compare Dolphin vs. POR

[mikewdw]

planning on week before Christmas. have made ressie at Dolphin for 129 a nite at teacher rate. was fine with that. we have 2 adults and 3 children so only moderate POR or deluxe are options for us. only drawback on Dolphin was no dining plan. we love dining plan. but saw yesterday the offer for lower rack rates at that time. now we could get POR for 4 nites, w/ dining & tickets 2400. Dolpin was going to be 1800 room and tickets only. with two character meals we know we want to do puts us at about 2000. so question is, after paying out of pocket for rest of food, probably only save 100-200 at Dolphin. can you compare Dolphin vs. POR for all the other factors, service, rooms, perks, options for kids, atmosphere, transportation, etc. any help really appreciated.
thanks,
mikewdw

 

[DBlackwell]

while the location of the Dolphin is very nice if you plan on frequenting EPCOT or DHS, and the Dolphin has inside entry rooms and is probably nicer in most people's opinion, we have stayed at both, and love PO-FQ. PO-FQ's smaller, less busy setting is prefered (by my family) and the lower overall price (DDP) makes it a no-brainer, IMHO.

No doubt: we would stay at PO-FQ with the free DDP.

 

[maelstrom]

I much prefer the Dolphin. The rooms are bigger and more luxurious, and you may also have a balcony. The Dolphin has inside hallways and great views of the lake, Epcot, MGM, the grotto pool area, etc. You can walk to both Epcot and MGM from the Dolphin, which is nice when it's crowded. You can also walk to the Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach Club for more dining and entertainment options. The Dolphin has the Westin "Heavenly Beds" and they are ridiculously comfortable. It's nice to have that ice cream parlour in the hotel, and it's very yummy. The Dolphin does have a few down sides: fee to park, resort fee (but this includes internet), the food court (Picabu) is over-priced, the resort is very spread out so getting to the pool or Picabu might be a hike depending on where your room is located. For us, the good far outweigh the bad, especially with the nurses rate.

 

[WDW_Jon]

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Agreed!

Location sells it for me full stop.

The only thing is the lack of Disney throughout the hotel as there is less themed stuff around which for me is not a problem but I don't take any kids!

 

[perry23]

I like the dolphin best. I was there 3 times and it was always awesome

 

[dznygirl64]

Riverside is Disney owned Disney themed ect.Ok whats the deal with Teacher rate?I hope that is only at the dolphin?Why do teachers get a better price than other people.All the teachers I know make big $$$$ :shrug:

 

[maelstrom]

Riverside is Disney owned Disney themed ect.Ok whats the deal with Teacher rate?I hope that is only at the dolphin?Why do teachers get a better price than other people.All the teachers I know make big $$$$ :shrug:

The teachers where you live are lucky if they're making big bucks.

Teachers, nurses, and government employees get a special rate at the Swan & Dolphin. It has nothing to do with how much money they make; it's more like a thank-you for the job they do.

 

[dznygirl64]

The teachers where you live are lucky if they're making big bucks.

Teachers, nurses, and government employees get a special rate at the Swan & Dolphin. It has nothing to do with how much money they make; it's more like a thank-you for the job they do.

I work everyday even today (labor day)do I get a thank you,no not even holiday pay Teachers dont even work a full year,and yes they all make huge $$$

 

[dznygirl64]

Im not going to start a argument about teachers here so lets get back to Disney:wave:

 

[stan30k]

I am a teacher and don't make this huge money which you are referring to and neither do ALL the ones I know. As per your comment that teachers don't even work a full year, myself and the majority of teachers I know DO work all year round and even after school hours. So don't even start this teacher bashing.

 

[maelstrom]

I am a teacher and don't make this huge money which you are referring to and neither do ALL the ones I know. As per your comment that teachers don't even work a full year, myself and the majority of teachers I know DO work all year round and even after school hours. So don't even start this teacher bashing.

:sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[mickey7879]

I've always wanted to stay at the Dolphin. We like nicer rooms and service. I'm freqently called a "hotel snob" and will proudly admit it. I wish firefighters and paramedics could get that discount. Then maybe we'd stay there sometime!

 

[corey154]

Im not going to start a argument about teachers here so lets get back to Disney:wave:

you really shouldn't have started it anyways...

P.S. FYI-start pay $30,000 a year for a four year degree....but that's base pay, take out their union fees, insurance, out of pocket cost to run a class room, ect and see what a teacher has left to live on for the year. As a staff asst. with no college I make more. I think teachers deserve some perks!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I have never stayed at POR but I have stayed at the Dolphin a few times and I must say that I loved it and it's a great resort.
You get basically almost all of the amenities that a 'true Disney resort' has including the transportation, great rooms (the beds truly are heavenly!), great location, and great special rates.

 

[Mr Toad]

Hard to really compare the two. One is a moderate resort the other is a deluxe. Just depends on what your looking for and plan to do.

 

[stan30k]

you really shouldn't have started it anyways...

P.S. FYI-start pay $30,000 a year for a four year degree....but that's base pay, take out their union fees, insurance, out of pocket cost to run a class room, ect and see what a teacher has left to live on for the year. As a staff asst. with no college I make more. I think teachers deserve some perks!

Usually I keep quiet on here but felt the need to respond to that ignorant perspective on things. Glad that someone agrees! Just for the record, I would choose POR, the wife an I enjoy it there. Although the food court leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[ewensell3]

planning on week before Christmas. have made ressie at Dolphin for 129 a nite at teacher rate.
...
can you compare Dolphin vs. POR for all the other factors, service, rooms, perks, options for kids, atmosphere, transportation, etc. any help really appreciated.
thanks,
mikewdw

Swan & Dolphin charge $10/day for parking and another $10/day "resort fee" which covers the two bottles of water they place in your fridge each day and in-room Internet access.

My wife is also a teacher and last Spring Break was quoted $189/night (+$20/day = $209). Mousesavers had a discount code which brought POR down to $95/night, so we ended up staying there instead.

Even so, it's a great price for what is basically a deluxe level resort.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

One has an ugly 1970s stylee water jug onm its roof the other is nice.