Is there a discount at the Dolphin Hotel? Is it a good place to stay?”

Hey there Carol, 

Welcome back to planDisney. The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is unique as it offers some of the same benefits you can find by staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel, but it is not a Disney operated property. 

The resort is owned and operated by Marriott, so if you happen to be a frequent traveler and are part of Marriott's rewards program, one advantage to selecting this resort is the ability to use your Marriott Bonvoy Points or access any Marriott reward discounts. Additionally, Marriott does offer at times, various discount options for Guests associated with specific groups or memberships. For example, I once stayed there with a friend who is a teacher, as Marriott was offering a discounted rate for educators. It was a perfect weekend getaway for a great price!

The Dolphin, as well as The Swan (located adjacent to The Dolphin) are very nice hotels that provide all of the amenities a Marriott traveler would expect. This includes dining options, a fitness center, and a nice pool and spa area. Guests staying here can take advantage of the complimentary Resort Transportation to the theme parks and Disney Springs as well as access to Early Theme Park Entry and the ability to book Individual Lightning Lanes at 7am. One of the other huge selling points to this resort is the location. These two resorts sit on Crescent Lake and share both the water ferry and walkways to Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

One big downside to selecting this hotel is you will not be able to utilize your MagicBand+ as your room key or to make charges to your room. We absolutely love the convenience of having all our tickets, room key and payment as close as our wrist, so this is a big drawback to us. You will also find that the "Disney magic" is missing from these resorts. While they are just steps away from the theme parks, they do not have the same Disney feel or touches that you find at the Disney owned resorts.

In the end, if you have Marriott points to burn and are looking for a great location, this is a perfect option for your next trip. Just be prepared to soak up your Disney magic while at the theme parks and don't forget to carry your room key and credit card when you head out for a day of fun. If I can assist with any additional planning questions, please stop back and see me.

Hope to see ya real soon, 
Margaret