Why You Should NOT Stay At a Disney Hotel : Disney World Dolphin Hotel
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- Are you missing out on the most UNDERRATED hotel in Disney World? See inside the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel as Quincy takes you on a FULL TOUR of this EPCOT area resort hotel! We'll take a look at the rooms, the dining, the pools, the resort, and MORE!
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Pro tip... If you are staying at Swan & Dolphin, but don't want to take the Mears bus to Magic Kingdom, walk over to Boardwalk and catch the bus there. That way, you go right to the park and avoid the TTC. Also, we stayed at The Swan before and stopped by to grab water any time we came into the resort. They would give us 2 (or more) bottles each time, plus put more in the fridge when they cleaned the room. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay there and would consider that location again in the future.
I've stayed at the Dolphin a bunch over the last 20 years. It's fantastic BUT definitely do your homework. It is worth booking a theme park view room and asking for a high floor, because all of those rooms have been updated rather recently and are MUCH nicer than the few older rooms you might otherwise get. The resort fees and parking fees used to be an issue for some, but Disney has done such a great job of overpricing their hotels now, that is usually a wash. If you have any of the usual Marriott discounts (AAA, Government Employees, Teachers, etc), you can often find great rooms at the Dolphin for less than a 1/3 of Boardwalk or Beach Club. Last time I stayed at Dolphin (October 2019 for Food and Wine) I paid about $190 out the door with a AAA discount - the same 5 days I was there Boardwalk was $650, Beach/Yacht was a little more, and even renting DVC points was about $350/night. No thanks.
You need to do videos on the Disney Partner Hotels around Disney Springs. We stayed at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, and it was cheaper, a very nice hotel with lazy river and you had most of the perks of the Disney Hotels and you were a 5 min walk from Disney Springs!
Only issue we had, they close the pool area more often than the other hotels in the area during stormy weather, which was annoying to see the others pools at other hotels open, but ours were closed.
Fuel is fantastic and The Fountain is a really good casual dining option.
Stayed at "The Dolphin" in February and I did love going to Fuel and the Fountain, but the Hotel Room itself is another story.
What were the prices like?? We just want an idea. :)
Love a lady who handles a burger like that. Bravo!
Stayed there for 7 days in early November. We loved it! We took the bus first thing in the morning for MK and then took the beautiful ride on the ferry over (recommend doing at least once going over) and was there for our early entry. Got to see Mickey open the park!
We went to Epcot, AK, DHS and MK and Disney Springs. Had a wonderful time.
Great Job. I have stayed at the Dolphin over 20 times. So glad to see the new things happening there.
Just returned home to Oz after staying at the Dolphin, Thanks to Quincy we had the best burger we have ever had. good call Quincy, Molly would be so proud of you.
I stayed at the dolphin when I was a kid, maybe 8 or 9, and I had the BEST time at the kids daycare thing that I kept asking to go there everyday 😆 I have such fond memories of the pool and the hotel in general !
I WANT to check in ..in person! This is a plus. You posted that the first thing to see was the sugar sculpture...first thing I noticed and loved was no crowds
This is the first video I watched with only you! AWESOME 👏 I really enjoyed your energy and enthusiasm!
I stayed at the Dolphin and that stay made me want to stay at all the other resorts in that area. I loved walking around and taking pictures at all the other resorts and also loved jumping on the skyliner and hitting all the other resorts
Would love seeing a video for Swan as well. I stayed at Dolphin a few years ago and may be staying there again next spring and I'm enjoying getting to revisit them through this video.
Would you also consider doing a video ranking all the hotels located on the Skyliner route?
I am doing a split stay in March. First 3 nights at the Dolphin and last 4 nights at Pop Century. This will be my first stay at Dolphin and I am so excited! Thank you for doing your resort tours they help so much!
How was the Pop Century?
Thank you for the tour. We have been there twice, but at Christmas. We love the pool! The hot tubs are gerat too.
Great review. We have contemplated staying here as I am a Marriott Titanium Lifetime member with quite a few points. The only thing that has kept me away is the resort fee - not a fan of resort fees.
Terrific job, Quincy. You have been getting better and better the more videos you are featured in. Never really considered the Swan or Dolphin, but I will now.
Yes! Please do a Swan tour! I’m staying at the Swan for the first time 4/30! I’d love to see and hear it through you first so I can be prepared! Thanks so much! ❤️ 🦢
Stayed at the Dolphin last week. It was pretty good, but very definitely in need of a refurb. The common areas were very nice but the room I was in had a number of minor maintenance issues and not nearly enough convenient outlets.
The carpet in the hallway showed excessive wear from the housekeeping carts and a number of other minor things.
But the value was excellent. I would definitely stay there again.
