Walt Disney World Dolphin in Orlando, FL

I’d like to preface my review as someone who’s been visiting the Walt Disney Resort for many decades, am a Vacation Club member and Annual Passholder who visits biannually. The hotel itself is beautiful, is clean and conveniently located within walking or boating distance to Epcot and Hollywood studios. The hotel has many food options, recreation and shopping onsite. The reason for my low score at this property is a reflection of the staff, in particular the night hotel manager and daytime staff at the front desk and customer service. The room itself had a resort view big windows with a couch desk the normal things you would find in a deluxe hotel. Comfortable bed, and linens and plenty of pillow. However - bathroom, and vanity area are a joke. You have to physically climb over the toilet to get to the shower, the toilet and the door would make anyone claustrophobic. The vanity is tiny, and there’s no door, so getting ready you’re on full display for anyone in the room. The desk staff is not kind, at least who I encountered. The bell staff were fantastic. I have a son who is autistic and needed accommodation and experiences difficulty with elevators. Despite multiple attempts to address this issue—through phone calls, visits to the desk, and conversations with staff—I was assured it would be resolved. Mind you the same requests have been given at other Disney property hotels, numerous times with no issue. Unfortunately, the manager on the night shift responded dismissively, suggesting I “use an escalator.” I was left to wonder if it’s truly reasonable to expect me to hold my almost 50lb son while managing his stroller, which also functions as a wheelchair for his safety, on an escalator with a medical bag. This suggestion shows a lack of understanding and empathy, and I was deeply disturbed by the treatment we received. Even the bellman, who witnessed the situation, expressed sympathy, as it was clear how poorly we had been treated. My son cried and was frightened each time we used the elevator to visit his special place, Disney World. The location of our room on the 9th floor, felt as if it was deliberately placed far from the elevator, adding to our difficulty. I can’t help but wonder if this situation arose because we didn’t fit the traditional mold of a business traveler or family. I am truly hurt by how we were treated. I would not visit this hotel again or recomend it to anyone who needs an accommodation. Furthermore, if you have mobility issues Medical/ Handicap parking is very far from the lobby.

Convenient hotel for Epcot … and don’t they know it. Overpriced for aging rooms. Have stayed here many times and they never fix the basic problems like lack of noise insulation around the doors. It’s good to walk to Disney, but you are a cog in the Marriott money machine and they do not care about quality or experience.

Stayed here for work conference. Room 5182 west. Entering room, it smelled like an armpit. I’m assuming it was the carpet. Otherwise it was clean and stocked. Pools are great. Service was excellent. Good options and proximity to boardwalk/epcot/hollywood studios is nice. I knew things would be pricey (hotel, food, etc) but it was even higher than I imagined.

Booked the Premier King Bed room, stayed 3 nights. No regrets. If you have a toddler that still sleeps in crib, this room has ample room without feeling cramped. Has small table that seats 4 and 2 mini-fridges and 2 bathroom sinks in separate areas. Bed was very comfortable and my 8 year old didn't mind his sofa bed either. Hotel is slightly dated, but makes up for it by being able to collect or use your Marriott points, allows early purchase of Lightning Lanes and extended nights at the parks when available. Large pool areas, one has a slide and grounds are kept clean. Lobby has grab-n-go food/snacks/coffee including breakfast, lunch items. There's a Disney store on site for last minute souvenirs. On-site restaurants are not bad, convenient and reservations are recommended for large groups. Not a "theme" resort but you can either walk or take the complimentary boat ride to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. Complimentary bus to TTC where you can hop on the monorail or ferry to Magic Kingdom. We stayed here 10 years ago and again on this trip and would consider for future trips.

A positive review - though i need to open with the fact that the mandatory resort fee $45+tax is daylight robbery! Almost everyone we spoke to were disgruntled by it! The WiFi is the only amenity capable of supporting all paying guests, while the other three perks are insufficient to accommodate everyone. Despite knowing that not all guests will be able to use these perks, the resort still imposes a mandatory fee for them. This creates a significant issue, as these perks amount to an illusory benefit—inadequate for the resort's size. Charging guests for perks that cannot realistically support everyone may also constitute unjust enrichment, as guests are not receiving the promised value for their payment. *************************************************************************************** If you're looking at this hotel, its likely you are concerned about location and budget. This hotel falls right between EPCOT and Hollywood studios and shares the lake with Disney Boardwalk & Yacht and each resort. It is a great spot to be, evenings can be spent on the boardwalk. We had a wonderful stay at this hotel, primarily due to its fantastic location within Disney World Orlando. The ability to check in early was a huge plus, especially with our young family in tow. The room itself was spacious, modern, and impeccably clean. While it lacks the whimsical Disney character, it offers a comfortable atmosphere more akin to a business hotel. The pools were a highlight for our kids, who absolutely loved the waterslide and spent hours enjoying the hot tubs. I even managed to sneak in some lap swimming in the 30-meter pool, which was a nice bonus. The beach area was also delightful. The kids enjoyed the playground, and we all loved watching the evening movie and toasting marshmallows together. The ambiance was lovely and really added to our experience. Additionally, the basketball court was nice, although it could use a new net! The gym was modern and well-equipped, and I appreciated the option to participate in virtual classes. The added touch of the running route card was nice to see also. One downside was the mandatory resort fee, which felt excessive. It included items that should be complimentary or low-cost, such as in-room wireless internet (which is free almost everywhere else), daily paddleboat rentals, instructor-led fitness classes (when virtual options are available at no charge), and nightly movies with S’mores on the beach—activities that don’t seem to justify the fee. Also, we were disappointed to find that late checkouts weren’t available, which would have been helpful for our travel plans. Overall, while the hotel has its drawbacks, its prime location within Disney World makes it a solid choice for families looking to enjoy all the magic the area has to offer!