Recs for getting to parks from the Dolphin 1. Hollywood-take water taxi 2.Epcot- walk if you can. Do NOT take the water taxi. Makes multiple stops at yacht/beach and then boardwalk. So much wasted time. 3. AK-Bus out front 4. Magic Kingdom - walk two minutes to yacht/beach club and take that bus so you get dropped off at front of park.
THE BUSES AREN’T ACCESSIBLE! We stayed at the Swan Reserve which shares buses with the Swan and Dolphin and all but one bus was not accessible. One of the big perks of staying at a Disney resort on property is that there is accessible transportation for people in wheelchairs or with mobility devices. And since the buses for these Marriott hotels are typically coach buses they can only put wheelchairs underneath the bus, and you have to be able to climb a couple of stairs to get into the bus.
This is super helpful to know in advance!!! I guess you could take the boat to Beach Club and then take their bus for morning MK days or take a Minnie Van that is scooter friendly. Thanks for the head's up!
I went to the Mandara spa on my trip at the beginning of December and it was lovely. The staff were very nice and my massage therapist, Ash, was terrific. It was on the expensive side but the facilities were beautiful and clean, it was very relaxing and a peaceful way to spend a couple of hours during an otherwise fast paced holiday!
loving these quick resort vids! I really like the swan and the dolphin! gotten to stay at both and will be there soon again! Steak at Shula's was delicious and its super convenient to have Cafes at both plus all the options on the board walk and access DHS and Epcot!
I used to stay here a lot when I worked for Marriott and had access to their employee discount. That knocked the price below $100 a night for off peak nights
Half my food budget goes to Fuel ❤ Cabana rentals are really cheap here. Just be aware the pool is not heated to disney expectations. If you want a toasty pool stay at Towneplace / Springhill at Flamingo X. Love that pool.
It’s not actually cheaper IF you are flexible on dates. You can score DVC confirmed resis at the Beach or Boardwalk that negates the cash savings at the d/s. that said I stayed at the dolphin, my preferred of the two, for $199-249 before taxes in the old days. So the gap to a DVC score is about $100-200 or less; especially if you have a car cause the d/s will crush you for valet. It’s included in a DVC stay.
You stay here because you have points and you want the epcot location. Otherwise the 😊pools are cold, the clientele includes drunk trash and the hallways are endless. If you have the points stay across the street at the Reserve. The service will remind you of what it was once like to stay in quality hotels.
I stay there often but you do need to really run the numbers. I have an upcoming April trip booked for 6 nights. Including all fees and taxes and parking because I drive down, it is going to be $370 per night. I have not been able to find a DVC rental for a studio for those nights, which can be an issue with renting points since studios tend to go fast. I did use an AP discount but I have also found that if you are over a certain age, their senior citizen discount is pretty good. I looked at all the WDW Epcot resorts for that time period and since there are no discounts for that time period at this time, Dolphin was my best bet. For that time frame BW is $760/night. CBeach is $370. Of course, I keep looking up to the cancellation time but you can get good deals if you look.
I wouldn't worry about it not having the Disney vibe as with each refurbishment of a Disney hotel, they take more and more theming out. Even Disney hotels don't have much of a Disney vibe anymore.
We stayed here recently self parking is $35 dollars a night. The resort fee is $40 plus tax. If they take a package it is $5 dollars per package which when Amazon can split deliveries into multiple packages gets expensive. The pools are freezing. The buses are infrequent and the drunken delegates that fill the place make it a questionable place to stay with little people. It’s a great location and the perk’s are good but not as good a value as we hoped. It’s certainly not Disney service and the rooms need a refurb.
It’s not likely ‘owned’ by marriott. it’s probably owned by a hotel co. It ‘affiliated’ as a sheraton and a Westin and was ‘bought’ by marriott with those brands. marriott trained the staff and runs the reservations. The staff at Marriott Affiliated hotels is why I am a lifer with that brand.
Dolphin Swan and SR, these buildings are owned by Tishman Hotels, who have a long standing relationship with Disney parks and experiences who own the land under surrounding and above it. Marriot Hotels own's Westin and Sheraton brands. Tishman has a contract with Marriot for them to operate Dolphin under Sheraton branding and swan/SR under westin marquee/branding. And this is why they're price gouging messes.
Recs for getting to parks from the Dolphin
1. Hollywood-take water taxi
2.Epcot- walk if you can. Do NOT take the water taxi. Makes multiple stops at yacht/beach and then boardwalk. So much wasted time.
3. AK-Bus out front
4. Magic Kingdom - walk two minutes to yacht/beach club and take that bus so you get dropped off at front of park.
thanks was looking everyone to see if its faster to take the buss at the other hotels and walk there
Appreciate this!
