Desert Chica

Southern Arizona Blogger

  • Travel
    • Disney
    • Arizona
    • California
    • Florida
    • All Travel
  • Crafts
    • Printables
    • DIY Furniture
  • Food
    • meals
    • Desserts
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
  • Costumes
    • DIY Costumes
    • Costume RoundUps
  • Disney
    • Disney Parks
    • Printables
    • Disney Costumes
  • Entertainment
    • Parties
    • movies
  • Lifestyle
    • Holidays
    • School
    • Technology
    • Social Good

5 Reasons We Love The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

This post may contain affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Desert Chica.

byKaren•June 2, 2016

Pin512
Tweet
Share1
513 Shares

5 Reasons We Love The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

I’ve stayed at several different Walt Disney World Resorts over the past few years but I recently ventured off property… sort of. My mom and I spent a few nights at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in April. It’s not owned by Disney but it is still located on the Walt Disney World grounds. In fact, it’s location near Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Dining area, makes it part of the Epcot area hotels and the number one reason I wanted to stay there.

5 Reasons We Love The Dolphin Resort

1. Location

I haven’t stayed at every Walt Disney World Resort but I have stayed at several Epcot area hotels, and I know their proximity to both Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios is tough to beat. Short boat rides and reasonable walking distance makes it easy to get to both parks when you stay in this area.

Boat Transportation at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

2. Price

The official Disney properties in this area are all deluxe properties, which means they start around $400+ in my experience. The Walt Disney World Dolphin (and its sister property the Swan) seem to run $200 cheaper a night. Plus if you are a member of the Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG) reward program, you can book the Swan and Dolphin with Starpoints! I think a free hotel at Walt Disney World is worth working the travel rewards/points game.

Boat Transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios from Swan and Dolphin

3. Disney Perks

The Walt Disney World Dolphin is not a Disney owned property but it is considered an official resort which means guests also have access to Extra Magic Hours which is awesome if you are willing to get up early or stay up late. Plus Dolphin guests have access to official Disney transportation. That means boat rides to Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot and buses to the Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom. Theme park parking is also complimentary and guests can have theme park purchases delivered to their hotel room. We also took advantage of complimentary luggage transfer between resorts when we moved from The Grand Floridian Resort to the Dolphin.

Snacks inside Picabu at the Walt Disney World Resort

4. Dining Options

There are plenty of dining options at The Walt Disney World Dolphin and its sister property The Swan including the only 24-hour restaurant in the BoardWalk area! Picabu is a cafeteria-style restaurant located inside the Dolphin that offers a variety of hot and cold food options, 24 hours a day. My mom and I split an order of tacos one night and thought they were pretty good. You can also pick up snacks and drinks to bring back to your room.

Taco Plate from Picabu at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

You will find several quick service, casual and signature dining experience at the Dolphin and its sister property, The Swan. Garden Grove located at the swan offers character dining experience in the evening and character breakfasts on the weekend. Plus one of the perks of being an Epcot area hotel is the easy access to Disney’s BoardWalk with more dining options.

Walt Disney World Dolphin Renovated Room

5. Comfortable Rooms

We stayed in one of the renovated rooms and found them to be modern and stylish. The rooms feature Westin Heavenly Beds and were quite comfy. There was plenty of room to spread out with our luggage, plus a small desk and full bathroom. We also had a fireworks view.

 Desk at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

3 Reasons We Don’t Love The Dolphin Resort

1. Theming

There isn’t any Disney theming within the hotel. It’s aquatically themed and isn’t terrible, just not magical. It gives off a tropical, business hotel vibe to me. Kids won’t be enchanted but adults will think it’s just fine.Walt Disney World Dolphin Lobby

2. No Magical Express

The Magical Express does not stop here. Dolphin guests need to find their own transportation to and from the airport.

3. Extra Fees

Unfortunately, the Walt Disney World Dolphin does charge both a resort fee and parking fee, unlike Disney properties. Keep these in mind when comparing hotel costs.

I’ve heard that more people like the Dolphin’s sister property, the Walt Disney World Swan. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to check it out on another trip to Orlando.

Save On Walt Disney World Tickets & Packages

I am proud to partner with Get Away Today and share their deals on Walt Disney World tickets and Orlando vacation packages. My family has booked Disney vacations through Get Away Today since I was a kid, so I know it’s a well-established travel agency. Plus they are a Select Tour Operator with Disney Parks and is approved by the Better Business Bureau. They pride themselves on saving families money and helping plan your perfect vacation.

Book online or call Get Away Today at 1-855-GET-AWAY. Mention my promo code DCHICA to get the best prices and you can even save $10 on any 2-night or longer Southern California vacation package. If your trip is a little further out you can use their layaway program and save towards your next Disney trip all year long.

Have you stayed at the Walt Disney Dolphin Resort?

Pin512
Tweet
Share1
513 Shares

You Might Like These Posts Too

  • 5 Reasons We Love Disney's Yacht Club Resort
  • Guide to Dining at Disney's BoardWalk
  • 5 Reasons We Love Disney's Pop Century Resort

2 Comments

« The Best Father’s Day Gift Idea #SnapfishDads
4th of July Tucson Fireworks 2016 »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Connect button for Desert Chica
Facebook button for Desert Chica Twitter button for Desert Chica Pinterest button for Desert Chica Instagram button for Desert ChicaYoutube button for Desert Chica
KarenHeffren@gmail.com

Hi! I’m Karen.

I'm a mom to two boys, Arizona native, and travel lover. Desert Chica is my place to share a peek into our life and the easy and inexpensive costumes, crafts and desserts I like to make. “If I can do it, anyone can!” Learn more about me here.

Desert Chica

  • About
  • Contact
  • Policies for Desert Chica
  • back to top

Search This Site

WE ARE A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR US TO EARN FEES BY LINKING TO AMAZON.COM AND AFFILIATED SITES.

Connect with me:

Facebook button for Desert ChicaTwitter button for Desert ChicaPinterest button for Desert Chica
Instagram button for Desert ChicaYoutube button for Desert ChicaRSS button for Desert Chica

© Desert Chica 2019 · Built on Genesis · Design by Melissa Belanger.