Review of dolphin: day 2

[Luv4Dis]

I think I have found my new favorite place to stay in wdw! We have been very pleased with the dolphin so far. The location is what we expected but so much better when you actually are there to experience it. Wow is it cool to walk to dhs and Epcot!!! I feel Ike I am getting some needed exercise to burn off all of my vacation calories!! Haha. The walk is very reasonable..maybe 10? If a boat happened to be sitting at the dock it would be a little quicker, but if we don't see one we just walk and take a boat back.

Our room is really nice. Definately nicer than the values ( I happen to really like the values), I would venture to say nicer than the moderates too ( I have stayed at them all). We have a regular room with 2 double beds ( and yes they are heavenly!), and we have a nice view of the water and the swan next door. It's very pretty at night when they light up the palm trees

We like the dining options and lobby area a lot. It's been a little too cold to swim, but we are hoping maybe tomorrow or the next to give that a go! The cabana pool area is really pretty as well. It reminds me of some pretty pool / lounge areas of resorts we have stayed at in the Caribbean! I think if you have the opportunity to stay at the dolphin to do it!! I don't miss the "magic" so to speak, but I must say you can't get more magical than seeing Epcot from your hotel and watching fireworks as well!!! Lovin it!!!

 

[Boomstickchic]

I'm so glad you are enjoying the Dolphin! I really like it too. The Epcot resorts are so convenient. I love the breakfast buffet at Fresh. Here's some pixie dust to warm up the pool for tomorrow I can't believe it's a chilly March in FL

 

[bas71873]

Oh yay! I'm going to follow along here so please come back with more reviews. We are staying at the Dolphin for the first time in November!

 

[Music City Mama]

but I must say you can't get more magical than seeing Epcot from your hotel and watching fireworks as well!!! Lovin it!!!

I agree! Have fun!

 

[SA mom]

but I must say you can't get more magical than seeing Epcot from your hotel and watching fireworks as well!!!

That's what I think! It boggles my mind when people say it isn't magical enough.

 

[BlizzardBeachGirl]

Thanks for your thoughts on the Dolphin!!! We had to cancel our Spring Break trip ... but hope to stay soon!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using DISBoards

 

[KatMark]

This is good to hear. We are staying there for one night a week from Sunday for the convenience to Epcot for the Flower & Garden Show (we are only going one day in the middle of my husband's business trip through the State of Florida). We normally wouldn't pick the Dolphin (as we love Old Key West), but we knew the location could not be beat and our best friends stay there often and love it.

 

[Luv4Dis]

Update on dolphin review. Ok so now we are now on day 6...coming to the end of our vaca. We are still nuts about the dolphin!!! We love everything about it and actually decided to just spend the day here!!! The pool is wonderful as are the drinks and music.

We brought a cooler down ( even though it says you can't..) drinks are like 10 bucks so we can't do that every time...

Definitely staying here again!!!!!

 

[bryannem]

The only bad thing I can ever say about the Dolphin is that sometimes I can't get a room! It is definitely one of my favorite resorts. And the food! That candy store and Bluezoo make it worth it!! I went a lot for work and haven't a car rental place right in the lobby is also amazing. Wish I were there now!

 

[WDWOswald]

Just cancelled our stay at the swan and switched to the Grand Floridian... and the swan was going to be "free" on Starwood points. Nice to know the dolphin is a nice resort, we will probably stay there in December now instead. Trip advisor rips the swalphin apart like no other resort I've seen in Orlando, which is one of the reasons I switched.

 

[Robbi]

Glad you love the Dolphin-we do too!

 

[Missyrose]

Just cancelled our stay at the swan and switched to the Grand Floridian... and the swan was going to be "free" on Starwood points. Nice to know the dolphin is a nice resort, we will probably stay there in December now instead. Trip advisor rips the swalphin apart like no other resort I've seen in Orlando, which is one of the reasons I switched.

You REALLY have to take Trip Advisor reviews with a grain of salt.

 

[WDWOswald]

You REALLY have to take Trip Advisor reviews with a grain of salt.

Why? The resort has thousands of reviews, and manages to rank very poorly in comparison to other resorts in Orlando.

 

[Robbi]

Why? The resort has thousands of reviews, and manages to rank very poorly in comparison to other resorts in Orlando.

Because there are cuckoo Disneyphiles who write bogus reviews of any resort but Disney owned resorts. We have stayed at every Disney deluxe, villa, and mod and the Dolphin compares favorably with all of the deluxes and the price makes it even better.

 

[Missyrose]

Why? The resort has thousands of reviews, and manages to rank very poorly in comparison to other resorts in Orlando.

In addition to what Robbi said, people are far quicker to write a terrible review than a good one. Especially for a place that has thousands of mostly negative reviews.

 

[Minckemom]

Does the Dolphin heat the pool?

 

[EagleScout]

Yes, the Dolphin heats their pool. And the fact is, in truly objective terms, the dolphin may be the nicest hotel on site, particularly for adults (very nice gym, restaurants, business center, nice rooms, nice toiletries, pool complex, etc - and I believe only remaining onsite pool that can accommodate lap swimming- there is also a fun pool with a slide, etc). And these things are also good for kids too. That is the frustrating thing - the "real" disney hotels may have a bit more magic, but even that is no longer always the case - the swan and dolphin have very good customer service, and while disney still has excellent customer service, it is questionable (at best) if there is still a "disney standard" for customer service, and whether it justifies the premium over the dolphin pricing, when the dolphin has the same proximity as other deluxe resorts (obviously the monorail resorts have direct mk access). There are times when dolphin competes with the mods on pricing, and during those periods, in my opinion, there is no way I would not stay dolphin. Also, due to their heavy reliance on conventions, there will sometimes be relatively last minute deals that "pop up" on swan/dolphin website- the opposite of regular disney hotels.

 

[chan3bbb]

We loved our six day stay at the dolphin. This will be our go to hotel. Another thing that helps is being a Starwood gold member. I'm not sure if Disney rewards my loyalty. I know SPG does with free nights, upgrades a d free wi fi

 

[mdsouth]

I am considering staying at the Swan or Dolphin and would like to know more about the differences between the two. I am specifically thinking about the walk to Epcot, (is one closer than the other) and also the pool. My DD loves to swim and so like to be close to the pool for play (not lap swimming). She is ten.

Also, am I correct that only one has a food court? Aren't they close enough together to go back and forth?

What about best views for Epcot fireworks viewing? I don't know if I will pay extra for a Epcot view or not, just thinking through all the choices right now.

Thoughts?

 

[tink70]

We will be there in 45 days! First time and looking forward to it. I also would take trip advisor reviews lightly. I would read other sites to see what they say. I honestly haven't seen any bad reviews and I don't plan on visiting tripadvisor.