Please Help: BWI-$209 or Dolphin-$140?

[lovelyk68]

We will be in Disney during X-mas for the Disney Cup Soccer Tournament. We will be staying on-property December 24-27. I used the BAT code and got a standard room at BWI for $209 per night + tax. Thanks to the board I found out that I could get the Dolphin for $140 per night (prepaid). It would be nice to save that $200 for something else. Any thoughts? I should add that I haven't stayed at either place.

Thanks!

 

[WeLuvWDWx5]

I have stayed at each resort several times. I really like the Dolphin, but I love the Boardwalk. Having said that, it would depend on how much my budget could be stretched to accomodate the extra $200. I would probably pay the extra to stay at the Boardwalk since it is a short trip, however, if it was longer and the savings was greater, I would stay at the Dolphin (which I did last year at Xmas since we were staying 10 nights).

I am curious as to how you were able to get the $140/night discount for your dates. I called the Dolphin last week (before Disney released their AP rates) and couldn't get a rate lower that $305/night from 12/24 on. I checked both the teacher's discount (my mom qualifies) and the AP discount (which I have) and could not get a discount.

I have booked the Boardwalk for this Christmas since Disney released their discounts. But I'm sure we would have been (almost) as happy to be staying at the Dolphin again......after all, we're at Disney for Christmas.

 

[lovelyk68]

I got it thru the SwanDolphin website. It is a prepaid rate though. I read about it on this board last night, so it might be new.

 

[catheren]

Both are beautiful resorts.

Keep in mind the Dolphin adds on a daily resort fee.
You cannot charge meals/items you purchase in WDW to your room.

At the BWI you can charge to your room. Have items delivered to your resort, free. Have a private balcony/patio. Closer to Epcot.
More night life.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

For the reasons already listed......I would choose BWI.

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

Boardwalk Inn. Been to both. Dolphin is nice and good location; however, nothing beats a Disney property.

 

[mouseRD]

S/D are both great! They do add on a daily resort fee of $10 (non-negotiable), so it would really be $209 vs $150 ($60/night or $180). We loved the Swan, heavenly beds, very quiet, very impressed with the staff (CM's) - better than at any Disney resort we've been to, smaller rooms than BWI, but my husband said, "When can we go back to the BWI?" It is a beautiful & magical resort!

 

[lovelyk68]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Sounds like BWI is the way to go!

 

[dreamflight99]

I would choose the WDW DOLPHIN RESORT...~Without a doubt! I'm here right now, (have been here at the Dolphin more than a month already, in Fla for nearly 8 weeks!) and the HEAVENLY BEDS (incredible bedding/sheets/pillows too) are reason enough, without the other endless perks to list. There are private balconies and patios at the Dolphin, and you may ALSO have anything/items delivered to your resort FREE of charge.

The BW is just a close stroll away, and the transportation is all the same (for all Epcot resorts). Swan/Dolphin are AMAZINGLY decorated at Christmas (*& we're talking truly MAGICAL). The resort offers LATE check-out, wonderful dining options, incredible views, and comfy showers (with the new wide/fancy shower curtain rods). There's also the incredibly RICH & BUTTERY OATMEAL soap, and so many other amenities. The A/C works better than any Disney resort, and the housekeeping staff honors the DND on the door.

If, by chance ANYTHING goes awry, the resort offers the "SHERATON PROMISE" for superior customer service. One am, the newspapers were not delivered to the resort. When I called to inquire about our papers, we were credited $15 for EACH room (two-room suite). I did not ASK for the credit, it was offered by the Star service operator on line *66, along with sincere apologies for the inconvenience. She credited it promptly, and it was there on the TV folio when I checked. $30 credit for two newspapers!! No way would a Disney resort EVER do this. Also, we received a $50 credit when housekeeping forgot to clean our suite. I called later in the eve, after arriving from a day in the parks. Someone from the staff arrived immediately and cleaned the room while we went to the pool (WHICH is OPEN 24/7...unlike the Disney pools). When we returned, an operator called from *66, and asked if everything was okay? She apologized for the oversight, and said a $50 credit would be posted for the inconvenience.

We are constantly impressed with the astute staff, and wonderful service. My daughter ordered some books online at Amazon.com. The shipping/receiving dept. called as soon as they arrived, and ran them up to the suite within 5 minutes of calling! Self-parking is so close/convenient, and the valet and bell staff are top-rate. The entire property is nearly completed with the recent facelift (renovations), and they have many more improvements in the works. We find it difficult to stay anyplace else on property, due to these reasons...and many, many more.

Wherever you choose...I hope you enjoy your time there!!

