WDW Dolphin proximity

[babyruth]

Are there any other resorts within walking distance or is there transportation that goes to it from other WDW resorts? I have a conference that is hosted there and I'm not sure I'm going to stay there. Still researching...

 

[Marionnette]

Are there any other resorts within walking distance or is there transportation that goes to it from other WDW resorts? I have a conference that is hosted there and I'm not sure I'm going to stay there. Still researching...

The Swan is in the same complex and shares boat transportation with the Dolphin. YC, BC and BWI are all within walking distance but you can also take the boat to them.

 

[babyruth]

The Swan is in the same complex and shares boat transportation with the Dolphin. YC, BC and BWI are all within walking distance but you can also take the boat to them.

Thank you. So the DME doesn't go to Dolphin or Swan, but it would to the other three right?

ETA I'm trying not to rent a car as this is probably a solo trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thank you. So the DME doesn't go to Dolphin or Swan, but it would to the other three right?

ETA I'm trying not to rent a car as this is probably a solo trip.

Correct. The Yacht Club is right next to the Dolphin, Boardwalk Inn and Villas are right across a short bridge from the Dolpin, Beach Club and Beach Club Villas are on the other side of the Yacht Club.

 

[Best Aunt]

There won't be transportation directly to the Dolphin from any hotels. Buy you could Uber or Lyft to the Dolphin for your convention if you choose to stay at a different hotel.

The Dolphin is in a great location if you like Epcot and/or Disney's Hollywood Studios.

If you are at the Dolphin, you can walk the loop around the lake: to Swan, Boardwalk Inn & Villas, Epcot, Beach Club Resort & Villas, Yacht Club and back to Dolphin.

Check pricing - your convention rate at the Dolphin may be better than at the other hotels in that area.

[If you are unfamiliar with that area you might want to know that Disney's Hollywood Studios is within walking distance. There also is a boat to get you to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. I believe the route is Epcot, Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin, Disney's Hollywood Studios. The return route is Disney's Hollywood Studios, Swan & Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Club, Boardwalk, Epcot. From the Dolphin, you would take a bus to get to the other parks.]

 

[Minnie1222]

Funny I had recently sent this picture to a colleague. The YC is right next door to Dolphin. Give yourself about 10 minutes to walk from the Yacht's back entrance (facing the water) to the convention center. I am sure there're other shortcuts that I didn't know about.

 

[chris benton]

Thank you. So the DME doesn't go to Dolphin or Swan, but it would to the other three right?

ETA I'm trying not to rent a car as this is probably a solo trip.

If you find a great rate on a one way car rental, if you use one of the right companies, you can grab a car at the airport, and return it to the valet at Swan/Dolphin for a one way rental. Rideshare and any of the multiple car services can be an option as well.

 

[chris benton]

Are there any other resorts within walking distance or is there transportation that goes to it from other WDW resorts? I have a conference that is hosted there and I'm not sure I'm going to stay there. Still researching...

From any wdw resort, if you are asking about Disney transportation? Just like the other Epcot resorts, for free transportation from another WDW resort, take the bus from whatever resort you might be referring to DHS,* and walk to Swan/Dolphin or hop on the boat. Swan/Dolphin have the Disney Bus system as well, so just like all other WDW resorts, the busses do not go direct from resort to resort unless they are being shared on a loop from a park, or perhaps the Springs?

That's kind of an interesting question you have, are you asking because of DME, or the internal park bus system?

*Unless the other resort you are referring to is BC/YC BWI - then just walk

 

[babyruth]

From any wdw resort, if you are asking about Disney transportation? Just like the other Epcot resorts, for free transportation from another WDW resort, take the bus from whatever resort you might be referring to DHS, and walk to Swan/Dolphin or hop on the boat. Swan/Dolphin have the Disney Bus system as well, so just like all other WDW resorts, the busses do not go direct from resort to resort unless they are being shared on a loop from a park, or perhaps the Springs?

That's kind of an interesting question you have, are you asking because of DME, or the internal park bus system?

because of DME. I would prefer to not rent a car or pay for transport to and from MCO.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

because of DME. I would prefer to not rent a car or pay for transport to and from MCO.