THE BUSES AREN’T ACCESSIBLE! We stayed at the Swan Reserve which shares buses with the Swan and Dolphin and all but one bus was not accessible. One of the big perks of staying at a Disney resort on property is that there is accessible transportation for people in wheelchairs or with mobility devices. And since the buses for these Marriott hotels are typically coach buses they can only put wheelchairs underneath the bus, and you have to be able to climb a couple of stairs to get into the bus.
This is super helpful to know in advance!!! I guess you could take the boat to Beach Club and then take their bus for morning MK days or take a Minnie Van that is scooter friendly. Thanks for the head's up!
I’ve always enjoyed every stay here, and I love the hours for Fuel.
I went to the Mandara spa on my trip at the beginning of December and it was lovely. The staff were very nice and my massage therapist, Ash, was terrific. It was on the expensive side but the facilities were beautiful and clean, it was very relaxing and a peaceful way to spend a couple of hours during an otherwise fast paced holiday!
Fuel is fantastic and wholeheartedly agree re The Fountain.
loving these quick resort vids! I really like the swan and the dolphin! gotten to stay at both and will be there soon again! Steak at Shula's was delicious and its super convenient to have Cafes at both plus all the options on the board walk and access DHS and Epcot!
I used to stay here a lot when I worked for Marriott and had access to their employee discount. That knocked the price below $100 a night for off peak nights
Half my food budget goes to Fuel ❤ Cabana rentals are really cheap here. Just be aware the pool is not heated to disney expectations. If you want a toasty pool stay at Towneplace / Springhill at Flamingo X. Love that pool.
It’s not actually cheaper IF you are flexible on dates. You can score DVC confirmed resis at the Beach or Boardwalk that negates the cash savings at the d/s. that said I stayed at the dolphin, my preferred of the two, for $199-249 before taxes in the old days. So the gap to a DVC score is about $100-200 or less; especially if you have a car cause the d/s will crush you for valet. It’s included in a DVC stay.
You stay here because you have points and you want the epcot location. Otherwise the 😊pools are cold, the clientele includes drunk trash and the hallways are endless. If you have the points stay across the street at the Reserve. The service will remind you of what it was once like to stay in quality hotels.
I love it when I see the sawn dolphin at plus 5000 range.
Easy hack. Just walk to the Boardwalk or Yacht Club for the Disney Bus.
Yep. Do it frequently
I stay there often but you do need to really run the numbers. I have an upcoming April trip booked for 6 nights. Including all fees and taxes and parking because I drive down, it is going to be $370 per night. I have not been able to find a DVC rental for a studio for those nights, which can be an issue with renting points since studios tend to go fast. I did use an AP discount but I have also found that if you are over a certain age, their senior citizen discount is pretty good. I looked at all the WDW Epcot resorts for that time period and since there are no discounts for that time period at this time, Dolphin was my best bet. For that time frame BW is $760/night. CBeach is $370. Of course, I keep looking up to the cancellation time but you can get good deals if you look.
The land is owned by Disney, the hotels are owned by Tishman Hotels and leased to Disney, and are operated by Marriott.
Very informative video. Definitely a resort to consider. Thanks!
Came here to see the pools at the Dolphin and Swan.
I love swan and dolphin.
I wouldn't worry about it not having the Disney vibe as with each refurbishment of a Disney hotel, they take more and more theming out. Even Disney hotels don't have much of a Disney vibe anymore.
comfortable beds!
I'd like to see a video of shades of green, but I doubt that'll ever happen.
Don Shula, infamous Miami Dolphins coach!
Bluezoo opened in 2003! 5:12
We stayed here recently self parking is $35 dollars a night. The resort fee is $40 plus tax. If they take a package it is $5 dollars per package which when Amazon can split deliveries into multiple packages gets expensive. The pools are freezing. The buses are infrequent and the drunken delegates that fill the place make it a questionable place to stay with little people. It’s a great location and the perk’s are good but not as good a value as we hoped. It’s certainly not Disney service and the rooms need a refurb.
Watching this later tonight but thoughts of Dolphin vs Contemporary? IDK anything about this place as I’ve never stayed or even entered it.
Can you use the buses to Magic Kingdom and AK from Broadwalk?
Yes
It’s not likely ‘owned’ by marriott. it’s probably owned by a hotel co. It ‘affiliated’ as a sheraton and a Westin and was ‘bought’ by marriott with those brands. marriott trained the staff and runs the reservations. The staff at Marriott Affiliated hotels is why I am a lifer with that brand.
Dolphin Swan and SR, these buildings are owned by Tishman Hotels, who have a long standing relationship with Disney parks and experiences who own the land under surrounding and above it.
Marriot Hotels own's Westin and Sheraton brands.
Tishman has a contract with Marriot for them to operate Dolphin under Sheraton branding and swan/SR under westin marquee/branding.
And this is why they're price gouging messes.