Pop Century or the Dolphin for a family of 7

[mominwestlake]

I am trying to decide between booking 2 rooms at Pop century or 2 rooms at the Dolphin for our June 2008 trip to Disney. There will be 2 adults and 5 kids ages 5, 9, 10, 13, and 15. The price difference isn't the biggest factor for me. I want to look at travel time to the theme parks, dining at the hotels, the pools, and overall family friendliness. We won't have a car so we will be relying on Disney for all our transportation. We are undecided as to the dining plan. Please help us decide one hotel or the other before I drive my husband crazy!

 

[NMAmy]

I'd go for the Dolphin myself. The rooms are bigger and the service is great. Transportation wise, you can WALK or take a boat to Epcot & MGM and the buses to MK and AK are fine. If it were a choice between a deluxe and a value--you can bet I'd go for the deluxe!

If Magic Express is important to you, be aware that Dolphin guests can't use it. Frankly, I prefer the grocery stop anyway so we don't mind using Tiffany Towncar.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Perditamarie]

I'd go for the Dolphin too -- the location can't be beat! The Boardwalk area is a lot of fun at night (there are arcades, midway games, quirky street performers, sweets and snacks) and I believe they are showing Disney movies at the beach at Beach Club. Also, it is a quick walk to Epcot and only a bit longer to MGM (great for letting the kids run a bit to burn off energy!)

If you decide to go on the dining plan, then you need to stay at a Disney resort, the Dolphin doesn't qualify - that could be a decision maker for you. Personally, I like the idea of the dining plan, but I don't want to have a sit down table service meal every day, so that doesn't work for us.

HTH and happy planning!

 

[simonkodousek]

I vote for the Dolphin!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

As others have said, if you are definitely NOT using Magical Express or the DDP, then I would go with the Dolphin. We were at BWV in Jan., and the boat transportation between these Epcot resorts and Epcot/Disney Studios is really nice. That area is just beautiful at night. You will feel more "in the middle of the magic" at the Dolphin than at a value.