Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel Using Marriott Points
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.If you’re looking to enjoy the magic of Disney World with a mix of comfort and luxury, but using travel reward points The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is a great choice. Disney-owned hotels are hard to book using travel reward points and can cause the cost of your Disney vacation to add up quickly.
Marriott has 3 hotels on Disney property, that, unlike Disney resorts, can be booked using Marriot Bonvoy points. The Disney Dolphin is in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort.
Dolphin Resorts offers easy access to Disney’s iconic parks while giving you the full benefits of a Marriott property. Even better, you can stay at this beautiful resort using your Marriott Bonvoy points—making your trip both magical and economical.
Why Choose The Marriott Dolphin?
The Marriott Dolphin Hotel and its sister properties, the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve and Walt Disney World Swan are part of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort complex. This means you’re walking distance to Epcot, a short distance to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the other Disney parks. Some of the best features include:
Ideal Location: Walk to Epcot or take a short boat ride to Hollywood Studios.
Disney Benefits: Early theme park entry and complimentary transportation to Disney parks. In addition, guests can purchase a Multi-Pass 7 days prior to your park visit
Luxury Amenities: From large pools to world-class dining and a beautiful spa, the Dolphin provides an upscale experience. You can use any of the amenities at the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin hotels which include a Grotto pool with a waterslide and waterfall, a spring pool, a white sand beach, a kiddie pool, a state-of-the-art Spa and fitness center, and multiple dining options.
Family-Friendly Options: Fanily fun can continue using the resort's ping pong tables, game room, air hockey, and jogging trails. Also, hotel guests get access to Camp Dolphin which is a kids club for children 5-12.
All of this, combined with the ability to use your Marriott Bonvoy points for your stay, makes it an attractive option for Disney visitors.
Dolphin guests receive the same benefits as guests of Disney World Deluxe hotels, except for being able to purchase a dining plan. The hotel offers complimentary bus transportation to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs.
A Disney Water taxi is available at the Swan and Dolphin to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. In addition, guests of the Dolphin receive free parking at Disney Theme parks, if you are looking to have a car. Keep in mind that Dolphin does charge a parking fee. Other deluxe resort perks are available to Dolphin guests, such as early entry and extended evening hours (select nights).
Dolphin guests receive other on-property perks such as being able to purchase lighting lanes at 7 am and purchase a Multi-Pass 7 days prior to your park visit. Visitors of Walt Disney World Theme parks, not staying at Disney Hotels, can only purchase multipasses 3 days before a park visit.
The Dolphin Hotel offers guest rooms with double beds and rooms have a maximum occupancy of 5 people. If you have a large family then the Swan Reserve may be a good option for you, as their Signature Suites have a maximum occupancy of 6 people (double queen plus a sofa bed). The Dolphin does offer some larger rooms, however, they are not available to reserve using Marriott Reward points.
Booking Your Stay with Marriott Reward Points
Plan Ahead: The Marriott Dolphin is a popular choice, especially during peak seasons like holidays and summer vacations. To secure your desired dates, it’s best to book as early as possible. Marriott Bonvoy allows you to book up to 12 months in advance using points.
Use Points Savvy: The number of points required for a stay at The Marriott Dolphin varies depending on the season and room type. Typically, a standard room might cost between 50,000 to 75,000 points per night. However, if you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can take advantage of off-peak pricing, which can significantly reduce the number of points needed.
Take Advantage of PointSavers and Promotions: Marriott often runs promotions that allow you to save points or earn bonus points. Keep an eye out for PointSavers, which offers discounted point redemptions on select dates. Additionally, if you hold a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you may receive special offers or bonus points that can be applied toward your stay.
Maximizing Your Experience at The Marriott Dolphin
Combine Points with Cash: If you’re short on points but still want to experience The Dolphin, consider a Points +Cash booking. This option allows you to use a combination of points and cash, making it easier to afford longer stays or room upgrades.
Extend Your Stay with a Fifth Night Free: Marriott Bonvoy members receive the 5th night free when booking a stay of five consecutive nights with points. This perk is a fantastic way to stretch your points further and enjoy an extended vacation.
Utilize Elite Status Perks: If you hold Marriott Bonvoy elite status, you’ll enjoy additional benefits during your stay at The Dolphin. These perks may include room upgrades, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and access to exclusive lounges. The more you stay with Marriott, the more perks you’ll receive, so it pays to be loyal.
Take advantage of Sign-up Bonuses: Be strategic with your credit card choices. After meeting the spending minimum for one card’s sign-up bonus, consider applying for your next travel rewards card that earns Marriott points (or other type of travel reward).
Take advantage of a travel partner: Utilize a partner to maximize your travel rewards. This strategy allows both you and your partner to earn the sign-up bonus on the same type of travel card. For example, if you sign up for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, meet the minimum spending requirement, and earn the sign-up bonus, your partner can then sign up for the same card and earn the bonus too. Just ensure that you don't add your partner as an authorized user on your account, as this could disqualify them from earning their own sign-up bonus.
Free Night Certificates: Many Marriott credit cards offer a free night certificate. These are a great way to add nights to your stay that are not a multiple of 5 (see point 3 above). Utilize a travel partner to earn multiple free night certificates on multiple credit cards to score more free nights.
Final Tips
Monitor Your Points Balance: Keep an eye on your Marriott Bonvoy points balance and expiration dates. Points typically expire after 24 months of inactivity, so make sure to stay active by earning or redeeming points within that period.
Resort Fees: While your stay might be covered by points, the Dolphin does charge a resort fee and parking fee, including stays booked with points. Even with paying a resort fee, you will still save hundreds to thousands of dollars by using points for your stay compared to other on-property resorts.
Staying at the Marriott Dolphin Hotel using Marriott Bonvoy points is one of the smartest ways to experience Disney World in style. With a strategic approach, you can enjoy the luxury of this beautiful resort while taking full advantage of being a Marriott Bonvoy member.
Whether it’s upgrading your room, getting the fifth night free, or enjoying elite member perks, the Marriott Dolphin provides an unforgettable experience right in the heart of the magic. Create memorable moments at a fraction of the cost of staying at Disney World hotels. So pack your bags, gather your points, and get ready for an extraordinary Disney vacation!
