Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walt Disney World, Orlando

Star rating

The hotel

Perched overlooking the gardens leading to Epcot, the Walt Disney World Dolphin is a fantastic base to explore the magic land and, with it being a Disney partner hotel, you get a whole host of exclusive benefits to really make the most of the 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 (or you could get a scenic water taxi ride there instead! With Walt Disney World Swan and Swan Reserve adjacent, there’s so much more to enjoy than just 1 hotel. With 23 restaurants to tantalise your tastebuds, 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.

Our Standard Rooms include resort views at no additional charge, 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 Included:

    - 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 daily and extended Disney theme park hours 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*. Swan paddle boats. 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*. Concierge. Merchandise delivery service from the park to your hotel. Complimentary parking at Disney Theme Parks with room key and ID. Early Theme Park Entry (30mins) and Extended Evening Theme Park Hours (on select evenings). Priority seating at Disney Restaurants.

The resort fee is included in the hotel cost for Virgin Atlantic Holidays guests.

Resort fee includes: - Complimentary daily swan paddleboat rentals - In-room wireless internet - Live instructor led fitness classes - Nightly movies and s'mores on the beach - Additional value add benefits including discounted spa treatments. Resort fee and inclusions are subject to change and availability. Please check with the hotel for the most up-to-date information.

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 (689)
  • Very good (539)
  • Average (318)
  • Poor (188)
  • Terrible (234)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great, Short Stay!

May 14, 2025 MJ D Connecticut

The room was great for our needs. We spent most of the day at the park and really just used the hotel and room to sleep and get ready. “Fuel” in the lobby was great for us to grab a quick breakfast and fill our late night drinks and snacks needs! Our room was clean and seemed to be well maintained. For us it was a good stay overall and we would… Read more
The room was great for our needs. We spent most of the day at the park and really just used the hotel and room to sleep and get ready. “Fuel” in the lobby was great for us to grab a quick breakfast and fill our late night drinks and snacks needs! Our room was clean and seemed to be well maintained. For us it was a good stay overall and we would stay here again if we wanted to be central to the park like this weekend trip needed! A very serviceable room and property! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating If you're going to Disney, STAY HERE!

May 8, 2025 Summer S Salt Lake City, Utah

We booked this hotel so we could stay on Disney Property without paying the Disney premium price. It was a deluxe resort for a value price. We arrived early off of our red-eye flight, and they were very accommodating. The rooms were beautiful, the pool complex was fabulous, (my husband is still mad at me that we didn't book an extra "Resort day")… Read more
We booked this hotel so we could stay on Disney Property without paying the Disney premium price. It was a deluxe resort for a value price. We arrived early off of our red-eye flight, and they were very accommodating. The rooms were beautiful, the pool complex was fabulous, (my husband is still mad at me that we didn't book an extra "Resort day") It was a wonderful place to stay for our Disney trip, the buses and transportation were all on time and clean - 10/10 would stay here again. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating We enjoyed our stay!

Apr 30, 2025 mamasqueenge New Hampshire

We stayed here for three nights after getting a deal. We tried to extend one more night but it would have been twice what our deal was. We usually stay at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Spa near disney springs so booked our final night there. When I booked the dolphin, I read some reviews about moldy smell in the rooms so I upgraded (for $50.00 a… Read more
We stayed here for three nights after getting a deal. We tried to extend one more night but it would have been twice what our deal was. We usually stay at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Spa near disney springs so booked our final night there. When I booked the dolphin, I read some reviews about moldy smell in the rooms so I upgraded (for $50.00 a night) to a balcony and our room smelled fine. The grounds are beautiful and well kept, the pools were nice and they have awesome restaurants to choose from. They are pricey (you are at Disney, they are all pricey) but the service and food were top notch! We had some great breakfast and an awesome meal at the Blue Zoo. The people were also very nice and helpful. I will say, our room at the Hilton was bigger and nicer for 1/2 the price but we enjoyed our time here and would stay again. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Another great time at the Dolphin

Apr 23, 2025 jneil Boston, Massachusetts

I recently stayed here for one night with my 80 years old parents. We had two rooms and they were able to put us all on the same floor. I had contacted them before our visit to request that my parents could get an early check in (so that they could take a rest bit from Epcot) and they were able to accommodate us. Diego at the front desk was… Read more
I recently stayed here for one night with my 80 years old parents. We had two rooms and they were able to put us all on the same floor. I had contacted them before our visit to request that my parents could get an early check in (so that they could take a rest bit from Epcot) and they were able to accommodate us. Diego at the front desk was fabulous and a pleasure to talk to. While we were not able to take advantage of their wonderful restaurants and pools, we did enjoy the comfortable beds and perks for being on property. We’ve stayed at this hotel many times over the years and if you can get a deal, it’s a great place. Our only issues were my parents has a handicap assessable room but were disappointed in the low toilet seat and non existent water pressure in the sink and shower. Also, their parking lot is being refurbished and they wanted us to park at the Swan but my dad did valet since they have handicap parking and this cost $51 for one night. Parking should be included. Other than that, we had no complaints. The rooms were comfy and clean and the access to the parks is a plus. Wouldn’t hesitate to stay again. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Still the one for me!

Apr 19, 2025 swimmy4 Tallahassee, Florida

I have been going here for years. It is one of my very favorites. You get the early entry and extra hours of the luxury Disney hotels and can walk to Epcot. The beds were comfy, the grounds are gorgeous, and the air conditioning is nice and cold. The s‘mores are so fun!