Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

Jared Zambito

We love this place. Probably been going here for 20-25 years. We really enjoy the location and amenities. It's come a long way through the years. The two issues I have are that they got rid of picabu which we really like to eat at. The other was the cabana grill by the pool. The day we arrived we went there shortly before they closed. My son and I ordered burgers that came absolutely charred. They had a crunch to them and it's literally all I tasted. Since it was now closed we unfortunately ate them, the fact they were even served said a lot. The next time we ate there I got the chicken sandwich and it was the smallest piece of chicken I've ever seen in a sandwich. Service was only ok as well. Very disappointing as we always liked eating there in the past. Aside from that I highly recommend and definitely become a bonvoy member before going, it's well worth it, especially once you get to gold/ platinum level. Lastly, we stayed in the presidential suite some years ago which is 5k square feet and the huge balcony you can see from back of building. If your going for luxury, it's quite amazing, especially with the grand piano when you first walk in.

Nicole

If you’re expecting Disney Magic, do NOT book the Dolphin. There is absolutely none of the Disney cast member energy here—no warm smiles, no going above and beyond, and definitely no pixie dust. This is a hotel operating under the Disney name but without the Disney heart. From the start, the front desk staff were incredibly unhelpful. At check-in, we weren’t even given a resort map, Wi-Fi info, or restaurant hours—basic things you’d expect anywhere, let alone a resort connected to Walt Disney World. When we inquired about a late checkout, we were first told it wasn’t possible… only to be told the very next day that we could extend by two hours. The inconsistency and lack of effort made it clear that guest experience was not a priority. The hotel itself is… fine. The bed was comfortable enough, the room was clean enough, but there was nothing special or memorable about it. The best thing going for the Dolphin is its location—you can easily walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, and it’s close enough to other Disney resorts that you can sneak a bit of their magic into your trip. I also appreciated the complimentary bottled water, which, honestly, was a highlight compared to the rest of the stay. Oh! And they do have Mickey pancakes, so, that is a plus! While I wouldn’t avoid it like the plague, I would not intentionally stay here again. There are better options nearby with actual Disney service and charm that are worth the extra effort/cost.

Parker Jones

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort is a fantastic choice, especially for adults desiring a luxurious and relaxing getaway with easy access to Epcot. The convenience of boat transportation to Epcot is a major perk, making park visits incredibly simple and enjoyable. The pools are absolutely stunning, with multiple options to choose from. The poolside service is top-notch, and you can easily order drinks and snacks without ever leaving your lounge chair. The resort also boasts a wide variety of dining options, from casual cafes to upscale restaurants. I was a little disappointed that the swan boats were closed during my entire stay, but this didn't detract too much from the overall experience. While the resort is not ideal for young children due to its more adult-oriented atmosphere, it's a perfect escape for couples and groups of friends seeking a sophisticated and enjoyable vacation with convenient access to Epcot.

Nate Hubler

The Dolphin is a beautiful resort with many great amenities. The room was pretty much what I expected from a resort of this age. The bed was a bit uncomfortable and sagged towards the center. I was, however, a bit disappointed with the service. They do not offer remote check in. The reason for our visit was my daughter's 21st birthday. She was traveling separately from college and would arrive, with a friend, a couple hours ahead of us. We called roughly three hours before she arrived and spoke with an associate who said she would be able to check in when she arrived with no problem. That was not the case. When she arrived, we were then told that a physical card is required for check-in and there was nothing they could do including park her car. She was sent off property to wait two hours for us. The front desk simply said "No." They didn't attempt to assist her or us in any way. There was no "let us park your car and see if we have a table at one of restaurants where you can grab a bite." She wasn't even offered a welcome to wait in the lobby. There was a simple "nothing we can do." I was shocked at two things. The first that I had traveled back in time to a resort that apparently needed to imprint your card on carbon paper. The second that the staff of a resort hotel were apparently trained to simply say "No." It didn't seem to cross their mind that there were other options available. Perhaps excellent service has truly died at this resort and there simply were no other options. My second disappointment came when trying to retrieve an item from my car. I was coming from the pool and didn't have my ticket. I did ,however, have my room key and ID. I gave these to the attendant who was for some reason squirrelled away in a small room behind a glass window, much like a drive up bank teller. The attendant informed me that my wife had forgotten to attach my name on check in. Once again, "nothing we can do, you will need to get in queue at the front desk, next!" After pleading with the attendant for a few minutes I am informed that they will do it "this one time." With a great deal of relief at being allowed to access my personal property "this one time," I retrieve my bag from my vehicle. I should note the valets were quick and courteous! When we were ready to depart the hotel my wife informed the attendant that she didn't have the ticket and attempted to present her ID. The attendant said, "no problem, I trust you." I laughed out loud and we were on our way back home. I did have two positive staff interactions that I would like to mention. The strike plate on our door was loose when we arrived and created a problem opening the door. A staff member noticed me struggling with the door and contacted security. When I arrived back at the room later that day a security officer was trying, to no avail, to open the door. A maintenance person named Frank happened to be passing by at that moment and stopped to assist. He immediately fixed the problem with the door. Thank you Frank for taking the time to alleviate the issue right then and there! Overall, a good place to stay when visiting Epcot, just don't expect highly trained resort staff.

Joe

A 2025 two stars hotel with 5 + stars price. Here is a hotel that was open n 1990 and probably celebrated as a top resort hotel, but in 2025 this hotel is tired, worn out and absolutely dated. It almost gives a guest a sense of nostalgia and sadness confronted with rusted metal structures, faded paint and old carpeting. The rooms decor and furniture are dated with signs of neglect with popcorn ceiling and small bathroom with vents covered with ancient dust that probably deserves an archeological study. What is unacceptable is the fact that this hotel charges premium for the rooms, parking and food as a 5 stars hotel in its glory days. Actually even more expensive than some 5 stars hotel as I experienced when ordering a portion of Mac and cheese and expected being served on a golden plate and silverware brought by a fully dressed butler due to its cost. It was only a small portion of Mac and cheese in a plastic container… The parking is chaotic if the guest chooses to self parking with very limited parking space because the main lots are closed. Unless you like to walk from the Swan parking lot where you are forced to park there, the alternative is to use its expensive valet parking. And from there the guest ripoff starts from bellboys to pretty much everything beyond your room. The service is decent, the rooms cleanness is as expected and windows with dirty glasses. The only thing that I can say is, this hotel is only worth by its location. Other than that, I personally would never recommend my friends and family to stay. There are many other options in the area that you would feel better signing the tab for, which it is not the case when staying here. I felt ripped off every time I pulled my credit card out of my wallet or charged the room. As another guest mentioned to me, this is a five stars motel 8.