Is the Dolphin Kid-Friendly?

[MissingDisney]

After all of our trips to values and mods, we want to try something new. We plan to stay at the Dolphin-getting a corporate discount making it waaaaay less than a Disney deluxe. Scanned the previous threads but really didn't see anything about kid stuff...do they have activites, pool games, etc. like the Disney resorts? We really want to try something new and the kids are psyched after seeing the pool but I want to make sure they'll have all-around fun. We know it's not "Disney", per se, but love being so close to 2 parks and in the middle of it all. Seems like a great option. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Minthorne]

No, not at all! And why are you bringing kids to Disney World in the first place?!

Just Kidding!

I don't have kids but I recently have taken to staying at the Dolphin as a much more reasonably priced option for staying onsite but with great location and minimal bus travel.

Over Easter weekend the Dolphin lobby was all about the kids, with video games, activity and craft stations, and a fun atmosphere. The have a really great pool area and character dining at the Swan. Boats to DHS and Epcot or you can walk. The boardwalk has great evening activity that is kid friendly with street performers. I highly recommend the Dolphin and it's often less than even a moderate. The only drawbacks are that you have to pay to park and there is no Magical Express or Dining Plan available but you do get Extra Magic Hours.

I'll be there this weekend!

The website posts these kid activities http://www.swandolphin.com/kids/index.html

 

[rosie.ca]

I stayed there for a night in february since we arrived a day early for our reservation for pop century.
It was really lovely inside. A bit whimsical and I certainly wouldn't mind staying there again.
It has a pool area , big rooms , many restaurants including an ice cream parlour area and the boat ride to the studios or epcot is fun.
I think kids would like it just as much as any other moderate or deluxe disney resort.
There just little things like parking that let you know it isn't Disney but that isn't something the kids would notice.

 

[MickeyPeace]

The kids will hate it. Please don't bring kids to my resort, I mean the Dolphin. They will never forgive you.

 

[WamsleyH]

The boardwalk has great evening activity that is kid friendly with street performers.

 

[StAug WDW fan]

Not Kid Friendly

I stayed there once with my daughter for a one night trip. It's really not a kid friendly place it's more of a business hotel. When you are in the lobby you really don't even get the sense you are at Disney. Check in is very different that a Disney hotel that provides you will all sorts of Disney info. The only nice thing is the room I stayed in you were able to see the EPCOT fireworks at night.

 

[MissingDisney]

Oops!

 

[MissingDisney]

Dolphin-here we come

Thanks for the info. We won't have a car so parking fees aren't a concern and didn't want the dining plan this trip anyway. As for Disney info, we've been several times so we're good on the Disney info/pamphets and stuff. I keep hearing about the lobby not feeling like Disney but seriously, how much time do people spend in a lobby?!?!?! :shrug: We're in the parks or at Downtown Disney. I just wanted to make sure they had some kid-effect and it sounds like they do so it's a sure thing for us. The closeness to Epcot and HS, as well as the Boardwalk, combined with the price, is not-to-be-beat. As for those convention folks....well, our laughter and excitement during their meetings and humdrum will just fill them with jealousy! :lol:

 

[Bolna]

Can't say anything about how kid-friendly it is. But since you made up your mind anyway, I just wanted to say that during my last trip when we stayed at the Boardwalk we had dinner at the Fountain in the Dolphin and breakfast at Fresh at the Dolphin and loved both meals.

The Fountain was a diner with a large menu. We really liked our food and the portions were huge.

Fresh was a delicious breakfast buffet (at a much better price than the Disney buffets) with lots of different offerings and a made-to- order eggs and omelette station. They even make you pancakes and waffles fresh there (hence the name )