The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin always seem to be a mystery even to the most seasoned of Disney guests. Are they Disney hotels? Or Are they not Disney hotels? What exactly is the benefit of staying there? We’ve stayed at the Disney Dolphin many times over the years, in many different rooms and we are here to help you decide if the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is right for you!
Contents
Disney World Dolphin Details
Rising above the landscape in the Disney Boardwalk area, it’s hard to miss the Dolphin’s postmodern architecture, courtesy of world famous architect, IM Pei. And while the Disney Swan and Dolphin Hotels, may not be like you’d would expect at Disney World, they come with their own charm, and one of the best hotel locations on all of Walt Disney World property. Within walking distance of the Boardwalk, EPCOT and Hollywood Studio, the Dolphin Hotel also shares amenities, including pools and restaurants with the Swan Hotel at Disney World.
- Address: 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
- Restaurants: Cabana Bar and Beach Club, The Fountain, Fuel Coffee Shop, Phins, Picabu, Rosa Mexicano, Shula’s Steak House and Lounge, Todd English’s Bluezoo Lounge
- Amenities: Pools, Boat Transportation, Complimentary Disney Bus Service.
- Parking: Self Parking $36, Valet $44
- Check In Time: 4:00 PM
- Checkout Time: 11:00 AM
- Resort Fee: $45 ( for two guests, $35 per each additional guest) Includes:
- In-room wireless internet
- Loyalty Program guests receive enhanced speed in-room wireless internet
- Daily access to the Balinese Relaxation Areas at Mandara Spa
- Daily Swan Paddleboat rentals
- Daily certified instructor led fitness classes
- Nightly movies and S’mores on the beach
Something a lot of people don’t know is that you can save money on Walt Disney World Resorts by booking through a third party. We like hotels.com because you can use and earn free nights. But we also love that the Walt Disney World Dolphin is part of Marriott Bonvoy. Not only can you earn points while staying there but you can also redeem points for free nights!
Is the Dolphin Hotel a Walt Disney World resort?
The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel isn’t actually managed by Walt Disney World. Although you do receive many of the same perks as a Walt Disney World resort, it is managed by Sheraton. It is a sister hotel to the Walt Disney World Swan and the new Swan Reserve Hotel. The Dolphin is the largest of the three and generally the least expensive. It is also a Disney Marriott Bonvoy Hotel which means you can use and earn point from the Bonvoy Loyalty program to earn more free nights on your next Disney Hotel stay.
That being said, this hotel is not themed, like other hotels on Walt Disney World property. Also unlike other Walt Disney World hotels, there is no food court or drink refill stations. You can walk over to Hurricane Hannah’s at the Beach and Yacht Club or Boardwalk Bakery and use their refill station if you’re using Disney’s refillable mug on this trip. But if you have small kids, that might be a bit of a hike for you. So this isn’t going to feel like your typical Disney hotel, which may or may not be a good thing.
Disney World Dolphin Location
Where is the Walt Disney World Dolphin located? The Dolphin is located in one of our favorite spots on all of Walt Disney World’s property, at Disney’s Boardwalk! The address to the Disney World Dolphin is 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. The location makes this resort a steal. You get the convenience of the deluxe boardwalk resorts here, with a less expensive price tag. Since it is located at the Boardwalk, that also means you can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. And with the addition of Disney’s Skyliner, you can also walk to the station at Epcot and board the Skyliner from there.
Can you walk to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios from the Dolphin Hotel?
Yes. To get to EPCOT, you simply walk through the Boardwalk Area and enter the park at the International Gateway entrance. Epcot is about a 15- 20 minute from the Dolphin Hotel. If you want to walk to Hollywood Studios from the Dolphin Hotel, that’s even closer at about 10-15 minutes away. You can even see Tower of Terror from the bridge! The location of the Dolphin Hotel also makes it easy to do soem Disney Resort Hopping to the Disney Resorts on the Skyliner, since the skyliner station is right at the entrance of EPCOT as well.
Disney World Dolphin Rooms
If you’re wondering what are the rooms like at the Dolphin, you won’t be disappointed. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Again since there is no theme, the decor is pretty neutral. Standard rooms with two beds feature double beds. We’ve stayed in several different room types, and depending on your price point, you can get anything from a standard-size room to a full, very large, high-end suite. You can also choose a room with a view for extra cost as well. We love the rooms with a balcony as they feel a bit more spacious.
