My sister and her family are staying their on their upcoming trip because of a good rate they were able to get ($206 including tax for a room with a balcany) and because of its proximity to Epcot and the Studios.
The big deal for many are the rates they can get for the rooms and the fact that S&D are located in an excellent location. Until S&D had the discounted rates you hardly ever read about people staying there. I, personally do not think a $206.00 rate is that good though when I have read about people getting an AP rate for $189.00 at BC/YC. I would stay at S/D in a minute for the $129.00 rate but for $200.00+ I would definitely take BC/YC. Different people like different things, I agree with the original poster though, I prefer Disney hotels over S/D mainly because I do not like the look of the S/D, too bizzare for me, but for the $129.00 rate I could get used to bizzare! Also, Disney God, you will find that some people on these boards do not take kindly to any criticism regarding S/D.
Well, we are staying at the Dolphin for the first time this coming Aug because of the rate. The best rate we could get at the YC/BC/BWI for a standard view was $189 plus 11% tax = $209.79 a night * 4nights = $839.16. We would then have to pay $25 or so for a length of stay gym previlages for my husband so that brings us up to $839.16 + $25 = $864.16.
I was able to get a standard view room at the Dolphin for $162.50 plus tax a night using my AAA card. This is 50% off of rack rate. So $162.50 * 11% tax = $180.375 a night + $8 resort fee so that my husband can use the gym every morning = $188.375 a night * 4 nights = $753.50.
So the difference is $110.66. You might not think this is a lot of money but since we did not think that we were going to be able to go to WDW at all this year I promised my husband I would keep us under $200 a night for a deluxe resort and the Dolphin let's us do that and have a great location. Our fav parks are MGM for my husband and EC for me followed by AK for both of us.
Well, I have gone on to long but this is why we are going with the Dolphin this trip.