Convince us to stay at the Dolphin!

[PBarton]

Hi,

We have stayed on-site 3 times now - Twice at All Star Movies, and once at the AKL (14 nights each time)..

We are looking at our options for the next trip (2008) and have our eyes on the Dolphin resort.

Any views would be much appreciated regarding this resort - ie does the bus service go directly to the parks or via aditional resorts, that kind of thing.

Any pro's and con's also would be great.

Many thanks!

:wave:

 

[mouselvrmom]

I believe when we stayed at the BCV and the BWV, the bus made stops to the swan and dolphin as well. It seems that at busy times we didn't stop there, maybe they had extra buses then, but for sure in the afternoons there was always a stop.

 

[slappy magoo]

Beautiful resort with a great location and occasional great deals, especially if you're a teacher, nurse or work for the government. The downsides, for some, are sizable. No access to Disney's Magical Express, and you DO have to pay for parking at the resort (though not in the parks, go figure). They have direct buses to MK, AK, and DTD. You can walk to Epcot & MGM, or take the launches that are also used by Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club & Swan. Not themed like the official Disney resorts are themed; some people who like that little touch tend to miss it at Swan and Dolphin.

Here's some info
http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_dol.htm

And some brief reviews

http://reviews.wdwmagic.com/element_reviews.aspx?pid=305

 

[SpongeScott]

We've been there and love it! It's gorgeous and very laid back. You don't get the Disney amenities at the hotel, but the service is first class and there's plenty to do. We like it because of the easy access to Epcot and MGM via the boats or walking.

 

[jhtil]

if you are a Starwood member you can stay free using your miles - we've done it twice and it makes a big difference in the cost of a Disney Vacation

The location is nice as it is close to both Epcot and MGM but the boats are really slow

 

[jjgoo]

It's hard to beat the fact that you can walk into Epcot and MGM, plus that whole area with BC, YC, BW, Swan and Dolphin is really nice.

You get the advatage of some times of the year staying at a Deluxe resort and Deluxe resort area for the price of a Disney moderate. You can still use all the bus services and extra magic hours.

Some of the disadvatanges is that you cannot use the dining plan and also you cannot get your park purchases delivered to your hotel (big deal).

I say go for it!

Have fun!:sohappy:

 

[PBarton]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Will keep an eye out here for any new postings - it looks pretty good so far!

:wave:

 

[PBarton]

You don't get the Disney amenities at the hotel, but the service is first class and there's plenty to do.

Can you explain this please?

Thanks

 

[jjgoo]

It's hard to beat the fact that you can walk into Epcot and MGM, plus that whole area with BC, YC, BW, Swan and Dolphin is really nice.

You get the advatage of some times of the year staying at a Deluxe resort and Deluxe resort area for the price of a Disney moderate. You can still use all the bus services and extra magic hours.

Some of the disadvatanges are that you cannot use the dining plan and also you cannot get your park purchases delivered to your hotel (big deal).

I say go for it!

Have fun!:sohappy:

 

[Eyekimore]

They recently redid the rooms- their beds are the most comfortable I have ever used in a hotel! You'll definately get a good nights sleep! They also have a great candy store. They have a food service open 24 hours at Tubbi's - which btw has great pizza! (Much better than other Disney resorts.) There are some DVC discounts at Dolphin restaurants- Tubbi's for sure. We love the other resorts but Dolphin is much nicer hotel than any Moderates or Value- minus theming!

 

[SpongeScott]

Can you explain this please?

Thanks

Basically, you don't get the Disney theming--no Mickey or Donald stuff anywhere and no one makes your towels into animals in your room. You don't get the little things like that. You're not bombarded with WDW 24/7--it gives you a little break from it while you're there.

 

[SallyShine]

I stayed at the Swan last year and thought it was okay. I've heard the Dolphin is nicer. The beds rock and the location can't be beat.

 

[PBarton]

Basically, you don't get the Disney theming--no Mickey or Donald stuff anywhere and no one makes your towels into animals in your room. You don't get the little things like that. You're not bombarded with WDW 24/7--it gives you a little break from it while you're there.

Does that mean that the Disney information channels etc are not available in this resort?

Looks like the Dolphin is top of our list for next year,

Will post more questions if I can think of any!

:animwink:

 

[Sulley]

I stayed there ONCE, and probably never will again unless it's much cheaper.

To me the Dolphin is just another Hotel. I've stayed at many hotels in my life and this one is no different. There is no theming of any kind, and the staff (while still capable), are nothing special like you find at the resorts. It's just a place to sleep for the night with a good view. Disney resorts are completely different, you are immersed in a theme from the minute you come through the gate, and the feeling continues throughout your stay. When I head to the world, I go to get away from the daily grind, and the theming helps you do that.

