Which would you do-CSR or Dolphin??

[DisneyJen0504]

Hi all!
So we might get to go to WDW after all!
Here is the deal. We got a price for 6 days/5 nights at CSR, with park hopper plus passes and the free dining plan. We got almost the same price for the Dolphin for 6 days/5nights, with park hopper plus passes but no dining plan. We can't decide which would be better!
Here are the stats:
~We are traveling with another couple-all of us late 20's, no kids. This will likely be the last WDW trip before we have kids.
~We love CSR and would happily stay there again but having never had the opportunity to go deluxe, the Dolphin would be wonderful place to get to stay at!
~As for the dining plan issue, we usually eat at 2 sit downs per trip but this time, we expect to eat at more sit downs since we will be with friends who have never been to WDW.

What do you think?
I am leaning towards CSR with the dining plan right now...but not sure!!
Thanks!!

 

[Kapp]

go with the Dolphin! It is a great resort and the best thing...location, location, location!!! It is great with kids but I do think it would be the better choice since you don't. You can walk to Epcot or take the boat to Epcot and MGM. You are near the Boardwalk and the other high-brow Epcot resorts.
The Dolphin is a fun resort and be sure to ask for a balcony and a view of Epcot (it can't hurt to ask!). ANd, be sure to join SPG so that you can use that to get a possible upgrade.

Have a good time!

 

[PCFriar80]

Sometimes too much information is a good thing!! Dolphin!! Walk to EC or MGM,
access to the BW, ESPN Club and other dining, Jellyrolls, plenty of nice dining in S/D, and did I say walk to EC or MGM!! Have fun!

 

[Blondie]

Definitely the Dolphin (or Swan) for all the reasons previously posted. If this is going to be the last trip before kids, why not splurge a little?

 

[FINFAN]

DOLPHIN! If it is going to cost about the same...we are still struggling with the same choice...only we have 2 kids...and all of us prefer the location of the Dolphin..but we are on a tight budget this year and the 3-400 savings by doing CSR and DDP/ DME...is making the choice for us. My kids were actuallt going to give up 3 nights to stay at the Dolphin 7 vs 10 CSR! However, the wallet won, and we are hoping to enjoy eating at some new places. You will love the DOLPHIN, A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION:
BE WARNED YOU WILL WISH FOR THIS LOCATION/RESORT FOR ALL FUTURE TRIPS!!!!!!!!!!
We stayed at CR on the past as well, so can compare to a monorail resort...while that was great too, I think the Epcot resorts are hard to beat.
You will have a great time, join SPG...start earning those points towards free stays at Sheratons, the Grotto Pool/Beach is really impressive/ access to the Boardwalk for a yummy breakfast at Boardwalk Bakery/ I could go on and on... Have a great trip!


Pam

 

[ozziewags]

Dolphin! You will love the Dolphin! I am going to miss the Dolphin this trip, and am staying at CSR. I am also looking forward to that! It is truly a deluxe resort, which has been recently renovated, has a new spa and a wonderful pool, as well as some great restaurants. Try the Blue Zoo or Shula's, especially since no kids will be with you. Ask for a room on the east side, with a balcony and you can watch illuminations. The view is great and the location is wonderful.

 

[leighe]

The Dolphin, for sure! Like others have said, the location is fabulous and the Heavenly Beds are, well, Heavenly! I think the Epcot resort area would be the perfect place for two couples without kids. There is so much to do and such a variety of dining choices.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Thanks for all the replies!
Here is the thing. I noticed no one even mentioned the dining plan. I hope everyone understood my resort dilemma...I don't think I was clear! Sorry!
I am choosing between CSR with free dining plan versus Dolphin with no free dining plan. Both are the same price.

Would you all still choose the Dolphin without free dining over CSR with free dining?

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!!! We are here right now and it is simply beautiful but you already know that.

 

[luvdisney14]

DOLPHIN - The whole boardwalk area is the best. The pool are is great and don't forget the beds!!

 

[FINFAN]

I understood about the dining plan...that is where our $$$ difference comes into play also. We could budget eat...welll, no one starves, that's for sure, but pretty much all counter for 10 days w/a few TS thrown in to stay at the Dolphin, or for the first time, get the chance to try places we normally would not go to. It is a REALLY tough decision..but get this...DH just says today that he is excoted over the "getting to eat wherever (almost) we would like"...this is from the same guy who was adamant we stay at the Dolphin! So I guess for this trip, the old saying is true...the best way to a mans heart is thru his stomach! We are a family of 4, and all are adult prices, so in our case the food portion of a trip runs at least $950 for a 10 day stay...even tho we have the Dolphin for about $25 less per night (tax incl) than rack rate for CSR..we definitely come out ahead doing the free DDP.DH understands , however, that alcoholic drinks are NOT on the plan...if you guys are planning on splitting meals, I bet you can eat very nicely and stay at the DOLPHIN...If we had the extra$$$$$...I am telling you I would at least be looking at a split stay...especially 5/5....but since it's for our anniversary, we'll let DH eat what he likes..'casue if he's happy, we're happy.


Pam

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Thanks for all the replies. We have a decision to make.
Though we really want to stay at the Dolphin, in terms of total cost, staying there without the dining plan will come out more expensive than staying at CSR with the FREE dining plan.
Being the resort and tickets will come to the same amount, staying at the Dolphin we will have to pay for all meals and snacks. Staying at CSR we will get all those table service and counter services meals for the week plus snacks. In the end, while the price for Dolphin is awesome, this is a tighter budget trip and free dining plan can't be beat.
Looks like I am leaning towards CSR. If the free dining was available at Dolphin, it wouldn't even be an issue.
Thanks for all your help!

 

[MagneticxBoy]

Thanks for all the replies. We have a decision to make.
Though we really want to stay at the Dolphin, in terms of total cost, staying there without the dining plan will come out more expensive than staying at CSR with the FREE dining plan.
Being the resort and tickets will come to the same amount, staying at the Dolphin we will have to pay for all meals and snacks. Staying at CSR we will get all those table service and counter services meals for the week plus snacks. In the end, while the price for Dolphin is awesome, this is a tighter budget trip and free dining plan can't be beat.
Looks like I am leaning towards CSR. If the free dining was available at Dolphin, it wouldn't even be an issue.
Thanks for all your help!

I posted this same dilemma on tourguidemike's forum and everyone said the total opposite.. They all said CSR! The free dining + magical express is more of a savings then you would think!

 

[boxer]

being that the CSR is excellent, and you get FREE food with that stay, for me there would be no decision............food add's up WAY more than people think.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

being that the CSR is excellent, and you get FREE food with that stay, for me there would be no decision............food add's up WAY more than people think.

See that is what we were thinking! Looks like we are going CSR!
Thanks everyone!

 

[TwingleMum]

I am going to put my flame proof suit on and post ~ here goes I recently returned from a stay at the Dolphin and was not impressed. I really missed all the little Disney touches. You can't charge on your room key (which I really find very convenient and missed alot), no package delivery from the parks, no Mickey wake up calls, no Disney touches in the resort or rooms. There was no food court (I just got back Thurs), the pool was freezing!!! Took my DS to swim one night and we jumped in and almost froze to death (stark contrast to WL where we started our trip. We swam every night there for the 4 nights we were there before moving to Dolphin) I wasn't impressed with Fresh and I was sooo looking forward to it. I had to call 6x for bedrails and 4x for a crib. I would stay at a WDW resort w/free dining over the Dolphin.