middle water ranges from 5 feet to 7 feet in depth.
No diving, but 'cannon balls' are fine.

There is a bridge which spans the pool, to get to the slide. Or you can walk
all the way around.

The right side of the pool - water ranges from 4 feet to 6 feet in depth.
There is a volley ball net which goes across the right side.

Equipment - a pool supply cabana is available for SWAN/DOLPHIN guests only.
Show room key. You get towels to use. Do not bring down your room towels.
For not-that-great swimmers, there are life vests to use (free). My DD wore
one to go down the slide. Also for rent are water toys.
We brought our own small blow up ball and no one said anything (just
made some new friends). The volleyball may be free to use. We never
played on the right side of the pool.

The pool is open for most of the day light hours.
The slide is not open till the life guard get there - around 9 am.

We did the pool first thing in the AM - then went to the parks.
There were no EE mornings when we went to WDW.

Sitting - there are rows and rows of beach lounge chairs.
Smoking - there were a few ash trays around. The smokers
seemed to smoke away from the Grotto pool.

Other pools - Adult / older child lap pool. A large round kiddie pool.
And a hot tub.

There is a sandy beach to play in - but NO swimming in the lake.

enjoy

 

[disnurse]

I think the dolphin is awesome. We love the large scale grandness of the dolphin, it is spectacular! The pool is great for all ages. At night we love to wander down to the lobby and listen to the panio player and "people watch".

 

[KelliR]

I guess you get the picture from us Dolphin lovers! I think it has a magic all it's own. It is my DD5 absolute favorite place to stay. She asks (quite often) when we are going to stay at the "Dolphin Fish" again.

We love: the pool, the location, the boat to MGM and EPCOT, the bell staff, the views, the candy shop in the lobby, the kid's club, the DC disount at the restaurants, the great selection of restaurants, the Starwood Preferred Guest points, and the shooting stars on the ceiling when you arrive, the Christmas decroations ... I could go on and on.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[RLevy29]

We loved the dolphin. We got the teacher's rate of $129 at Christmas time. The pool area is great!

 

[jwfla422]

SO many posters already listed the wonderful things about the Dolphin, I just wanted to add that there are great CMs working there and that it's one of our favorite resorts!

 

[JESW]

We have never stayed at the Dolphin but hope to someday! (We are trying to stay at all the resorts! ) Hope that you and your family have a great time.

Does anyone know if this is true? I thought I read it somewhere..
you cannot use your pass to charge meals and other items on. I love that feature and would really miss it. When we've checked into the Disney resorts they ask you what credit card you want things charges to. Then you can use your pass like a credit card and have all your expenses for your vacation on one bill. Makes it easier than having to carry $$ around. Is that because it's not a Disney resort??

Jill

 

[urchin]

yes-that is true, you cannot charge meals, merchandise etc. to your pass when you stay at the dolphin. You have to use your credit card.