Dolphin Resort Pool
  • On Jul 24, 2025
    Ashley from PA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I am considering booking directly with Marriott at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. Is there a downside to booking directly with Marriott instead of booking through the Disney website?

    Hello Ashley. Welcome to planDisney! 

    How exciting! It sounds like you are planning a pretty magical Thanksgiving in The Most Magical Place on Earth! Thanksgiving time is one of my favorite times to visit. The weather is generally pleasant, and seeing the holiday trees and decorations around Walt Disney World puts me in the Christmas spirit! 

    Great minds think alike, because it looks like I will miss you by just one day! I have my own trip planned right before Thanksgiving, and I will also be staying at the Disney Dolphin. I'm happy to help with your question!

    As a Marriott Bonvoy member, I typically book my stay directly through the Marriott website. There are no downsides to booking this way, but you will need to manually link your reservation to your My Disney Experience account, and I'm happy to help you with that. 

    After booking your stay with Marriott, you'll receive a confirmation number. You'll then need to enter this number into your My Disney Experience account by clicking on "Resort Hotel" and then selecting "Link a Reservation." I can tell you from experience, it can take between 24 and 72 hours for the Marriott reservation number to be recognized in your My Disney Experience account. This is normal, so don't worry if you try to add it immediately and receive an error. I've only had to call Marriott once to get a different confirmation number that worked with my Disney account. If you encounter any issues after 72 hours, just give Marriott a call for assistance.

    I really enjoy staying at the Dolphin. I'm close to the Disney BoardWalk, and I can easily board a FriendShip Boat to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Best of all, I can take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. 

    Ashley, I'm wishing a magical Thanksgiving vacation! I hope you'll gobble up all the holiday foods and fun! Please stop by and visit us here at planDisney anytime! 

    Happy planning,
    Shonette 
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Meet the Panelist: Shonette, Ohio

Hi! I'm Shonette from Ohio, and I wear the ears of wife, mom, and proud Gigi to two preschool granddaughters. I love making magical memories with my family while snacking on a DOLE Whip or watching Tinker Bell fly during Happily Ever After. I'm more excited than Ariel, with a treasure chest of thingamabobs, to be a planDisney panelist. I can't wait to help you and your family discover your unique, magical moments!  Learn More About Shonette

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