The Walt Disney World Dolphin – Orlando, Florida | Hotel Tour

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort is one of the premier hotels in the Epcot resorts area and is located adjacent to its sister resorts, the Walt Disney World Swan and the Swan Reserve.  This amazing resort has a stunning architectural design and consists of 1,514 well-appointed rooms & suites topped by two 56-foot dolphin sculptures.  The hotel is on the grounds of the Walt Disney World Resort and is within walking distance to the International Gateway of Disney’s EPCOT theme park.

The Dolphin and Swan originally opened in 1990 and recently announced a $275 million renovation & expansion that will include the addition of 120,000 square of convention and event space, the modernization of existing meeting spaces, technology advances throughout the property, and upgrades to the guest rooms in the Swan.

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About the Walt Disney World Dolphin

The Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel is located in the Epcot Resort Area of the Walt Disney World Resort. This area features several individual resort hotels, five which surround Crescent Lake and area interconnected by walking paths, several restaurants and shopping venues and immediate access to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios via boat transportation as well as walking paths and gondola service known as the Disney Skyliner. 

The resort hotels located in the Epcot Resort Area are as follows:

• The Walt Disney World Dolphin
• The Walt Disney World Swan
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort / Disney’s Beach Club Villas (vacation club)
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn / Disney’s BoardWalk Villas (vacation club)
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort (vacation club villas)

Guests can get to the Epcot Resort area from Interstate 4 by using the Epcot Center Drive exit, heading west to East Buena Vista Drive.  Epcot Resorts Boulevard is located  approximately one mile west of Epcot Center Drive along East Buena Vista Drive.    The Walt Disney World Swan is the first hotel on the western entrance of Epcot Resorts Boulevard.

It is a fairly direct route from the Orlando International Airport via SR 528 (the Beachline Expressway) to Interstate 4 west or State Road 417 to World Center Drive which becomes Epcot Center Drive at Interstate 4.  Barring any significant traffic issues, it will take approximately 30 minutes to get from the airport to the resort.  The Orlando / Orange County Convention Center is also close the hotel, just 10 miles along Interstate 4 east towards downtown Orlando.

Since the Walt Disney World Swan is located within the boundaries of the Walt Disney World Resort, all four Disney theme parks as well as the two Disney water parks and Disney Springs are a very short distance (and even walking distance to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

Travel time per Google Maps (non-peak hours) to the other Orlando area theme parks and significant destinations include:

• The Universal Orlando Resort: approximately 20 minutes
• SeaWorld Orlando: approximately 15 minutes
• ICON Park: approximately 20 minutes
• Downtown Orlando: approximately 30 minutes
• Vineland Premium Outlets: approximately 15 minutes
• The Mall at Millenia: approximately 25 miles
• The Florida Mall: approximately 25 minutes

In addition to the hotel amenities indicated below, the Walt Disney World Dolphin features on-site car rental, valet dry-cleaning, valet parking and an on-site Disney planning services.

Hotels Amenities

Amenities at the this resort are typical of other similar class hotels in the Orlando tourist area.  Since the Walt Disney World Dolphin shares amenities with the adjacent Walt Disney World Swan resort, there are more extensive options than a single, stand alone hotel.  

Amenities at the Walt Disney World Swan and the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Include:

• Five heated pools including a resort style grotto pool with waterfalls and a water slide; two lap pools, a spring pool, a kiddie pool, four hot tubs and two poolside restaurants.  There is poolside entertainment and organized activities at various times during the year as well as games, ping pong tables and a pool table.
• A white sandy beach facing Crescent Lake with two volleyball courts, beachside playground and children’s spraying fountain play area.
• Poolside cabanas and hammocks.
• Paddle boat and bicycle rentals (included in resort fee)
• A fully equipped fitness center with a variety of cardiovascular equipment, strength training machines and dumbbells.
• Free water taxi transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Shuttle bus service to the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs.
• An on-site business center with computer and copier service.
• A 10,500 square foot full-service spa featuring a variety of treatments (which unfortunately was not open at the time of our visit).  Click here for the spa menu at the Mandara Spa.
• Two mini-golf courses at Fantasia Gardens.

