Most comfortable/romantic resort?

[TestTrack]

Just curious what everyone's opinion is on this.

I was looking at the virtual tours and liked the look of the rooms at the Dolphin. I have almost no experience with this hotel other than know where it is and what it looks like. Anyone ever stay there and have an input on how it was?

Secondly, the Grand Floridian seems to be quite the resort of luxory. The style of the building and its location are amazing.

I would appreciate any first hand experience with stays in either of these resorts! Thanks everyone! :wave:

 

[ctwhalerman]

Never stayed at the Dolphin, but the Grand Floridian is amazing and beautiful, though I always will prefer the Polynesian for its tranquil setting.

 

[TestTrack]

Never stayed at the Dolphin, but the Grand Floridian is amazing and beautiful, though I always will prefer the Polynesian for its tranquil setting.

I looked there, but me and my gf agreed the rooms were kinda boring. Although I heard they are renovating some of them.

 

[TestTrack]

No one has stayed at either?

 

[justducky78]

We've stayed at the Dolphin twice. Very nice hotel but the restaurants have changed a bit since we've been there so I can't comment on that.

It's right near the boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club. The lobby is grand (circus tent theme?) and the restaurants not bad. LOTS of rooms, so request a room near an elevator otherwise you'll have a long walk to your room! And obviously, the higher the floor you're room is on, the better the view.

Is it romantic? Not so much the interior (more "fun") but the exterior is really pretty, especially at night. If you get a room overlooking the lake, you can see the boats and the boardwalk lit up at night. We liked taking walks in the morning, taking the boats to Ecpot and MGM. The pool is really nice and big, with a waterfall and tiki bar. At night, everything is lit up and you can walk to dinner on the boardwalk. Pretty romantic.

The rooms are nice, good size, although the Swan's (Westin) rooms were recently updated rooms (heavenly beds) and are now non-smoking. Yay! They also have a new spa with couples massages, etc.

The Dolphin/Swan is Disney-owned but not Disney-run so you don't get the theming like you do at the others resorts but for the price/location/amenities/service I would recommend it.

 

[TestTrack]

We've stayed at the Dolphin twice. Very nice hotel but the restaurants have changed a bit since we've been there so I can't comment on that.

It's right near the boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club. The lobby is grand (circus tent theme?) and the restaurants not bad. LOTS of rooms, so request a room near an elevator otherwise you'll have a long walk to your room! And obviously, the higher the floor you're room is on, the better the view.

Is it romantic? Not so much the interior (more "fun") but the exterior is really pretty, especially at night. If you get a room overlooking the lake, you can see the boats and the boardwalk lit up at night. We liked taking walks in the morning, taking the boats to Ecpot and MGM. The pool is really nice and big, with a waterfall and tiki bar. At night, everything is lit up and you can walk to dinner on the boardwalk. Pretty romantic.

The rooms are nice, good size, although the Swan's (Westin) rooms were recently updated rooms (heavenly beds) and are now non-smoking. Yay! They also have a new spa with couples massages, etc.

The Dolphin/Swan is Disney-owned but not Disney-run so you don't get the theming like you do at the others resorts but for the price/location/amenities/service I would recommend it.

From the pics on disney's website it looks the beds are the same. Is that the way the were in the swan or have the since been updated? I don't suppose you have any pics of the inside or anything from your trips. Since there is no "virtual tour" on the website there aren't many pics of the place. Did you get a room with a balcony? Thanks for your reply!!!!

 

[justducky78]

Here is a link to some photos of the resorts. The first link is for the Dolphin, the second link is for the Swan.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dol.htm

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_swan.htm

I believe the Swan had started updating their rooms, but from the pics (in the link of the Dolphin) it looks like they may have started as well. The rooms look different from when we stayed there.

We had a balcony (actually two balconies - corner room) on our second stay, which was nice. But our room felt like it was miles from the elevator so if we were to stay there again, we would choose a room closer to an elevator.

They are usually pretty good when it comes to requests, so just tell them when you check-in that you want a newly-renovated room in a central location with a nice view of the lake. :animwink:

 

[justducky78]

Oh, and I almost forgot. There is also a beach with hammocks between the palm trees. It's usually pretty quiet on the beach because everyone opts for the pool.

 

[TestTrack]

Here is a link to some photos of the resorts. The first link is for the Dolphin, the second link is for the Swan.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dol.htm

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_swan.htm

I believe the Swan had started updating their rooms, but from the pics (in the link of the Dolphin) it looks like they may have started as well. The rooms look different from when we stayed there.

We had a balcony (actually two balconies - corner room) on our second stay, which was nice. But our room felt like it was miles from the elevator so if we were to stay there again, we would choose a room closer to an elevator.

They are usually pretty good when it comes to requests, so just tell them when you check-in that you want a newly-renovated room in a central location with a nice view of the lake. :animwink:

They look like pretty nice beds at both places. I am curious now, is there any hotels at wdw that offer fancier baths?

