Please! Opinions Which of the 2 Resorts?

[hellokitty]

We have stayed at the POR and although it was very nice,
it is not disney themed. IT is more woodys on one side and
plantation style on the other. The only "disney" themed resort in my opinion is the All Stars movies with the characters and all.

I agree with all the Dolphin votes. You cant beat the Con.
level, there is no comparsion.

look at this for photos to help as well. the dolphin looks
outstanding. IN fact we got the dolphin on hotwire for less than
the non discounted rate of the all stars for our July trip! (and cancelled our POR ressies)

so what for the $10 a day fee, it is like getting a deluxe and it is no less disney themed than all the other deluxe and moderates IMO.

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_dol.htm (dolphin)

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_dxl.htm (por)

 

[dreamflight99]

I guess I don't even need to post an opinion...~As most everyone has already made the choice OBVIOUS!

I LOVE the POR...and have stayed there for EXTENDED periods of time. But, the management just never seemed to have it together. There were always groups of La Tourismo and roudy kids running the outside terraces, LATE in the EVE.

*This is NOT the case at the Swan/Dolphin. Grotto pool is open 24/7. Halls are quiet.

POR has exterior doors and mosquitoes lying in "wait" for you to OPEN the door! When it's raining and storming, it's kind of a pain to have to brave the elements to go anywhere...even for a bite of food, beverage, etc.

*This is NOT the case at the Swan/Dolphin. All halls are interior...no mosquitoes, ice machines in every hall, LOADS of restaurants to stroll to completely DRY and SAFE.

POR has bus transportation to all the parks, and a little open-boat to DTD. While fine, and dandy...not optimal.

*This is NOT the case at the Swan/Dolphin. There is bus transportation to the Magic Kingdom, AKL and water parks, or DTD. BUT...there are wonderful, A/C enclosed FRIENDSHIP boats to transport you come rain/shine to the EPCOT international gateway...or MGM! Heavenly.

*Rooms at POR are nice, but do NOT even compare with the amenities and bedding accomodations (Heavenly beds) available at the Swan/Dolphin.

*No concierge level available at the POR.

*No room service (aside from Pizza delivery) available at the POR.

*No LATE~CHECK OUT available at the POR (Or ANY Disney Resort!).

*No World Class restaurants available at the POR.

*No Valet parking available at the POR.

*No BOARDWALK available (Walking distance) at the POR.

*No feasible walking paths to Epcot or MGM from the POR.

I could go on and on...but you get the picture.

* As I stated earlier...I LOVE the POR. Have stayed numerous times in the past in Oak Manor. Loved every minute...but it doesn't even come CLOSE to the Swan/Dolphin for CONVENIENCE!

If the difference is only a couple $$$...the choice should be obvious. BUT...then again, only YOU can make the decision based upon your families desires and preferences. Some folks prefer to "rough-it" a little...and that's what the MODS are for!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Parrothd]

Even though the concierge level is tempting , I gotta say that if I were spendin' the money and makin' the long journey, especially for the first time, I'd have to pick a Disney owned resort. I'm not sayin' that the Swan or Dolphin are bad choices, but you really should experience the "real" Disney World on your FIRST trip. Maybe I'm just crazy but that's my solicited opinion.

 

[clutter]

I'm a CBR fan. We had a trip cut short when we were there, and I've been dying to go back. Waiting on the summer AP rates to book. Then I saw the deal on Hotwire for the dolphin. I figure that for July, I'd rather have interior, air conditioned halls to walk to breakfast in. For only about $20/night more than CBR's AP rate, and $40 less than any AP I've seen at a deluxe.

We're going to the Dolphin baby. Guess I'll have to get back to CBR another time.....

 

[Sammie]

Dolphin, the pool is wonderful. Location is great. Many places to eat and shop.

Deluxe all the way!

 

[Mercy]

Sorry Parrothd... but I have to disagree with you. I have never stayed at a "disney" resort, but have stayed at the Dolphin. Because of that, I really don't know what I'm "missing" by not staying at a disney resort. Just like when I stayed off-site on my first trip... I didn't realize I was "missing" something because I didn't stay on-site. You don't miss what you don't have.

But sorry, I can't believe that staying in a moderate would be all that better than staying in a beautiful deluxe hotel, considering all the amenities that hotel has to offer (thank you Dreamflight99).

Bottom line, 1st trip to Disney, 5th trip to Disney, or 50th trip to Disney, the Dolphin is a great place to stay!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mercy
Sorry Parrothd... but I have to disagree with you. I have never stayed at a "disney" resort, but have stayed at the Dolphin. Because of that, I really don't know what I'm "missing" by not staying at a disney resort. Just like when I stayed off-site on my first trip... I didn't realize I was "missing" something because I didn't stay on-site. You don't miss what you don't have.

But sorry, I can't believe that staying in a moderate would be all that better than staying in a beautiful deluxe hotel, considering all the amenities that hotel has to offer (thank you Dreamflight99).

Bottom line, 1st trip to Disney, 5th trip to Disney, or 50th trip to Disney, the Dolphin is a great place to stay!

Hi, Mercy!! (You don't miss, what you don't have/know) = Wisely stated! ~And...I'd like to add I've stayed in EVERY so-called *DISNEY* Hotel on property...(W/exception to the Values and the AKL), and am missing NOTHING (other than themed soap/charging privs) when I'm at the WDW Dolphin. With that said...I STILL prefer everything about the *WALT DISNEY WORLD* Swan/Dolphin resorts. Last summer, we stayed nearly a week in a SUITE on CL @ the Contemporary Resort. As much as I LOVE this resort...I looked forward to checking into the WDW Dolphin even more! There are SO many reasons for this...too many to list. As an earlier poster wrote, the other resorts are not truly "themed" as DISNEY (Other than All Stars), and represent different "STYLES & AREAS" of the Country/World. You are not "missing" a thing, Mercy. You are immersed in the WONDER of the EPCOT RESORTS, in one of the nicest Deluxe properties INSIDE the MAGIC of WALT DISNEY WORLD! Enjoy every moment. :

TTFN...DF99