Almost all the Disney World Dolphin Hotel Rooms have views of some kind. You can choose from a Traditional Room, a Deluxe Room or a Family Room. As well as a variety of Suites. We most like the Traditional Rooms with a Resort View so that we get a balcony. But, if you’re hoping to see Disney Fireworks from the Dolphin, then be sure to book a Resort View Room. Check out Disney Dolphin Hotel Room Options on the site.
The rooms are pretty standard in size for the area, and come equipped with a coffee maker, safe, mini-fridge, and Marriott’s signature smart TV and Heavenly Beds. The rooms come stocked with water bottles, coffee, hot tea bags, and standard toiletries. The bathrooms are separated from the vanity area which makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. The mirrors are backlit and provide excellent lighting, which we really appreciated.
Disney World Dolphin Amenities
The Disney World Dolphin hotel has a great pool, complete with an amazing poolside bar. It also has a large sand beach, with volleyball nets and lounge chairs. The Mandarin Spa is located at the Dolphin as well as a fitness center. And they do s’mores on the beach most nights, weather permitting.
One benefit of staying at the Walt Disney World Dolphin is that guests staying here also get to share the amenities that the Walt Disney World Swan has to offer. Between the two hotels, there are five different pools, ranging from lap pools to relaxation pools, as well as four whirlpools. There are also private cabanas that can be rented for the day, perfect for those wanting to make a day of it or have a little more luxury during their stay.
Does the Disney Dolphin have a fitness center?
Yes, the Disney Dolphin Hotel does have a 24 hr. Fitness Center! Guests of either resort can access not only the pools at each resort but also their fitness centers, which is great if you have a workout routine you’re committed to or training for your next runDisney race. With the addition of the new Swan Reserve hotel, there are three total health clubs that can be accessed, all of which are open 24 hours a day. The Dolphin health club is also staffed from 6am-9pm and fitness classes are offered daily. They are free of charge for guests, but technically the cost is included with your resort fee.
Disney World Dolphin Restaurants
There are a variety of onsite restaurants between the Swan and Dolphin. Often overlooked, these are also a great opportunity for last-minute dining reservations if needed.
Fuel is the resort’s coffee shop. And while overpriced, the coffee is actually pretty good. Fuel also offers grab-and-go options as well as bakery items. They sell beer and wine and usually have a soft-serve station as well.
Shula’s Steakhouse is located inside the Disney Dolphin and is one of its signature restaurants.
Todd English’s Blue Zoo is also available for dining inside the Walt Disney World Dolphin, and both are great choices if you’re looking for a sit-down meal.
Fountain is located on the first floor and is a quick-serve restaurant with sandwiches, salads, ice cream, and a super cute theme.
Rosa Mexicano is a New York-based restaurant that has come to Orlando! With fresh, authentic Mexican flavors, we can’t wait to try this one. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with a variety of cocktails and margaritas. You can see the full menu for Rosa Mexicano here. Check out all the Swan and Dolphin Restaurants here.
Disney World Dolphin Transportation
Transportation is really easy at the Swan and Dolphin. You get access to the walking path, complimentary bus transportation, and the Disney Skyliner is also within walking distance.
By Walking
You can walk right to the International Gateway(back entrance) of Epcot. The lines are generally pretty short and it brings you right to the World Showcase. Once inside Epcot, you can walk to the front and take the monorail to the TTC to get to Magic Kingdom. You can alternatively walk to the Skyliner at the back entrance of Epcot and take that to Hollywood Studios or any of the Skyliner resorts.
To get to Hollywood Studios, there is a walking path that will take you about 20 or so minutes if you’d like to walk. Or you can take the Friendship Ferry to Hollywood Studios and the dock is located right outside of the front entrance of the Dolphin.
Buses to the Parks
Busses are available to all of the Parks from any of the Swan and Dolphin hotels, but they are no longer serviced by Walt Disney World. Instead, they are serviced by Mears. The bus service here is pretty good and buses tend to run on time, about every 20 minutes. But if you are heading to Magic Kingdom, the busses here will no longer take you to the traditional bus area. They take you to the TTC instead, which can be a bit of a hassle because then you have to either take the monorail or the ferry to get over to Magic Kingdom.
How to get from the Orlando Airport to the Dolphin Hotel?
When flying into MCO, you’ll want to book the Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine Bus Shuttle Service, which does go to the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve Hotels. Or grab a taxi or Uber as well.
Disney World Dolphin Cost
As mentioned of the three Disney Marriott Bonvoy Hotels, the Disney World Dolphin Hotel tends to be the cheapest. And we’ve also found great deals on hotels.com at random times throughout the year. So much so, that while the price range at the Dolphin Hotel is typically between $500-$1000/ per night, we’ve found deals as low as $250 during the cheapest times to visit Disney World. And don’t forget you can earn and use loyalty points as well.
