wdw dolphin with virgin holidays

[susie2]

hi could any body help me, we have been looking at staying in the wdwdolphin for our next trip, booking through virgin and was wondering if any one else has done this before and if so could tell us where the rooms that they stayed in were situated in the hotel, this infomation isnt very clear in the brochure and we would like a better idea before we book, as there seems to be a main building and little annexs of the main building, hope this makes sense!! thanks for any help susie

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Susie There aren't annexes as such but buildings that project outwards - if you check out their website - and it's worth it as they have a video tour of the resort as well - you'll see what I mean.
We stayed in a room in one of those blocks - we could see MGM - and the top of the hat - plus the Friendship boat dock..... very very nice

There's also a pop-up box which will inform you of some good deals available too - www.swandolphin.com

 

[susie2]

thanks shirley, you infomation was a great help have looked through the link and it is very good, shows some lovely pictures we were a bit worried that we might get a room facing the other block and have no view at all, also did your room have a balcony, also did you request your room before or was that what was allocated to you by virgin, sorry for so many questions trying to convince dh its worth the extra money!! thanks again for your reply susie

 

[Mazzy]

Hi Susie

We stayed at the Dolphin (our fave hotel) way back in May 99, and booked it within a package with Virgin Holidays. Our room was a Lake View up on the 11th floor, and no we didn't have a balcony. This was the room allocated to us.

I have learnt a lot since then, and if you were to book your flights and hotel independently instead of doing a package, you will get a lot more for your money! I still can't believe what we paid in 99 - thank heaven I found these boards since then!

We are staying at the dolphin in 7 weeks and I have got a half price rate of £120 per night (approx).

You can get this 50% off rate if you have an Annual Pass or Entertainment card. Also, if you are a teacher or government employee (yes, UK too) you can get an even lower rate.

Also, if you join the Starwood preferred guest programme (which is free) you stand a very good chance of getting an upgrade.

If you go to the Resorts Board here on the DIS you will find lots of info on the Dolphin.

I would seriously think about booking independently and comparing prices with the Virgin package, I'm sure you will find that Virgin prices are a lot higher. Another advantage of booking independently is that you only have to pay one nights deposit, and then you pay the balance before you leave the hotel.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to PM me, and I will do my best to help.

 

[susie2]

thanks mazzy, we have already booked our holiday with virgin before i read all these great ideas for doing it direct, stiil there is always next time!! at the moment we are booked at the wyndham palace in downtown disney but as we are giong at xmas and newyear i figured we would be better to stay on site. thanks for your great reply though and have just joined the starwood preferred guest program ,thanks we were also hoping that becouse we are frequent virgins this might help with roomchoice although yours sounded great and would be happy with that view, we just didnt want view off the car park after moving from the palace with downtown disney view,dh is quite happy with that but the rest of us want to stay at the dolphin!! so i need to try and get best possible view if we can, sorry so long and again thanks for everyones help susie

 

[Mazzy]

Hi Susie - I'm sure you will have a good view, our view from the 11th floor was great, we could just about see the fireworks from EPCOT to our left, and MGM Ears Tower to our right. As you are a member of SPG you may luck out and get a balcony room, and also your FV membership may help.

You will find the Dolphin very convenient over New Year, especially if you are visiting EPCOT New Year's Eve, as you can walk back to the Dolphin, you won't need to wait for buses which there will be horrendous queues for.

Also, the Xmas tree at the Dolphin looks magnificent, you can find photos of the tree and the Resort at www.wdwig.com If you have children, the kids club is very good, but you will need to book ahead for that busy time of year.

I hope you have a brilliant time!

 

[susie2]

thanks mazzy, hope you also have a great time, i wish ours was only weeks away, but i am sure it will go quickly!! thanks again for all your advice, if you have a chance and you dont mind would you please let me know if its still as nice when you get back after your next trip to the dolphin. thanks again susie

 

[Mazzy]

No problem Susie! I'm hoping everything at the Dolphin is still as magical as on our first visit!