Reviews of Walt Disney World Dolphin (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by OperaBill Review Date: 12/19/2021
Rating: (10) Recommended
I love these resort tours! Please continue to do them! They are really helping me determine where I want to stay for my next WDW trip!
Pros:
Great details, great tour guideCons:
NoneReviewed by Summertime3218 Review Date: 12/07/2021
Rating: (10) Recommended
The Dolphin was wonderful! We got here early in the morning after a long red-eye flight. Unfortunately, our room wasn’t ready yet, so we crashed on their couches in the lobby for a bit. They then informed us that they had made a room available for us! So we were able to catch a nice long snooze before our dinner reservations that night. During our entire week long stay, the service was top tier. They provided extra blankets and water bottles, and the front desk was always friendly. Location was wonderful, it was very easy to either get a bus or an Uber to Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs, and Animal Kingdom, and then the ferry boats made for a wonderful transportation experience to Epcot and Hollywood Studios! The Pool complex was on another level, I enjoyed it very much! Everything was clean and tidy, and the staff were absolutely wonderful. I’m already planning our next trip and definitely planning on staying here again!
Pros:
Comfortable, friendly staff, good transportation options, great pool complexCons:
Quick service options are meh.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 11/27/2021
Rating: (10) Recommended
Rooms have been updated. The Fountain restaurant is great for a quick meal. Love the proximity to Hollywood Studios & Epcot. Fraction of the cost compared to other area Epcot resorts.
Pros:
PriceCons:
NoneReviewed by TropicalDog67 Review Date: 07/27/2021
Rating: (10) Recommended
Every single time I come to Walt Disney World, I stay here. It is so comfortable, and very accessible to most of the parks/water parks to magic kingdom it is only a bus ride away to TTC where you can get on the boat/Monorail/Buses it is a walk to Epcot, (Which is one of my favorite parks) and has \"Peekaboo\" which is getting renovated but is a great and easy quick place to pick up dinner or some breakfast. They do have \"Fuel\" which is a modern Peekaboo, but is way to busy because it is on the main floor on the lobby. Once, I waited 30-40 mins in line for a smoothie and pizza. WHICH IS NOT WORTH IT. The food is anything you can get in a grocery store but is very convenient.
Pros:
Restaurants/Clean RoomsCons:
Long waits for food/apparel itemsReviewed by LaurenS Review Date: 03/01/2021
Rating: (10) Recommended
My Husband and I just returned from our Honeymoon at WDW and the WDW Dolphin Hotel. I chose this hotel due to its Deluxe Amenities and convenient location within Walking Distance of both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, at a much more Moderate Price Point than Disney's Deluxe Resorts. Even with the Resort Fee (which I know a lot of people complain about), we stayed in a King Bed Resort View (which was really a Water View) Balcony Room for approx. $256 per night including room rate, resort fee, other fees, and taxes, which is significantly less expensive than Disney's Deluxe Hotels, which all seem to be upwards of $400 per night for the most basic room, let alone a Water View or Balcony Room. The room was lovely, with a clean design, plenty of space, and I really liked the wheeled table which allowed us to move it around the room easily if we wanted to eat together in the room. The room was clean, comfortable, and spacious. We also had a great Balcony and view of both the Pool area and the Lake between the Dolphin and Swan hotels. The only warning I have for potential guests is the Bed was very firm, which we both liked and found to be excellent for sleeping. However, if you like a very soft mattress you may prefer a different hotel.
The Pool area was great! with multiple Pools and four (4) Hot Tubs. They have even attached Tags to the Pool Lounge Chairs with Colors and Numbers that make it easy to Mobile Order from the Cabana Bar and Beach Club, and have your Food and/or Beverage delivered directly to your Lounge Chair. We had Pina Coladas delivered to our Loungers and enjoyed them Poolside. The Large Grotto Pool with the Waterfall and Slide is pretty cold, the smaller family pool is warmer, and the Lap Pool is the warmest of the pools. This was great, b/c it meant that there is a Pool with a temperature to match every preference.
We also really enjoyed the Dining Choices on property. We had Dinner at Shula's Steakhouse one night and shared a most excellent NY Strip and their Dark Cherry Smoked Manhattan, which was a delightful surprise if you like dark, rich liquor over sweet drinks. We also ate at Il Mulino's at the Swan twice - one night we had Dinner in the Restaurant and the Tortellini Alla Panna with Fresh (not frozen or canned) Peas was excellent. On our last night, we were too tired to go out to Dinner and ordered Pizza to go from Il Mulino's to eat in our room, and it was excellent Pizza.
