[BuzzLightyear]

I have a friend heading to stay at The Dolphin. Anyone have a review or any input to share ?

Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[tinkerbell]

does your friend know its not a Disney owned resort? there wont be any disney aminities (spelling?) Recently a friend of a friend was saying that they had booked a cruise that and a room at the ALS was upgraded to Dolphin or Swan ... when she found out it wasnt Disney owned she actually cried and demanded a disney owened Resort, she didnt consider it an upgrade if there was not going to be any mickey shampoo or soap *grin* .... boy you know ..I am that fanatical too .. should I be worried ?

[BuzzLightyear]

Yes, she knows its not Disney owned. Don't think thats a problem. She wanted to be close to Epcot & MGM.
The place sure looks nice in the pictures I've seen, but I haven't really seen it mentioned on these boards.

[tinkerbell]

a co-worker stayed there and she loved it. I never really thought much of the looks of the Swan or Dolphin ... and well with out the disney magic .. to me you might as well just stay off site or at one of the other hotels ..but ----- thats just my opinion .. and if someone were to say I could stay there free for a week I wouldnt turn it down :laugh

[Reiko]

I have never stayed at the dolphin, just visited. But I am booked at the Swan in September.Originally I would have never chosen the Swan because a)it is a deluxe resort $$
b)it is not a Disney resort, I would miss the Disney magic.
But I chose the Swan because we are having our wedding ceremony there in September...so I have done a lot of research!
I think the Dolphin and Swan are great resorts. So you don't get the mickey mouse soap or the mickey mouse wake up calls...they will be missed, but I can deal with that. The only other difference between the D&S and the Disney resorts I can see is that you can't charge purchases around WDW to your room...so I'll bring a credit card with me. You still get the WDW transportation and a "theme" feel.
I think the resort is beautiful, and you can't beat the location...walking distance to EPCOT, MGM, Yacht&Beach & Boardwalk . Especially if you are traveling at a time of year that the parks close early, you can always walk to the Boardwalk and spend some time there in the evening, easier that bussing to downtown or PI. And you have so many close restaurants to chose from!!
And the Swan has just undergone an extensive $75 million dollar renovation, all the rooms have been remodeled with "heavenly beds" that look heavenly!(you can see them at www.wdwig.com) The Dolphin is scheduled for renovation after the Swan, so I would maybe think about moving over to the Swan.
If you join Westin Hotels "starwood Preferred Guest" you are eligible for possible upgrades, joining is free, the website is easy to find. And even better, if you are a nurse or teacher you are eligible for substantial reduced rates that put the room rates equal with the moderate resorts.
I really don't think i will have the feeling that I am not at a Disney owned resort, and would definately not suggest going off property rather than staying at The Dolphin or Swan!
I have had a lot of dealings with them the last few months planning my ceremony, and have had nothing but spectacular service. Just like all Disney cast members, the people there have gone out of their way to be helpful, and make our stay "magical"!
I think if you check it out more closely, you will find any doubts you have (as I did) will be gone. I am very confident that my first stay there in September '03 won't be my last D&S stay!
Feel free to quiz me, I have lots of info stored in my WDW noggin I would be happy to answer any questions if I know the answers!

[mineemowse]

We stayed at the Dolphin almost two years ago. We got the teacher's discount which should have been $129 per nite...there was a misprint, so we got it for $99 per nite! We usually stay at the Sports, but for once in our lives we thought we would give a DELUXE a try. Although I know what you mean when you say you don't have the Disney amenitities, because we truly were in the middle of Disney property, I didn't miss it at all....the place was the most spectacular hotel we had ever stayed at...I guess the rooms weren't that much different from a regular hotel, although bigger than the Sports or Music...the lobby was actully the best, with the fountain...the pool was great...the boys and hubby loved it...I felt like we were on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" lol.... We are planning another trip for next summer, and when I asked the boys (ages 15 and 11 now) where they would like to say, Sports or perhaps the new Pop Century...they both were aghast that I didn't say Dolphin...that's where they want to go...so there it shall be. :) Enjoy your stay!

[jeannej]

Not to contrary, but, I have never understood the big deal over whether or not mickey ears are on the soap and shampoo. I have stayed at the Dolphin once when it first opened and I would stay there again. It is a themed hotel, I stayed in a room that I could view the MGM fireworks and could see the International Gateway to Epcot. It was a great advantage to be able to walk to Epcot or take a water craft to Disney Studios. Also since it was just my husband and I, having to be immersed in Mickey mouse just wasn't important.

Now that I have children, it was important that my children get the full mickey experience. Now that they are tweens, not so much. They are more into the rides than the characters.

jeannej