Reviews of Walt Disney World Dolphin (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed 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: 01/26/2021
Rating: (9) Recommended
Can't beat the location
Pros:
Again, location. Plus you can hop on the Disney Skyliner at the International Gateway. Comfortable beds. We were there in January and the place was very quiet. Friendship boats are wonderful transportation but you can easily walk to Epcot. (Didn't try to walk to Disney studios).Cons:
Mears bus transportation does not take you to the front of the Magic Kingdom. You have to get off at the TTC. Also buses for Disney Springs are way off in another parking lot. Took forever to be picked up one evening. I would definitely ride the friendship boat to either the Yacht Club or the Boardwalk and use the Disney buses to go to MK, AK and DS.Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 05/13/2020
Rating: (8) Recommended
nice hotel
Pros:
beautiful inside and outCons:
no dining planReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 10/21/2019
Rating: (8) Recommended
We prefer the Swan over Dolphin...both have great restaurants, Swan has Character dining. Location cannot be beat!! Love being able to walk to HS or Epcot! The rooms are nice and clean but nothing extravagant...but who cares-location location, location!! (So, the outside is ugly?!??! LOCATION!)
Pros:
Location, dining, location, pri e is less than other Boardwalk resorts.Cons:
Ugly exterior. No Magical Express from airport.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 Elaine Review Date: 06/12/2019
Rating: (8) Recommended
I am a DVC member and we were out of points so we knew we had to book something using cash. We chose WDW Dolphin since my husband is a Sheraton club member. Overall the hotel was great but since it's not a Disney owned hotel, it was missing some of the Disney appeal. The location is great with walking distance to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot or can take the boat to either. The room was very large and we had 2 verandas since we had a corner room overlooking the fireworks. Never saw them from our room since we were always out late at night so this upgrade definitely wasn't worth it. To get to our room, felt like a mile of twisting and turning hallways. The exit stairs right near our room stated the alarm would go off if you used them. So our stay was nice, but I did miss the Disney appeal.
Pros:
Location, location, location!Cons:
Didn't quite feel like a hotel located inside Disney since owned by SheraonReviewed by Leanne Review Date: 04/24/2019
Rating: (9) Recommended
Great resort with lots of in room amenities. Fantastically comfortable mattresses and pillows. Best location area in WDW. You can walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Great choice of restaurants with much variety.
Pros:
Location, good restaurants, fitness center and many pools. You can see the EPCOT fireworks from some of the rooms at at the lighthouse.Cons:
Resort Fee is high and the room prices are high most of the year. Always seems like their are renovations going on.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 Anonymous Review Date: 03/10/2019
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
tell everyone to stay away. ants in our room. smoking section without benches we had to find milk crates to sit on. waited over an hour for a boat from studios to resort. stay at the swan it is so much better,
Pros:
noneCons:
too many to mentionReviewed 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!