Disney World Dolphin FAQ
Do Guests at the Dolphin Hotel Get Disney Perks?
Staying at the Dolphin gives you most of the same perks as a regular Walt Disney World resort. You can still reserve dining 60 days ahead of time and are still eligible for Early Theme Park Entry. All of the hotels in Disney Swan and Dolphin resorts including the Swan Reserve, are also included in Walt Disney World’s Extended Evening Theme Park Hours, which is reserved for deluxe resort guests.
You also cannot link your magic band to the Dolphin; and due to that, you can’t place charges toward your room with your magic band either. If you have a MagicBand that is from a previous trip or one that you purchased separately, you can still link your Park tickets to it; it just won’t be connected to your room.
Can you get Disney Discounts and Special Offers at the Dolphin Hotel?
Sometimes, yes! The Disney Dolphin often offers discounts for Disney Annual Passholders, Teachers, Military, and Medical Staff. You can see the full list of their discounts here.
Do you get Disney Magical Extras at the Disney Dolphin?
Yes, Guests staying a the Disney Swan and Dolphin get Magical Extras as part of their stay. The Disney Magic Extras include things like free tickets to the Miniature Golf over at Fantasia Gardens, which is in walking distance. As well as discounts at retailers, and restaurants.
Is the Disney Dolphin good for kids?
It depends! There are often business conferences here, and while kids aren’t discouraged from staying at this resort, it can definitely feel a bit grown-up. Since there’s not any cute theming or many signs of Mickey anywhere, it’s not kid-centric; but that doesn’t mean it’s not kid-friendly. We have seen lots of families stay here. If your kids are used to staying at typical hotels and get excited just by the fact that they are staying somewhere other than their own bedroom, then the Dolphin will probably be pretty exciting to them.
The Dolphin also has a bar in the main lobby, so if you’d rather avoid that with kids, just be aware of it. I personally have never seen it get rowdy or loud there, but it’s good to note if you’re toting little ones! But if you’re looking for that Disney magic, then this might not be the place for you.
So is the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel for you? If you don’t mind the lack of Disney theming and the fact that they hold a lot of conferences there(think lots of people wearing business attire), then the Dolphin is a great place to stay. If you prefer the Disney-theming and really need that drink refill station in the food court, you might be better off going with a different hotel.
Overall, we loved the Dolphin and found the location to be potentially our new favorite area to stay! If you can find it for a reasonable price, then the location alone is worth spending a little extra on. Have you stayed at the Dolphin? Tell us what you thought about it!
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she’s not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she’s seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip
This is so helpful, thank you! If we were staying here but wanted to be at Magic Kingdom for rope drop, what’s the best transportation option since Epcot wouldn’t be open yet?
Hey Keri, The Walt Disney World Dolphin has regular Disney bus service which arrives at the resort approximately 45 minutes before park openings. Buses run in intervals of every 20-25 minutes to and from the parks. So you can check your My Disney Experience app once you’re at the resort for the exact times the Magic Kingdom bus will arrive at the Dolphin. This is great morning habit to get into if you’re on a schedule. And depending on the hours at Magic Kingdom that day (check the Disney website for if there are extra magic hours https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/five-day/ ) you would just time it so that you are waiting at the Dolphin bus stop at least 45 minutes before park opening. You of course could also uber, or lyft to get to the parks that early if you prefer. Hope that helps!
Just a quick question- you said you walked through Epcot to get to the Monorail to Ticket Center in order to get to Magic Kingdom quicker. Does that mean I physically have to enter Epcot? In turn, means we need to have the Park Hopper option on our tickets?
Author
Hey Paul!
Yes, you would need to physically enter Epcot as there is no walkaround at this point.
The Dolphin does have standard Disney buses though, so if you don’t have a Park Hopper or Annual Passes, you can always just take the bus to Magic Kingdom like you would from any other Disney resort. Hope this helps!
How long does the bus take from the Dolphin to MK and does it stop at other hotels before going to MK?
Hey Jen! Typically the bus would be about 20-25 minutes, and it generally does stop at the Swan hotel as well. However, With the change in Disney bus options late last year, the Swan and Dolphin have been using Mears as a substitute bus system. We don’t know if this is a permanent change. Check out this article. https://touringplans.com/blog/major-change-to-swan-and-dolphins-bus-transportation-what-does-it-mean-for-you/ You’ll note that instead of dropping you at the Magic Kingdom gates, the bus may drop you at the Transportation Ticket Center which will add some travel time since you’ll need to grab the monorail from there.