What do you think about the Dolphin?

[pewing]

My husband is going to a conference the end of March and staying at the Dolphin. I might be able to swing joining him I've never researched that resort before.

What do you have to say about the Dolphin?

Since it's not actually operated by WDW...do the same 'tips' on faxing room preferences work? If so...what would my preferences be?

Thanks! I will be sooooooooo excited if I can pull this together. It will be our first 'solo' trip (sans the kids).

 

[phanomouse]

well let me confuse you with my comments... but first you don't need to fax a room request, you can email a request from their website a week in advance it works the same.
The location of the Dolphin is excellent, a few steps away from Epcot and MGM, its hard to beat. The Hotel is beautiful and very classy... but it is not a Disney resort therefore certain things are different; No room charge back is one and the thick haze of cigar and cigarrette smoke in the lobby (may not bother some but I don't smoke so it made me hold my breath but I am cool with it, it didn't tick me off) other then this you wont even be able to tell a difference. I had a bad experience with this hotel but I know that it was an isolated incident. The Ceiling in our room leaked for all 20 days that we were there and never once did they do anything other then offer to come clean up. My wife asked them to move us to a different room but they claimed they were full and couldn't accomidate us. It wasn't until they received a letter from my wife three months after we arived home that they contacted us with an apology. All I could think of to say to the person who called was "its fine..." I mean we called two - three times a day while we were there and it did nothing, it got us nothing so I didn't know what to say. I handed the phone to my wife and she asked them for a free stay or a refund of a couple nights but they gave us nothing. So in this respect I dislike the Dolphin very much. Would I stay there again, Yes. The dolphin is very nice, the pool is great as are the resteraunts and I wouldn't expect our room to leak twice and I wouldn't expect that we would have a problem that no one knew how to resolve. So I say Go and have fun because you can!!!

PS. check out Glo's post on the Dolphin it is excellent!!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

I stayed at the Dolphin for the first time in August. Location is the big plus along with the teacher rate for me! The resort was excellent = we enjoyed it and would probably return with the teacher rate.

Check out Dreamflight99's thread on the Swan/Dolphin, too.

 

[NHMickey]

I have stayed at both the Dolphin and the Swan and have loved them both. It is so close to Epcot and MGM as well as the Boardwalk (with out all the noise). I hope you get to swing it as any trip to WDW is great no matter where you stay.

 

[Blondie]

The Dolphin is one of my favorite resorts on property, even over the Polynesian...and we'd be staying there again for our upcoming trip in January, but they were booked for a big convention.

The location is spectacular and affords some gorgeous views of Epcot! The Boardwalk is at your back door. The Grotto Pool was voted the most Lush and Exotic by Disney Magazine. I could go on forever!

 

[Trekker]

The Swan and Dolphin are sponsors of this board - please look here for the official - unofficial Swan and Dolphin "FAQ".

 

[mickeyfan1]

I haven't stayed at the Dolphin, but I did walk through a few weeks ago. If I was going to be on a business trip, it would be ideal. The location is great for Epcot and the Boardwalk, and it is an upscale Sheraton Resort Property. I know I may get booed by the fans, but I would not stay there for vacation at WDW, because it is too corporate for me. But again, for a business trip, go for it!

Enjoy the Adults only trip!

 

[Samsma]

Don't forget to sign up at Starwood.com for the preferred guest program. Even if you don't have any points, they say they will upgrade your room if they have anything better available. View, etc. If you manage to get points by then, maybe you can upgrade to club level, or balcony for free.

 

[BethC1952]

I stayed there two weeks ago as an upgrade through Disney Cruise Line. The location was great (Epcot is our favorite park), the room was very nice, the service was efficient. I can't tell you about the pools because it rained the whole time we were there (not the fault of the Dolphin LOL!). Tubbi's Buffeteria is open 24 hours, which was very convenient.

Would I stay there again? Probably, but I certainly wouldn't pay full price. I didn't like it as much as I like PO Riverside, and I didn't really feel like I was in a deluxe hotel except for the inside hallways.

Beth

 

[jwfla422]

Love the Dolphin, we stayed there twice and stayed at the Swan at least 5 times.

The Dolphin has become the one at the top of my list, convenience, atmosphere, ambiance, wonderful CMs, amenities, location...

We stayed in room 6116 our last stay earlier this month. It had a what is called, a torret balcony, pardon if that's totally wrong. But, the room is located at the end of the west wing that faces the courtyard area where the clamshell fountain is located. Amazing. The balcony was huge!! and private. The room has a king bed and a panaromic view. You can see the fireworks from the room. The balcony is a little obstructed with palm trees but I found it very cozy.

I love this hotel so I can't say enough that I would always recommend it!

 

[BadgerBruce]

We've stayed at POR, BC, YC, BWV, Swan & Dolphin. I feel the service & friendliness of the CM's at S/D was equal to or better than the other properties. We love the convenience & atmosphere of the Crescent Lake area, & would always stay at any of those resorts if we could get a decent price. Can't beat the location for Epcot & MGM, as well as the nightly fun on the Boardwalk. The Dolphin was wonderful, we would recommend it to anyone.

 

[ToyStoryMom_inRI]

We stayed at the Dolphin in 2000 and would not go back. The location is great and the lobby is very pretty, but we really weren't that impressed. DH and I do a tremendous amount of personal business travel and after a great deal of reserach we were a bit dissapointed in this resort...especially for the money! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to pay top notch, but only for top-notch accomodations. The restuarants were below standard and the smoke in the lobby was intolerable.

However, With all that being said...if you are going to be there without kids and hubby will be there anyway... GO FOR IT! It's not a terrible place by any means, but if you were looking to book a personal family vacation, Dolphin wouldn't be a great choice if you were looking for any comforts of home, good food and spacious rooms. Just my thoughts.

 

[Trekker]

My family and I have stayed at the Swan and Dolphin 5 times in the past year and have truly enjoyed each stay. We also stayed one time at the AKL and enjoyed that - but My DW, DS, DD and I all agree - we feel like we are coming home when we get to the Swan and Dolphin resort.

You cannot beat the location, walking to Epcot and MGM - which are our favorite parks is awesome.

ToyStoryMom_inRI I'm sorry you were disappointed in the Dolphin. We have never noticed any problem with smoke in the lobby. I sure would be disappointed if that were the case.

I'm always happy to here everyone's opinion about different resorts - that way we know what we can run across if we stay there.

 

[gschmerl]

I also REALLY enjoyed the Dolphin. I HATE cigarette smoke and I spent a good deal of time in the gorgeous lobby. I never noticed any problem with smoke even though there was a huge convention going on.
The grotto pool is fantastic. The view from our room included MGM, Epcot, and the Boardwalk. Can't beat that!