I must say though that it is one of the better looksing rooms I have seen at a hotel! Anyone been to the Grand Floridian? I would enjoy seeing pictures of that too! :sohappy:

 

[Pirate665]

I've stayed at the GF. I liked it. I don't have any pictures off hand (because I didn't have a digital camera then, just my 35mm SLR). But the one I like the most, and I find quite romantic is the AKL. It's so peaceful and the animals just make the enviroment. But, most of all, the walls are well guarded from sound, so you get a really good nights sleep without having to worry about screaming kids in the next room.

 

[ctwhalerman]

most of all, the walls are well guarded from sound, so you get a really good nights sleep without having to worry about screaming kids in the next room.

And you don't have to worry about any other sounds escaping the room...

 

[TestTrack]

And you don't have to worry about any other sounds escaping the room...

:lookaroun

We looked at the AKL. It was quite nice looking. However, we thought it might be better for a family rather than a couple.

How were the GF rooms? I imagine the view was very nice

 

[JMishy]

I stayed at the Dolphin last June, and while very unique and impressive (and the beds there are AWESOME), I didn't really think "Oh how romantic!". The lobby actually reminded me of a circus tent. I haven't been to the Grand Floridian, but I stayed with my hubby at the Wilderness Lodge. I thought the WL to be very romantic.

Here we go. I dug around and found my trip report complete with pictures of the Dolphin, inside and out. HTH!

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=57644

 

[TestTrack]

I stayed at the Dolphin last June, and while very unique and impressive (and the beds there are AWESOME), I didn't really think "Oh how romantic!". The lobby actually reminded me of a circus tent. I haven't been to the Grand Floridian, but I stayed with my hubby at the Wilderness Lodge. I thought the WL to be very romantic.

Here we go. I dug around and found my trip report complete with pictures of the Dolphin, inside and out. HTH!

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=57644

Yea I think I see what you mean, I wonder if anyone here has experiences from GF as that was second on our list of favorites. Thanks for the pictures, they really help! Too bad it looks like it was really rainy!!

 

[Victoria]

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Slideshow
Here are a ton of pics from GF. (allearsnet.com) I stayed at GF a long time ago but I can't find pics from it. I loved staying there. It is definetly all about luxury there. Very expensive tho...

 

[TestTrack]

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Slideshow
Here are a ton of pics from GF. (allearsnet.com) I stayed at GF a long time ago but I can't find pics from it. I loved staying there. It is definetly all about luxury there. Very expensive tho...

Looks very nice! Although the beds don't look as comfortable. I noticed that some of the pics were "Honeymoon...". Does disney have honeymoon rooms?

Just outta curiousity, how come all these pics I am seeing in this thread hardly have anyone in them? Seems like most of the places are deserted! Are you guys waking up really early or something to take these or is this typical?

 

[Nemo14]

We stayed at the GF once when we were able to get a substantial discount through a friend. Frankly, I was very disappointed, and I would never pay full price to stay there. I've enjoyed the Beach Club and POR more for considerably less $$$. JMHO!

 

[TestTrack]

We stayed at the GF once when we were able to get a substantial discount through a friend. Frankly, I was very disappointed, and I would never pay full price to stay there. I've enjoyed the Beach Club and POR more for considerably less $$$. JMHO!

Was it just lacking in theming and quality? Or was there something else that left you disappointed?

 

[Computer Magic]

:lookaroun

We looked at the AKL. It was quite nice looking. However, we thought it might be better for a family rather than a couple.

How were the GF rooms? I imagine the view was very nice

AKL is great for couples....Sitting on the balcony drinking wine and watching the animals wonder. Also sittingon the balcony during a thunderstorm....

a nice fire pit in the main lobby for a cozy night cap.

 

[mousermerf]

A few thoughts...

A) Why bother asking an opinion if you've already made up your mind and shoot down any suggestions? You seem to just be looking for someone to confirm your choice and pat you on the back saying "Good job."

B) I don't agree at all. I think the Swan is the prefered of the two non-Disney resorts that loom over Epcot, but either way, they're both kinda ugly, don't offer the same Disney services as the rest of WDW resorts, and often have really poor service/amenities. Then the GF.. where to start? The place is a nightmare (in my opinion), please don't waste your money there. The decor is plastic, not victorian woodwork, and the staff is at best rude.

C) WDW Resorts offer honeymoon suites and rooms.

D) A little research goes a long ways. You can see photos of most any WDW room through allears.net - did you not notice the sidebar with each hotel listed? The idea of the photos is to present the resort, thus folks try very hard to get photos with few people in them as possible. These are not "oh, my spring break 2004!" photos with 5 giggling girls on a bed to show off a room - in which you can kinda make out the bedspread and some draperies.

E) Wow, when does anyone ever get to E? Anyways, I digress - i go back to my original statement. You seem to have made up your mind and just want someone to tell you it was a good choice. I honestly don't think you've researched or weighed your options if those two resorts are your only two choices. I don't think you understand the difference between WDW owned resorts and other resorts on Disney property, and I don't think you've really looked into the Grand Floridian in terms of actual amenities and rooms for the cost.

I very well could be wrong on all accounts, and seriously, i'm not meaning to sound snippy. It just irks me when people ask for advice but them turn every suggestion down seemingly made up their mind before asking the questions.


If you want to ask "Between the Dolphin and GF which would you pick?" my choice would be to stay home and never wish either on my worst enemy if they're looking for a good Disney vacation