Some of the carpets were in real need of replacement 😩
Try Swan Reserve
Great video! We’ve stayed maaaany times and I learned a few new things. Please do a tour of the swan and swan reserve.
I would love to see a tour of the Swan as well! Thanks for suggestion it! Have an awesome day!!!
I love a good weighted comforter. It’s always an issue for me with hotel beds because there are just never enough blankets to make me feel warm, cozy, and secure.
Love Quincy resort tours! I mean bed science and funky makeup mirror shots….can it be beat..🤔 nope! Thanks for this informative tour. You really make the best tour guide ever! 😊
Hello Quincy! If you could do a tour of the Swan and Swan Reserve that would be great. Also any of the good neighbors hotels closest to Disney Springs would be awesome!
Thanks so much for the tour. It’s hard to find a room tour online and y’all’s last was years ago. Would super love a room tour!!
Great thorough review, keep doing these Quincy
Quincy was the best part of the review!
Love Quincy and her Hotel tours they are awesome!!!! Keep up the great work 👍 ❤
Loved my stay at the Dolphin. We could see World Showcase and Tower of Terror from our room. Transportation was wonderful. Magical time.
All Ears Team goes camping at Fort Wilderness Campground for a resort tour 😁🌲🌲🌲
Amazing video, thank you so much! How did you do early theme park entry on your day of check out if you didn't have your room key anymore? Thank you!
I love Phins bar. On Sundays, they offer SO MANY different Bloody Mary combinations!! The Fountain Grilled Cheese is amazing! Shula's was wonderful!! (5 star)!! I did not know about the bus changes. That's typical at this point and why I won't travel back to Disney for quite a long time (as said by a former Platinum Passholder living in the Northeast traveling down 4 times per year. ) I'm just disgusted over all the changes (less ..... but pay MORE). All in All, we love the Dolphin with ONE exception. We ALWAYS request a King bed because 2 double beds are not fun. Most times we stay at the Yacht Club or Boardwalk, when available. We always walk to the parks (EPCOT and HS) and take boat back. Thanks for sharing!
Great video. The walk around the property back a lot of memories of my stays at the Swan years ago. Would love a video of the Swan to see how things have changed.
Thank you for this! Would greatly appreciate a video soon of the Swan Reserve. Debating which to stay at since we're Marriott titanium level rewards one of these 3 would be a huge benefit
Please do a tour of the Swan and the Swan Reserve! Love these resort tours!
Lol @ Quincy drinking lots of 'sink water'!!! Great work as always!
I liked the tour. Very informative. I would like to see a Swan tour as well since I will be staying there early next year.
Thank you so much! I'd love to see a review on the Swan. We are considering one of them for a family stay.
Absolutely love the Dolphin! Been a while since we stayed last - like a decade - so we haven't seen the latest refurbishment. But we actually had one of those rooms facing the water with the large curved balcony. Was always so nice to come back to the room and chill on the large balcony and see the amazing view. I totally recommend! Thanks for the great video review!
I have eaten at Shula's Steak House back in March 2008.. I would have to say it was the most expensive and well worth the price for the best Steak dinner I've ever had
I love this resort. It's one of my favorites
This was a great, very detailed tour. But am I the only one who desperately wants to hear the dad joke she received in the middle of filming? 😂
Me too!!!
I also wanted her to introduce her "friend from Disney Food Blog." I watch them, too, but they never put their faces on screen on that channel. All I know is AJ, and I don't even know what she looks like, either!
In all the years I’ve been going to Disney (aka my whole life), I’ve never stepped foot in either the Swan or Dolphin. I never knew how amazing the dining options were and how much the resort has to offer. I would LOVE to see the Swan too
Great tour, informative and entertaining, as always from Quincy, love these as a vacationer looking to find out about resorts before booking and what to do when staying. I would love to see a tour of Saratoga Springs since we will be there for the first time next month.
That coffee looks amazing 🤩
I stayed at the Swan some years ago and I loved it, I will never forget that trip, please make a review of the Swan!. Your reviews (and Molly's) are the best in TH-cam, personally I prefer yours because you are so beautiful and I can see your videos over an over.
Great job, Quincy! Also, yes, do all the Boardwalk area hotels
Yessss. Please do a Swan tour. Me and my fiancée are going on our honeymoo there at the end of January
I'm glad to see the video. I am excited to see the options available. I am a nurse so I think they offer discounts! I want to see a Swan/Swan Reserve video
Fantastic detailed tour!
This was great! Would definitely love a swan one soon! We are staying there in March
It would be neat to see you guys rent DVC points and then stay at some sort of DVC villa and review it.
Totally do a Swan Tour as well!!! 🦢
Quincy, I have a totally unrelated question. I loved your tour of the Dolphin hotel but where did you get your baseball cap with the Minnie Mouse faces on it? I fell in love with it when I saw it!