You realize DME does not go to the Swan and you can’t ride to one of the other resorts and walk to the Swan. You need to find another way (meaning pay) to get there. Staying at the Swan you are not entitled to use DME.

 

[chris benton]

If just for DME, then BC/YC and BWI are right next door, easy walk to Dolphin if you choose to stay at any of those and walk to your conference.

From any other resort, either rideshare, or just take their bus to DHS and walk or take the Friendship Boat, figure 20 minutes for the walk. Swan/Dolphin is the first stop on the boat from DHS, maybe a 10 minute ride.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

because of DME. I would prefer to not rent a car or pay for transport to and from MCO.

Depending on your conference rate, it may be cheaper to book transport from MCO.

The Swan/Dolphin conference rate typically will save you $50-100/night or more over the nearby Disney resort prices. Transport to/from MCO will run you less than $100 both ways. So the discount rate pays off really fast.

In other words: You might pay more for lodging to avoid paying for a vanpool or Uber.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

because of DME. I would prefer to not rent a car or pay for transport to and from MCO.

Just my 2 cents...the cost to stay at the Swan or Dolphin is usually a lot cheaper (like hundreds per night cheaper) than the three Disney owned Epcot area resorts. I'm not sure what kinds of corporate allowances you're working with since it's for a conference, but from our experiences with pricing, it would be significantly cheaper to stay at Swan or Dolphin and rent a car or use Lyft/Uber/Private Car service to get there vs. staying at YC, BC, or BW and getting DME included. Last time I stayed at the Swan (around Christmas 2017), we paid around $255/nt after fees/taxes compared to the nearly $600 a nt we would have paid for one of the Epcot resorts.

 

[babyruth]

You realize DME does not go to the Swan and you can’t ride to one of the other resorts and walk to the Swan. You need to find another way (meaning pay) to get there. Staying at the Swan you are not entitled to use DME.

? not sure you are replying to the right thread... I have a conference at the Dolphin and looking for other resorts to stay at to be able to walk to Dolphin and take DME from MCO. Nothing to do with Swan and DME?

 

[babyruth]

Just my 2 cents...the cost to stay at the Swan or Dolphin is usually a lot cheaper (like hundreds per night cheaper) than the three Disney owned Epcot area resorts. I'm not sure what kinds of corporate allowances you're working with since it's for a conference, but from our experiences with pricing, it would be significantly cheaper to stay at Swan or Dolphin and rent a car or use Lyft/Uber/Private Car service to get there vs. staying at YC, BC, or BW and getting DME included. Last time I stayed at the Swan (around Christmas 2017), we paid around $255/nt after fees/taxes compared to the nearly $600 a nt we would have paid for one of the Epcot resorts.

thanks, I'm still thinking about it. There is a parking fee there too right? The conference rate I have isn't any less than my Bonvoy rate so I'm still shopping around!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

thanks, I'm still thinking about it. There is a parking fee there too right? The conference rate I have isn't any less than my Bonvoy rate so I'm still shopping around!

There is a parking fee and we had issues with the arms not working properly when we stayed there, but you'd avoid that if you Lyft or get a private car service. You do get Disney buses at the Swan and Dolphin to take you to the parks/DS and you are super close (quick walk) to Yacht Club and Boardwalk if you want to use their bus service for the parks/DS. Swan and Dolphin are also on the same boat line as the Epcot resorts, so you have that as your option to get to Epcot or HS (as well as walking). You just wouldn't have DME, but on the flipside, that could buy you more time since we find DME to be time consuming on both ends.

Another Swan/Dolphin perk is often the view. I booked the cheapest room possible at the Swan and this was my view...

I have to say, it was really nice not being charged an arm and a leg for a room with a park view/fireworks.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

? not sure you are replying to the right thread... I have a conference at the Dolphin and looking for other resorts to stay at to be able to walk to Dolphin and take DME from MCO. Nothing to do with Swan and DME?

Sorry misread