WDW Dolphin ??????

[michelleminnie]

Hi to all in USA.

I sending you this message from the UK. I am in need of some advice and thought what better place to go to than the dis boards. So here goes....

My family (me, hubby & 6yr old twin girls) are thinking of booking a trip to Disney for xmas06. We are thinking of staying at the WDW Dolphin and would appreciate any comments on this hotel as the reviews seem to be mixed.

Is it as good as a 'real' Disney Hotel?
Do they have Disney Xmas decorations?
Would we be better off staying elsewhere on site?

The location for this hotel seems fantastic and we would appreciate any advice you can give.

Thanks

 

[100AcreWood]

That's very exciting!

IMO the Dolphin is better than staying on a true Disney-owned property. I stayed at the Swan and the Dolphin (I like the Dolphin a little better but mostly because of the food options and the layout of the room).

I think the only thing the Dolphin is lacking is the Disney wake-up call. The transportation is incredible! You share the boat with the Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht Clubs - so you know Disney will take care of their DVC members. The boat will take you to EPCOT and MGM, the buses everywhere else. The rooms themselves are very nice and they have good options for food in the morning and evening if you choose. The hotel itself is beautiful. I really feel like I'm on a grand vacation. And of course it's nice to use Starwood points or at least earn them!

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_dol.htm check out this site for more information on the Dolphin and pictures of the lobby at Christmas!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We were just there last week celebrating our twins' 8th birthday. I was a little worried too but we loved it, in fact it's our new favorite. There are so many things to do, we actually left the parks a bit early so we could get back and enjoy the resort a bit. Great pool, beds, service, staff, amenities, etc... Your kids will love the pools and beach/playground areas. Our last night there we sat on the beach and watched the fireworks from Illuminations. Very Disney IMO, not to worry.

 

[canwegosoon]

First of all Welcome to the DIS
We celebrated our twins birthday at WDW last Easter (their 7th). I think first you should decide what decorations you want surround yourself with. For me It would be Wilderness Lodge, BC, BW or YC. I am waiting to see Christmas decorations for SSR and OKW. I would highly recommend renting DVC points and see if you could get a stuido or 1brm at one of those resorts. The great thing is with the DVC you will be getting a room with at least some cooking and a fridge(up to a full kitchen in a 1brm). Not that I am suggesting that you cook for you vacation, but it is great to have a toaster and a microwave to make a snack/sandwich.
Here's some information for you.http://allearsnet.com/tp/h_decor.htm and here is dolphin/swan http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/SwanDolphin/xmas.htm
Was there something that drew you to the Dolphin?
Good luck planning your trip...post your dates, there might be historic information(there was a code that ended on 12/25 for this year). If you decide not to rent points be aware that if you check in(in a disney hotel)during value season, that rate carries through for your entire stay. If you aren't sure what this means...PM me.
Have fun planning

 

[joll43]

Welcome!

The Dolphin is terrific! The pool area is just phenomenal, and the beds are SO comfy. You'll love it. The location is fantastic; the boat stops right behind the hotel, and you can just walk over to the Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach, and Epcot! We also found ourselves going to the parks in the morning, then specifically coming back to the Dolphin in the afternoon to enjoy the pool, then heading back out for dinner.

Fresh Mediterranean Grill can be pricey, but the food is great, and the coffee at the Dolphin is better than anywhere (except Kona, of course!)

The only thing that I'll do next time we stay there (which we will, hopefully!) is bring those little straps that secure your sheets to the bed. They (like the other resorts) don't use fitted sheets, and ours just kept coming undone, and it was maddening!

If that's my only complaint, I consider myself lucky. Enjoy your stay!!!