We’re staying in the Dolphin now and enjoying it! Could you do a video comparing it to the Swan? We’re all curious what the room differences are and what you think! For our next trip! Thanks as always!
Can you see fireworks from the hotel?
Can you walk to the boardwalk/Beach club ect and use the busses there to be dropped off at MK rather than TTC?
Oh thank you so much for this video. We are staying at the Dolphin for the first time in April and there is a shocking lack of material out there on it. I’m still in search for a Picabu and/or Fresh video review….they always seem to be closed when people are there. But this was great info!
Awesome tour!
Please do the Swan review soon! We are planning on staying at The Swan in September 2022. We have visited restaurants in both Swan and Dolphin (multiple trips to Shula's ---BEST STEAK IN DISNEY AREA) when staying at Boardwalk and Yacht Club in the past but your videos are much more in depth than our casual walk throughs. Looking forward to the Swan video....thanks!
We stayed at the Swan Reserve, and of all the pools we had access to (all the Swan and Dolphin pools and the Swan Reserve pool), the Dolphin lap pool was definitely my favorite. No one was swimming laps and it was mostly just other adults relaxing, lots of palm trees around, the hot tubs with the waterfalls - it really felt like being on vacation! We took some time out to take a break between parks and go for a relaxing swim, and I'm so glad we did.
Great review! I would really love it if you made video for Swan Reserve. I am going in mid-February and would be curious on your thoughts.
Come over to holiday Inn Disney Springs! We're right in the Springs area (10 min walk), hourly shuttles and early entry benefits! Were rated #14 of all the hotels in Orlando on TripAdvisor! Great alternative
Swan or Dolphin resort are the only resorts I stay at when I visit Disney. I've been to Hollywood studios and Epcot, never been to the other parks... I can't wait to try out the Swan Reserve.
When you mention access to the skyliner, is that possible? If so, how? From staying at Dolphin Hotel resort.
This was a great video - thanks Quincy!
We would love to see what the Swan looks like as well! Debating trying out one of those hotels and would be interested to know what the differences are.
We used to stay here a tonne of times but switched to the Contemporary but since they’ve ruined the Contemporary we’ll be back at the Dolphin for sure. Thanks for the fab video.
Excited for this video as we have a stay at the Dolphin planned for Feb! A little nervous as I’ve heard about some glitches with MDE dropping reservations but glad to see Quincy’s review
Please, please do a tour of the Swan! How do you get a s’mores fun kit? Is it free to store your bags with Bell Services? Where do the boats drop you? The international gateway? I’m allergic to Dasani! I wish they had other water. And, yes, it’s a pretty ugly Drs office waiting room style room
I have stayed at swan. Totally would not change... The food is super good!!
Thank you for the video! Very useful and has helped me to make my mind up about my next visit.
This place looks really nice ! Would love to see a review on Todd English’s restaurant, Blue Zoo! Thanks Quincy, would love to see a tour of the Swan also !! Merry Christmas!!!🎁
Does anyone know if the new transportation options from the airport go to the Swan/Dolphin? I believe the Magical Express didn't go there before.
Yes! Mears has one that goes to Swan and Dolphin.
Yes, please do a tour of the swan hotel.
Love the Dolphin. We’ve stayed there at least a dozen times. Shula’s is our favorite onsite steakhouse.
We are never in the room on a Disney vacation. We start at rope drop and end with fireworks so I could sleep anywhere after a day like that. After 5 days I feel like I've finished a marathon.
Would love a comparison with the Swan and Sean Reserve, but also the new JW Marriott at Bonnet Creek! I’ve heard really great reviews of it since it also has Epcot views, albeit it does have only bus transportation
We used to stay onsite but now rent an amazing 2 story house for $109/night from VRBO. It's just a few minutes from the parks.
Just for clarification, that was not a dead bolt on the room door, it was the locking mechanism for the door handle.
Dolphin and Swan are older hotels on property and mainly used for Conventions and Conferences. You can get some really good deals on them, when the do not have large events going on.
Thanks Quincy - we are staying here (hopefully, second attempt to do this trip from the UK!) in June, so appreciated the in depth - will be saving this for reference just before we fly in June 😊
Thanks Quincy great video!
Can anyone confirm if the resort fees are included in the package price if booking hotel and theme park tickets on the Disney world website? Or are the resort fees separate and you have to pay those once you arrive at the resort or upon check out? Thanks 🙏
pretty sure the resort fees are separate
Thanks Quincy!! Love ur hotel videos!!
We enjoyed every stay at the Dolphin. It is so convenient to Epcot and the Boardwalk entertainment area. As teachers we always got a huge discount so be sure to ask if that is still a perk!
