Quantcast
MousePlanet.com


Walt Disney World

Dolphin

The Dolphin Hotel (along with the neighboring Swan Hotel) is one of just three on-property resorts not operated by the Walt Disney Company. The Dolphin is a Starwood-operated hotel (under its Sheraton label) and while the service is of Disney-quality, the benefits (such as charging to your room with your room key) stop at the door. Compensating for this is the prime location of the hotel as part of the Epcot resort area and the availability of discounts and reward programs not found at Disney-run resorts.

General Information - Hide Section
  • Address: 1800 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL, 32830
  • Resort Phone #: 407-934-8000
  • Resort Fax #: 407-934-3850
  • Reservation #: 407-934-7639
  • Date Opened: 6/4/1990
  • Resort Category: Deluxe
  • Room Information
  • # of Buildings: 5 buildings. The main building is 14 stories tall and the four wings are nine stories tall.
  • # of Rooms: 1,509 rooms
  • Room Rates: Being operated by an outside company, the rates at the Dolphin are a bit more subject to changes, discounts, and other promotional offers. See the official Disney page for the Dolphin for current room rates.
  • Services Information
  • Concierge Service: No
  • Valet Parking: Yes. Day valet, $12. Overnight valet, $16
  • Room Service:
  • Internet: LAN connections are available in each guest room and requires extra payment.
  • Laundry: There is a self-service laundry room on the first floor of the main building and a hotel laundry service is available.
  • Pools and swimming: The Swan and Dolphin hotels share a common pool facility. There are two lap pools. The large themed pool, called the Grotto, is decorated to a tropical environment and includes water slides, volleyball, hot tubs and sandy beaches.
  • Gym and Exercise: The Dolphin has its own health club with exercise machines, some free weights, and aerobic space (classes are offered)
  • Spa: Saunas and whirlpools are available in the health club. The new Mandara Spa (common to both the Swan and Dolphin) offers a full suite of spa treatments by reservation.
  • Turndown service: Yes
  • Smoking:
  • Owner's Locker
  • MousePlanet partner Owner's Locker provides a highly useful service for repeat Walt Disney World visitors. It will allow you to to store a large amount of your "only-in-Florida" belongings on-site between your visits. Owner's Locker will deliver your locker to your resort early on the morning of your arrival and pick it up the day that you leave. Your locker will stay in climate-controlled storage until you return on your next visit. Owner's Locker delivers to resorts throughout the Orlando area, not just to Walt Disney World. Some of the many things that Owner's Lockers have been used to store are full-sized liquid containers to avoid the TSA hassle, clothing, holiday decorations for annual visits, pool playthings, and more. Visit their site and check them out for yourself, or order now!
  • Transportation Information
  • On foot: The Dolphin Hotel has easy pedestrian access to the Swan Hotel (connected by a walkway), Disney's Hollywood Studios, Epcot, the Boardwalk Resort, and the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts; none of which require walking on open roads. The Fantasia Gardens miniature golf courses are also within walking distance but do require crossing a public street.
  • Bus: Though not a Disney-run hotel, the Swan and Dolphin are part of the free bus network at Walt Disney World. Direct routes are available for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom as well as Downtown Disney. Other destinations will require transferring.
  • Monorail: Theoretically you could walk to and through Epcot and catch the monorail.
  • Ferries: There is a ferry stop at the boat launch between the Swan and Dolphin. These ferries connect Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Swan and Dolphin hotels, Boardwalk Inn resort, the Yacht and Beach Club resorts and Epcot.
 
Dining - Hide Section
  • Other dining — The Cabana Bar and Grill near the swimming pool serves burgers, sandwiches, and salads in addition to beverages.
Entertainment and Shows - Hide Section
  • The Dolphin Hotel mostly shares its facilities with the Swan Hotel. Sports courts (tennis and basketball) are available and a marina rents watercraft for the nearby lakes. Next to the Copa Banana lounge in the lobby there are coin-operated pool tables available and a video arcade near the Grotto pool complex. Fantasia Gardens, with two 18-hole miniature golf courses are within walking distance of the hotels.
Stores and Shopping - Hide Section
Reader Reviews - Hide Section

The following are recent reviews for the Dolphin from our Reader Review system. Click the Show All Reviews link to see every review for this location. To browse all reviews in the system, please see this page.

Average Reviewer Rating: 3.6 out of 53.6 out of 53.6 out of 53.6 out of 53.6 out of 5
Number of Walt Disney World Dolphin Reviews: 13
Show All Reviews
5.0/5.05.0/5.05.0/5.05.0/5.05.0/5.0   January 14, 2001
Reviewer: JEANYLASER34 Miami, Florida     June 05, 2008
our family went for my Birthday to the Dolphin it was awesome with Goofy and Pluto to say Happy Birthday with me. and the rooms are cool. And the view of Epcot looks very good and bright. My mom said that our family will stay in the hotel for September with a Florida Resident for $129.00! What a deal and now I can't wait to stay in the Dolphin. Disney I really love this magical place.
 
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Was it helpful to you?  
    
 
4.0/5.04.0/5.04.0/5.04.0/5.04.0/5.0   August 8 - 15, 2007
Reviewer: dmwang9 San Francisco, CA     September 02, 2007
I loved the Dolphin and will happily stay there (or perhaps the Swan) the next time I return to WDW. In no particular order, here's why:

1. The Swalphin are, dollar for dollar, an incredible deal compared to the other deluxe resorts. While their rack rates aren't always all that pretty, they often have discounts that make their nightly rates close to what you find at the moderate resorts on property.

2. Location, location, location. Epcot and the MGM Studios -- excuse me, Hollywood studios -- are both nearby and a quick boat ride or walk away. Also, the Boardwalk and Yacht and Beach Club are really close, if you like those restaurants and shops.

3. The Heavenly Beds are by far the most comfortable beds to be found anywhere on Disney property -- quite important after a long day at the parks.

4. Because the Swalphin aren't owned by Disney, they aren't themed like all the other resorts are. To many, this is a big negative, but for me, it's a plus. After spending all day surrounded by Disney everything, I'd likely go insane if I had it in my hotel room as well.
 
23 out of 23 people found this review helpful
Was it helpful to you?  
    
 
5.0/5.05.0/5.05.0/5.05.0/5.05.0/5.0   April 29 thru May 5, 2007
Reviewer: patty4645 Cleveland, Ohio     May 08, 2007
I have been visiting Disney World since the early 80's, and have been there many, many, many times. We usually stay at the Disney Hotels on the property and use the Disney bus transportation. This year we stayed at the Disney Dolphin for one week. (Adults and a 6 year old child). They give a discount to nurses, teachers and military. I did not know this hotel was not owned by Disney. It was FANTASTIC! We were soooo pleased. The room was extreamly clean, the staff friendly and the pool was not over crowded. The Disney characters were there for the little one too. I loved being so close to EPCOT and MGM and taking the short boat ride. I can't say enough nice things about the Dolphin. There was something to do for everyone there. I have experienced dirty rooms at the Port Orleans and grumpy, overworked staff at the Disney hotels. The Dolphin/Swan was a breath of fresh air. I just wanted to post a note to let others know how HAPPY we were with this hotel. I would go back there in a minute!
 
35 out of 36 people found this review helpful
Was it helpful to you?  
    
 
Links of Interest - Hide Section

MousePlanet Links


Offsite Links (we can not vouch for their accuracy or timeliness)



You can help us keep these guides current. If you see anything incorrect on this page, or if you have additional information that should be added, please fill out our form.