This is a very nice hotel, with excellent service and a great location for Disney (particularly for Epcot and MGM). I would definitely recommend the Dolphin (or the Swan, which we stayed at 2 times prior) for a 4 star experience, at a much lower rate than the Disney resort hotels. We used a Starwood 50% off award, and for prior stays have used the Teacher's Discount or AAA discount. Food choices are varied and not overly expensive, considering you're on Disney property. The person from Chicago whose review is before mine is correct, however, about the pull-down bed being very uncomfortable. We had a 2 room suite, and while the heavenly beds in the bedroom were great, we did have a "heavenly roll-away" brought in for the living room area because the bed which came down out of the wall was unacceptable. The front desk was very nice to deal with and resolved the problem quickly. One more thing, the AC does work on a sensor - this may be problem for hotter months. It actually shuts down when you leave the room, so you're walking into a hot room after a day in the parks.

I traveled to stay at the Dolphin on busness and pleasure. Here are the facts:

What I experienced:
-$20-25 for breakfast buffet (this includes bad service and Denny's quality food!)
-Free shuttle to parks takes 45mins and makes way too many stops
-Internet is an extra $11/day
-Service is horrible. Front desk delivered the wrong package to our room. Restuarant servers forget eveything and are not curtious.
-Do not stay in a room that has the low bed (i.e. its basically a wall fold out bed) it is absolutely uncomfortable.
-Rooms are only average (about the same as what you would expect from a Holiday Inn)
-Gift shops have no selection
-Finally all the parks are way over priced $63 for an adult? Are you serious? Totally not worth it!

My suggestion is to avoid the giant money trap that is Walt Disney and the Dolphin. I could not imagine bringing kids to this place. Since when has a great place to vacation turned into a giant coroporate shakedown for the average american. Maybe I just expect too much...

We just got back from the Dolphin yesterday. We had a great time. The Hotel is clean, grounds kept well, rooms are very clean with brand new carpet. Service is excellent. Just take a lot of extra money for meals at the resort, camp dolphin (day Care for kids), to experience the magic. Very relaxing atmosphere. I would go back any day.

We stayed two weeks at Disney. The first week at the Swan (Westin) the second at Dolpin (Sheraton).
The Swan was unfriendly at front desk and had sign for Gold\Platnum Starwood members but just took people first come first serve. My husband travels alot and has Platnum status which usually get a upgrade or friendly service. We waited in line and they did not want to upgrade us saying the club floor was full but gave us access to it.
The Club is a joke. We were disapointed with the food and cleanlynes, small children running wild. We where told a suite would be available later in the week. NO one followed up and our room was not cleaned By 2 pm which we requested.. This hotel does a terible job for there platnum members.
After one week we deciced to switch to the Dolphin, Where they upgraded us and there club level was nicer.. Both hotels do not reguire key access to the club which allows anyone, kid or adult in. The two room suite was very nice and service seemed much better at the sheraton.
At both hotels we had no problems with bad smells or mold. They share the same pools and playground equipment. They have a sports court and pool games in the afternoon for the kids.
The acess to Disney was Great!! The boats came every 15-20 min for Epcot and MGM and the Boardwalk. The Bus ran every 15 min. Made going to the parks a snap. They also go to the water parks and downtown Disney, which means you dont need a car. We rented one and only took it out once.
The pool cafe was good for burgers and wraps and the frozen drinks were great. We had no problem with the price it seemed standard hotel rate 8-11 for a sandwich. We went to the parks in the morning and stayed at the hotel pools in the afternoon. Then do to easy access to parks returned in the evenings.
My family had a great time a Disney. We liked the Dolphin better than the Swan. The Dolphin is a much larger hotel than the Swan if you dont like to walk so far maybe stay at the Swan. We did laundy at the Dolphin they have machines next to the kids arcade 2 dollors a load. The fitness center has more equipment at the Dolphin, which is also next to laundy room.