Another thing to take note of is the transportation situation. MGM & Epcot can only be visited by boat and not bus (unless you like to walk), and the boats take quite a while. Also the bus to everywhere else are shared with 4 other resorts (Boardwalk, Swan, Beach Club, & Yacht Club), so the bus is usually pretty full when headed back to the resort, and you might be waiting a while to get down as it stops at to unload at the other resorts.

Personally I would rather stay at an Allstar resort, but the choice is yours. Just wanted to make sure you were fully informed. To some it's just a place to spend the night, but to others like me it's part of the experience.

-SULLEY

 

[SpongeScott]

Does that mean that the Disney information channels etc are not available in this resort?

Looks like the Dolphin is top of our list for next year,

Will post more questions if I can think of any!

:animwink:

Yes, the Disney info channel was on the TV.

I stayed there ONCE, and probably never will again unless it's much cheaper.

To me the Dolphin is just another Hotel. I've stayed at many hotels in my life and this one is no different. There is no theming of any kind, and the staff (while still capable), are nothing special like you find at the resorts. It's just a place to sleep for the night with a good view. Disney resorts are completely different, you are immersed in a theme from the minute you come through the gate, and the feeling continues throughout your stay. When I head to the world, I go to get away from the daily grind, and the theming helps you do that.

Another thing to take note of is the transportation situation. MGM & Epcot can only be visited by boat and not bus (unless you like to walk), and the boats take quite a while. Also the bus to everywhere else are shared with 4 other resorts (Boardwalk, Swan, Beach Club, & Yacht Club), so the bus is usually pretty full when headed back to the resort, and you might be waiting a while to get down as it stops at to unload at the other resorts.

Personally I would rather stay at an Allstar resort, but the choice is yours. Just wanted to make sure you were fully informed. To some it's just a place to spend the night, but to others like me it's part of the experience.

-SULLEY

Good and fair assessment. :wave:

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

We have stayed at the Dolphin more than once and are going back in September 2007. While there is no real Disney theme in the resort, the beds are wonderful. They are heavenly beds and the most comfortable we have ever slept on....if they were not so expensive, we would buy one. We get a great rate (better than a moderate most of the time) because we are Sheraton members and either use points, or our AAA discount, our Entertainment Book discount, etc. We love it for several reasons: 1) you can walk to Epcot, 2) the boat to either Epcot or MGM, 3) the Boardwalk is close and 4) we don't have children so we enjoy the quiet during the evening hours, especially after a long day in the park... unless of course, there is a convention going on and you would think that you're in Vegas or something. :lookaroun I have to admit that I have a hard time at the All Star's with all the noise at the end of the day when I'm really tired. There are downsides to the Dolphin though....not very "Disney" when it comes to the theme and I hear the buses are not that great (we normally rent a car and use it when we are not going to MGM or Epcot), plus if you do have a car, you have to pay for parking .

My family is joining us in September and they decided to stay at the CBR, however we got a better room rate at the Dolphin.

Wherever you stay, I hope you have a great time.

 

[PBarton]

Thanks for all of your opinions, they realy are helpful :wave:

 

[Pooh88]

WE have stayed at the Dolphin twice but probably won't again. It is very nice but we never really got that "Disney" feeling and I felt like I was at work because so many businesses use it for corporare meetings there are always people walking around with ID lanyards going to conferences.

 

[NJDVCMembers]

"Moochers"

We've mooched off the SIL while she was there for a corporate event. We stayed there 3 nights before moving over to the Wilderness Lodge Villas (DVC Members) for a week. It was very nice and clean, the staff was okay. But it didn't feel like a Disney hotel. There wasn't the "magic" you get from a Disney hotel. Plus all the "professionals" made us feel out of place. We walked around the hotel in our Mickey shirts and casual attire and felt so out of place amongst the business casual clad professionals. Even around the pool area, while nice, wasn't the same. We kept encountering spouses whom "could care less about disney", they were only there because their spouse was attending the meeting.

If you qualify, certain discounts are available to make it financially prudent. The hotel truly is beautiful and enjoyable, we had an overall good time, but it just doesn't capture the feeling we look for when we go to Disneyworld. Hope this post helped.

 

[GrumpyRob]

We've stayed at the Swan once, and the Dolphin twice, and think that it is a great location. The only other drawback that hasn't been mentioned is that you can not charge purchases back to your room, but you can in fact have your purchases delivered to the resort and then you pick them up at the concierge. As mentioned, buses are shared with other resorts, but the order of the stops is Swan, Dolphin, Yatch/Beach Club, Boardwalk, so you are near the begining of the pick-up when leaving for a park, and the same is true for drop-off when returning from the parks. One of our favorite things with that location is being that close to World Showcase in Epcot ... going out for a nice dinner (La Cellier, Bistro deParis), shopping, watching Illuminations, and then a leisurely walk through the Boardwalk area back to the Dolphin (or boat ride if your tired).