TTFN...DF99

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I would choose the Dolphin!! It is a great DELUXE resort at a great rate! The location is so close to the BWI that that shouldn't even be a consideration. We have had several wonderful experiences there and would return in a second. There is a lot you could spend that extra money on.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Swan/Dolphin! The ability not to charge to your room card from Disney properties is no big deal. After all, how much does one piece of plastic really weigh? The Swan and Dolphin are wonderful resorts! The grotto pool ROCKS, in my dd's and ds's words, and the beds blow away Disney's by a ton! Yes, I am an AKL junkie, but I can't imagine staying in the EPCOT area and NOT staying at the S/D for their great rates, and even better beds, service, pools, and spectacular views!

Happy planning. You're going to Disney World!
Debbie

 

[lovelyk68]

Wow...the Dolphin has some strong support! Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me the another point of view!

Dreamflight---the Dolphin sounds great. It was your thread on the Swan/Dolphin that made me consider staying there. Thanks for giving me such a detailed response...the customer service sounds awesome! I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay!

What a wonderful dilemma!

Anyone else?

 

[swilphil]

Dolphin!!! We love it there. You are still right next to the Boardwalk, so all the activities are just a short walk away. Dolphin has some great restaurants as well! Dolphin has just remodeled and now has Heavenly Beds. They are awesome!

 

[Patio]

My family just loved the Dolphin. Even DH, who just tolerates WDW, says he will only stay at the Dolphin on future WDW trips. We loved the room, beds, pool area and especially, the LOCATION!!

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Originally posted by catheren
Both are beautiful resorts.

Keep in mind the Dolphin adds on a daily resort fee.
You cannot charge meals/items you purchase in WDW to your room.

At the BWI you can charge to your room. Have items delivered to your resort, free. Have a private balcony/patio. Closer to Epcot.
More night life.

On all three of our visits, we were able to cancel this charge by nicely noting at check-in that we did not want it! No problems from the front desk, just a "No problem"

 

[FINFAN]

Hi, I am the one who posted the 140 rate...glad you got it! While I have never stayed at BWI, I am actually switching from WL (121 WOODSVIEW) to get to the Dolphin and I have 149 there!DH is wondering if we should stayonly at WL to save the few $$$$ like your case (I would have switched to the 140 rate but we dont depart 'till the 28 and the rate change jumped to 269, so I stayed with what I have) Anyway, I am willing to pay more than WL to get to the Dolphin for the location and the beds! 24 hr Tubbies for Java, service is outstanding, kids also love to shoot a game of pool downstairs. Hopefully we'll have a nice view, have lakeview reserved....DH loves it there as well, he prefers the the fact that while we are still in the heart of WDW, and all the lobby shops are WDW merchandise etc., that he can have a few non WDW moments in the hotel. Also, we may rent a car one day and you cannot beat the fact that National is right there in the lobby!So far we are going to do a sp;it, but at that time of year, LOCATION beats out a few hundred bucks to us. I am not downplaying that amount of $$ at all, just that after dropping thousands, we do not want to risk crowded transportaion and having a frustrating time...time is $$$$! Also, we think WDW transportation ia awesome, as efficient as friendly as can be, but we have never been in the parks at Christmas and after all we have been warned about, we will wnjoy WDW transportation while at WL and then be glad we have the option of walking, boats or buses at the Dolphin.Plus, SHULAS is a great place to grab a drink! (shameless plug for my all time favorite coach!)


Pam

 

[lovelyk68]

Pam,

Thanks so much for posting the awesome rate. I was so excited because before then I had only seen the Dolphin for $269. I am undecided still. I have the ressie at the Boardwalk, but I am unsure about the prepaid situation at the Dophin.

I think you are making a good choice to stay at the Dolphin. I can only imagine how much fun it will be to stay over in the Epcot area at Christmas. There is so much to do and see over there. Last year we stayed at the YC and I loved the location. One night the line for the bus at MGM was packed and so we just walked back to the resort. Another afternoon, I took a stroll down to Epcot and just walked around the WS and took in the sights. It was awesome. We also did Illuminations during that trip and it was nice to be right there. I would love to stay at the WL sometime, but we have 5 in our family and that makes it tough.

Thanks again!
Kim

 

[luvdisney14]

finfan

where can I get info on the 149.00 rate at dolphin. I was just looking at old threads and can't find them.

 

[FINFAN]

YOu're welcome Kim....last year someone posted about the Travelzoo $99 rate at the Dolphin ad we grabbed it...jsut trying to "pay it forward"...can't blame you for the prepay requirement...anything can happen, just ask CHARLEY! I know we are going to truly be grateful for the location at the end of our days..DD has been wishing to sta at WL...sshhhhhh, it's a secret....so we plan on hitting MK/ AK on the WL days and MGM/EPCOT during our Dolphin days Sounds great in theory...hoping it all works out. Now if I can just snag those PS for lunch at the Castle and decide on Xmas dinner...I will be one happy little camper!

Pam