We need more Quincy videos
So are the resort fees a per day deal ?
Swan hotel tour, please! Staying there in the Spring and would love an in depth tour. :)
Great tour. Question- did you have early entry as you would at a Disney hotel?
You do. You can also take advantage of the extra evening hours on the days those are available (which was awesome, we walked on to everything at Epcot). You’re able to link your reservation in the My Disney Experience app (they do check to make sure you’re a guest)
Just have to come on here to comment...we have been staying at the Dolphin/Swan for over a decade (whoever has the cheapest rate when we need to go) and the reasons we stay here are : 1. If you join Marriott Rewards you can get extra perks here and gain points toward future stays of either a free night OR you can do cash and points if you aren't staying during a busy time.2. They will always give you extra water/shampoo, coffee, tea, etc. at no charge. 3. The pillow sample she did wasn't exactly fair. Marriott, by signature, always has a firm pillow and a soft pillow for each sleeper. If she wanted a less firm pillow, she could have used the other. Her head was propped up in the sample sleep, too on 2 pillows so she may not sink in for that reason. ;) We loved these mattresses so much we went to Pottery Barn and purchased ourselves a King size one when they went on sale. Best after park sleep you will get. 4. Picabu market and food has a great breakfast and any meal, pretty much also a great family meal deal. Always check there if you are planning on coming back to the resort early to watch fireworks from your room. We usually do the whole rotisserie chicken with 2 sides and grab a breakfast item while we are there for the next morning's rush out the door to the parks. 5. If you want, you can take the boat over to HS and get off and walk 3 mins over to the buses, if you need to get somewhere and prefer the ease of the bus. Remember that the boat to Epcot also drops you at the back entrance so you can walk right into the world Showcase near France. NEVER in the 10+ years we have used this has there been more than 3-5 people in line ahead of us. 6. And pre-pandemic (haven't tried it since pandemic) you could get in the world showcase before 11 and walk over to France pavilion and have breakfast before the rest of the world showcase opens. Don't know if this is the case now. I know you can still get in the World Showcase before it opens, but not sure if the food will be open early still. 7. At night, you can walk over to the Boardwalk and find lots of fun things to do and eat or just stay at the Swan/Dolphin hotels. We stay here because the food selections for the quick service as well as the sit down are the best of any hotels we have stayed at. Blue Zoo wins awards nationally. Always top notch food at all of the restaurants, and there is a character meal at the Swan, excellent service and we don't care so much about the Disney theming. There is enough scattered around for our taste. You don't pay the Disney hotel prices here, so you ought not expect so much theming. I think she did a pretty fair judgment on all aspects of the Dolphin. It is underrated and I like it that way...because then there is always room for me when I want to stay here last minute. ;)
Great tour! I would love to see a tour of the Swan!
Great informative video!! My fam and I really want to try this resort out! Question does the pool have a slide? Sorry if I just missed this info but that’s a make or break for my kiddos!
Hi! The Dolphin pool does have a slide!
Can you go use their food court/ Fuel area if you arent a guest that specific hotel? Like could i be staying at Beach club and go get a coffee there? That caramel machiatto looked amazing.
You sure can! I love stopping by for a coffee when I'm in the area.
Yes, I requested this. 😊
Thanks for the great suggestion, Candyce!
@35:47 - They have plugs next to sinks in the Old US of A? 😟
Near. It's an outlet that's made to be installed near water. It has a breaker built in.
We just stayed there for the first time a few weeks ago and were pleased! So many dining options, and a good number of casual places to eat that you don't need a reservation for and aren't filled to the gills like at a Disney resort! The MK transportation, and the lack of mobile check-in were the only minuses for us. Otherwise, it was a win! Also, we had a "no view" room and yet we could actually see the Magic Kingdom in the far off distance so I thought it was lovely.
PS - You should have gotten the Ham & Jam sandwich from Fuel instead of a gran and go salad. That sandwich was REALLY good.
I went here a few months ago and I had a very good experience! BTW I went to the dolphin hotel I also explored the swan hotel but I stayed at dolphin
I toured the Dolphin once and found it very confusing and felt very claustrophobic! I was given a couple different directions to the pool, but never found it!
22:59 “Suncreen. Wear it, folks” said the ginger 🤣
Love your tours Quincy. How about sticking with the area and do Boardwalk?
We stayed at Dolphin for the 50th (Sept 29-Oct 3) and then at Swan Reserve (Dec 6-9). Both are great hotels with fantastic locations. We have been staying at Disney resort hotels for years and years. We should have tried these hotels sooner. We loved being able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The location is really a huge perk for us. The rooms are great too.
I would love a video putting the Swan against the Dolphin, seeing which one is better!
Dolphin is a sleeper. Went a few years back and might go this year