Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walt Disney World, Orlando

Virgin rating

The hotel

Perched overlooking the gardens leading to Epcot, the Walt Disney World Dolphin is a fantastic base to make the most of the famed theme parks - you're even within walking distance of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios so you can explore a galaxy far, far away. With Walt Disney World Swan and Swan Reserve adjacent, there’s 23 restaurants between the resorts for you to enjoy. And with 6 pools, a waterslide, a kids’ camp and mini-golf nearby, little ones will be entertained to high heavens.

Amenities

  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Kids Club
  • Car Included
  • Wedding
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Free Parking
  • Free transport to theme parks
  • Games Room
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service

Where is it

Ideally located in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort. Adjacent to Epcot and within close proximity to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Transfer time from Orlando International Airport: 30 minutes.

Hotel information

2,619 guest rooms. All with air-conditioning, flat-screen HDTV, iPod/MP3 connections, complimentary WiFi access, tea/coffee making facilities, mini-fridge, safe, iron and ironing board, and hairdryer.

Resort View Rooms with 1 king-size bed plus sofa bed, or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 people. (5th person can be accommodated on a rollaway bed*).

Balcony Rooms overlook the courtyard or the lake, with 1 king-size bed plus sofa bed, or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 people (5th person can be accommodated on a rollaway bed*).
  • Stay before 31 Dec '26 to receive the following benefits: • Complimentary self-parking, saving $36 per day.  • Kids 9 years and under eat free at selected restaurants when accompanied by a full paying adult. Maximum 2 children per room, per paying adult. Restaurants and meal options are subject to change. • Receive $30 off any Mandara Spa treatment when spending $200 or more.
  • Disney Benefits - 7 Day advance reservations for Lightning Lane theme park ride reservation system. (3 days for all other offsite hotels)Complimentary transport to all Disney theme parks and Disney springs, includes water taxis.Early entry and extended Disney theme park hours - Daily 30 mins early access as well as up to 2 hours past closing on select evening.Complimentary self-parking at all four Disney theme parks*Exclusive benefits subject to change

Complimentary Disney transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Within walking distance of Disney's BoardWalk, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and to a private entrance at Epcot. Complimentary water taxi to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Complimentary self-parking for Virgin Atlantic Holidays customers (saving $36 per day). Valet parking £44 plus tax, per night (payable locally, subject to change).

23 restaurants and lounges across the Swan, Swan Reserve and Dolphin resorts: Amare (Mediterranean cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Rosa Mexicano (Mexican cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Tangerine (poolside drinks and casual fare). The Fountain (open for lunch and dinner). Fuel (grab and go items). Garden Grove (open for breakfast). Grounds (craft coffee, sandwiches and pastries). Il Mulino New York Trattoria (Italian dining, open for dinner). Il Mulino Lounge. Stir (lobby lounge). Kimonos (sushi, open for dinner). Kimonos Lounge. Splash Pool Bar & Grill (poolside dining). Java (open for breakfast; grab-and-go open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Picabu (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Shula's Steak House (open for dinner). Todd English's Bluezoo (seafood, open for dinner) Todd English's Bluezoo Lounge (cocktails and light bites). Shula's Lounge. Phins (light bites and cocktails). Chill (frozen cocktails). Cabana Bar and Beach Club. In-room Mobile Dining available.

Poolside entertainment and activities (seasonal).

6 swimming pools, including a 3-acre grotto pool with waterslide and waterfalls, 2 lap pools, a spring pool and a kids' pool. Poolside cabanas*. 4 whirlpools. Sandy beach. The Dolphin Health Club with fitness centre, classes, and yoga mats (on request). Mandara Spa*. Camp Dolphin* kids' club. Water volleyball. Beach volleyball. Basketball. Ping Pong. Pool table. Giant checkers. Jogging trails. Kids' playground. Arcade*. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf* (located nearby). Advance tee times at Walt Disney World Resort's three championship golf courses.

Complimentary WiFi. 24-hour ATM. Babysitting*. Laundry/dry-cleaning facilities*. Merchandise delivery service from the park to your hotel. Complimentary parking at Disney Theme Parks with room key and ID. Gift shop. Early Theme Park Entry (30mins) and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (on select evenings).

Wheelchair accessible rooms available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: use of a rollaway bed for parties of 5 people or more sharing a room will incur an additional charge. This is subject to change and is payable locally to the hotel.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (680)
  • Very good (535)
  • Average (314)
  • Poor (185)
  • Terrible (229)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great resort but check room size will meet your needs

