question about Walt Disney World resort hotels

NuclearNed

Raconteur
May 18, 2001
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A buddy of mine and I are attending a conference at WDW in Orlando over October 14th-17th at the Dolphin Hotel. We would be staying 3 nights (14th, 15th, & 16th). The Dolphin has availability on the 15th & 16th, but not the 14th. They have a waiting/cancellation list.

According to someone I spoke with on the phone, the Boardwalk Hotel is just a 5-10 minute walk, and they have availabilities every night we need. I went ahead and booked the room there, but I can cancel and get a full refund.

Is the Dolphin significantly better than the Boardwalk that I should pursue staying there? I understand that they are both really nice hotels. I also know the Dolphin would be more convenient for us since that is where the conference is being held.
 

UpgradeFailure

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
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Quality-wise they are 99% the same. I'd say just stay the entire time at the boardwalk so you don't have to check out, check in, and drag your bags with you again.
 

NuclearNed

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May 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: UpgradeFailure
Quality-wise they are 99% the same. I'd say just stay the entire time at the boardwalk so you don't have to check out, check in, and drag your bags with you again.

That's kind of what I'm thinking too.

Can anyone confirm how close the Boardwalk is to the Dolphin?
 

Drekce

Golden Member
Sep 29, 2000
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The Boardwalk hotel is a pretty decent walk away from the Dolphin. Definitely more than 10 minutes. It will still be fairly hot here next week, so consider that. Disney has a really good bus system though that should be able to get you door to door fairly quickly without much hassle. The Boardwalk is nice because it is right on the Boardwalk, which has some restaurants (ESPN Zone) and shopping. The Dolphin is closer to Downtown Disney, but I would probably rather stay in the Boardwalk, because transportation is pretty good.

You could also check out the Swan, which is right next to the Dolphin. Those two hotels are almost identical.
 

NuclearNed

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May 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: Drekce
The Boardwalk hotel is a pretty decent walk away from the Dolphin. Definitely more than 10 minutes. It will still be fairly hot here next week, so consider that. Disney has a really good bus system though that should be able to get you door to door fairly quickly without much hassle. The Boardwalk is nice because it is right on the Boardwalk, which has some restaurants (ESPN Zone) and shopping. The Dolphin is closer to Downtown Disney, but I would probably rather stay in the Boardwalk, because transportation is pretty good.

You could also check out the Swan, which is right next to the Dolphin. Those two hotels are almost identical.

The Swan is also full for those nights...
 

MaxDepth

Diamond Member
Jun 12, 2001
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Go down to the street corner and ask for the "Walt" special. I'm sure someone will hook you up.
;)
 
Sep 12, 2004
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Both are nice hotels and are pretty much a wash as to which one is better. Some might say that the Dolphin is just a bit classier. The only real major difference between the two is that the Boardwalk is a Disney owned and run hotel while the Dolphin is on Disney property but owned by a third party.
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
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Originally posted by: Drekce
The Boardwalk hotel is a pretty decent walk away from the Dolphin. Definitely more than 10 minutes. It will still be fairly hot here next week, so consider that. Disney has a really good bus system though that should be able to get you door to door fairly quickly without much hassle. The Boardwalk is nice because it is right on the Boardwalk, which has some restaurants (ESPN Zone) and shopping. The Dolphin is closer to Downtown Disney, but I would probably rather stay in the Boardwalk, because transportation is pretty good.

You could also check out the Swan, which is right next to the Dolphin. Those two hotels are almost identical.

Drekce is correct but, if you want to change hotels during your stay don't give it a moments thought. The hotel will happily transfer your luggage for you and even arrange to hang up your clothes for you if you would like. These are first class hotels, leave your worries at home.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
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They are comparable for about 90% of the people staying there. THe limits of the Dolphin are greater though....if you are looking at the Dolphin, what about the Swan. They are next door to each other.
 

CTrain

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Sep 26, 2001
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Yeah, I would book the 3 nights at the Boardwalk so you don't have to check in and out for 1 day.
The boardwalk is one of Disney's upscale resort.
Its also across the street from MGM studios.
Disney bus system is very good.