The Dolphin

[mommykds]

Please tell me why I should be excited to be staying there? I really wanted to try the BC but my DH is a sheraton member so we could get points for our stay. We are 5 (2 adults, 3 kids)...can a non-disney resort be better? For all that $$ I don't want to regret my choice to save some money. Thanks

 

[crcormier]

I have not stayed at the Dolphin, but I have been through the lobby and restaurant areas, and they are all absolutely beautiful. I've heard that the rooms are very nice as well. And you still have all the convenience of the Epcot resort location as you would at the BC, plus are able to use Disney transportation. If you have to stay at a non Disney hotel, then those two are the ones to do it at. Have a great time, I'm SURE you will enjoy yourself!

 

[scanmom]

we stayed at the Swan....and LOVED it! Now DH wants to always stay at either Swan/Dolphin. The location is great, they are beautiful resorts, a wonderful pool, and I think alot of Disney Magic. We loved Tubbies Cafeteria in the Dolphin. We made a midnight snack run to Tubbies every night! You will have easy access to the boardwalk and Epcot and all the great eateries available there. And in the evenings the boardwalk area is really pretty.

 

[Bimmy56]

You will love the Dolphin. They definitely have the most comfortable beds in all of WDW - you will not want to get out of bed in the morning!!! I'm glad I don't have a Heavenly Bed at my house - I'd never make it to work on time (or at all). We always stay there when we can. You might want to try the Swan instead though - they have queen beds instead of doubles - if there are 5 of you staying. I highly recommend it. You can usually get a reduced rate. Start checking out web sites such as allearsnet.com. They have discounts for teachers, government employees, nurses, etc.

 

[Kapp]

and LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! We NEVER felt that we missed out on any of the Disney magic.In fact, the staff we much nicer and helpful than from some of our other stays at "true" Disney resorts. From check-in to check-out, the staff bent over backwards to help us out in any way possible. The rooms are incredible with awesome beds, a large room and if you are lucky...a balcony. And if you are really lucky, you can watch Illuminations form your balcony at night!!!!! Tubbi's is a great place to eat and their takeout pizzas are a great deal and VERY good. The pool area is a blast and kids love the Swan boats!
And you can't forget...location, location, locations!!!!! Being able to take a boat or walk to the Boardwalk, Epcot and MGM is a real luxury. Bus transportation to the other parks is the same as with a real Disney resort.
Trust me, you will love the Dolphin and will wonder why you ever doubted your decision!!!

Hint: If you are not a SPG member (Starwood Preferred Guest) yet, go ahead and join. It is free and can help with room upgrades.

Have a great time!!!!!

 

[swilphil]

The Dolphin is great for the beds, service, grotto pool and LOCATION. Check out allearsnet.com for any room discounts while you are there.

 

[DBC]

We've stayed at the Hard Rock, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Swan in the last 3 years.

Our boys (now 10 & 11) liked the Hard Rock best of all (no help to you) but the Swan was their favorite at Disney. We are going back in Feb and are staying at the Dolphin next time because the fast food restaurant is there and we thought it was a little more kid friendly than the Swan. it will probably be closer to the pool too depending on the room assignment.

The Swan/Dolphin have great restaurants and a great location. Very fancy, just no theming. I'm not a big fan of the theming at the BC/YC but I'm sure others will differ on that.

They love the pool and the bb court. Their were young adults working there that played basketball with them.

You'll love it (and you'll love the price if you have 10K points per night-free).

 

[k_k_100]

We love staying at the Dolphin! My sister always snubbed it - saying it wasn't "Real Disney" - she would ONLY stay at Yacht Club Concierge Last year the YC did not work out for the first 3 nights of their vaca. so they decided to stay at a regular room at the Dolphin. With their Starwood membership they got a great upgrade. They then moved to the YC for their final night.

Well, now they REFUSE to stay anyplace but the Dolphin We are renting points to stay at BWV (stayed at BCV last year) They HAVE to have their Dolphin - even if it is costing almost twice as much

For whatever it is worth - They thought the rooms were MUCH nicer, the beds the best ever, the service & attitude better, they even PREFERRED the pool! So, we did the old switcheraroo... Dolphin people staying at Disney property & Disney people staying at the Dolphin

There is no wrong chioce - you will love the Dolphin - each resort has it's own charm & it's hard to make a bad choice in the Epcot ares

 

[Kaycee]

We love the Dolphin! My DS's were 9 and 11 when we stayed there, and they couldn't get enough of the grotto pool. We stayed at WL the next trip, and while we all loved it, the guys really preferred the Dolphin. I rank them about equal, although the location of the Dolphin wins hands down.

When I travel solo (like I am next month) I prefer the Swan because it has a quieter, more intimate feel. But when I go back with my family, we'll probably choose the Dolphin for the convenience to Tubbi's and the Dolphin Fountain.

 

[PoohnPglet]

two words - Heavenly Bed!

I stayed at the Dolphin last Christmas and it was wonderful. I felt every bit as much of the magic there as I have at any of the other resorts.

 

[tigerlilly]

So the Dolphin has only double beds? Are there balconies or just windows? The Swan has queen's? The heavenly beds sound lovely but I really don't want to do double beds again if I don't have to (we have stayed at Mods in the past). Thanks.

 

[tinkerbelle22]

We just got back from the Dolphin - first time staying at a non-Disney resort. I found pros and cons to staying there. The grotto pool is the best of any Disney pool I've seen and not nearly as crowded. The restaurant variety and quality are much better than Disney restaurants. Staff is very efficient. Location is great. The beds are truly the best. And all the rooms are recently renovated.Having said all that, I did miss the Disney cast members - the extra friendliness. Plus I found that the Swan/Dolphin is more geared towards conventioneers, not families.

 

[Leota]

Please see my post reviewing the Dolphin (and AKL) from our trip last week..... The Dolphin has become my favorite resort in WDW & we have stayed at several..... This post explains what we love about it.

Dolphin Review

 

[mommykds]

Can you book the Dolphin through the Disney CRO or do you have to book directly through the Dolphin itself?