Please help me decide between Dolphin or CS

[2bliss]

I'm planning a trip this Aug. with DH, DD 14, and DS 12, we have stayed a CS in the past and loved it. Now we are trying to decide whether or not to try the Dolphin with a discounted room rate, or go a week later for free dining at CS. Please help me decide! Thanks

 

[jujube]

Hmm, these are 2 of our favorite resorts. I'd have to give the edge to the Dolphin though because of its location. Know though that the rooms have double beds while CSR has queens. The Swan which is the Dolphin's sister resort and right next door has queen beds.

 

[2bliss]

Thank you for your reply, it really is a hard decision. We have always talked about staying at an Epcot area resort, and with the nurse discount at the Dolphin the room rate is fantastic! I'm a little nervous about some of the reviews I have read concerning a mildew odor in the rooms, and the hotel being outdated. Have you noticed this problem?

 

[jujube]

We've never had a problem with a mildew smell in the over 20 stays at the Dolphin. The rooms have been updated w/in the last few years. We were there in November and it was all good.

 

[GPFirefly]

The Swan and The Dolphin are not Disney resorts. I would stay at CS and take advantage of free dining.

 

[akl-fan]

I would go with the Dolphin.

 

[pixarmom]

We've stayed at both (CSR multiple times and Dolphin once.) We love the Epcot resort area, but I think I'd go with CSR.

Our Dolphin stay was less than a year ago, and the rooms were in fine shape, but the combination of no balcony and interior corridors was not my favorite. We had a really nice view of the boat dock and it was lovely, but it still felt a little closed in to me. The pool seemed to attract lots of convention attendees - not as much of a family feel when we were there - and the hallways are long to accomodate convention space. Much more of a convention atmosphere than CSR. And overall, the Dolphin has a very different feel from Disney resorts. The employees, the theming, the lack of Magical Express (and we really love Magical Express.) We no longer use the dining plan and free dining usually isn't as helpful to us as room-only discounts, so I can't comment on that part of the equation.

In the end, it's a choice between location and Disney immersion. Location is such a huge factor for us, so I'm surprised that I'd choose CSR over Dolphin after staying at both. But if the Disney immersion factor doesn't matter to you, then Dolphin is a fine choice.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Don't forget about the resort fees. From Allears:

Swan and Dolphin resorts charge for self-parking as well as valet parking. Self parking rate is $15 per day (plus tax) and Valet is $20 per day (plus tax).

There is a mandatory resort services package. It coststhat costs $14 per day plus tax (total $15.75/day) and includes the following:

In room High-Speed Internet Access
Up to 60 minutes of free local, toll free and credit card access calls
20 minutes of domestic long distance per day
Unlimited access to the Resort's health club facilities
2 bottles of WDW Swan and Dolphin Resort water daily (provided in the room)

 

[francie57]

The Epcot area can't be beat but for us the S/D aren't among choices for us since you can't have the dining plan, can't use magical express, and there aren't many rooms with balconies. We usually stay at the BWVs but this past trip and our upcoming Aug. trip we switched to the BCVs and will going to the YC in June.

 

[el_tigre]

In a vacuum, this is an easy call to me. Dolphin wins hands down over any moderate. Better beds, better pool and much better location. The fact you can walk to two parks combined with the additional entertainment/restaurants of YC/BC and BWI is huge. At a moderate, you are a captive of that resort.

That said, I'm good at spending other people's cash. After factoring in the Dolphin's resort fee, I'm guessing your room rates at the two resorts are pretty similar. Then adding in the free dining plan, magical express, etc., you are probably almost saving a grand by waiting a week and staying at CS. Although the location and quality of the Dolphin is much better, I don't think it's $1000 better.

The Epcot area can't be beat but for us the S/D aren't among choices for us since you can't have the dining plan, can't use magical express, and there aren't many rooms with balconies. We usually stay at the BWVs but this past trip and our upcoming Aug. trip we switched to the BCVs and will going to the YC in June.

I don't really agree with much of this since the dining plan and magical express are only a consideration for me if they offer a savings. For my six-night stay in July, my Dolphin reservation is about $1100 all-in (resort fee, taxes, etc.). For any other Epcot Deluxe, Disney is showing no lower than around $2500 all-in. Even if Disney offers up a 30% discount opportunity like last year, which is no guarantee, I'd still be saving around $650 by keeping my Dolphin reservation. I could probably arrange a roundtrip limo transfer through Mears and enjoy Flying Fish for dinner every night and still come out way ahead despite any potential saving from the dining plan or magical express.

As for Swan/Dolphin balconies, I've been extremely lucky. After about a dozen stays at the two resorts, I have only not gotten a balcony twice. I'm sure being gold and occasionally platinum with Starwood has helped quite a bit with that.

 

[2bliss]

Thank you everyone for your responses. El Tigre the Dolphin still comes out to being a little over $1000.00 cheaper with my nurse discount then CSR with the free dining. I guess this is because I would have to pay rack rates at CSR during the free dining period. I'm also hoping that the week before the free dining starts will be a quiet one. I guess taking all of this into consideration the Dolphin would be a better choice mainly because of location. Thank you again for all the great advice!

 

[jujube]

You're welcome. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[el_tigre]

El Tigre the Dolphin still comes out to being a little over $1000.00 cheaper with my nurse discount then CSR with the free dining.

As mentioned upthread, I'm assuming you're factoring in the resort fee into these savings. Regardless, that would still make it a no brainer for the Dolphin IMO. Even factoring in the additional transportation costs to and from the airport and paying for meals out of pocket, it sounds like you'll still be saving money at the Dolphin vs. CS and its "free" dining plan. No matter what you do choose in the end, have a great trip.