Dec 25, 2024 RadleyDen Watford, United Kingdom

We had a fantastic stay at the WDW Dolphin. The resort is gorgeous, impeccably maintained with several pools, a lake with swan boats & many restaurants. You essentially have access to all of the facilities in both the Swan & Dolphin. Service was also very good. The location is fantastic with Epcot & Hollywood Studios accessible by boat (&… Read more
We had a fantastic stay at the WDW Dolphin. The resort is gorgeous, impeccably maintained with several pools, a lake with swan boats & many restaurants. You essentially have access to all of the facilities in both the Swan & Dolphin. Service was also very good. The location is fantastic with Epcot & Hollywood Studios accessible by boat (& walkable if you wish) plus the Boardwalk Resort & Yacht & Beach Club also in walking distance. Our standard room with resort view was clean but the design was poor - the bath/shower room with toilet was tiny - very tight to get in and out. Outside was a single small sink with very little space. Really impractical for 4 of us sharing. Beds also seemed very small - two queens but definitely smaller than usual (we went straight to another resort with the usual size queens). A shame given how good the resort is. I’d stay here again but look at other room options/connecting rooms. Other downside is parking charge per day plus resort fee per day (annoying if you are in the parks & not using them for most of the time). Restaurants all good - we enjoyed the Italian trattoria at the Swan & used Fuel quite a bit for snacks. We didn’t go to the pool until the last day & discovered a quick serve breakfast tucked out of the way on the bottom floor. Seemed odd no-one mentioned it. Looked a bit tired & neglected but breakfast was good. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Modern Luxury with a Few Trade-offs

Dec 20, 2024 sue_singh Johannesburg, South Africa

Our upgraded King Suite experience at the Dolphin was impressive, offering a spacious layout with a dining room and incredibly comfortable sofa bed. The beds were firm yet luxurious, and the entire hotel exudes a modern, fresh atmosphere after its recent renovation. While our view was disappointing, the room itself exceeded expectations. The… Read more
Our upgraded King Suite experience at the Dolphin was impressive, offering a spacious layout with a dining room and incredibly comfortable sofa bed. The beds were firm yet luxurious, and the entire hotel exudes a modern, fresh atmosphere after its recent renovation. While our view was disappointing, the room itself exceeded expectations. The hotel shines with its excellent dining options, from upscale restaurants to convenient grab-and-go choices. The staff is consistently friendly and helpful, though housekeeping was a bit frustrating - we had to call for service on 2 out of 4 days of our stay. A standout feature is the well-designed laundry facility, complete with sinks and sanitizers - a detail that makes longer stays much more comfortable. However, it's worth noting that unlike other Disney properties, you'll need to factor in daily parking fees, and the Disney Dining Plan isn't available here. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Dolphin's modern amenities, comfortable rooms, and excellent location make it a strong choice for a Disney vacation. The recent renovations have created a truly upscale experience that balances luxury with Disney convenience. Perfect for: Travelers seeking modern luxury with Disney proximity, families wanting more space, and those who appreciate contemporary design over Disney theming. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Concierge Josh s the best!!

Dec 14, 2024 L A S Winnipeg, Canada

I am a many time repeat customer. Very convenient location. Just a short walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Special thanks to the concierge agent JOSH. He is very accommodating and friendly. Josh is a definite asset to this property. He does his best to make the customers happy and he does it with a smile. The Dolphin is lucky to have… Read more
I am a many time repeat customer. Very convenient location. Just a short walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Special thanks to the concierge agent JOSH. He is very accommodating and friendly. Josh is a definite asset to this property. He does his best to make the customers happy and he does it with a smile. The Dolphin is lucky to have him. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful Stay

Dec 10, 2024 urban c Houston, Texas

We stayed for about 5 days at the Dolphin and had a wonderful stay. Our room was ready when we arrived before check-in. The staff at the desk and concierge were friendly, helpful, and efficient. The room was in great condition, modern, and as advertised. We had daily maid service with the maid doing a great job. The lobby and bar were… Read more
We stayed for about 5 days at the Dolphin and had a wonderful stay. Our room was ready when we arrived before check-in. The staff at the desk and concierge were friendly, helpful, and efficient. The room was in great condition, modern, and as advertised. We had daily maid service with the maid doing a great job. The lobby and bar were very relaxing and a great place to unwind after a long day at the parks. They make a great martini. Even though it's has Disney access, the only downer is that the transportation isn't treated the same. When wanting to take the bus, walk to the Yacht Club and use their bus which drops you off at the Magic Kingdom. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Really poor customer service at desk and reservation center and faulty app

Dec 8, 2024 nriishs Roanoke, Virginia

I am at a meeting at resort. The reservation was made and confirmed over 3 weeks ago. On contacting hotel on day of check in they could not find resection - stated it is valid from following fay( despite of a confirmation email). I had to call the online reservation who finally found the reservation but wanted to let me know that as I reserved for… Read more
I am at a meeting at resort. The reservation was made and confirmed over 3 weeks ago. On contacting hotel on day of check in they could not find resection - stated it is valid from following fay( despite of a confirmation email). I had to call the online reservation who finally found the reservation but wanted to let me know that as I reserved for 3 days - I had only 2 nights of reservation and must check out on last paid night (before the night). I had to go back and forth over 5 min to make them understand that the reservation for 3 days means a total of 3 nights and check out is on day following- ie booking for 3 nights starting on 8th means check out on 11th. I expect at least basic understanding by the hotel and reservation staff at Disney. Regular Hilton and IHG hotels are so much easier to deal with. Icing in the cake was a defective Marriott Bonvoy app which would not let me sign up. I will have another review or an addendum at the end of stay regarding condition of resort and the rooms. Read less