Is the Walt Disney World Dolphin Worth It? My Honest Review and Top Tips

The Walt Disney World Dolphin is one of the most unique places to stay at Walt Disney World. It’s not owned by Disney, but it is on Crescent Lake in the heart of the action at EPCOT and Disney’s BoardWalk.

Operated by Sheraton through Marriott and one of the few resorts at Disney World you can book with points, the Walt Disney World Dolphin is part of the larger Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin complex, sometimes referred to as the “Swolphin.” The complex includes the Dolphin, Swan, and Swan Reserve, which share dining and amenities (including pools), transportation, and Camp Dolphin.

With Deluxe resort amenities, Walt Disney World Dolphin guests can take advantage of Disney World benefits, including early entry and extended evening hours. There’s a surprising amount of entertainment, from celebrity chef restaurants to a large arcade and the only drop-off kids club at Disney World.

I stayed 1 night at the Walt Disney World Dolphin in late July 2025, focused entirely on enjoying EPCOT for my best friend’s birthday. The resort made a strong impression (and a great case for returning on a longer stay) with its location and amenities.

Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning an EPCOT day, or want to enjoy lakeside views and a spa appointment, this is what you need to know before booking your stay.

1. It Has a Fantastic Location

Walt Disney World Dolphin is one of the resorts on Crescent Lake, and all of them are within easy walking distance of EPCOT.

But better yet, you can take a boat. After staying at Walt Disney World Dolphin and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for days at EPCOT, I’m convinced there’s no better way to visit EPCOT than staying at a Crescent Lake resort and hopping on a FriendShip boat.

We were spoiled by a leisurely and scenic boat ride that took us to EPCOT’s International Gateway after stops to pick up passengers at docks for Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, which shares a dock with Disney’s Beach Club Resort. I’d walk from Disney’s Beach Club Resort to EPCOT, but the option is there.

At EPCOT’s International Gateway, we could enter the park near the France pavilion and head right into the World Showcase. Another option is hopping on the Disney Skyliner to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The resort is so close to Disney’s Hollywood Studios that we saw the backside of the Tower of Terror as we pulled up to the entrance.

This resort is an excellent option for days when you’re visiting EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I visited on a 2-day EPCOT-exclusive trip, and the location and transportation couldn’t have been better.

The resort also offers bus transportation, available every 20 to 25 minutes, to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs.

On our way back at night, the FriendShip boat captain told us we could get off at the dock for Disney’s BoardWalk Inn to walk 3 minutes to Walt Disney World Dolphin. Or, he said, we could stay on the boat for 8 minutes, as passengers for Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort were dropped off first.

We walked, and it was great to see everything so close by. Disney’s BoardWalk is next to EPCOT but a destination itself, with dueling pianos, a dance club, extensive dining, an arcade, and Surrey bike rentals. It’s all just around the corner from the Walt Disney World Dolphin.

2. You Can Book With Points, But Check the Math

As one of the few points-booking resorts at Disney World, I always figured I’d book the Walt Disney World Dolphin or the Walt Disney World Swan on points. But a rewards booking wouldn’t have been a good use of Marriott Bonvoy points, when it came down to it.

I paid $217 for 1 night at the resort, which would have cost 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. That would have offered a value of 0.49 cents per point, much lower than our 0.7-cents-per-point valuation for Marriott Bonvoy points.

Further, I didn’t have 44,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in my account and would have had to top off with a transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards (which we value at 2 cents per point) or American Express Membership Rewards points (valued at 2.2 cents per point). Both reward currencies are much more valuable than 0.49 cents per point, so paying cash was the best option for this stay — and I earned Marriott Bonvoy points.

There are other ways to book Walt Disney World Dolphin, including Chase Travel, AmexTravel.com, and Capital One Travel, where you can pay with points or miles. However, every portal I checked had a higher rate (points or cash) than booking directly with Marriott.

Though I didn’t pay with points, a credit card benefit got me a free upgrade to a resort-view room. I enrolled in complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status from the Platinum Card^® from American Express, which I applied to my account right before this stay. I was informed at the check-in desk that I got an upgrade from my this status.

3. There Are So Many Activities

Though we were focused on EPCOT visits for this stay, I’d love to return to hang out and enjoy the resort’s many activities. There’s a lot to do on the property with multiple pools, a white-sand lake beach, watercraft, and miniature golf nearby.

It has 6 pools, including a grotto-style pool with a slide, spas, fountains, and waterfalls. Poolside entertainment and activities include basketball, ping-pong, and billiards. The grotto pool is clearly the focus, with shaded loungers, waterfalls, and a waterslide. There’s also a separate lap pool and recreation pool nearby.

Adjacent to the main pool complex is a white-sand beach. You can’t swim in the lake, but you can hang out on one of the many loungers and enjoy the view or pick up a game of beach volleyball.

There are also swan pedal boats you can rent and take across the lake.

Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is across the street from the resort and walkable via a footpath near the pools.

4. There Are Tons of Places To Eat

Between the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, there are 23 restaurants and lounges, from grab-and-go markets and poolside bars to casual and signature dining.

The headliner is Bourbon Steak, a new restaurant from celebrity Michael Mina. It’s a traditional American steakhouse known for its butter-poached steaks and duck-fat fries.

Convenient dining is available throughout the Walt Disney World Dolphin. There’s Fuel market in the lobby, and just down the escalator from the lobby is a food hall, including Rosa Mexicano and the Fountain.

Across the hall is celebrity chef Todd English’s Bluezoo seafood restaurant.

Though the food venues at the property are plentiful, the resort’s proximity to Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort opens up further dining opportunities. Disney’s BoardWalk, in particular, is full of popular Disney World dining spots, including the Cake Bake Shop, AbracadaBar, Flying Fish, and Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs.

Of course, with EPCOT just a boat ride away, dining extends well beyond the resort grounds and Crescent Lake resorts. That’s especially fun during food festivals, when you can access EPCOT festival booths with your park admission. Many festival booths are within the World Showcase, making the resort’s International Gateway entrance near the France pavilion convenient for grabbing a bite at the park.

Hot Tip:

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin host the Food & Wine Classic each year. It’s set for November 14 and 15 in 2025.

5. There’s Great Entertainment for Kids

With a kids club, huge arcade, lawn games, beach activities, and extensive pools, kids can find endless entertainment at the resort — not to mention the ability to hop on a boat or bus to Disney World theme parks.

Walt Disney World Dolphin has the only drop-off kids club at Disney World. While some Disney World resorts have community centers with activities for kids, those are for families to enjoy together. If you want to drop off kids (ages 5 to 12) while you enjoy an evening at Disney World, Camp Dolphin is the only place to do it.

Camp Dolphin offers kids programs from 3 to 10 p.m. daily. The programs include meals and activities, including arts, crafts, movies, and games. You can book an all-inclusive drop-off from 3 to 10 p.m. or a 2-hour time slot, either 4 to 6 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. Your 2-hour Camp Dolphin fee is waived if you dine at Todd English’s Bluezoo, Amare, or Il Mulino New York Trattoria, with 1 free kid admission per entree.

Near Camp Dolphin is the Lagoon Games, Lanes & Eats arcade, open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The arcade spans 2 large rooms, including a prize wall and miniature bowling. Lounge areas are available, and you can order food to be delivered to the arcade.

There’s also a playground between the pools and the beach, and it’s an easy walk to miniature golf across the street.

6. It Has One of the Rare Disney World Spas

There are only 3 spas on Disney World property:

• Mandara Spa at Walt Disney World Dolphin
• The Grand Floridian Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian & Spa
• Orlando Spa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando

Mandara Spa at Walt Disney World Dolphin offers a meditation garden, spa, and salon with massages, body wraps, facials, nail services, and hairstyling.

The spa also has Normatec recovery sessions, which are great for relieving sore legs after a day at the theme parks.

Though separate, the fitness center is also impressive, spanning 3 rooms with sections for cardio, functional fitness, and weight lifting. It has separate restrooms and offers chilled towels in a cooler. Workout equipment is also available to borrow by request from the front desk.

7. You Get Some Disney World Resort Perks

Staying at a Disney World resort is great for park benefits, including special access to theme park hours and transportation. Walt Disney World Dolphin isn’t technically a Disney World resort, but it shares some of the same benefits.

Disney World resort benefits at Walt Disney World Dolphin include:

• Early theme park entry
• Extended evening hours (exclusive to guests of Deluxe resorts)
• Disney transportation
• Lightning Lane reservations up to 7 days before your stay

However, you do lose some benefits by not staying at an official Disney World resort. You can’t open your door with a MagicBand+ or charge theme park purchases to your room with a band. The resort doesn’t participate in the Disney Dining Plan. It also doesn’t have the Hey Disney! voice assistant.

Perhaps the most disappointing Disney World resort benefit missing from Walt Disney World Dolphin? No free check-in day access to Disney’s water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach.

However, there is a Disney planning concierge desk. The resort also offers another rare benefit at Disney World resorts: on-site rental cars.

Final Thoughts

The Walt Disney World Dolphin is excellent for families, couples, and Marriott loyalists. Rates are competitive with those of Disney World resorts, offering access to some Deluxe resort benefits without the price you’d pay to stay at a Deluxe resort. It’s especially suitable if you’re visiting EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios and want to minimize transportation time or at least arrive in style on a boat or Skyliner.

Another standout feature is how ridiculously good-looking the resort is. We loved the dramatic fountain, Dr. Seuss-like dolphin sculptures, bold architecture, lush landscaping, and lake views. It was fun to spot the resort from some areas of EPCOT’s World Showcase, too.

I’ll gladly return to this resort (or one of the other Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin properties) for an EPCOT-heavy trip.