Should I choose Dolphin or Gaylord???

[dlz]

Please help. If you have stayed at either of these and have an opinion to share with me, please, please respond. I have teens going w/ me and need a more grown up hotel with at great pool. I think I have it narrowed down to these two. Anything would help me decide, location, room size, activities, pool? Anything. Thanks for your help.

 

[jcc0621]

Personally I would stay at the Dolphin only becasue you are right on Disney property. The location is awesome. Walk or Boat to Epcot. Boat to DHS (some people say walk, but unless you are into a 17 milke hike - take the boat). A friend just stayed there 2 weeks ago and loved it. She said the pools were great. She has a 14 year old and a 2 year old and her 6'2" DH and she said they had something for them all. They also had Basketball courts and such for the 14 year old. She barely saw him because there was so much for him to do. SHe said the rooms were a decent size (and they had a crib in their's). They didn't feel cramps at all. Queen beds are standard. You get all the Disney transportaion, except for ME. THey hired a town car and had no problems.

I have been to the Gaylord Plams and was not overly impressed. The layout was very confusing and it was difficult to find the pool, etc. JMO. Are you going to have a car? That would be an additonal cost for you, parking at the theme parks.

 

[rick1235]

I have stayed on both and both are great hotels. But I would stay at the Dolphin because it is right on property and Epcot (my favorite park) is just a 5 munite walk. Also, you have the Board Walk and other Disney resorts. I suggest the gaylord if you will be attending other parks such as SeaWorld and Universal. They offer transportation.

 

[spiceycat]

though Dolphin has double beds (full) and Swan was the only one with queen beds?

 

[dlz]

I think I will choose the Dolphin. Here's the deal w/ the car. This is our third time to WDW from Cincinnati this year. All driving. Always rent a van and pay about $300.00, or so. This trip I did the same thing, but started thinking about how often we ever used the van. We will be staying Sun-Fri at BeachClub Villas and hopefully then checking into Dolphin Fri and Sat. So I split my rental......down rented a van on Sat (day before we leave) from Cinti and dropoff at Dolphin (can you believe that?) on Sunday when we check in........it's $185.00 w/ everything. Here's the most amazing part, coming back we get van from Orlando Airport for a day, it is only $20.00 w/ everything! Genius, if I must say so myself. I'm obsessed w/ getting that rate on the way down decreased. I would consider myself a stalker to the Alamo site! Also, the dolphin said they would move my stuff from Beachclub to Dolphin for free since they are next to each other. I'm not even sure now why I even asked, guess I just want to triple make sure there is nothing better out there that I'm gonna miss! Thanks to all for your help.

If you could recommend a view or floor for us at the Dolphin please let me know so I can book it.............I get police and/or Annual Passholder discount. I would love the have the Epcot View, but wonder if it's worth it. Sure is at the Contemporary!
Thanks again.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

If you're visiting Disney parks then, hands down, I'd stay at either the Swan or Dolphin. The pool is really among the best "on" Disney property (I realize they aren't owned by Disney). You can't beat the boat to Epcot and Disney Studios or the close proximity to Boardway (night-time entertainment?). There are several restaurant choices as well. Our room at the Swan was large (bigger than Disney resort size). It did have a stocked mini bar though so I would request alcohol removed if you have concerns with teens. I'm not there yet as my kids are still young--lol. I think Gaylord, while beautiful, is kind of isolated from everything. I mean, there is really not much near it at all. It's bit tricky to get to too, IMHO. When coming from Disney we got turned around a few times. Now, I have to stress we didn't sleep there, just went for the ICE! show in November, toured a bit of the hotel. It's beautiful but I'd rather stay on Disney property if Disney were my focus.

HTH!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Just read your last post - sorry for posting late!

We had a water view at the Swan and loved it. I would hate a parking lot view so maybe I would request no parking lots!

 

[dlz]

That last reply regarding hiding the alcohol in the room from my two 17 year olds...........that cracks me up! I never even thought of that. Hopefully, I have raised a daugher that is not stupid enough to drink when she can so easily get caught! At least be smart and hide it from me at home! Guess we'll see, man the things I got away with with my parents! If it were me, my parents would have been worried about the two 13 year olds as well! I'm a mom that says what her dad said to her, "whatever you have ever thought about doing, I have already done twice"! Still love that.

Can't wait to get there, I am making my reservations tonight. Don't know if I will do a resort view, an Epcot view or a Jr. suite.........don't think I care about the balcony. Thanks for the replys!