Saratoga vs dolphin

[Rose Marta]

Hello! I am at DVC member that goes to Disney a couple times a year. I am going with my husband and my 2 1/2 year-old on memorial day We are torn between staying at Saratoga Springs which we never have stayed before or at the Disney dolphin resort. We are going to Epcot twice so I like the location of the dolphin but I know they share a pool with the swan and I don't want to be overly crowded being that it is a holiday. But I also like the Saratoga has a balcony because once my daughter goes to sleep my husband and I can hang out there and I don't think the dolphin does. So I'm completely torn any feedback would be great. Thank you!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The location of the Dolphin is fantastic. They share a pool with the Swan, but it's quite large. You can specifically book a room with a balcony at the Dolphin.

 

[Rose Marta]

The location of the Dolphin is fantastic. They share a pool with the Swan, but it's quite large. You can specifically book a room with a balcony at the Dolphin.

Thank you!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are actually something like 4 pools plus a kiddie pool at the Swan-Dolphin, so it's not like they share A pool.

 

[goofy4tink]

Keep in mind that you can't use DME at the Dolphin. No charging back to the room. There is a daily resort fee that is added to the room rate. And if you have a car, they charge for parking.
I like the Dolphin a lot. I also like SSR. Just wanted you to be aware of the differences.

 

[hammie59]

I read somewhere on here that if you book Swan/Dophin thru Disney the resort fee is waived. I wonder if it's actually true because that's one reason I've never stayed there.

 

[robinb]

I would go with the Dolphin over SSR.

 

[love4wdw]

I stayed at SSR in February and while it was nice, I would 100% stay at Dolphin. The location is 1000x better; I would never stay at SSR without a car, just a personal opinion, and you didn't mention if you were renting one or driving. We stayed at Swan for a girls trip a few years back and it was perfect. We walked into Epcot and HS daily -- you can take the boats as well. We definitely took advantage of the nightlife on the Boardwalk (Jellyrolls & Atlantic Dance Hall) which is also just a short walk back to the hotel. Because they charge you to park $10 a day, we ended up valeting because it was only a few dollars more. I would say Dolphin all the way on this one.

 

[buzznina]

FYI; The daily parking fees at swolphin is now $18 +tax and valet is $26 +tax and when you add on the nightly resort fee of $25 +tax it really adds up.

 

[Darkside]

We stayed at the Dolphin and to us it was just average, location is good but resort fees suck, takes away from the Disney experience. We like SSR for these reasons. Nice rooms with great furnishings (granite counter tops, Thomasville furniture, flat screens, etc.) balconies, 3 really great pools,dedicated bus system, on site spa, 2 nice restaurants, golf course on property, and depending where you stay a 5 minute walk to Disney Springs(I timed it). Most importantly you are on a Disney property, Disney properties have that Disney feel, wish I could describe it better.

 

[hedberg1661]

Dolphin for sure. Love the pool area and the convenience to the EC and DHS.

 

[el_tigre]

Rates for the two properties, which I would think would be a big factor in the decision, aren't mentioned. I just did a quick peek and it seems Saratoga Springs would be about $150 more per night, and that's even with the Dolphin's resort and parking fees. Yeah, that would make the Dolphin a no-brainer for sure.

You can reserve a balcony room at the Dolphin. It will set you back about an extra $50 per night, but still much less expensive than Saratoga Springs.

The pool can get crowded, but it is huge enough that it never seems that bad. It usually does not get as overrun as Stormalong Bay next door at YC & BC.

 

[minijeanie]

when my kids were little we stayed at Dolphin. We got take out downstairs, they ate in room fell asleep and hubby and I shared a glass of wine on our balcony watching epcot fireworks. It was one of my most memorable trips.

 

[el_tigre]

I read somewhere on here that if you book Swan/Dophin thru Disney the resort fee is waived. I wonder if it's actually true because that's one reason I've never stayed there.

Although I agree that adding resort fees are a slimy practice, why would you make it a reason to not stay there? As an educated consumer, you know it's being added and just factor it into the overall price. In this case, the OP would still be saving $150 per night over a property that's in a much worse location and doesn't have the amenities.

 

[Darkside]

I think rate is non factor. You can rent points at SSR for as little as $168 flat per night. Best rate I saw for Dolphin was $157 plus resort/parking, plus taxes, puts you around $220 per night.

 

[hammie59]

Although I agree that adding resort fees are a slimy practice, why would you make it a reason to not stay there? As an educated consumer, you know it's being added and just factor it into the overall price. In this case, the OP would still be saving $150 per night over a property that's in a much worse location and doesn't have the amenities.

I guess if the price was right I'd try it, but all that nickel and diming really gets under my skin. I didn't do all the math for the OPs trip, but a few years ago I priced out a trip at S/D and after all the fees were added up, I ended up going with the full on "Disney Magic" hotel for less. At the time, the location wasn't as important as the whole Disney feel. I don't argue it's not worth staying there. It's a GREAT location.