The Staff at the hotel was helpful and friendly, and the Transportation to and from the Parks worked well for us. We might have just gotten lucky with our timing, but we really never had to wait more than a few minutes for the Bus or Boat to or from the Parks. Also, being within walking distance of EPCOT meant that we made good use of our Park Hopper Tickets by going to EPCOT on three separate evenings during our stay.
I don't know why others have ranked this Hotel so low, we had an amazing stay here, and I would definitely stay here again.
Pros:
- Spacious Clean Room with Modern Design - Great Pool Area with lots of choices - Really Good on Property Dining Choices - Pretty Convenient Park Transportation - Walking Distance to EPCOT and Hollywood StudiosCons:
- Firm Bed (this is only a Con if you like a much softer Mattress, if you like a firm Bed this is a Pro) - The Rooms are not Disney Themed, if that's something you prefer.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 10/20/2019
Rating: (10) Recommended
Dolphin
Pros:
This is a very well appointed hotel very clean love New design so very close to Epcot. Cheaper than Boardwalk or Yacht/beach yet same amnenities.Cons:
It takes forever to get your room. Don't count on 3:00 check in meaning your room is ready at 3:00.Reviewed by hsmamato2 Review Date: 04/18/2019
Rating: (10) Recommended
LOVE this place. Best location, awesome grounds, fantastic pool and beach area.... I wish I was there right now!
Pros:
Location- restaurants- comfort- walk to 2 parks- boat service-pools-Cons:
current cost, price is going up- I get it, but I don't like it.Reviewed by Rachael C Review Date: 09/27/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
We stayed at the Walt Disney world dolphin resort in May, and had a fantastic experience! The rooms are very clean and comfortable, and the hotel staff were very accommodating. The best perk of staying at this hotel is its proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Both are literally just a short walk away. We have always stayed at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts on SPG rewards points, however, we have heard from friends that they also have reasonable rates as compared to other Walt Disney World deluxe resorts. I highly recommend this hotel, and look forward to staying again!
Pros:
1. Proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 2. Clean and comfortable accommodations. 3. Friendly and helpful staff.Cons:
The only con would be that I found the bus service somewhat slow.Reviewed by hsmamato2 Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
I LOVE this resort. So much so, that I hesitate to write this review...I want to keep it to myself! Over the years I've stayed at a variety of Disney resorts,from value up to Deluxes. They're all a lot of fun. The Dolphin(and sister Swan) are WONDERFUL. The location beats everything else by a mile! The boardwalk view is right out the window,as are potential views of Epcot and the Studios. Beautiful! A fantastic pool complex, so many excellent restaurant choices onsite,and great service make this my favorite resort to stay at,I'd choose the Dolphin over any of my previous onsite stays! Yes, it's not 'Disney' themed, but it's gorgeous! the lobby, the rooms, the views,I love it all. Walking to the Studios and Epcot is GREAT,or you can take a boat ride which is fun. I also enjoy just walking over to the Boardwalk area just to see the sights,and exercise. It's technically 'offsite' but it's as 'onsite' as it can be with the location. We usually Uber to and from the airport, so that's not a problem at all. Disney run buses to the parks work just fine here also.
Pros:
Right in the middle of the action!Cons:
Lots of walking,if you don't like to walk.Reviewed by AnnaEverAfter Review Date: 01/20/2023
Rating: (9) Recommended
My favorite Disney resort is the Marriott-owned Dolphin resort. It is a quick walk or boat ride away from both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and includes amenities like a nice pool, multiple restaurants, and guest services provided by Disney cast members. There are a variety of stores that sell Disney merch and a luxurious lobby that has escalators just in case your feet hurt after a long day in the parks. Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf and the Boardwalk resort loop is close by the Dolphin, so you’ll have plenty to do and many restaurants to eat at. Being a Deluxe Disney resort, the Dolphin comes with perks, including Early Theme Park and Extended Evening hour entry. The one downfall of staying at the Dolphin is that it’s not a Disney immersive resort; there is barely a magical atmosphere, and the bus transportation is Meers, which, on a Magic Kingdom day, is not convenient since it takes you to the TTC. My recommendation is that you use the bus transportation around the boardwalk resort loop or take an Uber if you are in need of a bus. So if you have young kids that love princess movies, the Dolphin is not necessarily for you. However, I highly recommend this resort for anyone who is an EPCOT lover like myself.
