TheMouseForLess Resort Reviews

TheMouseForLess members review Walt Disney World resorts.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Submitted by: Marisel

Date of Stay: 12/29/06-01/02/07

Type of Resort: Sheraton, but it's a Epcot Deluxe Resort

Rate Paid During Your Stay: $175.00 per night...government rate/booked 01/22/06.

Room sleeps : 4

Please Rate the Following on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best):

Theming: 10 (The hotel has been recently renovated so it's looking like new)
Room Size: 8
Amenities: 8
Quality: 10
Cleanliness: 10 (Been there before and after renovation and you can definitely tell)
Transportation: 10 (Has the Friendship boat to take you to Epcot and MGM and then the Disney buses) You can also walk to Epcot and MGM and visit the Yacht/Beach Club and Boardwalk.
Recreation: 8
Value: 10

Over all rating: 9.5

Don't miss: Don't miss out on Picabu's (formerly Tubbies)...it's a cafeteria style line and has a lot of variety...it's open 24 hours so it's great for those midnight snacks...

Room Location Suggestion: Ask to get a room in the East Wing, some of these rooms face Epcot's World Showcase, by France and you can see Illuminatios from your room...If you stay in the West Wing, you'll see views of the pool and Tower of Terror....

The Mouse For Less Tip: Check out the Teacher and Government rates that become available from time to time...These rates give great competition to Disney Moderate Resorts and you get a "deluxe" resort for the same rate...

Comments: There is a parking fee per night for the hotel...It was $9 per night when we stayed...

Website: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Submitted by: Callie Cameron

Date of Stay: 11/09/06- 11/13/06

Type of Resort: Epcot area Deluxe (Starwood hotel)

Rate Paid During Your Stay: We actually did not pay for our accomodations. We went with Kidds Kids a large group of 40 plus families and tons of staff and they paid so I do not know our rate.

Room sleeps : We had 2 rooms a standard King and a double w/c accesible rom. I would say sleeps 4.

Please Rate the Following on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best):

Theming: 10
Room Size: 8
Amenities: 10
Quality: 8
Cleanliness: 8
Transportation: 10
Recreation: 8
Value: 10 (if you are booking the government or teacher rate)

Over all rating: 9

Don't miss: When you enter in the hotel be sure and look up and see the stars in the ceiling my children loved this. The art gallery has some beautiful pieces and is definately worth a look. My daughter went swimming with another family who went on our trip and LOVED the grotto. I am really dissapointed we did not take the time to go swimming with them, because the pool is beautiful.

Room Location Suggestion: I cannot suggest any room locations because we took what we were given. I can say that we were right by the elevator and never had a problem with noise. Also our "view" was the top of a building and an air conditioner and it did not take away from our trip in the least.

The Mouse For Less Tip: The location of this hotel cannot be beat! The boat to MGM and Epcot is awesome, and being able to just walk back to the room is such a bonus in itself. If you can land a teachers or government rate I highly recommend this hotel.

Comments: The fountain downstairs makes for a great backdrop for pictures, along with tons of other places in this hotel.

Website: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Submitted by: Dina McKenna

Date of Stay: August 16-23, 2006

Type of Resort: Deluxe though not Disney-owned (Starwood hotel)

Rate Paid During Your Stay: $129 per night+tax which came to $143 per nt. Signed up for E-Mail List on the Swan/Dolphin website & received an email back in Feb. offering this rate plus a one-category upgrade so we also had a Lake View for this price!

Room sleeps : 4-had 2 Dbl. Beds. You can also get a King bed & pull- out sofa instead.

Please Rate the Following on a scale from 1-10 (10 being the best):

Theming: 8
Room Size: 8
Amenities: 10
Quality: 8
Cleanliness: 7-8 Room area extremely clean, actual bath area could have been a little spiffier. I am never 100% happy with the cleanliness of any hotel bathroom, even any of the Disney ones we have stayed in. The cleanliness of the public areas was disappointing especially for a deluxe resort. Wherever there was tiled floors they were in obvious need of a thorough mopping. This was in hallways where restaurants were & elevators were. The lobby was beautiful though.
Transportation: 10! Friendship boats take you right to MGM & Epcot where we encountered very little wait for a boat to pick us up. A lovely way to travel back & forth between these two parks!
Recreation: 10
Value: 10

Over all rating: 8-9

Don't miss: The location of the Dolphin makes it! The boat rides to MGM & Epcot were quick as well as the bus rides to AK & MK. By the way, if you stay at the Dolphin & are taking the bus to AK or MK, go to the Swan bus stop since the bus will stop there 1st. You will always get a seat, which is very big with my family.

Room Location Suggestion: If you stay at The Dolphin, sign up online for free to become part of the Starwood Preferred Guest Program where they keep track of how often you stay at a Starwood Hotel & you accumulate points toward future stays. Jessica at TMFL Travel booked the room for us & told The Dolphin that we were Starwood Preferred Guests. When we checked in, the person working at the Front Desk mentioned that it was on our reservation & that she had a great room for us. We were in Room 17109 which is on the 17th floor & when we walked off the elevator we noticed a sign that said "Starwood Preferred Guest Floor". We had an absolutely fabulous view!!!! We looked out at Crescent Lake & were right across from The Swan. To our left was The BW & Y&BC and to our right was the Tower of Terror & Sorcerer Mickey's Hat at MGM. At night we had a perfect view of Illuminations from one of our windows! Our room was off of the Central Elevators as opposed to the East or West Elevators, if you are requesting a specific area.

The Mouse For Less Tip: Lots of dining options at this resort since it is right across from The Swan so there are double the restaurants. My big $ Saving Tip for the cheapest Character Meal at Disney is go to the Garden Grove Cafe at The Swan on Sat. or Sun. for breakfast & you can order a la carte. One of my sons had pancakes for around $5.00 & the other had french toast plus drinks. My DH had pancakes-don't remember how much they cost & I had strawberry crepes for $9.50. There are only two characters out at one time, which were Goofy & Pluto when we arrived. Then after about 10 minutes, they left & Chip & Dale came out. Also, the restaurant wasn't crowded. Nowhere near as crowded as the Disney Char. Breakfasts we have been to. My boys were thrilled. We had no idea there was a Character Breakfast there at that time. We were just trying a different restaurant. The bill was much less than we had paid for our Char. Breakfast at Cape May Cafe at the BC the day before!! That was my find of the trip!!!

Comments:

Website: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

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