Walt Disney World Dolphin

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

1953 reviews

• 

  Just “okay”

  I just recently stayed here the weekend of 3/7 for a birthday trip. The location and bus/boat service to Hollywood and the other parks were fantastic. Our issue was with our room—two traveling adults who booked a king room and got a double room upon check-in. Upon entering the room (10056), the room smelled heavily of mildew or wet carpet. We slept in separate beds the first night as we were so tired, but on the second night, my husband went to the front desk to let them know what we booked was not what we received, and we were told there was nothing they could do for us as they were full. Lesson learned make sure to speak up from the jump if something is wrong. I don't think we would stay at this location again.

  Mar 10, 2025
• 

  Multiple visits , but never again!

  We have stayed happily at the dolphin, probably around seven times in the past 10 years. Sadly, this will be our last. We’ve recommended it to many of our friends, but will retract all of those recommendations. While you pretty much can’t beat the location, the level of Care has dropped precipitously. Just today, while settling into a lounge chair poolside, I discovered that I shouldn’t get too comfortable because two of the pools and the beach area are to be closed at noon for a private event. I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t pay enough to use the pool and beach while I was here . Furthermore, if you expect to grab something quick for breakfast, it will neither be quick nor breakfast. Instead, you will stand in line with every other guest in this massive hotel, long enough that you may as well order lunch while you’re there to avoid the line again. If you enjoy ordering breakfast at Starbucks, then you’ll enjoy this. There use to be a wonderful quick service cafeteria downstairs that offered eggs, bacon, omelettes, toast, sausage (you get the picture) , but they closed it to open yet another overpriced restaurant who depends on the expense accounts of convention attendees to keep them afloat. The rooms are adequate, as long as you don’t need to open or close the bathroom door with someone in there because there isn’t room for one person plus their shadow. The toilet has gurgled every night like someone flushed a plush Mickey down there. Bottom line, what once was a nice cheap family place is no more. Never again. Stay at a Disney hotel(this most definitely is not) , especially with kids. The quick service alone will make it worth it.

  Mar 09, 2025
• 

  Terrible mistake

  I booked the Dolphin last minute, as we were visiting family in the area. I like the location because I enjoy waking, and the Epcot resort area is the perfect place to get some miles in. My other choice was the Drury at Disney Springs. Since we stay there often, I figured we would break it up and try something new. Horrible mistake on my part. The good: The location is in one of the best areas of Disney. Lots of places to see and explore if you’re not going to the parks. If you are going to the parks, it’s an easy walk to the back entrance to Epcot. The lobby is pretty with plenty of places to eat. We enjoyed Fuel for late night snacks. The rest: Attempting to park for check-in was a nightmare. We waited 30 minutes for the valet line to move enough so I could parallel park and walk in. After check-in, they made us park across the street, about a 10 minute walk with luggage, because their lot was full. Not only is the hotel showing its age, but they’ve let it get run down. The hallways to the rooms are disgusting. You can clearly see the years of foot traffic going down the middle. In the room, under the glass top table, rust was showing, giving the appearance of eating on a dirty table top. I didn’t grab a picture but the shower had dirt in the bottom! After I ran the water for a minute, the dirt washed down; a clear indication it hadn’t been cleaned. Lastly, the bed. After a long drive, the last thing I wanted to do was get into the bed and feel the mattress on my feet. After removing the sheets, whoever made the bed left about a foot of mattress exposed. So gross. I made the bed correctly and went to sleep for the night. This is a one and done. If you find a decent deal, don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Stay at an actual Disney hotel instead or go to the Drury.

  Feb 28, 2025
• 

  Mediocre at best

  My husband and I have stayed at the Dolphin and Swan many times over the last 20 years and this was hands down the worst room we’ve ever had. We require an accessible room so maybe these aren’t the most popular therefore they aren’t given a lot of attention. The location was great though-a couple doors down from the elevator and very quiet. First thing I noticed was the shredded curtains and the toilet paper holder hanging on by a screw. The desk chair upholstery was torn and hanging from end to end. Waking up on our first morning, we found the in-room coffee maker was broken. My husband texted housekeeping to have it replaced. I noticed there was no light around the mirror. I thought maybe this room didn’t have one. The coffee maker was replaced that day while we were out. Next morning, same thing. The coffee maker would work for about 10 seconds and then turn off. Again, we texted to have it replaced. Maybe they assume you’ll just go buy coffee in the grab and go place. I went to Guest Services and a young lady made note of the other issues. She had someone go and look at the light. When we came back later that day, the light was working in the bathroom. I tried the coffee maker and it still didn’t work. I texted again and they apologized and said they would send someone up. A staff member came up with a brand new coffee maker. She said she had come up earlier and tried the old one and when the light came on, she assumed it was working. No worries. The next morning the light isn’t working again. It was obvious that the GFCI kept tripping. I tried to reset it but it wouldn’t. Another text for repair. It was reset and tripped again. Finally they came and replaced the outlet. That night there was a loud pop and we lost the hallway lights. At this point I texted housekeeping again and shared our disappointment with the room. The previously helpful staff advised our concerns would be shared with the leadership team. We never heard another word. There’s so much to like about this hotel. This was not their finest hour.

  Feb 28, 2025
• 

  Sadly not what we expected

  Sadly the negatives outweigh the positives for us, we wouldn’t stay again, just because there is so much choice around. The location is obviously great, the Disney benefits again well worth it. Just be mindful how everything is chargeable, rooms small and quite old feeling… gym very small for the size of the hotel, would try swan reserve next time

  Feb 22, 2025