Dining at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and the Walt Disney World Swan Hotels

There are a number of differing dining options available at the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan hotels which include quick service, casual and fine dining. 

Walt Disney World Dolphin Dining Options

• Todd English’s bluezoo: AAA Four Diamond restaurant offering seafood and coastal cuisine; only open for dinner service. 
• Shula’s Steak House: One of the finest steakhouses in all of Florida; only open for dinner service.
• Rosa Mexicano: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Authentic Mexican cuisine is served for lunch and dinner.
• Cabana Bar and Beach Club: Dine by the pool – open for lunch and dinner.
• Picabu: Casual dining with American and southwest fare; open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  
• The Fountain: Casual dining 50’s style serving burgers and sandwiches; open for lunch and dinner.  
• Fuel:  Grab and go marketplace; open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

In addition to the dining options, there are three lounges at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

• Tood English’s bluezoo Lounge
• Shula’s Steak House Lounge
• Phins

Walt Disney World Swan Dining Options

• Il Mulinos New York Trattoria: Traditional Italian Cuisine; open for dinner service only.  
• Kimonos: Japanese sushi restaurant; open for dinner service only.  
• Garden Grove:  Casual dining; open for breakfast and lunch with character dining during select times.   
• Splash Pool Bar:  Open for lunch and dinner (closed during our stay at 6:00 PM).
• Java Bar: Quick service marketplace serving coffee & other beverages, sandwiches, salads and other snacks.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In addition to the dining options, there are two lounges at the Walt Disney World Swan.

• Il Mulinos New York Trattoria Lounge
• Kimonos Lounge

In addition to the above referenced dining options, there are a number of additional dining options for the Epcot Resort Area hotels along the adjacent Boardwalk as well as within the Boardwalk area hotels.   These include:

• Big River Grille & Brewing Works
• Cape May Cafe’
• Ale & Compass Restaurant
• Flying Fish
• Yachtsman Steakhouse
• The Market at Ale & Compass
• Beach Club Marketplace
• Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
• Boardwalk Bakery
• Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
• Funnel Cake Cart
• The To-Go Cart
• Hurricane Hanna’s
• Leaping Horse Libations
• Pizza Window
• Ample Hills Creamery
• Trattoria al Forno

The Boardwalk area and Boardwalk hotels also offer a number of entertainment and shopping options.  These include:

• AbracadaBAR
• Atlantic Dance Hall
• Jellyrolls
• Midway Games & More
• Seabreeze Point
• Belle Vue Lounge
• Crew’s Cup Lounge
• Martha’s Vineyard
• Disney’s Character Carnival
• Dundy’s Sundries
• Screen Door General Store
• Thimbles & Threads
• Wyland Galleries

The Rooms at the Walt Disney World Dolphin

Rooms and suites feature premium linens, high quality bathroom finishes, flat panel televisions and mini-refrigerators. 

The room types at the Walt Disney World Dolphin are as follows:

• Traditional guest rooms with one king bed and two double beds, no view.
• Resort view rooms with views of the Epcot Resort Area hotels, Crescent lake and the hotel courtyards with two double beds.
• Resort view rooms with balcony and two double beds.
• Fireworks view rooms with resort view/balcony with two double beds.
• Fireworks view rooms with resort view/balcony with one king bed.
• Fireworks view rooms with resort view with two double beds.
• Resort view rooms with balcony and one king bed.
• Resort view rooms with one king bed.
• Deluxe alcove double/double larger guest room with limited view (two double bed and a sofa bed)
• Deluxe alcove Junior Suite with one king bed and a limited view
• Premium studio larger room with one king bed, sofa bed and a limited view
• Premium double / double guest room with two double beds and a sofa bed.
• Governors Suites featuring a 680 square foot parlor area in the Swan and a 400 square foot parlor in the Dolphin, balconies (Swan), 55 inch flat panel LCD televisions, conference tables for eight and varying room configurations (Dolphin).
• Presidential Suites featuring a 1000 square foot parlor in the Swan and 1,085 square foot parlor in the Dolphin, balconies (Swan), two oversized bedrooms (Swan), one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans (Dolphin), 55 inch flat panel LCD televisions and conference tables for up to eight.

All the rooms at this resort were renovated in 2017 and feature alarm clock, coffee maker / tea service, in-room safe, flat panel televisions featuring HBO, ESPN, CNN and pay-per-view movies, complimentary high-speed internet and room service.  Select rooms at the Dolphin have outdoor balconies with great views of EPCOT.

Hotels Rates

The Walt Disney World Dolphin offers a range of nightly rates that cater to various budgets and preferences, making it an appealing choice for visitors seeking a blend of luxury and convenience.

Standard room rates typically start around $250 to $350 per night during off-peak seasons, providing guests with access to the resort’s exceptional amenities and prime location near Disney’s theme parks. During peak seasons, such as holidays and summer months, rates can rise significantly, often ranging from $400 to $600 per night or more.

There is a resort fee of $45 per day as well a 6% resort tax on top of a 6.5% sales tax on rates for this hotel.  Other charges include an on-site parking fee of $36 per day.

The resort fee at the Walt Disney World Dolphin includes:

• Complimentary Swan paddle-boat rentals
• Free instructor led fitness classes (held daily)
• Wireless high speed internet (Marriott Bonvoy members received enhanced wireless internet).
• $30 off spa services at the Mandara Spa ($200.00 or more)
• Daily access to the Balinese relaxation areas at the Mandara Spa (Silver Elite and above only)

Click here for Rates & Reservations

For Marriott Bonvoy Members

Elite Members of Marriott’s Bonvoy program (Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador) get a very nice welcome gift.  As of our most recent stay, there were three options to choose from which include a continental breakfast at Rosa Mexicano, additional reward points or an “Elite Member Amenity” which offers four options:

• Coffee Now, Snacks Later
• Sweet Treats (cookies, milk, etc)
• Perfect Pairing (wine and cheese, etc)
• Local Beer & Snack

What We Liked about the Walt Disney World Dolphin

There are so many things to like at the Walt Disney World Dolphin.  Following are some of the highlights:

• Location: This resort has an excellent location on the grounds of the Walt Disney World Resort adjacent to Disney’s Boardwalk area and within walking distance to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Rooms with Balconies:  Several rooms with balconies are located where you can get great view of the nightly fireworks at EPCOT.  We had one of those rooms during our stay.
• Amenities: The amenities are the resort are fairly extensive (combined with the adjacent Walt Disney World Swan hotel) from multiple pools, a white-sandy beach, organized activities and multiple dining options.
• Disney Transportation: Complimentary transportation via water taxi or shuttle bus service throughout the Walt Disney World resort.  Make sure you walk over to the International Gateway to EPCOT and take a FREE ride on the Disney Skyliner gondola. 
• Design: The Walt Disney World Dolphin has a very unique hotel design and stunning architecture. As previous indicated, there are two large Dolphin sculptures at the top of this hotel.

What We Didn’t Like about the Walt Disney World Dolphin

There is little not to like at the Walt Disney World Dolphin but there were a few things that we found to negatively effect our stay.

• Check-In/Front-desk:  Wait times at the front desk were longer than typical as the hotel only had limited the front desk staff.  
• Ancillary Costs: Resort fees of $45 per day  and self parking of $36 per day (coupled with a total of 12.5% in taxes, this can easily increase the cost of your visit by more than 30%). 
• Hotel Age:  At 30 years old, the Walt Disney World Dolphin is started to show its age with respect to the features.  While we do consider the lobby and common area of the Dolphin to be spacious and modern, the bathrooms are small for a hotel of this caliber and the resort as a whole lacks significant waterpark features (multi-story water slides, lazy river, etc.).

What We Think the Walt Disney World Dolphin is Perfect For:

This hotel has so much to offer in just about every area and we consider it perfect for the travelers who are coming to the Orlando area for:

• Family Walt Disney World vacations
• Couples weekend getaways
• Business conferences in the Orlando area

Endless Summer Recommendation:  If you are spending the full day at a Disney theme park and are fine with shuttle bus transportation, there are less expensive on-site hotel options like:

• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort